Lazy Sailor

Thanks for the update. We are joining in Barbados. Hope you back-to-backers have not drunk the ship dry before we get there.

Sounds like a very positive chance to rescue the Azamara brand from its recent problems. Always had the impression that Cabezas was not really the best choice. It will give us something to chat to the officers about when we join Quest next week!

Don't encourage them! Yes, it is a good deal, especially if you are on a 21 day voyage - and it was even better at $1499, as it was until recently

I think it only appears if you have an upcoming cruise to view. Clearly the website designers were not the "regular cruisers interested in Loyalty program" types. Probably under 25's or younger

We are on Quest , Barbados-Buenos Aires in November, and there are 8 sea days. Is there any way of finding out what activities, such as Art Classes, might be in the program, and what speakers will be on board?

It is a sad fact that the Azamara Loyalty scheme systems are in total disarray and Complimentary nights are not being applied at the moment. We (and our very hard working TA) tried for SIX months to get the complimentary nights applied to a booking for November. Despite many many promises - it won't work. We have actually given up on that cruise but booked another for November, with some forlorn hopes that the complementary nights we are owed will be applied. However, nobody (us, TA and all the Azamara people involved) are very optimistic. It is almost unconscionable that Azamara promote the loyalty scheme in their adverts enticing new customers. But we are loyal customers, still loving Azamara, so still making bookings and just hoping!

We did Lisbon to Capetown last year and it was all a bit chaotic with respect to ports of call, visa and vaccination requirements (at the sub-Sahara African ports that is) and a port pilots strike in Lisbon delaying the start! So the different itinerary this year is no surprise - and it looks better. That said, we ejoyed the cruise and the experience. A great voyage to talk about when you get home . ( Check carefully requirements for Senegal and the Gambia - they seem to change quite frequently in that region, and last year Azamara were not well prepared, especially with respect to Yellow Fever requirements, vaccination exemption letter requirements etc.. Hopefully they have learned the lessons, but check then check again.)

We have no problem with the normal Azamara showers - except we don't really like the curtains (they are just annoying). That said, we also travel with SeaDream, where the bathrooms are probably smaller than Azamara, but at least they have shower doors, so it is possible. But I can think of better ways for Azamara to spend any "upgrade" $$ they have spare..........

We did finally get our points, 6 months after last voyage

Very useful reply, thanks. This is exactly the voyage we are trying to use our complimentary nights on - and as it is not a voyage that is normally discounted, and we didn't book onboard (as we had to wait until after last voyage to qualify for complimentary nights) the complimentary nights (in a CC) should be worth it! If only Azamara will tell our TA the value, he will know the voyage price and can then give us a price for the total trip - and we can pay!

Where can I get CEO’s contact details please?

Yes, will do that next. We are just so frustrated. It took 3+ months to get the points from our last cruise credited, and despite lots of “we’re trying to help, we’ll pass it on to relevant department “ messages, today TA said he’s at a loss. And it’s less than 120 days to departure date

Is Azamara loyalty scheme currently a scam? We are trying to apply complimentary nights earned in December 2022. We have been trying for 4 or5 MONTHS. Our TA told me today Azamara say they cannot do it & it may be after November 2023 before they can. That’s AFTER the sailing date. Who has is experiencing this shockingly bad service? Does the Azamara loyalty program qualify as a SCAM?

Our TA has spent many many hours over 3 or 4 months resolving a booking for us, whilst Azamara were sorting out their systems and backlogs. A month or so ago he said they used to do 8-10 Azamara bookings a day, but at that time we’re doing zero. Now things are improving, but not perfect. This particular TA is earning every penny of his commission (albeit that we have also chased Azamara directly, and just yesterday one major issue was resolved. Just one left now!)

Pass for suites is still showing on the website Complimentary access to the Thalassotherapy pool and spa deck

Same for us. We are currently trying to book a cruise for late this year, and to apply complimentary nights following our recent (Dec) progression in the loyalty scheme. Out TA has been told by Azamara that the loyalty scheme may take "weeks" to sort out". Maybe our loyalty is misplaced?

Six weeks out sounds good. We did online check in on 1 Nov for Nov 29th sailing, and printed out tickets etc. Our (UK) TA sent us the same Azamara tickets , plus airline itinerary etc. just last week!

Azamara have announced that from Dec 1st 2022, for cruises starting and ending in USA or in Europe, proof of COVID vaccinations is not required. How do people feel about being on board a cruise ship (however nice) with unvaccinated people? COVID might not kill vaccinated people, but it is still an unpleasant disease, so I for one don't really want to voluntarily mix in close quarters with the unvaccinated . Are Azamara rushing this relaxation?

Whispering Angel is probably the best value there - latest price I checked in UK is £20 ($22.50) a bottle. If they run out my wife will NOT be pleased.

Not sure which packages people are referring too , but we have found that buying all packages before sailing to be much better - https://www.azamara.co.uk/booked-guests/onboard-packages/specialty-dining-packages Of course, bookings for dining day and time must be made on board. Also, for UK based cruisers, although packages are priced in $ you may get a better $/£ exchange rate buying packages before hand - when we bought an onboard package in September for a December cruise, we got an excellent rate - even though the pound was tanking at the time.

The next level benefits only apply to the next cruise after you reach the required number of points. We will do so on Day 2 of our next (21 night) cruise but Azamara confirmed we will not get "promoted" until about 2 weeks after the end of that cruise.

Take a look at the experience packages, (covering all sorts of options) and check the sterling prices for buying before travelling. (which will be quoted to you if you phone Azamara). Recently the sterling prices were excellent value. If you buy on board you pay $ and hence the current exchange rate

Just a general comment for UK resident travellers re: packages. Packages are priced in US$. If you buy before travel you pay in Sterling - and as of mid-September at least, the exchange rate was extremely favourable - so good I hesitate to spread the word in case they change them. Add that to the fact we are a 21-night cruise in December, and package prices are the same as for any 8+ night cruise, the packages are very good value

Well, I believe CruisinAddict thought US citizens had to obtain visas beforehand and post off their passport! So I think it might warrant a second look.. Anyway, main thing is we are looking forward to 21 days on Azamara, with a few amazing places added in. An old fashioned ocean voyage.

Updates: Gambia http://www.visitthegambia.gm/visas-and-passports gives latest information - says Commonwealth and EU citizens do not need visas to visit, USA can get visa on arrival Angola Angola-Visa.com ( a commercial visa company replied to me that "All UK visitors to Angola must obtain a visa in advance, before entering Angola." So that looks definitive - unless Azamara tells us differently I guess, from reply re: Princess above No updates yet for Ivory Coast and Ghana, except the other replies above