Laganlady02

39 minutes ago, BrendaJ said:

Honestly, the prices are bonkers - many of these itineraries are over $1,000 Canadian per person per night for a standard verandah cabin. At that price point, Silversea and Seabourn are looking pretty good.

Last November the cancelled ports in the med for Onward, the issues on Quest in the Amazon, the recently cancelled cruises in the Red Sea for Journey and Onward and yesterday another cancellation for Journey have all

necessitated refunds and or enhanced FCCs.

That lost revenue has to be recouped and going forward that means prices will be higher.  I agree the prices are eye watering- for a few suites (CC and CW) I have priced it is astronomical.

Perhaps Azamara will introduce more OBC to soften the blow if bookings are slow!

2 minutes ago, Mackdogmolly said:

They’ve been teasing new ports on social media. That’s probably all it is.

Have you not received the email?

3 hours ago, Mrs Miggins said:

Thanks for the replies.  I am happy to say I have booked the B2B on Onward for this September.  However my TA was told that the generous OBC ($650 - for 4 day cruise and $800 for 7 day) has to be used separately.   I have only one booking number.  

Whilst it is lovely to have so much OBC the prices of the shore excursions are huge - so it will disappear quickly.  We chose the itinerary because it included many of our favourite ports.  We have been to all of them several times and are quite used to getting on a bus or ferry independently.  It's difficult to justify the prices when we know using public transport the cost would be just a few euros.   However we determined to spend it all.  I just hope the onboard shop has improved.   

We have never been on Onward but have enjoyed all the other ships several times.

 

I was on Onward three times last year and had difficulty spending remaining OBC.

Even the range of perfumes is very limited, but if your chosen fragrance is stocked you may be in luck. I eventually bought MoroccanOil products for my hair.

I think your 4 night cruise will be very popular, so you might consider upgrading your drinks package to the ultimate. This will allow you to experience the Atlas Bar and it should have a great atmosphere for that sailing.

Please let us know what you think of Onward once you return. For us, it has the same Azamara heart.

1 hour ago, Whitby100 said:

I awoke to an AZ email this morning announcing big news next week!  Something I love is on its way!  Can’t say more!  Any idea what the big news is?

Even more OBC!

8 minutes ago, tgg said:

 

If you are planning to book excursions, OBC is as "real" as dollars or pounds.

At inflated prices?

4 hours ago, aliaschief said:

F&B Manager said they have never done this. Everyone benefits from being on World Cruise segments. It’s been a very special cruise and experience.

You are so fortunate to have Iwan as F&B Manager to co ordinate this. He is an exceptional professional.

8 minutes ago, uktog said:

Only at Platinum. It’s 20% for discoverer plus 15% for discoverer and 10% for explorer 

Yes I was replying to you regarding what rule would apply to you as platinum. At 6 dollars a day enjoy.

4 minutes ago, uktog said:

Thanks - wonder what rule applies when we get to Journey!!
 

I tried to drink them dry of Botanist in Antarctica (for the purpose of warming me up you understand). It’s one of my favourites at home having discovered it visiting the distillery on the beautiful island of Islay

Does your loyalty bonus not equate to 25% off for the drinks upgrade?

4 hours ago, fruitmachine said:

It's approximately 23,300km (without any stops).  Sailing continuously, 24 hours a day, without any stops at maximum speed (23kph), for 26 days would only get you 20,592km.

 

Clearly, they have to stop for fuel.

 

It doesn't look like they are going round Africa.

Yes, that was my point to @Heartfelttraveler. Based on distance alone, Singapore to Athens around Africa cannot be done in 26 days.

On another thread it was reported that Journey is indeed following this route from May 3, however no mention was made of how long this would take.

It seems very likely that this will necessitate the cancellation of the subsequent cruise due to sail on May 29 from Athens.

34 minutes ago, Heartfelttraveler said:

Just showing that the ship has 26 days to go around Africa and make it to Greece for the May 29 trip.

26 days, Singapore to Athens around Africa???

9 hours ago, DS2 said:

Any info on how many people chose to stay on board the World Cruise around Africa?   

    Just talked to Hotel Dir on Journey who confirmed that Journey will dead-head it around Africa starting May 3

Does HD think Journey can make it from Singapore to Athens  around Africa in 26 days?

Next cruise starts on 29 May.

5 minutes ago, jomf said:

Maybe they were handing them out in the suite guest area but unfortunately not in ours!

I'm taking my own refreshments next time! 

All the same location just with suite designation. No one handing anything out as tables are set up with flasks of coffee, hot water, juice and bottles of water. I have also seen cookies and small pastries.

Have been cruising with Azamara for 15 years and this has been the practice every time.

Maybe it was your particular embarkation port?

11 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

If you are moving from Discoverer to Discoverer Plus and have only four Azamara cruises it's never going to be enough to meet the 50% that Riocca has correctly stated. 

 

Phil 

Of course I did not want to make that assumption.

For example the four cruises may have been taken in a club world suite (18 points per day). This would equate to approx 21 days in a CW suite (

approx half of the 750 points required).

So, it is indeed possible.

4 minutes ago, B17 said:

this will be our fourth

When you are next onboard ask the Future Sales rep to print out a copy of all your cruises (this will include both Celebrity and Azamara cruises). 

