nextariel

Thank you to all who are blogging and posting about your adventure! I am really enjoying reading about your journey.

Question for those cruising - how many days at sea had you been in a row before deciding to do a World Cruise? How do you deal with prescriptions/medications?

Thank you for this thread. We have one Viking Ocean booked, but are finding the Australia/New Zealand journey to be a great itinerary and want to to book. 31 days a a big commitment when you haven't cruised on a line before. 

28 minutes ago, chucknmarilyn said:

Our 1/24 and 2/4 sailings on Silhouette have also been updated on the App.

Where are you seeing mask requirement in App. I am scheduled on Equinox on 1/21/22and not seeing anything. 

Thank you so much. We are in 10273 on Apex in December with folks in 10280. Looking forward to breakfast and lunch and cocktails while watching where we have been. 

On 7/19/2021 at 11:04 AM, iamtrustworthy said:

Hi nextariel,

 

Are you only looking to insure airfare or will you have other prepaid non-refundable trip costs?

 

Steve

On 7/19/2021 at 11:04 AM, iamtrustworthy said:

Hi nextariel,

 

Are you only looking to insure airfare or will you have other prepaid non-refundable trip costs?

 

Steve

Looking for insurance that will cover the need to cancel any airfare, cruise trips if it becomes medically necessary, as well as for medical needs if required on a trip. Looking to replace placing individual insurance on every trip we take. 

19 hours ago, iamtrustworthy said:

Hi nextariel,

 

I suggest you get the Geo Blue Trekker (Multi-Trip) Essential or Choice plan for your trips outside the USA. This covers pre-existing conditions. Based on your age in the 60s , the total, not each, prices for one year are as follows:

Geo Blue Trekker Essential = $293

Geo Blue Trekker Choice - $460

 

Multi Trip means each trip’s length must be less than 70 days duration in the 12 month contract period. Coverage starts on the first day of any trip and continues for a maximum of the first 70 consecutive days of such trip. There is no coverage for any part of the trip if the trip is longer than 70 days.

 

You may see all the Geo Blue Trekker Choice plan details here:
https://tripinsurancestore.com/geo-blue-trekker-travel-medical-plans/

 

Steve Dasseos

Are there any Annual Insurance Plans that also cover trip cancellation? Domestic and International Air trips?

We live in Florida, are both in our 60's and have 4 cruises planned beginning in December. We have insurance on the December one due to rebooking from one that was canceled. 

Looked at Allianz, but not finding anything. Checked GEO Blue and Nationwide. Can you suggest what is best or another company? 

5 hours ago, ChucktownSteve said:

 

Nextariel,  Push comes to shove, I'd always opt for Azamara over Celebrity if the price is a decent value. The quality of service and food is far superior.  I prefer the R class ships because they're more intimate 

 

You also dock closer to port activity because some ports require the larger ships to berth farther away. In St. Petersburg we docked across from the Hermitage while the larger ships were docked miles away.

 

AZ's price includes basic liquor and gratuities, the Azamazing evening plus White Night. 

 

When available I book the P1 aft. It's an incredible view.

Thanks, we are going to wait until 2023 as don't think Australia/New Zealand will let us in even 2022.

Thank you all for this very informative thread. We are also Celebrity Elite and looking for some different itineraries. We don't smoke, have kids, go to art auctions or casinos. After reading this thread we are going to be booking!

6 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

The mattresses are very comfy. As good as Celebrity I'd say. 

 

The handicap suite major difference is the bathroom that has a roll in shower and a lower sink and adjustable mirror and I don't think the storage was as good there. I've stayed in them a couple of times and they are fine. I've never been able to book them specifically, but was assigned them. It's disappointing they are being released so early. My view is they should be held for those really needing them and released closer to sail date. 

 

The points accumulate between Azamara and Celebrity from day one. 

 

Phil 

 

 

Thank You for all the info!

Reality hit and our 3 Celebrity Australia/New Zealand/Transpacific cruises in 2021 are now cancelled.  So really looking at Azamara for 2022.

Can anyone tell me the comfort of the mattresses. We are now looking at 50 days, so a comfortable mattress a must. 

Anyone stay in a handicap suite? That is the only Continental suite left. What are the differences in handicap room versus a regular room? That is the only room we could have on all 3 cruises. 

