Ritza

1 hour ago, tring said:

 

I do agree about that and with other cruise companies as well.  We have a forthcoming cruise with P&O (a Carnival Corp line) and asked for a price to upgrade to a balcony.  I was told £700 pp for the 16 nights!  That was really taking the proverbial since we paid more for our outside cabin than is currently asked for select (i.e. NOT guarantee) price for balcony cabins, and we have done a fair fewer P&O cruises, though not so much recently as we do not sail on the bigger ships.  We always ask to be removed from the "automatic upgrade" possibility when we book as that is not something which can be refused, as with Az, and is usually just a notch up the same category from what is reported, rather than an outside to a balcony for instance. 

 

We have been well treated on Fred Olsen (a UK independent company), both for upgrade prices and on board when we have been recognised as regulars.  They still allow smoking on balconies though and initial prices are increasing too much compared to the cruise experience in their older ships.  Better than a modern block of flats though and much better ports, so we realise we just have to play the system and book at the correct time, but is difficult to book late if we want to use a cruise as part of a long haul holiday. 

Well we will not be going on P&O smoking on the Balcony sorry but not for me.   Smoking period is a real problem for us and alot of others.  Even Norwegian has a much too liberal smoking policy.  Also why do they always put the smoking area near the pool bar so everyone can't enjoy this bar.   Well have a great holiday.  We are doing Canada and New England in September.  Would love to go on Azamara again,  we have been 5 times but they are just so expensive and nothing to do if long cruise,  boring.  they are not what they use to be in my books.   cheers 

2 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

Totally agree. 

 

Phil 

I agree  We paid for the upgrade then once on the ship found out lots of people received free upgrades to suites from insides etc.  crazy and because of consolidators.  I think if you book early you should get the upgrade for free.  No charge.  All ships are doing this upgrade bid just for the extra money.  Not thinking of their loyal guests at all.  Greed. 

4 minutes ago, Bloodaxe said:

 

I agree that the current rules on Azamara are Ok if people obey them, unfortunately not everyone does.

I have sometimes smelled smoke in the corridors.. 

I am afraid I agree will Phil that the shower curtains are a permanent fixture in Balcony Cabins and below., after almost 20 years they are very unlikely to be altered.

It really is too bad that great minds can not come together to solve simple things. A silly shower curtain removal and a more airy smoking section so everyone could be happy.  Good thing I don’t have a cabin down the hall on pool deck to smell the smoke and pay a premium price to do so.  These topics could go on forever and yes less smoking sections on  Azamara than others ships but still need to change where it is located.  Top deck with even their own private bar would be an awesome idea. Cheers everyone happy cruising to all 

36 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

You are correct.  I’m sure it wasn’t solely that part of their business model which was to blame, but other cruiselines have tried to make certain ships totally non-smoking and it hasn’t worked.  It’s never going to happen on Azamara.

 

Phil

It can work if they tried. Today is a different world than yesterday 

1 hour ago, excitedofharpenden said:

Just like getting rid of the shower curtains, it’s not going to happen.  All ships that have tried to go totally non-smoking have failed.  It is what it is.

 

Phil

I believe that max 12 people out of 700 guests should not Stop the enjoyment of sitting at a table near the pool bar because Of smoke.  I know it is possible to quit I did it.  Many years ago as a heavy smoker.  Restricting smoking to a totally open air place is what should be done not in a corner with no windows   Cigars should be a total No no Just saying.   No need to carry on as things will take time to change. Look at the shower curtain. Who puts shower curtains back on their stalls when the do a major refurb. Lol

On 3/29/2017 at 9:25 PM, dontdiwundrin said:

 

 

Just interested to know from other cruisers please, is smoke from smoking areas really bad, - personally I also find it unpleasant. I assume smoking is banned in cabins and balconies? Thanks in advance for responses.

I please make Azamara a smoke free cruise line 

On 3/29/2017 at 8:23 PM, midwestchick said:

I wish they would bring the About Rose toiletries back...I don't like their new products.

I don’t like them either. The about rose was awesome.  And how about making sure they bring back the about rose room spray 

You would think they would get rid of the shower curtain.  1/2 star loss for that one 

Hi Lusitanica,

I just looked at some of your great 'location' photos and am trying to find an external view of #10184

I saw the external view of 10152 and when counting balconies and checking deck plan it didn't seem to match up- I'd appreciate your help and expertise.

Many thanks

can you send me photos of cabin 10184 as that is ours cabin for next April Any info you have would be much appreciated. Size of Balcony, size of room. storage etc.

thanks

Hi Cruisers - taking our first cruise and family are joining us who have boy/girl teenagers who will have to share a stateroom. Does anyone know if the beds can be single or are you looking at one in a bed and one on a pull out sofa?

beds can convert to single. not sure about their sofas now call and ask them. Are you sure you are taking teens on a cruise they will enjoy. Age group is from 55 to 80 unless they are coming along for an educational purpose.

Does anyone know when the Serenade of the Seas is going into refurbishment. It originally said 2017 but with no date.

The bar in Prime C is a special place. Quiet and peaceful and elegant. They will definitely take care of you and remember you for the next time.

did not know that you could just go in for a Drink

We just returned from the Quest and Dale was excellent! (In the Discoveries Bar/Lounge).

yes Dale and Ruby are both very good

No retractable pool cover and the smokers are.allowed to smoke the whole length on that deck so,solarium stinks of smoke all the time

Just returned on this ship beautiful but smokers and kids rule. Never again.

I am looking to book a cruise on Explorer in May of 2017. When I look at the Explorer deck plans on the RCI site it says "Deck___ from 21 March 2016 to 22 April 2017". ....same message for each deck. It does show the deck plans for the Panoramic Cabins on deck 12 though.

 

I remember a few years back that people booked cabins that disappeared after a dry dock. I would hate to book it and then find out something wonky has happened.:p

 

Anyone know or have a good guess why that message is on the current deck plans? I asked a booking agent at RCI and they didn't know (surprise!!)

 

Thanks!!!

 

Just returned cabin 1884 balcony. Just past u were panaramic cabins. Great location

I totally agree that keep it simple just make it all available within reason. It is most annoying that one can not get a Bailey's free but have to pay separate. Like a lot of other after dinner drinks. Not many people drink crème DeMente anymore lol

In the spirit of moving forward, I would like to offer to help with some information on this board and maybe if it works, Andy would be happy to make a sticky out of the thread

 

On the Celebrity board, there is a very useful spreadsheet kept up to date by one of the cruisers where others can search for information on a cabin. Here on Azamara, we have to try and search and trawl for information and I am offering to create and maintain with say forthnightly updates a similar spreadsheet.

 

For it to work, everyone has to post information in a consistent way and also only use the thread to post information, not to engage in debate (pop over to the Celebrity board if you want to see more on how it works)

 

For Azamara, I would suggest the information should be

 

Cabin Number 8001

Ship Quest

Month/Year sailed Dec 2013

Would you choose this room again Y/N No

Is noise an issue Y/N No

Balcony size Normal/Larger/Smaller Normal

Any other comments (keeping these succinct so the spreadsheet does not grow too much) Need rounded corners on tables on balcony, cabins really need to be updated. very front of ship, can get rocky.

 

How do others feel about this - if you think we do not need it here, please say, I will not be offended!!!!