LOP

Philip is the epitome of customer service and professionalism.  A true gentleman to echo others' statements and what he did for Mrs. LOP's birthday and her surprise guests was beyond compare (16 months in the planning).

We wish him and Barbro and Sir Mugsley all the best in their future life and hope to enjoy their company once again.

Bon voyage Philip!

Philip is the epitome of customer service and professionalism.  A true gentleman to echo others' statements and what he did for Mrs. LOP's birthday and her surprise guests was beyond compare (16 months in the planning).

We wish him and Barbro and Sir Mugsley all the best in their future life and hope to enjoy their company once again.

Bon voyage Philip!

We have used RIL for many years and although they were unable to accommodate us on our recent trip in 10-2017, they were able to provide fantastic airport transfer and Jany recommended other tour companies to provide our private tours. Who else would refer you to the competition? I'll tell you, the smart business that recognizes loyalty to the brand and wants you to come back to them in the future.

Thanks again Jany!:D

I know this has been discussed before, but yesterday I was told by an azamara entertainer currently onboard that Azamara has now eliminated all pianists and guitarists as well as reducing orchestra members by at least two positions.:(

This is upsetting news to especially those losing their jobs, here's hoping they find something else in short time.

I understand this will be effective in early 2018.

For as long as I've cruised on Azamara and in whatever cabin type it's always been this way.

 

Phil

Well in our experience as we are always in either 7114 or 7119 (once in 6088) and as soon as last June 2016, the only glass bottled charge was for the wine going back to our first azamara in 2013...perhaps it has always been overlooked or a mistake in trips past as I can only attest to our experiences and this recent September/October 2017 trip was first time we had experienced the extra charges for ALL glass bottled beverages.

Not sure why the glass seems to dictate the charge as opposed to a can, but suspect someone in Miami does...ALTHOUGH in my sit down with the VP last year (when we missed seville due to engine trouble), this question came up and he did not have an answer as to why it was so.

Really not a big deal, just nonsensical.:confused:

I will share what was shared with me (from an executive at RCCL) concerning losing crew to viking ocean.

Some azamara crew members left at one time to join viking ocean and found that for them there were a few perks they did not enjoy on azamara (like free wifi), it was not long before they returned to azamara for better pay and better management than viking offered...overall a happier place to work despite having to pay for wifi.

As I have always said...happy crew, happy cruise:)

Just returned from 25 days in 7119 on a B2B2B and yes BOB is still present and we enjoyed all 3...drink package upgrades are available individually...not per suite. One noted change is that now all glass container drinks in mini-bar are now being charged if consumed...not just the small bottle of wine, but anything in a glass container, i.e., beer, perrier, etc. Even if you have the ultimate drink package upgrade as we did.

Ridiculous if you ask me, especially for any suite and also when the competition does not seem to charge for similar items.

Exception is the complimentary alcohol provided which is a rum, scotch, gin, vodka

What's an iron?

What's a laundry room?

a mom...:halo:

Apples and oranges...ENJOY your Azamara experience, you will return.:D

Do you anticipate the new limits on tourism passed in Barcelona recently will impact Azamara as well as the entire cruise industry?

But I must say that there were a number of design issues that came from the re-imagining re-design this past spring and I'm not sure if those have been resolved in the Owners Suite, including poor lighting in the living area and flooding from the shower stall in the bathroom.

We were post refurb last May/June in 7114 on a B2B and lighting was great and no flooding issues at all. We met a couple staying in Spa suite and were able to tour it and it is very nice and would be an option in the future for us as well although their only complaint was if the living room was very active at night with music/dancing, they could hear it above their suite into the late hours.

Also owner's suites (aft) on deck 6 have quite a bit of prop noise at docking times which is in the wee early morning hours most of the time, eliminating the need for an alarm clock. Our only complaint during a 24 day stay in 6088 in 2012. We have not stayed in forward suites.

now, that is funny, i don't care who you are. :d

+1:d

Congratulations Azamara!

My TA just booked our choice air for a B2B2B in October and since we are beginning in Venice and ending in Rome, he found that the flights had to be booked referencing only one cruise (the 1st one in this case)...so he booked the flight departing for venice from the U.S. on 09/29 and then departing from FCO (Rome) on 10/28.

Although the choice air booking ignores the other 2 cruises, the flight dates are correct. It is my understanding he was able to do all of this online, but he may have a different site since he is a TA.

Our savings on the flights were substantial going this route.

And a Happy New Year to you and the entire 25 member team in Miami;)

Also please extend our Happy New Year wishes to the entire sum of Officers, Staff, and Crew of the Azamara Fleet:D

That age criteria is not unique.

 

I assume it's likely that this is a rule instituted by the company who provides the tour, rather than Azamara itself.

