Fred. Olsen goes all-inclusive, offers Price Pledge
Guest Writers are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the specific writer directly
Reflecting the growth in the ‘all-inclusive’ holiday market Fred. Olsen Cruises has announced it will go all-inclusive for the 2013-14 season.
The line has recently tested the market by offering four Canary cruises with an all-inclusive drinks package and has now decided to extend it across the board to the line’s entire 2013-14 programme.
If guests book by 30 September 2012 any cruise from the line’s 2013/14 Worldwide Cruise brochure for departures on or after 6 April 2013, their booking will automatically qualify for a free upgrade to an all-inclusive drinks package. Excluded from the offer is the Balmoral and Black Watch Grand Voyage and their sectors , and the full charter of the Boudicca (JMGD 1321) .The all-inclusive benefit will be retroactive and will apply to all guests already booked on any qualifying cruise. The line further announced the offer will be restricted to the first 100 bookings per sailing taken between now and end of September 2012. Excluded from the all-inclusive packages are items such as shore excursions, shop purchases, premium drinks and champagnes, spa treatments, traditional afternoon teas and speciality teas and coffees.
Fred. Olsen has also introduced a new early-booking ‘Price Pledge’ to all guests booking by 30 September 2012 in order to offer its guests the best price. Its Price Pledge means that if the cruies price is reduced, the line will refund the difference through one or a combination of measures including a cabin upgrade; onboard spending credit or a refund, all at Fred Olsen’s discretion.
The latest Price-Pledge from Fred Olsen follows the lead set last week by P&O Cruises & Cunard and since followed by Holland America with their own versions of price protection, all designed to encourage clients to commit to their bookings now rather than wait on the side-lines hoping for the price to drop. Armed with the knowledge, that booking early will not disadvantage their clients against price drops, makes the jobs for travel agents in seeking client commitment earlier far less complicated.
