dcsam

Thank you, Host Andy. I just got off the phone with Azamara. Looks like we'll be able to use 85 minutes of computer time (each) during our upcoming cruise, and that also includes using those minutes on my IPad. Nice benefit! And just enough time to check in with our dog-sitters - always the hardest part of leaving on any trip is leaving our 2 lil' critters.

Guess I was under the impression that past passengers of Azamara had 'included' (free) internet access.

We have cruised with Azamara once before. As I understand it, we will have access to the internet during our upcoming cruise. But does this also apply to having free internet access while using my IPad around the ship, or just their computers?

Thanks so much!

Caroline

Thanks everyone! I think I've got it figured out now. We're going to use another credit card, that's seldom used. Their rate was MUCH better (3%) than our other (30%). Just goes to show it 'pays' to check into these things prior to heading overseas.

The Travelex card is certainly a good option. Thank you.

We really don't want to use our credit card as an ATM. I called the cc company - glad I did because when all is said and done, any cash we take out of an ATM would incur 30% extra fees, charges!!! :-0

However, we can use the card to make purchases at about 8%. So, if needed, this is what we will do.

Still working on getting local currencies during our upcoming Norway cruise, and running out of options.

- our ATM card does not have the 'chip' technology used by many European ATM machines

- I was hoping to bring some travelers checks to cash onboard, but our bank no longer has them

- I will get just a bit of cash in EUR, NOK, and DKK from our bank beforehand - just enough to squeak by.

So here's another question:

Will the ship's front office cash personal checks and/or charge our shipboard account for cash?

Thanks so much.

Getting ready for our Norway cruise, and I need your advice on money. I know most people will suggest using an ATM. We do have one, but I like to have a couple different options in order to access local cash. So...

*Will the ship's front desk cash traveler checks?

*Anybody have suggestions where to purchase prepaid/preloaded ATM cards before we leave?

We will be in Hamburg for 2 nights prior; 2 weeks on the ship; 1 week in Denmark

Thank you.

Caroline

We're looking at the Allure of the Seas for a cruise with our teen grandkids. My husband and I have preferred smaller ship cruising, but since most kids these days seem to need mass entertainment, we are thinking we'll just have to 'bite it' and book a large ship. For those who have cruised the Allure, how were the lines to the surfing, zip line, rock wall...?

Thanks so much!

Caroline

We were recently on the Quest. My husband enjoys NA beer, and they did offer it on the ship. However, there was a charge for it.

We're finally home from our first Azamara cruise. My husband and I have cruised quite a bit, and this, by far, was the best ship experience ever. We enjoyed ourselves so much, that we booked the June 14 Norway cruise - so that, right there, says a lot.

We didn't book the Sea Of Cortez cruise for the ports of call, but more for a quiet getaway, cost and the short non-stop flights to Long Beach (from Seattle).

Pros:

-THE QUIET

Typically only 1 ship announcement per day! Only that one 'GOOOoooOOOOOD morning Ladies and Gentlemen'...

I love kids, but we enjoyed utilizing the pool without swarms of noisy rugrats (we had the pool practically to ourselves).

No loud, blaring poolside music

No passing-the-balloon-between-your-crotch or chin, poolside contests

-THE CREW

I've read so much about the friendliness of the crew and it's true - they are! They seemed genuinely pleasant. No straining to make a smile from this crew. No grimaces on crew faces as some complainer walked away. Smiles and greetings seemed to come naturally. I asked one fellow what it was that kept him with Azamara since their beginning. He said it's like a second family; they know each other and they're there to support one another. No wonder they stay with Azamara. However, I was a bit concerned about the captain and his officers. I mean, shouldn't they be running the ship? They were 'out and about' quite a bit, and should get some good 'shut-eye' ;-)

-MEXICAN HOSPITALITY

We've traveled Mexico extensively (via land and ship), but we've NEVER seen such welcoming's from the communities as the ship comes into port - lot's of music and dance. We've always loved the people, culture and traditions of Mexico, but this experience left us with an even deeper appreciation of their kindness. !Viva Mexico!

-MOSAIC CAFE

In our book, this IS the number one place to 'hang'. The crew who works here has THE most important job; they hold the most prestigious position ;-) My husband and I would have 'been sunk' without them.

CONS:

No matter how great a trip is, there will always be complainers. We heard a few negative comments that surprised us. However, you make your own 'limonada' in life.

Questions?? Just ask and I'd be happy to help.

Caroline :-)

Our one regret is wishing we had known about Azamara years ago. We enjoyed the trip so much, we booked the June Norway cruise while onboard.

I'll write more about our wonderful experience when we return home in a few days (visiting friends in CA).

Caroline

WA state

Woo- Hoo! Go Seahawks!!!! Shhhhhh..... Don't tell my husband, but I might just join in the festivities for this game. He is hoping we'll be able to watch the game onboard during our upcoming Sea of Cortez cruise. What are the chances?

Caroline

WA State

My mother and I cruised Norway with Hurtigruten, and loved it! Now, I'm looking at taking a cruise there with my husband. I love the Azamara itinerary, but the cost seems high. Will there be any advantage (cost wise) for the Norwegian cruise after we cruise with Azamara for the first time, in February? Right now, it's looking like the Norway cruise is approx. $6000/person. - MUCH more than our upcoming Sea of Cortez cruise. Thank you.

Caroline

WA state

For ~$100 per person, we'd definitely take the outside category. The more we've been considering all the options, the more we're liking this cruise. We also have a wedding reception to attend a few days after the cruise (in San Diego), so the idea of cruising elsewhere only adds to the expense of flying to San Diego once we return from a potential Caribbean cruise. And so, this serves a dual purpose. We've taken many land trips to Baja and the mainland parts of Mexico. We love it. But seeing the Sea of Cortez on a ship verses being on land is something we'd look forward to. So when it boils down to it, looks like we'll most likely book this cruise as soon as we get back from our Alaska one. Next step is figuring out what this on-ship cruise person can do for us during our upcoming cruise.

Thanks so much!

We'll be on an Alaskan cruise this coming week, so I might see what the onboard cruise agent has to offer. Still not sure how all this future cruise credit or reduced deposit thing works while onboard. But could it help?

Darn! Finally... I'm retired and could take our long-hoped-for-Sea-of Cortez cruise. But now I see they're only offering 1, 12 night trip. :( And the price is just too high ($1800 pp for the lowest outside cabin). I noticed all the balcony cabins are already booked up for the the Dec. 4 Sea-of-Cortez. If there were to be any price-drops, would they have happened by now? December is just around the corner. Oh well... Next year - I hope.

Could you please forward the contact info to me? What was the cost? We have such a short time in Cabo (ship leaves at 3), but thought it might be a good idea to hire a driver for the few hours we're there. Just my husband and myself.

Caroline

Thank you.

dcsam@comcast.net

Nurse sharks seems to hunker in towards the bottom. My first sight of them was a bit alarming, but they're fairly harmless. We actually paid good money to swim with approx. 30 wild black-tip sharks in Bora Bora. Was so much fun diving down and swimming towards them - not away. Truly an experience I'll carry with me for a lifetime.