Mrs Miggins

Sorry I thought you appeared to have very strong feelings on the subject as reflected in your post 18. Now that we have re read the thread and especially Jim Avery's quote I still wonder what we should do. Therefore I wonder which of the options you choose ? As I said in the UK the charge is included in the UK fare.

Just had a quick look. In the UK the tips/service charge is included in the published fare. Just out of interest what do you do ? Pay the suggested amount despite your knowledge, or tip individuals at the end of the cruise, or both ?

Moll Barcelona is the World Trade Centre dock.

If you are on Journey 3rd June, I believe we will be embarking from the World Trade Centre. Information posted on our Roll Call. Last April in Barcelona we were at Moll Adossat because there was construction work at the World Trade Centre. Previously with Azamara we have always been at the WTC. Regardless the two locations are only 10 minutes apart so local taxi driver will be able to divert on the day if necessary.

I have been given the option for both to the ship from Barcelona Airport and to Bordeaux Airport from the ship online. I have booked the Bordeaux transfer today online. It even asks you what time you want to leave. However I am not convinced that this will actually happen so I will have some taxi transfer telephone numbers in reserve in case it doesnt work, The Azamara price was less than the taxi price I have previously researched. My online account no longer shows an amount owing for my booked shore excursions. These were booked using OBC before the website change. However the website still does not show any OBC. Its all a mystery !

I first emailed UK Customer Services in April - no reply - then resent it on May 9th. On May 10th I received a regular email Thank you for contacting Azamara. We apologize for the delay in our response. Azamara is currently in transition, breaking away from Royal Caribbean Group. During this time, we are implementing our own programs and software. During this period, we know that some guests aren’t seeing their onboard credit and others are showing a balance due in error. We have sent the balance due issue to our IT Department for correction. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Our records show that Pamela started with xxxxx and has xxxxx remaining. Michael tarted with xxxx obc and has xxxx remaining. While you may not be able to see or use this on the website, we do show this on your booking. We also have the ability to book shore excursions using your onboard credit. If you would like us to assist, please call us at 03444934016. We look forward to hearing from you. Following that yesterday I received the same generic email that was posted by JMO115 above.

Just had an email from Azamara telling me my correct OBC and a way to book shore excursions online despite my online account not showing any OBC. Not sure if it will work. It also says if I choose not to use OBC prior t sailing then this email is the written confirmation of the original value of the OBC. They apologise for the inconvenience and say they are working to resolve.

I am amazed to say that I have had an email response from Azamara. I sent a query to AzamaraUKCustomerService on 28th April with no response I resent it yesterday asking if there was any chance of a reply and today I received it. My main issue was that the account online was showing that I owed over £800. This was apparently for Shore Excursions that I had already booked using OBC. The response today has correctly identified my total OBC and how much we have left. Whilst this confirms this cannot be seen or used from the website we apparently can book shore excursions using OBC if I phone 03444934016. They also say they have sent the balance due issue to their IT Department for correction. I am mightily relieved - I knew it was all likely to be OK onboard = but now I have something in writing. I would mention that my booking is via a TA.

Sorry I must be living in the past - I thought we were not allowed to mention FaceBook - but perhaps that was many moons ago.

AZamara now posting on the F and B site that they are prioritising answering the phone to those who are less than 30 days from sailing and directing all others to their FAQ section of the website.

Check in etc is likely to be in the Cruise Terminal that is in Tronchetto near the People Mover from Piazzale Roma. You will be bussed to the ship in Fusina Lots of information on the Viking board. However we were due to be in Fusina last year and we ended up in Ravenna. Viking is now mainly using Chioggia. I am sure Azamara will look after the transfer wherever you are docked.

Boarding Journey in 4 weeks. Cannot see any information above about Officers onboard. Anybody know ? Thank you.

What is an OBC coupon as mentioned in the second email. We booked onboard and transferred to our local TA shortly afterwards. Our invoice from the TA shows our OBC but how do I prove the amount is correct. Will the TA have something in writing from Azamara that I can request ? Small agent not open again til Tuesday so can't ask them.

Just received. I wrote an email to Customer Services earlier today after checking my online account. I detailed the problems with the account information shown on my June 3rd Cruise I have received the above email and am grateful that t=my OBC is now correct. Except I have just logged in and apparently I now have no upcoming cruises. Words fail me.

