Oceania Cruises adds pre-paid gratuities to all bookings

Oceania Cruises is adding pre-paid gratuities to all new UK and Ireland bookings.

As of January 1, the cruise line is including pre-paid gratuities with all bookings based on “positive feedback” from the trade.

The line has offered pre-paid gratuities in the Australian market for several years where it has seen “great success”, vice-president of international sales Jason Worth (pictured) told Travel Weekly.

More: Oceania Cruises expands UK sales team with three appointments

He said the addition of pre-paid gratuities in the UK market goes hand in hand with the line’s Simply More value promise, where passengers receive free round-trip airfare, drinks package and shore excursion credit.

“We launched pre-paid gratuities in Australia which has historically had a close relationship with the UK and culturally is very similar in that Aussies don’t like tipping either. Once we had a fresh look in the UK we thought that would go over well.

“We talked to [UK] partners about it and their feedback was all positive and we believe this represents a huge opportunity for our valued trade partners.

“Now guests don’t have to worry about getting surprised with any kind of long bill as they don’t have to spend any money on board. It’s great value to have that option.”

He added: “Following the success seen from the introduction of Simply More this summer, we wanted to elevate our offering even further.”

Oceania Cruises is also offering savings of up to 50% per stateroom on 112 sailings in 2024 and 2025 for bookings made by February 29.

Included itineraries range from seven to 32-days in length and cover destinations in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, Alaska, Canada and South America.

President Frank Del Rio said: “We’re excited to welcome travellers aboard in 2024 and 2025 to savour immersive small-ship luxury for less with our enticing new year savings.”