Jules of The Seas

2 hours ago, gsmt47471015 said:

Could you confirm if the 10 couples who were turned away were embarking the 65 night grand Voyage please as we know two couples who were going on it? Thanks 

Sorry, have no idea who was turned away other than our friends who we travelled down with and who we have done the past 4 new year cruises. Lest you think we should have gone home with them we had 2 other friends on the ship who would have been left alone. The six of us have as I said done the last 4. It somewhat spoiled the whole cruise for us, that with the fact we had no hot water in the shower for 2 days and no aircon in the cabin until late on Monday evening. This was the same with every cabin in our section.

Just off Aurora new year cruise. Apparently 93 cabins were affected by floodwater on the previous cruise, mainly on C deck forward, port side. Some 10 couples were denied boarding and sent home as they couldn’t organize new cabins. Some cabins still out of service.

We also missed Zeebrugge port due to high winds making it unsafe to dock, according to the Captain.

Thank you Flatbush. Now I understand. We have in the past used an excellent TA , who used to give us free parking, transfers etc. problem is he has retired!!

I think it’s mainly the larger well known ones who find it difficult to give anything away. Will keep searching for the best one. Once again, thanks for the explanation.

Hi,

Sorry to sound a bit dim, but I have never heard of this. Would the included gratuities apply if booking was made direct with Oceania? Perhaps it only applies in the US. It’s very rare that any UK travel agent would give added gratuities as a benefit to book with them. In fact you’re lucky to get any type of reduction.

Hi Rachiem,

We have booked with a TA and with Oceania direct, which is very easy, although the TA may give you extra benefits. You can opt out of Oceania’s flights and receive a generous discount with which you can book your own flights, and most times save enough for your Hotel at the destination. Most airlines fly to Barcelona from the UK but as stated earlier I would fly the day before. Also bear in mind that transfers from Rome to the airport are very expensive (circa €150) but easy to book yourself. From the O Life choice we always take the drinks with lunch and dinner then upgrade when on board. You only need 3 drinks outside of the lunch and dinner benefit to be in pocket. I agree with you that Celebrity is getting rather expensive. We have done six cruises with Oceania but never on the smaller ships. Whatever you decide I am sure you will love Oceania. Go for the 10!!

Ah, thanks.  We are looking for test in Venice that are on the ground floor!  

Hi Benthayer Gonbak,

We are sailing on RCCL from Ravenna but staying in Venice for 2 nights before. I have arranged tests with the Red Cross in St Marks Square.https://crivenezia.myprenota.it/rapido.  €22 each.

Hope this helps.

Hi sgmn,

Don't know where ‘agony’ came from. Predictive text!!

Hi agony,

Makes complete sense. I can recommend Lloyd’s pharmacy. cost £29.99, done by the pharmacist and certificate within 20 minutes. Be careful though, some don’t do them on Sundays.

Hi earn,

Try Lloyd’s pharmacy. Most are inside Sainsbury’s. Cost 29.99, administered by pharmacist and certificate within 20 minutes.

Julie and Les.

On 4/23/2022 at 9:13 AM, sgmn said:

Italy is now one day prior. Our cruise the day before is a Sunday . Hoping they may change to two days before we travel in June

Hi,

You don’t need a test to enter Italy from the UK, Except of course if you are not vaccinated.

i am trying to find a test centre in Venice on a Saturday before we board on Sunday in Ravenna.

Hi all,

We used a company name Lab Doctor. This was in Fort Lauderdale,. Don’t know if they are all over USA.

Hi Juliecruzin,

We recently did a transatlantic out of Miami. In order to enter USA we did an antigen test one day before flight at Lloyd’s pharmacy. Cost £29.99. This was accepted for the flight. We stayed a few days in Miami, so had to get another test to board ship. Others on the cruise used the same test to fly and board, as they flew out the day before the cruise. Just check because some LLoyds don’t do them on Sundays. Hope this helps.

Julie and Les.

On Marina at the moment transatlantic. There is a large umbrella in the wardrobe. Hope we don’t need it though!!

Julie and Les 

Hi Eloise4ever,

We are in a similar position. We arrive in Miami from Heathrow on Monday 14th, having been tested the day before. We are transferring to Lauderdale by the Sea for 5 nights. We won’t have a car, so it would be much easier to be tested at the pier. We can get an online proctored test by bringing it with us from the UK, and hope that the connection is good enough. The one Oceania are recommending in Fort Lauderdale is $129 each! It would be much easier if Oceania could give us a price for the pier.

