Cruiser Craig

Hello, ironically, searching for an answer, I found that you basically just asked my same question.  Almost the same, except that our flight departs even earlier (10:00AM) and I've never seen a ship's transfer on offer for flights leaving that early.  Here's to hoping taxis are readily available and arrival formalities go quickly!

This text is at the end of my upgrade offer email:  "Your card details won't be stored once verified,..." (that's clear)  "...or used to collect any payments automatically if your offer is accepted."  The latter part of the sentence seems new as the upgrade used to be automatically charged and was irrevocable.  Hence, it does appear to be up for discussion during the courtesy call 72 hours prior as posted by lthikan above, albeit not entirely transparent.  Or am I over-thinking this sentence?                 

Sorry if my response above was ambiguous.  I was on the Quest in Antarctica last month and Steven told me he would be on the Journey in March 2024 (I'll be on that same cruise, Phil) and another passenger was told Ryszard will be the Hotel Director.  All of this is naturally subject to change.

7 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

Does anyone have info about who is on Journey at the moment and any possible changes?  I'm on 7th March cruise. Thanks. 

 

Phil 

My understanding is that Ryszard will be the Hotel Director and Stephen will be Cruise Director.  Not sure of the others.

I am so very sorry that your planned destination cruise has been altered, and sincerely hope you'll be able to change without penalty.  At the same time, and please don't take this as a rebuke towards your comment because that's not the intention, I am also so very sorry for what's happening right now in Israel and the Gaza Strip.  While I, and possibly others, ponder about consequences to future travel, the reality on the ground there must be truly devastating.

On 4/16/2023 at 5:28 PM, nonrev1 said:

A beautiful send off on our last official “cruising” night.

 

Wow, nonrev1 and Drebay, thank you so much!  We've been to Japan several times, but I have to say that the info you've posted about ports, shuttles, guides and your experiences will be invaluable for us during the 2024 Japan Intensive.  

どうもありがとうございます!

Valid point.  Makes sense.

46 minutes ago, Scots Caz said:

I suspect not all itineraries can accommodate offship events. My last trip in March was Canaries and entertainment was brought onboard. There was a statement made that there will be a mix of event types. Offship still appear to be the majority but a number of cruises do have Shipboard

https://www.azamara.com/static-assets/files/AzAmazing Celebrations.pdf

I completey understand, especially with respect to the African itineraries.  But Croatia?  Japan?

On our Antartica cruise this coming December on the Quest, a bona fide Azamazing evening in Montevideo has been scheduled.  On our Hong Kong to Tokyo in March 2024, however, a destination celebration in Kagoshima is on the books.  For our B2B Japan Intensive following the latter, nothing has been a announced so far.  We've participated in both (celebrations onboard and evenings off of the ships).  Personally, I've found the Azamazing Evenings not just memorable, but a hallmark for Azamara.  Sure, it's a lot of work, especially in certain less-developed parts of the world, but for us the evenings have been exceptionally enjoyable.  Is it just me, or weren't the 'Destination Celebrations' intended to replace 'Azamazing Evenings' during the pandemic? Any insight is welcome.

On 5/9/2023 at 11:36 AM, Silver Claire said:

We stayed in Intercontinental Tokyo Bay beforehand and Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium afterwards. Both met our needs, would probably have preferred something more central in Tokyo tbh.  Anywhere above a MRT in either and you'll be good.

AzAmazing Evening was in HoChiMhin at Binh Quoi Village. It was actually the evening of our Wedding Anniversary. We really enjoyed it but wouldn't say it was amazing. The setting was lovely as were the arts and crafts and the local hostesses. We were a long way back from the stage and really couldn't see much. Food and drink both poor/wasteful. Logistics of getting everyone there and back was good but didn't like the fact we were all stickered up and herded like sheep and supposed to sit with our arbitrary bus number group. We broke ranks and sat with friends we made onboard. 

