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Whitby100

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Everything posted by Whitby100

  1. The wines we were served were French with an AZ custom label. I wonder if this is what is being served now?
  2. Good to know. When we were doing our rebooking it was because we had intially booked through our TA. Then we ended up taking a cruise where we wanted to take advantage of loyalty on board booking perks. We did get the perks but it was the onboard rep who said he couldn’t hold the cabin (as you noted). The AZ rep onboard did recommend transferring it back to our TA (which we did no problem). We did re-secure our original cabin. AZ charged us $75 per person for the change but our TA got that waived. We also got our TA perks.
  3. Seems like another question for Dondra.
  4. Also be aware that if you cancel and rebook, the cabin you are currently assigned to is up for grabs during the process. You will need to pick another cabin, book it and then switch rooms back. We did this recently. You can also ask your TA to swallow the $75 fee (but I guess the $900 is incentive enough).
  5. In Prime C on our last cruise last Autumn, we were chatting with our waiter about the wine selection for the house wines. It was a Spain intensive cruise so we were asking if Spanish wines would be available. He reported that since Sycamore took over they were sourcing their wines from a specific winery which labelled them for AZ. He had been with AZ a while and noted this shift ‘with the new owners’. Somewhere we picked up the belief that Sycamore has an interest in a winery and this is where they get the wines. While we have had better wines, we certainly found them agreeable.
  6. Quick question - family has just decided to join us on our next cruise - their first AZ. They’ve peppered us with questions and the only one we’re stumped on is, what happens if you travel with large hardbody suitcases (verandah cabin)? We have the soft, duffel sort which fit under the bed so we haven’t encountered this. Thanks.
  7. Back to the comment about AZ staff gleaning info from this chat board, I didn’t think they monitored it any more. I seem to remember someone did a decade ago? Maybe that’s an idea to be put forth to the new CEO.
  8. There is also the option of waiting until you’re home to wash your special clothes. I’d hate to see this free option of washing our own clothes discontinued because people don’t follow the rules. Cruising has enough bad eco press - let’s do our small part and not add to the problem.
  9. Thanks for all the details everyone. Can you book while on the cruise that moves you to the next level?
  10. I have just watched the Dondra webinar and am pleased that loyalty circle free nights will be combinable with promotions. We have never booked with free nights because the promos were always better. So, I am hoping someone can explain the details on how the free nights work. How is the savings determined? What is the eligibility period once they’re earned (how long do we have to use them up?) Can they only be used on specific cruises at the discretion of AZ? Any info would be appreciated.
  11. We often find the loungers on the sun deck roped off and unavailable. I like the quiet, good views but find it aggravating that they don’t release the chairs.
  12. I agree that this is an efficiency/ cost issue. We have enjoyed fabulous, dismal and everything in between in our experience with Azamazing evenings. Guests certainly let AZ know when it isn’t going well. This happened on our last cruise when we were taken into town by coach to see a Flamenco show (Malaga I believe) last autumn. The bus hit a parked car on the way in as it tried to navigate the narrow streets. The stairs in the hall were an issue for some. It took too long for many guests for the bus to arrive for pickup after the show. The poor young lady who had to keep us happy during this wait was at her wit’s end while the crowd expressed their displeasure. I felt so sorry for her. I can see why AZ would discontinue them. The really unfortunate thing is that this was a solid event - wine or beer served, lovely venue, excellent performance. The issues were strictly logistics. Maybe AZ will do some events on shore and some on ship. Communicating what each cruise would have would likely suffice, but there in lies another problem - communication (not their strongest suit).
  13. This reminds me of a previous thread about Dover Sole. Many guests are disturbed by the lack of availability of this dish. I have no idea what Dover Sole is so I was completely lost on this thread. Clearly there are regional differences and lobster is one of those dishes where people either clamour for it, or don’t really consider it (I fall into the latter).
  14. I agree with paf225. We took advantage of the 7% offer which has the same wording. I specifically asked our TA to confirm the cancellation refund policy. We have until the original final payment due date plus 1 day to cancel for full refund minus $75 CA. We even got into the weeds on how long it takes to get the refund, how it comes through, etc. Your TA needs to call back.
  15. Well if that’s the big announcement, they’re certainly misunderstanding what this patron ‘will love’ lol! I don’t follow personnel shifts, other than a few captains I have had the pleasure to sail with.
  16. I awoke to an AZ email this morning announcing big news next week! Something I love is on its way! Can’t say more! Any idea what the big news is?
  17. Update: I have taken advantage of the 7% OBC offer. The OBC is in Can $ and should I purchase anything prior to the cruise using it, the cost of the product (shore excursion for eg.) will have a Can $ price and the OBC deducted. Whatever is remaining upon boarding will be adjusted to US $. This took about an hour on the phone with my TA. It started out smoothly until she was told the amount. Initially it was quoted in US $, without the exchange deduction (adding about $250 to value). A supervisor was involved and my TA confirmed the US value with AZ (we were disbelieving and I was little excited 😆). When the transaction was being processed to my credit card another supervisor caught it. So no bonus for me. 🤷‍♀️ I’m quite happy with our decision. We can still cancel up to 121 days ahead for full refund, less $150 Can admin. fee.
  18. I will be taking advantage of the 7% OBC shortly. I presume the credit will be in US dollars, although my balance is in Can. I suppose there are 2 ways to calculate this exchange. Az could convert my fees to US and then calculate OBC, or they could get 7% of Can value and then convert to US. I don’t think it matters? Does anyone know how the exchange rate is calculated? Has any Canadian done it? Thanks
  19. Brilliant! I like your idea of checking with my TA to see how long the promo is available for. We have been offered 7% for being over 365 days. I’d like to wait til it’s 370 days if possible. Also, could others who have booked it provide some details of what fees are deducted to determine what the amount is that the percentage is applied to? Thanks.
  20. I think one of the reasons they compensate is it’s good financially for them. It’s like a coupon from a restaurant for a discount on a future meal. It encourages you to rebook and they make money off that next trip. It also makes the customer happy - in this case compensated.
  21. Thank you for your suggestion but my husband has worked in the field of infectious disease for 35 years so I am well aware of norovirus. What I admittedly know nothing about is marine procedures. It was, in fact, my husband who postulated at breakfast that if they tested they’d know exactly what it is. Thus my post.
  22. I guess I am naive. I certainly know nothing about marine health rules but after seeing what happened after the cruise industry during Covid I presumed there were reporting rules in place and that ships who failed to follow them would be sanctioned.
  23. Are they taking samples and actively testing? Storing for lab when in port? Surely some port authorities won’t be too happy about this ship rolling in. Yikes.
  24. If the Asian menu was all that was available to my husband in Prime C he’d lose his mind. We go for the Chateaubriand. I’m not even going to share this post with him.
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