Significant itinerary change stories please? What is Azamara approach? (apart from embark/debark ports)

[lahore]

Hi.  A bit of background:  We are booked on Quest on a B2B2B in November.  The first leg is Dubai to Singapore, via 2 nights in India, 3 in Sri Lanka and 1 in Indonesia.  We were particularly looking forward to revisiting Sri Lanka but given the very significant troubles there at the moment it's likely to be a no-go I would think (even though it's not until November, their current problems are unlikely to disappear quickly).   

 

So, being as we are flying business class from Melbourne to Dubai and then the cruise, we naturally have a financial stake in trying to guess the future.  At the moment The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a 'reconsider your need to travel' alert out for Lanka which means we won't get insurance to go their either.  

 

Final payment isn't until July.    I won't be making final payment unless we have some idea what alternatives to Sri Lanka Azamara might consider.  For us, more in India would be good, whereas more in South East Asia is not really worth it as we have lived in and visited those countries a lot.  

 

So, my question is, has anyone got any examples of how Azamara deals with ports that are no longer viable due to political unrest or other problems?  How far in advance decisions were taken by Azamara?  How you were advised, and in what time frame?   Situations where such changes were made either well prior to sailing or during a cruise? Compensation, offers of refund, flexibility or otherwise?

 

I'm just interested to know what has happened in the past and would appreciate any stories. TBH we're not really stressed about whether we go on that leg or cancel it and join in Singapore, but we will need to make a decision within the next couple of months so it's on my mind.  TIA

Edited May 28, 2022 by lahore

[excitedofharpenden]

It's difficult to give a definitive answer for your particular situation. Personally I wouldn't take past experiences from people on an anonymous message board  as useful in formulating a decision. Azamara has changed ownership and what with the new covid world things are different. I'd be waiting until July and seeing how the land lies and how I felt then. 

 

Phil 

[blag]

Don't get me started!

I have a litany of such things. For example: our next cruise with Azamara was cancelled yesterday. All our flights, hotels etc. paid-for. 

Mercifully, it was cancelled, which means it is (hopefully) covered by our insurance. But contacting our insurers is like plaiting smoke.

But when the itinerary changes significantly (for whatever reasons - let's not get bogged down in justification etc. etc.) and the cruise is NOT cancelled, insurers will not accept any claims. Because you are choosing not to go on the cruise. This has been the case for us on two cruises with Azamara, both after significant itinerary changes. 

Now, some will say it is imprudent to purchase flights etc. a long time in advance, but good prices can be obtained at such times, and I prefer 'to get my ducks in a row'.

I could go into details, but I am trying to focus on the potential consequences of a significant change of itinerary. 

It would be preferable if, in the case of significant changes of itinerary (again irrespective of the reasons) Azamara were to acknowledge that there are potential uninsured costs as a consequence of their decision*, and offer either realistic compensation, or just cancel the cruise with the opportunity to lift and shift; or an FCC; or the opportunity to accept the alternative itinerary.

On one cancelled cruise a few years back they did offer us a small sum, but this was insignificant compared to the costs of flights. We booked a horrible cruise with another line so as to avoid losing too much. Azamara paid for one extra night in our hotel, and transfers to and from a different departure port (Ft. Lauderdale rather than Miami).

For the recent Black Sea cruise no compensation was offered, with a, significant cost impact to us!

[lahore]

3 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

It's difficult to give a definitive answer for your particular situation. Personally I wouldn't take past experiences from people on an anonymous message board  as useful in formulating a decision. Azamara has changed ownership and what with the new covid world things are different. I'd be waiting until July and seeing how the land lies and how I felt then. 

 

Phil 

Hi Phil, oh absolutely I will,  but it's always interesting to add a bit of qualitative research/lived experience to the mix.

 

[excitedofharpenden]

12 minutes ago, lahore said:

Hi Phil, oh absolutely I will,  but it's always interesting to add a bit of qualitative research/lived experience to the mix.

 

Good luck. I hope it all works out for you in a satisfactory way.👍

 

Phil 

[lahore]

11 minutes ago, blag said:

Don't get me started!

I have a litany of such things. For example: our next cruise with Azamara was cancelled yesterday. All our flights, hotels etc. paid-for. 

Mercifully, it was cancelled, which means it is (hopefully) covered by our insurance. But contacting our insurers is like plaiting smoke.

