WatchHill

Nice to read that Azamara establishes its own identity and severs previous ties. Of course the timing for us isn't the best, but I can deal with it. We fly from BOS to Lisbon on the 20th, boarding the Pursuit on the 23rd, so I'll make an effort to reset passwords before we leave the house and head to the airport - no way would I attempt that on a public, unsecure network. At least all of our necessary docs have been printed and TAP is independed of Azamara. As far as shorex goes, we used the OBC's to book a few tours that appeared OK. I could write a book about the insane experiences we've had on some mega tours. But the majority of our shore experiences are through private vendors with whom we can customize what we want to see. Looking at current prices for excursions on the Pursuit, they remain the same. Darcy

Cruise ship WC/mobility aids are for emergency use. Best to rent or purchase what you need, be sure it's the proper fit for the individual, and if motoriized, practice before you leave for the cruise. You can rent and have one delivered to the WC accessible cabin - check with the cruise line for their preferred vendor.

I found the AzAmazing event for our cruise listed under Shore Excursions. It was the only one listed as $00.00 I did have to reserve the event and it appears on my cruise calendar for our first evening in Barcelona, 7: -10: pm.

We received the same email a few minutes ago. Sailing from Lisbon, into the Med, ending in Rome. The vax info is on our iphones, picture of the cards, etc. Unlike other cruise lines, Azamara doesn't have a pre-boarding window that allows passengers to upload their official vax status/scan for QR codes. Darcy

23 March, Pursuit continues to show an evening event. However, it changed from original offering. The first time I checked, is was a generic mention of an amazing evening without details - in fact, not even saying what evening of the cruise. Of course I was hoping Three Tenors [dream on] in Livorno/Tuscany! Then I read it was an event at some recreated village in Barcelona, no details beyond that. Now it's a flamenco show at an historic cava in Barcelona. Personally, I would prefer to tour the winery [in the daya time] as it goes back to 1551, and skip the flamenco show. Darcy

We will be boarding the Pursuit on 23 March, flying from Boston on 20 March to Lisbon. Just printed all our cruise docs and luggage tags. Darcy

Going to the Alhambra? It's all about the level of security at this site. It's a pain to add all the required info when booking for this tour, but well worth it. Darcy

We never use third party to book air. First check flight matrix [not a booking site] to see all the options from FL. When you have narrowed down the dates and airlines, then go to their sites to purchase tickets. Darcy

The Bari Reef is on front of the beach and Klein Boaire is slightly to the left, but still facing you. DH thought the reef fish ample and colorful. Be sure to wear water shoes. Darcy

With TAP, the planes associated with specific flights, are not in the seat guru system. When I booked our flights, the TAP seat maps on the 321neo were no way like the guru site. Yes, its a good site to read about specific seats and which ones are a problem due to location, food/beverage service and overall satisfaction & comfort. DH and I each have a "lay flat throne seat" but seat guru only shows 3/3 seating in Execuitive class. The economy comfort do recline, but not flat. Darcy

The row of seats in front of any exit row have limited recline; this applies to TAP as well as other airlines. Any chance your daughter can go back into the booking and change those seats? Economy comfort plus seating have a bit better recline, but only Execuitive Class are full recline on the 321neoLR. Our seats on the 320, though Execuitive from Rome to LIS, are nothing more than standard seats with nobody seated in between. OK for a shorter flight, but anything over the Atlantic, especially flying at night, I want to be able to sleep in relative comfort. Whenever we book air, we avoid booking ahead of the exit rows, proximity to lavs or food venues, too. Darcy

We'll be flying TAP BOS to LIS in March '23. TAP leaves from Terminal C in BOS, not the international terminal. However return is through Terminal E. Not a fan of their web site or App, but the planes are relatively new narrow body. When I reserved our seating, the configuration was different on each flight segment. We return via Rome on a 320 neo to LIS and then transfer to 321 neo for the trans Atlantic. Darcy

We're long time Hyatt members and agree that Hyatt House is a gem. Our November pre-cruise stay was excellent at the Dania location. We were there for 3 days pre-cruise, with a rental car. Never charge to park, the buffet breakfast was very good, coffee urn in the lobby, and the room [suite] was super! There is a mini convenience rack by the reception desk in case you forget or need toiletries or snacks - also a fridge/freezer with items you could microwave in your room. My sister decided to tag along on the cruise and considered her own room, but I snagged a 2- bedroom king suite, with two private bath rooms, with living room and fully equipped kitchen....for a great price. DH has a "thing" for Hyatt's chocolate chip cookies, which Hyatt House doesn't have - guest servies told him to go across the parking lot to Hyatt Place where he picked up three warm cookies to take back to our suite. Ample restaurants within walking distance and the hotel's pool is very nice. Only complaint is the slow, slow elevator. Darcy

And I thought it was just me or my comuter! I'm seeing the same message for our 23 March sailing on the Pursuit. It would be nice to have some document in hand and the hotel info as booked by Azamara. I do have the TA's paper work. I know that staff at the pier can attach tags for luggage, but I feel more confident when I attach them before leaving the hotel. For the past week, I've been going in circles with TAP and choice air for this cruise. Verification codes, incorrect record locator numbers, passport information changes birth and pp expiration dates! Go to love technology! Darcy

