ChucktownSteve

Look on the positive side, if you're on the ship and don't enjoy the performance, you don't need to wait for transportation to leave. 😁 I'm wondering if they'll continue Azamazing evenings off the ship where the logistics still work in conjunction with the venue? Many resources may not still be available post pandemic at some of the destinations.

Or a Car dealership sales manager? 🤣

Happy upcoming birthday. Having been an entrepreneur, I believe it's too early to churn Azamara. The line hasn't been built to warrant a very strong return on their investment yet. Selling too early leaves many potential dollars on the table. They're probably just getting it to the point of implementing their growth plan. Perhaps the promotion is a way to help fund or implement that growth strategy?

I agree. Let's hope that they're not just patronizing guests but will actually act as their response appears to suggest.

Not nervous in the least. Cash flow is important to a business. This improves cash flow at a greatly reduced cost of money. Plus it can be used to retire more expensive debt already on the books from the pandemic. Their out of pocket cost of the inflated jewelry to the vendor is not one for one when you consider the commission on sales they are paid.

I've made it easier for you to see the official Royal Caribbean/Celebrity Double Double discipline https://www.royalcaribbeangroup.com/the-discipline-behind-double-double/

For me it relates to Celebrity since I haven't cruised Silversea. I've been sailing Celebrity since the early 2000's; during the five year terms of the Chandris contract where Celebrity was required to maintain the Chandris standards. After that is when I feel the Royalcaribbeanization began. In 2005, LLP was named vice president of onboard revenue for Celebrity Cruises, moving from RCL,where her job had the same objectives. She was very successful at it. I relate her method to the same as boiling a frog scenario. Place the frog in cool water and slowly turn up the heat. It won't realize what's happening. For background, search the term Royal Caribbean double double program. It will explain it better. It began with little things like changing daily bottles of water in Aqua class to only one bottle pp on embarkation. The list is long. Some worked, some didn't like removing the free hamburgers at the pool grill and replacing them with $10 kobe like burgers. Many years ago I attended a food talk by the head chef where he explained the different cuts of meat served on the ships. He admitted they served the cheapest cuts of meet in the buffet, a little better grade in the MDR and the "best" cuts were sold in the specialty restaurants. If you've sailed Celebrity, have you noticed how many dutch ovens they have used in the buffet with various types of cheap grade meats concealed in heavy gravies and sauces? They also, several years ago, went from a cabin attendant with assistant to just a cabin attendant. There are way too many examples to mention. All were before the pandemic. But the most recent was switching out the individual butlers in the Sky Suites to butler teams. The immediate fallout was so bad that they are reversing that decision. They had reduced the live music performances; replacing them with ultra loud DJ's permeating multiple decks through the atrium. Celebrity touted luxury sailings, while only placing at the top end of the mass market lines, but they were actually mimicking the Royal Caribbean line way of business to attract new, younger customers who didn't know the difference. Those are some of the reasons why after reaching Elite+ I began sailing more of the other lines. Then I eventually stopped sailing Celebrity in 2022 for the time being. The rapidly accelerated prices combined with the totality of the cuts showed me a better pn/pp value on Azamara and Regent. Sometimes they're even less considering what's included vs. additional costs on Celebrity. These of course are my personal opinions and observations. Other person's opinions will definitely vary. Side note: my last Azamara cruise was December '21. My next is December '24. So I will see then what differences I experience. I am going with an open mind and expect changes in the past three years. I have done three Regent in the meantime.

Guess that really dates us. You for being there, doing that and me for knowing and remembering what you're talking about. 😁

I agree that Dynacruiser had some very good points. It boils down to whether people are happy complaining a lot or happy despite the less than perfect circumstances. But I believe you'll find similar observations on any cruise line. I hate this phrase, however the "new normal" for cruise lines is increased cost of goods and finding ways to aid the bottom line. That results in the undesired cost cutting so many cruisers notice while fares have increased. I hope you don't mind my two cents. I tend to look at a few cruise lines and compare itinerary and value for the fare. What is included and what costs extra. That's the analytical in me. Shortly after the pandemic I sailed Celebrity, Azamara and then Regent. Celebrity used to be my go to line but has fallen out of my favor. Too much Royal Caribbeanization. I sailed AZ before the pandemic and after. In 2017, it was my best cruise ever since I began sailing in 1985. To put things in perspective from my standpoint, my most recent three cruises following our last AZ was on Regent. I currently have three AZ booked cruises and one Regent in 2/2026. Both are now my go to lines. So it really boils down to what you enjoy most about your cruise. That is a deciding factor for me. I find quality service, better quality food and good itineraries on both theses lines since I prefer a more than 12 day cruise. As a suggestion, I find the best time to get the lowest prices for cruises is when the itineraries are first released. They only go up from there as the ship fills. Periodically Regent does a two suite category upgrade. I usually only book during that promotion. However only y'all know what floats your boat. Try them and see what you like and dislike because opinions are subjective.

When we booked our suite, we received the premium package. I'll be upgrading us to ultimate however the brands in that package are not really ultimate IMO. They're just a little better than premium. We're sailing Onward in December.

As I understand it, cocktails can be requested to be made using your package included liquors.