Waiting now for Bermuda to finalize their requirements.

Julie and Les

Hi,

We have been ashore independently at every port. Just need to carry your proof of vaccination, and in some ports proof of testing, although it has never been asked for! 

Hi from Journey,

We are presently in Lanzarote, leaving shortly. On Saturday 11th we all have to be off the ship by 9 am. If Lisbon boarding rules are followed in Gran Canaria, you will not be on the ship until 2pm after Covid tests. Ship have organised a transfer to the airport for those with flights after 11am, (at a cost I think) and a 4 hour tour, leaving the ship at 7.45am, for flights leaving after 3pm, costing $49. Julie asked if we could leave the luggage at the terminal, and return about 12md. The ship contacted Gran Canaria port, who said this would be ok. Fingers crossed. We intend to walk into town and return at midday and get a taxi to the airport. Our flight is at 3.30pm.

More answers; yes the Spa is open; we have had no trouble asking and getting wine from previous days; yes the Tote bags are still being provided and are good quality.

Julie and Les

Eric de Gray and Tony Markey are leaving Journey In Jan/Feb 2022 and moving to Onward.

For those on Journey 11th Dec, there will be 200 +/- passengers on board.

Haven’t been to the evening buffet, so can’t comment on the ‘plated’ food.

Just had the Tacos from the Patio -Mmmmm.

Julie and Les 

Hi,

There are 180 passengers on board! Service as usual is excellent. Food seems to have gone up a notch since we were last on Azamara some 2 years ago. The buffet is served to you, and of course there is no such thing as a small portion. Julie and I have not shared table with anyone, either at lunch or dinner. There are tables of 4 people but they are travelling together. It’s not difficult to talk as the tables are placed so that you can easily converse.

There is dancing in the Living room to the band, East Pearl, who are good. Their last set of the evening is followed by a Disco. Not seen many dancers though, so not sure about masks.

Guest entertainers have been really good, especially Jakob Trasak, violinist. Azamazing evening was on board in Seville, with Flamenco show. Ship singers and dancers are good.

Eric de Gray did his show last night. Don’t miss it, he is brilliant.

Captain is Gianmario Sanguineti, Hotel director is Tony Markey. 
We were Covid tested yesterday for entry to Gibraltar, and following yesterdays announcement, Azamara will test us 2 days before our flights home. In addition our temperatures are taken each morning, by the cabin steward.

Hope this helps.

Julie and Les.

Currently on Journey sailing down river from Seville en route to Malaga. CruIse has been excellent so far. Ask away, and if I can I will answer, although the Internet is still very slow.

Julie and Les.

Not sure, but it could well be an old photo. It looks like P and O’s Adonia,( yellow funnel) before it was sold to Azamara as Pursuit. Also having looked at Deck picture, there is a lot of AstroTurf, which Azamara had to remove. Also luggage bed cover is P and O.

Cheque received today for May 2nd, 4 nighter on QM2.

Cheque from Carnival House, Soton, dated 29th May. Was £11 short of total paid.

UKTog, 
My Credit card refund said Celebrity cruises, Paris and came in two payments,

cruise price and port taxes. Cruise was 5th April Pursuit.

Hi Blag,

When we cancelled they said 30 days. It seems they have processed it in 30 working days. Can’t fault them really, although I did criticise them for not cancelling sooner than they did.

Have today received refund for our 5th April cruise on Pursuit which was cancelled by Azamara on 15th March. Requested refund same day through travel agent. Have had full amount refunded, less £10, don’t know why but not going to argue. I did book the cruise on board Pursuit last November when I also paid the deposit for my Brother and his wife. I haven’t had that refunded but as they paid the final balance it could be that Azamara will refund them.  Paid back through Celebrity as was the money taken.

Stay safe.

Julie and Les.

Grandma, they are playing at keeping our money as long as they can in the hope that we all cancel and they only have to give future cruise credits. Our 5th April cruise is still on apparently, although where it will start from and finish is anyone’s guess. Highly unlikely that we will be on it now, we are in the process of trying to cancel our weeks holiday in Orlando beforehand. Thankfully BA will let us use any monies paid towards other flights within 12 months, which has more chance of happening than us booking another Azamara cruise.