Be very careful entering info onto the TAP web site. We are flying BOS to LIS and returning via FCO/LIS/BOS. Wish it were with a different carrier, but wanted non-stop to LIS and then returning via FCO has it challenges. When entering the passport info and especially DOB and EXP dates, the TAP program changes tthe dates! So, you need to enter one day later than info on the PP! I thought it was me, am I really that stupid? I called our TA and she said all the info she entered for her busband changed two days after she did the booking. She and I just re-did the dates and I took a screen shot for proof of my entering the right dates...one more document to have on me when checking in at the airport. TAP's site will not take Trusted Traveler info! I've flown many air carriers over quite a few decades and never had such problems. Vacations should be stress free? Darcy

The day we were there, two ships in port, we were the only cruise ship passengers at the Resort. With other resorts not opting to allow cruise passengers to use their facilities, the choices become more narrow. IMO, if you really want to spend the day at a resort, then head over there immediately after the ship arrives.

We were on the Enchantment in November and my sister was using her Kindle on which she had loaded a few books to read, purchased via her home computer. Frustrated that she could not download she took her Kindle to the IT support people who said that even the crew need to go ashore to find a good WiFi option. When we got to St Thomas, we went to Emerald and the bar tender gave her the pass codes, and the hotel staff helped her log in and complete the installation so she could read her books. Nice tip to bar tender for a great pina colada, too. Note to self: Don't just purchase via computer - be sure to completely download at home to avoid disappointment. Not super impressed with Princess IT, good for checking email and accessing whats app to chat with family at home. Darcy

We discoverd this resort for our November '22 Princess cruise and thought it the highlight of our cruise. No need to pre-book, take a taxi from the pier [about $4] and sign in at the front desk of the hotel - very nice staff. Cash or credit cards. We then headed to a grass covered hut to drop off our belongings on the comfy lounge chairs and grabbed a few tubes to float along the lazy river What fun!!! There is a bar and restaurant on the beach where we had yummy pina coladas and a huge portion of nachos, chips, cheese, salsa and guacamole. The pools were very clean, not crowded, ample lounge chairs. DH brough his own gear and headed into the water to see reef fish. Wear dive booties to enter the water. When ready to leave, staff called a taxi for us. We are serously considering flying to Bonaire to stay at this resort. Darcy

DH is quite particular about tonic water. At home, it's always Fever Tree. When we stopped at a pub near Kensington Rail, the G n T was served using 1724 tonic - wow, what a great taste! We can't get it in MA, so my niece always manages to pick up a few bottles to pack in her luggage when she flies in from the UK. Hoping we find the tonic in Portugal or Spain while on our upcoming March cruise on the Pursuit. I'm a cosmo drinker and sadly don't see it listed on the basic beverage package - might simply have a Cape Codder, and tote a few nips of cointreau to enhance the taste of my drink. IMO, too port intensive for us to opt into the premium package. Darcy

Starting to finalize excursions for our Western Med March 23 Pursuit cruise out of Lisbon. On the first night in Barcelona, the tour options include an Azamazing Evening tour that I think is a flamenco show, though specific details are lacking. Darcy

By the time Princess gets back to you with another creative response, you may be beyond the "recourse back the CC charge" time window. Call or do an online challenge to the questionable charge. Darcy

Will your luggage be checked through to the connecting flight? It's about a 5-10 minute walk[depends on the gate to gate locations] from C to B - be sure to stay on the same level as the flight arrives [it's actually the departure level] - follow the signs to Terminal B. As long as you stay within the post security/airside area, no need to go through another security check.

We're on the Pursuit, March 23, Lisbon to Rome. Two years of making effective use of credit cards to buy sanitizers and paper towels,😄 left us with lots of FF miles/points. And yes, those Avios are great for upgrades. Just returnend from FL, flying Jet Blue, using points for the 3 of us. For our flight BOS to LIS, on TAP, we're flying Execuitive, and same Rome, via LIS back to BOS. At this point in my left, I want comfort and anything that makes flying a bit less stressful. Darcy

Ignore the group windows to board the ship. For our Enchated cruise last month, the window included a time long after the ship sailed. After dropping the rental car at FLL, we got a cab and arrived at Terminal 2 PE about 10:45, handed over our luggage, and walked across the drive and entered the building to check it. It was well organized, got the medallion there [even though the night before I got a phone call saying they were shipping it to our house] - in MA! We simply kept pace with the people ahead of us and never had time to sit - last minute security pictures and onto the ship. Darcy

The taxi was $4. pp to the reosrt and $5 pp return to the ship. When we were at the resort, it was not a busy tourist time and the beach area is huge, lots of trees and huts for shade. Their web site shows how large the waterfront is. We were the only cruise guests using the resort. As far as being too busy, maybe a phone call before you got a cab, though I think they are very interested in presenting their property to potential guests and it would be a bad business decision to turn away anyone who wanted to use their pools. beach, and dining options. Darcy