Xcelsior

3 hours ago, lisiamc said:

Some items that were ordered for Onward had an 18 month lead time and STILL didn’t show up on time. The other choice might have been no headboard at all! I wouldn’t underestimate either the current logistical challenges from Covid or the ongoing effects of the Evergiven getting stuck in the Suez Canal. Time will tell what the final look will be, I guess.

I actually wish if they had kept anything in the refurbs of all the ships' cabins it would have been the huge mirror on the wall opposite the bed. It really opened those small cabins up visually.  Even if they had put the flat screen over top of the mirror I think it would have been better.  

I do think Azamara cheaped out by keeping the headboards the same from the Pacific Princess.  They should have gone the whole way and matched them to the other ships because they look better in my opinion.   It's interesting thought that Azamara didn't just gut the rooms on all the ships during the refurb and start from scratch like Celebrity did on the Millennium and Summit - those cabins really do look brand new in comparison.  A few dings here and there wouldn't bother me either, but I think when you're paying the kind of prices that Azamara charges...your expectations should be higher as well.  That's only fair.

Here is a video tour of Cabin 6000 that I just saw on Youtube.  Not a happy camper.  

3 hours ago, Azamarajunkie said:

This is the letter we received in our CC suite clearly stating the Thalassotherapy pool and spa deck is included. For most of our cruise that ended today, it was not available until 3 days ago due to ongoing works. Entry had to be made through the Gym as the changing rooms are still being refurbished.  There are still various works in progress around the ship but be assured the Azamara crew, waiting staff, butlers, room stewards etc are as good as they’ve ever been. Just don’t assume you’ll be able to use the Internet as you do at home, it’s not brilliant and is clearly affected by the ships position, especially in places like Kotor.  

Well that should put any concerns to rest.

On 5/11/2022 at 8:36 AM, Riocca said:

We are currently on Onward so are speaking from experience, the Atlas bar is a great place for a pre and after dinner drink and adds to the experience if you’re in the specialty restaurants. I would ask how many people sit and read in the library the evening? During the day the Atlas bar is open for those looking for a quiet space.

As regards the library space I’ve not seen it mentioned that there’s shelving both sides of the Living Room. One side currently has some books the other a few games but there’s plenty of space to build up the library as guests leave unwanted books, I remember Pursuits library was quite empty on the maiden.

Tin hat on but we will be keen to see the Atlas bar added to all the ships.

Perhaps there could be a compromise scenario - why not call it the Library Bar - keep the painted ceiling and the dark wood shelving etc. and people can still use it during the daytime. 

12 minutes ago, joyride said:

Can anyone on board now confirm what the situation is with use of the Spa Terrace/ T-Pool? I'm specifically interested in what the policy is on the Pursuit at this time. Did the Club Cont. Suite guests lose this perk? Are people able to use the Terrace after having a treatment? Are they selling passes? 

 

I would like to know this as well.  I was in a CC last time and it was included (not that  anybody asked me or checked when I used it), but will not be in a suite this time so interested in purchasing a pass --- but is it worth purchasing if it is not even policed?

1 hour ago, MouseBerry said:

Well, in Germany Az cruises for this spring/summer were sold on quite a promotional fare, likely to attract new cruisers to a bit upscaled cruise than mass market. If Az is not shine to usual premium standards this marketing step might fail. We used promotions for Oceania and HAL and were quite happy with it, i.e. we came back for other cruises. Will see if Az can impress us as well. What i read above doesn‘t sound promising.

I think they are going to have to be careful going forward if they are going to survive as an independent cruise line.  The sailings over next couple months are half empty still and the competition is stiff.  I love Azamara (although it is a little too quiet for me at night) but I don't see much difference between my last Azamara cruise and my Celebrity cruises to be honest, especially considering the price differential. There are things I like about Azamara much better...and some things not.  The small ship, itineraries and service is great - but there are also drawbacks with entertainment, facilities and size of cabins for the prices they are asking.  I also see no difference in food between the two (in fact, I think Celebrity is actually better sometimes).   Will be interesting to see what happens.

Gotta say that these pics aren't exactly exciting me.  Think the staterooms look better on the existing ships.  That lobby stairwell mirror has got to go....and the Atlas Bar furnishings look cheap and uncomfortable.  Is there going to be a better surface for the pool deck?  The ship doesn't look ready.

3 hours ago, elbarney said:

It was fine. The room was bigger than I expected, the location nice.

We only stayed at the room for shower, changing and sleeping, so perfectly fine in an interior.

Other ships we have stayed had smaller insides, but this seemed like a balcony-without-the-balcony, which is nice. I don't know if this is for all the insides or there are different sizes.

May I ask what cabin you were in?

3 hours ago, elbarney said:

Hello, I asked onboard for a paid upgrade on my cruise, they asked more than the bids were.

I was in an interior, they quoted me 1000$ to balcony, so I kept my money.

I don't understand their revenue management. I could upgrade from interior to balcony choosing the cabin for 850$ before the cruise, then they "allowed" me to bid at least 450$pp to get a random balcony and then they wanted 500$ pp onboard, when its less convenient for me to move and they aren't getting anything from the room. I would have spent around 500$ total max, which was direct benefit as I imagine the costs are the same for them, but I spent them on land instead.....

We were 276 people on the ship, so plenty of space available.... 

 

Interesting to know. Thanks.  I guess they probably also consider fairness to those who bid and paid for an upgrade.  But I agree, seems silly to leave cabins empty that aren't generating any revenue when they could get more at a time when they are clearly losing money.

