Bonnie, any news about LD OBC for September Sailings?

We sail September 16th, and there are some new excursions posted that I would like to book using our Land Discoveries OBC. I understand the temporary work around is only for May to August cruises.

Bonnie, any update on AZ extending that policy for September or later departures? If the fix isn't rolled out until early September (and that date is already six months later than it was originally anticipated), we'll be stuck in the void between temporary and permanent fixes.

Thanks for any answers you can provide!

Thanks for asking this question. We are also interested on an answer...

Us too! Hopefully someone will reply.

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Celebrity is now allowing use of OBC to book shore excursions prior to embarkation.

We sail September 16th, and there are some new excursions posted that I would like to book using our Land Discoveries OBC. I understand the temporary work around is only for May to August cruises.

 

Bonnie, any update on AZ extending that policy for September or later departures? If the fix isn't rolled out until early September (and that date is already six months later than it was originally anticipated), we'll be stuck in the void between temporary and permanent fixes.

 

Thanks for any answers you can provide!

Helloo cpgrneyes,

At this point, no. I haven't heard of the OBC work-around being extended beyond our August 2017 voyages.

I did ask again (via email) when I read your OP. The silence (aka No Response) to me signifies we are not ready to commit one way or the other. And if I speculate even further from the silence, I'm going to stick my neck out and guess that the permanent fix is making good progress...which would mean no need to extend the work-around. But this is just my usual optimism :cool:

As soon as I hear anything one way or the other I'll let you know.

P.S. I forgot to thank you for your booking, and your enthusiasm to get your trip all squared away. Thank you!

Thanks for checking, Bonnie! I'll share your optimism!

I do have one excursion booked to Carcasson which cost about 2/3 of my LD OBC, so if there is some last minute workaround, I can take advantage of it.

Is there any update on the situation re September 2017. We are on the Quest 6th September sailing.

Hello

I sent an email this week to Azamara customer service. I asked 5 questions. I just cut and paste their answer to the one that applies to this thread. HOWEVER, when the travel agent called he was told September. It seems it depends on who you talk to at Azamara you get a different answer no matter the question............... Notice in their answer it is really a non answer with two different responses. Notice the use of MIGHT, NO OPTION, END OF THE YEAR, NO SPECIFIC DATE.

2. I purchased a tour to Petra on my CC. I would like to use my OBC that I have to use for a shore excursion for the this tour and have my $249 returned to my credit card.?

> Unfortunately there is no option available on the website to use onboard credit prior embarkation. However by the end of the year we might have an option online for all Azamara Guests to book their tours using the onboard credit. Keep in mind this is a new option a dedicate team has been working on so there is no specific date yet.

Kathy

Is there any update on the situation re September 2017. We are on the Quest 6th September sailing.

No, no word on the 'OBC work-around' being extended beyond our August 2017 voyages.

Thanks Bonnie. What a pity...

So, as things currently stand, for September we will not have the new system in place and the "work around" will have expired. A lose/lose situation that is far from satisfactory.

So, as things currently stand, for September we will not have the new system in place and the "work around" will have expired. A lose/lose situation that is far from satisfactory.

I completely agree, and hope Bonnie will keep us posted of any progress with the new system or an extension of the workaround.

I completely agree, and hope Bonnie will keep us posted of any progress with the new system or an extension of the workaround.

Agree x2 am on 16 and 23 the first cruise unusually I've got a v large amount of OBC we are also going to several ports we've done before so we've identified exactly what we want from land discoveries. We've no other way to use the credit (some is the old style restricted, wifi is at a discount to virtually zero these are all we use OBC for). So either an assurance we can prebook using the super new system or an extension of the work around is what the Sept cruisers really need.

I completely agree, and hope Bonnie will keep us posted of any progress with the new system or an extension of the workaround.

I am also hoping that they allow us to use our OBC to book in advance shore excursions for cruise in October...

