spiritoftravel

We wee on deck 4 window fine and yes it took 60 seconds to get on deck, not worth the extra! Have funx 

On 7/9/2019 at 12:47 PM, Lindy028 said:

We are looking at one of these cruises, with a 3 night stay in Miami, then the 21st November cruise to SAN Juan. We’ve sailed Azamara many times before but never the Caribbean, and one of the stops is Labadee. I understand that only the area that is leased to Royal Caribbean is accessible and is sealed off and patrolled by security guards! It sounds a bit scary, so, anyone who has first hand experience, do we treat it as a sea day or is there enough to see and do to venture off the ship!

We went with RCCL a while ago, did not find it scary at all, local people help with beach chairs, etc so take some $1 bills for tips, Labadee  is basically beaches, snorkelling, swimming,  one 'side' with more rocks/waves in sea and a sheltered side, there is a coaster and zipline, they were around $125 to go on the two. Go onto You Tube and type in RCCL Labadee and  watch the videos, they give all the info you need. Have fun, enjoy!

On 6/29/2019 at 10:52 AM, Azamarajunkie said:

It’s not often that I post on these boards to complain about Azamara, but I’ve been moved to do so thanks to a significant change to the itinerary of our forthcoming Black Sea Cruise next year. OK I know it’s a long way out and theses things happen, but it would have been nice to have been advised beforehand that the Greek Isles we were looking forward to visiting were going to be replaced by two separate days in Istanbul and a visit to Kepez

 

From a personal perspective having already visited Istanbul and Kepez on cruises a couple of times, it’s not somewhere we’re particularly looking forward to revisiting instead of the previous itinerary. I suppose we should be thankful that at least most of the other ports haven’t changed in the Black Sea, although Trabzon in Turkey has also gone.  There’s only so many times you can visit the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar etc!

 

We only found out about the change because it was raised on our Roll Call, to date neither we nor our Travel Agent has received notification from Azamara, although Bonnie has posted the content of the email/letter as below.  We wondered why there were very few shore excursions showing on the cruise, now we know why. We love Azamara ships and their crew, and will likely continue to sail with them in the future, but they do frustrate us at times.  We also now find us overnighting in Piraeus at the end of the cruise, again, whilst we love Athens, it was not our plans to visit there again, particularly as we are starting from there and we are there on a land tour later this year. 

 

The letter hopes we are excited about these changes, sadly we are not.

 

Host Grandma, please don’t move this to the Roll Call, I’ve already vented our feelings there. 

 

Dear Azamara Guest,

We’re writing with some exciting news about your 14-Night Black Sea Voyage aboard the Azamara Journey, set to depart Athens on July 18, 2020. 

Favorable new developments have allowed us to add some of our favorite ports of call in the region to your itinerary.

You’ll now enjoy two stops in Istanbul, a call on Canakkale, Turkey, and an overnight among the ancient treasures of Athens. 

These additions have required us to make a few important adjustments to your voyage. We’ve removed the previously scheduled calls in Trabzon, Kavala and cruising through Bosphorus Strait, and shifted each of the remaining destinations forward by one day. The details are clearly shown in the charts below. 

We apologise for any inconvenience these changes may cause, however, when the opportunity to bring you two days Istanbul arose, we knew we had to make it happen. This is a hallmark destination and we’re confident this new itinerary is the absolute best way to experience the treasures of the Black Sea. 

Of course, you’ll receive a full refund for any shore excursions booked in the cancelled destinations. Those booked in other ports will automatically be shifted to the new call date, so you don’t need to worry about a thing. More importantly, it’s time to start thinking about amazing experiences in Istanbul, Canakkale and Athens. We’re ready to help you plan everything.

 

Istanbul, Turkey

Discover this exotic city where West meets East and the streets are overflowing with local experiences and epic history. Visit Topkapi Palace, the former home of Ottoman Sultans, and the awe-inspiring Blue Mosque, covered by more than 20,000 shimmering blue-green tiles. For a taste of local life, shop the legendary Grand Bazaar and indulge in some of Istanbul’s world-famous street food. This is a must-do destination and we have countless ways to immerse you in it as only Azamara can. Better yet, you’ll have two days to see and do it all. 

 

Canakkale, Turkey
This quite Turkish port is best explored on foot. A stroll along the waterfront and charming streets can be done in just a few hours, highlighted by a replica of the legendary Trojan horse, used in the 2004 movie starring Brad Pitt. Canakkale is also the gateway to the ancient ruins of Troy and the historic peninsula of Gallipoli, where one of the most epic battles of World War I is remembered in moving memorials. Choose from a variety of excursions that invite you to discover Canakkale based on your individual interests. 

 

Athens, Greece 

You’ll now enjoy a full afternoon and an overnight in Europe’s oldest city. Journey back to the age of ancient Greece among the ruins of the Acropolis, dominated by the iconic Parthenon. Then, perhaps, head to the Central Market to mix and mingle with the locals and enjoy some fresh Greek cheeses and other savory treats. Come nightfall, explore Athens under starry skies and look up to see the Parthenon illuminated in majestic light. It’s a sight to behold and you’ll be there to witness it on this Azamara voyage. 