Wondering if anyone  has received complimentary upgrades on board sailings with occupancy levels so low.  I know some were reporting on Celebrity sailings that they were getting upgrades at check-in.  Any reports of that happening on Azamara?  My sailing is virtually empty at 60 days out.

10 minutes ago, Leo_On_Geo said:

Yes, if you bid $400, you pay $800.

That kiinda sucks...

Hello - can anyone confirm if a solo passenger has to pay twice the bid on the Azamara upgrade program?  I believe it used to be that way....but the email I received the bids are  "per person".

Anyone know who the Captain , Hotel Manager and Cruise Director are on the Journey for end of June/early July?

Took your advice and booked it today. 🙂

Thank you all for giving me your thoughts on this I really appreciate it.  

thanks everyone for your thoughts.  I will be travelling solo on this one, so the baltic is kind of appealing to me because i can do the cities on my own by foot (have been to almost all the ports before, except the port in Poland and the one Swedish island.  Love the baltic but the weather can be so unpredictable and Azamara doesn't have a covered pool (inside during a pandemic in cold weather with a mask on not so appealing to me....and then I think if I'm travelling solo, will it be harder to meet/mingle with others because of the masking issue indoors?  Unsure).  I like the idea of sailing on the Onward with it being recently launched....but the bulgaria ports and the greek ports on tap aren't very appealing. Perhaps I'm wrong.  The 12 night Greek Isles sounds great --- but is it simply going to be too hot in Greece the first week of July?  Definitely a first world problem deciding!

Trying to choose between 14 night Copenhagen to Southhampton (Quest - 14 nights), Istanbul Rountrip (Onward- 11 nights) and Athens Roudntrip (Journey - 12 nights).  All depart last week of June. Which would you choose, and why?  Please and thanks.

Personally, I think this bar sounds GREAT.  Look forward to it.

Does anyone know why I can’t seem to be able to book one of these cruises?  Is it not open to Canadian citizens?  I called Viking and the agent couldn’t even get me pricing on the phone either….. she could not explain. 

Love Azamara, but there is just no way that I am going to book a cruise with them until all of this shakes down.  I'll stick with more stable brands as the risk of losing your money in a bankruptcy is just too big in my opinion.

11 minutes ago, schuddle said:

Cross posting for folks who don’t see what has changed.....

 

 

Summary of changes:

 

Downgrades:

• Removed Priority embarkation
• Removed Access to the Retreat for Zenith
• Removed Senior Officers Party
• Removed the Backstage Tour
• Removed Elegant Tea
• Removed the nightly cocktail party - remaining benefit worthless under Always Included
• Negated value of the daily coffee lounge
• Negated value of the specialty coffee in specialty restaurant
• Negated value of the free specialty coffee package for elite plus
• Negated value of the free internet minutes and discounts
• Removed free fitness class for Elite Plus

Upgrades:

• Improved the spa discount - now multi use
• Increased discounts on photo packages
• Increased the discount on premium wines
• Added "Sneak Peek of Wonder" (only on the Apex)
• Added the "Create and Pour" event (only on Edge class)
• Added discounted $35 dry clean and press package

Actually, this is incorrect.  If you read the full benefits on the two page document that links from the webpage, the cappucinos and lattes and fitness class etc. are still listed as benefits at the Elite Plus Tier.

Here is the link to that document which lists everything on Page 2.

https://secure.viewer.zmags.com/publication/cc0ce13c#/cc0ce13c/2

6 minutes ago, Pennstatedj said:

I just finished new email from X. All I can say is Wow. After reading all the great new benefits given to me as an Elite Plus with over 60 cruises, I can only say that I have only 1 more cruise left on X. I have been very loyal for the last 25 years, but this is the worst marketing move the CEO has ever made. I will be going back to being open to cruising with others after I use my credit voucher. I knew she would take this opportunity to use Covid as an excuse to reduce perks and sky lounge use. Extra parties and discounts on spa and photos and laundry pressing are not benefits. I just heard Princess Ceo yell with thanks to Lisa. Happy sailing to all when it starts. 

I agree completely.  I am Elite Plus and their targeted GenX demographic with no kids and travel money to spend, but I am done with loyalty to this line.  I liked the new all inclusive pricing since I buy it anyway...but now they are just trying to vacuum more out of our pockets with dry cleaning packages, pressing packages and tiered Internet speeds.  Such a slap in the face to their customers....the ones who would undoubtedly sail with them to get them out of the fiscal hole they currently find themself in.  I'll move on over to Princess , or even HAL, as they tend to offer better itineraries anyway.

I like the all inclusive pricing actually, since I get all those things anyway...but I am really disappointed in the lack of changes in Captains Club benefits announced today.  I had anticipated there would be something worthwhile in these changes, but since there isn't, it is now time for me to go elsewhere.  I have a future booking on hold for late 2021 which I will just probably cancel and forfeit the $100 deposit.  Finally got Elite+ and absolutely no incentive for me to stay loyal to this line.  Now my decisions will solely be based on best itinerary which Celebrity seldom offers.  Think I'm headed over to Princess.

3 minutes ago, markeb said:

I’m a boomer according to the dates, but I can’t wait to see heads explode the first time they play Bulls on Parade...  Or Kendrick Lamar. Or better yet, your ideas! And I’ll always love the Beatles, even though I was 2 when they were on Sullivan. 
 

Maybe just Thunder Road!

 

 

I like the Beatles too.  i just don't need to have a Beatles party every other night. 😉