Travel Enticing incentives How did we stay in touch with at-home happenings, friends and families on a long cruise? Each evening, we received summaries of Canadian and U. S. news, sports and financial highlights. A variety of Internet packages (by the minute, 200 anytime minutes and unlimited) allowed us to surf the Web, send and receive e-mails on our devices and in the 24-hour Oceania@Sea Internet Center. A technical consultant helped passengers with any login issues. Snowbirds in Residence packages include free unlimited Internet, free laundry, free prepaid gratuities, roundtrip airfare to and fromMiami, plus (depending on whether you choose the 74-, 83- or 116-day package) your choice of 44, 48 or 68 free shore excursions, or a $4,400, $4,800 or $6,800 shipboard credit or a free house beverage package per stateroom. It’s no wonder that we met so many repeat passengers who were on their 6th, 14th and even 20th Oceania cruise. (Oceania Club gives additional discounts and incentives to passengers who take multiple trips.)They cited several reasons for their loyalty – the delicious cuisine, the predominantly adult fellow travellers (no activities designed to attract children), the camaraderie that develops among them during long voyages and, especially, the staff. Their name badges specify their homelands – places as diverse as Bali, El Salvador and the Philippines. “The staff feels like family,” explained one passenger. “During long and repeat cruises, we get to know them and learn about their families and home countries. We remember each other fromprevious cruises.” Her explanationmay account for why the service on board is so caring and their smiles and greetings so genuine. When our cruise ended, we asked each other: “If we can substitute a Snowbirds in Residence floating home for our winter abode, why shouldn’t we consider Oceania’s 85-day Grand European Voyage as an alternative to renting a summer cottage?” You don’t have to be winter weary to enjoy the pleasures of an extended cruise. Resources For free brochures and more information, call Oceania Cruises at 1-855-623-2642 or visit www.oceaniacruises.com. Barb & Ron Kroll publish the trip-planning website www.KrollTravel.com. Band and dancers entertain passengers during an evening show Using computers in Oceania@Sea Internet Center Smiling sommelier CSANews | FALL 2017 | 23
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