Double Upgrade Promo on website

[excitedofharpenden]

53 minutes ago, oddjob16 said:

Changing «the flag» at the bottom of the page to Union Jack reveals the UK Azamara site and totally different prices compared to the Silly Sale aka «double upgrade». 

This confirms the scam theory. I recognise this from previous Silly sales. It is insulting.😡

You have to be so smart these days and I'm not that smart. It's such an effort. I totally understand that marketplace promotes different cruise areas at  lower price, but the differences can be HUGE and demonstrates just how cockeyed the Azamara pricing is in the first place. I will not play games with it, but some who don't know better do. As you say, it is insulting. 

 

Phil 

Edited September 5, 2019 by excitedofharpenden

[ECCruise]

1 hour ago, oddjob16 said:

Changing «the flag» at the bottom of the page to Union Jack reveals the UK Azamara site and totally different prices compared to the Silly Sale aka «double upgrade». 

This confirms the scam theory. I recognise this from previous Silly sales. It is insulting.😡

So agree.  The whole point is not that there are different prices in different countries, but rather that the difference is solely the result of the manipulation of pricing for the faux "sale."  The prices they are quoting for inside cabins (in order to push the 2 category upgrade) are hilarious.  As if people are lining up to pay nearly US$1000 per day for an inside cabin on an Azamara ship.  

[81Zoomie]

The price of the Aug 2020 cruise we were considering increased $2300 per person for and interior.  It went from $3199 to $5499 per person.  Similar increase on OVs.  We will pass on this “amazing” deal.

[ECCruise]

I think the most disappointing thing is that the powers-to-be obviously have so little respect for the intelligence and the awareness of their pax that they would blatantly pull this scam.  Way beyond smoke and mirrors.  81Zoomie's post clearly shows what they are doing.  We've found exactly the same thing on a number of sailings that we had considered.  

There is a reason why this type of bogus advertising is illegal in some parts of the world.

[Baynanno1]

On 9/3/2019 at 5:19 AM, uktog said:

I keep my own spreadsheets of the cruises I am thinking of booking - OCD I know!

 

I would say sensible or canny, not OCD.

We do the same. ☺️

[hamrag]

9 minutes ago, Baynanno1 said:

 

I would say sensible or canny, not OCD.

We do the same. ☺️

Savvy!

Wily!

Edited September 8, 2019 by hamrag

[nokewood20]

We normally book on board to enjoy the 7% Discov Plus discount. 

I have checked a number of the so called offers against my on board booking price.

Without exception the on board price has been lower by a significant amount.

[ECCruise]

10 hours ago, nokewood20 said:

We normally book on board to enjoy the 7% Discov Plus discount. 

I have checked a number of the so called offers against my on board booking price.

Without exception the on board price has been lower by a significant amount.

And that was after your 7% discount.  Imagine how much this "reverse sale" (you pay MORE with this sale) if you didn't have the discount.

[ECCruise]

Since this ridiculous promotion has started, we have booked 3 other cruises on other lines (which started out by looking at Azamara sailings).   Even though we have 4 Azamara sailings booked in the future, we are really tired of the games.  Are people really stupid enough to book at these bogus prices?

[Cruise Junky]

17 minutes ago, ECCruise said:

Since this ridiculous promotion has started, we have booked 3 other cruises on other lines (which started out by looking at Azamara sailings).   Even though we have 4 Azamara sailings booked in the future, we are really tired of the games.  Are people really stupid enough to book at these bogus prices?

Yes, I got quotes for Crystal today and looking at Oceania. What made my jaw drop was looking at the similar route on Azamara vs Oceania on Marina, so a much better ship, larger cabins, better restaurants.   13 days on Quest for $5499 + taxes vs 26 days on Marina for $6499.  Cruises leave a day apart. Quest was Bordeaux to Barcelona Oceania was Amsterdam to Venice. Many same ports on the first leg.  Azamara is out of their minds with those prices. Oceania and Crystal are taking them to the cleaners. 

Edited September 13, 2019 by Cruise Junky

[MNgardens]

I am not at all a fan of the pricing shenanigans but...

 

Cruise Junky's comparison above is not an apples to apples comparison. What is the daily cost per person?

Azamara at $5499 (ouch!) divided by 13 = $423 pp/day. Unknown taxes.

 

Oceania Marina carries almost twice as many passengers.

What are the taxes, etc for the $6499 cruise?

The required daily gratuity adds $16/pp aka $32/stateroom.  $16 x 26 = $416 ($32 x 26 days = $832.00)

$6499 + $416 = $6915. Unknown taxes

It works out to $266 pp/day. I think that is a fairly priced cruise.

 

So yes, a considerable difference but once this promotion ends and prices stabilize, perhaps not as stark. Some itineraries are more desirable than others and we don't have the ports listed nor the number of sea days. And, the Oceania one may be part of a B2B as "first leg" is mentioned. Lots of factors to consider, including ship size, casino pro and cons, and in my family's case, the inability to be away from work for a month.

