LOP

Hello LOP and other readers -

 

When a potential customer clicks on one of "contact" options, there is language that discloses that a third-party "Expert Azamara Travel Partner" will then contact them with follow-up information based upon the selected option(s) following their completion of a template requesting their private contact information. When a potential customer selects an option that includes the words - "Expert Azamara Travel Partner" - that indicates their consent to receive follow-up information from a third-party. To avoid being contacted, there are two other choices: 1) I am currently working with a travel agent, and 2) I am a travel agent. Of course, the recipients will be able to unsubscribe at any time by clicking the links. Azamara's privacy policy requires that the third-party travel agency partner participating in this program is acting on Azamara's behalf as a service provider/vendor, and must keep that contact information confidential.

 

I hope that this lengthy explanation and detailed information has been helpful in explaining the background behind your receiving unsolicited information and navigating the process in the future.

 

Sincerely,

 

Bill Leiber

___________________

Chief Blogging Officer*

Azamara Club Cruises

(*CBO is an authorized and compensated representative of ACC)

Thank you Bill and I am aware of why Azamara has chosen to pursue this course, but again, it will alienate some, if not most, of your clientele...at least those that like to shop without commitment such as myself.

And again, there are other ways to harvest this demographic information via the website and achieve the same goal...unless that goal is to try and close the sale immediately hence the need for instantaneous communication.

I'm not shooting the messenger here Bill, I know you are just relaying the information provided, but involving a 3rd party or forcing us to speak to a rep. in order for pricing/availability is a path I will not travel.

Thank you again for all you do and have a GREAT day.:)

Ladies.......duct tape or black electrician tape can be your friend. I used the black tape on our last cruise...just wrap it around the button at tightly as you can and voila.......you now have a dryer that stays on.:D ;) Oh ...the black tape does tend to stretch out a little....just loosen it and re-wrap it. Works great Doesn't take up much room in the suitcase either. :p!

so does a rubber band or hair tie according to Mrs. LOP...

My opinion: Do NOT like the new booking engine. No way to surf pricing and cabin availability accurately. I do not want to provide personal information until I am ready to book. I do not want anyone to contact me to complete my booking or give me pricing, I want to have the "option" to do this on my own.

There are other ways for Azamara (RCCL) to harvest client (potential client) information and alienating their clientele via the web is not one of them.

And again this is just my opinion.

Thank you Bill. Although discounts are always welcomed, I look forward more to the smaller tour groups and more personalized experience and am willing to sacrifice that minimal discount for that added benefit.

These type of positive changes would give me pause from booking private tours as I usually do when possible.

Looking forward to more updates...:)

Cabin Number-----------------------------------6088

Ship ---------------------------------------------Quest

Month/Year sailed-------------------------------Jul/Aug 2013

Would you choose this room again Y/N---------N (if another is available)

Is noise an issue Y/N----------------------------Y (prop noise)

Balcony size Normal/Larger/Smaller------------Large

Bed is GREAT, other furniture/drapes/carpet need replacing badly.

Awesome closet space.

Found recent Quest cruises on the warm side. Granted we experienced warmer than usual outdoor temps, but some of the public areas needed to be cooler IMO.

I understand some of the more senior clientele were complaining of being too chilly. Had they walked into our cabin, they would've thought they were in the galley meat locker.:p

I would rather it be a bit colder than warmer, much less offensive to add layers than to remove the few remaining.;)

I would agree with Andy on most points. Price point is not one of them.

Thanks for sharing. Would you please post your pics of the room on "cruise line rooms dot com" in the appropriate place, it really helps to build that database and it is a great reference tool for room pictures?

:)

This thread is SO entertaining...so many jokes hidden, must...bite...tongue...to keep this thread rated G.;)

Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your marriage.

The children steal the show for sure!

Thank you so much for sharing your family and trip...looking forward to more AND if we ever cruise together...the first round is on us!;)

What a great little vidoe and nice family too...thanks for sharing:)

We hired Rome in Limo for 3 different private tours for 2 persons in 3 different Italian ports (Salerno (Amalfi Coast), Civitavecchia (Rome), and Livorno (Florence)).

We arrived in the port of Salerno, Italy on September 21, 2010 where we were greeted dockside by Carmelo from Sorrento. Of all the guides we saw waiting, Carmelo exuded the most professionalism.

Our tour started with a trip to Pompeii via Naples where Carmelo delivered us to the front gate of the Pompeii ruins just prior to opening. This was key to avoid the impending crowds enroute. We had as much time as we wanted to tour the ruins, but we elected to end our tour in 2 hours to allow us more time on the Amalfi Coast.

Due to a strike that closed the quickest route between Naples and Sorrento, Carmelo had to quickly reroute our journey over the mountain to avoid the strike and prevent missing out on the Amalfi Coast. He was very professional and courteous in informing us of this complication. This proved to actually be of benefit as we were able to enjoy more of the mountain countryside and small towns than we had planned.

Our visit to Positano was brief but pleasant. We then made our way down the coast to Sorrento where along the way we enjoyed surprising frequent stops to sample complimentary fresh tomatoes and limoncello all arranged in advance by Carmelo. Upon arriving in Sorrento around lunchtime we were pleasantly surprised once again by Carmelo as he had made reservations at a quaint friendly restaurant (Tasso)…the food and atmosphere were authentic to the region and the staff was courteous, friendly, and English-speaking…thankfully. They also left a full chilled bottle of limoncello tableside for us to sample at our leisure. Carmelo declined our lunch invitation so as not to intrude, but checked in on us to ensure everything was to our liking. Following lunch we had plenty of time to explore/shop in Sorrento and upon our departure Carmelo took us on a lovely tour of the town.

