Aussie Cruise Nuts

11 minutes ago, Ithikan said:

Betsey, no.  From the stationery stash in Guest Folder, I'm guessing - that's where I pulled mine.

I was on this cruise and requested additional envelopes from Guest Services along with more notepaper so we could include a personal note of thanks to the great crew we had encountered regulalry and  wished to tip. 
 

Rod

1 hour ago, excitedofharpenden said:

And that's the upgraded package you have?

 

Phil 

No Phil.    We each have the standard wifi package complimentary thanks to our suite benefit discount and loyalty tier discount.

We knew for this cruise our iPhone 4G data would be available to hotspot for most of the Australian part of the itinerary and in every NZ port or close by.     I preferred to spend our OBC on upgraded drinks  🤪

Looking forward to the future when all Azamara ships have the faster standard wifi.
 

Rod 

On board Journey now and still USD$10 corkage.  
 

The complimentary pouring wines have been satisfactory and we have been doing a mix of free pour, buying glasses of wine, buying bottles of wine at dinner and taking our own bottles to dinner. 
 

it’s working well as a mix of OBC and my wallet 😁

Rod

2 hours ago, DS said:

We were told by a "reliable source" on the Quest a couple of months ago that while they have the new Starlink system, they still have the old ( he called it the Royal") system as well until that contract runs out in April 24.  At that point(last November), the guests were getting the old Royal setup unless they paid for the high speed. Even in his work internet, which was supposed to be the high speed link, sometimes they ended up with the slow speed one...

    We are now on the ONWARD, and internet coverage for 1 device was part of the booking promotion when we booked.  We also have enough points/suite time to get another device full time.   The first account we set up was given the high speed, while the second one is on the old, low speed system, or at least throttled back.   So games are still being played...

 

Here is a sped test I just did   ( we are on a sea day)

we are currently on Journey and the wifi is painfully slow.    My speed test shows download between 2 to 3 MBPS and upload at less than 2 

We are hot spotting  from our phone when in NZ ports or along the coast and receiving a 4G signal.     The difference is like chalk and cheese 🤪

Rod

On 1/13/2024 at 1:25 AM, marinaro44 said:

On Onward in December, it was on the pool deck just outside the door by the Windows entrance, portside.  Ask before or as you board.

Confirmed.   We boarded the 4 Jan. journey cruise to NZ in Melbourne.  
 

The booking tables for the Speciality Restaurants  is exactly where Marinaro44 advised. 
 

Rod

RE ONGOING CANCELLATIONS. 

In early September 2023, we booked B2B cruises on Azamara Pursuit for 2025 -  Greece Intensive cruise and Croatia Intensive cruise.    Good value, excellent itineraries, great early booking benefits including upgraded beverage package, free wifi - OBC totalling USD$1,800 including early booking benefit, B2B, and our TA provided OBC.     What could go wrong ???
 

in the following months, I had the usual website problems Azamara are “famous” for - bookings disappearing, then reappearing, my wife’s loyalty tier incorrect, and at one stage, it seemed I got lucky, as on my profile, I had a new cruise pop up - a Norway cruise with two ladies “unknown” to me in the suite   😳.   I thought this is interesting - but my darling wife did not seem at all impressed 😆.      Being of generous nature, I cheerfully put up with the weird happenings on my website profile.  
 

As we are boarding Azamara Journey at 2pm today in Port Melbourne for a 17 night cruise to New Zealand, yesterday I decided to check the pricing on our 2025 B2B’s.   Shock horror, the cruises had disappeared from Azamara website, and a little research online was showing the cruises as cancelled.   Rang my TA, who had no knowledge of any cancellation,  she contacted Azamara Sydney who confirmed the cancellation and said all pax were advised in October and new options offered - which needed to be accepted by 10 November 😖.  Being a good TA who we have used for many cruises over many years, she lodged a very strong complaint, advising neither the TA or the passengers received my notification of cancellation and has hopefully arranged an extension of time for us to consider the various options.  

A very genuine apology followed from Azamara with agreement to extension of time.   The alternative options include similar or better per diem pricing along with OBC  of USD$1,000 as we are suite cruisers.   But that is less than the AZAMARA OBC which came with our original booking.     That is a conversation we will need to have with Azamara  🤪

I continue to be amazed how poorly Azamara shoreside perform, and how good the experience is once you walk up the gangplank.    However, my patience has been sorely tested with this experience.    
 

I will see how our Journey cruise commencing today performs - hopefully as good as the “good old days”.  
 

cheers all.  

Rod
 

Yes, thanks for your review Richard.   I always enjoy reading your reviews and your port reports are very comprehensive, well written and appreciated.  
 

