Oceania Cruises includes flights from London airports for its journey programme. Hereafter, flights from Gatwick and Heathrow airports in London will be a part of the European and global schedule of Oceania Cruises.
Regional flights from Aberdeen, Newcastle, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh can be booked with an additional charge of GBP 149 for economy class and GBP 199 for business class. The inclusion of these flights will obviously result in some increase in the fares, as pointed out by a spokesperson of the carrier.
Oceania did not reveal the name of the airlines which will be operated but only indicated to the travel agents that they would not be low cost airlines. The passengers with Oceania Cruises booking are also eligible to add flights, if needed, free of charge.
In the case of fresh bookings, those who opt for Oceania Cruises will get an air credit, the particulars of which can be attained from the airlines if officially requested for. Just for an example, GBP 100 will have to be paid for journey to any place within Europe. The charges will be GBP 300 for flight to a Middle East city, say Dubai. The amount will be GBP 800 in the case of flight to Far East places like Auckland in New Zealand. The airline is yet to clarify as to how the credit will apply.
Oceania seems to follow the footsteps of its sister concern Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Crystal Cruises in bundling the fare. Nowadays, it is the inclination of airlines, whether luxury or premium, to include flights in the package.
Luxury lines like Silversea, Seabourn, Sea Dream Yacht Cub etc charge separately for the flights. Oceania prefers to be among upper premium category rather than in luxury lines.
Thus, Oceania allows the passenger a perfect method of booking a flight, but then the airlines should not be considered to be following the ultra luxury operators. Oceania’s reputed restaurants do not offer any supplement. In fact, gratuities, drinks etc are charged for. Excursions are also not free. Even the charges from airport to ship and vice versa have to be borne by the passengers.
