Ebeth63

Thank you all for your responses so far. They are all both interesting and helpful in building up a picture. Please keep them coming…!

15 hours ago, PatriciaF said:

Summer cruises attract a younger demographic with children, especially those that are about one week long.  We find that the longer the cruise the older the average age.  But there are usually some younger folks--but younger to us is under 40.

 

Would they be cruising out of the US or ???

 

If you son is used to Azamara, perhaps he and his wife should sail Azamara.  Known product.

They are looking at Rome to Barcelona - two 7nighters b2b, I think. We are UK based.

Thank you for your response.

My son and his fiancée are considering a cruise for their honeymoon next year. They will both be 29 and are well travelled. My son has cruised twice before on Azamara but this would be the first time cruising for his fiancée. I am wondering whether the Enchanted Princess would be a good first experience for them - and obviously want their honeymoon to be memorable for all the right reasons! They would be cruising in August so I assume there might be a lot of children about, which would not suit them - or maybe the demographic is older? Any advice would be appreciated.

When I saw Tony’s photo alongside the email, I realised that I hoped it was not a notification of his departure. I was a little surprised to realise how pleased I was to learn that he was changing role, rather than cruise line.

In our experience, Tony has always seemed a little more than ‘just’ a Cruise Director, so I am confident that he will do very well in his new position(s). I hope we will still get to hear him - and Christine - sing sometimes though!

We were due to cruise on April 24th out of Nice. Now we are trying to work out our best options, juggling pre existing Cruise Credits - and their expiry dates - with the various options under the Cruise with Confidence program. My question is: does anyone know if there is a time restriction on the FCC that is issued by Az when it is they that have cancelled, not me? I know it was 100% to be used by April ‘22 if I had chosen to cancel myself, but understand that it is now 125% (I had only paid the deposit but was hours away from sending the balance when we heard of the cancellation!) - I’m just not sure if the same time frame applies. Does anyone know (paperwork with my TA and I’m reluctant to ask her yet another question when she’s having such a hard time and not earning any commission 🙃).

Thanks.

We enjoyed a walk around the old town, then caught a bus to Piran. The bus left from the port, just steps from the gang plank. Piran has a lovely square and many narrow, winding streets to explore. 

Thank you all for your prompt replies which have jogged my memory!

Quick question...can anyone remind me whether there is an illuminated, magnifying mirror in the bathroom? Or, at least, a sufficiently lit magnifying mirror?

Thanks

I have read through this thread this morning, having received an email from Azamara telling me that I am eligible to bid for an upgrade on our forthcoming April cruise. Some of you may be interested to know that I am one of those who has never succeeded in receiving emails before, despite submitting various forms/requests over the years; this, in itself, was an encouraging sign!

I have a few thoughts.

There is a lot of concern about the benefits for frequent cruisers/LCV status, but surely we have had the benefit already of a percentage discount on our original booking...? Should we not just accept what Azamara is telling us (ie. that our LCV level will be to our benefit ‘all other things being equal’), instead of insisting on knowing the algorithm being applied?

Also, a more profitable alternative for Azamara could surely be to discount prices heavily once our final payments have been made. This could draw in more passengers, but would upset loyal cruisers. It seems to me that booked guests are being given a bonus offer, and that it is up to each traveller to decide whether it is worth it (and how much it is worth) to each of them.

I do agree that for those with specific travelling needs, it is very difficult not to have the opportunity to express them via this system. Perhaps something could be incorporated into the original booking that would highlight this...?

I understand that from next year, there will be a new tier of pricing for Veranda suites - inserting a new price band between Verandas and CC suites (Plus?). Under the old system, we would not have applied for the possibility of an upgrade as the Plus cabins would not be a significant enough attraction for us to pay extra. With this system, we may try our luck at jumping from a Veranda to a CC - as, in fact, we have using our offer this week. We were never successful under the old system, and our bid yesterday was judged to be ‘weak’, but we still have our fingers crossed!

Apologies for the length of this post!

Our favourite so far is the evening we spent  in Koper, Slovenia, listening to the fabulous acapella choir - Perpetuum Jazzile. It was a perfect example of an Azamazing Evening being so much more than the description given beforehand. You never really know ‘what you’re going to get’ on these evenings: some are undoubtedly better than others (due to personal taste), but they are always a special experience.

