Marmaduke

"Its not the smoozing with officers that makes a cruise, its the friendly hello, how are you, nice day, smiling faces and a head nod, THAT makes a difference. That friendliness mixed with polite respect, non invasive chat and concern."

This is what I believe makes Azamara stand out from other cruise lines. By informal chats with passengers the Officers can learn far more about passenger likes/dislikes, expectations etc. Far more than any formal questionnaire will reveal.

As someone who has sailed Grill Class on Cunard I do not consider it to be "world class, near luxury cruising". Azamara is not perfect, it is not a luxury line and it's price point is now too high for what is on offer but it has it's own unique warmth.

I have also travelled Grill Class with Cunard and the main difference between that and the Britannia Class is a bigger cabin and a more extensive menu in a different restaurant. I certainly didn't consider it "luxury". I love Azamara, it provides me with every thing I want from a cruise holiday but I appreciate that it doesn't suit everyone. I agree with Autumn Lass, the price point is now too high for what is on offer. The double upgrade promotion that is currently running is not as good as last years (for UK customers) as it doesn't included free European flights or reduced price long haul flights, although I believe you can choose your cabin. The cruises for next year that I am interested in do not seem to be selling, as I have been monitoring the number on balcony cabins available and the number has not reduced over the past 3 weeks.

Today I received in the post an Azamara Brochure for 2015, Uk edition with out having to chase around phoning and e-mailing for one. It even gave details of the new double upgrade promotion which starts today. Well done Azamara. I hope this is a step in the right direction and the web site will soon be improved to enable you to check the details of your current bookings.

We had plated meals on Ventura earlier this year and considered it an improvement on the so called silver service. The food was attractively presented on the plate and tended to be hotter as you did not have to wait while the waiters served the extra veg, which used to consist of more potato and something else which was inevitably over cooked. If you want extra vegetables you can always ask.

The 2014 UK edition of the Princess brochure for Mediterranean & Scandinavia, page 18 clearly states the itinerary for this cruise as "Bordeaux, France (from le Verdon)" . If you want to do a cruise to Bordeaux there is an alternative, Azamara have a 14 night cruise leaving Southampton on 20th August 2014. the ship sails up the river, spending three days actually docked in the city. The price of course is a lot more than what you pay for Princess and you should see the price of Azamara's excursions !

If you are on the P & O charter flight you will be OK. Unlike scheduled flights charter flights cannot be cancelled, if there is any sort of problem they will just depart late and the ship will wait for you and the other 300 people on your flight. Don't forget P & O have 300+ people waiting to go home on the aircraft that brings you to the Caribbean.

I am also considering the 22 April cruise on Quest as the current prices seem very good. I am hesitating, because there are two days in Livorno, one of which is 25 April which is Liberation Day, a public holiday in Italy so everything could be shut with limited public transport.

Where is cabin 6061 ? I have looked at the plans in both the 2014 UK and USA brochures and cabins on deck 6 starboard side are numbered 6059 (a wheelchair accessible cabin) then 6063 !

Thank you BrianI for your link which answers my question, yes there still is a Black and White night formal night on Caribbean cruises this Winter. It is a pity though that P & O cannot be bothered to update their web site to reflect the amended itinerary for cruise N402.

I see from the itinerary for my forthcoming Caribbean cruise on Ventura that there are 4 formal nights. Are one of these likely to be a Black and White night or have P & O discontinued these? What are the experiences of recent Caribbean cruisers?

I use the same TA as Wacktie and find them most helpful. When phoning for a quote the price is always lower than what is on their web site. For certain cruise lines (including Azamara) there is no charge for paying by credit card, and if I have any problems I can always speak to the person who made my booking, One to One service.

It also annoys me that Azamara UK use a premium rate phone number, and on the odd occasion when I have phoned them for information what they have told me has proved incorrect.

Therefore I recommend that UK cruisers do search around and find a good TA that specializes in Cruises, there are many out there. Do an online search or flick through your TV channels.

