tgg

8 minutes ago, Toronto Guy said:

I was not aware that there were 2 levels of internet available.  This could explain why it worked brilliantly on the Onward my first time (streaming movies in my cabin); and why it was worse than ever on the Onward 8 months later.  I didn't see the options on the website for this.  What are the prices?  Can you get loyalty discount on the high speed starlink option too?

On Onward in December, there was the usual loyalty discount on internet service but NO discount on the $ 7.95 high speed option.  

7 hours ago, roberts2005 said:

 

 

internet is really slow.  Hopefully will improve.  Doe paying the $7.95 a day really make any difference?

 

The difference is like night and day. I had forgotten what dialup was.

17 minutes ago, john1970 said:

I only did the GTY once and ended up getting the room assigned pretty much immediately. Of course it was the obstructed OV! Got on the phone and upgraded to a balcony which is what I should have just booked in the first place!!! Lesson learnt for me. Only take a balcony GTY!

Glad you didn't have to learn that lesson in an obstructed OV.😉

11 minutes ago, crzrr said:

On our B2B in February we were able to roll over our OBC from the first cruise to the second and we had two different booking numbers.  Not a problem at all.  

We were able to use OBC from first cruise on the second with no problem.

22 minutes ago, MamaFej said:

Wow! Was your TA able to get you 10% while the consumer website was showing 5%? I ask because it is showing 5% right now. We are about to book 3 cabins for B2B Perry Golf cruises in August 2025. 

 

All three couples  are getting 5% on money in CDs right now, so we weren't going to pay off early, but 10% would be a game changer. 

It was a very short term offer and, as far as I know, had never been done before or since. I also don't know if it went to a targeted list or whether it was a general offer. I don't know what the consumer website was showing at the time. Sorry I can't be of more help.

1 hour ago, ChucktownSteve said:

That's why I jumped on the 10% bonus that was offered for only a short period.  My cash was only earning about 2.5% for six months.

I too jumped on the 10% bonus offer. It paid for all our shore excursions.

When I got the offer, I thought it would be 10% off our remaining balance. When I read someone's post about getting 10% off on the total cost of the cruise, I had our travel agent check. YUP. Great deal.

27 minutes ago, Leo_On_Geo said:

As a solo traveler, I sometimes go alone or organize a table for others to join.  If I notice another solo traveler with a gold "Suites" key card, I ask if they might like company one night. Solos do not miss out on much!

 

That being said, I have commented to management several times that a solo traveler in a suite (which I have been) should have an added perk of several (two per week?) guest passes for speciality dinners. A solo pays about the same as the two passengers in a suite, but has only has one person dining in the specialities.  A limited number of guest passes would be a nice benefit.

I think your idea for guest passes for people paying double solo fares is brilliant. I know there are solo specials that reduce that, but I wouldn't quibble with your idea.

44 minutes ago, uktog said:

My definition of friends includes people we’ve got to know on-board who become friends quickly. We really enjoy these new group meals however we’d hate a “blind date” in the speciality restaurants. 

We're happy to have a "blind date" in any of Azamara's restaurants. I would hesitate to ask anyone not in a suite (or without a specialty dining package) to join us because it might be more than they want to spend for dinner when dinner is already included in the main restaurant. I just don't want to make anyone uncomfortable.

1 hour ago, uktog said:

The focus of the Speciality restaurants is on an experience with your travelling companions or a group of friends who have booked together.  There is no joining together with stangers

My husband and I don't travel with companions or a group of friends. So when we book a suite and eat in the specialties most nights, we eat alone. On a past 14 day cruise, there were many people in a similar situations. Lots of us wanted to meet new people.

Many of us got to know each other (because we were seated next to each other) and started having dinner together. 

This is the kind of unique situation in which a really good travel agent could probably help. If you call Azamara yourself, you may not get to a person who has the authority to make this happen.

33 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

I have gotten fare reductions several times with Azamara, and my TA has always been able to conduct the rebooking without losing my cabin.  If I did it on the retail website your scenario would play out, but TAs have access to a different booking process.

Many of us who are not travel agents have tried to help people understand the numerous benefits of booking through a TA.  My TA has gotten things done for us that others said was impossible.

