OBC workaround has been extended to all Azamara voyages!

I have a question, If I am booked on a B2B cruise, can I book shore excursions onboard during the first cruise for the second cruise using my OBC? That would definitely help!

I have a question, If I am booked on a B2B cruise, can I book shore excursions onboard during the first cruise for the second cruise using my OBC? That would definitely help!

Unfortunately you cannot

Bummer. I thought that would be the answer.....but, was hoping.

BBMacLaird

 

 

Posted May 2nd, 2017, 10:58 PM

 

We realize you are waiting for Azamara Club Cruises to offer the ability to pre-book tours online using your On-Board Credit (OBC.) We’re working on a solution that will be available this Fall 2017.

As an interim solution, effective immediately guests sailing with Azamara between May and August may pre-book our tours online (using credit card payment) and once onboard cancel and rebook their tours using OBC. This change takes effect today, 5/2/17, and is a temporary policy until our online function is available. Also please note, all tours booked or rebooked onboard will be charged the current onboard price at the time of booking/rebooking.

 

Terms and Conditions:

Shorex Onboard Credit (“OBC”) Offer applies to sailings departing between May and August 2017. Guests may not use restricted OBCs (Casino OBC or Spa OBC) to rebook their Shore Excursions. Tours will be charged at the current onboard price at the time of booking/rebooking. Tours must be cancelled no later than 48 hours prior to tour departure. Shorex OBC Offer excludes tours involving flights, trains, special events, overnight stays, hotel stays, and private tours, which must be cancelled 30 days prior to sailing. OBC is not redeemable for cash and expires on the final night of the cruise. Other restrictions apply.

Bonnie,

Are the above terms & conditions you posted in May are still applicable? Is so, do they preclude me from using the workaround for a shorex in Akaroa, New Zealand that includes the TranzAlpine railroad? I called Azamara, but the phone representative didn't know the answer.

Bonnie,

Are the above terms & conditions you posted in May are still applicable? Is so, do they preclude me from using the workaround for a shorex in Akaroa, New Zealand that includes the TranzAlpine railroad? I called Azamara, but the phone representative didn't know the answer.

I'll ask for you.

I do realize some of you, especially our non-USD guests, are disappointed I wasn't announcing the permanent fix yesterday. While others are simply happy that they can now book their 2018/2019 Land Discoveries and once aboard replace the bookings with their OBC.

.

This is awful. You are now encouraging people to book excursions and you won't refund credit cards until boarding the ship. Why not refund the cards as soon as your permanent fix is in place? I'm booked for 2019. Why should I book excursions now and wait two years for my refund? Maybe I should wait until you allow us to book excursions online with on board credit.

This is awful. You are now encouraging people to book excursions and you won't refund credit cards until boarding the ship. Why not refund the cards as soon as your permanent fix is in place? I'm booked for 2019. Why should I book excursions now and wait two years for my refund? Maybe I should wait until you allow us to book excursions online with on board credit.

You are welcome to wait until the permanent fix is made, or until you're onboard. It's up to you.

2019 is a long ways off. I believe I'd wait until closer-in rather than carry the charge(s) on my credit card. But that's just me.

You are welcome to wait until the permanent fix is made, or until you're onboard. It's up to you.

2019 is a long ways off. I believe I'd wait until closer-in rather than carry the charge(s) on my credit card. But that's just me.

We're actually in October of 2019. My TA told me that $800 is available in OBC now and the other $900 will be available the week before embarkation. I don't think we could spend $900 on board, so we may use some of that using the work around and spend the OBC on other excursions. This is getting complicated.

Does EVERY tour automatically increase in price if you book onboard? Just trying to get a feel for the possible impact... thanks

We were on the Quest for a b2b in October. We prebooked 3 excursions and used the work around after we boarded. Never had to wait in line and each excursion's cost increased by $5. 2 of the 3 excursions were very well executed, one not so much but we still enjoyed ourselves.

Thank you, Bonnie for once again doing your best and risking the wrath and disappointment of cruisers who are hoping for more than you can give them in your response. Your efforts are much appreciated.

Bonnie,

Are the above terms & conditions you posted in May are still applicable? Is so, do they preclude me from using the workaround for a shorex in Akaroa, New Zealand that includes the TranzAlpine railroad? I called Azamara, but the phone representative didn't know the answer.

I still haven't heard if the rules exclude the Akaroa tour because of the railroad component. I'm going to go out on a limb and say if you're definitely not cancelling, simply changing the payment method, then you *should* be ok. The rule must have something to do with those third-party components for which we/the line must pay and confirm in advance, and doesn't want to be stuck owing if there are close in cancellations.

Bonnie,

Thanks for looking into this. I greatly appreciate it. Please let me know if there is any further information.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bonnie,

Thanks for looking into this. I greatly appreciate it. Please let me know if there is any further information.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi cruiservirginia,

I've had it confirmed that yes you can use the OBC workaround on the NZ shorex you're considering.

