Are Azamara ships sailing full?

[sawsea27]

not all of us subscribe to roll calls..especially in the carib..why bother....but I am amazed that a poster is actually taking the time to check out my posts...why so concerned about that...so what if I wish to state my opinion over and over again...many here do that as well...have you checked them out too...

 

and yes holding a spot for the carib...and also on celebrity...so will see if we wish to pay double for azamara.....like many here have said...the question is it worth double?....will make that decision when the time comes...

[ahoymatey1]

I am new to all this. But cant see why all the fuss. Seems like sawsea is being picked on a bit. Maybe if we all say how we hate the price increase and azamara reads it, they may offer more promotions, they have already started to do that. Maybe we need a new thread just for posters who want to do that. And those who dont want to can keep posting their opinions on the other threads. But no I dont want to start it. Then all will come down on me, but might give sawsea a break. Lol.

[crzrr]

Azamara will offer promotions - they all do. Daily I receive literature from RSSC, Oceania, Seabourn, Silverseas, Crystal, etc. Actually, Azamara is one that I don't receive promotions via email or snail mail from - guess that they already know that we are hooked:D! However, we will not see pricing like we have enjoyed over the past 2-3 years. Why - basically because they weren't making money! So, their choices were to raise rates or go out of business. They have raised rates and are offering promotions similar to what their competition offers.

 

And, guess what, their European itineraries are selling very well. In exploring our options for next spring, we found one itinerary that was completely sold out (I'm guessing a charter) but also found cabin categories in other itineraries that were sold out. And, not the cheaper categories either. Our second leg of our b2b was sold out of V1's.

 

Prior to booking with Azamara, I compared per person/per night charges for the cruise that we booked against an Oceania itinerary that was very, very similar and Azamara was lower. I also compared the cruise to a Seabourn itinerary that I really liked - no comparison pricewise. We like the product we get with Azamara and when we compare the pricing to Azamara's competition (not the large ship companies but the smaller ship companies) we still feel as though we are getting a good deal.

 

Just my 2 cents worth!

[msu]

Theoretically it takes 3 years for an organization the spins off or is new to start breaking even but in todays economy the rules are different could take much longer.

 

That sort is funny in a weird sort of way :) HAHA I never heard a cruise line or supplier say they were not making a profit or admitting to it.

 

My next question would be why?

 

Then as a manager or boss they would of been taken aside told only talk about positives with the customer play us up not down.

 

My past included managing businesses in various industries and staff from start ups to rebuilding organizations to taking them to the next level and even selling them to the competition. One only up sells never down sells the organization they work for there are other ways of hinting at the no profit issue with out saying it out right. As a owner / owners representative manager if I heard an employee told customers we were not profitable the gods / bosses would not be happy with them.

 

It's sort of nice only worrying about my own production profit wise verses whole organizations been doing the independent travel agent thing for 8 years now.

[msu]

Only 1 ship we were originally under the impression they were going to expand the Galapagos program. I am guessing they started the 1 ship in maybe 04 or 05. I was on a training cruise for Celebrity product and the new product manager for the Galapagos program introduced it to us. The new ships we thought were for the expansion of this program / product but terned out to be a new product instead / Azamara. At this point in time we had no idea what they were up to but being how good a product Celebrity is especially since they started to order the new ships and remodel others we were more and more impressed and saw even more WOW Factor.

[Susan-M]

MSU,

Just to avoid any confusion, Celebrity's expedition ship is called, "Xpedition". :)

[jjfritz]

We just returned from the June 6th Baltic Journey cruise. What a tremendous cruise! However, we were not a full ship, and Oceania, sailing a similar itinerary, was overbooked. The sailing following ours was being offered to us for $200 pp per day, if we chose to continue and do a B2B. So, obviously, the June 18 cruise was not full either.

 

This Baltic cruise was our 3rd on Azamara. We did a Greek cruise last June and the February 12th Caribbean sailing (with Nikless- Hi Nick!) We would make Azamara our only cruise line, if it were not for the new changes.

 

All of you with thoughts for Azamara need to write letters (not emails) to Larry Pimentel. Venting here is pointless. I have read many great points many of you have made on this thread. Tell Larry. I have written 3 letters to him already and will soon be sending my 4th and final letter. After every letter I write, I receive a phone call from Pimentel's office staff. I have seen them implement some of the suggestions I have made.