Still waiting...losing all hope now...think I have sent all the correct emails, containing all the asked-for information (several times). I don’t really understand what the difficulty is. How does my account receive so many unsolicited emails and yet not the ones requested from Azamara?😖

Sent...and waiting hopefully 🤣

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I’d just like to add my thanks for a fascinating thread Alsun. I have just ‘wasted’ an entire morning in the most interesting and enjoyable way! Many many thanks - and happy future cruising!

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Last year there was an excursion to Padua, which included drop off at the airport at about 1pm. We went on it and enjoyed it - more than hanging around at the airport all morning! It was billed as suitable for flights leaving after 4pm.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We took our sons on a similar port intensive cruise when they were aged 15 and 17 and they loved it. They had never cruised before so everything was a new experience, plus they had nothing to compare it with.

The following year we took them on another one - having given them the choice of various other types of holiday - at their request. I think the full days in port helped, and the fact that we spent the evenings as a family anyway. They did, however, say they would prefer to do something different the following year, so I think the novelty had helped.

In summary, I think it really depends what your sons are used to in terms of family holidays. They will not find many others their ages on board, and no activities aimed specifically at them, but that may not bother them at all.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

The beds are very comfortable - you wouldn't know they are twins fixed together.

We love Windows for those evenings when you fancy being quick/very casual - or when the theme of the buffet really appeals (Indian night especially!).

If you like the itinerary, don't worry about the on board experience- there's nothing to dislike (unless you want wall-to-wall activities laid on or lavish musical-theatre-style shows every night) - just friendly fellow travellers, interested in the destinations and happy to chat / share experiences.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I rather like the fact that some senior staff and some crew move from ship to ship at the moment. For me, it reinforces 'Azamara' as a brand so that all my cruises blend into 'Azamara experiences' and I would struggle to remember which, or how many, were on each ship.

Perhaps it's different if you cruise more (currently completed 8 in 6 years).

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Does anyone know when this might be repeated, or how to access it for those of us who missed it?

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Cute! I had to think twice about what you were saying. I wonder if the Daily Pursuit will be renamed?

Maybe there should be three versions: Daily Pursuit, Daily Quest and Daily Journey.........

Just a thought!

Sent from my iPad using Forums

There are USB sockets 'hidden' below the bedside lights so if you recharge devices with these, you will not need plugs.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

You do not mention the gender of your grandchildren, but we found that giving our 15 and 17 year old sons unlimited access to fabulous food 24/7 (and drinks, albeit non alcoholic) ensured they enjoyed their time on Azamara [emoji12][emoji23]. In all seriousness, we did two Azamara cruises in consecutive years as a family and the second one was at their request so they clearly enjoyed themselves. Each trip lasted about 8 days, following a city break at the embarkation point and was just about right - I'm not sure about a longer cruise though - it might depend how happy they are to join in with adults or entertain themselves as there won't be much company of the same ages as them.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We have cruised 6 times with Az (Med. Adriatic and Asia) but decided to try our first trip to the Caribbean with Viking (Star) in January '17 as the price was good and we liked the itinerary. In our opinion. Viking offers a very good product.....however, it didn't suit us as well as Az. We felt that although there was a spread of ages, it was aimed at a slightly older age range than Az. This was evident to me in the entertainment- which featured quite a lot of music from decades I couldn't remember ( I was born in the early 1960s). We did enjoy Torshavn very much (live music/ nightclub atmosphere - preferable to Az DJ in the Living Room). It also catered well for those preferring organised sightseeing, predominantly coach tours on our cruise, rather than independent excursions (we didn't have to rely on the included trips - and didn't always - but we had paid for them, albeit indirectly). The ship was very impressive - all shiny and sparkling - but not as cosy or comfortable as we find Quest and Journey. We did not have a drink package but were a little disappointed to find that the included wine with meals did not change from day to day as it does on Az; it had not occurred to us that it would be the same red or white every day (except that it was different in the special restaurants, but the same every day there too - apart from the pairing menu).

We are very much looking forward to returning to Azamara later this month. Would we cruise with Viking again? Undoubtedly, but not for another ten years or so.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

This is really interesting- thank you! This is an itinerary I have been unsure of previously, but just this first instalment has inspired me. I am looking forward to your next post - when the internet allows.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I've often thought it would be nice to be able to have a cheeseboard available later in the evening....

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Can I just add a small note to your very comprehensive review? One of the highlights of this cruise for us was the entertainment in Torshavn each night by Speedy and Cristina, accompanied by Oaseas. We nearly didn't discover this venue so I would encourage others who enjoy live music - and the opportunity to dance, or just listen - to seek it out each night from 10pm.

Sent from my iPad using Forums