Xcelsior

I previously posted that my issues were resolved.  Now I find out they haven’t been at all.  Back to square one. It’s so frustrating.  

1 hour ago, Bimmer09 said:

I would have to agree based my recent Celebrity Apex cruise to Iceland. 

We ate in one of the 4 small MDRs each night and supplemented those with two visits to Eden where the food is beyond anything served on Azamara (for a $65 pp cover). The food tasted as good as it looks in these photos and the service was impeccable.

baked Brie en croute with walnut and poached pear

 

Coquilles St. Jacques

 

Salad

 

Boeuf en croute/Wellington

 

Mille Feuille

 

Sacher torte

 

Each serving team included a Sommelier who was quick to get us started with glasses of wine (not included in fare)

 

I'll pop back later with some pics from Eden, my best dining experience at sea to date...

Norris

Completely agree with you re: Eden - it was  phenomenal on the Edge in April.  

11 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Look at this itinerary, and tell me that X has ever had anything like it (2 overnights in Rouen, docked in Honfleur until 10 pm, docked in Cherbourg until 11 pm):

Azamara France 2025 Itinerary (Azamara) copy.pdf 28.6 MB · 11 downloads

Re: itineraries - if you re-read my post Host Jazzbleau,  I didn't say Azamara didn't have small ports on their itineraries, I said it wasn't all small ports and there are lots of ports with the big ships too (on many, many itineraries), including my sailing in January where there was a large ship in port with us every day for 12 nights.  I can post several here if I was interested in demonstrating same.  As host, I would hope you would be a little less confrontational/defensive in your replies please. Perhaps not intended, but it comes off that way.

On 7/19/2023 at 9:57 AM, lisiamc said:

We used to be Celebrity fans, but about ten years ago, we evolved out of their target demographic. We don’t like their two-tier system, and resent being forced into Aqua Class to get the minimum level of service/restaurant/food that we enjoy. 
 

We are much happier booking with Azamara. Their minimum product pleases us much more than any of the Celebrity offerings. The small showers have never really been an issue for us in 15 years, and everything else hits the spot for us. YMMV, of course.

You may want to give them a try again.  The food and service in the MDR on Celebrity is very good again.   They had a problem for a while, but I honestly think it's great.

I have actually done this a couple of times onboard - once when the line first launched from an inside to an oceanview for I think about $200 as they had a lot of empty cabins, and then again last July when the ship only had about 250 pax. on board and there was an issue with my oceanview cabin.  So I asked if I could pay for an upgrade and I think they charged me $200 to upgrade to a veranda - because they agreed there was an issue with my stateroom and it was more or less a courtesy.  I would wait until the second day of the cruise before asking though as they get swamped with requests on day one and it's unlikely they will be able to move you before day 2 anyway.

5 hours ago, IRGolfer said:

We’re booked on the Aug. 22 Onward out of Fusina(Venice). TA was able to have all my travel documents emailed to me Saturday. Big relief. Still confusion on my excursions and OBC though.

I'm on the same sailing.  I don't have any travel documents and I'm not going to worry about it - I'll just show up at the terminal and then it's their problem.  I'm dealing with OBC and shore excursion issues.  I booked direct so at least I can get through on the phone lines now.  From my understanding they are having a problem with shore excursions being deducted from OBC as the system is calculating Canadian dollars and US dollars at par.  They' are supposed to be working on a fix. I'm not holding my breath!

Glad to hear you had a great cruise on the Apex.  My 3 Celebrity cruises this year were on par (and for the most part better) than my 2 sailings with Azamara this year.  Happy to sail either line - it's the itinerary that I'm after.

2 hours ago, jillfeng85 said:

Some people said that you'd better turn on airplane mode as soon as you board the cruise to avoid hefty roaming charges (is this true for Azamara), while others say that you can buy e-sim card ahead of time and try to use the signal from land. For my upcoming trip with Azamara, If I have my original T mobile sim card in (from US) and have a European e-sim (dual sim card), I can turn off my T mobile data plan and try to use the European e-sim data? 