Agree...apparently history has forced the tour provider to institute this policy although it is sad that it is age that is the deciding factor, what about health/illness/mobility at ANY age that is unknown by the tour operator that an attendee could be affected by if too much alcohol is consumed? Although the percentages favor age more than health of participants, it really should not be a blanket criteria of the tour operator and Azamara probably should rethink patronizing this particular tour operator whose age limits are insulting to their guests...IMO

Do you not use the cash back incentives that you may earn? What about the 12th free car wash after paying for 10? It's the same thing.

My only question is, what happened to that 11th car wash?:confused:

Interesting article and thank you for sharing, but it does not mention anything about adults who ACT like children:confused:

;)

Just returned from our 1st river cruise on the Viking Tor (substituted for Var that was delayed due to river blockage) December 1st German Christmas Markets on the Mein river.

Booked the explorer suite and really enjoyed the room and the SERVICE of the entire crew. We were expecting an amenity with our suite that was published on the viking website only to learn it was not included...enjoyed the cruise regardless.

Contacted VRC customer service upon our return December 12th to discuss the matter and they called me the next day to admit their online error and immediately recitifed the situation.

I was astounded and pleased with the outcome to say the least after reading mixed reviews on CC about VRC customer service.

Thank you Viking!:D

Take into account that the port in Civitavecchia is not close to Rome and can take an hour drive at least if the traffic is moving well, if it is rush hour or an accident then who knows.

It can be done however as we use rome in limo each time we are there and if it is just a day ship excursion, they are real good about getting back to the ship on time.

Since it is a B2B, then you will already be checked in and should be able to board quickly...talk to the hotel director before your first cruise ends and get advice.

Enjoy Rome and your cruise!!!

We cruise both lines almost exclusively and we are very active young 40-50 age range. If the Celebrity night life and bar scene is something you enjoy, then you will miss it on Azamara as we do.

That is about it for us although we do like the restaurant options on S-class ships too.

Just cannot beat Azamara's service/staff/crew, ports and length of time in them.

that is disappointing to learn and unfortunate that you missed what you had planned for.

Our cruises last May/June we had booked an overnight excursion in Barcelona when on the Quest that visited the coastal region of Spain toward France. Having spent a fair amount of time in Barcelona previously, we were looking to visit other parts of Spain and at $1400 for the 2 of us we were surprised when we learned that we were the only 2 that signed up and instead of cancelling, azamara made it a private excursion.

We even stated to them that they would not be blamed for cancelling based on the poor turnout and actually expected it.

Nope the "private excursion" went on and it was fabulous.

The ones you listed require typically several more people and I would not doubt that the cancellation was that of the tour operator either for lack of participants OR perhaps they had a personnel problem.

If it was either of the above and Azamara took the brunt of guests such as yourself suffering, then kudos to Azamara. If the cancellation was due to Azamara issues, then you probably should have been given a better explanation and an alternative option if one was available.

FYI, we all run the risk of even privately booked excursions being cancelled albeit doubtful. When relying on others to participate, then there are no guarantees. If budget allows, book just for your own party.

I even read on the celebrity board once of a private excursion being shared by 6 participants and when it came time to pay at the end, one couple vanished without paying leaving the balance on the person who made the reservation...they never saw the couple on the ship again (not likely on Journey or Quest), nor received answers to emails/phone. Lesson learned was to collect money at beginning of excursion if not sooner.

Best of luck on future travels.:)

Yep, must agree that your TA is the culprit on this one and if it is who I assume it is it does not surprise me.

I too, like you, learned from experience that some large TAs cannot handle cruises, especially specialty ones like Azamara and so I sought out a smaller family-owned TA and have not looked back.

I have learned there really is nothing "confusing" about the OBC's, the choiceair, the promotion perks of Azamara's offerings per my TA as they never seem to voice any issues...maybe they are just keeping the issues from me, which is what they are supposed to do so I do not have to stress about vacation.

We just booked a B2B2B for next year, 2 of the cruises we booked while on board last June and the 3rd when we returned home in July with our TA and transferred the original bookings to our TA also and they found even some more perks for those so we made out quite well, our TA is outstanding IMO.

So I feel you were misled by your TA that Azamara has issues in making their offerings complicated while in fact I do not find that the case at all at least in my dealings.

Good luck.

Morning Pam,

 

Could I take you up on your offer please?

 

Would you mind posting your email address as I would like to ask you something about Viking and wouldn't want to upset anyone on this Azamara thread?

 

Thanks

 

Hazel

OMG! Please do not stop discussing this comparison on the forum, I was just playing around and had no intention of touching nerves (although I apparently did).

It is of great interest to read the comparisons and I respect the opinions especially of most of the contributors on this thread based on y'alls' (yes, I am from Texas and we say "y'all") experiences of years of cruising and balanced views of what a cruise vacation offers.

I am going to my corner now.:(

Lighten up, it was just a joke...sheesh:p

I'll be in the bar:cool: