blag

Casablanca was released just about a month after Lisbon Airport opened, so presumably there was scope for optimism. And those lucky people could not fly with TAP, because the airline didn't exist until some 3 years later.

Good luck with TAP and Lisbon Airport. TAP have disappointed me consistently, so much so that I refuse to use them, and Lisbon Airport (particularly for departures) is amongst the worst international airports.

That doesn't tally with my experience. Via our UK TA we were able to enjoy the benefits of free nights* and a very competitive price. For that particular cruise the current price of our category (N1) was, very recently, more than double what we paid! * four, if I remember correctly, but the booking was made several years ago.

Hence my question in the first response to your posting!

They may be separate processes, and perhaps I'm just not very observant, but I have never been aware of the two events being discrete, because, in my experience (following my awareness of the online check-in process), I've been able to check-in when the documents are available.

This is strange. I thought documents became available contemporaneously with check-in.

When is your cruise? If it's more than 30 days in the future check-in may not be available, irrespective of the info displayed. On our last AZ cruise, Dec 2022 and for our upcoming cruise March 2022, check-in became available about 30 days prior to embarkation, and we did not receive an email.

I can confirm this!

We were disappointed and avoided it. One more than one occasion we were brought the wrong food, despite emphasis on our part, and it was usually tepid by the time it reached the table!

Ditto for me, but my 'fix' is to use a different Web browser.

Yes, on cruise-by-cruise basis. But that doesn't necessarily solve the lack of chip-and-pin processing of payments. Also the ATM's (on Pursuit, at least) don't accept both Mastercard and Visa - but I cannot remember which of the two does work!

The indulgence package represents much better value on longer cruises - i.e. longer than 14 days. Individual Mediterranean cruises (not multiple or consecutive) tend to be comparatively short. You haven't specified the duration of your cruise. So many of the benefits of the indulgence package are already included in your suite 'package' that the ultimate drinks package, (or a wines package) might be the best value for you. It should be possible to do an evaluation comparing benefits vs cost. As for some of your other questions - I don't have answers.

But the ship in Cape Town will be the Journey. Nevertheless the ATM's almost certainly will dispense USD and EUR. The front desk is not likely to have ZAR. Get yourself a Wise Card - multi-currency, low fees, mid-market exchange rate. You can convert to ZAR in an instant, and use the card in ATM's on South Africa.

I think this is similar, but different, to the Lisbon - Cape Town/ Cape Town - Lisbon cruises. I don't think Azamara have offered this exact itinerary previously. We're due to go Cape Town - Lisbon on March 4 (27 days from now!). I'll give you feedback after, but these cruises are popular. We booked several years ago, almost as soon as it became available, and the current price for our category N1 suite (one still available, I think) is more than twice what we paid!

We did Kotor and Amalfi prior to COVID. Amalfi was the better.

Where?

Chef's table can be great fun, but, as with any group, occasionally one or two of the fellow diners can be a bit - how shall I put this... - tiresome. Furthermore, the menus can be a bit 'samey', even from ship-to-ship. The best ones were when the table was combined with an excursion where you participated in selection (and sampling) of the food and wines for your meal that evening. I haven't seen those on offer for several years. So that no-one misunderstands, in a suite, a chef's table is not included in the price of the suite.

Obviously, it is less good value if you are in a Suite.

Thanks, I thought there might be a means of printing a report of the data itself. DUHHH!

Forgive my ignorance/laziness... how does one access one's Azamara (only) cruise history, please?

I really doubt whether even such a small ship would have been chartered at such short notice. Maybe a little sleuthing is called for. Are there roll calls for either/both cruises and, if so, how many contributors? Are there M&Ms, and again how many souls have registered? Perhaps a call to Azamara or TA might clarify? Or, wait and see?

I think 37 days is a tad early for check-in. Probably full, because our next cruise 04 March/Journey/Cape Town is still showing on the Azamara Web site.

I don't know that the later 'old' Azamara would have behaved differently. The most galling thing about this is that, should you cancel and lose financially (for flights, hotels etc that you cannot cancel without penalty), your insurers will argue that it is your choice to cancel, because the cruise line has not cancelled. For this very reason Azamara has cost me over £5,000 for two significantly-changed itineraries. Admittedly for the first (about 6 years ago), I was able to recoup a small amount, but could have lost much, much more. Better that they cancel, but offer the chance to re-book. They steadfastly refuse to do so.

If having crease-free garments is sufficiently important for you to ask such a question (and I suspect that gowilk is correct) perhaps you are unaware that Azamara offers a garment pressing service. I had some garments pressed at no cost, but maybe this a perk for occupants of suites. You may have to pay for the service, depending on your stateroom category.

I have no idea where you read this. Here is what is stated on the Azamara Web site: Beginning December 1, 2022, we will no longer require proof of vaccination for sailings starting and ending in the U.S. or sailings starting and ending in Europe. All other sailings require proof of vaccination and booster until further notice. Guests can check specific travel restrictions for countries listed in the itinerary HERE or by visiting applicable government websites You can find this under 'Explore Well at Sea' via the latest protocols heading on the Azamara Web site. And also: FOR SAILINGS DEPARTING FROM AND RETURNING TO EUROPE (INCLUDING CANARY ISLANDS) COVID-19 vaccination is still required for all guests 12 years or older sailing from Europe through 30 November 2022. Beginning 11 March 2023, sailings departing from and returning to Europe do not require COVID-19 vaccination.