 

Thank you very much, 

I use a regional european e-sim that I purchase through Airalo.  Just turn off your normal sim in settings, and yes you can leave it in as long as you turn it off....but I am a worry wart.... so I just take my sim card out to be really sure I'm not going to be hit with roaming fees.   Just don't lose it (like I did the first time). 😉  I get a 75% discount on my onboard wifi so I just buy that too for when I'm on the ship as it only costs me $5 per day....but honestly on most european itineraries you have very few sea days so it really wouldn't be necessary.

6 hours ago, takemewithyou said:

Good to know they admit they have no intention to replace them.  I suspect that’s always been the case.  I will stick to my solution to not cruise Onward.  I am not paying good money to sit in those chairs! 

They found decent chairs for the spa suites though.  

12 hours ago, aliaschief said:

I believe you. I remember, what you have mentioned, also being discussed on CC over a year ago and  that is why I brought it up to HD Vogel. We really enjoyed our Onward cruise and look forward to January; just not sitting in those uncomfortable chairs.

The Onward refurbishment was done hastily and on the cheap in my opinion.  It is the worst of the four ships but I'm sailing it again as I like the itinerary.  I hope they have corrected some of the issues I had when onboard in January, but I doubt.  Agree that those chairs are absolutely ridiculous.  One would think they would be embarrassed about them, but clearly not.

I first sailed on the Quest for its first ever Singapore to HK Christmas/NY cruise in 2008.  It was 18 nights then and added a few extra ports than what that itinerary has offered in recent years. That experience was unbelievable - the food quality, the service, the fantastic shore excursions.  Entertainment was still lousy...but everything else made up for it.  Agree that there is absolutely no comparison with the food they offer today.  I've been on 3 Celebrity cruises and 2 Azamara over the last year, and Celebrity on all 3 occasions had better food than Azamara hands-down.  We will see how the Onward food is next month.

3 hours ago, jillfeng85 said:

We are new to Azamara. Going on 11 day from Venice to Istanbul in August. Need Wifi access. Is the wifi quality/speed okay on this route? Should we book Unlimited Internet or More Enjoyment with addition excursion/spa credit? We are not drinkers. 

If you're in port most days or close to shore most of the time, and you have an e-sim compatible unlocked phone, I would suggest getting a regional e-sim plan for Europe.  They're cheap and then you also have a data plan on shore as well.  It works brilliantly on european itiineraries.  Caribbean or transatlantic not so much. 😉

I always get the pass instead of booking a balcony cabin, unless there is a really good deal.  I just wasn't sure if the price went up this year, and I really can't remember what I paid in January.  Trying to figure out how I want to spend my OBC for an upcoming trip.

5 hours ago, Dr H said:

Well, something to be jealous about! It's our favorite spot on the ship, unless they make the price insane, I'll still purchase the option. If the suite pass is valid again, all the more power to you! See ya up front in November.  D

7 hours ago, Dr H said:

Our most recent cruise was in Nov/Dec '22. I paid $160 for the two of us, for the full cruise. I believe it was $75 pp, I may be off by $5 or so. We had hoped to work out a deal because we were on B2B, but no go, $160 for both of us for both cruises. This was the same price I've been paying in the past. If you get the pass, don't tell anyone else about it! It's the best kept secret on board. Oh, it's also my understanding that free entry for suite passengers has been discontinued.

May I ask how long your voyage was?  I thought it was about $100 per person and $180 for a couple

Does anyone have current pricing for the spa deck pass for entire voyage? Going solo on the Onward for 12 nights soon.  thanks

23 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

That wasn't an insult, just my frank reaction to a perceived over-reaction.

Rude and unnecessary. 

30 minutes ago, crzrr said:

Have you tried sending a request for a call through the help form?  Also, indications, on the boards here, are that if you call first thing in the morning, when they open, you might have better luck.

If the amount due is correct, you can pay through the website.  We did that on Friday evening for our Sept. cruise and had no issue doing it.  Our OBC is not showing up but we have paperwork for that and our TA was able to confirm the amount today.

