Norn Iron Man

Still not working for me yet

1 minute ago, luv2travel90266 said:

On the plus side they were also out of Couvoisier VSOP cognac but substituted Remy Martin VSOP. So that was a good swap."

 

That's my sort of swap!!!

1 hour ago, mchell810 said:

It can't be Venice bc of the rules there; perhaps Azamara doesn't know if it will be Ravenna or some other location. IMO it is disrespectful to customers to continue to show Venice as a port location.  In April Silversea changed all their listings to Fusina (Venice) so that customers know exactly where they will port.  Silversea published their itineraries through mid-2025; no games: Fusina is their port for the Venice area -- people can make informed decisions.

I agree. I had to book the flights and am hoping Azamara will arrange free transport from Venice to Ravenna or wherever they happen to be sailing from

2 hours ago, luv2travel90266 said:

I am on the journey ending in Venice April 2023. I have planned however that it eill probably be Ravena, will spend the day there and the next morning leave on my own to spend several days in Venice after my cruise. It would be nice to know now but realize that’s not gonna happen and so the plan around how to make the trip work. Regardless I expect to have a wonderful time

I am probably joining the cruise you are leaving. My TA still cannot get a definitive answer from Azamara as to whether its Venice or Ravenna

20 hours ago, oddjob16 said:

A glimpse of today on board the Quest in Valencia

Thanks for posting this. I have never travelled with Azamara YET so it was nice to see their "Cruise Compass"

Perhaps people should not be too harsh on Azamara or indeed any of the cruise lines re their 2024 Itineraries.  The way things are in the world none of us know what will be happening in a few month's time let alone a year to 18 month's time. I know that cruise lines have to plan years in advance but can probably only do that based on the presently available information.

Having been lucky enough to have known a wine importer and had many opportunities to sample wines of all types and prices I can honestly say that wine is like beauty. It is in the eyes (tastebuds) of the beholder. Drink what you enjoy regardless of price. What to some may be greatest vintage ever produced to others it may be complete rotgut.

Azamara are aware of the situation regarding Venice for next year but are still advising passengers to fly to Venice and they will make onward transportation arrangements

I am due to be sailing from Venice in April 2023. My TA contacted Azamara re the flights as everyone is now of the opinion that there will be no sailings from Venice but Azamara still insist on booking flights to Venice and state they will arrange transport to the ship

2 hours ago, norn iron said:

 

However, this is what makes Azamara special. When we were onboard Onward in June we got talking to one of the senior officers and I explained about my sister and hubby having booked their first Az cruise. I was asked to write a hand written note welcoming them to their first Az cruise, and when they arrived onboard yesterday my handwritten note was waiting for them at their cabin.

What a lovely gesture!   I suppose some of the "bigger" lines would have charged for this plus an 18% gratuity. LOL

3 hours ago, Port Power said:

In addition, if your status is just with Royal but not with Celebrity, you would not receive equal status with Azamara anyway.  Celebrity acknowledges Royal status and gives complimentary benefits, but doesn't infer actual Celebrity status.

I had checked with Azamara when I booked that they would upgrade my Azamara status to reflect my RCCL status.  Its not a deal breaker and I certainly won't be losing any sleep over it.

I am interested in how this actually pans out. I have some status on RCCL and was told when I booked my Azamara cruise that this would be reflected once I start my first Azamara cruise. Sadly this isn't until April, two months after the February implementation date.

25 minutes ago, donaldsc said:

I have not cruised on Azamara since Covid so my info may be out of date.  However the main reasons that we cruised on Azamara were:

the itineraries (I pick my cruises mainly on this point);

the attitudes  of the captains;

the authority of the captains to make minor changes in ship route when it would give a better cruise;

the friendliness of the crews;

the free laundry; 

the no limit all day drink (alcoholic and otherwise) policy;

and the overall friendliness of the ship

 

Yes the cabins are small and the showers are even smaller but both my wife and not large people so this does not present a problem.  Now if I was 6"3" or weighed 250# it might be.

 

I just like the R class ships and the fact that you can walk from one end of the ship to the other end in maybe 3 minutes.

 

DON

 

I have never cruised with Azamara but your reasons tie in with why I have booked a B2B cruise with Azamara next April.  I have always travelled with RCCL but their ships are now too big and everything seems aimed at making as much as possible from each passenger.

