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mdpa

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Posts posted by mdpa

  1. 46 minutes ago, uktog said:

    There continues to be discussions because there are inconsistencies at the point of boarding both between ports and at the same port with different agents interpreting things differently.

     

    I am seeing mainly people speculating, or going on what they have been told. Then complaining about the conflicting feedback in this thread. Were you denied due to a proctored eMed test in within the last 2-weeks? Were you required to pay $59 after denial? 

     

    I only share based on actual experience, I didn’t see or hear of any complaints about testing on our Spain intensive cruise.

    • Like 2
  2. 36 minutes ago, uktog said:

     Your findings on Quest highlights that there are possibly still inconsistencies between the ships that Azamara will have to iron out to protect the brand.  

    All prices are up for the future some have significant rises.  I would be interested to know what additional requirements you think are pushing the cost up so significantly for everyone?  I am not sure if you are aware of the fuel cost challenge cruise lines are facing?  I believe most price increases are to protect against that issue.  Sorry but to think that Azamara is so customer feedback driven that they would jack up prices on the wishes of a few rather than the expectations of their institutional investors is laughable

    Laughable? Increased fuel costs are certainly a consideration, but labor costs are almost always the biggest contributor to the cost of services. 

     

    The additional labor at buffets, COVID protocols, and cancellations/accommodations I’m sure are having a huge issue on profitability. I’m sure it is also harder to find labor willing to wear masks for 6-months at a time, as I sure wouldn’t want the job.

  3. I can just say that as last week, simply showing a saved confirmation of a negative proctored eMed test from my phone was easily accepted for my family of three. I simply showed the results from my phone and we passed right through. 

     

    Not sure why there continues to be a discussion….the next best thing will be when they drop the requirement all together, which I suspect will be imminent.

     

    • Like 1
  4. We are on our last day of a Spain intensive cruise and the closest thing I can complain about are the internet speed (normally bad on cruise ship) and having to reset my room key multiple times.

     

    Thankfully, we have no mask police on our cruise and customer service is outstanding. Boarding was seamless, fully staffed cruise, and may even offer comparable customer service as Silversea. The only thing I noticed is that cruise prices seem to have ticked up, so for now, have decided to not book a future cruise. I suspect a part of this increase is due to the additional requirements of accommodating the expectations from some on this forum.

     

    So my only warning is be careful what you ask for…but I want to share with others that Azamara provides a great product and will be under consideration for me and my family again in the future.

    • Like 7
    • Thanks 3
  5. 2 hours ago, andrcan said:

    An attestation to the food quality on board as well 🙂

    I agree, we’ve been active but in no way has it kept up with the pace of our eating and drinking. Service has been outstanding on this Spain intensive cruise.

  6. 4 hours ago, yogagal47 said:

    At present we are in the Cruise port terminal in Athens waiting to board the journey and it is a total disorganized disastrous mess. If I face my satisfaction with Azamara on this experience this will be my last cruise on Azamara.

    Hope it gets better for you…our onboarding in Barcelona was so seamless I don’t even remember it! So agree that this may be a port/COVID related issue.

    • Like 1
  7. 8 minutes ago, AJCM said:

    Hi mdpa

     

    Would you be so kind as to remark on the Seville docking location and whether a shuttle was provided (or required). We hope to be there on Pursuit in Sep (subject of course to covid).

     

    Thanks

     

    Hi AJCM,

     

    We are parked right in the middle of Seville, no need for any shuttle service. Near the road out front there are horse and buggy’s, scooters, and electric bikes for rent. They city is walkable, but depending on health, the horse and buggy’s look like reasonable options.

    • Like 2
  8. Yes, I guess I’ll also add to the dress code question. I brought along a belt, dress shirts, and a sport coat in case I needed it. Also, wasn’t sure if we would run into a dress code issue at the Ritz Carlton in case needed.

     

    Well, I haven’t worn a belt once. I’ve used my golf pants with an untucked collared shirt to all events so far, including specialty restaurants and feel like I fit in. A sport coat is also a very comfortably look for those who prefer to dress up.

  9. We haven’t had any COVID announcements on our cruise, so assume everything is normal as practically no one is wearing a mask on our Spain Intensive cruise. Same for any of our trips into town, restaurants, security line, etc.

     

    Our cruise seems like a much better experience than what is being shared elsewhere.

    • Like 4
  10. 4 hours ago, les37b said:

     

    I wonder how many on your cruise currently have COVID and in isolation and likely to miss flights home.

