blag

On embarkation a few days ago (Pursuit) there were three small bottles only. Cannot recall what, but they were Bacardi (?), Bombay Sapphire, and a vodka.

You can ask your butler/room steward to change these if one or more is not to your liking. We always go for three bottles of the Bombay Sapphire gin.

Actually the table is inside 'Windows', port side, adjacent the entrance.

We have had guests on board, by specific pre-arrangement, prior to embarkation.

But now the conversation has moved on to other, equally vacuous, stuff!

Who is 'Tony'?

I can. See previous post.

Tote bags still included. I posted the evidence an hour or so ago!

Offers for this tote bag from our suite 8045 Pursuit today?

Do you mean that the cost of the cover increased? Perhaps reference to the T&C's is called for! If the insurer has a clause in your contract allowing for additional charges, there is little you can do.

Just to be clear (because I forget things so easily these days) is this OBC per person or per room?

Tut-tut!

Ahhh! Back packs! They increase the size of the individual (even the 'smallish' ones), and those not accustomed to wearing them* can, and often do, seriously impinge on the personal space of others because they forget that they have a a 'lump' on their back. I have lost count of the number of times that I have had to take evasive action from backpacks. I tried one once. It was a very costly mistake. The souvenir shop had a very profitable day, though! * in reality even experienced backpackers can cause much inconvenience to others.

I, for one, have never used the bag for going to the beach! I actually found them awkward to use. The handles are a bit too long, or maybe too short, and the shape is difficult to manage. Send me money for postage and you can have all that we have!

But, when it's a matter of principle... (I might add that I agree with your sentiments, but I also see that there are others who might not. And isn't it the norm for threads to twist and transform? I am happy to let this ride and see where it goes! Perhaps a poll of some kind might be enlightening, though)

Hear! Hear! On FB there are those who are inclined to swoop and peck mercilessly (and often abusively) without thinking about the message! Admittedly, though, FB postings seem to be much, much more vacuous than here. You know the sort of thing: 'Just booked Timbuktu to Vladivostok'. Give me strength! But, it must be said, there are those here on CC that seem to feel that these fora are their private domain! And, never forget: 'Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely'.

Finally, the voice if reason. Exactly what I have been wanting to say since I saw this thread, but was unwilling to do so, because I feared that there would be retaliation.

Disaster!

I don't know about you, but IMHO these 'illusory' offers damage the company's reputation. For a company with integrity, I feel that a sale, should always be genuine, and each 'sale' should be better than any previous. Of course, it can be very difficult to distinguish whether a 'sale' will result in a lower overall expenditure for the purchaser because the packaging* varies. * by packaging, I mean (for example): xx% off what? (Read the fine print). Is xx% off better than (xx/2)%, plus 5 times as much OBC? (You do the calculation) And so on...

But please note that the 20% sale is not always what it seems... On our upcoming cruise we booked excursions quite a few months in advance. Later 4 of these excursion were 'discounted'. For 2 of the 4, the discounted price was greater than the price we paid. In fact, the price of one of them, after the discount, was more than twice the amount we paid months previously. Check carefully, because your cancellation, once confirmed, is final!

I cancelled and re-booked at one excursion paid totally with OBC, and second where part of the payment was via OBC, yesterday November 26, at about 1500.

The OBC refund is instantaneous. Our previous experience with Credit Card refund was very different. Because nothing appeared after a couple of weeks we had to chase Azamara. It took about two months before everything was refunded. Let's hope things have improved (although I cannot say I am confident). If the CC refund is dilatory I will take this up with staff when we board in three weeks.

I do not understand this sentence. I don't believe I was trying to 'replicate' anything, merely posting my personal experience for the benefit of others.

Nearer the time of embarkation for each cruise there are usually discounts, but note my post #19, because the 'discounts' may not be real.

Be very careful. This offer may not be what it seems. Four of the excursions we have booked for our cruise next month are listed as being offered at 10% or 20% discount. But in two cases the discounted price is more than we originally paid!