nigelc

7 minutes ago, lparent71 said:

I just spoke with Costa and their March 13 sailing out of Dubai and Abu Dhabi is fine. That's Friday so I'm betting Azamara worked it out and that's why we haven't heard. They aren't notifying because it's good.

or is it because their communication is so poor ? - I cannot see the itinerary being what was promised, but I await their response.  

2 minutes ago, gnld said:

We're on the March 17th r/t Dubai cruise. I just talked with a very helpful Azamara rep. She confirmed Dubai port is closed to cruise ships. But Azamara is in contact with them as to how long. We also know Doha, Qatar has closed its port to cruise ships. And I've read Bahrain and Oman have closed their ports, too. Well, that's all the countries on our cruise! The rep said they'd have something out by the end of today (Monday) regarding cruise status. We're scheduled to fly to Dubai on Thursday. We're waffling anyway, so I told her we'd need to know the situation by tomorrow at the latest. Sittin' on pins & needles...

Thank you for your update - it is really appreciated. All I am getting from both my TA and Azamara UK, is that there are no changes to the itinerary. 

15 hours ago, chromered7 said:

It’s hard to get your head round the fact Celebrity have looked after their customers and Azamara , although they are in the same group,  seem hell bent on alienating their customers. Cruisers will not forget how they were treated during this fiasco.

Agree 100% - I am on the 17th March 2020 sailing and nothing from Azamara even though it appears the Dubai port is closed - we will definitely not forget this fiasco.

Thanks Lindy, lets hope its sorted quickly.

42 minutes ago, Lindy028 said:

According to reports UAE are no longer allowing cruise ships to dock! We are due to board as you disembark in Dubai, but that looks very unlikely now. We wish you a safe journey home, from wherever.

Hi Lindy, 

Where is this being reported as Azamara confirmed no changes only a few hours ago?

Well considering that the issue of closed ports has been raised with them by so many people before the cruise date, they can hardly argue that they were not aware of the issue. Given this, we will, like many others, now be travelling in good faith and reliance on the fact that they know what they are doing and have contacted the relevant ports to confirm availability. If this turns out to be a cruise consisting of mainly sea days, then I for one would expect compensation. 

8 minutes ago, Lindy028 said:

I really do not know what to make of this! It is clear that Doha is not accepting any cruise ships, this has been confirmed today by someone who is actually staying there. There are various reports that Bahrain and Oman are similarly refusing certain ships. Azamara either know something we don’t know or they are deliberately misleading us! This cruise is not looking like the relaxing, recharge of batteries cruise we booked., that we so desperately need!

Stress levels are definitely high, but unless something changes over the next few days we will be heading to Heathrow ready to fly to Dubai this time next week. If Azamara do not know something we don't, then this could be a cruise to no where.

Finally got an e-mail response from Azamara regarding our 17th March 2020 cruise - despite reports of at least two ports not accepting cruise ships, it looks like the itinerary remains the same. 

We are booked on the 17th March 2020 sailing out of Dubai. While there are numerous reports of ports on the itinerary not being open to cruise ships, Azamara is still telling everyone that there are no issues and that the itinerary remains unchanged. With no changes being confirmed by Azamara, the legislation does not seem to apply. My thoughts at the moment is to go on the cruise, relying on the numerous statements made by Azamara that everything is going ahead as planned, and if it turns out that the information provided was not accurate, seek address via the small claims courts under the common law "estoppel rule".

1 hour ago, Riocca said:

Currently there are eight cruise ships docked in Dubai:

 

The port schedule is only saying 3 are actually due to be there.

We are due to fly to Dubai next Saturday for an 11 day cruise on Quest, we have received nothing from Azamara about any potential changes although we know Doha is closed to cruise ships and Bahrain have turned away ships. It’s obvious there are big problems in the area for cruise ships, it’s ok saying we can cancel and receive a FCC for the cruise but we will lose out big time for flights and hotel.

It’s time Azamara were upfront about the viability of this cruise and at least give us the possibility for reducing our loses. 
Our personal worry is not Covid-19 itself but the current mass hysteria and illogical thinking that surrounds cruising.
 