Thanks, Bonnie, for looking into this for me. I'm pleased with your and Azamara's responsiveness in developing an interim solution. I booked the shore excursion today.

Bonnie - are you able to follow up Refer and Receive programme? We are running out of time (today) for the deadline for paying our cruise in full and although Azamara are insisting that they have applied the £200 in question, our final bill is still the same as it was prior to our friends taking their first Azamara cruise?

Bonnie - are you able to follow up Refer and Receive programme? We are running out of time (today) for the deadline for paying our cruise in full and although Azamara are insisting that they have applied the £200 in question, our final bill is still the same as it was prior to our friends taking their first Azamara cruise?

Hi lookyboy,

You should write to Mr Twynam, our U.K. MD. His staff will chase it down for you.

Rtwynam@azamara.com

I do realize some of you, especially our non-USD guests, are disappointed I wasn't announcing the permanent fix yesterday. While others are simply happy that they can now book their 2018/2019 Land Discoveries and once aboard replace the bookings with their OBC.

Please know we want a permanent fix just as much as you want it. The reality is the investment decision to upgrade our brand's technology is not up to me. There are many factors, and many levels, involved...some beyond our brand. But the good news is I'm told the technology upgrade is moving from the back-burner to the front burner very soon. (yn) (yn)

So let's think of this extended work-around as a new temporary fix.

And I promise to continue to be your advocate on this matter.

Hi. We're booked on our first Azamara cruise (regular Oceania travelers) and I'm frustrated with your online excursion site. I keep getting this ridiculous message to try back later. We have onboard and excursion credit that I'm concerned will be useless if I have to wait to board ship to use. My travel agent said you don't provide any brochures so how do I choose and book my excursions? Seems like the credit may not be worth what Azamara has sold in the package I've purchased?? Thanks for your comments.

You could download the e-brochure, as could your TA and then your TA could ring them to book your chosen excursions. Just find your cruise on the website then click on ‘View Itinerary Details’, then on the next page click on the ‘Shore Excursions’ tab. The next page will offer you the chance to download the e-brochure for your cruise.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

But it won’t let you save it to your pc or tablet at present.

Didi7 I don’t know what cruise you are on, but be careful with the brochure you download, they are notoriously inaccurate- our 8th April one is what I’d describe as a work of fiction. We would be doing scenic sightseeing up to 10pm at night (and no it’s not the floodlit temples) and on the final day most excursions return 4 hours after the ship has sailed. No one checks the accuracy of these things carefully before they are posted live.

Sorry, you’ve found Azamara’s weakest link, try and hang in and not say “goodbye” because the onboard product is good.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

But it won’t let you save it to your pc or tablet at present.

Didi7 I don’t know what cruise you are on, but be careful with the brochure you download, they are notoriously inaccurate- our 8th April one is what I’d describe as a work of fiction. We would be doing scenic sightseeing up to 10pm at night (and no it’s not the floodlit temples) and on the final day most excursions return 4 hours after the ship has sailed. No one checks the accuracy of these things carefully before they are posted live.

Sorry, you’ve found Azamara’s weakest link, try and hang in and not say “goodbye” because the onboard product is good.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

That’s strange, I’ve just downloaded the shore excursion brochure for the Classic Grand Prix Cruise we are on. I did it on my iPad which gave me an option to save the brochure as a pdf in Pages. As I no longer use Mr Gates products, I assume it is also possible on Windows machines.

I agree some of the accuracy of the printed document can be suspect, however it is always useful, especially when considering arranging private tours.

I’ve been able to download and save the e- brochure to IBooks on my IPad. Once it’s opened I use the send Tool in my browser/on my iPad to do that.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I’ve been able to download and save the e- brochure to IBooks on my IPad. Once it’s opened I use the send tool to do that.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I thought I’d be able to do it that way, but the ‘open in iBooks ‘ option didn’t come up, so I went the pdf into Pages route this time. Not sure whether that was an IOS or Azamara problem

I thought I’d be able to do it that way, but the ‘open in iBooks ‘ option didn’t come up, so I went the pdf into Pages route this time. Not sure whether that was an IOS or Azamara problem

I am using a mac and there is certainly no option to save to pdf or Ibooks. Interesting.

I think the work around you are describing is a valid one, but too complicated for your most people. Needs a simpler solution.

Do you have to pay VAT on shore excursions if not leaving the EU? I'd consider that another downside of this fix if you do.

Do you have to pay VAT on shore excursions if not leaving the EU? I'd consider that another downside of this fix if you do.

No there is no VAT on them - the cruiser is purchasing a product being sold offshore by a US company - the original price is in dollars, the overseas guest (its not limited to the UK it applies to all cruisers booked through non USA providers) has to pay a conversion price for converting the dollar cost into the currency of their booking