Solon

Thanks all.....  sounds like business back to usual before covid....

Are Azamara still asking for covid information/vaccines?

Just sent a request to update my status to discoverer plus and had a machine reply the following day that it was an ongoing process!

Nothing new then.....

OK, a bit of a history lesson now (groan)...

It's called "port" side because traditionally that was the side to dock or port.  So, really if you wanted to be on the dock side it would be to port.

However, these days ships are "ambi" and can go either way!  So you never know....

There is no rule now on which side the ship will dock.  The only "port" rule that still applies is with commercial aircraft.  You always get on and off on the port side.

Finally, my Discoverer Plus status was showing.... then the next day it wasn't!

One step forward and then one step back....LOL

We have been in Retreat for quite a few trips with X but only on Edge class ships.  As for SS, we have only been on the Silver Moon (newer ship) twice with several more bookings next year.

Really enjoy the Retreat on the modern ships with so much space both in the cabins, your own restaurant, swimming area, bar, large comfortable lounge with so few people.

SS although a smaller ship seems more crowded.  But we love SALT kitchen and are happy to share that space with other chefs.

It is really hard to compare the two because the vibe is so different.  X ships have more action around the ship late into the night and SS is much more sedate but with great speakers on each destination (scientists, archeologists, writers, etc).

We enjoy each but for different reasons.

On the website I can now view excursions WITH prices!

Progress 

Thank you all for your replies…..

My wife and I are both Elite Plus.  Our son and daughter in law are not.

If I book a specialty restaurant and pay for it on my account for all of us, will our son and daughter in law also get the elite plus discount or just my wife and myself?

Thanks for your replies...

5 minutes ago, vjmatty said:

 

Also if you are traveling internationally you can buy it duty-free at the airport and just bring it on the plane in a shopping bag.

Better yet, as one poster said they were cruising from Spain, just buy some fantastic Spanish wines before you board!

We are cruising from Italy next month.  Don't need to bring any wine from home!  Italians do it best..lol

9 hours ago, Riocca said:

Definitely hit and miss, this week for the first time I was on hold for an hour before I rang off and immediately redialled then got an answer within 5 minutes. 
 

 

Very lucky....but was that with the UK office or the US?

I have found getting through to the US office possible but the UK one impossible.

Unfortunately, I have to speak to someone in the UK office to do a refund of port taxes which the US agents are unable to do.

I will continue to waste more of my life on the phone to Azamara, but after holding for ages and then cut off really makes me very angry!!!

Finally, received ours after much chasing from a March 2022 cruise.

Not delivered by email but over the phone.

If you have the option phone the US number, then you will get a response.

If you phone the UK number, you will wait on hold for an hour and then be cut off.

Both I and my travel agent have the same experience over numerous occasions.

You are better off looking for a cruise with another cruise line.

I usually phone their American number for best results. 

Just over 45 minutes someone answered, but had to transfer me to another operator. 

After 20 minutes I gave up.

No doubt, Azamara are losing a lot of good will and customers at the moment.

Thanks for your reply....

Contacted my travel agent today and they are trying to speak to Azamara.

Hope it will be resolved soon.

Still waiting for our FCC three months later!!!!

Tried calling them but give up after waiting an hour.

18 hours ago, mysty said:

 

Chas,  CC really needs a "tears" button!

We see 2 outside tables on deck 8!

We will board today and tested negative yesterday.  So, should be safe for other passengers.

Someone on board has posted that they tested positive 3 days ago without symptoms.  How are they picked up if the butler just does a temperature check every morning?

4 hours ago, zqtchas said:

If you take bus tours you will be warm. The busses have been crowded with seats 

like sitting in economy on the flights.

I have very long legs.

Any chance to book an exit row seat on the bus? 😂

4 hours ago, mysty said:

 

Yesterday was chilly.  I don't particularly enjoy the cold.  For the walking tour I wore a long sleeve top, a fleece hoodie, a fleece lined jacket with a Gortex raincoat on top of the other layers. I was comfy.  Wore a toque and gloves.   Secret is layering.   Many folks have puffy jackets. 

Thanks for your timely reply….

Wow, four layers and you live in Canada!  It must be cold!!!

We planned on layering, but hope for much warmer weather.

Ah, summer in Iceland!

29 minutes ago, mysty said:

Yesterday we were in Seydisfjordur, Iceland.  Beautiful sail in.  As we entered the fjord we lost internet access because of the interference of the mountains.

 

 

We took a guided walking tour around the town.  It was founded in 1848 by Norwegians as a herring trading post.  It's a town of colourful wooden buildings surrounded by majestic Mt. Bjolfur to the west and Strandartindur to the east.  Here are some pics from our walk about....

 

 

 

 

 

Today we are at anchor off Djupivogur, Iceland.

Lovely view…

We hope to be joining you this Monday (covid test willing).

Any recommendations for clothing as we are just finishing our packing?  I am referring to Icelandic weather here and not SS dress code!  
 

Thanks again for all your posts….

11 hours ago, Clodia said:

I spoke too soon. The pharmacy has just cancelled my test as there is "no call for them" now they are not required to fly from the UK.

What now?

We are flying BA and on their website they list numerous companies offering tests at a discount.

The test we opted for involves a nurse observation over Teams on the internet.

You could also do your test at the airport before you fly to your destination.  That might be the easiest solution for you, but slightly more expensive.

You do have options though.  Good luck….

That is a negative result…😂

I wrote my post as a warning to those hoping that pier side testing would continue.  Obviously, it is extremely important to read your cruise ticket information carefully before your cruise 15 days later.

It would appear the strategy for SS is to make the customer responsible for their own tests relieving them of the cost.  I predict this cost savings for the company will certainly extend to the whole fleet no matter where the sailing originates.  We will see.

You are correct that our cruise departs from Iceland which is a part of the EEA, but not the EU.

The email did state that boarding would be denied if you are without a valid test certificate!

Finally, I hope others don’t experience last minute scrambling to get a test as a result of these ever changing rules!

Hopefully, we will fail our test in a week…..😷

We were sent an email from SS and our TA that states there is NO pier side testing!

If we turn up for embarkation without a valid test certificate done within the previous 72 hours, then we will be denied boarding!

Our sailing departs 30 May on the Moon.

The probability of having pier side testing with SS appear to be over unlike with other cruise lines…