No specific first time Azamara cruise advice bar book your own excursions rather than ship based ones. We used Tours by Locals, Go With Guide, Hong Kong Free Tours. All worked out cheaper and better than Azamara ones and were either walking tours or with a private guide, driver and AC car.
 

Hi Silver Claire, thank you for this post.  Do you remember if there was a shuttle from Keelung Port to Taipei, and if so where it dropped off passengers in Taipei?  Thank you!

Could anyone currently on the Onward let us know if the complimentary shuttles operate on Thursday May 12th between Porto Corsini and the center city of Ravenna?  If not, are there taxis at what seems to be an industrial port?  Thank you

I have to admit that I've always enjoyed looking up at those exotic critters on Onward's sister ships.

I don't want to be a 'rabat joie' (party pooper?), but does anyone know if there are currently any Covid cases onboard?  I know we have to learn to live with it but I'm nevertheless curious.

Ladies on Onward's first voyage, you might want to bring a hair dryer and slippers:

Dear Travel Partner,

We are counting down the days to have your clients onboard the Azamara Onward's maiden voyage starting May 2nd. We have planned a voyage with both onboard festivities and amazing shoreside experiences.

As with any big project such as a complete revitalization of a ship, there are challenges. And having to work around the Supply Chain challenges the world has right now, doesn't make it easier. So, we wanted to share a couple of things with them.

The ship looks beautiful. The team onboard and our construction partners have done an amazing job. However, there are a few items that have not made it to the ship as of yet.

One of the traditional items they typically find in our rooms is the hairdryer. They didn't make it. If they will need one onboard, we recommend for them bring one.

A few other items are missing, as well, such as the Azamara hangers (yes, they will have hangers, just not ours), laundry bags, slippers and a few other things. While we wanted them to be aware, we hope these little things will not affect their experience onboard.

We look forward to seeing your clients!

Warm Regards,

AZAMARA®

We completed checking in for our May cruise on the Onward with no problems but didn't see any option to pre-book the times for the antigen testing at the pier.  Does anyone know if these tests will be first come, first served without any appointment/reserved times necessary?  We're arriving in Venice five days before the cruise, so will opt for the $59 test prior embarkation.

Just sharing here an image entitled 'Atlas Bar rendering' from the AZ website (photo credit AZ).

Yesterday Captain Carl Smith posted on another site that the Onward will be leaving Amsterdam on Thursday.

Quick question.  This is clear and I understand:  

Cancel My Cruise

Cancel any cruise (booked by March 31, 2022) that sets sail from now through December 31, 2022 and you’re covered. If you cancel at least 48 hours before the sail date by choosing the Cruise with Confidence Future Cruise Credit option, you will receive a Future Cruise Credit for 100% of the cruise fare paid to us that can be used through June 30, 2023 on any Azamara cruise scheduled to depart on or before June 30, 2023, or one year from the originally scheduled embarkation date of the guest’s cancelled cruise reservation, whichever is later,

But this I don't understand, namely starting with the second sentence:

If a guest does not opt-in to receive a CWC FCC, the cancellation policy tied to the guest’s reservation at booking will continue to apply. However, if a guest opts-in to receive a CWC FCC at a time when the booking is subject to cancellation charges that would otherwise have been less than 100% of total cruise fare, by opting in to receive a CWC FCC the guest agrees to become immediately subject to cancellation charges equal to 100% of the cruise fare paid to Azamara. By requesting a CWC FCC, the guest has cancelled his or her reservation and waives any right to receive any refund of the cruise fare paid, even if the sailing is later canceled. If a guest elects to receive a CWC FCC, or otherwise cancels his or her reservation, cancellation charges incurred by the guest on the reservation will not be waived or refunded for any reason, except as otherwise provided herein or required by applicable law.   

Can anyone please explain?  Thank you

Mixed feelings

Okay, I'm feeling a little sadly blue about the disappearance of the library since we did enjoy that haven and we don't really drink cocktails. 