You can download the three beverage package liquor lists PDF here https://www.azamara.com/static-assets/content/B2C-pdfs/beverage-packages.pdf

Do the maths..😁..three times nothing (inflated prices) is still nothing. And I would have had to pay the balance due on the cruise anyway. So for four months earlier than final final payment due, we gave up $200 real interest $ for about $1,400 OBC. Regardless, my spousal unit likes to spend the OBC on inflated Mary Frances bags. I like to spend OBC on inflated liquor prices. Plus we're doing inflated cost ship excursions we wouldn't have done without OBC. Besides, we're all paying inflated cruise prices since the pandemic. With what they gave us, we can do all of it at no extra cost except giving up $200 interest.

I just checked the AZ website for OBC remaining. It appears they applied the 10% promotion on the full cruise fare minus T/Fs even though some assistant at my TA showed it on balance due. So I got what y'all got! Yay. Now my spousal unit can get more purses. lol It's a win/win for AZ and us. I'm happy to see, what I believe are, some smart business decisions with the new powers that be. Gives me confidence in my having booked three upcoming AZ cruises.

As a side note, I received 10% on the balance minus the tax/fee amount. It did not include the deposit amount of cruise fare. If someone received it on the total cruise fare including deposit, please share that info.

I don't think they will do that either. Besides the OBC, my credit cards give me 3% cash back on travel and my TA gives me a 10% rebate after the trip. I'm not concerned about bankruptcies. I'm more interested in the health and repatriation coverage with all the other things they cover. Credit cards don't usually give you the full coverage.

I HOPE so! Our May 2025 Med cruise would make it more enticing to pay early.. I'm only getting about 5% annual interest on my cash in MM's. Time, Value, MONEY.

We think alike. I've also pointed that out. It's cheaper money paying off more expensive debt. I pulled the trigger on the 10% promotion today for our 12/9/24 cruise. We each received just under $500 additional OBC pp. Since all the specialty restaurants are included in our suite and we already had $900 total OBC, I suppose the spousal unit is going to get a lot more Mary Francis bags.That is if there are any designs left she hasn't already bought. rofl. While others have pointed out their concerns about cash flow, it doesn't bother me as long as they remain in business, give me a great cruise and the crew are still motivated towards pax enjoyment. My trip insurance covers me should they not make it, so I'm out nothing financially. However I can't see a venture capital company wanting to run down the company to devalue it. Doesn't make business sense to me.

We did the same thing in Vancouver. We used Uber which was much faster and cheaper than a taxi. But we arrived before the bus full of transfers. Btw our luggage was still picked up from our hotel room and transported to our suite.

We were in a penthouse C suite on the Mariner with a two category upgrade promotion. I liked it because it was about 148 more SF than concierge for the same price. Enjoyed the butler but could live without too. We followed that up with a Splendor 16 night Concierge suite which was also very comfortable. Last month I booked a penthouse C on Grandeur for Feb 2026; again with a two category upgrade promo. So I'll see if I'll like that ship's penthouse better. I'm curious if there is much of a difference between the two penthouse suites (same catregory) on the Splendor and Grandeur. Though regardless of the ship, my DW, will not like a very forward accommodation. We did that once. I learned that lesson from her. lol

Agree. My comment was more directed toward people who believe the promotion is about financial instability instead of a smart business decision due to relatively high interest rates from inflation. After all, isn't the investment company, Sycamore Partners, about generating cash flow revenue and profits while still providing an excellent product?

One thing some people appear to be missing is that Azamara isn't really giving up 7 or 10% cash. You get OBC. Considering the cost of goods for that means they're generating real cash flow early for a greatly reduced out of pocket cost later which is use it or lose it. I hope they stock the shops with tons of merch. Since cruise lines usually double the supplier's excursion cost, that's still 50% on the dollar. Much better cost of money than borrowing.

Thank you for an excellent review. It hit all the points someone who hasn't sailed Silversea might like to know. The follow up with extensive details and pictures were unmatched from many blogs. The itinerary was incredible. I am a little confused though. I've thought that Azamara falls into the Premium cruise line category while Silversea and Regent occupy the Luxury category. I haven't sailed Silversea yet but was interested in finding something with them. Now I'm not so sure I would want to after having sailed Regent a few times and reading your review. I would have expected Silversea to be at a higher quality level and price point. However food is also an important part of cruising to me. That's why I was surprised when you said you "went on this cruise thinking 'all Silversea has to be is Azamara with better ships.' At the end of the cruise, I’m not sure it hit that level. Certain things were better than Azamara, but others were worse." You went with lower expectations and they still missed the mark in an important aspect. Although Silversea appears to be an overall good cruise line from your review, the takeaway for me is a confirmation that my three upcoming Azamara cruises are a good value choice for quality. Thank you again for your viewpoints.

Thats why I asked if my cruise qualified for the promotion. one of the reasons I don’t want to pay tooooo early is because my trip insurance broker only writes the covered amount for just the deposit. Then as I pay additional amounts towards the cruise needing the coverage, I have to pay the additional premium which is several hundred dollars or more depending upon the balance due. two extra months earlier isn’t that big a deal.

We were on the Navigator and the aft suites had a lot of vibration and noise. But I was told many people love that ship. Seems similar in size to the Voyager but can't say. I'm sticking with the Splendor, Grandeur and Explorer going forward although Mariner was nice too.