Scots Caz

21 minutes ago, uktog said:

And remember your UK passport in Europe now expires 10 years from issue date not necessarily the printed expiry date. 

the expiry date remains the same but you cannot enter he EU with passports over 10 years old. (issue date and expiry date are two separate tests...there is no revised expiry date when 10 years old) As they used to add up to 9 months someone with a passport issued September 2013 showing an expiry date of June 2024 might think they are good to go anywhere as they have loads of time left on passport. However whilst they can happily use passport to enter US and many other countries...it is now no good for EU as it was issued over 10 years ago.

if you are visiting Turkey, 150 days (6 months) is required.

If you are flying to Turkey you would not be able to board flight if UK passport unless "Passports and other documents accepted for entry must be valid for a minimum of 150 days from the arrival date."

not all cruises are included in the quarterly savings, which one are you looking at?

I have priced one without logging in and then again after logging in and can see the price difference

21 minutes ago, uktog said:

Can you recall who said this, thanks

I can't unfortunately. It was on Journey in November last year - (the 'dry dock' question was mine not mentioned) but I raised it as there must be a better way than the obscene amount of plastic. I was told it was definitely planned (maybe the parts are in the container in Shanghai with the Onward balcony furniture 🙂 🙂 )

15 hours ago, VandM said:

Thanks.  I’m appalled.  Are there hydration stations if I take my own?

not currently - I asked the question regarding reducing plastic water bottles at an officers Q&A and was told it is in the plans to install water stations in future  (possibly something that may be done when in dry dock?)

26 minutes ago, Cruiser Craig said:

weren't the 'Destination Celebrations' intended to replace 'Azamazing Evenings' during the pandemic? Any insight is welcome.

  

I suspect not all itineraries can accommodate offship events. My last trip in March was Canaries and entertainment was brought onboard. There was a statement made that there will be a mix of event types. Offship still appear to be the majority but a number of cruises do have Shipboard

https://www.azamara.com/static-assets/files/AzAmazing Celebrations.pdf

10 hours ago, JaneStarr said:

https://www.azamara.com/static-assets/content/azamara-connect/promos/aza_solo_rates_2023.pdf

that shows up to end April when in fact there are solo deals up to end June 2024 currently. 

there are some good solo deals - some with 0% supplement and many at 25% (I use a third party site for search the solo offers) 

1 hour ago, LoveChops said:

Does the best price guarantee apply to the UK? My cruise has dropped in price by £1400!

with a UK booking you would cancel, lose your deposit (which is higher than some other countries) and rebook at the lower price...annoying but sounds like there is still a decent saving to be had...just need to watch out for any additional benefits with the original booking that will be lost and change to current benefits

There was a period of time that UK bookings could get Best Price Guarantee under Cruise with Confidence (which I used twice) once the final balance was adjusted and the second time, as full payment had been made, I received a refund to my card of the difference...this ended (unfortunately) at the end of 2022 and was more to encourage bookings during times of Covid uncertainty.

8 hours ago, westcoasttech said:

Questions from a 1st time Azamara pax … If you book the package that includes 1 chefs table are you then guaranteed a spot?  When do you get to choose which cuisine you want?  I’ve seen (on various postings) that French and Italian options seem constant - are other cuisines dependent on what route you are sailing?  If sailing a longer route (say a 20 day sailing), I would presume there’s more opportunities?  There are certain things I don’t or can’t eat, so am hoping I can see all menus to pick the best option!

You go to the desk for booking Speciality restaurants when you board, they will have a calendar of what Chef's Tables are on which night with the menus available to browse. You will be asked if you have any dietary requirements (which is often confirmed with a phone call day before) and they will cater for any requirements. Some tables are more popular than others and can book out quickly, in November I ended up on a waitlist for French and they organised an additional night (not sure if it was originally planned to be a different 'country' that night that was switched) It's a great experience.

1 hour ago, debcip said:

This information shouldn’t be so difficult to find!

Indeed - all it needs is a one liner after the table here https://www.azamara.com/booked-guests/onboard-packages#link-dining to say "Individual visits to Aqualina or Price C = $35

Chefs Table= $95"...would also help people see what they are saving when booking a package 

what date in November 2024

The t&cs say "....on selected voyages departing 3rd January 2024 to 9th November 2024"

If you are on a single ticket that transits the UK then the APD for departing the UK does not apply

If you have a separate ticket originating the UK then you will be hit with APD when purchasing the ticket (not sure if there is any way to claim it back)

UK APD in business for London-New York currently UK £191

Looking at random return dates in November - FCO-EWR via LHR all in business class = £2189

starting London with same LHR-EWR-LHR flights = £2,484

ITAMatrix is a useful resource to check tax breakdown on routes.

