les37b

The £ has devalued since my lock in. (Oil price related I think). So my $ would have bought more £ now. I'm unconvinced I'm better or worse off. l still think it's a dumb idea though and US$ price has been static, just like my OBC amount. Basically unless US$ is your currency, everyone not using it is paying a different amount for the same trips. No logic at all. My $1000 is worth more on board (or less) than "yours". Currency fluctuations shouldn't even come into it, period. I can only assume the lock in at the time, also locks in your account for purchases once OBC is used up and that unfavourable rate (instead on my no currency charge CC giving me the best rate possible.)

Using up OBC I'm guessing. Other than that excuse, anyone paying those prices has too much money and I'd be more than happy if they'd like to donate some in my direction! All amounts accepted. 🤣

At T-5 days, my balcony bid of £310 has been accepted and new room number allocated. I did also (a few days ago) decide to stick in a bid of £510 (total) for balcony plus. I've assumed since the first has been accepted, that means the latter failed. However, despite the cabin number change in my booking has happened, I still don't have "cruise documents" or luggage labels, so maybe that bid is still active. I will update if anything changes beyond the basic balcony bud acceptance. Edit..... Clicking on the "upgrade offer" link, I can see the balcony plus bid status is showing as expired, so guess I now know the outcome info added for the sheet for unsuccessful second bid along with successful first.

So pleased for you after the flight troubles you made it in one piece none the worse for wear from the experience. Yes, your boarding experience does seem a bit odd. Do you think it was to do with your early arrival or suite guest? What were everyone doing? Separated or seemingly boarding in a "normal" way you'd expect? Was you a PCR test arrival or test on arrival in Barcelona? Just curious on time frames. We've decided not to PCR test but to antigen on arrival in Lisbon. Looking forward to your views on the ship, the food and general thoughts on everything. (Comments on poor service and food and drink choices is certainly a concern.) Do you know how many on board? People wearing masks inside? Lastly... One big personal favour. Could you have a look at the outside forward decks, to see if at the top of the glass, it's feasible to clamp a go pro to the metal structure. Anything under 4" and I should be good to go. Want to video our arrival and departure to Amsterdam, Kiel transit and arrival to Stockholm, all of which I've done before and hoping to get some great 4K footage. Many thanks.... And have a great cruise.

Holy moly! At those prices I'll tell the missus to take her scissors on board to do a few haircuts! lol

6 days to go and no acceptance or rejection of my 2 bids. No luggage tags or documents available, which suggests (to me) that it's still a possibility. If the bid is rejected are you informed, or is the let down revealed by luggage tags issued with your original room choice?

So it's a corporate thing then. Certainly not government legislation as was suggested. I suspect the other lines owned by Royal Caribbean has the same. I know 100% Silversea don't (and appreciate Azamara is no longer owned by RCI, but is still joined at the hip on many things.) Still think it a bit odd, but no Biggie. Just prefer not to make random calculations to know what I've spent and have left if I buy something priced in a different currency.... Though it was once the same currency in my piggy bank! Confused dot com.

I don't think this decision is government led but a choice by Azamara. No cruise I've ever done has used this method. It's always just been US$ and that includes 5 in the past 9 months. Do you know of any other CL that does this?

Oh my days! 7 cases? Ah only 1 was hold. Carry on's don't count! 🤣 To be fair, for a 71 nighter, I'd probably still bring 2 cases each.