I receive your cruise reviews direct as I am on your mailing list ✔️

As to your comments on Azamara shoreside and their dreadful IT system, it has been ever thus.     Thank goodness it is a totally different experience when you walk up that gangplank and start your cruise.    Like chalk and cheese 🤣

We will walk up the Azamara Journey gangplank in Port Melbourne on 4 January 2024 for a 17 night trip to New Zealand.    We can’t wait.  👍👍

Rod 

9 hours ago, Mackdogmolly said:

Where’s our Chief Blogging Officer?! 😥

 

I agree.     Let’s start a “BRING BACK BONNIE” thread.      We have cruised many great cruise lines - Seabourn, Crystal, Regent, Viking - and our Aramara Cruises have been right up there with those great cruise lines.  

Bonnie really made Azamara stand out for so many of us on Cruise Critic. 

It truly made a positive difference for Azamara.    

The new Executive Team should seriously consider bringing back Bonnie.  

Who agrees ??
 

Rod  

In recent times I have been receiving emails from the UK Office of Azamara - all personalised to me including my Name, Azamara Circle  number, my loyalty points and status along with some nice cruise offers priced in GB Pounds - no doubt with UK terms and conditions that would not apply to Aussies.     

Not a big deal for me at the moment as Aussies are not allowed to travel internationally and our Federal Government are  saying that restriction may last another 12 months.      So no cruises or international travel for us for some time  😫  

Hopefully the UK email communication is  a temporary problem that will right itself soon.     Wondering if any other CC followers are having similar problems. 

Rod 

8 hours ago, deec said:

always take a "stroller" into dinner and then if things are a bit slow I don't care about waiting for a glass of wine!

Always so much to learn from the regular CC Viking contributors ✔️✔️

I must remember strollers when we are back on Board - 4 June 2022. 

Rod

2 hours ago, Ragnar Danneskjold said:

Assuming I am ever sober enough, and find the time and energy, where should I “blog” about the June 15th “guinea pig” cruise at Bermuda?  Here, or on the general Bermuda thread, or on a separate topic?  Don’t expect many photos.  Especially selfies :-0

 

Assuming I do the blog, it will likelt start with the trials and tribulations of meeting Bermuda’s stringent pre-arrival testing requirements.  And end with me kissing the ground when back in Kalifornia.

 

PS - And don’t expect it to be politically correct.  It will likely not be suitable for sensitive folk.  Dear moderators, I beg your leniency in advance (just be glad I am not ho-hum....).

Love it Ragnar.     You  brighten up up my day each time I read your comments ✔️✔️🤣😂

Keep them flowing.   

Rod

I turned 70 during Covid last year and did not realise there were age restrictions on some excursions.    I am a keen cyclist and ride 100-150 kms every week (generally 3 rides of around 50km).    This is another great reason to participate in the Cruise Critic Forum - one learns so much information from fellow cruisers.  

I will admit to being disappointed if my “new” age prohibits me from cycle excursions.   I have undertaken a number of great cycle excursions on previous cruises and as a fit and able rider did think this would continue when our cruising life resumes 🤞🤞🤞

I can see the other side of the coin having experienced it on earlier shore excursions - 1.   A European river cruise where a few unfit travellers slowed the walking tour group to a virtual stop and meant we missed a large part of the itinerary.  This  was some years ago prior to river cruises sorting their walking tours to Slow, Medium, Fast groups (or whatever categorisation they used).    2.  A cycle excursion where we had to stop regularly as a non fit/non regular rider was having heart palpitations.   We were all concerned for her health and there were no complaints from the riding group.   We just slowed right down and took a lot longer to complete the route.  She was fine.   

I guess my “new” age will lead me to seek independent tours if the age restriction kicks in.     But that may be long past Covid and when independent tours are again permitted. 

Rod

True leadership in action. 

Well said and well done Captain Carl.

11 hours ago, uktog said:

Whats to say Larry does not re emerge as an advisor to the new owners in a board level appointment.....

Bring back Larry.    ✔️✔️✔️.    Seabourn Executive experience and  ran Azamara so well.    A very capable, experienced and personable Senior Cruise Executive. 

As to private ownership via Private Equity buyout, from what I see and read, the Cruise Line that has managed the Covid disaster the best (for its passengers) is Viking - privately owned and includes private investment.     May be an omen for Azamara going forward ???       We will all have to wait and watch. 

We really enjoyed cruising Azamara, but glad we took the 100% refund for a Covid cancelled cruise.    

Our next cruise is on Viking Ocean - June 2022 to allow  the Covid world time to settle and see what  future cruising really looks like. 

And would definitely consider  a future Azamara cruise if the cruising experience aboard remains close to what we enjoyed in the past.   Time will tell.   

