DCPIV

Yes, they do not want to assume that folks can get off at 7 AM. Even if the weather is beautiful and the ship is docked at the terminal, there can be a delay getting the ship cleared with immigration (or just getting the dogs over to the luggage). It happens.

Honestly, your best bet is to see who it is once you're on board. It's not like you are deciding whether to go. Even if someone were to tell you who is on board right now, and even if who is on board right now expects to be there for your cruise, there is absolutely no guarantee they will be there in a month.

You should be able to get a Manhattan fully covered with the classic package. As mentioned, it will be with Jim Beam white label.

There is no corkage fee if you consume it (or even just pour it) in your room. That is true regardless of whether you have a drink package. The corkage fee for bringing your bottle to a bar or restaurant is waived if you have a classic or premium drink package. But I'll only do it for half as long!

If you do need to talk to someone upon boarding, I highly recommend going straight to the Maitre d' or the Retreat Concierge (if you're talking about Murano, they are essentially next door to each other). They can make the reservation in the system right then and there, so you know what you have. The best a butler can do is relay your request to someone who can make the reservation, and it might take them some time to get to it (they are busy). That delay can cost you the slot you want.

It's fine. There's just nothing to do in the airport until you're through it. If you had bags to check, you would be stuck on the outside looking in.

It is buffet, but there is table service for wine and other drinks. It's actually quite nice. We expect to dine more in the buffet the next time we cruise Azamara.

You can do the same one 3 times if you like.

Usually early in the day, right after they open. If give it a few days or so, though. There sometimes is a delay between them showing up in the total, even if they are in the history. The problem may resolve itself.

As opposed to aft? More seriously, OP, you want to be on the port side if you want more of a chance at a land view from your cabin while underway.

Sorry about the misunderstanding. 🤪

Tuscan Grill looks just like the Tuscan Grill on other S-class ships with the lovely aft view. I also must say, though, that Luminae was very good back in October.

OBC also has shown up within minutes (if not within a minute) for us, as well. @BazingAu, you can call and see if you can get a refare. Keep in mind that you likely would lose any promotion you originally booked under in favor of the present promotion, so keep promotional OBC in mind when making your calculations. It still doesn't hurt to call and see if it's more substantial than you think it may be.

I use a filter funnel to catch sediment. If nothing else, cheesecloth still is often used (as it has been for centuries) and is quite acceptable.

That depends entirely upon the port (and I expect, to some extent, how busy they are at the time).

Many do not have a package, and many of those are Elite and above who enjoy the happy hour benefit. Not to mention that "cruise only" rates have returned for Concierge level and below.

Check this out: Like many others, I thought you'd have no chance at getting what you were asking about, but that very solution was offered to another when she called to upgrade only her husband. You might actually have a chance. It's certainly worth a call to find out.

Definitely do luggage valet, regardless. If you actually go forward with the excursion, then it's no big deal. However, if it happens that you do not go through with an excursion, you likely would not be able to check any luggage until 4 hours prior to your flight. If you think hanging around all day at the airport is the pits, then you'll really hate hanging around outside security at Sea-Tac. There's nothing but restrooms. It's actually a pretty nice place to hang out once inside security. The central area has an enormous, windowed wall looking out at the tarmac. Lots of light and often some music.

Cool! Oddly enough, there's another thread out there where someone wanted to do what they originally offered you (i.e., downgrade one package and upgrade the other). Everyone (including me) thought she would have a snowball's chance at that. Perhaps there is hope.

I don't know where the breakfast is, but the happy hour is not in a specific location. You can order free drinks from a limited happy hour menu between 5-7 PM at most bars (except for the embarkation night and (I believe) the night of the Captain's party).

Not so much for only spending $1,000.00, and especially if you already have a booking where you will use that OBC. It's a nice deal, 30% back. Other than the signup bonus, it's a pretty cruddy card.

I agree. As far as the standard rewards go, it's rather pitiful. That said, I recently got one only for the current promotion which is a nice one (they brought it up while we were doing a booking a cruise on board. I'll meet the promotion and then put it on a shelf in case they run another one, or I might cancel it after applying the OBC.

I agree. It was a pleasant surprise then, and it would be a pleasant surprise again should it happen. I get the feeling they aren't nearly as concerned about someone bringing on a bottle of wine or two from a port, but I bet they would have been if it were rum.

We brought on two bottles from Nassau. They let them through, and we did nothing to sneak them on. We handed them over, and the security guy at the metal detector asked if they were wine. We told him they were, and he just sent them through the x-ray and waved us through the detector.

Azamara is the only line that seems to make a point of this, and it irks a good number of passengers. As you said, most bartenders just write it down, but some don't seem to want to do that. The first time it was brought up to be (before leaving Fort Lauderdale), u was a bit stunned, especially because I'd already had a couple of drinks without this issue. I wasn't didn't feel like objecting to paying some pocket change for a drink, but I'm sure the look on my face said something. I never said a word about it, but the charge was later reversed.