Oceania Cruises removes NCFs on all new itineraries

Oceania Cruises has removed all non-commissionable fares (NCFs) from its pricing for new itineraries across all markets.

 

NCFs typically include elements such as port charges, government taxes and other optional fees.

 

The change comes after sister brand Norwegian Cruise Line eliminated non-commissionable fares for the UK market in March.

 

Chief commercial officer Nathan Hickman told Aspire sister title Travel Weekly the change followed a successful pilot with the trade and was driven by agent feedback, rather than the actions of NCL or any other company.

 

“Our partners have raised this as an opportunity for us to fuel that growth we need from them over the next 10 years,” he said, adding the move was “a long-term play” to secure mutual growth with trade partners given the line’s new-build pipeline with the Oceania Sonata class.

 

Hickman said the pilot proved it was “a win-win for everyone involved” and the policy would add “transparency and simplicity” for agents to make the luxury line easier to do business with.

 

He added the change will apply to new programmes launching over the next two months for the 2028 and 2029 world cruise, 2028 summer season and 2028-29 winter season, which will be the furthest ahead the cruise line has ever launched before.

 

“We hope this keeps pushing that booking window out, which is healthier for everyone,” Hickman said.

 

Paul Beale, UK and Ireland sales vice‑president for Oceania Cruises and sister line Regent Seven Seas Cruises, said the incremental earning potential for new and existing partners was “really significant”, insisting the benefits of the programme will “become bigger and bigger as time goes on”.

 

Beale said: “We are a luxury product and we have luxury inclusions, so now to remove NCF means agents are going to make more margin.

 

“It’s going to be even better so the more they can earn, the more they can put towards their bottom line and that is going to be beneficial for our cut-through.

 

“We’ve already expanded our reach within the UK marketplace and now we’re consolidating that with this margin retention as well.”

 

When asked if this policy would be taken up by Regent Seven Seas Cruises straight away, Beale said: “At the moment this is specifically an Oceania programme and they are taking the initiative pushing that benefit through for travel partners.”

 

Speaking about wider trading, Beale said the UK market was “very resilient” with volumes “going from strength to strength” since the debut of Oceania Allura last year, and 2027 itineraries currently “driving business”.

 

Beale added booking patterns had “slightly shifted” but UK bookings were still up year on year.

 

“We’re also driving a lot of in-year business as well, particularly with opportunities within the Mediterranean and northern Europe,” he said.

Across the wider business, Hickman said January and February had performed “phenomenally well”, and despite geopolitical uncertainty from the Middle East conflict, he said he was “pleased with March overall”.

 

He added: “We are back to seeing April achieving targets, so I am optimistic about this year. It is proving out and future years are looking even better.”

 

Pictured: Nathan Hickman and Paul Beale