I agree but the figures on my account for my June 3rd cruise have changed 3 times. We have gone from owing the whole amount, then a different amount with just over £1000 owing, today an another amount. This time it says Paid in Full on First Page but with an outstanding amount of £818 on page two. The invoice shows only 3 lines per passenger and the individual cruise fare is different for my husband and myself by £500. The total cruise fare is shown as £2500 less than we have actually paid for our CC suite. Our booked shore excursion prices are now shown at the pre website change price instead of the wildly inflated ones last week. These were all paid for with OBC from the Black Friday deal - but still showing as needing to be paid HOWEVER the amount we are asked to pay does not to add up to the total amount when adding up the booked shore excursions. My OBC is not listed and I cannot book further shore excursions. Yes it is slightly better than before but it is in no way "corrected".

I am in the UK. We tip in restaurants, cafe’s, tradesmen taxis etc. Usually about 10% We tip by leaving loose change when in the European countries where that is the norm. Nobody is offended by being given a tip. I like to see a smile from those who have given me good service. The views expressed on this thread by others from the U K are not typical within my circle of friends. Recently I wanted to buy a loaf of bread but couldn’t go into the Bakers as I had my dog. I asked a man to buy it for me. He did so but refused my money. He said he had had a good day and was passing it on. I cannot tell you how delighted I was. If it makes you feel good and pleases the recipient than good for you. Spread a little happiness.

If the lack of certain items onboard is a problem to anyone. I believe the remedy is in their hands. Looking forward to a lovely cruise in June. Looking forward to meeting some great people onboard, visiting some new ports to me, eating some great food and enjoying the rest of the many delights onboard. I promise not to ask for Boddingtons, Brussel Sprouts, or Rock Salt. I may take a measuring jug to ensure I get full value of liquor in our suite. If I want something different I will ask and be delighted with what I receive. I look forward to trying the new Cocktail menu and try to forget my favourites from the 60, 70s, 80s and 90s or do they still offer Babycham or Snowballs ?

i was sidetracked by your claim that a lack of Boddingtons, Brussel Sprouts (frozen even worse than fresh) and rock salt was indicative a fall in standards onboard.

Yes even I remember them - Melanie Sykes (Spice Girl and Anna Chancellor (4 Weddings) in the 90's then they tried again in 1917. Still not the beer of choice in the soft South of England !

Out of curiosity have just read up on Boddingtons Beer. Apparently I can still buy it in cans in my local supermarket but it is rarely available in pubs. In 1900 more than 6000 were poisoned by it and 70 people died. Despite this it was popular up to the 1980's despite it being sold to Whitbreads. It started to fail in the 90's when the brewery moved away from Manchester. The popularity of this type of beer has been falling for years. Now owned by one of the huge conglomerates.

I would suggest that everyone reads the splendid Live on Pursuit = Lisbon to Rome by Cavaallier. From the first entry where details of the current issues in Germany are noted - to the last resume of the trip. This is from a first time Azamara cruiser ! I really think the post by Blag was a wind up. Wouldn't think that most onboard would know or care about Boddingtons - and if Rock Salt is a priority then as he says it is easily sourced by the person who needs it. If there are no supply issues in Italy I would be surprised. Apparently both Railworkers and Airport workers have been on strike very recently. Personally I would be happy if I never saw a Brussel Sprout again - mainly forced on us in the UK at Christmas.

I think you may be misunderstanding me. My point was that it is not necessary to do extensive research on River cruises because Viking provide information onboard and you can do an excursion and then carry on by yourself - depending on river conditions you may be somewhere other than expected but Viking can adjust accordingly. Most onboard listen to the Port talks and because of the smaller numbers it is easy to get information onboard. Ocean cruising is different. On our first Ocean cruise those onboard, mainly previous river cruisers, expected exactly the same experience. Some had no idea that tenders are sometimes required or that docking areas are sometimes miles away from the expected highlight destination (Rome, Florence etc etc). Therefore they were unhappy. A little research regarding the itinerary would have been beneficial to them Doubtless the lovely onboard experience and the wonderful destinations we enjoyed have now turned them all into regular ocean cruisers. But many on that cruise we’re expressing their surprise and disappointment loudly and constantly. On our last ocean cruise the port information was extremely sketchy. I asked for local town maps and was told that they didn’t want to print them as it wasted paper.

Have been missing your one liners ! Have you been on a cruise ?

The itineraries do show London (Greenwich) or London (Tilbury) and I guess that many people would understand a ship of Viking size is not likely to be docked at Tower Bridge in exactly the same way as they are not docked in Rome or Florence. Some cruise lines even designate Portsmouth or Southampton as London. However that illustrates my point that research is key especially on Ocean Cruises. On river cruises (I actually prefer Scenic over Viking) it is more difficult to be independent since the vagaries of low or high water often change the planned itinerary. Viking advertise themselves as “The Thinking Person’s Cruise” although that often seems to be an aspiration rather than a reality