Indeed, travel is now just a series of stress to endure. If Covid wasn't enough, currently UK airports are full to the brim, with people queuing hours just to get inside the terminal building! On top, airlines are cancelling up to 25% of their flights. They claim its a software glitch. I'd suggest its staff levels after they laid off and haven't replaced. Back to the Moon, the table is a newer edition. They didn't do that in January. It's well documented on here, but we tested every other day and how we got "caught". At the time, we were meant ot have a mid cruise Antigen, which they decided they didnt need. On learning that another lady in the same boat us us (no pun intended), we were certain when the near end cruise PCR happened, the positive cases would be off the charts. Luckily only 2 more couples were treated to nights in the red zone and 2 crew more crew members. We stayed on an additional 9 nights. The couples that were positive after us, may well have been on for a further 14 days beyond ours and sail on to Montevideo as South America shut their facilities. People were mostly wearing masks and certainly the close contact nets were a wake up call - with one Triv team becoming the Social Distancers and seating apart so they avoided a second tug. It did spoil the enjoyment at the time for sure, but as stated SS pulled out the stops when we got out and could not be faulted on any level. Food, special meals, recognition and chats on welfare and sorting the visa for Chile and organising the rescheduling of flights. They did a splendid job.

I wished I could understand the logic in converting anything. Its price in US$ the OBC is US$, why complicate things? Mine is locked at a worse rate than yours, but not by much.

It was there on mine..... And is visible on phone. You have to view landscape to see it Thanks again...

Thank you. I look on my laptop. As suspected, the mobile phone version is different.

Yes, my bookings were shown in £. I hope it was locked at the rate it was when booked and not the current exchange rates! Seems odd to convert given the OBC is US$ and pricing on the ship is US$. Not sure what logic there is in converting!

I've searched and cannot find. Maybe the "mobile' site is different. I will recheck on a laptop. Will shout for pointers if I still can't see. Ok that's a relief. I've booked 3 and genuinely no others of interest, so left over was going to used on whatever takes my fancy. I'm fairly sure when I booked, the offer was OBC. Now it does show as excursion credit. My momory may be wrong, but not my recollection of my conversation with the booking agent who said it could be used to upgrade drinks, bookings in the spa or shop purchase certainly wasn't. 6 more sleeps until sailing. Still no luggage labels or details of upgrade bid. I suspect it's a close run thing and still hoping for more bookings. I know it's sold well,which is a suprise as it's a repositioning cruise really.

When we were on the Moon in Jan and wife tested positive, she had to stay 10 days in the "red zone" despite zero symptoms and negative antigen after 4 days. I think the only exception to 10 days was to disembark and quarantine on land. All food was served in throwaways. The food was delivered at strict time slots.... And 24 hour service was certainly not available. They would put the food on the floor and knock on the door and move away. The first 2 days were rough and "hot" food served cold. I'm pleased to say Vicki resolved this and hope the changes are still in place Leaving jail, guests had to don Hazmat to another suite. Once inside they strapped off the hazmat, resprayed in the corridor then left the quarantine zone That seemed a bit OTT, but guess no chances were being taken, even though she have no contact with another soul and "clean" of COVID for 6 days! But thems the rules, so .... Those in close contact isolation (me) could stay in their suite and be served in the room as per any other guest and not served on throwaways If you remained negative, you were released to wander the ship but instructed to stay clear of others. That isolation was meant to be 24 hours, but they "forgot" and I had nearer 3 days out of circulation. Wasn't great times, but if you have to isolate, I can't think of anywhere better. (Though incinerating her shoes was a step too far but that's another story!) We certainly have no complaints (after the initial 2 cold food days) of treatment during this time and nothing but praise once we were reunited and treated nigh like royalty once back in circulation. Nothing was too much trouble and we will be forever grateful for the service received Release day!!

Disguise it with a picture of a drink and weird toy. You'll probably get untold likes and high fives! They really should rename passengers to cheerleaders! Funnily I was going to ask "4 cases.... That's a lot"..... Then remembered our first 12 day med cruise, we did the same! Hope you managed to get everything home without too much of a struggle. For something as straight forward and simple as this, there really shouldn't be any excuse not to resolve it quickly. Keep us posted. Fingers crossed it's sorted shortly.

