Open Passage Concerns (Threads Merged)

My husband and I bought an Open Passage in 2012 whilst onboard Journey: it appeared to be a "no brainer" at the time. Last year we attempted to use it to book a cruise with Azamara, and immediately we mentioned the Open Passage, the cruise price went up with our TA. So we abandoned the idea of cruising with Azamara last year and instead booked a cruise with another operator. We have just booked another 10 night Azamara cruise (balcony). Our first choice of TA put the price up dramatically when we mentioned the Open Passage to a level above that being advertised everywhere else. We then went to another TA who informed us they were able only to offer us £75 off the price quoted. So we have booked without using the Open Passage. I fear we will never use the coupon unless we pay over the odds!

this is in the UK?? shocking! i call the cruise line with my numbers and then book the cruises i want. they go to the agetn alter on.

My husband and I bought an Open Passage in 2012 whilst onboard Journey: it appeared to be a "no brainer" at the time. Last year we attempted to use it to book a cruise with Azamara, and immediately we mentioned the Open Passage, the cruise price went up with our TA. So we abandoned the idea of cruising with Azamara last year and instead booked a cruise with another operator. We have just booked another 10 night Azamara cruise (balcony). Our first choice of TA put the price up dramatically when we mentioned the Open Passage to a level above that being advertised everywhere else. We then went to another TA who informed us they were able only to offer us £75 off the price quoted. So we have booked without using the Open Passage. I fear we will never use the coupon unless we pay over the odds!

Hi Panderie,

I presume you are from the UK ? What you've described, is surprising, as I've not heard of such treatment here in the US.

Just curious... isn't there an Onboard Credit associated with the Open Passage, and might it be worth paying a little more, to obtain the OBC ?

I hope Bonnie responds to this, or perhaps some of our dear UK friends, as inquiring minds want to know why a different price would be quoted when using a Passages certificate. Doesn't make any sense to me.

I've had it a few times, agents say prices do not apply to Open passages and re quoting higher.

That's why I've booked direct for some time now however as my pcs was made redundant and all relationships are now ex Guatemala, I would prefer to work with a UK agent. I have an open passage to use so I will be very interested in Bonnies response particularly as all the onboard presentations make mention of keeping agents in the loop and giving them their commission

So is this an example of UK agent ignorance?

I hope Bonnie responds to this, or perhaps some of our dear UK friends, as inquiring minds want to know why a different price would be quoted when using a Passages certificate. Doesn't make any sense to me.

Nor to me.

Only restriction I've encountered involves the little sentence in the Open Passage terms and conditions that says it cannot be combined with a promotion offering more than two cash discounts (e.g., OBC, ChoiceAir discount, stateroom upgrade).

I have been able to apply the open passage when the price is high enough, but when Azamara drastically dropped a rate, I was told that the open passage could not be applied.

My husband and I bought an Open Passage in 2012 whilst onboard Journey: it appeared to be a "no brainer" at the time. Last year we attempted to use it to book a cruise with Azamara, and immediately we mentioned the Open Passage, the cruise price went up with our TA. So we abandoned the idea of cruising with Azamara last year and instead booked a cruise with another operator. We have just booked another 10 night Azamara cruise (balcony). Our first choice of TA put the price up dramatically when we mentioned the Open Passage to a level above that being advertised everywhere else. We then went to another TA who informed us they were able only to offer us £75 off the price quoted. So we have booked without using the Open Passage. I fear we will never use the coupon unless we pay over the odds!

We have just disembarked Journey, and whilst on board were considering purchasing an Open Passage certificate.

However, after speaking to fellow guests and hearing stories similar to yours we decided not to buy.

It seems as if it's a case of 'If it sounds to good to be true, then it probably is' :rolleyes:

There appears to be no definitive answer to this. We used an Open Passage certificate without any problem when we booked our October cruise and we got a good deal. However we were unable to use it for our Journey cruise departing next week.

We found it rather puzzling.

Perhaps as part of reaching out to UK guests, this is an area the MD could investigate and give a definitive answer on, educating the UK travel agents enroute if required - he's already got to go back round re the "all inclusive text" anyway so I see an Agents training communication shaping up here

My husband and I bought an Open Passage in 2012 whilst onboard Journey: it appeared to be a "no brainer" at the time. Last year we attempted to use it to book a cruise with Azamara, and immediately we mentioned the Open Passage, the cruise price went up with our TA. So we abandoned the idea of cruising with Azamara last year and instead booked a cruise with another operator. We have just booked another 10 night Azamara cruise (balcony). Our first choice of TA put the price up dramatically when we mentioned the Open Passage to a level above that being advertised everywhere else. We then went to another TA who informed us they were able only to offer us £75 off the price quoted. So we have booked without using the Open Passage. I fear we will never use the coupon unless we pay over the odds!

