molemaui

Azamara experience is far superior in my opinion to Celebrity. 

I thought the food in the Retreat on Edge class ships was slightly better than Azamara (Lumnine) but overall Azamara's ships are so "right sized" and their service excels. 

Booked on 2 AZ cruises for March and April  (Oceania in June and September). Have no plans for any future Celebrity cruises. 

Was in a taxi for a couple hour tour and the driver suggested the toboggan ride. We got there and the line had to be a couple hundred deep. Our driver said "follow me" and took us to the front of the line and we got in the next available toboggan. Felt weird with everyone waiting in line but could see this was the advantage of having a guide. 

Like another poster said, "once was enough"!! Lots of fun but wouldn't dpi it again. 

9 hours ago, alserrod said:

What day or days exactly would you be in Seville?

 

Regarding Easter in Seville (from March 24 to 31, the rest is NOT Easter for the purposes of traditions) I suggest that you look for information about it to understand it and not be surprised.
They are parades and processions that have centuries of history with their meaning. They are celebrated in all Spanish cities but Seville may be the city where they have the most symbolism and presence.

 

It will be enough for you to search several pages of information (even Wikipedia can help) but know the meaning and context. Globalization means that some can be understood as offensive, or at least incorrect, in another context.

Regarding staying in Seville, keep in mind that it is VERY HIGH season, so book accommodation as soon as possible.

First, thank you for all your information. Very helpful. 

Regarding Easter week in Seville, I've read quite a bit about the week long celebration "Semana Santa" and feel if we're in. the area, we shouldn't miss it. 

Cadiz

We've been to Seville previously and just did a several hour visit which included an approximately 75 mile drive each way. 

This trip, we will be in port from early morning day one until 7:00pm day two. We were wondering if it made any sense to overnight in Seville to spend more time there.  Will be in Seville during Easter week and hear the festivals surrounding Semana Santa are worth seeing. 

Has anyone stayed overnight in Seville on a cruise stop and if so, what kind of transportation back and forth did you use?

I've only had outstanding experiences with Spain Day Tours and have booked another one this coming March. Hoping quality hasn't gone down as I am seeing in this and other threads. 

On the plus side, I know of no other operator that offers a 50% refund if you're not happy. Would rather not get the refund and have a great tour but respect the fact that they are concerned enough about quality. I'm sure they just don't pay out refunds without going to the cause of the complaint and trying to make changes.

Just my thoughts......

4 hours ago, skynight said:

First you have to book the cruise. Then you have to request and receive approval from Princess to depart at Lisbon. Princess has to check it out, determine what and if immigration and customs officials will be able to process you in Lisbon. If you do receive written approval you will still be charged for the entire voyage. No refund for days missed. You will also require any immigration visas that may be required to enter Portugal.

Really not concerned about any refund for missed days. Currently no visa is required but I do understand the need to go through the immigration process. On previous trips where we departed early, we were already in Europe and immigration did not seem to be an issue. It is possible immigration could take place in the Azores or Maderia as these are ports prior to the arrival in Lisbon. 

It seems crazy to book the cruise without assurances we can leave. I could understand if we were not already in the final payment stage but any booking will need to be paid for usually within 24-48 hours. 

Seems like it's time to book flights. BC getting more expensive by the minute!

Thanks, appreciate the input.

1 hour ago, Tonye60 said:

It's a route deviation request, you can only request it once you have the cruise booked, it won't be an issue in Europe, unless the ship doesn't dock there for a multitude of resons

That's the problem. I cannot book because we're already in final payment phase. My next cruise departs on the 23rd and there crossing doesn't end until the 26th. We need to be on the next cruise on the 23rd. If I were to book and they say no, we're out the cruise fare. 

I've gotten so many different answers and reasons WHY NOT from Princess that it appears nobody who answers the phones really knows the answer. Our travel agent is getting the same run around. 

Seems simple-looks like we'll just fly to Lisbon and forget the Princess crossing. 

We've done this many times on other cruise lines as recently as last May when we got off ship prior to reaching Athens (been there done that-wanted to spend more time on island) 

We are currently scheduled to sail from Lisbon on another cruise line this coming spring. We found a Princess crossing that stops in Lisbon three days before the completion of the crossing. We were hoping to book, enjoy the crossing, get off early in Lisbon and get on our next cruise the following day. (the crossing is completed 3 days after our next cruise departs so disembarking in Lisbon is our only option to do both) 

Upon checking with Princess (I called several times and got different reasons why you couldn't do this) I was told we couldn't do it because it "was against code".

We've gotten off early on Oceania, Azamara and Silversea so I know it is possible. 

Can anyone shed some light on whether to pursue this or at least explain what "code" prohibits this. 

Something that seemed so simple has gotten quite complicated.

Thank you!

Do all the veranda sized cabins on AZ have shower curtains instead of shower doors? Would also like to verify if you book a larger Club Continent cabin that it has shower doors instead of a curtain. Not a first world issue so appreciate your responses.  