I've emailed you the deal so you can see. It is pretty unique I agree. Gutted I can't take up the deal. I fly home from Stockholm 2 days before this one starts in the same port. (Which is a confidence, but could have worked out nicely ..... Especially with free laundry! lol.) Edit ... Not so unique after all. I had thought the TTS cruise was a Stockholm starter. It isn't. The one on the 28 June is though... And priced the same (well £2709... So £10 more if we are splitting hairs!) Luckily I didn't make the mistake and book... I'd have had a bigger wait than anticipated!) On that note and since the thread has evolved from VS dissatisfaction at the perceived watering down of VS perks unless the inflated prices agreed, to one of SS can justify and will gain new guests from Seabourn so cheerio..... Market forces etc. If free laundry were removed.... How would this change be viewed? Would you still book if it were? I know it's hypothetical and I'm not suggesting it will be.... Just curious how far those supporting market force justification would let things go before just saying "No". Funnily, I'd be less inclined to bulk at this, than I am on the P2P changes. I'd certainly miss it though.

This particular sailing is the one I've seen advertised D2D for £2699 (P2P is £2249) I've never really seen discounts in main stream agents (£1 or £200 maybe, but not these levels. The P2P is £100 less than the direct price.) I'm fairly sure Rosebud has booked. Not sure how it pans out with your pricing patterns, but it's been advertised for at least 3 weeks and is still available at those prices. Great deal..... I'd have snapped it up, but have another sailing in 7 days and ironically leave Stockholm 2 days before this sailing. Genuinely never seen such a heavy SS discount...... And would even get a further VS discount. I'm guessing it's not selling too well, even with this TA discount. I didn't expect to still see it advertised, but it is.

When I booked I was specifically told we could spend how we saw fit. At the time, we were going to pay to upgrade drinks but was told it's no problem to do it onboard but couldn't use the credit until we were on the ship. Strange also, as excursions booked have been converted to £ despite the credit being in $ and costs shown also in $. No doubt in a real poor exchange rate. I can't currently access anything on azamara which shows the credit. Indeed my receipt just calls in on board credit. I will be more than marked if goal posts have been moved.

OBC given for excursion? I'm pretty sure it said OBC ... It might have said it can be used for excursions, but fairly sure it didn't stipulate. I've got $1200 to spend.... I've used about $500 on excursions, so thought I had money to burn. Maybe not then!

Hehe... My room! I was meant to be in 738 for her final sailing to Tower Bridge in August 20 prior to cloudification. Really sad I missed that chance. Actually my last SS sailing pre COVID was in 738... And handed over to TTS to look after. Have a great cruise... Am envious. Looking forward to sailing along with you all.

I only referred to the people posting here. I have no access to sales statistics,though I suspect they are not as expected, but concede the general market plays a big part in that also. (Even more reason not to rock the boat IMHO). For the first time, a few weeks ago, I saw a mainstream UK travel company offering what was almost 50% less than advertised on the SS website for a western Baltic Cruise. I think Rosebud may have booked it so may be able to confirm. I know they do offload to various places at times, but that was a first for me to a main UK agent. I'm not adverse to those tactics and had I not booked something else on a different CL, I would have jumped on it..... And get my VS discounts and days credited. £2699 for a D2D is a pretty good deal! If the Seabourn sale goes ahead, it may well be great timing for SS management and this may get the new influx you suggest. Who knows. My opinions are purely based on my personal POV and how it affects me subjectively. If as you suggest SS is playing a wait and see in the hope they replace "us", then so much for loyalty. I don't think it unreasonable to highlight dissatisfaction and why.

I'm sure there are many who agree with you. SS have changed. I too love my SS cruises (I still have 3 in the pipeline fully paid for to look forward to). And think SS will be overjoyed by your reply and unquestioning loyalty. My view is it's a shame that loyalty isn't returned. Your opinion is completely valid even though I disagree with the notion the changes should just be accepted without question and I dare say the responses posted suggest the majority do not agree with you either. Each to their own.

Travelberlin.... Thanks for taking us along for the ride. It's great to get an insight on what to expect a few days before sailing. Your efforts are most appreciated.