eileenover

I don't mind you asking but I can't really answer because, Niki, my points wizard wife arranged it. It was some crazy thing where she moved amex points to air Alaska which had an amazing exchange rate with Singapore Airlines and then she was on the phone at like 2am on the 1st morning that the seats were available with both amex and Singapore because apparently they have very limited availability for seats. She really wields some serious magic so sometimes I don't ask but it was really like a lifetime worth of Amex points and worth every one! I've never seen service like what Singapore Airlines provided and I've been to a fair number of pretty cool places to compare.

Just watched your youtube of your flight in suite class.... loved it! Really fun and funny!

Anyone reading this, if you haven't watched it, do so now! It's great!

Do suite guests still have the opportunity to walk past the often long queue of passengers waiting to embark after a day in a port?

I seem to recall a 'suite only' gate/red carpet area at the head of the line... so suite guests could have priority embarkation after a tour etc.

When, on a cruise, do AzAmazing Evenings occur? Of course neither the first or last nights...

Early in a cruise? Mid? Late?

I guess it all depends on the itinerary...

Where have people had AA evenings? Which ports?

Thanks.

I guess the only way to assess which is best for you is to add up what you would spend if you bought the elements that you want separately.

The only package that would give you better wines (by the glass only) is the Indulgence Package at $1399 (it gives you the Ultimate drinks package which is the only one that gives you access to better wines).

The Indulgence package also gives you WiFi for 2 devices.

WiFi would be $399 for one device for a 20 day cruise ($19.95 a day), but as Elite +(Discoverer + on Azamara) you would get $130 off that price, so $269 per device (or $538 for 2 devices).

As Discover Plus you get 1 bag of laundry per week - that’s the same as you get in a suite, but they don’t combine them so you’ll get 2 or more bags of laundry altogether (2 if the cruise is 20 days, 3 if it’s 21 days or more).

The Indulgence package would give you another 2 bags so overall 4 or 5 bags. It’s difficult to say what this would save you - on longer voyages Azamara often have an offer of $40 for a bag of laundry, otherwise it’s a per item price.

(Azamara also have a free self-service laundry room).

The Indulgence package also gives you $700 Shore Excursions Credit and Chefs Table for 2 at (I think) $99 a head (Chefs Table is a multi course dinner with paired wines). However if you are on a CO suite you will be invited to the Best of the Best dinner which is similar, but just for the top suite guests

 

So the value to you could be $700 for excursions plus $538 for WiFi for 2 devices for 20 days - more if the cruise is over 20 days. Then you get the Chefs Table at (about) $198. That adds up to at least $1436 benefit. Don’t forget you’re also getting the Ultimate Beverage package which is worth $21.95 a day each and $250 spa credit.

 

Whether it’s worth it to you depends on whether you would spend that money anyway - would you take $700 worth of excursions, would you use WiFi on 2 devices, would you buy the Chefs Table, would you buy the Ultimate Drinks package anyway. If the answer is yes to those, then the Indulgence package would be good value for you. If not then you may be better off buying the occasional bottle of wine and laundry separately.

Sorry if I’ve rambled on, I hope this makes sense and is helpful. If it doesn’t make sense please come back to me.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Wow! This is an answer far beyond our dreams! So much information! Amazing! Thank you so much!

Eileen & Stephen

In 2020 we're on a 20-something night cruise on Journey.

We'll be Celebrity Elite + by then so we'll hopefully get some perks for that!

Also, we're in in a CO suite so we'll get some perks from that too.

We're not into spas etc. but we do love good wine. As for spirits, we don't mind 'ordinary' brands.

Laundry: we get through lots and lots and lots! A full bag each day! Really!

So, which would be the best package/deal for us? It's all rather confusing because we're AzNewbies!

I've posted this on another thread too.

By the way, we do wish that Celebrity had CC hosts and a Bonnie too!

Okay, we need some advice linked to this thread:

In 2020 we're on a 20-something night cruise on Journey.

We'll be Celebrity Elite + by then so we'll hopefully get some perks for that!

Also, we're in in a CO suite so we'll get some perks from that too.

We're not into spas etc. but we do love good wine. As for spirits, we don't mind 'ordinary' brands.

Laundry: we get through lots and lots and lots! A full bag each day! Really!

So, which would be the best deal for us? It's all rather confusing because we're AzNewbies!

