AZAMARA'S BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: More Amenities added for Up-Market Travelers

[Jade13]

I have just spoken to our TA and we had looked at a St Petersburg cruise for next June . The price has already increased , so if a further increase is likely in November, the cost for this cruise from Southampton will be ridiculous.

.

 

HAL has that basic itinerary on multiple ships (10 or 12 night options) and colleagues of mine booked late this year with a Veranda (and full bath) at $1,499.00 per person. Sure they are not Azamara, but can you justify the price difference on such a port intensive cruise? These are mid sized ships, some with approx. 1,200 passengers. They allow unlimited sodas and wine to be brought onboard.

[pacheco18]

So Oceania includes gratuities in the fare the same as Azamara?

 

NO - it is not a given. YOu need to have the right TA

[BEAV]

Two comments.....

 

1. Price increases: If bookings aren't strong enough under increased pricing, rates will be adjusted (lowered) accordingly in an effort to fill empty staterooms. Every cruise line does it these days....

 

2. Non-drinkers subsidizing drinkers: On any given cruise and cruise line, there are a variety of activities offered (shows, concerts, lectures, classes, etc) that some people never attend or take advantage of, yet the cost to the cruise lines to provide these features is already built into your cruise fare. Do you ever read a complaint of "I hate subsidizing those who take foreign language classes the cruise line offers because I don't participate in them myself". I've got news for you, you've already paid for that foreign language class whether you attend or not! So why does included alcohol strike such a nerve with so many?

[pacheco18]

Two comments.....

 

1. Price increases: If bookings aren't strong enough under increased pricing, rates will be adjusted (lowered) accordingly in an effort to fill empty staterooms. Every cruise line does it these days....

 

2. Non-drinkers subsidizing drinkers: On any given cruise and cruise line, there are a variety of activities offered (shows, concerts, lectures, classes, etc) that some people never attend or take advantage of, yet the cost to the cruise lines to provide these features is already built into your cruise fare. Do you ever read a complaint of "I hate subsidizing those who take foreign language classes the cruise line offers because I don't participate in them myself". I've got news for you, you've already paid for that foreign language class whether you attend or not! So why does included alcohol strike such a nerve with so many?

 

Because even if they added French and Italian lessons they would not announce and institute a huge price increase. Azamara THINKS (mistakenly) that included alcohol equals value added and justifies charging more. Obviously for the majority on these boards it does not.

[mare s.]

Because even if they added French and Italian lessons they would not announce and institute a huge price increase. Azamara THINKS (mistakenly) that included alcohol equals value added and justifies charging more. Obviously for the majority on these boards it does not.

 

And cheap liquor at that!

[Christine Frances]

NO - it is not a given. YOu need to have the right TA

 

Sorry, I am not understanding:confused: You said the "gratuities come from O" not from a TA (just the OBC). Just certain people can get the free gratuities? Really not trying to be a pain:)

[midwestchick]

This is all confusing....from what I've read, if I book an A cruise before Nov. 1 for a 2013 cruise and that price goes up after Nov. 1 then I will have to pay the extra? That doesn't make sense to me...like I said...if I read it correctly. That would be like booking a land vacation at a resort and paying for it and then being told your price has gone up. Crazy!

So, if this is the case would someone explain it to me?

I also think if someone wants to share information via E-mail about TA's they should be allowed to do it. I can understand not posting or advertising on a forum but to not be able to share information privately sounds somewhat silly to me. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :confused:

[pacheco18]

Sorry, I am not understanding:confused: You said the "gratuities come from O" not from a TA (just the OBC). Just certain people can get the free gratuities? Really not trying to be a pain:)

 

Only certain high volume TAs are given the free gratuities from O (through groups) to pass on to clients. If you are not using one of those high volume TAs you are unlikely to get free gratuities.

[Deegee208]

Really don't think they are raising fares because of standard alcohol and a 3 hour event. Everyone needs to realize that both ships will be undergoing renovations that include new carpet, upholstery, paint, New mattresses, pool resurfacing, pool furniture, veranda furniture, Expanded casino bar with new furniture, New caviar and champagne bar, updated crew and staff quarters, New steam room, showers and cardio equipment, And a new chefs table menu offering. Oh, and a blue hull paint job. These things cost $$$$.

[Christine Frances]

Only certain high volume TAs are given the free gratuities from O (through groups) to pass on to clients. If you are not using one of those high volume TAs you are unlikely to get free gratuities.