But when the itinerary changes significantly (for whatever reasons - let's not get bogged down in justification etc. etc.) and the cruise is NOT cancelled, insurers will not accept any claims. Because you are choosing not to go on the cruise. This has been the case for us on two cruises with Azamara, both after significant itinerary changes. 

Now, some will say it is imprudent to purchase flights etc. a long time in advance, but good prices can be obtained at such times, and I prefer 'to get my ducks in a row'.

I could go into details, but I am trying to focus on the potential consequences of a significant change of itinerary. 

It would be preferable if, in the case of significant changes of itinerary (again irrespective of the reasons) Azamara were to acknowledge that there are potential uninsured costs as a consequence of their decision*, and offer either realistic compensation, or just cancel the cruise with the opportunity to lift and shift; or an FCC; or the opportunity to accept the alternative itinerary.

On one cancelled cruise a few years back they did offer us a small sum, but this was insignificant compared to the costs of flights. We booked a horrible cruise with another line so as to avoid losing too much. Azamara paid for one extra night in our hotel, and transfers to and from a different departure port (Ft. Lauderdale rather than Miami).

For the recent Black Sea cruise no compensation was offered, with a, significant cost impact to us!

Thank you for the interesting response.  That's the sort of thing I was hoping for.

Firstly I like "plaiting smoke", I will have to borrow that one.

 

I should have pointed out that our airfare to Dubai is on points so I can cancel that with no penalty but if that wasn't the case I would be much more concerned.  I agree, it is often advantageous to lock in airfares early, for cost benefits or points-fare-availability, however for sure the potential losses if non-refundable are considerable.

 

I also strongly agree that it would be extremely useful if they communicated with people and make a show of concern about the potential uninsured costs of such a decision.   And yes I do recognise that it's difficult in COVID times.  

I wondered specifically about what happened in relation to the current Russian invasion of Ukraine and Black Sea cruises, because that has some parallels with the Sri Lanka situation.  So is it the case that they just cancelled and gave you a refund, nothing else?  

[travelberlin]

31 minutes ago, blag said:

Don't get me started!

I have a litany of such things. For example: our next cruise with Azamara was cancelled yesterday. All our flights, hotels etc. paid-for. 

Mercifully, it was cancelled, which means it is (hopefully) covered by our insurance. But contacting our insurers is like plaiting smoke.

But when the itinerary changes significantly (for whatever reasons - let's not get bogged down in justification etc. etc.) and the cruise is NOT cancelled, insurers will not accept any claims. Because you are choosing not to go on the cruise. This has been the case for us on two cruises with Azamara, both after significant itinerary changes. 

Now, some will say it is imprudent to purchase flights etc. a long time in advance, but good prices can be obtained at such times, and I prefer 'to get my ducks in a row'.

I could go into details, but I am trying to focus on the potential consequences of a significant change of itinerary. 

It would be preferable if, in the case of significant changes of itinerary (again irrespective of the reasons) Azamara were to acknowledge that there are potential uninsured costs as a consequence of their decision*, and offer either realistic compensation, or just cancel the cruise with the opportunity to lift and shift; or an FCC; or the opportunity to accept the alternative itinerary.

On one cancelled cruise a few years back they did offer us a small sum, but this was insignificant compared to the costs of flights. We booked a horrible cruise with another line so as to avoid losing too much. Azamara paid for one extra night in our hotel, and transfers to and from a different departure port (Ft. Lauderdale rather than Miami).

For the recent Black Sea cruise no compensation was offered, with a, significant cost impact to us!

Sorry to hear about the cancellation of your cruise. Which cruise is that? How long in advance was the cancellation before the cruise?
Ivi

[blag]

3 minutes ago, lahore said:

I wondered specifically about what happened in relation to the current Russian invasion of Ukraine and Black Sea cruises, because that has some parallels with the Sri Lanka situation.  So is it the case that they just cancelled and gave you a refund, nothing else?  

OK.

The Black Sea cruise was offered at a premium price, and (as usual) we took a suite. Then the pooky-acky hit the fan, and Azamara (as I said, let's not bogged down with justification) changed the itinerary to one that IMHO is significantly inferior, and at offered no reduction in price.

We were able to cancel, but had paid in full. Most of the price paid was refunded fairly promptly, the rest as a FCC, eventually, although I have yet to see the FCC.

Our truly phenomenal TA went into battle on our behalf. I cannot go into details because I am sworn to secrecy, but she got us a fantastic sweetener on another  (already-booked) cruise with Azamara. But she had to work for it - Azamara volunteered nothing. 

We had non-refundable Business class flights to and from Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. Insurers would not budge.

With the fantastic assistance of our TA, we got a good deal on a cruise on the lower Danube, adjusted the Istanbul flights, and turned a ****-storm to our advantage. So we get a fews days before and after in Istanbul after the Danube cruise.

Nevertheless, although Azamara finally acquitted themselves quite well, it took a great deal of work. 

[blag]

15 minutes ago, travelberlin said:

Sorry to hear about the cancellation of your cruise. Which cruise is that? How long in advance was the cancellation before the cruise?
Ivi

The cruise was the Black Sea Summer Solstice Charity Cruise. There was not sufficient interest in the cruise during the short booking period after the Tabernacle Choir cancelled their charter. 

Cruise due to depart Copenhagen 17th June.

We've now booked (thanks again to our TA*) a similar itinerary in August with Azamara. We were able to change one leg of our flights, and all hotels were booked with no cancellation penalty. One flight could not be changed, and we lost a bit on that.

 

 

* again I cannot say too much, but she got us an almost unbelievable deal. 

Edited May 28, 2022 by blag
Typos

[lahore]

Thank you so much once again @blag.   That's exactly the sort of information I was seeking.  I'll pop your experience in my back pocket and recall it when it comes to crunch time.  Appreciate your time very much.

 

[manc]

We were due to go to the Black Sea but cancelled just before final payment. Greek Islands which we had already visited at a premium price was not acceptable. Might have considered if a price drop but business class flights to Istanbul are high and then revisiting islands ans Ephesus seemed pointless. 

[lahore]

6 hours ago, manc said:

We were due to go to the Black Sea but cancelled just before final payment. Greek Islands which we had already visited at a premium price was not acceptable. Might have considered if a price drop but business class flights to Istanbul are high and then revisiting islands ans Ephesus seemed pointless. 

 

Thanks.  Did they levy a cancellation fee (in context of you not originally seeking to cancel and all....)

[Grandma Cruising]

We just cancelled our Black Sea cruise and transferred our deposit & FCCs (from a 2021 cruise cancelled by Azamara) to Dubai to Singapore on the Journey in Nov 2023. They charged us £75 each cancellation charge.

[blag]

12 minutes ago, Grandma Cruising said:

We just cancelled our Black Sea cruise and transferred our deposit & FCCs (from a 2021 cruise cancelled by Azamara) to Dubai to Singapore on the Journey in Nov 2023. They charged us £75 each cancellation charge.

You were unlucky, but maybe you left it late?

We cancelled on or about 21/22/23 March without penalty.

[offonhols]

I am booked on the Baltic Capitals cruise from Copenhagen on 26 June. We had communications from Azamara about the situation in Ukraine before Putin invaded, saying they were still planning to go ahead with adjustments in necessary.

 

Then we had an email with the new itinerary about 4 weeks later, no price cut offered. The cruise has dropped significantly in price however, which I have benefited from by ringing Azamara and having the price adjusted. We are happy with the new itinerary, given the situation we knew we would not be going to St.Petersburg, we have an overnight in Helsinki and new ports of Gdansk and Visby.

 

We have not done a Baltic cruise before so we did not have the problem of re-visiting ports. Our flight was booked with points so can be adjusted. Overall I am happy with how Azamara handled this, and we are looking forward to our first cruise with them.

[Grandma Cruising]

52 minutes ago, blag said:

You were unlucky, but maybe you left it late?

We cancelled on or about 21/22/23 March without penalty.

I think you were lucky. If you look at their UK Ts & Cs they say cancellation penalty is loss of deposit if cancelling more than 90 days before the cruise or transfer fee of £75pp if you transfer to another cruise.

[john1970]

We were booked on the Black Sea cruise at the end of June. They took a fair time to come up with a new itinerary that really didn't look to me that exciting. They did make sure it started and ended in the original port but they wanted to keep the original pricing which was far higher as commanded by the Black Sea. They offered no incentive to stay with the changed itinerary. We decided we wanted to cancel. We had only paid a deposit. They tried to tell our agent that we needed to take a FCC. I then reminded the agent that this was a major change as per the UK package travel regulations and I was entitled to a full refund. Azamara confirmed a full refund of my deposit and we cancelled. call me a cynic but once we got into full payment window the prices dramatically decreased which I didn't think was very nice for people willing to take the new cruise. Now I only book with flexible air or air miles tickets as it is too uncertain. I held off cancelling my air ticket with BA and they then cancelled the flight so got a full refund without their £35 penalty. I am now going to Devon for the week as I cannot face the airport experience at the moment. We will consider Azamara again but probably last minute as most of the pricing seems inflated unless it is a very unique cruise. 

[lahore]

17 hours ago, Grandma Cruising said:

I think you were lucky. If you look at their UK Ts & Cs they say cancellation penalty is loss of deposit if cancelling more than 90 days before the cruise or transfer fee of £75pp if you transfer to another cruise.

This is not a statement disguised as a question, I genuinely don't know:  were you not covered by 'cruise with confidence'? 

[Grandma Cruising]

3 hours ago, lahore said:

This is not a statement disguised as a question, I genuinely don't know:  were you not covered by 'cruise with confidence'? 

No because it only applies to cruises departing before 31 December 22. The Black Sea cruise we cancelled was for May 23.

[PirateWife]

6 hours ago, Grandma Cruising said:

No because it only applies to cruises departing before 31 December 22. The Black Sea cruise we cancelled was for May 23.

We cancelled the same cruise about a month ago and moved our deposit to a cruise this December. No penalty or cost of transfer was assessed.

[manc]

We were advised we can transfer the deposit to a cruise sailing before 30 April 2023. No charges 

[Grandma Cruising]

3 hours ago, manc said:

We were advised we can transfer the deposit to a cruise sailing before 30 April 2023. No charges 

Yes, but the cruise we transferred to is November 23.

[lahore]

On 5/30/2022 at 4:04 PM, Grandma Cruising said:

No because it only applies to cruises departing before 31 December 22. The Black Sea cruise we cancelled was for May 23.

 Oh, OK.  Thank you. 

[Benthayer Gonbak]

On our first Azamara cruise we went to Alexandria with tours to Cairo. We were told that due to unrest at times we would probably have a police escort.  The tour left 15 minutes late because of confusion about the police escort which was deemed unnecessary, by the Egyptian government.   Somehow I don’t think any cruise line would do the same for Odessa.  
 

our last cruise before COVID had 2 typhoons in one cruise!  The captain said that had been a first for him.  In Japan we had some substitute ports but I believe we lost a port.  Previously it had been added because the itinerary had had to drop South Korea because China wouldn’t allow ships from there, so yes we got a different port and then seemed to loose it.  When we got to China after the first port we had the second typhoon staring at us.  We skipped Shanghai which we could have perhaps gotten into but could have had trouble getting out of.   Azamara considered more time in Taiwan but none of our passports had exit stamps so they had to find another port in China to visit.  we got a partial FCC for that mess mainly because of some problems that had happened with visas that Azamara said could be done at the first port but immigrations was on holiday. 
 

On our first trip to India we also had an entry at one point and exit as another.  There was a lot of things that the consulates for India in the US said that urned out not to be accepted by the local immigration.  Azamara gave those people a free tour at our next port, obviously not in India.  
 

Okay, that’s 2-3 cases where Azamara had to deal with changing local governments.  We actually were almost denied entry to India due to a threat in Mumbai.  They accepted us but not the tankers.  Please note that all of these happened before Azamara was sold.  I’m not sure any of this directly translate to what might happen in Sri Lanka.  
 

As an aside we had a non-Azamara Black Sea cruise that was supposed to go to Odessa.  From fairly early my TA was saying we aren’t going to dock in Odessa, just not happening.  That happened before the invasion of Ukraine.   We expected that we would be in another port. Unfortunately that cruise line was one that had been recently sold, before COVID, to another holding company. The Asia based holding company didn’t survive the pandemic causing our cruise to become non existent.  This happened around the time final payment which had been move later than normal, ie very short notice.  It was a group trip which left our TA scrambling to help us save flight costs etc by finding another cruise.  I can agree with others who at least implied the Adriatic and Greek Island are not a substitute for the Black Sea but there were few alternatives.  Over 2/3 of the group decline the new tour due to itinerary or date conflicts.

 

 

 

[ruthnlarry]

We are booked on an Intensive Black Sea Voyage in June 2023.  This cruise is not going to happen.  There will have to be major revisions to the present itinerary, and none of the Black Sea ports will be visited.

To date, we have received no communication from Azamara regarding this cruise.  In fact, Azamara still lists this cruise on their website for booking, and there is no disclaimer about the need to change the itinerary.  Azamara is still advertising a late night stay in Odessa for this cruise.