I'll post this on the Newbies thread too, Host Grandma!

By the way, we do wish that Celebrity had CC hosts and a Bonnie too!

Thanks to those who tried to help. Found a tip on here and apparently this is an issue for the UK and Aus.... one has to change the co.uk in the url to .com

 

I now have my countdown clock :)

Lucky you!

I tried, changed co.uk to .com but still had no luck. Pasted the message but didn't see any preview etc. and just a blank sig box at the end of the whole experience. Any ideas, Helen?

Any Brits buying their Euros soon ---before the deal/no-deal of Brexit?

We've never had the chance! Has anyone else outside of North America?

A few cruises ago we were in a CS and a RS became available ----I saw it on the 'rooms available' section as if I were making a new booking. I called Celebrity and said that I'd like to make them an offer for an upgrade but had zero interest in my call and so my offer was rejected before it was even on the table!

Welcome to Celebrity!

 

Officially Reflection is a Solstice class ship, but there are some differences in it from others, namely an extra deck of staterooms, bringing the total number of cabins (1523) to about 100 (97) more than Solstice. Reflection marked Celebrity's discovery that more ( in terms of passengers) isn't necessarily better for the brand. Thus Edge will have a slightly lower capacity, leaving Reflection as the only Celebrity ship with a "double occupancy" capacity of over 3,000 and a maximum passenger capacity of over 3,400. (click for details)

 

The only other major differences over other Solstice class ships I noted on Reflection, both of which I appreciated, is an improved Persian Garden and self-service refrigerators in Michael's Club.

Also, some of the suites are hidden away behind a card-access area on Deck 14.

Am I the only one who cannot see any of the attachments? There are all showing as a missing image.

 

Is it possible for someone to post the highlights as text, please?

 

Update: It's OK. Someone has posted a screen shot of the original post elsewhere which I can see.

I agree! I can't access them either!

Please help!

It has been so interesting reading everyone's experiences! There are obviously so many wonderful experiences to be had!

Please don't forget the Nile.

We went on a week-long (or was it 10 days...) Nile cruise a couple of years ago.

Luxor to Aswan and back. Lots of temples, markets, Aswan dams (yes, there is more than one!) wildlife and sadly, poverty.

There weren't many tourists art any of the sites because of the terrorism over the last decade or so. We walked straight into the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens.

We never felt in any danger throughout our cruise. There are plenty of soldiers around ----the Egyptian government realises that it needs tourists.

Our ship was owned by Movenpick. We had expected 4* but in reality it was more like 3*.

The restaurant was large and there was open-seating although the muslims prefered to be seated in on area away from the rest of us. This saddened me and so I went to sit amongst them (thinking that it was the staff who separated us) but I was soon ushered away by a guide.

Poverty is a huge issue. In Aswan, so much is aimed at the tourists ----and there are so few. Chugging along the Nile we could see hundreds of tourist boats moored and mothballed awaiting better times.

The good news is that recent surveys and other stats are showing that tourists are starting to return to the Nile.

If you are considering a cruise along the longest river in the world, do it soon!

Orator, forgot to ask if anyone on cruise tried to go downtown?

I think last year the Burj K. did a special laser show.

Maybe that was why you could not hear the booming sounds.

As you will have read in my reply to you, some people did head into Dubai and they had an awful journey back to the ship.

We were on the same ship as Orator.

Did NYE on Connie and found the fireworks from the ship disappointing. Unlike the Fourth of July on Summit in Boston where they showed a broadcast on the outdoor screen and you could hear the music, the fireworks in Dubai were at a distance and you could not hear music. The music makes a major difference. Saw another ship from another line move to a better viewing spot. However, the onboard celebration was excellent as was the cruise.

Yes, we were on the same cruise as you, Charles. I recall plenty of our interesting conversations in Michael's Club.

We were on the UAE to UAE via Oman and India cruise a couple of years ago. Great cruise!

NYE in Dubai:

We have relations on the Palm in Dubai (we're the poor relatives!) and were invited to join them at a restaurant next to the Burj K. This is one of the main places for firework displays.

We declined because so many of the roads would be closed as we returned to the Constellation.

Instead, we stayed on the ship and watched from afar. The display was rather ruined by a sandstorm / fog and we saw just some of the fireworks. It may have been more impressive from that restaurant, I expect.