 

 

Thanks Gotcha:D It just seems funny that you have to "know" a TA to get something that O is offering.

[MightyQuinn]

Really don't think they are raising fares because of standard alcohol and a 3 hour event...

Exactly. I don't think Azamara believes that these new enhancements justify a huge price increase. Rather, I think Azamara was looking for a way to raise prices as I suspect they are under pressure to improve (or create) profitability. Including alcohol and offering a complimentary night tour was a convenient and relatively cheap way to "sell" it in the marketplace and perhaps attract a new clientele. I still think this approach will appeal to upmarket cruisers who want an all-inclusive experience at a lesser price point than offered on true luxury lines.

 

But I do find it curious that Azamara recently released their prices for 2014 itineraries and now they're being increased effective next month! That really doesn't show much forethought to me.

[rockysquirrel]

§ While AzAmazing Evening events are complimentary for every guest and because of the operational per guest cost, we need to ensure that the space reserved for each guest does not go to waste. Therefore, guests will be required to acknowledge their participation in the AzAmazing Evening event by booking the event just like any shore excursion online and the price will show zero. Also, there will be the option to book once onboard; however, for operational efficient, we prefer to know the level of participation at the outset of each voyage and encourage booking online prior to departure.

§ We ask that guests who reconsider and decide not to participate inform the shore excursion desk by 10 PM the night prior to the AzAmazing event so we can plan transportation and event participation accordingly. NOTE: Guests who signed up to participate and did not cancel by 10 PM the night prior will be charged a per person cancellation fee from $100 - $200 depending on the voyage's area of operation. Onboard credits cannot be used to cover this fee.

§ We anticipate a high level of participation because we believe our guests are choosing Azamara for a destination immersive experience but we recognize that some events may not appeal to each and every one of our guests. Consequently, if a guest chooses not to participate because of a difference in their taste or style, we will not be able to offer any onboard credit or a substitution tour.

 

I have continued to think about things since the bad news came out yesterday. One of my thoughts is around the AzAmazing Evening and the quotes from Bill (above). I don't understand how the event is complimentary and therefore no credit or substitution is able to be offered if you do not participate. BUT if you sign up and then do not attend you will be charged a cancellation fee. Considering the fares are going up to cover this event, how can you pay a cancellation fee for not showing up on top of the increased fares that are being paid? I am not suggesting that people waste food, admission and transportation fees, etc. but it is not right to charge for not cancelling an unused reservation. How is this different than ordering food or beverages and then not consuming them or not attending a show on board?

 

Lastly, if Azamara wanted to look at no or low cost value added benefits for the passengers, why wasn't free in room movies offered. The currently free movie programming on the in room TV is horrible. This could have been greatly improved by allowing all of the current pay movies to be offered for free. This would cost Azamara nothing except for the small amount of revenue that would be lost from the people who paid for the movies in the past. Since the pay per view TV system is already in place and is not consumable (like food) and does not pass by like the empty cabins will when the ship sails half empty due to the "enhancements". Maybe this has to do with the fact that people don't have to pull out their ship charge to pay for this so it does not feel like you are being nickel and dimed.

 

It is interesting to see that some things are OK to ask for your ship charge for (Internet time, Nespressos, spa treatements, casino games, speciality restaurants, excursions, BINGO, and gift shops) but not alcohol!

 

It is hard to say goodbye to two wonderful ships and all of the crew but the way things are going this is not the "Home" that I feel I am welcome in anymore.

[CTLeeA]

We're enjoyed AZ...a lot...an awful lot, but we agree with the great majority of writers here: if we wished to do on a party boat with smallish cabins, we'd do Carnival. We love the service, access to interesting ports, and size of the ships, and food, and were will to overlook the ships' age and limitations and higher cost. We want ports affordable...not access to free booze....sorry to say you've lost us..it was fun while it lasted.

 

 

 

 

Right on! And I think even 2013 prices will go up in November, so any comparison using current Azamara prices is not valid even for 2013 after these so-called "enhancements" go into effect.

 

Seems to me the key to all these changes is tipped off by the last two words in Bill Lieber's title for this thread: More Amenities added for Up-Market Travelers. I read this to say Azamara is going after the Regent, Seabourn, Silverseas crowd, and prices are going to reflect that. The problem is, from my point of view, that those folks aren't going to bite.

