Traveling on Azamara

[Beachgator]

My wife and I have never sailed with Azamara but are thinking about it. We have sailed quite a bit with Celebrity and enjoy the benefits of the Captain's Club membership. My question, since Azamara and Celebrity are affiliated, does my membship level with Celebrity also apply if we sail with Azamara? Do we get credit under our Celebrity Club membership? Thanks for your input.

[swigso]

You certainly will,

register your number with Az, they are a great company to sail with.

The ships are really friendly and the staff are amazing.

[seacruiser72]

My wife and I have never sailed with Azamara but are thinking about it. We have sailed quite a bit with Celebrity and enjoy the benefits of the Captain's Club membership. My question, since Azamara and Celebrity are affiliated, does my membship level with Celebrity also apply if we sail with Azamara? Do we get credit under our Celebrity Club membership? Thanks for your input.

Several weeks ago I phoned AZ and asked whether new CC Elite benefits were also on AZ. They told me that at that time only the old benefits were in effect but that they plan on enhancing the CC benefits later this year. I certainly hope that this happens before our b2b cruises on Journey ll/22-12/18. To my knowledge this has not yet happened.

[Beachgator]

Thanks for the feedback. I intend to call and register my CC with AZ.

[redlands52]

They need to change because the benefits on Azamara are terrible. I just cruised with them and had a wonderful experience...but the benefits were horrible.

[Andy]

Several weeks ago I phoned AZ and asked whether new CC Elite benefits were also on AZ. They told me that at that time only the old benefits were in effect but that they plan on enhancing the CC benefits later this year. I certainly hope that this happens before our b2b cruises on Journey ll/22-12/18. To my knowledge this has not yet happened.

 

Hi Seacrusier !

 

You are correct, the updates to Azamara's Captains Club benefits have not happened yet. I will see if I can get an update from Azamara. If I hear anything, I will let you know. Stay Tuned !

[Andy]

Thanks for the feedback. I intend to call and register my CC with AZ.

 

Hi Beachgator !

 

I do not believe you need to do anything, as your Captains Club # is the same on both Celebrity and Azamara. Your status should be fine with AZ. If you hear anything different, please let us know.

[JennAngel9]

I respectfully disagree with my fellow Californian, Redlands.

 

We are only Select, and newer cruisers, so perhaps unaware of the lavish perks other lines offer-- but we felt 20 free minutes of iternet (each), $7 off of laundry, and EXTENSIVE access to crew and behind the scenes areas (Engine Room tour, Bridge Tour, Galley Tour-- plus a dinner with the Staff Captain), were more than we expected. Oh, and I forgot to mention multiple former cruiser get togethers (with generous drink service) as well as a wine tasting, and casino specials (which we were indifferent to).

[California Native]

Hi Jenn...

While the benefits on AZ are nice...

for those of us that are receiving Elite benefits on Celebrity it does matter.

Now, for those of us that are Elite on Princess and LOVE the Pacific Princess, Ocean and Royal...

the way for AZ to get us off of Princess' small ships and over to Azamara....

they need to ramp up the internet usage and laundry benefits

There's a very nice size demographic of Elite Princess cruisers that love their benefits especially traveling on B2B's with land travel added in...

that AZ can tap into for a new customer base.....

at this stage in my cruising life at the age of 44 ..I'm the highest on Celebrity, RCCL, Holland America and Princess all earned the old fashion way sailing on the high seas without transference of credits

I NEED my 250 free minutes to stay in contact with my DH when I sail with my mom...and I LOVE my unlimited free laundry. That's why I haven't sailed on RCCL for 5 years .

After spending 28 consecutive days on them in 2004 having to pay 75 cents a minute for internet and our laundry charges ....

I went back to Princess (and dabble on Celebrity a bit)For the last 5 years I have spent 36-40 days on Princess each year in a Balcony cabin.

 

192 days

That's a lot of money RCCL, Celebrity and Holland America have lost out on because of their position on loyalty rewards.

My loyalty can be bought.

and Azamara knows this, the ball is in their court.

[alidor]

Strange, I thought most people chose their cruise based on itinerary, price and cruise ship.

[California Native]

Yep, that is how I usually choose it.

AZ and Princess have very similiar itineraries with their small ships

their pricing can be very similiar too

Princess small ships and AZ are identical except for soft goods decorating

that leaves benefits

[Jancruz]

Yep, that is how I usually choose it.

AZ and Princess have very similiar itineraries with their small ships

their pricing can be very similiar too

Princess small ships and AZ are identical except for soft goods decorating

that leaves benefits

 

Sorry, I disagree with you about Princess and Azamara..the only thing the same is the ship..Princess has set seating, formal nights, some smoking and they charge for many things Azamara doesnt..I would never let a few small perks make me take Princess and have my husband take a tux!! I cruised for many years on Primcess and IMHO they are so very different!

Jamcruz1

[California Native]

Hmmm...

set seating and buffet on others verse AZ dining...

I like AZ concept better, but I can live with Princess. You don't have to do formal night and we haven't at times because we do extensive pre and post land travel and keep our luggage minimal

The some smoking on Princess small ships has been a non issue..

we are going for the ports and the MAJORITY of ports are in smoke intensive countries.