As we enjoyed an extra drink in Michael's Club (open later than usual) people came in from the shore. They complained about the time & effort to get back to the ship. There were no shuttles.

We both thought that the display in St Ives, Cornwall was far better. However, it may be difficult to get the captain to reroute from the UAE all the way to the UK!

My husband was born in Croatia near Venice. He loves Grappa and has enjoyed in Ensemble Lounge and Tuscan

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Wow! Grappa on board! Never seen it in Michael's Club: a request is forming in my head...

Also, I love Genever (original gin from Netherlands, not to be confused with dry gin) and yearn for that to be on board... Oh, I dream...

Tip for Newbies from Hotel director on Pursuit .

When you get your mid cruise questionnaire please fill it in as they need as much feedback as possible especially about outstanding crew members.

Any written comments go on their permanent personnel file and when they are considered for promotion this will mean MUCH more than an effusive goodbye or even an extra tip (if given).

All comments are posted in crew areas so that crew get recognition by peers as well as opportunity to get prizes for good comments like a full 24 hours off from any duties.

When working split shifts 24 hours a day 7 days a week that is like winning the lottery to them!!!

Great advice! Love it!

That is INEDIBLE , we tried for 3 nights, processed turkey, low quality beef, everything so salty that people complained of increased BP . Some went down to the medical facility and were told not to eat in the MDR.

 

But of course I am glad you enjoyed yourself in the MDR on the Eclipse in the Feb. Maybe your first cruise? or maybe not a discerning foodie.

Sadly, you correct the 'unedible' but then write 'Maybe your first cruise? or maybe not a discerning foodie.'. Please check your punctuation: ? or

Oh, the .'. in my writing is the way that we are taught in the UK. However, this does seem to becoming simplified to .' in recent years.

For years and years we cruised with Princess. We usually saved hard so that we could afford really good suites. However, the standards dropped and so we changed to Celebrity.

We saved even harder (DH had to work in the treacle mines of Kent) and have always stayed in both CS and SS on X ships ever since.

From we have observed, the majority of the passengers on an X ship get a better experience than the majority on Princess. Suite guests get a far better deal ---but it costs more! Fair enough.... DH will need to sell his little remaining hair and take in ironing as well as continue in the treacle mines.

We're loyal people and usually stay with a brand unless there is a huge dive in the delivery.

Sadly, we'll not be with X in 2020 because it cannot deliver an itinery involving small ports. So, we'll be enjoying a long cruise from Portugal to South Africa on an Azamara ship.

Why has X not purchased/ordered any smaller ships? Why has Princess sold off all but the Pacific Princess (and rumours abound that AZ are after that one too!) and mostly promoted large ship cruising?

The bottom line.

Well, yes and no. AZ would not be in the market with its current three ships if the bottom line disappointed the share holders. So I guess that AZ offers a fine product that's a more expensive but possibly more enjoyable experience than either Princess or X.

One last point: read some of the postings on the AZ pages of CC and you will find negatives amongst the positives e.g. in many rooms the showers are too small and have a curtain

The grass is always greener on the other side!

Final Sea Day..and Marco Polo Airport :(

 

..I always like to have my last day be a sea day, so I can relax , and pack and enjoy the last bit of the ship.

 

I got up,early, the "kids " were out late enjoying the night on board, before having to get up,early the next day

I went up to the buffet, it was very quiet, I guess everyone was sleeping late.

 

I got my favorite breakfast and found a nice table outside and just enjoyed the quite, the wake and reflected on the trip.

 

When the "kids" finally did get up we enjoyed hanging out on deck, the boys went to the gym and played basketball..

I stopped by guest relations to thank them for all their efforts to locate the luggage..

It was a leisurely day, with a final fun dinner ..

 

Disembarkation..and Marco Polo

 

I had read that Marco Polo was very chaotic and slow moving...and that you should have Transportstion set up .

We had 2 flights, 1 at 12:05 and 1 at 1:10.. the 4 younger "kids" were flying from Venice to Paris to Washington DC, at 12:05. I was flying with #1 DD from Venice to JFK to Miami.

After all I read I thought we should be at the airport early...big mistake..unlike airports in the USA, you can not even check in until 2 hours for a domestic flight and 3 hours prior to an International flight..so the earliest any of could check in was 10 AM...

