travelberlin

Pre COVID, two friends of us have debarked the day before the official debarking day. That was no problem. They just had to inform guest relation services in advance. I do not know if this is possible now. It is better to get a written answer from Azamara about this question. Ivi

Lovely itinerary 👌 Ivi

Looking forward to meet Marcelo Alonso on the Pursuit. Wishing Nghawira a lovely time off. She was on board on my last Azamara cruise in May last year. Ivi

Did you pay in full already? Ivi

That is interesting! Thank you. Ivi

Has anybody been on the specialty restaurant on board the MSC Fantasia? It appears to be kind of Tex Mex . Would you recommend to book there? Ivi

Unfortunately the membership benefits from MSC have been deteriorating over the years, specially after their match program. It was a smart move for MSC to attract new cruisers, but those of us who have earned our loyalty membership by actually cruising with MSC have seen the perks diminishing. I remember when we received a bottle of Moet and now is just sparkling wine on embarkation day. We had a 15% discount on the cruise fare as Diamond members and now it is 5% like any other level of membership. Actually the membership benefits are not really worth it anymore. When we asked about this on our last cruise, we were given the answer that there are too many diamond members. I have not heard that MSC is planning to introduce a new membership level. Ivi

Oh … I hope this is also the case in Azamara.. Ivi

Great! Thanks Ivi

Nowadays is not even enough to fly the day before the cruise. Now we are planning to reach our city of embarkation at least two days before the cruise. Ivi

For the ultimate package is not US 21 pp per day? And for the premium US 15 pp per day? Ivi

Thank you but before they get to Antartica I believe they are days and nights in Argentina and Uruguay. Today 37 degrees Celsius in Buenos Aires. Maybe they are open at least for lunch? Ivi

I have booked a cruise for early 2024. The itineraries have been released at least until Explora first ship sails to the West Coast. Ivi

Any updates from the current cruise with the Pursuit? How is the on board experience? Are the outside venues open for meals? Ivi

Yes me too! Bonnie added so much value to Azamara… I wonder where she works now. It would be great to have her back. Ivi

I am not sure a cruise in South America will be different in terms if dancing from any cruise from Azamara. I have not met many South Americans in an Azamara cruise. Younger South Americans seem to prefer MSC. But… I will know better after my next cruise 😃 Ivi

I hope we will only have to reserve in advance for the additional paying restaurant. Explora offers freedom to choose where to dine. I hope we do not have to decide months in advance about that „freedom“ 🧐 Ivi

I have also booked my cruise for 2024. With my diamond status, 2 category upgrade and US OBC. Looking forward to cruising with Explora. Ivi

Usually twice a day but we ask the cabin attendant to only clean it in the morning. It is enough for us and in this way we contribute to less work for the hard working cabin attendants. Ivi

https://www.azamara.com/int/booked-guests/before-you-board/explore-well-at-sea There it says no COVID testing in Buenos Aires. Ivi

As far I know, there is no test required. This is posted in Azamara information for my upcoming cruise. Ivi

I have just registered to the Azamazing Evening for my cruise. It will be at the Teatro Soliz in Montevideo. Ivi

“Included in the price” is not free. Free would be if I book an inside cabin and I get a free (non additional payment) upgrade to a balcony cabin. Or if I get a free (again no payment involved) upgrade to the indulgence package. All have a value and “included” does not necessarily means low value. For example the drinks we have got at the now bankrupt Crystal Cruises or at the Yacht Club or at Mein Schiff were all included and of a high value and quality. Ivi

For some reason included things when booking a cruise seemed to be thought as being a free present from the cruise line. It is not so. For example how often people talk about the “complimentary” wines. Even the crew calls them that. Those wines are not “complimentary “. They are INCLUDED in the cruise price. Those of us who are cruising with Azamara since a long time ago, remember that before the cruise went “inclusive “, the cruise prices were much lower. At that time even meals at the specialty restaurants were accessible wit a small cover charge of US 5. On the first years of including the drinks as part of the cruise price, the wines were also of a better quality of the ones offered now. There was no need to even consider a “premium “ or “ultimate” package. The shops have been deteriorating over time. Higher prices, lower quality of goods and very limited offer. The OBC offered by the cruise line is supposed to be a benefit for the cruiser similar to lower prices. The OBC motivates cruisers to book the cruise, thinking we have got a good deal. In Azamara we have learned that if you receive an OBC of US 300, that actually the purchasing power you are getting is the half of it (about US 150). A teeshirt costs US 80-90 where in other places will cost between 30-40. Not even the products with the brand of Azamara on it have a good price-value relationship. Our lesson learned is to not be fooled by offers from OBC to be motivated to book a cruise. And to keep in mind that nothing is “complimentary “ and for this reason we have the right to expect good quality drinks in the included package. With this in mind we return to Azamara because we like the small ship experience and we like the crew who make us feel at home. If the cruise price is right we will continue coming back. Ivo

Nothing is free…