Mrs Miggins

We are boarding Journey on Saturday 3rd June. We have an early flight from London Gatwick to Barcelona on Vueling and there is also a later morning flight which should get us to Barcelona if there are problems. However in case of major delays does anyone have a contact number to inform the ship of a late arrival. Apparently it will leave Barcelona at 16.30 but I am dubious about that since the general information from Azamara telling us that online check in is unavailable, also lists check in times at the port up to 1600. The next stop is Valencia so if the worst comes to the worst we could train there for the next day. We have never had a problem on our short flights from the Uk to various Mediterranean ports BUT these are strange times. Thank you for your help.

Thanks for the information. Just checked the website and the general cabin information for all ships lists this benefit. We embark on Journey on Saturday so looking forward to trying this perk as we are in a CC suite. We bid for a CC last year and were successful but didnt think the Spa was available. We have done lots of Azamara cruises in Verandas or OV but after glancing at the Spa certainly decided it was not worth paying extra for. We are Viking cruisers also and the two areas do not compare. However I will be happy to give it a try on our cruise which appears to be full. Not sure what the Spa capacity is ?

We embark in Barcelona in 10 days. Yesterday I received through the post, from my TA, a Guest Ticket Booklet, similar than I have had before with itinerary details, a list of the booked shore excursions. plus check in vouchers with bar codes. I have previously received email confirmation of my correct OBC despite this not showing online. I am confident everything onboard will be excellent as always.

Sorry for the double negative !

I don't agree with the above in relation to cruises. Most of the 'premium' cruise lines are all inclusive. I do not think Carnival would not be high on the list of popular cruise lines for those in the UK.

I have only used Viking in the Mediterranean but posters on this board in the past have said that the credit offered is minimal and therefore they have used the offered short haul flights. Friends did the Transatlantic from San Juan to Barcelona using Viking arranged flights a couple of months ago. There were problems in the transit airport of Madrid where the aircraft went technical. There were only a group of about 12 from the UK. The party included a Viking Speaker and his partner who managed to herd the group together and get them through the local chaos to an hotel then back to the airport next day. Viking Emergency telephone number proved to be no help at all.

Just as an aside, in the UK published cruise fares include taxes and port fees. Therefore in common with gratuities the charges are not listed separately Viking UK prices also include air transportation and transfers. Viking advertise extensively in the UK but the proportion of UK cruisers onboard remains low.

Exactly. It was great to read an unexpected and apparently lighthearted response to this thread. Point no 3 says my wife “is in charge of tipping “ Just to clarify the last paragraph in my previous reply is also supposed to be lighthearted Obviously a case of my UK sense of humour being misunderstood on the other side of the pond.

What is the tipping policy? From the Program Director and Hotel Manager to restaurant servers and housekeeping, the onboard staff is dedicated to serving you. Gratuities are included on board. Any additional tipping is at your discretion; should you choose to tip your local guides and drivers, we recommend tipping at the end of each tour in cash. Most restaurants include service in their prices, and it’s customary to round up generously for good service. The above is from the UK site What is the tipping policy? Our onboard staff is dedicated to providing you with the best cruise experience possible, and it is customary to give gratuities in recognition of their service. How much you choose to tip is a personal matter and completely at your discretion. To save you worry over whom to tip and how much, we automatically add a discretionary hotel and dining charge of $17.00 USD per guest per day to your shipboard account, which appears on your final invoice at the end of your cruise. This charge will be shared among the onboard staff who helped support and provide your cruise experience, including the waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, galley staff, laundry staff and others. Please note this charge excludes bar gratuity; a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs. Should you wish to make changes to the gratuity amounts or pay in cash, stop by Guest Services at any time. You may also wish to tip your local excursion guides and/or drivers; we suggest doing so in cash at the end of each tour. For your convenience, you can pre-purchase gratuities at our standard recommended rate in My Viking Journey. This charge will be shared among the onboard staff who helped support and provide for your cruise experience, including your Program Director, waitstaff, stateroom stewards, galley staff, nautical staff and others. The above is from the Viking.com site. Therefore in the UK we are not told specifically how much per day the included 'gratuities' are. I have never tried to remove that cost. I am interested to learn that both Duquephart and CDNPolar have partners who apparently disapprove of their stance on the policy. Speaking from experience if my DH doesn't really want to make these decisions or indeed on anything controversial then the buck is always passed to me. I don't mind at all since I am always right as he readily agrees.