 

This promotion will come and go. The traveling public is really spoiled for options and we have many good choices.

 

 

[Cruise Junky]

13 minutes ago, MNgardens said:

I am not at all a fan of the pricing shenanigans but...

 

Cruise Junky's comparison above is not an apples to apples comparison. What is the daily cost per person?

Azamara at $5499 (ouch!) divided by 13 = $423 pp/day. Unknown taxes.

 

Oceania Marina carries almost twice as many passengers.

What are the taxes, etc for the $6499 cruise?

The required daily gratuity adds $16/pp aka $32/stateroom.  $16 x 26 = $416 ($32 x 26 days = $832.00)

$6499 + $416 = $6915. Unknown taxes

It works out to $266 pp/day. I think that is a fairly priced cruise.

 

So yes, a considerable difference but once this promotion ends and prices stabilize, perhaps not as stark. Some itineraries are more desirable than others and we don't have the ports listed nor the number of sea days. And, the Oceania one may be part of a B2B as "first leg" is mentioned. Lots of factors to consider, including ship size, casino pro and cons, and in my family's case, the inability to be away from work for a month.

 

This promotion will come and go. The traveling public is really spoiled for options and we have many good choices.

 

 

The Azamara Cruise isn’t under the promotion just regular high price. There are no additional taxes on the Oceania cruise. They don’t hide their fees, yes there are gratuities. I would take Marinas size any day of the week over Azamara smurf staterooms.   Tax is $260 on Azamara so an extra $520 It’s a B2B. Can’t afford to be away for a month, just book one leg. 

Edited September 13, 2019 by Cruise Junky

[MNgardens]

Sounds like the slightly larger ships are working best for you now, which is fine. All travel is good!

[excitedofharpenden]

3 hours ago, MNgardens said:

Sounds like the slightly larger ships are working best for you now, which is fine. All travel is good!

This particular poster is always talking price. Which is fine. If one is price sensitive then go with what one is comfortable paying. They have never been on Azamara yet call them Smurf staterooms.  I'm a great believer in actually trying something before judging like this. And for many of us there is much more to the Azamara experience than the cabins. 

 

Phil 

[ECCruise]

I think my issue with this faux sale is that I spent a big chunk of my career running large auto dealerships.

Had our stores tried this distasteful gimmick we would have been hauled in front of every consumer protection agency in the state and been levied with huge fines and cease and desist orders.

Not only do the cruise lines get away with it, people say, "oh well, it's just marketing."  Another chunk of my career I spent in the marketing business.

No, it's not.

Edited September 13, 2019 by ECCruise

[excitedofharpenden]

2 minutes ago, ECCruise said:

I think my issue with this faux sale is that I spent a big chunk of my career running large auto dealerships.

Had our stores tried this distasteful gimmick we would have been hauled in front of every consumer protection agency in the state and been levied with huge fines and cease and desist orders.

Not only do the cruise lines get away with it, people say, "oh well, it's just marketing."  Another chunk of my career I spent in the marketing business.

No, it's not.

Sadly this seems to be the way Azamara have gone. So many deals at different times one can't keep up and it's totally confusing. Which is what I think they want for us as consumers.  Added to that the fire selling of cabins after final payment is a further slap in the face. If they priced the cruises properly at the start they wouldn't need to do it. The consolidator businesses however are rubbing their hands. 

 

Phil 

[ECCruise]

5 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

Sadly this seems to be the way Azamara have gone. So many deals at different times one can't keep up and it's totally confusing. Which is what I think they want for us as consumers.  Added to that the fire selling of cabins after final payment is a further slap in the face. If they priced the cruises properly at the start they wouldn't need to do it. The consolidator businesses however are rubbing their hands. 

 

Phil 

This, this a million times this.  🙂

[Cruise Junky]

7 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

This particular poster is always talking price. Which is fine. If one is price sensitive then go with what one is comfortable paying. They have never been on Azamara yet call them Smurf staterooms.  I'm a great believer in actually trying something before judging like this. And for many of us there is much more to the Azamara experience than the cabins. 

 

Phil 

It’s not all about price with me it’s getting value. Marina’s OV cabin is 100 sq ft larger than Azamara’s entry OV cabin, plus floor to ceiling windows instead of a window. To me paying extra for Azamara makes no sense. I actually think we’ll end up on Crystal because it has a better itinerary than both of them. 

Edited September 13, 2019 by Cruise Junky

[ptrpanpens]

On a positive note regarding the upgrade promotion, I just noticed that there are very low single supplements on several of the Azamara cruises in the Mediterranean, including the 2020 spring TA on Pursuit.

 

These are mostly on cruises between April and May on some of the more common routes but some of the prices are excellent if you are traveling alone. (Especially the TA and the May 14 repo from Lisbon to Southampton). These cruises are not advertised as solo deals, but they certainly are. 

