Why not all inclusive ?

[Cruiser1104]

Azamara is almost all inclusive but there are still charges for alcoholic drinks (except wines at lunch and dinner). Surely the Azamara experience would be improved by including all drinks, except premium wines and spirits, in the cruise charge. Seabourn does and it works very well or will RCCL introduce another upmarket offering that is really all inclusive.

[Larry Pimentel]

Azamara is almost all inclusive but there are still charges for alcoholic drinks (except wines at lunch and dinner). Surely the Azamara experience would be improved by including all drinks, except premium wines and spirits, in the cruise charge. Seabourn does and it works very well or will RCCL introduce another upmarket offering that is really all inclusive.


Dear Cruiser1104,

The notion of an all inclusive product is provocative. I'd enjoy hearing what you think should be included. The more specific, the better my understanding will be.

If more is added, than additional costs are added. Are you, or other guests willing to pay for the additions?

I would enjoy hearing your thoughts.

Thank you for joining me!

Regards,

[Albert Ross]

Larry, can I put in a request for some rose wine to be added to the daily offerings please? Light, dry, crisp and cold.....:D

[uktog]

I like the level of "inclusivity" as it is at present - Albert's very good observation re rose wine is one that is worth considering and I do wonder about the inclusion of complimentary internet access for all guests

My concern is if it becomes all inclusive, there will be an "averaging" of the offering. What I mean is the pricing will make assumptions, as will the product offering. One of the great selling points at present is that individuals can make choice, for example, to take part in a shore excursion or do a port on their own; to eat in the Speciality restaurant/use the spa or not etc etc

I think the inclusivity is at the right level such that gratuities and soft drinks (items everyone has to take account of) and wine at meal (items a significant proportion of guests has to take account of) are included. If we move into areas such as all drinks you start really hitting some guests who, for a variety of reasons, do not drink

[Cruiser1104]

Fair question. I think "all inclusive" is what, for example Seabourn provides which is Azamara plus all drinks at any time, use of all dining facilities without extra fee and 1 or 2 basic excursions. Doing this would set Azamara in the ultra luxury category rather than a classier and smaller version of Celebrity.

To a certain extent I probably can answer my own question in that Azamara's offering is constrained by the use of the "R" ships whereas new purpose built ship(s) would allow an enhanced offering.

Two supplementary questions
1."why should I pay for a beer at dinner whereas wine is free?"
2."how about an all drinks (excl premium wines and spirits) option similar to the soft drinks option offered on, for example, RCL.?"

[tabatha1]

Dear Larry My wonderful husband has been nagging me to ask "why is beer not an included option particularly at lunch time when wine can be a bit heavy -especially in hot weather? I had brushed his request aside being a wine drinker myself but as the subject has been raised it would make his Azamara experience even closer to perfection if beer were to be included in the future. Thanks.

[Local17]

Larry,

Our one and only cruise was a Florida to California, Panama Canal trip. We were given a Complimentary Drink Card. During that 16 day voyage we only had a total of 10 drinks.

How about giving each passenger 2 drinks per day "on the house" ?

[Albert Ross]

I personally have done 3 cruises (with the 4th booked) and I like it just the way it is (perhaps with rose though..)
Before there used to be a daily beer special where 2 brands were $2.50 a bottle IIRC. This made a pleasant change from wine at lunch which tends to send me to sleep in the afternoon. I would like to see this bought back.

Whilst I have never taken an A/I cruise I have visions of people just drinking all day because they can:rolleyes:, and taking little interest in their surroundings, or even not going ashore. Some close friends only sail Silverseas - and their ports of call on their recent cruise was literally a few hours in each place as they (and others) rarely bother getting off.:eek:

So a 'no' vote from me!

I would like to see a BOGO offer for the speciality restaurants for loyalty members though?

[Local17]

. . .

Whilst I have never taken an A/I cruise I have visions of people just drinking all day because they can:rolleyes:, and taking little interest in their surroundings, or even not going ashore. Some close friends only sail Silverseas - and their ports of call on their recent cruise was literally a few hours in each place as they (and others) rarely bother getting off.:eek:

So a 'no' vote from me!

. . .



Albert,

If a lower end cruise line cruise went all inclusive, I imagine it would be like Animal House on the high seas. A recent Seabourne cruise showed us that not to be the case. Each passenger even gets the bottle of their choice in their room. I beleive the ACC customer is not looking for the "fun (drunk) ship" experiance and although packed with value, it discourages the rowdy, bar crowd with it's higher pricing.