One staff member told me that she went into staff meetings armed with copies of letters (not emails) they receive. When you write, make suggestions - don't just complain.

 

I often lose what I have typed - so I will sent several posts, rather than one huge one. So, here's the end of the first.

Cheri

[Mr. Fritz]

Azamara Cruises,

For the cruise to remain profitable the prices can increase with fewer passengers or maximize profits with somewhat higher costs and many more passengers. Bar tab and casino are still factors in profit since the wine is at meals only and a basic dinner wine.

If profitability needs a full ship at the brochure prices, there is a problem.

 

I agree that the price went up too fast with a marketing position that leaves me out of the preferred guest profile. That is the cruise line's marketing stratify, and if you want any input write a letter, don't just post on this site.

 

I love the Azamara line. I do not like their marketing stratify but I have not seen all the financial factors.

 

I do believe many of the negative factors mentioned are real, no matter how many times they are repeated. They need to be said, but again, state an issue and recommend a reasonable alternative in letter form.

[jjfritz]

Last letter, after our February 12th sailing, I suggested they do more for their loyal cruisers. I suggested a surprise one day of chocolate-covered strawberries. Sure enough, this June sailing we received a lovely fruit plate one day. We also received free laundry (not laundromat service) and internet coupons, similar to Celebrity's. I'd also suggested that they add that benefit. I suggested a Brunch one sea day. Sure enough, we had one. None of these were on our February sailing. So, they do listen to us. But, you have to tell them.

My issues deal with the addition of the wines and the added costs those wines created. Had Azamara left things alone - not added all of the new items - and just increased their prices 10 - 20%, more of us would be more able to continue to sail with them. (Carnival just had a 5% increase.) We would have a choice whether to spend the money on wines, sodas, etc. (Coffees have always been included with Azamara.) I was fortunate enough to have booked both our February and recent cruises at the old prices. I do not like the "All-Inclusive" Policy. I like choices of where and how to spend my money. Many cruisers choose not to drink wine due to health or religious reasons. We can't afford to pay for items we can not and will not use. One of my fellow cruisers on this past trip was diabetic and could not drink. So, with the new fares and no choices, Azamara has lost both of us as cruisers.

 

My DH did try some of the wines offered during the cruise. He found very few that he actually liked. Then, of course, they still came around trying to sell us other "better" wines. So, what was the point in including the wines in the first place? They only provide Coke products as selections for sodas. I do not like any Coke products. I'm a good Southern girl and like my Caffeine-Free Diet Dr. Pepper. I couldn't even buy that onboard. Only drink decaf frappuchinos - can't buy those onboard either.

 

If Azamara offers $500 OBC, we would find it very difficult to spend that credit. So, we don't care for the new 2 for 1 pricing, either. There are no choices left. We do not like ship shore excursions with lots of people. We prefer our own excursions.

I like choices. I don't want to go to "summer camp" where they take away all of my freedom and creativity. I will be writing to Larry one more time. We will return to Celebrity, our first love. I'm disappointed.

 

Many of the CCs on this past cruise will not be returning either, for one reason or another. I hate to see this since I own stock in RCL. Azamara used to fill a niche for many of us, a premium line WITH CHOICES. Now they must compete with Oceania and the like.

 

Too bad! The cruise was fantastic - but the brass is messing up "my" line. So, PLEASE WRITE TO LARRY WITH YOUR CONCERNS. Maybe he will listen, if enough of us tell him our concerns. I really want to return to Azamara but won't under the new "All-Inclusive" Policy.

Cheri

[Paulchili]

Jjfritz,

that is your opinion and you are certainly entitled to it. Just like you

are free to return to Azamara or not.

It seems to me that you are assuming that everyone is in

agreement with you and that all we have to do is to write to Larry

Pimentel to "turn back" the clock.

It seems to me from reading on the A boards that many cruisers love the product as is except the new higher prices. I think writing about those to Larry

will not accomplish very much; other "minor" things can be changed

and should be brought to their attention.

[Project_gal]

Having reported on this thread a number of times that only one of the PH and RS have been taken up for our next cruise, I have to report that, in the last week, one of the RS seems also to have sold.

