avw

Most of the cruises that I looked at are almost full, with only inside and ocean view cabins available.

It has gotten much easier to use your own phone while traveling than it was years ago. I have T-Mobile, which I use very freely for internet and texting while in port. I turn my phone to airplane mode when we leave the port. When I can easily see the dock at the next port, I turn airplane mode off and go back my regular T-Mobile service. I rarely need to talk with anyone while I'm traveling, but, while in port, I can always use my $.25 a minute T-Mobile cell service or make a call using an internet phone service like WhatsApp. Many people in the travel industry ( car services, tour guides, etc) use WhatsApp for business calls. As for calls at sea, I never needed to do that, but I others have said that the internet phone services work using internet on board. If I want internet access at sea, I use my Azamara free internet minutes. Most times, I don't use all of them. I have never had a European sim card. I believe that only gives you free calls/internet etc in Europe. If you aren't calling anyone in Europe, you wouldn't need that card.

I'm wondering how passengers on this cruise are dealing with the very oppressive heat wave in southern Europe, including Italy. I'm flying to Rome in 8 days and it looks like I may be dealing with the same thing.

Hope all goes well on your cruise, ghstudio. Two very good friends are on your cruise and it's their first time on Azamara. I don't want them to come back thinking I am nuts when I tell everyone how much I love Azamara. Too bad they didn't tell me they booked the cruise until it was too late for me to get them some additional OBC.

Such gobbledygook!!! Says all the right words and then acts in total contravention to those exact words. Oh, Azamara, please don't become just another cruise line! 😢

Are you talking about taking a public bus? While a bus trip to Venice will certainly be cheaper, it may actually take longer in total time and it will certainly be more confusing with less interesting scenery. I just checked on the Rome2Rio website and found that getting from the port where the ship docks in Chioggia to Piazza San Marco in Venice takes 1hr42 minutes, but that doesn't include time to buy your ticket in a tobacco shop, find the bus stop, and wait for a bus (they run every 30 minutes). After you get off the bus in Venice, it is a 26 minute walk to Piazza San Marco. Venice is VERY confusing with all its twists and turns through narrow passageways. I, personally, would stick to the shore excursion as that makes for a much easier, more pleasant trip to Venice and back. Here is the Rome2 Rio link for getting to Venice via bus from the dock: https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Cruises-Terminal-Chioggia-Isola-Cartieri-Chioggia-Metropolitan-City-of-Venice-Italy/Piazza-San-Marco#r/Bus P.S. I am normally an independent traveler who loves to wander the local streets and take public transportation, but I wouldn't do it in this case.

I did Azamara's Venice on Your Own excursion in May. I don't recall it being described as "motorboat coach style", but I think it may be the same excursion. It takes over 2 hours each way on a very slow boat between Chioggia and Venice, so that is about 5 hours just getting to and from Venice. The boat is pretty large with 2 decks, one inside and the top deck is covered. The ride was pleasant, but long. It has to go slow because it travels close to sea walls and must avoid creating wake. We only had about 3 hours on our own in Venice. You really can't spend less time than that in Venice. There was a huge full moon rising over Venice as we left to return to the ship and I got this incredible picture to remember this quick visit to Venice..

My apologies. I missed that. I read "I am on an Azamara cruise" and assumed that meant now.

If you are onboard, you should check with the shore excursions desk to book advance excursions with the discount. (Why are you asking on Cruise Critic instead of the shore excursion desk?)This deal was offered on my cruise in May, but it was not available for my cruise in April 2024 because they couldn't print the excursions list for a cruise that far out. It works well if you have OBC for your future cruise.

I was on the cruise where it was held on board. I didn't see the whole show as I arrived late, but I wasn't impressed. I visited Porto Montenegro on a shore excursion to visit the Lady of the Rocks (that is a very nice shore excursion which I recommend). It was interesting to see the new marina development, but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit Porto Montenegro again. It was about 30 minutes driving distance from the port on a busy local road. If you are anxious about being able to return to the ship when you want, I would advise you to skip it.

The agent bought the wine from the cruise line. The cruise line wouldn't charge a corkage fee for a wine purchased on the ship, whether it was purchased by you or anyone else..

Typically, between 7 to 10% OBC, refundable type, so, if I don't spend it, I get credit on my credit card from the cruise line at the end of the cruise. I book through online agencies, after picking my own cruise. I prefer to be in charge of my own travel plans, so I don't need or ask for traditional services that travel agents provide, although cruise lines will often require the agent to be the contact for any adjustments. If you require travel agent "services", then you should expect that they will be compensated for them, which would affect any OBC they would offer. .

