hamrag

Perhaps mainstream cruising is not for you! 😉

You may wish to revisit the date shown in your thread title! 😉

What do you mean by 'scotch'....if you are thinking of single malt whisky, neither Chivas 18 yo or JW are such!

Mmmmm, my understanding has always been that wine contains alcohol....

Thread title is a very interesting concept! 😆

I do not read the author anywhere saying she didn't know how points are accrued. Her argument is predicated upon fairness, and her point IMHO is fair!

Whilst fully understanding all cruiseline policies re points being apportioned following the cruise, and only if you were onboard, I think the author makes very fair points and has my total sympathy. As she clearly states, the cruiseline loses nothing and potentially stands to gain two revenue streams for the same cabin!

I'd guess you lost (never gained) most on this thread at the first sentence. It is commonly recognised that, for efficiency in writing, the sentence word count should be at most 15-20. Quickly eyeballing that sentence, your word count was 3 or 4 times longer than that. Further, unnecessary or needless words should be avoided. 😉

I didn't suggest anyone was saying that. My question was simply regarding, so called, US tipping policy! 😉 Across 50+ cruises, and at least 18 cruiselines we have always followed the cruiseline suggested tip/gratuity/service charge guidelines....each of these terms are interchangeable you know. And, to be abundantly clear, we have never at any time felt we received inferior service to that of the very public greenback wavers. We have always found that treating all crew members with the greatest of respect is the key that opens all service doors.

So, turning your comment on it's head, would you be kind enough to explain why you think everyone on this thread should follow US tipping policy.

Now, that would be a bargain! 😉

Merci

That is correct, ONLY if all your drinks chosen are included with the classic package. Otherwise post #3 nails it for you. 😉

You do remember you're the thread author though?? 😉

From reliable sources: Your post is dubious! 😉

Interesting....Seabourn Sojourn has announced termination of that identical (which was the final) leg i.e. Singapore to Athens a day earlier (2nd May), on their ATW cruise. The only reason we know this is because the ship will then transit with crew only, around Africa to Athens to recommence the scheduled cruises from Athens and we have just booked the Athens to Barcelona cruise 5 June. This is a replacement for the cancelled Oceania Insignia cruise, Barcelona to Southampton, which was part of the ATW cruise which can no longer transit the Red Sea area. All being well, this will be a new cruiseline experience for us.

Respectfully, based on our 4 Az cruises - 2 pre and 2 post Covid - that does not reflect our experience! Firstly, Az is not a luxury line, nor does it claim to be. It sits in the premium category between mass and luxury lines and, in our experience, achieves that most of the time (across about 80% of the cruise experience). We have not, on any 4 of our cruises found the culinary experience excellent throughout. MDR can be a hit or a miss, varying between good enough and very good. Food temperatures have varied between warmish and hot enough. We find the specialties to range between very good mostly, sometimes excellent, and always mix it equally between MDR and specialties.....we do not use suites (specialties included in cruise fare), so have to pay for the specialties which works well for us. Having sailed across 18 different cruiselines, we have a good understanding of the difference between each cruise category. To the author, we consider X to be at the higher end of mass cruising but don't find the MDR on Az to be any better than X. Having said that you will have a much better restaurant for Sky suite, I'd suggest more akin to Az specialties, than you would have with the Az MDR. Some have reported the menus do not change but, for us at least, there is enough variety to sustain interest across a 7-10 days, perhaps not so much on a 15 day cruise. Some who book suites do report they still use the MDR some nights. We enjoy Az, and it is firmly on our current preferred lines list, alongside Oceania, Windstar and MSC Yacht Club. Mostly, Az offers best value across all of those particular lines which are weak for entertainment (except MSC)....so that may be another consideration for the thread author.

Reading these boards, that is part of the problem, they tell us the celebration is off ship and allow us to book such. But then it changes last minute to onboard, that's what happened to us last May in Dubrovnik!

That's a true 'spin', as you clearly will have several less £ in pocket unless you use points etc.! My main reason for posting is I had no idea you were heading to the western 'down under'.... wow, what a fabulous cruise ahead of you! Not been paying close attention to Az in recent times, just now and then. Enjoy, we had a very good Quest experience in November from Lisbon to Barbados with beautiful sunny days from the day following Madeira.

Having sailed four cruises on Azamara, we are yet to experience the Azamazing event off-ship, and fear that will be our Az future also! Our June Oceania cruise has been cancelled, and we most likely will book a last minute Az cruise as a replacement! My DW, a year older than me, all being well will hit the big 70 at this time next year. Her lifelong ambition has been to visit Oz and Kiwi, and Az have most suitable cruises Feb 2025 which I am considering along with others....which, although less cost, are not as good in terms of itinerary....so it'll be more Az for us hopefully! 😊

Bon Voyage, hope this one gets you 'back on board' with Az! Safe travels. Lang may yer lum reek.

Precisely our approach too, other than for an iconic 'one-off' itinerary!

Wow, never seen anyone drink pints of Sauv Blanc before! 🤣

Welcome to Sycamore Partners! 😉

And they're still selling it, low pricing, at only 3 months or so out!