 

 

We hope you’re as excited as we are about these new additions to your Black Sea Voyage. Once again, now is a great time to explore shore excursions to ensure you get the most out of our new destinations. To do so, or if you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact 0344 4934016 or email azamaracustomerserviceuk@azamara.com.

 

We look forward to welcoming you aboard in July of 2020. 

 

Warm Regards, 

Azamara Club Cruises

Would you have grounds for cancelling and getting your deposit back as it is more than one major change? Why would you spend all that money on going back to places you do not want to re-visit? Hope you get something sorted, maybe even change cruises with them but carry deposit to another cruise? Good luck.  

4 hours ago, snowglobe said:

 

It’s impossible to filter for start times: morning, afternoon or evening.

To see the actual departure times, we have to click all the way to basket it...

Plus, it’s now the fourth day of the dreaded ‘WHOOPS’ for me. 😞

 

For our cruise, I agree, the timing is just plain off.

 

And, on port days when we’re there the full day and/or also into the evening, ALL the tours are offered at the same time in the morning, and nothing in the afternoons - given that the large majority of tours are between 1.5 and 4 hours, more can definitely be done for Azamara to up their game.

‘Experience More’ -> not.

Maybe they are all so early because Azamara think everyone will then do their own thing? In Bay of Island the Treat House tour is, if correct at my last look 7.30a.m. I am doing my own tour for 1/4 price all day from 9am! What are they up to? Still I am sure we will have a good time!  

Interesting, all the tours for Christchurch have disappeared again, and how do you find out when the Azamazing evening is? 

We are sailing on Feb 8th, mainly doing our own tours, just one booked through ship. Hope the 'changes' are not going to spoil things, we were caught out  10 years ago when they had a change of 'image'. 

Hi, interesting to see the vegan menu says, with advance order, does this mean a vegetarian could not order from this or others if they fancy a change? Thanks, we are sailing Feb 2020.   

On 6/7/2018 at 9:47 PM, LHT28 said:

sorry the links to my photos of bar menus & prices from our Dec cruise are not working

For those interested you can try looking in my photo album

 

https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-bnXmLm/

hope that link works

Thanks, very helpful, nice photosx

2 hours ago, LHT28 said:

 

The O life package  you do not pay the 18% extra  it is included

to upgrade  just go to reception or they may have a table set up for those that want to upgrade to the Prestige package  for $20 PP PD

 

Thanks very much for info, appreciate your time and comments. xx

2 hours ago, StanandJim said:

True, but if the cruise originates in Brazil, I personally  would not wait until I was onboard to upgrade, as the cost would probably be subject to the VAT at that point.  😱 

Thanks for that everyone, xx

2 hours ago, spiritoftravel said:

If you have the O life 'free' beverage package do you still pay the 18% gratuity and I believe an extra 25% in Brazil!

 

Also can we upgrade from this to the premium package onboard and how much is this thanks going on Marina next year.

Hi thanks so much, I am not a big drinker but do like a glass of bubbly with a meal!! My husband and other family travelling do like a drink, so a drinks package sounds like the right thing, cruise starts in Miami thanks again, xx

If you have the O life 'free' beverage package do you still pay the 18% gratuity and I believe an extra 25% in Brazil!

Also can we upgrade from this to the premium package onboard and how much is this thanks going on Marina next year.

We are going in Feb 2020, have trips booked (not ship) in most ports, lots to do and see, diverse and fun...can't wait!!

Those who have been to white night parties, do you know if there is anything vegetarian to eat??? Would it be best to eat somewhere else and then go???? Thanks.

We are cruising Feb 2020, not sure I like this new idea, be interesting to see how people get on, is it so they can cut down on staff at the cruise port terminal? 

We had the great pleasure of enjoying an Azamara Rijsttafel (Rice Table) - twice, during a recent B2B. This is a special, Indonesian meal with a small upcharge, served at a long table in Windows. The set up is beautifully done and you and fellow diners will be faced with 16 or so courses, small plates, introduced by waitstaff in Balinese garb and prepared by a dedicated chef. I highly recommend the experience for the fragrant, tantalizing food and fun, family-style dining experience.

Hi do you

know if there is a vegetarian or vegan choice on these evenings. Thanks.

Our cruise is 5 months away and no evening showing in the Cruise Planner yet.

Just email they replied in about 4 hours to me. Have fun, enjoy!

I have just had a very quick response from Azamara, they said the dates for the evenings are not confrmed until about 9 months before sailing, even though the 20/20 cruise to New Zealand states it is held in Hobart this may change, hope this helps. Spiritoftravel.

HI have just returned from singapore to hong kong cruise on Quest, the tasting menu is now $50 to include wine with each course, and you cannot have just the food, the menu sounds exciting but is not that brilliant and we were actually told not to have the sea bass as it was not good!!! However the beignet and the souffle for dessert were good.:rolleyes: