java spot

That said, $1200 for a 7 day cruise in an inside cabin would seem like a decent deal but not earth shattering/suspicious.

Could these fare issues be avoided if using a TA? Seems everyone who has had the mistake fare issue is booking directly with Azamara.

The complaints to the BBB are terrifying and a confirmed incentive not to pay in advance for 10% OBC. At least with a 4 month window from final payment to cruise date, a credit card company can reimburse you for a 6 month period if something goes awry due to Azamara's non-performance. I am also interested in sail date and cabin of the OP. I have looked at all of the Greek 7 day cruises and they are priced around or under 2k for starting cabin prices. (according to a consolidator website) This certainly makes anyone who books a cruise which they deem to be a "deal" nervous. Given the recent price hikes on most of the onboard amenities, "deals" are the only azamara cruises i care to book now.

What a goreous cat. And what a sad return home. Very sorry for your loss. You summed up the Explora "attitude" so well in your final post and articulated something which I sensed but didn't have words to express. I personally liked Explora. I liked its avowed attempt to break away from the cruise ship mold. Regardless, it's always good to have eyes wide open and make peace with the deficits and assets of a cruise line and adjust as needed. Thanks for sharing the journey.

My next Azamara cruise is out of Miami . I think I'll go to the dollar store and buy a fold up beach chair and bring it on board with me. Increasingly, I am needing to supply some very basic supplies when cruising Azamara. (decent wine, decent vermouth, high quality nuts and other snacks). Add one more to the list.

I am finding that the friendliness of passengers on Azamara is one of the most (only?) compelling reasons to keep cruising with them. I would say it is lucky for the corporation that this culture exists and seems to continue despite their penny pinching, raising prices of specialty dining and drink passages, two -tiering internet, and stratification of passengers when calling for tenders, and events by suite class , e.g. deck #. The egalitarian nature of Azamara has always been a big draw, and what has created this friendly on board culture. I hope they understand what the moves they are making can disrupt this balance. My opinion after a month on board the Onward World Journey.

I am interested if they have also increased the price of the drinks. They have signature cocktails on the menus. I was drinking Manhattans that were priced at 9.95. If you have the time and inclination, please check the menu and keep me posted. Thanks!

Interesting news for everyone. Did they specify at what point of the journey this would kick in?

There is another thread which I think goes hand in hand with this one to some extent, regarding whether or not the Azamara experience has changed. To me, this kind of treatment signals a change in corporate policy that is bound to affect the onboard experience. If one comes on board and is unhappy about unfair charges, and new higher prices for premium dining, and chef's table and excursions that weren't booked in advance - that affects the whole experience. Just my opinion (and my feelings after 30 days onboard )

In regards to the World Journey and Azamazing evenings, the events during the first two segments were a real fail. In Cozumel, bizarrely, they bussed us to the venue which was a 7-minute walk away. Maybe that was their ploy to ensure that the suite passengers got the seats where they could see the show. For 2/3 of the attendees, it was very difficult to view. The stratification of passengers became an even bigger issue on the 2nd leg where the event was held in Fakarava. By the time the deck 4 passengers were allowed to tender, they had less than an hour to do whatever it was that was supposed to be done on the island. There were no staff from Azamara directing passengers and it was pretty much complete chaos. It was sad, as both events had potential. I liked the idea of an azamazing day, and the venue was beautiful.

It was an excursion but highly recommend a cab so you can take it at your own pace. I thought it was gorgeous - amazing mountain air that is 15 degrees cooler than at the port. Beautiful vistas and interesting architecture.

Also went to Makrynitsa and another hillside town and it was wonderful. Highly recommend a visit high up into the hills if a long bus ride early in the a.m. is not something that makes you happy

On the 2nd leg of my last cruise (ending Feb. 3) I decided to forgo the ultimate package which seemed like an obscene amount of $ to pay for a drinking habit, even with the 20% discount. Opted instead to have one good "signature" drink at $10 and consume some bottles of wine I had brought on board. I do find myself drinking more than is appropriate for me when I've shelled out the cash. And you can now hang out in atlas bar and drink all kinds of cocktails - not just the Atlas bar ones. I missed the nonstop Pelligrino but also felt guilty about all the glass bottles i was using. And the onboard water actually tastes very good. Crazy increase.

I'd guess over half of the ship went to the island. The crew did an amazing job patiently and safely transferring so many people, with a variety of fitness levels, onto the tenders. For those unable to make the trip, there were plenty of crafts from Pitcairn as well as lectures.

I just had almost identical speeds on the Onward in the south Pacific. Agree,the upgraded service is still not especially robust but much better than the standard. On Explora I had better speeds than in my house.