We visited Malaga on Seabourn Sojourn quite a few years ago.   Most pax went on the Shore Excursion to Grandada and The Alhambra (80 miles each way)  but as we were disembarking in Lisbon and starting a 2 week road trip around Portugal and Spain. (including 2 days in Granada), we decided to spend the day walking around Malaga.    This port city is sometimes maligned, but we had a great day walking all over the town.

Whilst we did not get slimed, I felt we were being set up for a scam by a couple of young touts kicking a soccer ball all around us and encouraging me to join the game.    I used a few “strong”  Aussie  words (I am too much of gentleman to repeat them on Cruise Critic), told them my game was Rugby and I was quite accustomed to dealing with the likes of them in a scum or a ruck.    They quickly dribbled their soccer ball in another direction.  😂😂

We would revisit Malaga in a heartbeat - Covid permitting 🤣🤣

Rod

8 hours ago, Jim Avery said:

As much as we have loved our time on Viking we will not be traveling with these conditions.  Pay thousands of dollars to be tested every day?  Go only in "safety bubble" excursions?  That's not travel to us.  When it gets to unfettered travel we will have all the shots and be ready to go.  Till then, I am putting in new windows......🍹

I’m with you Jim.    Viking are leading the way in the cruise industry response to Covid.    All credit to them.  But we will not cruise under those conditions.  Not the   cruise experience we want for the dollars spent.   We moved our June 2021 cruise out to June 2022 (29 days Barcelona to Istanbul) and note the original 2021 cruise is now cancelled.    

With the Covid vaccines starting to roll out, I am more confident a 2022 restart to our  cruising will be more appropriate.     We are independent shore excursion types and would not want to be limited to ship arranged only.   

Rod. 

13 hours ago, Jim Avery said:

No need to worry about the Grizzlies.   They will have no problem finding you.  And to them, you taste just like chicken.....

Good one Jim 😂😂😂

Thank you all for your positive responses.      We have locked in 7018 for our cruise.  

We all hope to be safely cruising again by 2022 - or earlier.     

The Cruise Critic community are a valuable source of information and assistance.  

Our thanks to all.      Stay safe. 

Rod. 

We are moving our June 2021 Viking Med cruise out to June 2022 due to the uncertainty of Covid.   I intend to book the 29 Day Barcelona to Istanbul cruise departing 4 June 2022 on Sky.      We have previously cruised in 6024 Penthouse Junior Suite (PS3), but there is no availability for our preferred portside on deck 6 for this itinerary.     

7004 and 7018 (PS2 category) are available.   7004 looks a little close to the bow (but may be quieter) and 7018 is near  the entrance to the pool area and Wintergarden.      There may be more noise in 7018  with doors opening and closing and foot traffic.  

I would appreciate any assistance from our Viking cruising community on which suite may be the better for this cruise, particularly regarding noise.   

Thanks.    

Rod 

5 minutes ago, Dauntless said:

 

When I booked my first Viking cruise, I had to wait two and a half years to the V cabin.  they hadn't even built the ship yet.  It gave me more time for research to enjoy my cruise. prep.  Viking Homelands 2016.

We had a similar experience for our first Viking cruise.  Booked 2 years ahead for Hong Kong to Vanvouver April 2019.    Then waited and watched as Viking Orion was built, sea trialled and she  finally started cruising.   As Dauntless said, it allowed plenty of time for port research and preparation.   We enjoyed Viking so much we rebooked on board for Rome to Istanbul on Sky in June 2021.      Now in a waiting game to see what Covid and Cruising will allow 😢😩😖

Have cancelled 2 earlier  cruises on Seabourn and Azamara as the cruise world ground to a halt.  

Rod  

3 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Agree. I mentioned to the Chef de Partie the other day that the breakfast mushrooms were way too salty (and I like salty) and he thanked me. He said he would remind staff that they need to taste each dish before putting it out. #IWantThatJob

Get in line Clay.     I have had my name down for the Food Taster Job on Viking Ocean for 3 years.   Still waiting to be called up 😂😂

Rod 

Our invitation popped into our inbox this morning.   Along with a neat little teaser video from Chairman Hagen.  
 

We are interested in Antarctica but prefer VIKING after they have had several seasons to new port itineraries.   This observation based on our experience earlier this year for our 36 night cruise Hong Kong,  Asia, Far East Russia, Bering Sea, Alaska and down into Vancouver.    On board experience excellent, shore excursions, Port scheduling, and particularly communication from Shoreside left a lot to be desired.      I would be more confident when Viking Ocean has a season or two in new territory under their belt.  
 

Just  my view.      We have Rome to Istanbul booked on Sky to look forward to  and feel they better know and understand the Med and Homelands far more than their first up itineraries.    Perhaps a result of their very fast expansion of Ocean.  
 

Rod 

21 hours ago, Little Monty said:

G'day Rod .. I'm glad things are going well.