I don't believe that they are going bankrupt.  This is just a poorly executed conversion but eventually should be straightened out.

Good luck!

 

 

With the state of their website, the last thing I want to do right now is put my credit card information through it.  

31 minutes ago, Marylebone37 said:

No, and I’ve tried a bunch of the reliable ones. The number of new bookings must be markedly down with folks not having ready access to cabin availability. 

Me too.  I give up. 

Same here.  This is beyond ridiculous.  I really don't have a good word to say about Azamara and its leadership right now.  Beyond frustrated that I am past final payment and can't even get through on the phones to get issues resolved or addressed.  Why are we still supporting this company?

11 hours ago, Toronto Guy said:

Yes!   It was an amazing cruise.  Service, Food, Entertainment were all top notch.  One of my best sailings on Celebrity.  First time on Edge class for me - I loved the ship (but i had a sunset veranda) still not sure about whether I would like the Infinite verandas.  Minor quibbles - I did not think the martini bar was designed well or in the best location, am not a fan of the single big pool on the resort deck and the sunset bar was not as nice as the other Millennium or Solstice class ships.  I think a couple of these issues have been addressed on the Beyond,.

Did you like the Beyond better?  Did it seem more crowded??  I’m concerned with the extra deck that single pool is going to be shoulder to shoulder. 

Weather was great the whole trip. 

I believe they can cancel up to 48 hours in advance and get their taxes and port charges reimbursed.

I received an email to book the Chef's Table for my sailing on the Edge in April.  When I click on the purchase now link, it isn't listed.  All the other dining options are.  Does anyone know how to book this?

Does nayone ever get a reply to emails they send to the loyalty email address?  I called to have some Circle points corrected before the Feb 1 decoupling from Celebrity - was told to email them. at loyalty@azamara.com......and 2 weeks later no response yet. What gives?  Does anybody even read these emails??

Also, how is it that there has not been any updates on how the loyalty program tiers/benefits will work going forward?  They have had MONTHS to figure this out after saying what a great thing it's going to be....and NOTHING.  Not a peep.   I think this is a cruise line that is in trouble financially and sinking fast.  Worried for eveyrbody who has deposits and fully paid for cruises coming up (including myself).

Perhaps sailing slower to the next port does?  I don't get it.

8 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Have you been reading the Celebrity forum on Cruise Critic lately?  Lots of unhappy people there over cutbacks...

 

And on the Oceania forum, there are lots of complaints about last-minute changes to schedules that reduce time in ports, which remains Azamara's biggest strength.

With regard to reduced time in ports, it was curious on the January 5 Onward cruise that we were always the very first ship to leave port.  I pointed this out to several of my fellow cruisers and they were also equally surprised.  I also don't understand why everyone thinks this is such an important distinction that puts Azamara above others since the late departures (when they do happen) are always the White Night or the Azamazing event --- so since everybody wants to be onboard for White Night (me included) I don't see this as being any type of advantage or destination immersion experience whatsoever.  It's a night on the ship, or a somewhat disappointing shore excursion in the evening (although I know some of the Azamazing evenings are truly special or noteworthy).  As an example, we didn't arrive in Dominica until 1:00pm.  When we left the previous port the day before, Aida was still tied up.  When we arrived in Dominica, Aida was already there - in fact they had been there all morning...and once again, left Dominica after we did.  We would have loved the extra time in port that day.  Also, we left Tortola at 2pm so we could crawl back to Miami for 2.5 days.  Again, half day in port was cut while the NCL ship remained.  Not sure if this was a cost savings for Azamara....but it was certainly noticed and annoying for passengers on a line that claims it spends much more time in port!  Just because they say so...doesn't make it true.  It's just marketing nonsense for the most part.

I also want to add that Azamara did not provide a single shuttle service on the Jan 5 Onward cruise - another thing they claim that sets them apart from the mainstream lines.  This could have been provided in both St. Thomas and Barbados.  Had the ship been in Europe I'm sure they would have organized....but why not in Caribbean ports?  I was told by reception that shore excursion staff were trying to organize for Barbados, but that it just didn't happen for whatever reason.