rubyclaret

Thanks for that hawksbaynz, South Africa is also the Cruise we are looking at for Jan 2025. We nearly went this January gone, but chose a Marella cruise from Jamaica to Central America.....which we thoroughly enjoyed BTW !...plus you only need to go into a Tui ship and everything is done for you ! As I say in the OP, our only other Azamara Cruise when we went Auckland to Sydney, we booked it via their website, booking flights, transfers and hotels ourselves. The website doesn't seem as good as it was to me, will probably book with a TA who can factor in the flights and hotels etc... Thanks again.

That's great, thanks Harters, you can't beat face to face contact when booking a holiday and there are 1 or 2 options there.

Thanks for that Riocca. Just seems a little more complicated booking on the website than previously......when you say you have received very good service, I presume that means Azamara are replying to your emails and calls ? Regards Mr & Mrs Rubyclaret

They won't ?....Thanks anyway Grandma. I've heard a few people going down the route of Independent TAs, perhaps that's the way........are you allowed to give the initials of National TAs 🤔

It's been a good 8 years since we booked our last Azamara Cruise, we live in the UK and remember booking on the Azamara website whilst exchanging emails quite regularly with Richard Twynam ? a UK based director i think of Azamara,who was a great help with our booking. I think he's now long since moved on and looking at the booking process on the Azamara website now seems more complicated....or perhaps its me ! I suppose my question is to UK Cruisers, is there any particular national TA that you book with or a local TA or do you book direct on the Website ? Sorry for the long question, not sure about the best way to book. Thanks.

Indeed dronnygirl the Ship itself looks in decent nik, just the Cabins that need a little TLC.

Hi Just recently returned from 2 weeks on Explorer 2. Whilst we enjoyed most aspects of the ship ( the Showcast in the theatre were amazing by the way ) we thought our Balcony Cabin, the Bathroom in particular were looking a little tired. Does anyone know if any refurbishment is planned this year, we fancy doing another Winter Cruise in 2025 and would love it to be with Marella Explorer 2. Thank You.

That's great Princeton 123211, thank you very much for that......we had gave up hope of any replies 😀 From what we have been told our excursion is to a Hotel for Cocktails at a Rooftop Bar but does not include the Swimming Pool, as it is only open for Hotel Guests. It could well be the Kempinski that you mention. We are in Havana overnight 11th & 12th Jan, really looking forward to it. Really appreciate the reply, thanks again 👍

Hello TWW98. We are on this Cruise, but on the 9th January, flying from Manchester. I'm sure there are better informed Cruisers on here than ourselves to answer all your questions. This will only be our 3rd Cruise, our others were Singapore to Hong Kong & Auckland to Sydney with Azamara Cruises....they were great Cruises, here's hoping this one is too ! Once you have made your booking you can google Marella Cruise Control, put in your details I.e. booking reference then all the excursions & Restaurants will come up to book. We have booked and paid for 4 trips, I think you can cancel them any time and get a refund. We have also booked Surf & Turf Restaurant for 1 night. Our trips out are : Cocktails on a roof top bar. Cuba £76 Rays, Reefs & Stingray cruise & swim. Cayman Islands £104 Aerial tram & Ecological Encounter Panama £172. Costa Rica by Rail and Canal Cruise £164 and the Surf & Turf Restaurant £66 All sounds a bit pricey but we're trying to justify it by saying its a Special birthday treat 😁.....you can probably do them cheaper by doing private tours. Not so sure on the Yellow Fever Vaccinations, when we booked in the Tui shop it wasnt mentioned, perhaps its a personal thing if you want the Vaccination or not, I know the Mozzie season is the Wet Season -April to November. I did notice on the Tui Website in the FAQ that you DO NOT need to present a certificate in Jamaica. One other thing...you now need to Download a entry form before you can gain entry into Jamaica. Hope this is a little help to you, i feel part of the enjoyment of a Cruise is doing lots of homework and planning for your ports of call. If and when you book your 1st Cruise have a great time....I'm sure you will. 👍 Regards Mr & Mrs Rubyclaret.

...that's the name of a Cruise Excursion in Havana with Marella Cruises. A visit to a Hotel for a few hours with Rooftop Swimming Pool and Cocktails. Bit of a longshot...but which Hotel will it be, any ideas ? As this will be our 1st visit to Havana and Cuba what can we expect of the City. .....and what Cocktail & Cigar do you recommend.....not experts on either. Any input very much appreciated, thank you.

Same with ours in January, only 2 restaurants showing at the moment.

We are on Explorer 2 in January, our 1st sea day is day 2 out of Jamaica. I'm hoping that's when I bring my jacket out 😁

Just looked at Tours Plaza.....that's give us something to think about. Thank you, much appreciated.

Some great information there c-leg5, thank you.

Just googled the Cruise Schedule for Cozumel on 11Jan 2024 we are on Marella Exporer 2.......and wow, 7 ships are scheduled for that day, over 20,000 passengers ! Some big ships are in. Lunch could be difficult 😄 Thanks for the reply and recommendations 👍