 

And wow indeed .. 21 days Rome to Istanbul sounds wonderful. I'll have a look at on-line prices once I finish typing this - not that I think we would be able to join you. We are going to South America with Viking in Nov 2020 and probably won't do anything big again until late 2021 - depending on health, budget and other considerations of course 😀

 

Just FYI .. and I don't want to worry you and I am sure you researched things better than we did - but ...

 

In July 2017 we were on-board Star enjoying our first Viking experience and after a couple of wines (perhaps a couple too many) we visited the future cruise consultant and spoke to him about a Med cruise. The deal sounded so good (including the '4 month' window where we could swap to something different etc) we signed up on the spot.

 

The next day I emailed the Viking agent in Australia through whom we booked our first cruise and told her the great news (insert 'ah-oh' sound here) and she said (in an email) bookings made on-board were under US terms and conditions and would not be honoured in Australia - especially the part about the 4 month window for changing.

 

What ?

 

Anyway I went back and forward with emails for a couple of days trying to work out what to do. In the end I think we made such a fuss with Guest Services on-board they wanted to get rid of us (well, me) and agreed to refund the deposit paid. The A-based agent told me later the best thing I could have done was get (in writing) the best on-board offer and email her to see if she could match it. If she could we would then book with her under Aust terms and conditions.

 

What a drama.

 

In any case, that was July 2017 and the whole process may be much different now and maybe our Australian agent was just trying to get us to book with her .. my only suggestion is that you double check that the on-board booking can be transferred to an A-based agent with all terms and conditions (and price) as described to you.

 

Enjoy the rest of your trip. LM

Thanks LM.     Seems this issue has been resolved.    The Future Cruise Consultant has different terms and conditions sheets for each country.   The Australian specific T&C’s fully cover the 120 day window to kick the can down the road should we desire.   Whilst his verbal advice was “unlimited” number of can kicks/cruise changes can be made, our Aus T&C sheet was missing this important detail.    The very good Future Cruise Consultant is providing my request in writing to me covering the no limitation/expiry date on number of times we can change a cruise and retain all Future Cruise benefits - subject of course to making any change PRIOR to the 120 day mark.   He confirmed the booking is under Viking Australia conditions.  

Furthermore,  Viking are linking my booking  to my Australian Travel Agent, and confirming the booking details and attached benefits direct to them.    All bookings, pricing etc was straight off the Viking Australia website and we received the current Aussie promo of $1,000 discount in addition to the Future Cruise and Past Guest discount.  

I am confident I have covered all my bases and today paid the AUD$1,000.  

I do appreciate your concern and advices.   CC contributors are helpful and look out for each other.   Now LM,   I need you to work on the Dutch Harbour weather.   The forecast of clearing showers started as drizzle, then to pouring rain.    It has just eased off as I write this, so we will shuttle bus into town to explore and find the Bald Eagles.

 Rod

On 5/13/2019 at 6:23 PM, Little Monty said:

Just saw this posted elsewhere by Viking media (Australia);

 

We've launched six new ocean cruise itineraries that cover all the highlights of the Mediterranean, including a brand-new port of call for Viking: Istanbul, Turkey.

Departing in 2021, these newly released cruises are combinations of two or more of Viking’s most popular existing Mediterranean itineraries.

Check them out at: http://*****/VikingNEWMedCombo

LM.    As you know we are currently onboard Orion - Sea day  3 of a millpond smooth crossing of Bering Sea to Dutch Harbour.    

 I have been pondering the onboard booking benefits of a future cruise and investigated your news.   We are going to lock in the 21 night Rome to Istanbul departing 6 June 2021.   Not a bargain in Aussie shekels, but it includes a bucket list  gap of ports in our long cruising history - Venice and the Adriatic ports -  2 nights, 2 1/2 days in Venice.  WOW.   We have been to some of the ports previously, but quite a nice list of maiden ports for us. 

Onboard booking benefits are pretty good and I like the “Peace of Mind” flexibility which allows the booking to be rolled forward or backward with no penalty (provided within the 4 month final payment period).   It was interesting to compare the different offers between USA, UK and Aussie pax.    I thought we compared favourably.   

Cruise going very well and looking forward to our last 11 days of the cruise and 7 Alaskan ports plus a few days scenic cruising.    Glad we tried Viking. 

Rod 

3 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

The Coast Coal Harbour Hotel is on West Hastings and is only about 4 blocks to Canada Place, it is an easy walk (if not much luggage) or a short drive.

Thanks again Heidi13 for bringing local knowledge to play.     As independent travellers, this hotel will work fine for our disembarkation and transfer to the Wedgewood Hotel for our post cruise stay in Vancouver.     Looks a quite short taxi drive.  

Cheers.    Rod.