Can anyone provide transportation options to the San Jose airport (SJO) after disembarking at the Puntarenas port? I generally do not do ship transfers. Are there taxis at the pier, cars for hire, etc.?

Approx. costs would also be welcome. Thanks

10 hours ago, Marylebone37 said:

My experience varies. I was on 3 Celebrity cruises earlier in the year (but NOT in the Rereat).  And on the Pursuit right now.  The lovely food on Pursuit is incomparable to the mass market fare on Celebrity. Pursuit is superior in every single way based on my experiences over the last few months. 

 

I would not sail the large ships such as Celebrity if not in Retreat. I've heard the food outside Luminea is not that great. I'm really curious if food on AZ declined after the RCL breakaway. I heard so many great things about AZ food and was disappointed. Every other AZ comment about ship, ship size, service and itineraries are spot on in my opinion. Guess we'll beg to differ on the food.

3 minutes ago, Mackdogmolly said:

On the other hand, @molemaui’s comments about Viking Ocean food have me a bit worried about our upcoming first cruise with them in October. Even the Viking cheerleaders don’t seem to rate it all that well. And I do NOT mean to get this off topic about Viking!!

My opinion only! Food is also subjective especially if you consider yourself a foodie. Viking Ocean ships are spactacular and the food is underwhelming. Actually the Italian restaurant and the pool bar were pretty good, Excellent seared ahi sandwiches! I would sail Viking Ocean for the itinerary and the great ships realizing food was just going to be OK or a little better. My point about Azamara is the food was actually bad in most cases. Many comment about the good AZ food who sailed prior to the breakaway from RCL. We sailed post RCL breakaway.  

Brief analysis - Azamara's pre cruise service and website was abysmal. It was difficult to believe a consumer driven company could offer such poor or non existent service. Once I got on the ship (Pursuit), I liked the size of the ship and thought the on board service was north of excellent. My big sticking point was the food. Possibly some of the worse food I've experienced on a cruise. Sure there was a good meal or two but nothing excellent. Meat was tough and always overcooked. Fish smelled fishy and was usually overcooked as well except for the salmon. My basis of food comparison is: Celebrity Retreat-Excellent food, Norwegian Haven-Excellent food, Oceania- Outstanding food, Windstar-Excellent to outstanding food, Silversea- Outstanding food, Regent- Excellent food, Viking Ocean-Fair to good food. 

As good as everything else was, I can not get over the poor quality food and will likely not sail Azamara in the future even though I love the size of the ship and the excellent staff. 

Your experiences may vary! LOL

2 hours ago, tucsonsuson said:

 

What I DON'T believe in is trashing a truly wonderful experience on "social media" because they didn't have my favorite brand of 'spirits'.  I prefer to take my "whining" to the source.  Not out LOUD to people who can do nothing about my concerns.

 

 

I am hoping on board will indeed be a "wonderful" experience. What I and others are responding to in this thread is the utter incompetence of Azamara's "front end". Our inability to communicate directly with AZ, our travel agency's inability to do the same, a website that is totally a joke along with the folks responsible for the migration. I do not believe any of could have done our jobs so poorly and remain employed. Even if the website is not working, an "all hands on deck" effort (from CEO down) could have been instituted to better communicate with customers and agents alike via phone and email. Next week I'm flying halfway across the world having  been unable to have some basic questions answered. 

We'll make it work of course but I think there needs to be a distinction between the actual cruise (excellent service, great crew, etc) and everything that leads up to this. 

The cruise likely will be fantastic but I will think twice sailing AZ again especially after so many perfect pre-cruise experiences with other cruise lines. 

8 hours ago, tucsonsuson said:

(FYI – Covid is STILL with us!)

 

Kudos for squeezing 3 years worth of cruising into a very short period of time!

 

I look forward to your thoughts AFTER your very FIRST Azamara experience!  Have fun! 

I of course meant the COVID reference as a timeframe as “resumption of cruising after COVID shutdown on approximately 7/21” 

Ironically after all this cruising, my wife wants to stay home for a while after Azamara!  

On 4/19/2023 at 11:06 AM, uktog said:

I do not want Azamara to fail because of potential misplaced rumours - do you?

I agree with much if not most of what you say. However when you have many thousands invested in a vacation, you have some basic expectations which include being able to get in touch, ask questions, etc. Neither I nor my agent has had any luck getting in touch with AZ by normal channels. 

Most of us travel to relax or decompress. I don't expect the stress after I've booked and before I've sailed. We have at least two issues here. Phone-it is inexcusable not to have staffed phone lines. You simply cannot get in touch. (My agent is using private email addresses to contact people they know within the organization). The computer issue is far more distressing. Anyone who has been in business and been involved or managed computer and/or data migrations absolutely know you need to put redundancies in place. It appears AZ put very little thought or expense in executing this exercise. Any of you in business know what would happen if you failed so miserably. I'm not interested in seeing heads roll-rather I'm interested in resources being invested to solve this problem. 

