Booking Excursions with credits?

Placerville · January 17, 2011

Through a miracle, my travel agent was able to get a $1000 onboard credit for my wife and myself for an upcoming cruise (Panama Canal). She was told by Azamara that we could not use our credit to book shore excursions on line, but must wait until onboard. Why?? :confused:

Jade13 · January 17, 2011

Through a miracle, my travel agent was able to get a $1000 onboard credit for my wife and myself for an upcoming cruise (Panama Canal). She was told by Azamara that we could not use our credit to book shore excursions on line, but must wait until onboard. Why?? :confused:

That is a huge OBC. Congrats. Why is it a miracle? Was this the promotional OBC (I thought last year) that Azamara was offering for some of its Caribbean and Mexican sailings? Is this a new last minute booking?

Azamara, Celebrity, & HAL always require you to book and pay in full in advance for any shore excursions. I guess the question is whether they can be refunded and re-booked once onboard. Paying in advance is the only way to guarantee availability.

I think Azamara needs to evaluate this policy in light of the fact they are having promotions with up to $1,000.00 OBC. They don't have as much opportunity as the mass market lines to spend this much on-board.

Enjoy your cruise.

Phxazzcruisers · January 17, 2011

Azamara and Celebrity do not letnyounuse credits to purchase excursions in advance. They must be paid fornwith a credit card. We have traveled on Azamara three times now, next week will be number 4. We have a 500.00 OBC and willnbook excursions when we board. We have never had a problem to date with a desired excursion being sold out.

Placerville · January 18, 2011

This is our third cruise with Azamara. We booked 6 months in advance; paid in full. It was a "miracle" because my travel agent happened to see another sailing which offered a $1000 credit, and asked "Why not this cruise, and why not us?" I still do not understand why, if I can use this credit once I set foot onboard, I cannot use it 2 weeks in advance?

Cruise Junky · January 18, 2011

Thank you for asking this. We got a quote today and there was a $900 OBC I was wondering the exact same thing.

Jade13 · January 18, 2011

This is our third cruise with Azamara. We booked 6 months in advance; paid in full. It was a "miracle" because my travel agent happened to see another sailing which offered a $1000 credit, and asked "Why not this cruise, and why not us?" I still do not understand why, if I can use this credit once I set foot onboard, I cannot use it 2 weeks in advance?

Which date?

Jade13 · January 18, 2011

Thank you for asking this. We got a quote today and there was a $900 OBC I was wondering the exact same thing.

Is the credit from an outside agent, vs direct from Azamara? Which cruise and date?

Cruise Junky · January 18, 2011

Is the credit from an outside agent, vs direct from Azamara? Which cruise and date?

Outside Agent. September 23rd, 2012 Monte Carlo to Rome.

Placerville · January 18, 2011

My cruise date is 1/30/11. The credit was not from an outside agent, but rather given by Azamara.

Jade13 · January 18, 2011

My cruise date is 1/30/11. The credit was not from an outside agent, but rather given by Azamara.

Well I guess that was a miracle because I don't see the 1,000 OBC credit promoton listed for that date.

Is this a new boking that was just made in the past week?

Placerville · January 18, 2011

Again, this booking was made 6 months ago and the credit was issued from our travel agent's request 3 months ago. It was not a ship-wide promotion.

westmount · January 19, 2011

I had $3000 OBC (two rooms) on our recent trip to the Panama Canal, and wnated to book a private tour in costa Rica, which I had to do in advance by credit card., which did cause a lot of discussions Azamara beforehand. All the other excursions though were wide open on the ship, two even got canceled for lack of proper numbers (which azamara should not accept) . the good news was the credits paid for all the excursions, family spa treatments,great wines every night, extra tips for the staff and my decent bar bills, internet use at will. We had a truly all inclusive Azamara Club experience. Three cheers for OBC.

Westmount

Jade13 · January 19, 2011

I had $3000 OBC (two rooms) on our recent trip to the Panama Canal, and wnated to book a private tour in costa Rica, which I had to do in advance by credit card., which did cause a lot of discussions Azamara beforehand. All the other excursions though were wide open on the ship, two even got canceled for lack of proper numbers (which azamara should not accept) . the good news was the credits paid for all the excursions, family spa treatments,great wines every night, extra tips for the staff and my decent bar bills, internet use at will. We had a truly all inclusive Azamara Club experience. Three cheers for OBC.

Westmount

So, you booked a private excursion through Azamara? How was that worked out in advance so that the tour operator knew where you wanted to go? I would be interested in hearing because I do not know anyone who has ever booked a private driver through the ship.

So, are you saying they refunded your credit card once on-board and let you use the OBC for the private Shore Excursion?

I'm assuming (at least for the Europe 2011 promotions with $500.00 OBC and 50% off ShoreX booked in advance), Azamara's goal is for you not to use the OBC for Shore Excursions. They want to make additional revenues from selling the Shore Excursions.

$1,500.00 OBC per cabin, wow.

westmount · January 20, 2011

I don't think it was so much wow as much as I booed last august and booked my own flights down to Miami etc. People who booked later had some sort of flight special and got their drinks for free, so I guess it's a way for Azamara to keep the fare always the same, and see what will draw the most people and perception of a deal. as for the excursion, yes, you certainly can book a private tour with azamara directly, which protects you in case of a delay returning, plus you know your operator is a good one. We were four people, so the cost of our day in Costa Rica was not much higher than the regular excursion, and we had a van going up the rain forest mountain rather than the bus from hell trying to make that trip.

we had to book it in advance, no credit given, but I didn't ask on board if we could book a private excursion (they ask 30 days advance booking) which they probably would try and arrange if asked. Generally, if you go to the excursion staff early on your trip, I doubt you would ever have a problem getting a spot on an excursion, as popularity would only lead to a bigger bus, extra van, and happy local business. I think it's more the reverse, as they worry about low attendance, and then might have to cancel if numbers don't warrant.

Regent doesn't charge for excursions, but then it's $10k to travel, book the best cruise you can find, get as many extras included, get to the gym every day, it's a must.

Jade13 · January 20, 2011

I don't think it was so much wow as much as I booed last august and booked my own flights down to Miami etc. People who booked later had some sort of flight special and got their drinks for free, so I guess it's a way for Azamara to keep the fare always the same, and see what will draw the most people and perception of a deal. as for the excursion, yes, you certainly can book a private tour with azamara directly, which protects you in case of a delay returning, plus you know your operator is a good one. We were four people, so the cost of our day in Costa Rica was not much higher than the regular excursion, and we had a van going up the rain forest mountain rather than the bus from hell trying to make that trip.
we had to book it in advance, no credit given, but I didn't ask on board if we could book a private excursion (they ask 30 days advance booking) which they probably would try and arrange if asked. Generally, if you go to the excursion staff early on your trip, I doubt you would ever have a problem getting a spot on an excursion, as popularity would only lead to a bigger bus, extra van, and happy local business. I think it's more the reverse, as they worry about low attendance, and then might have to cancel if numbers don't warrant.

Regent doesn't charge for excursions, but then it's $10k to travel, book the best cruise you can find, get as many extras included, get to the gym every day, it's a must.

Westmount, OK, thanks for the info. So, you booked early, paid for your flights and than Azamara offered Free Flights (and drinks). But, your flights were non-refundable is my guess. This is the same issue that we are having, but instead of "Free Flights" the promo is $1,000.00 off per person ($2,000.00 per stateroom) on the cruise fare, once you book your flights through the Choice Air booking tool (most cruises are $500.00 off per person).

It sounds like you received $750.00 OBC per person ($1,500.00 per stateroom/$3,000.00 total) instead of the "Free Air". Good to know.

westmount · January 20, 2011

The Panama Canal trip started in Miami and ended in San Diego, so I was more concerned about getting the flights "I" wanted and not the flights they might want to send me on. I think we got a pretty good price for the cruise as well, and of course least minute deals for those who get them are great as long as you want to roll the dice on space availability and room selection. I don't have that luxury when booking family trips. In the end I had an all inclusive cruise, the way I like it, the flights i wanted, the suite i wanted, and my kids three doors down. Did i tell you what a great time we had BECAUSE of all of the above.

I keep waiting for Ardvil to knock on my door with three trays of breakfast every morning now and instead I have to go downstairs and make toast, yuck!

Jade13 · January 21, 2011

The takeaway from this thread (besides the fact that Shore Excursions can not be booked in advanced with OBC), is if you book through an outside agent, they are better able to resolve issues for clients who booked early and were thereby going to miss out on Free Air (or Choice Air promo) or OBC or a combination. The Kansas city call center does not seem to be doing anything for those booked directly through the cruise line.

Let an outside agent deal with these issues that will continue to occur as long as Azamara is not guaranteeing the best deals to those who book early.

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"Old January 17th, 2011, 05:46 PM