I've also used Dublin as a starting point for long haul business...a few years ago managed flights to LAX in business cheaper than economy from starting London

Onward wifi in Feb/March was great. On previous trips I had relied a lot on 4G in port (as wifi was pretty dire) but after the starlink install I risked a transatlantic and was great with no issues.

I have read that Onward is better than the others although I think they all have starlink now. (will be testing Quest next)

not doing anything wrong...it was possible to do this pre website changeover. If you have a read of the (long) "New Website" thread there is some info on how to view alternate options, although I believe this is still a small selection rather than all

it might work if there are no good discounts. I never used my 2 or 4 free nights (better deals without and then they expired) used my 6 on a 7 nighter with my daughter with an onboard booking

my last B2B was Feb/March (pre-cutover) the second cruise (booked first) had been an onboard booking and the first one I added a month or so later via TA, TA sorted out the B2B credits (didn't even need to fill in form online as had previously done)

I wonder if there are plans on Quest to fix this. Was looking at the transatlantic in November but need connectivity. Was on Onward transatlantic in February and it was great - I could get my bits of work done...may need to reconsider Quest and look at the Onward transatlantic instead. 

on Journey in November that ended Lisbon...knew passengers that left before 5am for early flight (didn't put cases out night before and walked off with them in morning)

1 hour ago, terry&mike said:

 

The second option I consider is booking a hotel for 1 night for the day of disembarkation, and going sightseeing on our own in the city/town, and then taking a taxi or public transport to the airport later. I don't plan on spending the night at this hotel, but it does allow me to go there when I get off the ship, drop my bags with them in the morning, go off and enjoy the place I am in, and return to check in, freshen up in our rooms, relax in peace, and then head to the aiport. 

Should consider Day use of room would give access to room all day and is often half the price or less than an overnight stay

example - random hotel Rome for 13th September

book for night of arrival..can't get into room till 2pm... room cost £135 

Instead look at day room at same hotel 10am-6pm = £51 or 9am-7pm = £59

(showing £ as website is picking up where I am now!)

Have done this in a couple of places when late flight back and has worked perfectly

not sure about Rome but the last-day transfers I have used previously still get you to the airport around lunchtime. (have had to hang about for hours waiting for bag drop desk to open) With such a late flight I would look at a day room at a hotel, dump bags, spend the day sightseeing, head back, freshen up then head to airport.

4 hours ago, uktog said:

No it’s always quoted at the full rate hence why three free nights often aren’t worth anything when you come to get quotes. Sometimes on 7 night cruises they are or on itineraries where prices don’t drop - you have to always get thing’s priced two ways with and without using free nights to make your decision 

agree - I didn't use my 4 free nights as the trips I was interested in were cheaper to pay £ and get whatever benefits were in offer when comparison done

Used 6 free nights on a 7 night cruise

52 minutes ago, Laganlady02 said:

In general, your understanding of the free nights scheme is correct. The example I referred to was an onboard booking using the the most frequently booked cabin category and sent to Miami for approval. The next day, the future cruise person contacted the guests to say that Miami had suggested that for X pounds more they could have a club world suite.

This was not a trivial amount, but when averaged over the seven nights it allowed them an enhanced experience they could not otherwise afford under normal pricing.

 

I was unfortunately not given any option even when I asked if possible..would have taken a CC suite as plenty available and still had a load of FCC (which I have since tried unsuccessfully to use....another thread!) Guess it helps to know what is actually possible for future reference to challenge.

10 hours ago, Laganlady02 said:

The price is adjusted accordingly in relation to your normal cabin category. I am aware of someone using 6 free nights on a 7 night cruise. Their usual cabin category was veranda or below but the difference in paying full rate for one night (adjusted accordingly, I.e more) meant it was a terrific deal for them to book an available owners suite. 

It depends very much on  cabin availability, the number of free nights used and the length of the cruise.

mine was similar situation...6 free nights for 7 night cruise and plenty suites available but was told I could not have one as the majority of my trips had been veranda so could only book veranda...and since they were sold out I needed to move 'down' not 'up'....inconsistent.

there is some inconsistency with some of the information onboard. I was using free nights on an onboard booking...my past trips had been 90% veranda and 10% cc suite. Verandas were sold out for the cruise I was booking and was told I could not have cc suite and could only have oceanview....whilst on that trip I found someone that had used their free nights for owners suite when all their previous trips had been lower cabin type. (there were others that posted same on thread on here)...I would not have booked Owners cabin myself but would have taken a cc suite....guess it is the 'luck' of who you have onboard.