royallondon

With the new CEO stating events will be shoreside when they are not, the reason why should be communicated to manage potential frustrations.

Equally when events have to be onboard, some imagination has to be given to make them “special”.

In March we had the event onboard (Flamingo dancing) and whilst enjoyable for the 30 minute duration was not “special” in anyway.

27 minutes ago, ChucktownSteve said:

Considering all that Azamara has had to go through for the split and subsequent actions/decisions, I suspect the tonic brand is pretty far down on their priority list.

 

Personally, if I were drinking what I consider to be a good Gin, scotch or vodka; the only thing I usually add is a little ice.🥃😁

Or a “quick win at minimal cost” on their “how to improve customer satisfaction” list.

Thank you AndyMichelle for opening this thread.  We sailed on Britannia 6 years ago but with our then 2 year old Granddaughter and didn’t experience the ship from an adults perspective.  We sail again on her in January in the Caribbean and have found your feedback and observations most helpful.  

Regards

1 hour ago, rjcook9 said:

I agree. Just because they CAN do it doesn't make it right. Maybe my understanding of customer care is different to theirs

Totally agree.

It’s as though their customer proposition  is “Your business means a lot to us until someone else’s means more”.

Yes, I appreciate Az are within their T&C rights etc but I’d be very disappointed especially when coupled with the poor way this was communicated to you.

Just now, Host Jazzbeau said:

When was the last time a harpist was on board?  This is not a recent cut...

No but people keep harping on about it 😜

5 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Did anyone get an email today announcing the big news?  Or is it just the new itineraries on the website?  That hardly seemed worth the build up.

Received email.  Much to do about nothing, over hyped.

2 minutes ago, takemewithyou said:

It only makes sense that Oceania would be off loading R class ships, doesn’t it?  I don’t think they have any plans to get rid of Riviera and Marina! 

Regent is due to get the first new build in 2026 and so if my total speculation is anywhere near the mark, I am more thinking the acquisition of a Regent Ship, Mariner, Voyager.  

11 minutes ago, takemewithyou said:

From conversations on this site regarding the lifespan of these R class ships, I thought there was an end point to how long they can be used.  I don’t remember the quotes of the useful life span of these ships.  Does anyone else remember?

I have also seen comments that there are environmental concerns about these ships (they no longer meet certain environmental standards) and that some ports will not accept them for docking due to these concerns.  Remember seeing mention of ports in Norway, for example.

so I really doubt that Azamara would be acquiring another R class ship in 2026 or beyond…..

It doesn’t of course have to be an R class ship.

I see Regent and Oceania have today announced some new ships starting to be launched from 2026.  Couldn’t be the news of an existing Regent or Oceania ship being acquired by Az could it?

1 hour ago, nooosey said:

We on on Pursuit, the Tenerife Amazing Evening in Santa Cruz was a highlight of the cruise and very memorable. We were b2b and the following week in Malaga the Amazing Evening was an onboard performance by a local Flamenco group. Very professional but the "experience" was not a patch on the previous week which one presumes cost Azamara a lot more to put on. Some inconsistency in what Azamara delivered there.

We were on the Malaga cruise and agree that whilst the Flamenco group were good, they were more akin in the past to have been an “Addition” to the evenings entertainment arranged by the CD.  
As an “Azamazing” event, it failed to hit the spot for us I’m afraid (and said so post cruise feedback).

Just off the Pursuit where we had 2 signature dancers (Dorota & Joshua)  in addition to the regular 4 show team.  Ballroom lessons were given on 2 days but no “pre-show” dancing was scheduled.

Not sure if the return of dancers is across all ships as last couple we have done they had been dropped.

On 3/16/2024 at 9:49 PM, Grandma Cruising said:

Buffet is always served for the first 24 hours of any cruise

Thank you.  Confirm that all is now good on the Pursuit.

1 hour ago, Prosecco girl said:

We disembarked today and there are still stomach issues. 

Boarded today pool open but buffet served.  Perhaps legacy precaution but Captain just made health announcement about washing hands for 20 secs and the “Insider” front page carries an “Important Notice”

Thank you Selbourne 🙏.  I’ve resumed the paper delivery from tomorrow and with the money I’ve saved these past 2 months I’ve booked a Caribbean cruise on Britannia next January.

Safe travels back home.

Since we are just expressing our own interpretations, I'll offer another hypothesis:  Sycamore Partners knows how to make money, at least in the retail private equity business.  Perhaps they told the food and beverage managers that they need to make more money, and they gave them some freedom on how to achieve those goals.  Perhaps some managers ran their numbers and determined that they couldn't make a profit with the current prices, butother managers decided to cut costs in some other way.

I Hope this isn’t the case as there needs to be a consistency of offerings across the fleet (IMHO).

