laurieb

actually, the Living Room maight be a good place, when the tapas are available

ask?

1 hour ago, mchell810 said:

Azamazing Evenings was one of the things that made Azamara feel special, stand out from other lines.  Clearly these events are being cut -- be it to save funds or the COVID excuse or any other reason -- so Azamara leadership has to be honest about it.  Stop advertising something that isn't going to happen.  For me, it feels like a "bait and switch" and is just one more reason I have no bookings with Azamara (and honestly I barely even consider them these days.) 

You can call covid an excuse, I'm sure many people that lost their livelyhood due to a year plus of no business would not call it an excuse.  

I don't understand how anyone can expext everything, especially in the travel industry, to just pick up where it left off.  It would be wonderful if that could happen, but let's face it, nothing will ever be the same.  Very possible that Azamara is finding that the availability of everything necessary to pull off Azamazing Evenings around the world isn't there.   

1 hour ago, Dynacruiser said:

 

Azamara has to be careful not to alienate loyal customers like you.  Part of my concern comes from folks like you who are reacting with concern to recent price increases and other noticeable changes.  It takes so much time to build a customer base, but so easy to lose.

 

Some folks here think Azamara is just testing the market to see how hard they can push customers.  That is likely the case, but once they increase a price or lowered quality, I doubt they will revert to the previous conditions.

There are also loyal folks like me, who perhaps haven't cruised quite as long or as many times (started in 2012, working on 20 this year), I am not feeling alienated at all.  I am quite happy with the progress that Azamara is progressing, and my TA has had no issues whatsoever.  

1 hour ago, uktog said:

No US agent no background call centre sound. Wasn’t logged in when she answered the call 

I had an interaction with an agent that was definitely working from home, and she was not good.  I ended the conversation, called back and talked to someone else 

4 minutes ago, kool kruiser said:

Have just booked a cruise for 2025. Is it possible to book an experience more package at prevailing rate now and will this protect me from any price increase ?

 

Thanks

Yes, as soon as your cruise is under deposit, you can purchase online.

Celebrity has changed their "All in" package which used to include upgraded drink package, wi-fi and gratuities; now it's a "some in" package as they have removed the complimentary gratuities.  This is even for those staying in the Retreat.  So yes, other cruise lines are also scaling back and increasing prices.

Sorry you did not get the responses you had hoped for.  I do have to agree that the tour operator makes the calls regarding cost.  I have also noticed on my May/June cruises that some of the tours have gone way up in price.  

I would guess that it may have to do with transportation issues more than anything else.  Covid caused a lot of companies to go out of business and transportation companies were hit very hard.  It taks a lot of busses to transport a whole ship worth of guests to and from a venue, and of course the busses are then tied up for the whole evening.  I'm sad that the evenings aren't happening as they have in the past too.  An upcoming example for me, I'll be on Quest in May, and we have a destination celebration in Livorno; the Pursuit is there the day before, and they have a real Azamazing Evening onshore.  It is very disappointing.

18 minutes ago, uktog said:

Thanks.  

I do not know what has prompted such a steep increase as @paf225 says so hard on the back of a previous increase.   @oddjob16  is so right, the wine isnt worth it if indeed they have it in stock.  I am going to work out what I will do as on our last cruise the included rose was undrinkable and the sparkling water had had a bubbles bypass.  Absolute bummer with the cruise being so close.  

At least the last time Viking increased the price of their Silver Package they set a date the price would apply AND emailed existing bookers offering them the opportunity to buy then at the existing price.  Much more transparent in my mind.

Does anyone know the current corkage price?  

The website still has the old price if you were to purchase before your cruise, but of course no loyalty discount.  Would still be cheaper...

I've had it confirmed by a F & B manager 😞

Oh I hope the weather improves soon!  Unfortunate that you missed your day with Patrick, very memorable tour. You’ll just need to go back!

2 hours ago, Lynda S said:

I think I found the best one yet - went looking this morning to see what the ship's tours are like for a Spain Intensive cruise on the Quest in Nov.  The first tour listed for Gibraltar is 1 3/4 hr tour and the cost is $1099.67 CDN - it is entitled Accessible Rock of Gibraltar and it does not state that it is a private tour.  

I am concluding this is a mistake.  😀 

It’s accessible, so I’m sure much involved with it…

More will be added closer to sailing. We’re cruising may/June this year; more being added daily.

Thank you so very much for sharing your experiences with us!  

21 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

Mo'orea is so beautiful. This was Journey there just prior to Covid.  

 

Phil 

 

Phil, you two should join the January 6, 2025 cruise!

(Sorry, I know it's off subject)

from the article:

In 2024, the drydocks will include hull cleaning and painting, underwater inspections, inspections of stabilizers, rudders, propellers and bow thrusters. We will also upgrade and renew some equipment and machinery which is approaching its reliable lifespan,” he said.

“We are also optimizing the fuel efficiency of our vessels by modernizing large energy consumers such as propulsion by applying silicone paint to the hull to reduce resistance through the water; HVAC by replacing older chiller units with more efficient ones and updating the air handling control/distribution units, and by upgrading our light and dimmer systems.”

16 hours ago, Cruizer Diana said:

White Night for Segment #4?

Does anyone know when the White Night will be held for the Auckland-Sydney leg (segment #4)?

Thank you.  Diana

It's not usually known ahead of time as weather plays a big part; it's usually one of the later nights in port though

4 minutes ago, ECCruise said:

No, you definitely can now use OBC for dining packages. Did it on Monday. Received a new invoice in minutes  showing package charged against OBC. 

well that's great news!

1 hour ago, Mackdogmolly said:

I could have, according to the agent. But I chose to put it on a cc.

Pretty sure the agent was mistaken.

1 hour ago, gddeluca said:

I'm getting the impression that the prices I saw have somehow become the 'norm' for Azamara. If so, they certainly won't become our 'norm'. Our most recent cruises were with Silversea and Regent, so we were isolated as trips there were included. But there were two others on Seabourn and Celebrity, where they weren't included. Azamara's prices seem to be more than double what's expected. Yes, I know, inflation etc. etc. ... but US$450 for 2 people on a 3 hr bus tour?

Please also remember, you're looking way out into 2025.  whatever you're seeing now probably won't even exist then.  You would be better off to wait until early next year to start looking for tours.

10 hours ago, Lynda S said:

For sure what you are saying about pre-covid prices for some independent tour operators is correct - they have definitely gone up - way up!  We will be in Barcelona pre-Quest in November and thought it would be nice to get a private guide on the day before we board.  We have always done this and it works out well.  

I took a look on my usual go-to site 'Tours By Locals' and the prices I saw astounded me!

I was seeing $1100-$1400 USD for a full day tour   - and that was commonly for only 3 people!

Hop on Hop Off Bus here we come....

We've used Tours by Locals in the past, and like you, am astounded at what many of the guides are charging now

If delta changed your flight time, you should be able to change your flight to one that works with no charge to you.  Look up flights that will work for you and give Delta a call.  We tend to book our flights quite a ways out and have had to do this many times with AA, as flight times can be changed often.

Last time I was on you still had to hold down the on button.  I'd suggest investing in a small travel hairdryer.

4 hours ago, Cooper2020 said:

Oh dear that doe not sound so great.    I was so looking forward to my 35 nights on Onward in March/April - now I am not too sure.  Think I shall bypass the Den and Trivia and hope they have all gone to bed when I hit the disco!

Please don’t let one person’s experience one time dampen your excitement for your own cruise. The people on your cruise won’t be the same as on that cruise.  Go and have fun, join trivia if you want and enjoy the den.  And burn up that dance floor!