excitedofharpenden

I'd recognise that bald head anywhere! Milan is such a nice guy. Phil

This happens from time to time and it will continue to happen. Whether we like it or not Azamara are a business and are there to make money. The cruise is more than a year away rather than being in the booking window for flights. It's disappointing, especially if one is planning b2b cruises involving a chartered one, but nothing you can do except maybe push for the existing benefits to be transferred. Not sure how much luck you'd have with that. It seems that most Azamara cruises these days come with an OBC enticement attached. Phil

A real adventure for you. I'd be doing the same as you and staying on the ship. It will indeed be very different. I'm sure the ship will lay on lots of special activities to keep both you and the crew occupied! Phil

I've always found this to be a non-issue and at least you don't get the "book it up as soon as we can" brigade booking all the times and blocking it for others (and probably forgetting and not turning up). This is much fairer and doesn't disadvantage those who book their cruise later. And as you describe, it can be worked out. I have never had an issue getting a time that is suitable. I'm glad they do it the way they do. Phil

You misquoted as me. It was Dr H. I know nothing! Haha Phil

I love the Elemis Revitalise Me product that they have in there. I now have it at home and it reminds me of being on a ship every time. Phil

Read my post again. I said "negative". Phil

Just by way of balance, I have experienced Tatiana and thought she was excellent. As far as I was concerned she went above and beyond for me. I will also say that I really don't like naming and shaming on this message board. The crew member has no way to respond to criticism. And it's unfair because of that. If I have something negative to say about someone I would never post their name, but address it through other channels. I make my own mind up about someone when I meet them, not rely on tittle tattle on an anonymous message board such as this. Bad form in my view. Phil

I guess we will never really know, but on my last cruise which was very sold right up to sailing I put in near the minimum bid on a Plus Verandah as Platinum and was successful. So perhaps they are applying some kind of matrix. Phil

There's a steam room in each changing room (no charge), but no sauna. Phil

I did bid. Actually I bif on two. From an OV I bid on a V verandah category and a Plus verandah. I was successful with the Plus. I bid near the minium on each. I wasn't offered anything else. You did well to go from an inside to a CC. That's a nice upgrade. The cabins on my last cruise were very limited. Phil

It's restarted and in my case a couple of months ago it worked very satisfactorily. Like the old days I was able to speak to someone and choose cabin number (although in reality there was no choice because it was the only one available). Phil

You'll get all the perks that go with the category, but will only receive the points for your original cabin. Phil

I saw Sheldon on Quest last Autumn. He's a great guy! Phil

You'll be fine there and you have the added advantage of the solid bulkhead to one side so will have more balcony privacy with the verandah cabin next door and more soundproofing that side too. Phil