Oceania Cruises 'bakes' gratuities into cruise fare following agent feedback
Oceania Cruises has included pre-paid gratuities into all UK and Ireland bookings after agents urged the line to change its fare structure.
International sales vice-president Jason Worth said “every” agent he had spoken to had asked for gratuities to be included.
The move comes just six months after Oceania launched a new fare system – called Simply More – with more benefits for customers.
Worth said Simply More’s “nice and simple messaging” was “well received” by customers and had persuaded the line to look at including gratuities into the fare.
“We believe UK guests want the simple messaging to cascade through to gratuities,” Worth said. “After all our trade partners are trying to get customers to book.
“We felt if the market is accepting it then let’s include gratuities. Every single UK agent that I have spoken to wanted this.
“We believe it represents a huge opportunity for our valued trade partners. We understand the popularity of more inclusive pricing as guests like to know the upfront cost of their holiday as far as possible.”
When asked how fares would change, Worth confirmed gratuities would “be baked into the cruise fare”.
But he added: “That [new] fare now becomes part of the commission.”
Oceania’s European passengers will also now see gratuities included in the fare, explained Worth, who added that gratuities were already added to the fare in Australia and New Zealand.
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Harry Kemble
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