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On 3/16/2024 at 6:56 PM, clo said:

What is the substitute for a cloth towel???

Paper towels

I cruised solo on Vista last summer. After first booking a solo cabin, I took a second look at it and decided that wouldn't work for me as it was very tight and the bed looked to sit along the side of a wall. So, I booked the French balcony for a small percentage more and was very happy with it. I usually just walk out onto my balcony, look over the side and come back in. I don't sit on the balcony anyway. In the French verandah cabin, I could open the double sliding door any time I wanted, but I could also see out to the ground without even going outside of my room. And the bathroom was delightful!! I wish more ships offered French balconies.

9 hours ago, combine said:

We had a very enjoyable meal and chat with you when sat next to you in Prime C on Onward 29/4 Rome to Venice last year! 

What a pleasant surprise to hear from you! You are kind to remember our chat. One of the many nice things about Azamara is that you get to meet interesting people from different countries. Hope to see you again on another Azamara cruise.

56 minutes ago, LewiLewi said:

I will be traveling solo this fall on Azamara Journey in Canada and New England. Are there get togethers for solos to meet at the beginning of the cruise? How is the dining situation; are there tables set aside for solos who choose to dine together in the MDR as well as in the specialty restaurants?

I have traveled solo on Azamara for several years. There are solo get togethers, but they are hit or miss as far as attendance. They do organize a table in the dining room for people who would like to sit with others. It's not restricted to solo travelers. You can just tell the maitre d' that you would like to sit with others. I often ask to be seated alone, but next to another table for two (fortunately, Azamara's dining room is set up this way) because I can often strike up a conversation with a table for two that is right next to me. People on Azamara are generally quite friendly, so it is easy to engage in conversation around the ship. 

Brazil visa requirement is now postponed until April 10. Just received this in an email from the US State Dept:

"On April 10, 2024, the Government of Brazil will reinstate a visa requirement for all U.S. nationals visiting Brazil, with an option for an e-visa for qualified applicants.  This date reflects a three-month postponement announced on January 4, 2024. 

Currently, the visa fee is $80.90 with a 10-year validity.  For questions about the e-visa application procedures, visit the Brazilian government-authorized website, https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/

Please share this information with family, friends, and colleagues who are planning to visit.  As of April 10, 2024, they will need a visa to enter Brazil."

If you already applied, you could try to request a refund from brazilevisa@vfsglobal.com.

Any correspondence must include your application reference number and a clear explanation of your reason for inquiry. 

On 12/19/2023 at 9:09 AM, excitedofharpenden said:

I think you misunderstood. The "author" I think refers to that of the writer of the Palm Beach Post rather than tgg. 

 

Phil 

You are absolutely correct, Phil. A post on a Cruise Critic board isn’t an “article”. I used that word to make it clear that I was most definitely referring to the article in the Palm Beach Post.
 

I also didn’t say anything critical of the author of the article. I’m just saying I couldn’t find any reference anywhere else that referred to the possible transaction news the paper reported on, and people shouldn’t get excited or upset over something that may or may not be true. The article’s author didn’t even cite a source.

On 12/7/2023 at 11:07 AM, tgg said:

From the Palm Beach Post:

 

"The company has acknowledged that new ownership is operating the cruise line. Ivy declined to offer details but The Post has learned that Sycamore Partners, a New York-based private equity firm, is the hedge fund that now has a controlling interest in Margaritaville at Sea."

 

Two former Costa ships are involved, each with a passenger capacity of almost 4 times an Azamara ship.

 

Oh the possibilities!😃

 

 

The only place that mentions this connection is the Palm Beach Post. Doesn't seem to be known anywhere else other than the author of this article.  

9 minutes ago, SUESEABE said:

No price changes in my Cruise Planner. Strange sale🤔

Sale starts November 9. It's only Nov 7 today.

A change that was needed. Everyone could see that. But, I hope they don't come in and try to reinvent Azamara by changing Azamara's unique onboard vibe.  

Thank goodness that cruise lines monitor these situations to keep us safe. 

On 10/30/2023 at 6:52 PM, ghstudio said:

I would like to purchase internet for the entire voyage for 2 devices at the same time.  I know I can switch devices with one plan, but I need to have two active at the same time.  How do I purchase this.....the web site doesn't give me this option...only one package for me and the other for my travelling companion. 

 

Do they charge the full price for each of my devices or is there a discount on the 2nd device?

Azamara announced a new "Work & Wander" onboard service today. At this time, it is limited to certain cruises where they can support it. You may want to look into that to see if it will be on your cruise and will meet your needs. Apparently, Azamara wants to support people who have needs such as yours. 

I am happy to hear that Azamara is exploring creative creative ways to attract a younger audience that can afford to travel. I, too, received a survey about the possibility of this new program in August. At first, I thought it sounded crazy, but, within 20 seconds, I realized that my thinking was restricted by the working world that I worked in, where everyone went to the office everyday and meetings were in person, even if you had to travel to get there. But, things are totally different from today. I live in SW Florida and I see many professional workers who used to work in an office up north, but are now working remotely full time.