 

Sue

[xplrcrzn]

I've been away from these boards for awhile as I got "burned out" on cruising. So I missed out on Azamara's early launch prices. But not having been "conditioned" by Azamara's low fares, when comparing Oceania & Azamara, Azamara seems by far the better deal. But, again, I have no personal knowledge of either. Just an opinion from a cruise "shopper."

[Jade13]

Last letter, after our February 12th sailing, I suggested they do more for their loyal cruisers. I suggested a surprise one day of chocolate-covered strawberries. Sure enough, this June sailing we received a lovely fruit plate one day. We also received free laundry (not laundromat service) and internet coupons, similar to Celebrity's. I'd also suggested that they add that benefit. I suggested a Brunch one sea day. Sure enough, we had one. None of these were on our February sailing. So, they do listen to us. But, you have to tell them.

 

 

Cheri

 

Not everyone eats strawberries. My DH doesn't like them so not a good suggestion for everyone.

 

Btw, on our February cruise we did receive coupons for a discount on internet, and coupons to use for laundry, and a fruit plate every day. We did not have to write a letter.

[Jade13]

They only provide Coke products as selections for sodas. I do not like any Coke products. I'm a good Southern girl and like my Caffeine-Free Diet Dr. Pepper. I couldn't even buy that onboard. Only drink decaf frappuchinos - can't buy those onboard either.

 

If Azamara offers $500 OBC, we would find it very difficult to spend that credit. So, we don't care for the new 2 for 1 pricing, either. There are no choices left. We do not like ship shore excursions with lots of people. We prefer our own excursions.

I like choices. I don't want to go to "summer camp" where they take away all of my freedom and creativity. new "All-Inclusive" Policy.

Cheri

 

First, it's not "all inclusive" with wine with lunch and dinner only. And second, you do not have to drink the wine.

 

As far as the Cola products, RCCL and Carnival have their contracts with this company. I believe you have a choice to bring Dr, Pepper on-board as you would on Celebrity or HAL. That is the last thing I would be writing to the President of the company about. What does being a "good southern girl" have to do with not drinking Cola products?

 

Btw, don't know where you went to summer camp but where we went we chose our own schedule and activities, and we had lots of options.

[jjfritz]

Paulchili: No, I did not assume you all would agree with me. Far from it. I just wanted to let you know that AZ does listen if you write letters. Sorry, I didn't expect such criticism to every word that is posted.

 

Jade: you misunderstood. We received coupons in February, too, for Free internet - but only after you paid for a package. Then you got ADDITIONAL minutes beyond the package. This trip (6/6) we got 231 free minutes. (A $99 value) Not additional minutes. We also got FREE laundry, not reduced priced laudry. The special fruit plate (which also came with an additional bottle of champagne) was in additon to the daily fruit bowl. It was an extremely nice gesture on AZ part. My only point in even mentioning them was to tell you all that AZ cares what we think. NOT TO DRAW YOUR HARSH ARROWS. I'm out of here.

 

I just wanted to let you all know that letters do help. Came from the mouth of an Azamara exec. Complaining here doesn't. But you all do as you please. I'm gone.

[Susan-M]

Cheri,

I agree that writing a letter is more effective than posting here or even sending an email, but I'm not sure that your recent letters resulted in some of the benefits that you mention. We received coupons for free internet and free laundry (no other purchase required) back in Oct. '08 on our Azamara cruise.

 

You've posted some very strong opinions in your posts above. I didn't think the reaction was that harsh, but rather just responses to those strong opinions.

 

I don't feel that ACC's new inclusions stifle creativity or freedom; rather ACC is providing a nice product with some inclusions that Oceania doesn't, but at a more favorable price.

[3418ahl]

Maybe I am missing something here, Jjfritz, but to the best of my memory, Azamara's new "all inclusive" policy started on April 1. How then, can you compare the perks that you received in June with perks in February. Many of these may have had absolutely nothing to do with your suggestions, and more to do with the changes in Azamara's philosophy.