 

Hope some other singles out there can take advantage.

[excitedofharpenden]

25 minutes ago, ptrpanpens said:

On a positive note regarding the upgrade promotion, I just noticed that there are very low single supplements on several of the Azamara cruises in the Mediterranean, including the 2020 spring TA on Pursuit.

 

These are mostly on cruises between April and May on some of the more common routes but some of the prices are excellent if you are traveling alone. (Especially the TA and the May 14 repo from Lisbon to Southampton). These cruises are not advertised as solo deals, but they certainly are. 

 

Hope some other singles out there can take advantage.

And this is another beef and further proof of the way things are.  In the past Azamara made a big thing of being solo friendly.  Now you can’t even look out for them because some are hidden until one drills into the booking.  I’ve also had mistakes happen to me with advertised single supplements that actually weren’t built into the price at all.  Hardly a confidence booster when looking to book a cruise.  

 

Phil

Edited September 13, 2019 by excitedofharpenden

[Grandma Cruising]

4 hours ago, Cruise Junky said:

It’s not all about price with me it’s getting value. Marina’s OV cabin is 100 sq ft larger than Azamara’s entry OV cabin, plus floor to ceiling windows instead of a window. To me paying extra for Azamara makes no sense. I actually think we’ll end up on Crystal because it has a better itinerary than both of them. 

Depends if you spend much time on your cabin. We spend very little time there so are not worried about the size. Yes the shower is on the small side, but there’s always plenty  of hot water and it’s fine to get clean in. 

For us Azamara’s value is in the whole combination of the atmosphere and friendliness on board, the excellent service, the food & the inclusive drinks.

[Cruise Junky]

45 minutes ago, Host Grandma Cruising said:

Depends if you spend much time on your cabin. We spend very little time there so are not worried about the size. Yes the shower is on the small side, but there’s always plenty  of hot water and it’s fine to get clean in. 

For us Azamara’s value is in the whole combination of the atmosphere and friendliness on board, the excellent service, the food & the inclusive drinks.

And that's the hard part for someone just comparing cruises on paper to comprehend. To be honest, it doesn't even enter into the equation until you've sailed a line. I fully appreciate that Azamara has a fierce following but for all of us cruisers looking to make a move, the old small ships with small cabins and crazy high prices don't appeal.

[Jimmycruiser]

Cruise Junky just will not let it go without the last word which is why he has 20,000 plus posts. The amazing thing is he has never sailed Azamara or experienced many of the things we love about AZ. Choosing a cruise is personal and subjective but he likes to try and make it objective by picking on Azamara’s pricing. Yes AZ marketing and sales are insulting but most of us are smart enough to not fall for it and find prices and incentives that are more reasonable. The reason we put up with the crazy marketing is the onboard experience which Cruise Junky has not experienced.

[Grandma Cruising]

31 minutes ago, Cruise Junky said:

And that's the hard part for someone just comparing cruises on paper to comprehend. To be honest, it doesn't even enter into the equation until you've sailed a line. I fully appreciate that Azamara has a fierce following but for all of us cruisers looking to make a move, the old small ships with small cabins and crazy high prices don't appeal.

On the other hand you could say that you have to try it to really know whether you’d love it or hate it.

Certainly if you’re looking for larger passenger numbers with all the bells & whistles in terms of laid on entertainment (climbing walls, ice rinks, water chutes etc) then Azamara is definitely not for you..

On the other hand if you’d love a port intensive cruise on a small ship that can get right to the heart of the destination (Seville, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Venice etc etc)  and love getting to know some lovely people (Officers, crew & passengers alike) then Azamara could be for you.

[Cruise Junky]

44 minutes ago, Jimmycruiser said:

Cruise Junky just will not let it go without the last word which is why he has 20,000 plus posts. The amazing thing is he has never sailed Azamara or experienced many of the things we love about AZ. Choosing a cruise is personal and subjective but he likes to try and make it objective by picking on Azamara’s pricing. Yes AZ marketing and sales are insulting but most of us are smart enough to not fall for it and find prices and incentives that are more reasonable. The reason we put up with the crazy marketing is the onboard experience which Cruise Junky has not experienced.

I'M NOT A HE.    I'm trying to explain what the outside non Azamara cruiser sees when comparing the next step up in cruising from the mainstream lines.  The onboard experience does not come into the equation when comparing lines like Azamara, Oceania & Crystal. You assume all are a step above the mainstream lines. Price and Accommodation does play a large part on the comparison. I only compared a 242 sq ft suite on Marina to a 143 sq ft on Azamara showing that Azamara was far more expensive.  I never commented on the experience. A new to Azamara cruiser would have a hard time doing that comparison and then booking Azamara.  

 

And give up on the whole..you haven't sailed Azamara, it's getting old and boring.   They're going to need new cruisers and quite frankly, they're not looking appealing at the current pricing.