 

We spent 25 days on Regent this past March and followed the Regent board closely here on Cruise Critic. Firstly, Regent regulars grumble about the size of the small standard veranda suites on Regent's Mariner, and these are 252 square feet. On Regent's newest ship, Voyager, they are 306 square feet--and this doesn't include balcony square footage. Does Azamara really think they will move down to 158 to 175 square foot inside, oceanview, or veranda staterooms on Quest or Journey? These R-ships have 42 Club Suites and the remaining 300+ staterooms are 158 to 175 square feet. I just don't see these being booked by former Regent, Seabourn, etc., passengers.

 

Secondly, from talking with many Regent passengers, my impression is that they feel that they've "made it" and deserve only the best, and have the means to pay for it. We heard so many times, when we mentioned that these were our first Regent cruises, passengers telling us that they'd never cruise with anyone but Regent. The feeling was something like: This is the best; I deserve the best; I can afford the best; why should I settle for anything less. And, by the way, Regent's all-inclusive offering includes everything Azamara offers (except the 600+ passenger Azamazing night event) plus free air, free excursions, free specialty restaurants, better brands of free alcohol, and attractive pricing for business-class air upgrades.

 

My point: I'm very pessimistic that Azamara is going to be successful in positioning itself in that "luxury" niche given the two twelve-year old R-ships, originally built for a mass-market cruise line and therefore having much smaller-than-average staterooms, that comprise its entire fleet. Instead, it should try to firm up its position in a cruise line category where its only significant competition today is Oceania, and not try to over-reach.

[pacheco18]

Thanks Gotcha:D It just seems funny that you have to "know" a TA to get something that O is offering.

 

It is offered to that TA -- he or she passes it on.

[TerryAndDoug]

I looked back at the boards from when Larry Pimentel answered questions earlier this year. He spoke about the Azamara Value Proposition:

 

"The term Value Proposition is used by most marketers to express the idea that their product or service is worth the money spent on it. Here’s my way of looking at this: Azamara guests such as you are usually affluent, highly-sophisticated and demanding. You want the best and you don’t mind paying for it. You call this “a fair amount.” You gauge the idea of “fair amount” on what you perceive to be good value. And that’s how you look at Azamara - a good value for the money."

 

When asked why Azamara isn't all-inclusive, he referred back to this value proposition. Hopefully Azamara will realize that they have now exceeded that "fair amount" for many loyal customers.

 

Doug

[geocruiser]

I looked back at the boards from when Larry Pimentel answered questions earlier this year. He spoke about the Azamara Value Proposition:

 

"The term Value Proposition is used by most marketers to express the idea that their product or service is worth the money spent on it. Here’s my way of looking at this: Azamara guests such as you are usually affluent, highly-sophisticated and demanding. You want the best and you don’t mind paying for it. You call this “a fair amount.” You gauge the idea of “fair amount” on what you perceive to be good value. And that’s how you look at Azamara - a good value for the money."

 

When asked why Azamara isn't all-inclusive, he referred back to this value proposition. Hopefully Azamara will realize that they have now exceeded that "fair amount" for many loyal customers.

 

Doug

 

I agree with this. I just don't feel that is is a good value for me. The price is not worth what Azamara is giving.

[TerryAndDoug]

I got a kick out of this. Now, not only are the new Nespresso offerings "bespoke", so are the AzAmazing Evenings:

 

"These events are unique and bespoke," Azamara senior vice president of sales and marketing Edie Bornstein told cruise writers during a conference call.

 

Doug

[dfishner]

I got a kick out of this. Now, not only are the new Nespresso offerings "bespoke", so are the AzAmazing Evenings:

 

"These events are unique and bespoke," Azamara senior vice president of sales and marketing Edie Bornstein told cruise writers during a conference call.

 

Doug

 

I am now officially bespoked out :-)

[CTLeeA]

The following is a copy of the email I sent to Azamara tonight. If I wanted to take a booze cruise, I'd have booked on Carnival.

 

If you check Cruise Critic, you will get a sense of the outrage felt by customers over your new policy. To put it bluntly and briefly, we don't care about having an open bar on our Sept. 2013 cruise. We do, however, care very much that you are doubling the cost of our tours booked prior to embarkation and on a port intensive cruise such as the one be booked, I can imagine the additional cost to us to be in the area of $2000 dollars. We booked with the expectation that certain amenities, including a 50% discount of prebooked tours, would be extended to us. If your decision to reneg on that includes those of us already booked, , we will cancel our reservation as I'm sure many of your customers shall. The Az amazing evening tour doesn't even come close to the value of 50% off 10 or so tours. It's shame Azamara considers it's customers to be so stupid as to believe it does.