When I travel with my mom, we can be gone for up to a month at a time

250 FREE internet minutes that both my mom and I receive for a total of 500 allows me to have constant communication with my DH. To him being at home, it just brings us a closer together when we are so far apart and it that keeps him being totally supportive of me traveling with my mom before it becomes too difficult for her travel abroad

Those internet minutes are a HUGE benefit. The laundry isn't too shabby either.

I'm not knocking AZ...

in case you forgot I'm booked on them for 24 days next year with my DH

I'm giving them a try.

http://ourpassportstamps.com/Our_2010_Adventure.html

I'm just saying for me and MANY people that I know, the perks do make a difference.

The people I'm speaking of are the cruisers that haven't tried AZ yet,

they are on the fence about leaving Princess....

AZ has that chance to reach this cruiser, but they need to waive that proverbial carrot.

I usually like to know who I'm "chatting with" so I looked at old posts of both of yours. If I understood them correctly you are both in travel.

Do you remember years ago when AA wanted UA's business travellers..so they matched their status and gave them bonus miles...and AA was quite successful with that program. It's the same concept

When Bed Bath and Beyond came to town they matched and honored all Linens n Things coupons ...Linens n Things didn't do the same. BBB was also nicer with customer service. These are little things but had HUGE results

Bed Bath and Beyond has thrived and Linens n Things didn't survive. It's the nature of the business world

AZ needs to be competitive BUT it also needs to attract new cruisers that enjoy the small ships.

The demographic is usually a seasoned traveller who prefer the smaller ships as it reminds them somewhat of traditional ships of the past...think Royal Cruise Line and Royal Viking Lines. This is also a traveller who has perks on other cruise lines and very comfortable on those lines because they know alot of the staff and are totally pampered. What can I say, I love attending the most travelled lunches. These are also travellers who want off the beaten path ports because they've done the mainstream stuff many times.

AZ needs to hold that carrot saying we can give you all those perk PLUS we also have these perks that might appeal to you too...give us a try

and once cruisers do, they will be hooked and their cruise dollars will be sent to AZ instead of elsewhere.

Just my 2 cents...and AZ if you are reading this ...you can give me a $100.00 onboard credit..as that would be my focus group fee! hahahaha! (just joking everyone)

[Jancruz]

Yep, that is how I usually choose it.

AZ and Princess have very similiar itineraries with their small ships

their pricing can be very similiar too

Princess small ships and AZ are identical except for soft goods decorating

that leaves benefits

 

The point I was disagreeing with was that you said "Princess small ships and AZ are identical except for soft goods decorating" I was just pointing out they are not..Perks are good and I love all I can get BUT truly that would not convince me what itinerary or ship to take I could be given a LOT but wouldnt be happy on a ship that holds 3.000 passengers (I dont think) I never say never..everyone takes cruises for there own reasons and I certainly respect yours..

Jancruz1

[Beachgator]

Hi Beachgator !

 

I do not believe you need to do anything, as your Captains Club # is the same on both Celebrity and Azamara. Your status should be fine with AZ. If you hear anything different, please let us know.

 

 

Andy, thanks.. I attempted to use my Celebrity CC password and number with AZ and it didn't work. Thought I'd need to register separately with AZ.

[Karynanne]

Andy, thanks.. I attempted to use my Celebrity CC password and number with AZ and it didn't work. Thought I'd need to register separately with AZ.

 

I originally tried that also, but subsequently registered, with a new password with AZ.

[Paulchili]

where2next,

I agree with much of what you are saying.

I am very loyal to AA and worked my way up to Gold (without traveling for business) and I enjoy those perks.

I am also Platinum on Princess and love my benefits there as well (working on Elite).

If all things were equal (or close to equal) I would choose the line where I receive my perks (I do love those 500 free internet minutes!). I am not crazy about formal nights on Princess, but you have alternatives there.

Azamara, please try harder to reward us for loyalty - my first Azamara is coming up.

[California Native]

Paulchili....thanks for chiming in! :)

JanCruz...I think this was one of those times that I just didn't convey exactly what I meant. When I said the 2 lines were similar..

I was speaking specifically about the size of the ship, cabins and basic layout...though Princess small ships don't have the Cova Cafe, that's where the Future Cruise Consultant sits. and it looks like AZ might have an extra boutique by the pursers desk if I'm reading the deck plan correctly.

We are looking forward to our experience on AZ, I've poured over the brochure, their website and online comments including everything about AZ on CruiseCritic.

[Andy]

Andy, thanks.. I attempted to use my Celebrity CC password and number with AZ and it didn't work. Thought I'd need to register separately with AZ.

 

Hi Beachgator !

 

Yes, that's correct. I wasnt aware you were refering to Azamara's website. If you want to register there, you will need to create a new user name and password. However, your Captains Club #, and Cruise totals remain the same as your Celebrity Captains Club number.

[Jancruz]

Paulchili....thanks for chiming in! :)

JanCruz...I think this was one of those times that I just didn't convey exactly what I meant. When I said the 2 lines were similar..

I was speaking specifically about the size of the ship, cabins and basic layout...though Princess small ships don't have the Cova Cafe, that's where the Future Cruise Consultant sits. and it looks like AZ might have an extra boutique by the pursers desk if I'm reading the deck plan correctly.

We are looking forward to our experience on AZ, I've poured over the brochure, their website and online comments including everything about AZ on CruiseCritic.

 

You are correct there is a high end jewelery store by the front desk..personally I think it is a waste of space, might even make a nice card room since they took the card room and added it to the spa..

Jancruz1