Can anyone explain how the loyalty points work. Are they added to Celebrity or do you start accumulating on Azamara?

I know there is Cruise with Confidence program, but what are refund policies?

Any help would be appreciated, they are closed for the weekend and vey few rooms left. I would like as much info before they open on Monday. 

I started this topic and unfortunately the suite we booked did not sail. So no further input is requested. 

Thanks.

4 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

Another one who has never experienced the White Night issue. I know what my reply would have been. "Not tonight".

 

I don't think it's fair to compare the Azamara MDR with Blu and Luminae which are specialty restaurants. Luminae is very nice (albeit I find the menus limited), but to stay in a suite on Celebrity and be able to use it you pay for it.  

 

I would agree that the MDR can be noisy. Noisier than it used to be, but Azamara's striving to fill the ships at all cost I believe is to blame. For people reading this who are new, I'd avoid the upper tier of the dining room. Sit away from there. I like the tables nearer the entrance in fact or each side. Speak to the Maitre D' and then go and have a drink at the bar and wait for them to call you. I've never had an issue. 

 

Phil 

Good information. Thanks

How about the mattresses compared to Celebrity Eclipse, Edge, Equinox or Silhouette? (Not Reflection)

22 minutes ago, manc said:

My husband  is deaf and his hearing aids pick up every sound in the MDR and sonweest in Aqualina or Prime C every evening so that we can relax and chat. Before the hearing loss he didnt find the MDR a problem but now we look.for ways to accommodate the way hearimgvaids work and have the same problem on dry land. 

Good information, as I also wear hearing aids.

12 hours ago, jelayne said:

We are regular Celebrity cruisers and did our first Azamara Cruise about 18 months ago.  There were some things we liked  about Azamara.  We loved the Patio,  ship decor, breakfast on the balcony, the ease Of getting on and off the ship with only 700 passengers the Azamazing evening, the Captain & HD were everywhere making  a point to talk to as many passengers as possible, crew were very committed to providing excellent service.  

 

Things we didn’t like the  MDR had a wait of 15-40 minutes every night, MDR was very noisy and found the food disappointing (comparison to Blu or Luminae), ship was dead.  Included beverages, particularly the wine were dreadful.  
Clearly Azamara has a lot of long time passengers and they were quick to point out where there “regular” seats were particularly at the White Night where 3 times we  were asked by other passengers to please move as this table is where we always sit.  

We would sail Azamara again but only for the right itinerary. 

Very interesting. Thanks for your input.

15 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

This question pops up every so often. Here's a recent thread (that I replied to) that gives some opinions to start you off. I find the differences are quite marked between the two. Even if you discount the itineraries.  

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2755052-celebrity-versus-azamara/?tab=comments#comment-60158335

 

Phil 

Thank You

We are currently booked on Celebrity Solstice B2B2B in Australia/ New Zealand/Transpacific in March-April, 2021. I don't think we will be allowed in the countries at that time. Celebrity's 2022 schedule does not allow us to do a Lift and Shift for the same ports without booking 6 cruise. I started looking at the Azamara schedule and it looks like we can do the ports we wanted, but not the Transpacific. We have not sailed on Azamara and wondering if we  could have some input on the differences of sailing between the two lines. We are Elite with Celebrity and typically sail Aqua Class. 

We are looking at Galapagos in case we are not able to do our NZ/Australia trio in 2021. Any feedback on selecting either the inner and outer loop would be appreciated. Also room selection on the Flora. 

7 hours ago, bigbenboys said:

I like having my 1st breakfast on the balcony set up by the butler. Then off to Luminae before they close for breakfast.

That looks great. We will not care if they let us into the ports. 

Thank you all again. Great ideas and good to know. We typically travel Aqua and attendants have all been great, so looking forward to a little extra pampering. 

Thank you for your replies. I really like cheese before bed and without a buffet anymore things are going to be much different. 

We have a suite booked for our next cruise(fingers crossed) and would like to know what you have your butler do for you. 

4 hours ago, Shmoo here said:

I believe that boarding time begins, basically, the same time in most embarkation ports.  That is, around 11:15/11:30.  First to board is the Family of the Day, followed by Concierge and Platinum Castaway Club members.

 

 

Thanks

Can anyone tell me the earliest time Platinum cruisers usually board in Miami?

Thanks