Sometimes I think we're wasting our time. 😕

11 hours ago, Islay Peat said:

Yes, Blag, I did post this elsewhere.  New to the Forum, a) I thought my original post was in the wrong place (as a reply to an existing thread), so I reposted as a new topic, and b) I am not clear as to where replies show up (yours was an email to me), so I assumed I needed to try again.  Forgive this Forum newbie for unnecessary clutter; trying to learn the ropes as well as hear answers to my questions.

Welcome to the forum.

I think you should look at all the choices you have about notifying you if someone responds to your post. Take a look at the top of this page where your board name is. Then use the drop down menu to review settings. You can choose to have the little bell symbol show green (with a number) when someone responds. You DON'T have to get email.

This forum has lots of options and they take a while to learn.😃 I hope you won't be put off by the response you got.

If you're concerned about the hard-sided suitcase being crushed under the bed, just ask your cabin attendant to store it for you. He'll find a place that is outside your cabin. (Just make sure he doesn't put it in the closet.)

If anyone interested in how very elaborate Azamazing Evenings have been in the past, watch Smithsonian Channel's Mighty Cruise Ships, Season 1, Episode 3 on demand. It was filmed in 2014 or 2015 on Azamara Journey.

For those of us who have sailed with Azamara for many years, it was nice to see Captain Jason and HD Heike again. Jason went to Saga and Heike is at Explora.

6 hours ago, blag said:

 

In fact, US guests may be only a tiny proportion. For example, on a recent cruise, with 645 guests onboard from 24 Nations, only 4 (yes, that is 4) guests were US citizens. 

 

Just curious.  Which cruise was this?

I usually think of karaoke as performances by people who have had too much to drink who think they can sing.  Last December, a woman who we found out was the leader of a gospel choir, blew the room away. The applause was thunderous.  What a treat. 

2 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

It's hard to say exactly how it's worked out though, what with all the other promos. Here's a copy of the charges breakdown. 

 

Phil 

 

 

And I thought Oceania's pricing was complicated.  Well done, however you got it done.

The problem with the "free nights" promotion has been that the "free" nights were calculated based on the fictitious brochure price. 

Now that this benefit is combinable with other promotions, can someone who has used their free nights fairly recently comment on the basis for the pricing?

Today's my husband's birthday. He's gotten greetings from our children, grandchildren, our bank, his dentist, a foundation, and Azamara. The only one that tried to sell him something was Azamara. I think they should have stopped at Happy Birthday. (Of course, they could have upgraded him to an owners suite for his big birthday.😁)

Here's the message:

Dear JOHN,   The Azamara family is excited because it’s your birthday! We couldn’t let this special occasion pass without sending you our warmest wishes. Happy birthday from all of us at Azamara!   As you prepare for your upcoming cruise, here are some birthday gifts you can treat yourself to or ask your friends and family to contribute to, enhancing your experience onboard.   Wishing you a birthday filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

1 hour ago, KevintheIrishDJ said:

$350!!!!

When we have massive amounts of non-refundable OBC, it becomes play money. It's use it or lose it, and I see no reason to leave money on the table. 

My Maui Jim sunglasses (which I wear almost every day) were much more expensive than the pair they replaced. They were a lovely indulgence with happy memories attached.

Food and drink were included.

I don't remember where we snorkeled, but there were two places. It was based on weather conditions that day.

It was a great bargain, and we got to spend the day with a fantastic group of people. The price, I'm sure, will be much higher now. But having a small group of people able to enjoy that big boat was worth whatever we paid. Instead of 50+ people trying to get in and out of the water, we had 12. 

I know Wadadli still does private charters in Antigua.

Sounds like the cruise you were not expecting will be the cruise you will always fondly remember.  

WELL DONE AZAMARA.

9 minutes ago, cari cruiser said:

Thank you to those of you who recommended I talk with my travel agent about the incorrect application of my loyalty nights by Azamara. They are correcting the booking and sending me a refund. Hopefully I will get the refund before my trip in August.

Glad you were able to get this done. Enjoy your cruise.

I hope you'll come back to Cruisecritic to share your experiences and offer advice to others.

1 hour ago, marinaro44 said:

I'd like to see a new level above platinum.

Shareholder???

3 hours ago, nonrev1 said:

Sorry I could not be on the call.  I read an earlier post regarding enhanced loyalty benefits but did they say anything about possibly adding a loyalty tier between discoverer plus and discoverer platinum?  Thanks 

Funny you should mention it. When I got a follow-up email earlier today thanking me for being on the call and asking for feedback - I suggested a new level be added between plus and platinum.