41 minutes ago, englishlee said:

We are also currently on board the Pursuit and are suffering from the GI issue at the moment and thus confined to our cabin. This is the second time this cruise for both of us.

My wife missed out on going ashore in St Helena as she was in isolation at that time, she was released from isolation that evening and later that night I went down with the bug. I got the 'all clear' yesterday and today we've both gone down with it again so it seems to be lingering on.

It's 50 -50 whether we get to go ashore at Banjul. If we don't then my poor wife will have been at sea for 10 days without being able to go ashore at all. She just wants to get off and go home!

The immodium seems to work at masking / easing the symptoms but doesn't seem to 'cure' it.

I don't think anyone really knows what the GI illness is, nor what is causing it and therefore can't really eradicate it although they do seem to be pointing the finger at South Africa as the likely source. Fingers crossed we don't get isolated for a third time this voyage.

 

 

 

Not a great situation for you to be in but fingers crossed that you’re both well enough to go ashore in Banjul and that you retain good health for the remainder of your cruise.

We board later this month in Portugal and will be hoping for the best 🤞

18 minutes ago, Stevenomad said:

Interesting development onboard Journey last night.

I have the Experience More package, which includes the Ultimate drinks.

I asked for the wine list at dinner, and was given it, ie the normal wine list - many pages in a binder.

A couple of minutes later a guy rushed over and explained that I was given the wrong list. He took it away and gave me a small folded cardboard card, saying this was the list for Ultimate.

 

Price goes up, choices, and presumably quality, goes down. When I pointed this out, he said that the chardonnay is particularly nice.....

 

The inconsistency of information, knowledge and application appears mind boggling at the moment.  

I’m disappointed that Sycamore hasn’t reviewed their drinks offering post RC acquisition  it’s far too complicated.  I’d like to see a slight tickle in the “included” offering and a single “top shelf” upgrade.

What an excellent read Selbourne.  So pleased this much anticipated transit meet your expectations and had given you fond memories to treasure.  
I’m a massive “lurker” of your thread and look forward to each morning’s read to the extent I’ve been able to cancel my morning paper. 🤣

Wishing you and your wife continued safe and enjoyable travels.  
 

Regards

I put forward 2 referrals under the new scheme both of whom have subsequently booked.  Having not heard anything (but knowing they had booked) I emailed refer@azamara.com yesterday.  They replied lunchtime requesting full names and email addresses which was supplied and I’ve just had confirmation that the Visa card has been authorised.

Really pleased with the speed my enquiry was addressed but not quite understanding as to why or where the the new process fell down.

1 hour ago, BillericayUK said:

Based on comments from over the pond Azamara are ripping off the UK market

I feel like the little boy in the Emperors Clothes story. 

Some seem to be jumping to the defence of the Azamara without actually asking and answering why. I've read the T&C's and I cannot see where or why I have to cancel.

I'm not asking to cancel my cruise. I want the same cruise, same cabin, they can keep their freebies but I want the new price because I committed and booked early. That commitment has a value. 

If I was cancelling and walking away then fine they have an entitlement to the deposit. 

It is Azamara who say I have to cancel but what am I actually cancelling? 

How does the price change cost £500?

Why should someone be able to book the same cruise as me today but £500 cheaper than me?

Azamara shows no appreciation for their existing customers. 

It's an out and out rip off by Azamara and that's putting it mildly. 

Unfortunately the facts are that you have entered into a contract to receive goods and services with Azamara at an agreed price that I can only assume you were happy with.  You have decided to break that contract and the applicable fee is being applied.  Now, I fully understand your disappointment and I too would be jarred off as I always like to be on the winning side, I’m a bad loser.

However, just as soon as the mist disappears I would grab the consolation prize on offer of a £1k plus saving and see your TA’s email as a bit of good fortune.

17 minutes ago, upwarduk said:

Mine too. 👏👏

Ours also, excellent.

2 hours ago, upwarduk said:

 

Yes, points are there. Thank you Jim.

 

 

Hi, my 5 points are showing for the webinar but haven’t been added to my total points (which would take us up to Elite), have yours?  Perhaps it takes a few days for the total points to be updated?

Regards

Please be aware that the deck 6 ocean view cabins are restricted view (life boats) and are smaller then those on deck 4 (no sofa).  In truth, they are really tight (in fact sold as singles cabins on sister ships with Oceania).

With Azamara being a more “port intensive” cruise line then P&O, entertainment is certainly more “low key” but the evening meal along with their “White night” and “Azamazing” evening certainly add to experience.

We were on Iona 2 weeks ago and had a great time, real value for money.  We also look forward to sailing on the Pursuit in March. 
 

Regards

2 hours ago, gsmt47471015 said:

Also forgot to mention the drinks package is standard on balcony cabin ,so you may need to check if your cabin is covered under these terms?

The standard drinks package is irrespective of cabin grade.  

Regards