Wine is our thing, along with peace, quiet, crosswords and books.

But on the other hand,  I'm feeling happily blue about the hull being painted that lovely Azamara blue.

Looking forward!

If anyone has any further updates, please share!  Thanks

On 2/15/2022 at 4:07 AM, Riocca said:

Azamara Onward in Amsterdam as Journey arrived this morning.

 

I can't help but notice that the divider between aft-facing cabins 6090 and 6093 is missing, most likely temporarily removed for refurbishment or for some other valid, logistical reason.  Funny how, when looking at a photo, some little things can just jump out at you.  It must be the devil...in the details.  😉 

On 3/8/2019 at 1:10 PM, excitedofharpenden said:

Everyone is different of course and some feel the cold more than others. I've never felt the need to wrap up inside though. Ever. 

 

Phil 

Nor have I.  Ever.  It seems to me that it must be easier to add layers than to constantly remove garments.  Let's face it, there are limits to undressing!

We have no OBC or Land Discovery credit for use on our forthcoming Arabian cruise on 24 Oct, but we are becoming increasingly disillusioned and concerned over the Land Discovery program. The tour descriptions and timings show a lack of care and attention to detail, resulting in some being inaccurate or nonsensical, and quite frankly, being missold. I have queried the content of 2 tours with shorex@rccl.com.

 

Tour MC58 – “Hop On Hop Off Muscat” – states that it includes a shuttle service to Qaboos Grand Mosque. However the Big Bus Tour’s own website clearly states that clients must take a taxi to the Mosque. RCCL’s shore ex team have confirmed that the tour does not offer a complimentary walking tour or the shuttle to the Mosque. They provided a revised description by email, but the Land Discoveries brochure is still incorrect.

 

Tour MC49 - "Mystical Muscat" – for Friday 28 October says " Enter Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque". However the Mosque is closed to non-Muslims on Fridays. In addition, the "Mystical Muscat" tour and MC52 - "Cultural Museum Tour" - for Friday 28 October include the "Bait Al Zubair" museum but, according to its website, it is closed on Fridays. RCCL’s response is “Friday is the weekly holiday in Oman and most of the sites are closed. Also 28 Oct’16 is a Friday and on Mystical Muscat (MC49) Sultan Qaboos. Mosque remains closed and no one is allowed to enter the same, however you will be allowed to view and take pictures from outside only. Bait Al Zubair Museum is also officially closed on Friday, however the operators contact the museum, closer to date to request the opening of the museum with special permission for our Azamara guests on 28 Oct’16.” The Land Discoveries brochure remains misleading.

 

Examples of nonsensical descriptions are Tour DA19 “Cosmopolitan Dubai with High Tea” at 09.00 on 25 Oct and Tour UD26 “High Tea at Emirates Palace” with departures at 09.30 on 1 Nov and 08.30 on 2 Nov.

 

Azamara’s website claims it has “In Depth Destination Expertise” but sadly this is not evidenced by the Land Discovery offerings.

Thank you for the heads up. For some reason I thought we were to be at sea on Friday. With your info in mind we'll visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand mosque on Thursday and probably do the hop on hop off on Friday. We hope taking a taxi to the mosque when 600 passengers are all arriving at the same time won't be an issue.

Here's a dumb question. Can we bring a bottle opener with us on the cruise or will they take it away in security

Keep it in a checked bag and no one will care. It could be confiscated by airport security if it's in a carry-on, but cruise ship security probably would let it through. If it's in a checked bag you won't have any problems at all.

Here are the MDR wine lists from Oasis in November. As others have said.....the lower priced wines have a higher markup both onboard and in your local restaurants. We've seen different prices from ship to ship and from sailing to sailing. We board Rhapsody on Sunday. I'll try to get some pictures of their wine menus.

Thanks, suzy, I would love to know if Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc really went up to $13 per glas, thus taking it out of both the premium and the ultimate packages pricing threshold. Please keep us posted.