uktog

You will not be able to see them until the offer opens on Saturday

But I did chip a back tooth trying to bite into my ship

I would rather a cruise line refinanced debt when there was an advantageous deal around than didn’t. Given rising commodity costs globally every one is looking for opportunities to reduce some aspect of their outgoings and I see nothing untoward with the transaction that’s been completed

Very encouraging to read this focus on training and very much setting out how they wish guests to experience Explora https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/ehl-hospitality-business-school-provide-training-exploras-shipboard-employees

Me too (if that phrase is allowed)

I think we will discover the “more ordinary shops” in two weeks time when folks board. I’m starting a list of things to post back on in the first few days (I doubt I will manage it all Day 1) and I’ve added sources of chocolate to my list 😀

Interesting, when norovirus hits on Azamara, they put extra staff on to serve in the buffet requiring entertainers, guest relations, spa staff etc to do extra shifts to achieve this. The catering staff very much focus on their no one priority - getting the food out to the servers. Sounds like Viking does not do this

Correct it’s the rate when you first use your obc

I sat with the agent this morning and listened to the experience. All I can say is no wonder some agents are avoiding. Once we got through the agent was constantly having to put us on hold even regarding basic questions (ok that happens) but she was also very very curt and abrupt and at times was what is considered rude in the UK. She also gave information that has now been found to be factually incorrect the cruise is not sold out. So Azamara got no extra revenue from us and a travel agency’s less positive view about Azamara has been reinforced.

Yes the transfers were actually debited by land discoveries

We have often used OBC for a transfer arranged via the concierge. It’s an excellent way to spend it rather than buy a watch or sunglasses!

Cabins can also be removed last minute and used for travel agent familiarisation experience trips. I have seen groups coming onboard on that basis before and talking to them it was only set up in the week previously. So rooms would be removed from inventory to accommodate the trips but maybe the agents could take up the offer in time. I once had a similar situation to Whitby100 and was told that the agency offering the rooms at a snip have to pay for the rooms (or a very high % fee) that they have taken up as a last minute block whether they sell them or not. That’s why the price is so keen and other agents can’t match it. It also explains why there might be empty rooms once onboard- a discounter failed to use their block

I doubt my travel agent would be happy with my criteria - I am interested in any cruise on Azamara in a four month period because beyond that I need to see prices and availability in different categories to make my decision. I cannot refine my criteria any further at the outset. I see my initial research as a basic courtesy to my travel agent who is in any case not around at the time of night I am doing my research and making initial decisions.

Very well said - on recent cruises I noticed those that stayed post eating did dance but the percentage who stayed was much lower than before. Very few were staying just to listen and watch as used to happen My Loud Environment warning on my Watch which is in excess of 90db was constantly going off and we were seated in front of the pool bar away from the speakers. If its a lovely evening as it was in Santorini I could escape the noise but stay and watch (and dance by my seat) by heading to Deck 10 or even 11, but if it is cooler and you want to be near the heaters or some shelter from the wind, it is I am afraid a case of noise noise noise or do not stay. It would be so easy to fix, I am sure the dancers would still be able to dance no problem with the volume down by a quarter

Butlers in suites room hosts in non suites

No it’s always quoted at the full rate hence why three free nights often aren’t worth anything when you come to get quotes. Sometimes on 7 night cruises they are or on itineraries where prices don’t drop - you have to always get thing’s priced two ways with and without using free nights to make your decision

We have a saying in Scots which I will translate - it goes along the lines of "there are none as deaf as those who do not want to hear". I felt when giving feedback last year was one of "this is how its going to be to appeal to our new demographic"..... time will tell but the current format and volume is not for me anymore, but we have choices which is great

Nothing for 17/7 sailing. I believed most of these items were things we set up with our room host once we boarded but maybe I have that wrong. As far as I can see Anthology, Sakura and Marble Grill are bookable The FAQ section on the website is a little vague on reservation process. I’m guessing on our cruise it will be let’s see what happens and by our Caribbean cruises later in the year it will be a clearer picture.

We found Viking good but we were trying them on a special itinerary In Search of the Northern lights. To be honest we were so fixated on lights chasing off ship in the evenings we didn’t notice entertainment, Ed were also not putting the dining room under the microscope but will be this time. My “hunch” in hope is that we are going to find Explora in a league above Viking - I will tell you in September after we’ve done our Viking and of course the inaugural

Oh goodness me, we nearly went on that trip but opted to book earlier. Flying from the UK we would not have been happy especially also having to sort out changed air as it was part of a bigger trip. Luckily our consumer legislation and travel insurance would render a voucher an unacceptable offer that could be rejected in favour of a cash refund given the scale of disruption to the originally planned itinerary. Good luck in getting a resolution

No everyone has to pay the charge

As we go on Viking six weeks after Explora we should be able to do a good comparison to them albeit we may not be looking at like for like. Our first Viking was acceptable enough to have another, particularly because of how receptive they were to feedback onboard

Well said indeed, - what is 10 minutes onboard in the scheme of things

Interesting I am trying to adjust an existing booking (which includes spending more) and the agent just won’t engage. I’m going to go into their shop and sit and see what happens. The previous line has been don’t wait we will call you when it’s done then they call with incorrect response and decline to call again because of wait time. (yes I’m also now using another agent but I’m not sure they are any better.)

I think you make a very valid point about judging the entertainment as a first timer vs a repeater. It’s all fresh for the first timer so their views differ. Azamara has a high number of repeat guests. I think that’s where the challenge comes in (I will ignore the serial repeaters no entertainment schedule can give them variety). Azamara are now rotating the production shows and cast between ships which may or may not give variety depending on what goes where. I find some of the guest acts shows haven’t changed for years. But the worst same old same old is the cruise directors shows. Some change over time some are same old same old. That’s disappointing given the range of new pieces available every year. Personally I also think White Night needs a change. Again on some ships it’s the same play list from 10 years ago. They also need two versions the indoor and the outdoor as some of the numbers don’t “transfer inside” as well. For me a good player in the Den and some talent in the living room is what makes or breaks a cruise