At the time I received that survey, I was on a cruise on the new Oceania ship (gorgeous, but lacking that wonderful Azamara vibe). I spoke with several people on that cruise of working age and asked if they would be interested in such a program. Every single person I asked said it sounded very interesting to them. A number of them were trying to work while onboard and they were complaining about how Oceania's internet service (free) allows access to only one device at a time per cabin. They needed to be able to be able to use two devices at the same time to be able to conduct business. Oceania couldn't provide two accounts to one cabin. They also liked the idea that there could be a space where they could spread out to do their work more than in their cabin.

I, for one, have been much happier with the speed online since they to a new service. So, they may now have a capability that they didn't have before. The announcement said that Azamara would offer this service only in areas where they expect to be able to be able to fully support the technology needs.

I wish them success with this new program. I would love to see a more mixed demographic onboard, as this will help to secure their future. 

Has anyone had experience with this situation? I am on2  b2b cruises in April, same cabin, two bookings. I have a friend joining me in my cabin on the first cruise. She is not continuing with me on the second cruise. Will I get b2b OBC benefits, since I am staying onboard for both cruises? 

On 10/12/2023 at 6:08 AM, hamrag said:

Back in May, Croatia Intensive, our scheduled Az Evening was to be in an iconic castle in Dubrovnik. The day prior we received a letter announcing that 'due to forecast adverse weather conditions....etc' the troupe would come onboard and perform in the Show Theatre. The weather was very good, and no-one we spoke to onboard had seen the alleged weather forecast!

 

Whilst the show was excellent, it would have generated so much more authenticism in the castle originally intended. It seemed clear to me that they hadn't worked out the logistics of getting 500+ guests onto tenders and ferrying us each way to the harbour!  

 

It was a beautiful clear evening, and we watched the tender return to the Harbour with the troupe members, and their equipment, sail off on calm seas to the harbour! Poor from Az IMHO.

I, too,  was on a cruise in May when the show at a castle up the hill in Dubrovnik was moved to the ship, so it was probably the same cruise/ Azamazing evening that you referred to. After they told us that they might have to move the venue due to a wet forecast, I followed the weather forecast on my phone. Yes, indeed, there was a good possibility of rain. The ship can't wait until the last minute to make a call on an event involving the entire ship. I remember that they told us that the walk to the venue would be dangerous if the ground was wet. I don't like those marble walkways in Dubrovnik because, while they are beautiful, they are very slippery even when they are dry. I was very glad that they moved it to the ship. I viewed it as the correct decision. 

1 hour ago, westcoasttech said:

I'm still waiting for a promised call back ("quelle surprise" 🙄)...  While I cannot see any OBC listed anywhere, some of the extra tours I moved into my account appear to have been paid off by said supposed OBC, as I have a zero amount showing.  My "invoice" on the system shows "paid in full" (including several tours) with no separate line for OBC anywhere.  

I would just like to know one way or the other ... I don't want to get onboard to find I have no tours and have lost the opportunity to book cheaper private options!  

I'm used to dealing with "messy" websites and chaotic situations ... (I've sailed with MSC, several times!😲) but this is really not giving me a good impression of Azamara ... perhaps I should have sailed them while they were still RCCL and got my D+ benefits then ☹️!

I can understand that you do not have a good impression of Azamara when dealing with their website. It is a disaster, and, believe it or not, it was far worse 6 months ago. Parts of the website are better now but parts are still not functioning properly. The telephone situation is much better than it was a few months ago because they hired a lot of people, so phones can be answered now. However, the phone reps aren't fully trained or experienced yet; that will take time. The supervisors must be overwhelmed with nonstop questions from new employees using a system that doesn't function properly. But, once you get onboard, I am quite certain that you are going to love your cruise experience. They know what they are doing onboard and what every crew member wants, from top to bottom, is to give you a wonderful cruise. It my favorite cruise line by far. If they could only get the booking system on their web site to function properly! 

On 10/1/2023 at 3:38 PM, westcoasttech said:

I’m also attempting to make sense of the website as a 1st time Azamara booking.

 

Under the Add ons list I have various amounts of ‘Coupons’ showing titled either OBC or onboard credit with a ‘price’ of zero.  There are also 2 coupons listed titled OBC and bar credit with a ‘price’ of the equivalent of about US$25.

 

I booked the cruise on the day they moved from one deal (4 nights free) to the current OBC deal, but due to the timing I wasn’t really expecting any particular OBC - booked direct without a TA [long story … TA I was trying to use wasn’t being helpful!]

 

I booked a tour, before I tried ‘booking’ the OBC coupons, and had to provide a credit card and that charge has gone on my CC.

 

I later ‘booked’ the zero cost OBC coupons and they have gone onto my booking list on the website.

 

So … do I have the OBC or not??? If I do, I would like to cancel my paid for tour and use the OBC instead … which I guess I would have to do by phone as I can’t see a Cancel option on the website?  if I do have that amount of OBC, it is quite an amazing amount, so I don’t see how I can have!

 

I guess I will have to call them, but if they have mistakenly provided too much OBC, I’m not sure I want to tell them that they’re wrong😜!

 

Any advice?