Hi,

Am onboard Quest as I type.

Cruise sales desk closed at 1300,but will show this thread to them tomorrow & ask for there response.

Sue

Very curious this and will be very interested in the reply from Azamara as we purchased one of these whilst on the recent TA on Quest and I've just read through the T's & C's and there's no mention of any restrictions at all.

When we booked this we were verbally advised that there are no restrictions on utilising this other than, fairly obviously, it must be on an Azamara ship.

Would be very disappointed to hear that there's an automatic price increase if you try to use this as that would take away all the benefit of purchasing this.

Hi Panderie,

 

I presume you are from the UK ? What you've described, is surprising, as I've not heard of such treatment here in the US.

 

Just curious... isn't there an Onboard Credit associated with the Open Passage, and might it be worth paying a little more, to obtain the OBC ?

 

I hope Bonnie responds to this, or perhaps some of our dear UK friends, as inquiring minds want to know why a different price would be quoted when using a Passages certificate. Doesn't make any sense to me.

Hi Andy

Yes, we are from the UK. We haven't come across any mention of OBC associated with the Open Passage. Be interested to hear more about it.

Hi,

Am onboard Quest as I type.

Cruise sales desk closed at 1300,but will show this thread to them tomorrow & ask for there response.

Sue

Thank you. It will be interesting to hear more. We have our very good friends onboard with you at the moment - if you meet a lovely couple from Hay on Wye on the Welsh border, say hello from Val and Paul back home. Enjoy your cruise!!

Hi,

Am onboard Quest as I type.

Cruise sales desk closed at 1300,but will show this thread to them tomorrow & ask for there response.

Sue

Shamansue, I have just noticed that you are on our roll call for our cruise. Vatican to Istanbul! What a coincidence, look forward to meeting you onboard.

Perhaps as part of reaching out to UK guests, this is an area the MD could investigate and give a definitive answer on, educating the UK travel agents enroute if required - he's already got to go back round re the "all inclusive text" anyway so I see an Agents training communication shaping up here

I'm sure that would be beneficial to all, and a reassurance to many.

Very curious this and will be very interested in the reply from Azamara as we purchased one of these whilst on the recent TA on Quest and I've just read through the T's & C's and there's no mention of any restrictions at all.

 

When we booked this we were verbally advised that there are no restrictions on utilising this other than, fairly obviously, it must be on an Azamara ship.

 

Would be very disappointed to hear that there's an automatic price increase if you try to use this as that would take away all the benefit of purchasing this.

Hi Prefdavid, In the past, I have purchased Open Passage certificates several times and used them when booking Azamara cruises with a UK travel agent.

On the last occasion when I booked with the same agent, he would not accept my Open Passage certificate. His excuse was ' the cruise is a special offer.' After lengthy fruitless discussions, including a conversation with Guatemala, I gave up. I decided to book anyway and speak to the Future Cruise Specialist once on board.

I was also on the recent TA on Quest and I spoke to SarahLou to ask why the agent had refused to accept the Open Passage certificate. She spoke with the Onshore team who advised her that agents do not have to accept the certificates, it is at their discretion. It wasn't what I wanted to hear.

When on board the Transatlantic I booked another cruise and was able to use the Open Passage certificate for the deposit.

I still have another unused certificate and I got the impression the only way I could guarantee it's accepted, is to book directly with Azamara.

It would be very helpful if someone is able to clarify the situation.

I'm sure you will agree that we all had a great time on the TA, especially the late nights in the Looking Glass disco.

I hope you and your wife have recovered from the germs picked up on board/shore.

Regards, Jan

Thanks for your reply Jan and yes, we're just about fully recovered now. Just sorry we missed those last few nights in the Looking Glass, we had a great time there and everywhere else.

That comment from the Onshore team (via SarahLou) is very interesting as our Future Cruise Pass has been handed on (by Azamara) to our normal TA who is looking forward to finding us our next Azamara cruise.

There's no OBC associated with our certificate, just the reduction in cost of £200-£400 per stateroom depending on what category is booked and the duration of the cruise.

Frankly we had to visit the ship's shop to use up our Shareholders OBC, so I'd far rather have a reduction in cost than OBC on an "almost" all inclusive cruise. ;)

This is the first I've heard of this problem too.

I've just done a bit of research and see that Bill wrote a blog post in September 2013 about this program:

http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/connect-share/blog/azamatter-of-fact-a-savvy-shoppers-user-guide/

According to this, the Open Passage is combinable and is not subject to any black-outs. Bill wrote "It’s offered on every published voyage on both vessels." And it does not say anything about being capacity-controlled.

So let me contact both offices (US & UK) to make sure it's being honored by the Reservation Staff as stated.

Thanks for your reply Jan and yes, we're just about fully recovered now. Just sorry we missed those last few nights in the Looking Glass, we had a great time there and everywhere else.