We left the ship in group # 5, which was about 8:30 AM, in our pre-booked taxi and at the airport at 9 AM ish...

Well, we thought we could track down the luggage..but oh no it was in a holding area to be shipped home ..

 

We finally checked in a very slow process and proceeded to the business class lounge...not the best I have seen but OK..

 

They did have a board which listed the flights and boarding times..in no time the younger "kids " were off and so were we....:(

 

Everyone arrived home safely....except for the luggage

 

..up next final thoughts and the saga of the luggage

You're certainly correct about Marco Polo's business lounge ---it's not great! However, you should have seen it a few years ago! It was awful!

Worst business lounge for us: Luxor. A huge room with a few sofas and smelly, flooded toilets ----oh, no food or drink was available either!

Pirouette

We're enjoying your blog. You're obviously delighted that things have improved.

Now we will be Az newbies in 2020. We love good wine. Please help us by listing some of the wines available on the Ultimate Package plus a few of the 'specials' shown to you from the deepest cellars!

Thanks.

This decision is a no-brainer for celebrity. Printing papers daily in a multitude of languages costs mony no matter how many or how few cruisers pick them up.

 

 

Forcing people who want to keep current with new from their home countries that might not be on MSNBC or the BBC to buy unlimited interest packages makes money for Celebrity.

 

 

So sad, too bad. Case closed. Benefit dropped. Bottom line wins!

 

 

Geeorge +

So true. So sad. I wonder what other lines are doing?

Wow!

We've been Elite for a few cruises and never knew about the breakfast.

Okay, we usually eat breakfast in Luminae but sometimes it is fun to try somewhere else?

Are we allowed to go to the Elite breakfast if we are in a suite?

Also, I have never been able to get good scambled eggs in Luminae! I like them very well mixed, creamy and piping hot. What shall I ask for? How can I best explain it to the staff? Sounds silly and pathetic but I guess that we Brits usually have scrambled egg a diferent way... But wait! Up in the buffet, the scrambled eggs are how we like them...

We've been to Venice many times. Guess we're lucky because we're only a couple of hours away.

On those occasions where we have flown in to Marco Polo, we have always taken water taxis. Yes, they arev expensive but the experience is so 007 -----as a previous poster has said!

Since the airport has been refurbished, there is a moving walk-way to and from the water taxis and main terminal building.

I am pleased to report that I received a telephone message yesterday acknowledging my mid cruise feedback and indicating that my comments had been forwarded to “management”. The dining room manager also approached at breakfast today and was again grateful for the feedback. He wanted to know where they could improve. We had a brief and open discussion and I am satisfied that the concerns raised are being taken seriously by Azamara.

 

I understand that there is a learning curve for new staff. Given an option, we will now try to sit in the section of the dining room served by the more experienced servers. That being said, I reiterate that the food on Azamara, from our perspective, is superior to the other cruise lines we have cruised, including Regent and Oceania.

 

Again, I recognize that food is subjective, but we are not luxury cruise newbies and have experienced offerings on those Regent , Oceania and Silversea. Oceania touts the best food at sea. It is very good, but to our taste, Azamara is better. Silversea offers better pizza (it’s an Italian run company) and for some reason, better sushi. For the rest of the menu, including desserts and cheeses, Azamara excels.

 

I have complained about the wine list but there is not much that can be done ship side. The cellars are stocked based on orders from head office. The quality of the included wines and those on the beverage packages falls far short of both Oceania ‘s beverage package and Regent’s all inclusive wines. For those who share that view, concerns should be directed to head office.

 

When a cruise line holds itself out as providing a quasi luxury experience, they have to do better than offering a drinkable choice, it should be a quality and enjoyable choice. The options on the ultimate beverage package are what we would drink at home on a Wednesday evening. They are no remotely special and do not complement the excellent food.

 

We were overnight in Bilbao last evening. We took the time explore the outside of the Guggenheim museum yesterday. Today we did the inside and it was spectacular. We were pleased that we did the outside yesterday because we could be more leisurely on the inside today. There is a lot to see. Azamara provided a shuttle to the centre of town (about 20 minutes) and the museum was a five minute walk. So happy to have seen it.

 

We are off to the Azamaing evening in a couple of hours, a Basque concert in a unique venue. More later....

Really enjoying your blog.

Question: Were people allowed to take photos in the Guggenheim?