Raskelf

We have had the pleasure and privilege of sailing with Judy a number of times and she is not only the hardest working and most efficient CD we have met but her personality, professionalism and infectious enthusiasm make her a joy to sail with. She also has a wonderful stage presence and a fund of theatre memories and experiences which are an " Enrichment" to any voyage. Please give her our love and unstinting admiration. David and Barbara.

Thank you , Bill, for your quick response and for reiterating the position regarding All/More Inclusive. I appreciate that you are the PBI who gets everything in the neck from us cruisers and your replies and guidance are of great value and assistance to us. Sadly this discussion and your information only goes out to CC members so the Mail ad will reach many ( assuming many people buy it ) who do not have the benefit of our forums and they are the ones who will kick up a stink about the All Inclusive phrase ( Budwiesser would only be used in the question " Is that ALL you've got ?" ).

Again many thanks for your reply - it is good to know that Azamara do monitor the views of CC forums.

It looks as if Azamara needs to have a word with it's TAs. Page 67 of todays Mail on Sunday has an ad from Cruise Club UK stating categorically "5* All Inclusive Cruises aboard Azamara" and All Inclusive with gratuties inclusive" the latter is of course correct in part where it mentions gratuities. There is a logo below the photo of an Azamara ship ( pre-refit ) which says "Azmara Club Cruises ALL INCLUSIVE". That is not open to any misinterpretation and will not help in calming ruffled feathers, particularly if a whole new batch of unhappy and disgruntled guests come into the picture.

This whole farrago really does need sorting out and a unified approach from Azamara and it's agents. I am desperately looking forward to our cruise and this sorry debacle will not, I hope, hamper our enjoyment ( although I'm still sore about having to pay for fizzy water and alcohol free beer when gin, wine, vodka and scotch are available gratis ) but it is not reassuring to find misinformation still being peddled.

A question for Bill, if I may.

I see that Becks beer is included in the Inclusive list - does that include Becks Blue ( non-alcoholic ) ? As it is cheaper than alcoholic Becks it would seem logical to include it but could you clarify this matter. Many thanks.

I quite agree that this thread has gone as far as it can go. The proof is in the pudding and we need to give it a chance and evaluate the system in practice. Let's give it a fair hearing and sip and see....in every sense of the word.

As I recall the same proceedure is followed on Silversea ( Silver Wind, Cloud and Whisper ). Basically in the normal course of events there is no point opening a bar below decks when everyone is going to be by the pool. If the weather takes a turn for the worse there is only a limited crew available on bar duty and you can't suddenly split your staff to open another bar on the off chance somebody will wonder in for a drink. ( Anyway a little sea air and rain sharpen the thirst of a hardened sea-dog ! And you can always lash yourself to the bar stool. )

Raining ? Maybe that's what they mean by locally sourced water. At least it will be All Inclusive.

I am a newbie to Azamara and the joys of the complimentary/options system. I do not choose to drink alcohol but like fizzy water ( no jokes about Bud, please ) and non- alcoholic beers ( same "no Bud Jokes" applies ) and am wondering how it will work. I know they, the powers that be, say that water cannot be named as it is supplied locally, but that only covers still water apparently so will a locally sourced sparkling water be available on the Complimentary list or must I buy a package ? If I buy a beer package to drink O'Douls or Buckler does that cover the water package too or do I need to buy both packages ? If that is the case It works out cheaper to buy the Spirits package which, to coin a phrase, is not logical, Captain. Water and alcohol-free beer are no comparable with spirits on a costing basis. I appreciate that given my lowly status as a virgin to the line I should watch and learn but would like to clarify matters, at least to a limited extent. Also..... can I make my package options once aboard or must it be Pre-embarkation ? These are early days for this scheme but I do hope it all simplifies and crystallises into a coherent and mutually acceptable and advantageous fully functioning system.

To us Brits Bud is International Bad Tasting Water !

It looks as if I will have to buy a water package as I choose to drink sparkling water and not alcohol thus unable to access the Inclusive list. Methinks I shall pursue this matter further. I appreciate that it is a minor matter in the great scheme of things and of minimal impact to my enjoyment of the cruise but not everyone wants to imbibe. Do vegans pay extra or buy a package ?

There is nothing showing on this side of the Pond on Azamara UK.

Ignoring all the various arguments and side issues, etc ( and any tetchiness which is creeping, unbidden, into the thread ) and purely to clarify the situation with regard to the origins of the "All Inclusive " debate I suggest a visit to the AzamaraCruiseClubUK site. Click on News and Offers and then click on Cruise Deals and there you will find chapter and verse.

I do hope this all sorts out soon. We are quite sure that our cruise will not be one jot less enjoyable whatever the outcome. We have met so many super people on cruises, both guests and crew, and look forward to our jaunt from Monte Carlo with unalloyed anticipation.

I think that your fears regarding drunken revelries onboard as guests destroy their livers are unfounded, at least I hope so. Having travelled on both Silversea and Seabourn, where drinks are complimentary and liberal, ( including champagne ) I have never seen anyone the worse for wear or even slightly squiffy. This could of course mean that the guests are so inured to alcohol that it no longer affects them but I seriously doubt that is the case. I'm sure that Azamara travellers will not abuse either the hospitality or their livers but time will tell.Personally I do not drink alcohol but I do enjoy alcohol-free beer and sparkling water, both of which are considerably cheaper than hooch so I'm hoping that they get some mention in the forthcoming revised list. My wife is hoping for a champagne or at least a sparkler to be listed but I fear that is a forlorn wish.

If we accept ( for the nonce at least ) that the premise that the phrase "All Inclusive" is open to misinterpretation. it seems naive and unfair of Azamara to pass the buck for the farago to the UK TAs saying that it's down to their desperation when in fact the Azamara UK site states quite categorically "Our All Inclusive cruises".

I quite agree with you - the cruise is the thing and there's an end on't and I really don't mean to carp unduly. The drinks are a side issue. I mention them more as a matter of principal than as anything that would, or will affect my decision to sail with Azamara ( actually have already booked a cruise in July ) and I'm sure it will not lessen my enjoyment. The whole package ( ambience, guests, crew and the ship ) is what makes a cruise and had I not believed the Azamara was going to deliver that I would not have spent my hard-earned pennies on our forthcoming jaunt. I look forward to the cruise and meeting fellow CC members and I'm sure it will be a delightful and convivial trip - untroubled by any unquenched thirst.

I quite agree with Hamptonroads - it seems iniquitous and inequitable that those who choose not to drink alcohol should be required to pay for so-called Premier waters which cost a fraction that of a bottle of wine. It is cheaper for a guest to drink wine than water. A paradox of biblical proportions.

Going off at something of a tangent - are there any non-alcoholic beers or wines available on the Inclusive list ? Silversea carry alcohol free red, white and sparkling plus alcohol free beers. I know that they are regarded as one step up the cruise ladder and provide champagne as a matter of course but the alcohol free option should be available on Azamara without being regarded Premium. Any ideas ?