You can then see what points are attributed to your Azamara cruises.

1 hour ago, B17 said:

I am due to go up to Discoverer plus also on my next cruise  BUT if I understand correctly have I read somewhere that if most of the point were accumulated on Celebrity we cant have this benefit?

Can I ask how many Azamara cruises you have done?

When I go to the specialty restaurants I am only concerned with my experience there. I have no interest in what other diners are ordering.

It is not my responsibility to ensure every diner has a wonderful experience, clearly that is the responsibility of Azamara, in particular the Specialties restaurant manager.

To suggest by ordering off menu  somehow diminishes the experience for other guests is absurd.

4 hours ago, blag said:

On our last cruise (Feb/March `23) the Cruise sales staff miscalculated our points, and assumed that we would progress from Discoverer to Plus during that cruise. Even though we had not passed the threshold, she confirmed that we would qualify for the six nights discount for any cruise

 >= 7 nights duration booked at that time.

Since the progression was, to all intents and purposes, inevitable, she could apply the benefits.

But, no addition discount offers were available to us a year ago.

Here's what Azamara's web site says:

Complimentary nights are combinable with Quarterly Brand Offers, Flash Sales, Travel Partner promotions, Back-to-Back Benefits, onboard booking savings, Azamara Circle Quarterly Savings, Net Rates, Last Minute Voyages, and National Account Hosted Programs. Unless stated otherwise, the Offer is not combinable with Closed User Rates, Employee Rates, Interline Rates, and Travel Agent Rates. Complimentary nights cannot be used with pre-and post-cruise land programs. Complimentary nights earned when reaching different levels cannot be redeemed together. Any remaining complimentary nights will be forfeited if not used before the one-year redemption period; this applies to all tier levels. Terms may vary by country.

The web site and application of free nights was changed at the end of last year. All relevant discounts are now applied and the free nights now represent a real discount.

8 hours ago, uktog said:

Agree 

Sounds like a very different dynamic which is great to read. I also think Azamara will hopefully have learned a lot of lessons from the first time. They knew they had issues then 

I think that is why it is so important to have current information from those guests onboard now.

What happened 6 years ago is no longer relevant considering all the personnel involved then are no longer with the company (however I acknowledge you had a different experience than the other 2018 World cruisers who have posted).

54 minutes ago, aliaschief said:

Here’s some food porn from Chef’s Signature Dinner last night. First time they have offered this. Chef Sri is having a different one each segment.

Tomorrow a special dinner for World Voyagers. Meet for cocktails in Cabaret Lounge followed by dinner on the Promenade under the lifeboats. Another first.

Today another lunch BBQ featuring Australian cuisine.

Doesn’t get much better than this.

 

These are some of the surprises I mentioned when you first started your adventure, and they will  be offered to all of the guests onboard Onward.

A lot of effort has gone into the planning of all of this onboard and credit should be given to Iwan. 

From what you have posted he has done an incredible job.

4 hours ago, NicNata said:

 

 

I read it as Future Cruise Credit i.e. you won't get it on your August 24 cruise. I goes back to my original point that the email is confusing and requires mental gymnastics which is not good marketing practice. It reads "Guests who accept this offer and pay their sailing in full will receive 5% Onboard Credit to be used in future sailing".

Can this get anymore confusing? 

You have now turned On-board Credit into Future Cruise Credit.

10 minutes ago, bebe08 said:

True enough...Azamara is vague in the use of the term "slight upcharge".  I would be happy to pay to upgrade to the Ultimate package for say $10 per person per day.  Or alternatively pay the "slight upcharge" per drink if its only a couple of dollars/drink.  

If the promotion on your cruise includes the Premium package, then you can upgrade to the Ultimate package for approx 7 dollars per person per day. That's what it was last year when we did it.

If you also want better wines and champagne, then this is also the best option.

If you are sailing on Onward, the Ultimate package allows you to have drinks in the Atlas Bar at no extra cost.

2 hours ago, aliaschief said:

We have started our World Voyage on Onward. 195 of us are on for the full voyage and the first segment to Lima has a total of 530 guest. All our bags arrived including two we forwarded. Still have one to unpack. Busy day ahead with scheduled events and getting the cabin ready for long haul.

We are in our happy place.

Enjoy every moment. Having spoken to some of the senior officers on board with you, I know they and all the crew want this to be the best experience for you all.

Enjoy the surprises along the way, and I hope you can spare some time to update us on how it is going.

1 minute ago, Werangels said:

I am aboard and it is the future cruise desk who suggested it.  

Good luck. Let me know when you get it.

I was on board in August and Miami confirmed it was no longer available.

2 hours ago, Werangels said:

I am considering buying a future cruise credit whilst onboard as we cannot commit to dates to book yet.

 

What are people’s thoughts are on these?  Are they worth it?

 

Thanks.

These are no longer available as l have reported before. Have you checked with the future cruise staff on board?

?

19 hours ago, uktog said:

You pay the cruise deposit and they are undated 

This is no longer available.

Subsequent responses on this matter are no longer relevant, and confusion has arisen over onboard booking benefits as can be seen now.