It isn't Azamara's choice to dock outside Venice. It is Venice that doesn't allow cruise ships in their city. Chioggia is actually a much better option compared to other cruise lines that dock much further from the city of Venice. On the immediately preceding cruise, Azamara offered a "Venice "on your own" excursion that takes you to Venice via a double decker boat that picks up and returns right next to the ship. It drops off right in Venice, about 5 minutes walk from St Mark's Square. The boat ride takes around 1 1/2 hours each way (because it must go very slow) and you have approx 4 hours on your own in Venice. There was a cost, of course. Unfortunately, but understandably, the distance and time required to travel to Venice is much more than a free port transfer can provide.

Actually, it was the Grand Italia hotel that told me that there are only 3 taxis in town and that they always book them in advance for their guests. It is a small town, so taxis MAY be free at certain times because residents can walk wherever they want to go, but it wouldn't be wise to count on that, especially if you want to get somewhere out of Chioggia, like to an airport or another town.

For some reason, everything is straight when you get on board...OBC''s and excursions. I just got back from 2 b2b's and the ship had all the correct info.

Transportation in Chioggia must be arranged in advance. There are NOT taxis waiting around to be hired. According to the largest hotel in town, the entire town has only 3 taxis. It's important to make your arrangements before you go. Azamara offers bus transfers to and from the airport, train, etc at a decent price.

There are just a handful (literally) of taxis in Chioggia. Passengers were repeatedly warned by the Cruise Director to make plans for their transportation at disembarkation before getting off the ship. Azamara offered very reasonably priced transfers to airport, train, etc. When l walked into the town while on a b2b, I stopped in the largest hotel and asked at the desk about transfers to/from the ship. They told me that they pre-book taxis for their guests because there are only 3 taxis in the town. If a taxi isn't pre-booked, you can be out of luck. I wouldn't walk to town with luggage in tow because it is not a short walk and you'll encounter uneven surfaces (cobblestones) and a bridge with steps. If you are staying at a hotel in Chioggia, I would suggest that you ask them to arrange for your pick up.

In the past, when I traveled solo while paying the rate for two people, then I could add a second person to that rate (even if it is a promo rate) and not pay more, except for additional taxes for the second person. That is because I already paid for 2 people. But, if your friend paid 150% for a solo rate, then she did not pay a rate that covered 2 people. She got a special rate for one person, which would never have covered a second person.

I'm glad that I am not a serious drinker with devotion to certain spirits, mixers and beers! I never even heard of some of the brands that people can't seem to live without for a few days. The wines served by Azamara are usually just fine on my unsophisticated palate.

If you haven't been on Azamara post covid, how can you possibly form a valid opinion on how things are going? I have sailed on 3 Azamara voyages post covid. Everything was outstanding. In fact, I felt that the crew seemed happier than ever, and happy crew means happy guests. I leave in 4 days for another two b2b cruises on Azamara and I can't wait! Last night, I was with a group of 26 people and was asked the question (as a "get to know you" type game) "If you weren't here tonight (on a boat off Sanibel), where would you like to be?' My answer was "On an Azamara ship". My opinion is based on real life experience onboard 3 Azamara sailings in the past 10 months. Your opinion is not based on any real life experience.

I can't really remember, but I think there was a page acknowledging receipt of my inquiry after I clicked to submit the form. I am in the US. Maybe sites for UK and Australia are different?? They used to be.

Answering my own question.....it took 2 days to have my upcoming cruises loaded after filling out the online form. That wasn't too bad. My OBC isn't correct, though.

How long did you have to wait after filling out the online form for Azamara to post your upcoming cruises?

That's a LOT of disappointment! Three times in a row would be way too much for me. I decided to try Oceania because the Vista looks to be a gorgeous new ship and I liked the itinerary with long stays in port and overnights (like Azamara does regularly). The itinerary is almost identical to an itinerary I did last year on Azamara (my favorite cruise line). When Azamara missed 2 ports on a 24 night cruise last summer (neither was their fault), they surprised guests with a future cruise credit (almost $1000 for me) to express their regret. I applied it to one of the b2b cruises I am taking with them next month. I'm very surprised that Oceania didn't even say "sorry".

Before final payment