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Yes, that was evident. When I mentioned "trained by", I was thinking more along the lines of in the Azamara culture but uktog makes valid points as well.

"The news you have been waiting for!" - new 2025 and 2026 itineraries.

Yes, he's amazing. It should be noted that he was trained by the 'old guard' who unfortunately have moved on.

That was a long time ago and was likely true at the time, or at least what the HD was told by whoever in admin was responsible. It may have been the intent back then that they were temporary, but if there were supply problems and in the absence of many formal complaints, the powers that be may have decided to save money by abandoning the replacements. Who knows, but there's no need to be so aggressive in criticism of fault when no one knows the whole story. The more 'official' complaints they get, perhaps they'll re-evaluate the priority.

Wow, sure is an improvement from the former method of calculation which seldom worked out in our favour!

Makes perfect sense - IF they would deem it a priority to rework the automated system to accommodate. Seems like an easy enough change. Again, fingers crossed 🤞.

I understood that one of the reasons they changed the upgrade system to a bidding system was because the prior method required extensive manual intervention. Having said that, it would be nice if they could allow for requests such as this in spite of automation. 🤞

It says "Once payment is completed, you will receive your stateroom number." That appears like you must first make payment i.e. accept - without knowing the allocated number. So it seems you will continue to take your chances as to whether the subsequent allocation suits you.

And then there's the example of Oceania's "2 for 1 Cruise Fares" which have been in effect in perpetuity! They do publish the "Full Brochure Price" in their brochures at outrageously high prices (which no one in their right mind will have ever paid) so they can reduce it in half to allow a more marketable/competitive i.e. real price. Does anyone really believe they're getting a deal in that regard? I have no doubt it's all legal as the outrageous price is published, but a deal as we know it - it is not.

Yes, many people got it, many with bookings elsewhere and some with no bookings at all. Refer the other thread about the current website problems for a discussion there. Most people are confused as it doesn't apply to them either so you are not alone. Strange.

Oh my goodness, that is unbelievable. I completed a cruise on Azamara to Rio/Brazil intensive about nine years ago!

I got the email about Rio too and I have no current cruises booked. I think it was just confusing wording of a mass market mailing to encourage booking.

Yes, that was the procedure. But your more recent experience also sounds amazing.

Perhaps it's an all new loyalty program rather than correcting the existing one?? Just a thought.

Timing was not an issue for me. I enjoyed the conversation and insight gained by listening to both the officers and fellow table mates. Also the special menu was usually quite nice. In the very early days i.e. 2009 or 2010, they used to take a photo of the group and provide a copy. That stopped even before the invites did. Ah, the good old days... as someone said in a different thread!