Deciding to cancel

[Andy]

One thing I have learned from all of this, is to try my very best to stay positive, and appreciate each and every day we have here. Remember, we don't own this world, we just rent a little time here. I choose to stay positive, even when things are not great, and I am sure that reflects in my comments.

 

Andy, your responses to people are always good ones, and never hurtful. I think you handled that very well....................

 

Hi Corona !

 

Thank you for your very thoughtful response.

[Andy]

Andy - I appreciate your moderating and hope that you persevere through the mentioned health problems.

 

Harry

 

Hi Harry !

 

Thank you for your well wishes. I appreciate it !

[Andy]

Hi Andy,

 

I may not post on these boards often, but as an elite cc member of Celebrity I read them frequently. I respect and appreciate all information on these boards but was taken back by the comment posted about you. Everyone has their own opinion regarding different subjects and your gracious response was more than adequate.

 

I look forward to meeting you on our maiden voyage of the Quest in October.

 

Sandy

 

Hi Sandy !

 

Thank you for your nice comments. I look forward to meeting you in October. I hope you will come and visit us at the Roll Call. That reminds me, I need to spend a little more time over there myself :)

[Andy]

Hello Andy,

 

I too always appreciate your thoughtful answers to questions and also appreciate how diplomatic you are as well. Thank you for the time that you take to help those of us that post a question here at cruise critic.

 

:)Cherie

 

Hi Cherie !

 

Thank you for your thoughtful comments. It is much appreciated !

[Andy]

Host Andy....Prayers are coming your way for you and your family.

 

(a lurker:o )

 

Hi Camellia !

 

Thank you for your well wishes. I appreciate it very much !

[Andy]

Host Andy..I am sorry.. I guess I don't get how these boards are ran.. seriously.. The message boards pay you? I honestly thought at times some hosts may have paid by the cruise line they represent on this board.. Again.. I'm sorry.

 

Hi Rahi !

 

Thank you. I hope you have a better understanding of the Host position here at Cruise Critic. If you ever have any questions about me, you are more than welcome to email me, by clicking on the link below. It might be a better way to go, next time around. Take Care !

[steevsf]

Let me say at the outset that I sincerely appreciate the Cruise Critic community. The myriad insights and perspectives represented by this family of cruise-obsessed travelers is something for which we all should be grateful. While our unique interpretations and passionate observations occasionally put us at odds, the ultimate goal is shared by all: to expand our knowledge and make our experiences a more fulfilling exercise for everyone. It is in this context that I offer a few personal thoughts on Azamara Cruises.

 

Back when Journey was but a nebulous concept in the marketing schemes of Celebrity brass, my partner and I -- both Captain's Club members and experienced cruisers -- accepted on faith that Journey would, as promised, afford us an enhanced cruising experience. We booked a penthouse suite for September 2007 and began anticipating, along with everyone else, the grand unveiling.

 

As we all know, what emerged, depending on your generosity, was something between a fiasco and a well-intentioned promise not fully realized. Of greater concern to us was not that Azamara stumbled out of the starting gate but the lengths to which this company deceived its customers before, during and after its inaugural cruise; and to this day, continues to present its concept, policies and procedures with as many interpretations as there are corporate personnel to deliver them.

 

While we are certain that Azamara Cruises is a better product today than, say, two months ago, we remain unconvinced that there exists within this company a conscience that gives business ethics the high priority it deserves. And as businessmen who value and respect our customers, we could not escape the ethical burden placed on us by the propsect of doing business with Azamara Cruises as if the events of early May never occurred. We have cancelled our cruise and made alternate plans.

 

The deadline for making this decision was Saturday, July 14 at 5:00 PM and as late as 4:30 we were still wrestling with the certainty that a decision not to cruise would make no difference to anyone but us. Some would see it as sanctimonious, others as idealism taken a step too far, and still others would argue that expecting profit-driven corporations to do the right thing is foolhardy.

