This cruise line now includes tipping – but it’s not a deal breaker

Say goodbye to free booze on Oceania Cruises. The line is replacing free booze and shore excursion credits with free tips in its latest iteration. Package includes.

The new “Your World Included” package will take effect starting October 1, 2025, for all new bookings departing on or after January 1, 2025. It will replace the line’s current “Simply More” package, which includes two-for-one cruise fares, shore excursion credits, wine and other basic alcoholic beverages with lunch and dinner. Like the current package, the new package will be included even on the most basic fares.

In addition to tips for butlers, room service and valets, the new package will include dining at all specialty restaurants; non-alcoholic beverages such as soda, juice, coffee and specialty tea; sparkling and still bottled water; unlimited Wi-Fi; room service; gelato and artisanal ice cream; group fitness classes; and laundry service (self-service for all hotels, except for suite guests).

Oceania said it made the change after receiving feedback from passengers, emphasizing the inclusion of valuable items for all cruise passengers, not just some.

“It’s no surprise that our customers value our core services most, like free food specialties and free Wi-Fi; including tipping creates the most extensive amenities and benefits possible for our guests globally,” said Frank A. Del Rio, president of Oceania Cruises, in a press release from line

The release states that — based on average charges for tips, Wi-Fi, non-alcoholic beverage and gourmet dining on the 10-day cruise — travelers will get more than $1,800 worth of amenities per cabin under the new package. That sounds like a good trade-off until you consider the value of what’s offered in the current package.

The terms and conditions for Oceania’s current “Simply More” package state the value of the package’s free alcoholic drinks is $1,400 per person and the shore excursion credit is $700 per person.

When you compare that to the value of Tip With both of those replaced as inclusions, the numbers look even worse. Currently, an $18 per person, per day fee is added to a guest’s onboard account for tips. Passengers in suites with butler service pay $23 per person, per day. Even at the highest level, that comes to $230 per person for a 10-day cruise. So a $2,100 value is being replaced with a perk that’s only worth $230.

The change comes about a year after Oceania rolled out “Simply More,” replacing its previous plan called “OLife Choice.”

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