We sail September 16th, and there are some new excursions posted that I would like to book using our Land Discoveries OBC. I understand the temporary work around is only for May to August cruises.

 

Bonnie, any update on AZ extending that policy for September or later departures? If the fix isn't rolled out until early September (and that date is already six months later than it was originally anticipated), we'll be stuck in the void between temporary and permanent fixes.

 

Thanks for any answers you can provide!

Ok, starting today we WILL allow those booked on one of our SEPTEMBER 2017 voyages to now use the 'OBC work-around' to pre-book tours!

I'm also told the permanent fix is on track...but I made the case for you that our Fall guests are anxious to set up their tours. There is no word on voyages beyond September. When/if I hear something, I'll let you know.

And just so we're on the same page, below is the 'OBC work-around', that has just been extended to include our September 2017 voyages.

This is from my May 2nd, 2017 post from the thread Pre-Booking Tours: for May-August 2017 voyages:

"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, you are the BEST! Thank you so much for advocating for us. Goody, now I can dive deep into the Land Discoveries brochure. This is much appreciated news, and kudos to you and Azamara for the always wonderful service.

One question, if I booked a tour BEFORE today, does that qualify, or do I need to cancel that, rebook, then cancel and rebook onboard? Sorry if you've already answered this.

Cheryl

My thanks also to Bonnie for resolving this for us.

Bonnie, you are the BEST! Thank you so much for advocating for us. Goody, now I can dive deep into the Land Discoveries brochure. This is much appreciated news, and kudos to you and Azamara for the always wonderful service.

 

One question, if I booked a tour BEFORE today, does that qualify, or do I need to cancel that, rebook, then cancel and rebook onboard? Sorry if you've already answered this.

 

Cheryl

I believe you'll be able to use your OBC on the tour you've already booked. I doubt our tour desk personnel will look at the date you booked the tour.

We sail in early October. Do you think they may extend workaround for then, too? Or will the permanent system be up and running by then? Pretty please?

This is wonderful. So, I need to call to do this? It isn't online yet?

Also on the September 16 sailing.

This is good but I still am uncomfortable with "Also please note, all tours booked or rebooked onboard will be charged the current onboard price at the time of booking/rebooking." I fail to understand why the price of an excursion is not the price of an excursion. We have a dozen non-ship excursions booked for a trip in late October, many not paid and many without even a deposit, but not one says that the price may change when we arrive.

Helloo cpgrneyes,

At this point, no. I haven't heard of the OBC work-around being extended beyond our August 2017 voyages.

I did ask again (via email) when I read your OP. The silence (aka No Response) to me signifies we are not ready to commit one way or the other. And if I speculate even further from the silence, I'm going to stick my neck out and guess that the permanent fix is making good progress...which wouldasc psiiaa mean no need to extend the work-around. But this is just my usual optimism :cool:

As soon as I hear anything one way or the other I'll let you know.

P.S. I forgot to thank you for your booking, and your enthusiasm to get your trip all squared away. Thank you!

Hi Bonnie

Unrelated question. We are on the Journey August 13. Have booked the three day St Petersburg excursion. Will the excursion make a stop to get rubles? Or will the ship have them?

Thank you

Leslie

Hi Bonnie

Unrelated question. We are on the Journey August 13. Have booked the three day St Petersburg excursion. Will the excursion makblee a stop to get rubles? Or will the ship have them?

Thank you

Leslie

Really highly doubt the ship will have rubles nor will the tour stop at an ATM. No real need for rubles as anyplace the tours stop should accept credit cards which is best. YOu won't be able to go out on your own so no need for rubles. Can you imagine the delay if they stop for an ATM and 20 people need to get rubles. Would delay the tour more than an hour. We've been to St Petersburg and the ships tour paid for everything. We bought a book at the Hermitage and they took credit cards.

This is wonderful. So, I need to call to do this? It isn't online yet? Also on the September 16 sailing.

What isn't online yet?