I just spoke to Azamara and the zero price OBC coupons are a system error. Although the OBC coupon will show as" booked" on the system if you "buy" it for $0, the coupon won't be able to be used. Hopefully they will get this system error fixed quickly, before other people think they found a pot of gold and then are disappointed. Interestingly, the $0 OBC coupon addons only showed up on one of my five cruises booked with Azamara.  

1 minute ago, blag said:

Just as a matter of interest, how far in the future is this cruise, and at what stage are you in the payment process?

Was this for Azamara OBC, TA-provided, or part from a purchased/included package? 

The cruise is in February 2024. Final payment has been made. The OBC used is provided by Azamara, not as part of a package. My agent is also giving me credit, but I don't expect to see it or be able to use it until after the ship has sailed. 

I just called Azamara to book excursions with my Azamara provided OBC. The phone was answered immediately after I selected the correct options to get to the proper representative. I wasn't put on hold at all. I already had one excursion booked on the system, but it was not yet paid as I couldn't figure out how to use my OBC to pay for it. . The representative booked all the excursions I wanted, including the one already on the system, applying all to my OBC. I checked my phone after I hung up to see how long the entire call took...only 5 minutes!! Yes, it would be nice to be able to do it online, but this very quick & easy phone call took care of it! 

12 hours ago, oddjob16 said:

Just read Gary Bembridge's latest report and he now has Azamara on the list of cruise lines to steer well clear of. How damaging this will be in the long run is difficult to say, but it definately going to be a huge dent in the hull.

https://www.tipsfortravellers.com/cruise-lines-to-steer-well-clear-of-these-days/

 

Personally I know the product is stellar once you get on board, but this must be a serious wake up call for the on shore organisation. 

Never heard of the guy. I looked up his web site. He seems to be quite full of himself with very extensive details of his entire personal life. His opinion is simply one man's opinion. And, in my personal opinion, his overall assessment is WRONG. I can't wait to get on Azamara again. I currently have 5 future cruises coming up on Azamara, all booked as a result of my wonderful recent onboard experiences. I hope he doesn't deny some people the opportunity to have a wonderful cruise experience because of his incorrect classification of Azamara.  

On 9/26/2023 at 7:07 AM, Riocca said:

I followed these instructions yesterday to book a tour on a cruise where the final balance had already been made. At step 4 it still was showing the amount of the trip as outstanding in U.K.£, so I phoned Azamara, getting through immediately, for help. The agent couldn’t see the tour in our booking but could see I was still in the booking so asked me to come out of the booking, he could then see the tour booking and then said to go straight back into the account and the booking was then showing as paid.

So it would seem there’s a step 5 to exit your bookings and come back into the account.

Step 1 says to  "select “Book” on the $0 Onboard Credit item"? I don't see anything like that when I am in the excursions section. I just have a list of excursions with prices. I can't find a word about OBC under the excursions section of my booking. I am paid in full and have OBC to use. Thanks.

On 9/30/2023 at 8:10 AM, denatravels said:

I had a similar experience. Found the phone reps to be outstanding 

So nice to hear this report of good phone service from both of you!

9 hours ago, ECCruise said:

My TA has to transmit any OBC to Azamara prior to sailing, so they would know.  Mine has already transmitted the info to them on sailings in 2024 and 2025. 

Why would your agent transfer money to Azamara months and years in advance of sailing? Think about it. You could cancel the cruise. You could have an travel problem and miss the boat. The rate could change (down) and you wouldn't get the same amount of credit from the agent. It would be foolish of an agent to transfer money to Azamara that far in advance. That is why agency credits don't appear until you are actually onboard. 

On 9/12/2023 at 7:51 AM, crusinbanjo said:

That seems odd that they will over sell in advance of the cruise.  Personally I would be pretty disappointed if after spending $$$ for a selection of special restaurants and then have them tell me sorry, there is no space left.  

They know how many Chef's Tables were pre-sold before boarding begins and hold seats for them. But, you still want to go to make your reservation as soon as you board so you can get the date and cuisine you prefer.

On 6/21/2023 at 3:04 AM, Grandma Cruising said:

The other thing that’s well worth doing in Rio is doing a bit of research to find out when the various ‘Street Parties’ are then getting a taxi there. We were in Rio for carnival a few years ago we got a taxi to Ipanema beach for the Ipanema Street Party - it was fantastic - amazing atmosphere!

For people who have never been to Canaval, I suggest that they look up videos of various street parties on You Tube so they have a better idea of what they are like and can make an informed decision on whether they want to go to one. The videos also give an idea of what steps they should take to try to be as safe and secure as possible. 

I just concluded 24 nights on Oceania's new Vista. It's a gorgeous ship (incredible bathrooms!) with delicious food, but the "vibe" didn't begin to approach Azamara's. Everything had a corporate feel to it. The captain didn't even show up to several parties allegedly hosted by him. I believe that the person at the top sets the tone for the rest of the staff, no matter what the industry. There were 1200 passengers, which seems to be too big for me. Passengers were not as friendly as Azamara's passengers. They seemed to be trying to impress each other. I can't wait to be on Azamara again for my trip to Japan in April.