Was informed of the new itinerary when I booked this cruise yesterday. The reason I was given was that the berth in Curacao was unavailable on the original date so rather than cancel that port the itinerary was swapped around and St Vincent was added to replace Dominica ! As a regular Caribbean cruiser with P & O this port swapping at the last minute is nothing new. For about three years in a row they cancelled Aruba at the last minute and last year Guadeloupe was changed for Antigua if I remember correctly. I only found out about that from this web site about 10 days prior to sailing. I actually think that this new itinerary for 17/18 January is actually better than the original, as it does not have two consecutive days at sea.

Booked one of these Caribbean Getaway fares last night and was asked by the travel agent what dinning I wanted. I asked for Freedom and it was available and is now clearly showing on my itinerary on the P & O Personaliser.

Attention Bill Leiber,

Can you ask the tech gurus to bring back the summary page, and the drop down button that says manage my reservation.

Thank you.

Dick and Rita

I support that request. Whilst following the links given on here by other posters I appear to be able to get into my booking to be able to view (and possibly book) excursions. I cannot however check the details of my booking e.g. which cabin I have been allocated, the hotel and flights for my cruise etc.

Just back from a cruise on Oceania's Riviera which has lovely bathrooms with a full size tub and a separate shower cubicle with a door, not a curtain. But glass doors are heavier than curtains and a heavier ship I guess uses more fuel. Hence Princess are choosing to keep shower curtains in standard cabins.

We will be taking our first Oceania cruise this summer and would be really pleased if non-alcoholic ginger beer could be stocked onboard.

This is is simalar to the Share Holders OBC if the cruise is greatly discounted you dont get that either... its in the terms and conditions...

 

small print :(

Shareholders OBC is totally different it that offered by the FCD scheme.

The terms and conditions for Shareholders state " Employees, travel agents cruising at travel agent rates, tour conductors or anyone cruising on a reduced rate or complimentary basis are excluded from this offer" This does not apply to the discounted fares offered to the general public.

I often book last minute deals and have never yet been refused Shareholder OBC. When I booked a cruise and paid 90% of the costs with Tesco vouchers I was unable to use my FCD (as per P & O T&C's) but I still got my shareholders OBC.

The information sheet given out by the Future Cruise Desk on board ship states " You can book any P & O Cruises holiday of any duration however please be advised that your future cruise deposit cannot be used in conjunction with net rate fares or with Tesco Vouchers "

When on Azura last week I enquired at the Future Cruise Desk as to what exactly was a 'net fare'.

The reply was " if you book a cruise six weeks before departure or umm, may be its twelve weeks, anyhow your travel agent will be able to tell you if it is a net fare".

Needless to say I didn't bother to buy any future cruise deposits nor will I be booking any cruises direct with P & O. If their own sales staff don't know what the terms and conditions they haven't a hope of doing a way with Travel Agents.

We have also just got back from the Iberian Interlude cruise and agree with most of the OP's comments. Excellent pizzas from Alfredo's with fast efficient service. Didn't use the new One 5 night club but went to have a look during the day and it is certainly a nicer venue than Sky walkers. Our balcony on Caribe deck, port side was also filthy and never cleaned properly during the week. I shall be mentioning this on the on-line survey. The Steward was OK but, not the best. He muttered his welcome speech so quickly it was as if he had learnt it off by heart and didn't sound sincere. He also failed on both occasions to leave the order form for the formal night elite canapes. We went for afternoon tea in the MDR on Sunday and the service was appalling. We were served with the scones, jam and cream first, then a wait of 10 mins before the sandwiches arrived and the waiter was very reluctant to let me have two (I had missed lunch). We were then offered cookies but never any cakes. I later asked for cakes and was told "no cakes". We tried the tea again later in the cruise and the service was slightly better but such a disappointment after the excellent afternoon teas on Sea Princess last year. Fortunately we didn't experience any of the major plumbing problems which seemed to have plagued some of the cabins on the previous cruise. Would be happy to cruise on the Grand again