[Jade13]

 

Jade: you misunderstood. We received coupons in February, too, for Free internet - but only after you paid for a package. Then you got ADDITIONAL minutes beyond the package. This trip (6/6) we got 231 free minutes. (A $99 value) Not additional minutes. We also got FREE laundry, not reduced priced laudry. The special fruit plate (which also came with an additional bottle of champagne) was in additon to the daily fruit bowl. It was an extremely nice gesture on AZ part. My only point in even mentioning them was to tell you all that AZ cares what we think. NOT TO DRAW YOUR HARSH ARROWS. I'm out of here.

 

.

 

Cheri,

 

I don't know what you are angry about. I am just pointing out that Azamara is not considered an "all inclusive" cruise line. Also that currently the RCCL brands have a contract with Coca Cola.

 

We also received a fruit platter (and cheese platter) on a daily basis in addition to our fruit bowl. The Food and Beverage Manager called us while we were on the ship for our opinion, and my DH spoke to him for at least 30 minutes.

 

You are stating that things like free internet which started in April were because of your suggestions. Azamara had already had this in the works prior to your February cruise.

[tgg]

Azamara had experimented with offering completely free internet time to Elite Captain's Club members. I know this because, when we reached that level, I expected to get free internet time. Imagine my surprise on our next cruise (when we reached "Elite") when I got the coupon for "free" minutes if I purchased a package.

 

When I questioned where the "really free" internet had gone, I was told that it had been a test program and was no longer being offered. It felt like a really nice perk had been taken away. It's good to see it back now.

[Jade13]

Azamara had experimented with offering completely free internet time to Elite Captain's Club members. I know this because, when we reached that level, I expected to get free internet time. Imagine my surprise on our next cruise (when we reached "Elite") when I got the coupon for "free" minutes if I purchased a package.

 

When I questioned where the "really free" internet had gone, I was told that it had been a test program and was no longer being offered. It felt like a really nice perk had been taken away. It's good to see it back now.

 

Yes, but it was changed again. I am pretty sure when the new program launched at first it was 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes PER DAY based on level and now it is a set amount and no more minutes for a longer cruise.

[sawsea27]

We just returned from the June 6th Baltic Journey cruise. What a tremendous cruise! However, we were not a full ship, and Oceania, sailing a similar itinerary, was overbooked. The sailing following ours was being offered to us for $200 pp per day, if we chose to continue and do a B2B. So, obviously, the June 18 cruise was not full either.

 

This Baltic cruise was our 3rd on Azamara. We did a Greek cruise last June and the February 12th Caribbean sailing (with Nikless- Hi Nick!) We would make Azamara our only cruise line, if it were not for the new changes.

 

All of you with thoughts for Azamara need to write letters (not emails) to Larry Pimentel. Venting here is pointless. I have read many great points many of you have made on this thread. Tell Larry. I have written 3 letters to him already and will soon be sending my 4th and final letter. After every letter I write, I receive a phone call from Pimentel's office staff. I have seen them implement some of the suggestions I have made.

One staff member told me that she went into staff meetings armed with copies of letters (not emails) they receive. When you write, make suggestions - don't just complain.

 

I often lose what I have typed - so I will sent several posts, rather than one huge one. So, here's the end of the first.

Cheri

 

 

this poster posted some facts...azamara was not a full ship and oceania was overbooked...

[Paulchili]

this poster posted some facts...azamara was not a full ship and oceania was overbooked...

 

To me that means that Oceania has been around longer and has a very loyal following.

Since Oceania is even more expensive than Azamara, people are

obviously willing to (even lining up to) pay that kind of money for

a good cruise. Many people feel Azamara is very much like Oceania

and thus people should be paying the same. If Azamara continues

to shine as it is, it too will have a loyal following. Some of us will be

among them and others will not be.

[Susan-M]

this poster posted some facts...azamara was not a full ship and oceania was overbooked...

 

I've been on less than full cruises, and it's been a pleasure! Much more appealing than being on a completely booked one. :)

 

I agree with Paulchili's logic on this ... similar product (if not better with the new inclusions) as Oceania, but more favorable pricing.

[TackyTourist]

cpgryneyes...website that shall be unnamed the status of capacity????

 

Do tell or IM me. ;-)

[sawsea27]

the topic is Are azamara ships sailing full?

 

she answered it with the facts as were experienced by her on this sailing...

 

thank you for doing that...