[marinaro44]

I got a kick out of this. Now, not only are the new Nespresso offerings "bespoke", so are the AzAmazing Evenings:

 

"These events are unique and bespoke," Azamara senior vice president of sales and marketing Edie Bornstein told cruise writers during a conference call.

 

Doug

Smacks of a kid who just learned a new $2 word and can't stop herself from using it. More than a bit pretentious, I'd say. Maybe Edie thinks "bespoke" rings some kind of bell with "up-market travelers."

[Bloodaxe]

We're enjoyed AZ...a lot...an awful lot, but we agree with the great majority of writers here: if we wished to do on a party boat with smallish cabins, we'd do Carnival. We love the service, access to interesting ports, and size of the ships, and food, and were will to overlook the ships' age and limitations and higher cost. We want ports affordable...not access to free booze....sorry to say you've lost us..it was fun while it lasted.

 

It is hard to say goodbye to two wonderful ships and all of the crew but the way things are going this is not the "Home" that I feel I am welcome in anymore.

 

I fully agree with both of the above

[MrMojoRisin]

Hi Bill

 

 

The specific concern is that many of us have purchased Azamara Passages certificates at a significant cost ($550 for me) which we will either no longer be interested in using or unable to use because the cost of an Azamara cruise has increased to a point of unaffordability for us.

 

So, the specific question is "What is Azamara going to do to make things right for those of us who can no longer use previously purchased Azamara Passages certificates? Obviously, a refund would be ideal; but converting them to Celebrity or Royal certificates of our choice would be a tolerable alternative.

 

Thanks.

 

Art

It certainly would not be tolerable for us.

[zennor]

I have now had more thoughts regarding the punitive cancellation charges for the so-called Azmazing evening excursions. Even if the actual excursion is of interest, we are unlikely to sign up.

 

Our cruise in 2013 is port intensive with no sea-days. With no 50% LDS we will be DIY-ing in every port. How do we know at 10 pm the previous day how we're going to feel the following evening? Possibly pretty tired & my back may have given up. How can we risk being CHARGED 300 USD (for 2 of us) if we are unable to attend?

 

I appreciate that Az do need to have some assurance that people will turn up for a pre-booked tour but to charge 150 USD pp is unacceptable. :mad:

[justhappytobehere]

The following is a copy of the email I sent to Azamara tonight. If I wanted to take a booze cruise, I'd have booked on Carnival.

 

If you check Cruise Critic, you will get a sense of the outrage felt by customers over your new policy. To put it bluntly and briefly, we don't care about having an open bar on our Sept. 2013 cruise. We do, however, care very much that you are doubling the cost of our tours booked prior to embarkation and on a port intensive cruise such as the one be booked, I can imagine the additional cost to us to be in the area of $2000 dollars. We booked with the expectation that certain amenities, including a 50% discount of prebooked tours, would be extended to us. If your decision to reneg on that includes those of us already booked, , we will cancel our reservation as I'm sure many of your customers shall. The Az amazing evening tour doesn't even come close to the value of 50% off 10 or so tours. It's shame Azamara considers it's customers to be so stupid as to believe it does.

 

Well said, you've summed it up nicely

[Joecors]

It is hard to say goodbye to two wonderful ships and all of the crew but the way things are going this is not the "Home" that I feel I am welcome in anymore. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

If ACC are struggling to make a profit surely the best solution would be to have a straight increase in prices so that people would have a straight choice. Take it or leave it!

"Free" Drinks

There is some support for the inclusion of free alcoholic drinks in addition to wine . Is the reason fatigue at having to sign the chits whilst sitting at the pool or is it, the more likely reason, that other guests are subsidizing their alcohol consumption?

AzAzamara

Then please look at the AzAmazing “offer”. $100 fine if you cancel! If this is not an odious overcharge that must mean the cost to ACC for transport, entertainment, food and drink must be at least $100. What is wrong with reducing the cost of the cruise to the guest and giving them the option of paying for AzAmazing.

Apart from the excellent service provided by the onboard staff, the reason we have supported ACC in the past was so eloquently described by some contributors as a feeling of “going home”; an absence of the rules and regulations which seem to prevail on some other cruise lines.

If it is not too late please think again Azamara!