Joecors

....which gives me food for thought.

In your report the score seems to be about equal between Az. and Oceania.

But I have seen some interesting offers from Oceania which may leave Az. struggling to keep up; reduced prices, on board credit etc. And what does Az. offer?? AzAmazing evening which seem to become more maligned as each one is reported on: increased stateroom prices: possibility of increased deposits and earlier payment times. I have been to only one amazing evening. It was alright... just! And can we expect to pay the full charge for a cruise before we have even decided on the date and destination?

I'm inclined in future to hang on before booking in the hope that Azamara comes to their senses

Couldn't agree with you more.

Some examples:-

On our last cruise on Quest in October last year he saw my daughter and I struggling with the cases on disembarkation and carried them down the gangway for us.

When he sat with us in the buffet having breakfast I mentioned that I daily walk around the deck to get some exercise(I'm anciently old) and he asked what time I did it and offered to accompany me.

On another cruise we mentioned to him that the seats on the balcony were not very comfortable and within an hour we were given cushions to use.

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We have cruised with Azamara a number of times and with the poor onshore service that it provides and the number of changes that it has introduced, many of which we are not that happy with, we have almost been on the brink of booking with another cruise conpany but then the deciding factor turns out to be:- There will be no Ryszard. That is very important to us!!

... from veranda to a suite when we checked in for a cruise in October 2013. With the extra space provided, we enjoyed it so much that on return home we asked the TA what it would cost to update for a cruise that we had already booked for May 2014. This turned out too costly.

The offer on the latest Azamara U.K. site of $1000 obc or free upgrade is confusing too. One TA has told me that the $1000 obc applies to suite guests but the upgrade of cabins does not. Even some of the upgrades are confusing; one TA shows price from inside cabins to balcony cabins being identical, other shows inside to ocean view only.

Hello Azamara Inclusive Beverage Followers -

 

 

UK - All-Inclusive vs. US -More Inclusive

Frankly, I don't understand why we would have two different positioning statements on each side of the Atlantic. It's obvious that advertising Azamara as “all-inclusive” in the UK has created UK consumer confusion. The first-hand information from "English Tim" is very helpful. I'm investigating with Larry Pimentel and his marketing team the statement, "that the UK TA's were desperate to have a new thing to market and so called it, "All-Inclusive." I'll get back to you with the outcome.

 

Bill Leiber

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Does this misunderstanding of "all inclusive" apply only to cruisers who have not previously cruised with Azamara?

I am sure that previous cruisers would not have expected free day tours, free treatment at the fitness centre, free treatment at the hospital etc. and so would have taken the "all inclusive" claim with a pinch of salt.

I must admit that in a previous thread, my comments about the sobriety shown on a number of Az. cruises has been rather dented by the enthusiasm shown, mainly by U.K. contributors, to have their favourite tipple included in the free drinks package.

If "Uncle Jimmy's Home Brew made in the same Kitchen Sink for 100 Years" is excluded from the package; hard luck for me. I will not suffer withdrawal symptoms. After all the cruise will last at the most 12 days. I can live with that.

Hopefully first time Azamaras once they board the ship, will fully appreciate the service provided by senior officers and all the crew so that all of us can enjoy a sober, but no less wonderful time.

I really do not understand what the big thing is about seeing and talking to officers. I prefer that they be concentrating on sailing the ship than being social with the passengers.

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Have you considered that if you see no officers, you might be cruising on the Marie Celeste?

In respect of service all the staff that I have encountered on Azamara cruises seem prepared to go one step farther than those on other cruise lines that I have travelled with.

Try them.

There is much more to "seeing" the captain and senior officers than just seeing them. At least as important is that they learn from interacting with passengers and also can short-circuit any issues or satisfy any desires that passengers might otherwise keep to themselves. Nothing improves the product more.

 

I'll give one instance, told to me by friends who cruised Journey in March. They were having lunch at the outdoor section of the buffet when the captain came by, going from table to table talking with passengers. The gentleman at the next table told the captain that everything was fine, but that he was disappointed he had to miss the tour of the engine control room. The captain asked his stateroom number, took out his portable phone, made a call, and told the passenger he'd be hearing from reception as to when he'd be able to tour the engine control room.

 

That's the kind of thing that delights passengers. It is not an infrequent occurrence on Azamara.

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Had no experience of the service provided by Oceania but that provided by Az. is such that I'm reluctant to step out of my comfort zone

Your example shows the uniqueness that makes the Quest and the Journey so special. You'll find that the officers alway carry a notebook in their pockets; ready not only to take a note any concerns of guests but also to respond to those concerns. We mentioned to Ryszard, Hotel Director that we thought that cushions should be available on balconies. Within an hour there were cushions on our balcony. Talking to Ryszard at breakfast I mentioned that every morning I walked the deck to try to reduce my glucose levels and he immediately offered to join me.

If only Az. could bottle and market this friendliness and warmth elixir that its staff provide, could mean lot less troubles in the world