     

    No matter what you feel as being acceptable risks to you personally, the outcome if you do catch can be devastating on your wallet and time away from home. Been there, done it. 

     

     

    As far as I know, no one on this cruise has COVID and if they weren’t required to test there would be no impact on travel…just like the common cold. Yes, I still think anyone who has these concerns should stay home until their fears are further alleviated.

    • Like 5
    • Thanks 1
  11. 7 hours ago, marinaro44 said:

    It isn't "normal" when passengers on two ships are isolating with Covid.

    Our cruise has been very close to normal. Great White Night party last night with a buffet and dancing. Less than 1% wore a mask and it was refreshing to see most of the crew without a mask including the captain.

     

    The only hassle that reminded me about the restrictions was having to have the server select one Spanish cheese at a time in the buffet. I look forward to selecting my own food soon just like the ice cream station!

    • Like 3
  12. 15 hours ago, BohJang said:

    We are on the Pursuit for the Ireland Intensive cruise on July 27. We are flying into Heathrow a full day earlier so we would have to take the Covid test after we arrive in London.  I really, really hope that the pre cruise test goes away before that. That is the one thing that is stressing me out.  What happens if we arrive in London and then can't board the ship?  Then what????

    I can’t wait until this testing requirement is eliminated but if we tested positive would have turned it into a European land vacation. Thankfully, we tested negative with the proctored tests and could relax. 

    • Like 4
  13. 10 minutes ago, DRJVH said:

     

    To those that want the pre boarding testing to cease, this is all  the more reason to keep testing. 

    I feel the opposite, not a mask in sight on our cruise. Almost completely back to normal, still would prefer to grab my own food at the buffet. Removing the test requirements is ideal. 

    • Like 6
  14. Yes, I can confirm this offers real value. For example, benefits are stacked. So after I booked a CC Suite, my internet charge for 8 days was less than $50 or 70% off the published rate ($159). 50% off due to the suite & 20% off due to the Adventurer level. 

     

    For reference, I had 80 points coming from Celebrity and the current cruise I am on is my first with Azamara. I also received 5% off the unlimited drink package. Not bad.

    • Like 2
  15. I don’t believe there are any additional “perks” for an inside through veranda club. Although these all receive great standard benefits, including free cappuccino’s, standard drink package, and free gratuities.

     

    Each room level receives higher level of “points” per night towards the loyalty level. Veranda+ receives some additional benefits, suites, etc.

  16. 1 hour ago, kaymoz said:

    It seems like people who can afford to cruise can afford $60 for a test to help reduce the risk for others on the ship.   And those "others"  include the shipboard employees! 

    I recently learned that back when smoking was allowed on planes, the non-smoking restrictions were introduced because it had become such a health issue for the crew, ultimately leading to a complete smoking ban for US flights around 2000.

     

    My informal poll continues on the ship. I happened to ask 3 crew who were walking through the Mosaic Cafe, if they were looking forward to getting rid of the mask mandate. They were all eager for restrictions to end. One person even commented he would have Dumbo ears by the time this requirement was lifted.

    • Like 5
  17. No wonder service has been fantastic on this Spain Intensive cruise, it is better than a 1:1 ratio!

     

    I am told 418 passengers and 470 crew are onboard. We had a great onboard event last night with a Flamenco themed show, followed by Karaoke. Seems like everyone is having a great time. We arrive into Cartagena this morning, current local time is 8:10AM.

     

    Service has been very good at both specialty restaurants.

    • Like 6
    • Thanks 1
  18. We’ve only been on our cruise for 24 hours but most of the staff seems to already know us by name or at least acknowledge they’ve seen us before. 
     

    Very happy with the service. Makes me think they do stuff like Silverseas does where they hang up pictures to help the staff get to know passengers quickly. 
     

    I almost didn’t comment on this thread because I never support clickbait.

    • Like 4
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  19. Beautiful weather in Valencia and Azamara provided free shuttles into town.

     

    All the staff is engaged and I we’ve had no issues getting a drink. Most of the time I am approached about a drink before I get a chance to go over to the bar.

     

    We had a very nice snack delivered to our CC room this afternoon. The larger space of the CC room is making a huge difference for 3 of us getting ready for dinner, and sadly may become the new normal for our family (means I spend more money).

     

    No complaints so far and the passengers seem much more laid back than this forum would indicate! Everyone I talk with has been friendly and engaging. I do believe there may be more travel agents on this cruise than normal.

    • Like 1
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