2 hours ago, biggersn said:

And if you allowed every guest to attend, the logistics of doing it for a very large group would be impossible. 

It would render the whole thing pointless too!!!

59 minutes ago, Marmaduke said:

I think Azamara need to sort out next years itineraries first.  When looking on line to see what was available for Summer 2023 I noticed that they were still advertising several Black Sea cruises.  With the best will in the world I don't see the Black Sea being  an area for cruising for several years to come, even if the war was to stop tomorrow.    

.

They haven't even sorted out their Venice departures for next year yet!

Im on a b2B cruise. Is it possible to book speciality dining for week 2 during week 1

3 hours ago, kool kruiser said:

Whilst noting what you say, our Captain's Club points WERE recognised on our first ever Azamara cruise this year...

I have never sailed with Azamara before but they have assured me that my RCCL status will be moved to Azamara after my first cruise

22 minutes ago, BuckGood said:

Oh, you pay on the way In? How does it know how long you will be parked?

Presumably when you exit the Car Park you use the same card and they bill it. That's the way our local airports work

15 hours ago, Mrs Miggins said:

I think it depends on when you made the booking.  If Ravenna is shown as your departure point, despite flying into Venice, then I do not think you will get OBC.  Our port change in April was one of the first from Ravenna.  We expected to be in Marghera/Fusina nearer Venice.

My departure point is still shown as Venice and indeed my TA confirmed this a few days ago with Azamara. I have my flight booked to Venice and my transfer with Azamara to the port (Venice or Ravenna)

3 hours ago, Riocca said:

You get reciprocal status but not points the same as between Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. Azamara is no longer part of the Royal Caribbean family having been sold last year, once the new accounts system is up and running the reciprocal arrangement will stop this is due to be the first quarter of 2023.

3 hours ago, CYNSport said:

Right. Azamara and Celebrity always shared point reciprocity, but Royal Caribbean only had status match even when all three were RCI.

Of Course we are travelling in April/May just outside the first quarter of 2023 😞

3 hours ago, roberts2005 said:

Just received our $500.00 OBC from Onward maiden voyage for port change from Venice to Ravenna .

 

 

Im due to sail from Venice in April. Hopefully I will get something similar 🙂

7 minutes ago, andrcan said:

Points reciprocity is only between Azamara and Celebrity.

When I booked my upcoming Azamara Cruise I was informed by Azamara that my RCCL status would be carried over to Azamara

2 hours ago, laurieb said:

We were informed day before yesterday of a port change from Stornoway to Portree, due to adverse sea conditions forecast.  Today we’re tendering in to Portree, an absolutely beautiful little port.  Well done Captain Johannes!

Sadly, someone onboard felt the need to verbally abuse some of the crew as they were unhappy with the change.  Captain informed the whole ship yesterday about the incident and firmly told the instigator(s) that if it happened again that they will quickly be removed from the ship.  I just don’t understand how someone can consider themselves so important that they think they can treat others so poorly…

It's sad that people feel the need to be abusive when the Captain makes a decision in the interests of safety. No doubt the same folk would be the first ones to complain if they had a rough sailing into Stornaway. I have spent several wonderful holidays on the beautiful Isle of Skye and would have been delighted to cruise into Portree. Shame on you ignorant ill behaved clowns.

Update :

My TA contacted Azamara

If the flight arrives into Venice before 1500 they will be able to provide transfers.  The flight they had suggested isn't scheduled to arrive until 1405 so in my opinion that's cutting it fine. Security/Customs/Passports/Queues etc

If I book my own flight its in at 1030 so plenty of time to get a transfer through Azamara so I think its the safest option.

Its strange that Azamara hasn't updated their itinerary yet knowing that Venice is closed to Cruise Ships

Azamara are still insisting nothing has been decided for the move from Venice yet. They are happy to book me a flight From Belfast - Heathrow - Venice which is scheduled to arrive at 1405 - Then there is the 2 1/2 hr journey to Ravenna. Its cutting it a bit fine is it not even if flight is on time and no delays collecting luggage and clearing passport control.

I can book a direct flight from Dublin to Venice for a quarter of the price and it gets me in to Venice at 1030am.

Is there any advantage booking through Azamara?