 

We are on the same cruise and have just been told by Azamara via our TA that there are no planned changes and that they still plan to go to Bahrain and Doha - talk about bury your head in the sand. I have also e-mailed Azamara myself, but received no reply. Indeed, the number of questions that have been raised on here, but again have received no answers from our "Host" is unbelievable. It certainly raise the question of why anyone would ever sail with this company again?

Still no information from Azamara regarding the 17th March cruise out of Dubai - Come on Azamara, remember that repeat customers are the life blood of all cruise lines, treat us bad now and you will not see us again.

2 hours ago, BBMacLaird said:

 

Our team is working diligently to keep up with the worldwide changes. I expect there will be a new statement by or before the end of the week. 

Thank you for your post - but time is running out for some of us - we are leaving Dubai on the 17th March 2020 on the Quest and it appears that at least 2 ports we are scheduled to visit are closed to cruise ships - any news would be welcome.  

On 2/28/2020 at 1:14 PM, ChipLondon said:

No just a lucky invited guest, the ship is fab, food is fab, nightclub is fab ( hangover is terrible ) thanks

 

All "fab", well it would be if its free - wonder whether it would be so "fab" if you were paying and not linked to VV? 

57 minutes ago, pc_load_letter said:

What happened with the trains?

They lost their franchise so they are no more - like a lot of his ventures, Branson promised a lot, but failed to deliver.

If they run VV as they did with their train company in the UK - it will very shortly be a case of a slightly used ship for sale. 

Great picture - really enjoyed by trip on Journey. 

1 minute ago, hotsauce126 said:

 

Nobody think that VV invented all-inclusive or that it even is all inclusive. It is more inclusive than Carnival, RCCL, NCL, etc, which is closer to the type of clinetele that would be interested in VV than the wealthy elderly that sail Regent

Not everyone who sails Regent is elderly, just as not everyone who sails Carnival, RCCL or NCL is young or hip. As I said before, "whatever floats your boat".

3 hours ago, AlyssaJames said:

 

Just as a heads up, you're posting in the Virgin Voyages subforum.

 

There's a thread running over in the Celebrity subforum where more people will be happy to pre-emptively make fun of VV with you: 

 

 

No "heads-up needed", I know where I am posting thanks. I am only responding to someone who thinks VV has invented "all inclusive" when in fact there are far more inclusive lines out there - lines with real swimming pools and beds lol. That said, if VV "floats your boat", then pay your money and enjoy.  

On 11/25/2019 at 1:43 AM, garymfreedman said:

I never wanted to cruise before VV was announced-- My turn offs from other cruise lines, based on what others have told me, and what I have read:

1) You tip

2) You have to pay more for wifi

3) You have to pay more for soda

4) You have to pay more for some restaurants

5) They have bueffest

6) You have to pay for wi-fi

7) There are kids running all around

8 ) They are the same old thing

9) They have some formal nights

10) They are not run by Richard Branson..

Virgin Voyages has taken care of all those negatives..

You must love your WiFi because you raise the point twice in your list. Having had to travel on his trains (a lot), I do not think anything run by Richard Branson is a plus. But if you want the first 9 (8 really) on your list included, try Regent - they will even include a real bed, pool and your trips on land - VV have not invented the "all inclusive" cruise. 

Not sure even the young and hip will want to sleep on that sofa bed - especially after its seen a few months use. It will be interesting to see the reports from those paying customers who have actually sailed on it. 

10 hours ago, hotsauce126 said:

This is definitely more of a food hall than a buffet

A food hall with only one vendor and on-board a ship - isn't that a just buffet? Most cruise ships have different food stations spread out in the space but they simply call them what they are - a buffet. 

Just watched the video and saw the swimming pool - very funny, still laughing now. Who in their right mind would design such a thing for a ship of that size? But love it or hate it, I think we can all agree it is not a swimming pool.

When will Oceana start enforcing their policy and deal with these sunbed hogs. Just off a 16 day trip and I have never encountered such selfish people. As you can see from the picture, it has just gone 8-15am on Sirena and there is only one sunbed in the shade left - not what you expect from such a cruise line.

Thank you for the video - looks a very nice room and I would definitely be happy there.

Excellent photo's - thanks for sharing.