ACC provides wine with lunch and dinner. I agree that Larry should look into expanding this to also include the beer as complimentary. I don't believe that ACC offers free wine for the "snooty factor", but more for the wine lovers experience. To try new and unusual "finds". Those who enjoy beer would also like to enjoy their own experience too. As suggested in another question, the beers in ACC's collection may be in need of a review.

A "classic" choice of a lager, pilsner, ale and stout could be the foundation, with locally sourced choices acquired at each port. This beer experience would enhance the voyage for those seeking it.

I still stand by my suggestion that 2 drinks per day complimentary would allow those occasional imbibers to avoid the "nickel and dimed to death on a cruise effect" that I think ACC tries to avoid. With all it's other free drinks (bottled water, fancy coffee drinks and wines) I don't think the occasional drink is going to effect the bottom line negatively nearly as much as it will
impact the positive feelings of the cruiser.

[Carnevale]

Hello Larry: This is an interesting question for Azamara to consider and I'm glad to see you seeking customer input on it. My vote is to stay with your current model but explore the specific inclusions/exclusions.

Why? This will continue to make Azamara distinctive in the marketplace (you step out of the "nickel and dimed to death" problem of other lines) but avoid needing to raise your price point too much. As far as I can see, Azamara has carved out a rather unique market position around all of this. We've sailed on Crystal and loved it but its all inclusive approach has really pushed its price making it much less attractive (which is the main reason we'll be experiencing Azamara for the first time next month).

If you make any changes to the smaller details, I agree with other posters about the inclusion of rose wine and beer at lunch and dinner. I also think that 15 mins of free internet per day per person would be a special touch and will let us rave about our experience on board during the sailing. I'd also encourage you to re-consider the price increase for the special dining options as $25 is high enough to push us toward regular dining which means one of the special features of Azamara won't be experienced in the same way (but I'm not suggesting making them free, rather returning to $15 or perhaps $20 pp instead). And lastly, while bonus features linked to loyalty are important, if you go too far with that you'll alienate potential new guests so I'm not as keen on that aspect as some other posters (and not just because I'm new to Azamara as I've got lots of sea days on other lines and would say the same thing there).

Thanks for the opportunity to comment on this. It is an important part of the cruise experience!

[Host Andy]

Hi Everyone,

I agree with the consensus, that Azamara's level of inclusitivity works for us. As non-drinkers, I would be disappointed if Azamara made alcohol "inclusive". There is no free lunch out there. You can bet the house, this would increase prices. With all due respect to those who drink, I do not care to subsidize this. I believe Azamara offers an alcohol package, though some have suggested the pricing is off-kilter. Perhaps Azamara could take a look at this.

As for items such as free internet, Azamara already offers a very generous package for Discoverer Level Guests... so I'm not sure any improvement is necessary. I like the idea of offering a complimentary drink or two per day. This would be a fine benefit for any future additions to Le Club Voyage.

[brownie32]

After being on the Quest this past September, I don't want anything to change. Sure a Rose included might be a no-brainer, but the price of drinks was reasonable enough. Also, don't up the surcharge of the specialty restaurants, as you want to keep that separation between what your parent company does(nickel and dime you) and you reputation as a very good value for what you are getting.
Looking at the Quest again for the Dalmation coast.

[dfishner]

Look at Regent for a moment they are all inclusive and look what they charge for one of their cruises compared to Azamara and that is what an all inclusive Azamara cruise would cost if everything was included.

There are costs for those add ons and you cannot expect the cruise line to give it away without recouping that in their price. I am not willing to do that yes it would be great but I am not willing to pay that price if I were I would be cruising on Regent instead of Azamara. I picked Azamara because I could afford them and Regent was way to much and in the end I did not think it was a value..

[bahrain_not_dubai!]

I agree with Host Andy- as a non-drinker, I don't feel like I'd want to pay for alcohol. Nonetheless, if Pullmantur can include alcohol I guess ACC can without too much increase in overall price of the cruise. I still think that allowing the cruiser some choice in upgrading their cruise experience is a good idea- for example I don't cruise Regent because of all the ''free'' things they offer that drives the price through the roof- shore excursions I won't use, a flight I don't need and a hotel night that doesn't warrant the extra price. I say give me, as a passenger, the choice- if I want a shore ex, I'll pay for it, if I don't, well I don't want to have had to pay for it anyway.

If ACC keeps its current level of inclusiveness it'd be great, at least that is what I think. You wouldn't want to drive the price up too high because then you'd be pushing it near Seabourn/Silversea standards.

Thats my two cents, possibly one. :)

[Larry Pimentel]

Larry, can I put in a request for some rose wine to be added to the daily offerings please? Light, dry, crisp and cold.....:D


Dear Albert Ross,

The purchasing team had 26 rose wines for me to sample on Friday afternoon. We narrowed this down to four and after they discuss quantities and pricing with the producers, we will select one. The four selected were really good.