Interestingly this topic spread to the Azamara board (many like and use both companies) and it has been closed down by the Host Jazzbeau because Azamara say Leave your checkbook behind. All gratuities are included in your cruise fare.

Sorry I thought you appeared to have very strong feelings on the subject as reflected in your post 18. Now that we have re read the thread and especially Jim Avery's quote I still wonder what we should do. Therefore I wonder which of the options you choose ? As I said in the UK the charge is included in the UK fare.

Just had a quick look. In the UK the tips/service charge is included in the published fare. Just out of interest what do you do ? Pay the suggested amount despite your knowledge, or tip individuals at the end of the cruise, or both ?

Moll Barcelona is the World Trade Centre dock.

If you are on Journey 3rd June, I believe we will be embarking from the World Trade Centre. Information posted on our Roll Call. Last April in Barcelona we were at Moll Adossat because there was construction work at the World Trade Centre. Previously with Azamara we have always been at the WTC. Regardless the two locations are only 10 minutes apart so local taxi driver will be able to divert on the day if necessary.

I have been given the option for both to the ship from Barcelona Airport and to Bordeaux Airport from the ship online. I have booked the Bordeaux transfer today online. It even asks you what time you want to leave. However I am not convinced that this will actually happen so I will have some taxi transfer telephone numbers in reserve in case it doesnt work, The Azamara price was less than the taxi price I have previously researched. My online account no longer shows an amount owing for my booked shore excursions. These were booked using OBC before the website change. However the website still does not show any OBC. Its all a mystery !

I first emailed UK Customer Services in April - no reply - then resent it on May 9th. On May 10th I received a regular email Thank you for contacting Azamara. We apologize for the delay in our response. Azamara is currently in transition, breaking away from Royal Caribbean Group. During this time, we are implementing our own programs and software. During this period, we know that some guests aren’t seeing their onboard credit and others are showing a balance due in error. We have sent the balance due issue to our IT Department for correction. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Our records show that Pamela started with xxxxx and has xxxxx remaining. Michael tarted with xxxx obc and has xxxx remaining. While you may not be able to see or use this on the website, we do show this on your booking. We also have the ability to book shore excursions using your onboard credit. If you would like us to assist, please call us at 03444934016. We look forward to hearing from you. Following that yesterday I received the same generic email that was posted by JMO115 above.

Just had an email from Azamara telling me my correct OBC and a way to book shore excursions online despite my online account not showing any OBC. Not sure if it will work. It also says if I choose not to use OBC prior t sailing then this email is the written confirmation of the original value of the OBC. They apologise for the inconvenience and say they are working to resolve.

I am amazed to say that I have had an email response from Azamara. I sent a query to AzamaraUKCustomerService on 28th April with no response I resent it yesterday asking if there was any chance of a reply and today I received it. My main issue was that the account online was showing that I owed over £800. This was apparently for Shore Excursions that I had already booked using OBC. The response today has correctly identified my total OBC and how much we have left. Whilst this confirms this cannot be seen or used from the website we apparently can book shore excursions using OBC if I phone 03444934016. They also say they have sent the balance due issue to their IT Department for correction. I am mightily relieved - I knew it was all likely to be OK onboard = but now I have something in writing. I would mention that my booking is via a TA.

Sorry I must be living in the past - I thought we were not allowed to mention FaceBook - but perhaps that was many moons ago.

AZamara now posting on the F and B site that they are prioritising answering the phone to those who are less than 30 days from sailing and directing all others to their FAQ section of the website.

Check in etc is likely to be in the Cruise Terminal that is in Tronchetto near the People Mover from Piazzale Roma. You will be bussed to the ship in Fusina Lots of information on the Viking board. However we were due to be in Fusina last year and we ended up in Ravenna. Viking is now mainly using Chioggia. I am sure Azamara will look after the transfer wherever you are docked.

Boarding Journey in 4 weeks. Cannot see any information above about Officers onboard. Anybody know ? Thank you.

What is an OBC coupon as mentioned in the second email. We booked onboard and transferred to our local TA shortly afterwards. Our invoice from the TA shows our OBC but how do I prove the amount is correct. Will the TA have something in writing from Azamara that I can request ? Small agent not open again til Tuesday so can't ask them.

Just received. I wrote an email to Customer Services earlier today after checking my online account. I detailed the problems with the account information shown on my June 3rd Cruise I have received the above email and am grateful that t=my OBC is now correct. Except I have just logged in and apparently I now have no upcoming cruises. Words fail me.