While this is my first AZ cruise coming up (very soon), I have experienced the "front end" of Silversea, Regent, Windstar, Oceania, Uniworld, Norwegian and Celebrity having sailed ALL post COVID (a couple multiple times) and have not experienced anything remotely as bad as what we're experiencing now. Friends who have sailed AZ recommended them and I am still looking forward to "trying them out". Half the fun of a trip is the preplanning. This has been almost impossible. 

I know loyalists will say "Give them time", "it's not their fault", and my favorite, "At least you're cruising". 

Here's hoping the cruise is all we hoped it would be and totally realize the hardworking crew is not the culprit for these issues. 

I'm sailing in 29 days for the first time with AZ. (Have taken 25+ cruises on Silversea, Regent, Oceania, Windstar, Celebrity, HAL, Norwegian etc. so this isn't my first rodeo). 

Azamara's website (or lack of one) is disgraceful. Whoever is in charge of the changeover appears woefully inept. You can't do anything on line. Today, I receive an email saying online check in will not be available and I will need to check in at the pier. 

Even though I rarely take cruise excursions, I always look at them as a means of booking private. Nothing to look at-no descriptions or anything. 

When working, I knew enough to have redundancies (and we changed processes and systems often) so normal operation wouldn't be affected. That concept is apparently foreign to current management.

You can't even call-you get a recording saying they're helping customers sailing in the next 30 days so their phone lines are not open. That makes no sense. 

I'm hoping the cruise is much better than what we've experienced thus far. 

Last, I know there will be those who defend Azamara no matter what. From a business standpoint, I cannot understand that. 

Thanks for letting me blow off some steam. 

We recently toured Ephesus and found it fascinating. With that said, we don't need to do it again. WIth an itinerary change, our ship now is adding a stop in Ephesus. Doers anyone have any alternative tour ideas. We really don't want to stay on the ship! Thanks in advance. 

1 hour ago, klfrodo said:

 

     3) If after you have been stabilized and the current physician and the receiving physician have agreed that you can safely be moved, THEN, some policies will allow you to make the decision that you can be evacuated to the hospital of your choice.

 

C) CSR medical is "secondary". GeoBlue is "secondary". Both require a "Primary". Do you have a Primary?

Thanks for mentioning the hospital part. Med Jet allows you to make the decision to go elsewhere ONCE you are receiving care at a hospital. (They define hospital as a facility providing care 24/7)

Primary is Medicare with Med Gap that provides limited coverage outside of the US. 

Thanks again for the information.

My understanding is this card covers you up to $20,000 for trip cancellation for a "covered" expense. 

I have used this card exclusively for approx. 15 cruises and luckily never had a claim or issue. I'm reexamining this strategy and am planning on adding Geo Blue for global medical and a med jet type service. The way I understand the credit card policy, medical evacuation is at the direction of the doctor. If I purchase separate medical evacuation insurance, I can make that decision for hospital of choice. 

More questions:

a. Has anyone had too use the insurance from Chase Sapphire Reserve for any claims? Were you happy?

b. Am I correct that purchasing separate evacuation insurance gives me hospital of choice decision?

c. Even though the card provides medical, it is a small amount, thus adding Geo Blue. Good idea?

I estimate I've saved over $20,000 in insurance costs just relying on my credit card but with age, etc. feel I should have more protection. 

Appreciate any input or comments. 

11 hours ago, Greenpea2 said:

I love the Haven and will be on the Prima (in the Haven) in a month or so

Despite many reviews and comments to the contrary, I think you will love the Haven on the Prima. On many cruises you have a favorite bartender, pool attendant, server, etc. Hard to identify on this ship as  virtually everyone we came into contact with was outstanding. A truly great cruise and I really like the ship as well. 

1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:

 

Grande Bretagne 

Lifetime Titanium?  Love the sound of that heavy metal card. lol. We're a dying breed as Lifetime Titanium status is not available anymore. 

We traveled with a couple who booked their rooms at GB through AMEX travel-we booked ours direct. Hotel gave me a "moderate" upgrade and he got nothing because they said theirs was a third party booking. Regardless, a spectacular hotel. 

On 1/13/2023 at 6:09 PM, Sthrngary said:

10-day Mediterranean Cruise on Oceania.  

Do not know if you're aware but the drink packages on O are kind of confusing. Took us a couple cruises to understand them. If you choose drinks as part of your "O Life" benefits, it only includes drinks at meals. To drink anytime, anywhere, you need to upgrade to the "premium select" which used to be a $20pp/day upgrade and is now a $30pp/day upgrade. I've seen many comments about the confusion in drink packages. Never affected us as upgrading our drinks is the first thing we do!

You mentioned two days in Athens. If you haven't considered the Grande Bretagne, please look it over. Tremendous location, can walk to many places. Rooftop restaurant /bar has striking view of the Parthenon. We stayed there prior to our O cruise. Really LOVED our Haven experience on the Prima but I think O is still our favorite. Cannot wait to see your impressions from your cruise. 

Travel agent automatically makes payment on due date. 

At booking, you give TA authorization and they make it happen. 

No worries.