 

That comment from the Onshore team (via SarahLou) is very interesting as our Future Cruise Pass has been handed on (by Azamara) to our normal TA who is looking forward to finding us our next Azamara cruise.

 

There's no OBC associated with our certificate, just the reduction in cost of £200-£400 per stateroom depending on what category is booked and the duration of the cruise.

 

Frankly we had to visit the ship's shop to use up our Shareholders OBC, so I'd far rather have a reduction in cost than OBC on an "almost" all inclusive cruise. ;)

Hi David, :)

Thanks for your reply. I'm pleased you have both fully recovered.

I didn't have any OBC associated with my certificate either, but SarahLou did allow me a £300 discount for booking on board. I was also able to take advantage of the current promotion with an upgrade from an inside cabin to a balcony.

Azamara is my favourite cruise line, so there's every possibility we shall meet again on a future cruise. All the best - Jan

This is the first I've heard of this problem too.

I've just done a bit of research and see that Bill wrote a blog post in September 2013 about this program:

http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/connect-share/blog/azamatter-of-fact-a-savvy-shoppers-user-guide/

According to this, the Open Passage is combinable and is not subject to any black-outs. Bill wrote "It’s offered on every published voyage on both vessels." And it does not say anything about being capacity-controlled.

So let me contact both offices (US & UK) to make sure it's being honored by the Reservation Staff as stated.

Bonnie, Thanks for taking this on board, we shall be very interested in your response.

When I had the problem with using the Open Passage certificate, I spoke for 45 minutes with a staff member in Guatemala, he had absolutely no knowledge of the existence of Open Passage certificates. I appreciate that the staff are new and still being trained, but I found the situation frustrating and unacceptable.

While I was on the recent Transatlantic on Quest, I mentioned to SarahLou, the Future Sales Specialist, that in my opinion, the on board staff are being sadly let down by those on shore side. She seemed to be well aware of the problems.

Thankfully, Captain Carl and his team were as wonderful as ever. - Jan

This is the first I've heard of this problem too.

I've just done a bit of research and see that Bill wrote a blog post in September 2013 about this program:

http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/connect-share/blog/azamatter-of-fact-a-savvy-shoppers-user-guide/

According to this, the Open Passage is combinable and is not subject to any black-outs. Bill wrote "It’s offered on every published voyage on both vessels." And it does not say anything about being capacity-controlled.

So let me contact both offices (US & UK) to make sure it's being honored by the Reservation Staff as stated.

Thank you Bonnie for checking on this. We will look forward to having it clarified.

I have used two Open Passage bookings recently to get reductions of over £200 pp from highly discounted published prices. I used my favourite TA who commented that the price was remarkably low! The certificates say that "up to two other bookings can receive the same cruise fare discount ....".

The first time I booked I was able to take two friends at the same price. When I booked the second cruise today I was told that this offer has been withdrawn and the promise is not being kept, even though my certificate was issued on 12 Oct 2013.

If our friends wish to join us again, I will ask for a supervisor to see if this can be resolved. Obviously, future certificates will be affected.

I have used two Open Passage bookings recently to get reductions of over £200 pp from highly discounted published prices. I used my favourite TA who commented that the price was remarkably low! The certificates say that "up to two other bookings can receive the same cruise fare discount ....".

 

The first time I booked I was able to take two friends at the same price. When I booked the second cruise today I was told that this offer has been withdrawn and the promise is not being kept, even though my certificate was issued on 12 Oct 2013.

 

If our friends wish to join us again, I will ask for a supervisor to see if this can be resolved. Obviously, future certificates will be affected.

Interesting to hear that you have been able to use the Open Passage to get a reduction on a heavily discounted cruise. To be able to use our Open Passage we would have had to pay £1,200 more than we did by simply not using it, and booking the going rate, as the cruise had a "Free Flights" offer, and the Open Passage was apparently not applicable with the offer. We still paid over £4,000, so not a heavily discounted rate, but still a considerable saving over what we would have paid using Azamara's Open Passage. We had also thought of taking friends if we had used the certificate, now, as you say that they have also withdrawn that offer, the certificate is further devalued. The booking experience to sail on our favourite ship has not been great.

Even more interested to hear Bonnie's reply after reading the last two comments. We only bought our Open Passage last month from Sarah Lou on Quest and were assured that this applied regardless of any "offers" and also that we had a "friends & family" certificate that could be used as long as they booked the same cruise as us.

We booked our recent Quest cruise using an Open Passage booking with no problem at all. We booked through our usual UK TA on Azamara's "Double upgrade, free flights deal" our open passage booking gave us a further £200 discount, on top of that we got a good deal from the travel agent.

It would appear that there are some lazy (or greedy) travel agents who can't be bothered to do the small amount of extra work involved.