Oddly enough my personnel favorite was from Portugal. We should be supplying Journey and Quest with a fine Rose wine, in the very near future.

Many parts of my daily activity are very enjoyable, those was one of them.

Warm Regards,

[uktog]

Dear Albert Ross,

The purchasing team had 26 rose wines for me to sample on Friday afternoon. We narrowed this down to four and after they discuss quantities and pricing with the producers, we will select one. The four selected were really good.

Oddly enough my personnel favorite was from Portugal. We should be supplying Journey and Quest with a fine Rose wine, in the very near future.

Many parts of my daily activity are very enjoyable, those was one of them.

Warm Regards,

That is excellent news on three counts -
1. that a Rose is on the cards
2. that you take such a close interest on what happens on board
and most of all
3. that there are aspects of your demanding role that are enjoyable!!

[tabatha1]

Dear Larry The progress on the rose situation sounds great. Nice way to spend a Friday afternoon. My husband says that if you would like an expert to taste beers he is at your disposal.

Thanks for your answers to my posts. Its been enjoyable sharing views and we are looking forward being on The Quest in July. Bye for now.

[Maggie 1008]

We are Elite on Celebrity and will do our first cruise on Azamara on March 30th. We are wine drinkers and will so enjoy a dry Rose with our lunch. Will it be onboard for the March 30th sailing ? We have been on all the higher end luxury cruise ships. There is a BIG price difference. I am fine with the offer of wine with lunch and dinner. To buy a few cocktails is a lot less than the other lines would cost.

[Host Andy]

We are Elite on Celebrity and will do our first cruise on Azamara on March 30th. We are wine drinkers and will so enjoy a dry Rose with our lunch. Will it be onboard for the March 30th sailing ? We have been on all the higher end luxury cruise ships. There is a BIG price difference. I am fine with the offer of wine with lunch and dinner. To buy a few cocktails is a lot less than the other lines would cost.

Hi Maggie,

Just as an FYI, Mr Pimentel is no longer responding to new questions, so we may not get an answer from Mr Pimentel on your latest question. Thanks !

[Bill Leiber]

We are Elite on Celebrity and will do our first cruise on Azamara on March 30th. We are wine drinkers and will so enjoy a dry Rose with our lunch. Will it be onboard for the March 30th sailing ? We have been on all the higher end luxury cruise ships. There is a BIG price difference. I am fine with the offer of wine with lunch and dinner. To buy a few cocktails is a lot less than the other lines would cost.
Hello Maggie -

I learned from our Vice President of Hotel Operation that it will be at least 75 to 90 days to contract, supply and pour our rosé wine collection onboard.

We look forward to welcoming you on board on March 30 for your first Azamara Club Cruises vacation which I'm sure will be your first of many that will follow offering a selection of rosé wines!

Happy Sailing!

Regards,

Bill Leiber
________________________
Chief Blogging Officer*
Azamara Club Cruises
(*CBO is an authorized and compensated representative of ACC)

[Albert Ross]

Dear Albert Ross,

The purchasing team had 26 rose wines for me to sample on Friday afternoon. We narrowed this down to four and after they discuss quantities and pricing with the producers, we will select one. The four selected were really good.

Oddly enough my personnel favorite was from Portugal. We should be supplying Journey and Quest with a fine Rose wine, in the very near future.

Many parts of my daily activity are very enjoyable, those was one of them.

Warm Regards,
WOW!
Now that is why ACC is the best cruise line in the world! An off the cuff remark about a personal preference leads to my wish being granted!
My only comment would be I would have been very happy to help with the arduous task of the wine tasting!:)
Thank you very much!

[dfishner]

WOW!
Now that is why ACC is the best cruise line in the world! An off the cuff remark about a personal preference leads to my wish being granted!
My only comment would be I would have been very happy to help with the arduous task of the wine tasting!
Thank you very much!

Albert, that was such a great idea about the Rose and glad they made it happen..I think they should of at least invitied you for the tasting ;)

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I'm a Regent cruiser so far. Regent started out providing beer and wine for dinner. Now it's all-inclusive, which is great. But...this is at a cost. But, if you're going to provide wine at lunch and dinner, you should provide beer also. Not doing so is just silly.

[avw]

I am pretty happy with the current inclusions and would not want to subsidize liquor consumption. My husband often has a beer with lunch. He might like it if beer was included, but we find that the costs are pretty reasonable.

This is great that passengers are able to have input, and we can see that our responses are actually being read! Thanks for listening to us, Larry!