We were delivered back to the ship safe and sound in plenty of time for departure…(we actually beat the ship-sponsored tour groups back due to Carmelo’s foresight of the strike problems). Carmelo was not only knowledgeable of the region’s history but also a very skillful driver. The day was more enjoyable due to Carmelo’s professionalism, courtesy, and pleasant nature.

We recommend Carmelo for the Amalfi Coast tour. (quick tip: request a van for this tour so you can easily see over the wall along the coast and both side doors open automatically to allow for quick pictures).

Upon our arrival for our Rome Tour September 28, 2010, Stefano greeted us dockside and escorted to the waiting Mercedes sedan. We departed Civitavecchia and Stefano began giving us a brief history of the surrounding area and culture. He also gave us an interesting historic synopsis on how Rome was “not built in a day”, but he would try to show us all of it in a day.

Once we arrived in Rome Stefano drove us to the Vatican to check on the ticket line (since we failed to buy or request our Vatican tickets ahead of time), finding it too crowded for the wait he then drove us to an alternate ticket area for the Coliseum thus eliminating us having to wait in a line. This allowed us more time at the Coliseum and the Forum. Following this stop we visited the “wedding cake” and the Roman Capitol.

Our next stop was the “crowded pick-pocket haven” Trevi Fountain. We made our way to the water’s edge and tossed in our coins. The Spanish Steps were next which surprisingly Stefano dropped us off at the top of the steps and waited below thus allowing us to enjoy walking “down” the steps and sitting for awhile and relaxing. At this time we had our lunch and shopping time from his suggestions as to the area.

The Pantheon greeted us and although crowded, was quite enjoyable. Stefano then drove us back to the Vatican to check the line one more time…we strolled throughout the Vatican Plaza instead.

We concluded Rome in a beautiful park overlooking the city and reviewing where we had spent the last 7 hours. We then departed for the ship.

Stefano gave us a historic lecture throughout our tour and never made us feel rushed, it was quite pleasant and relaxing considering all we had to see in such a short time with minimal walking thanks to the curbside service we received. We highly recommend requesting Stefano for your Rome tour.

Dockside September 29, 2010 and Clara is waiting for us to depart her hometown of Livorno for Pisa and Florence for our 9 hour tour.

A pleasant short drive and Clara gave us a brief history of the area of Livorno and Pisa. She also asked what our day plans were and when finding out we would like to end the day at a winery in the Tuscan countryside, Clara quickly made a phone call and made the arrangements.

Pisa was brief and, since Clara got us there so early, empty. We had the place to ourselves which made for great pictures and a brief breakfast.

Off to Florence amongst the rush hour traffic and Clara got us there safely and began the tour from way up high overlooking the beautiful city where she gave us a brief historical narrative on what we were viewing.

Once we arrived in the city we were driven to one of the beautiful Piazzas to take in the sights and some shopping. Then it was off to the Academia Museum to view Michelangelo’s statue of David. Clara bypassed the “long” line with us in tow and whisked us inside where she escorted us to the ticket window and explained where she would meet us once we were finished at the museum.

We enjoyed so many sights of the city and ate where the locals do while making our way to the Ponte Vecchio area.

Hours later we were zipping through the breathtaking Tuscan countryside en route to the Fattoria San Michele a Torri where we enjoyed a brief tour of the winery and delicious tastings of wine, olive oil, honey, and bread all made on premises.

Clara and her knowledge of the regional history made this trip educational and fun. She and Rome in Limo are recommended by us for your tour in the Tuscany region.

In closing, we found Rome in Limo to be courteous, knowledgeable, and professional. We were never concerned in making it back for our ship’s departure. We would whole-heartedly use their services in the future.

Another more than satisfied customer here :-) We used RIL last week for Florence (Alberto), Rome (Nicola) and Naples (Stefano). There were three of us (all female), and the days were well worth the cost.

 

All three days were amazing - so smooth, so straightforward, and there's simply no way we would have seen even half of what we saw had we been on our own or herded cattle.

 

I'll be sharing more details in my full review, but I absolutely recommend them, with no hesitation.

Stefano is GREAT, we used him in September for our Rome Tour...just the Mrs. and I...He did such a good job we gave him 150 euros, he hesitated and said "that's alot of money"...we smiled and told him he earned it...Will request him in the future. BTW, he is native Frenchman and married a girl from Rome.

Personally, I prefer a suit over sport coat/slacks.

That being said, when traveling and trying to minimize luggage and the amount of clothes...I will pack a sport coat over a suit due to the combinability (is that a word?) with other clothing...with a sport coat, I can dress up a pair of nice jeans and crew neck shirt...that is the extreme.

What I am trying to say is suits lack the flexibility when traveling that sport coats/slacks afford.

Formal nights are a different story...I WILL wear a tuxedo and my formal boots (I am from Texas).

I enjoy dressing up because chicks dig it...especially my wife:D

Hope this provides some male perspective on the subject.

So cool...Thank you for posting this.:cool:

Hi, I posted this thread on both Celebrity and Carnival websites and the responses are different you may want to read the Carnival website it is really interesting

 

Linda

Couldn't find it on Carnival site...can you post a link here?

5 years ago on RCCL 7 day playing blackjack won almost enough to pay for cruise...btw, we were staying in owner's suite.