 

The moment of truth -- and as good an omen as I have ever received -- came at 4:45 PM when I called Azamara to cancel. The representative, in seemingly stunned disbelief, admitted that she didn't know how to cancel a reservation. She asked me to hold while she transferred me to someone else. The "someone else" turned out to be a representative with Celebrity Cruises who, in equally stunned disbelief, became indignant that I had called her to deal with an Azamara reservation. She asked me to hold while she transferred me back to Azamara. I immediately interjected that I had just spoken with someone there who could not handle my request. There was a sigh of desperation, an inference that I was lying, and a confession that while she was capable of canceling my reservation, it was not something she was inclined to do since this was not a Celebrity cruise. At my insistence she did so anyway.

 

Each of us selects a cruise line, a ship and a given itinerary for distinctly different reasons, and our expectations are equally unique. No one should cite our experience as a model, nor do we seek to sway public opinion. This was a decision that satisfied our heads and our hearts, and we are the better for having reached it. Given that we have derived so much invaluable information and entertainment from Cruise Critic, we felt an obligation to share our thoughts. To everyone who is a part of this community, we wish you smooth sailing.

I certainly believe that anyone who posts comments on this site deserves response. It may not always be the positive views that the writer is hoping for. That being said, I certainly don't believe that Celebrity/Azamara are trying to intentionally sabotage their client base. Any new venture, no matter how well thought out, is bound to have a bumpy start. Unfortunately the first guests have to live through the growing pains. I have been on many cruises with several lines and none of them were anywhere near perfect. I hope that you find what you want on some "dream" cruiseline; and I hope that whoever books your cancelled cabin is out to have a good time, and does not possess the torturted soul that you have. Just to cancel a cruise or not!? C'mon!

[Bulabula]

I have been monitoring the posts related to this upstart cruise line because the size of the ships intrigues me. I just came off a cruise with Oceania in the Med with 94 of my clients. I had hoped to book another group on a Scandinavian itinerary for next summer, but have found that they will book any new groups for the northern waters, though there seems to be plenty of space for the Med sailings.

 

I am a travel agent who used to be a big fan of Celebrity before they were swallowed whole by RCCL. Celebrity, who operated in the red while owned and operated by Chandris, was lowered a few notches by the suits at RCCL. Some of their policies have not pleased my clients, notably the search and seizure of wine and booze in luggage. This is particularly notable for clients who are used to sailing Holland America and Oceania where booze brought on board for personal/stateroom consumption is largely ignored.

 

I would love to be able to place my group aboard one of the Azamara ships and am heartened to read that the service level is improving as the bugs are worked out of the product. I am completely frustrated, as previous posters have mentioned, by the attitude of anyone at Celebrity to assist with this group. At this point, I cannot even get a call returned from the cruise line. They claim to have no available promotional material, no brochures, and no sales representative that can assist me.

 

I will continue to monitor the situation, but the Rotterdam is beginning to look like the best solution until Azamara gets their collective act together.

[yosh12]

If there is anything anyone should have learned by now, is not to believe everything you read on the internet.

 

If the OP based his cancellation on what he read here, well, too bad for him. Very foolish!:rolleyes:

[Bodger]

valleyguyva really has no one but himself and his partner to answer too. What ever his decision, to sail or not, it is the right one for him.

 

Personally we booked the Quest last February for February 2008, long before anyone knew the name Azamara. Where we concerned about the rocky start? Sure, wouldn't most folks. We think they will have learned from the Journey mistakes and will have a much better launch of the Quest plus a few months of sailing before we board her.

 

That being said we have wanted to go to Bermuda and when it looked like our choices were going to be limited to other lines of less interest to us, we jumped in and booked the Journey for October.

 

I think they are pulling their act together, and I surely would have been disappointed with one of the early cruises, but I think they are pretty solid now from what I read.

 

Whatever floats your boat!

 

Bodger

[cruisingdelt]

I don't work for X or A. I have no reason to argue with your decisions to cancel. I was also concerned about A but went and am so glad I did. A great product. Once my children are both at college in a couple of years I will be back on Journey or Quest. X never has and probably never will be known for their off ship operation but the on ship operation on Journey is a pleasant memory I will have for a long time.

 

Andy, you are a true professional as well as a wealth of knowledge. I hope to meet you on some future X or A cruise.