Anybody onboard currently?

[Baynanno1]

Re. travel arrangements :

Perhaps whoever made the flight reservations failed to comprehend the fact that the UK is no longer part of the EU, not realising a quick transit would be impossible.

Most unsatisfactory, to say the least.

 

We always book our own flights.

[marinaro44]

Are Azamara cruises with packaged flights an EU or UK thing?  I've never seen that offered in the US with more than ten years cruising Azamara.  We've often booked air through CruiseAir, but they don't dictate your flight arrangements.  They offer choices, and you decide on the flight plan you want.. 

[Grandma Cruising]

3 minutes ago, marinaro44 said:

Are Azamara cruises with packaged flights an EU or UK thing?  I've never seen that offered in the US with more than ten years cruising Azamara.  We've often booked air through CruiseAir, but they don't dictate your flight arrangements.  They offer choices, and you decide on the flight plan you want.. 

unfortunately there’s no such system in the UK. You either buy the flight through Azamara, or buy a package from a specialist cruise company, where you have to take what flights they offer. The only other alternatives are to ask your independent travel agent to sort flights out for you, or you do it yourself. We always sort them out ourselves as I like to be in control.

[DS]

Onboard the ONWARD ( 10 Oct Ravenna to 21 October Rome)

 

Senior Officers:   Captain CARL Smith; HD Elisabeth Vogel; Cruice Director ERIC DeGray; F&B IWAN Pennings (former exec chef); Assist CD Roy Ryan

 

Passengers on Board:  442

 

FOOD:   So far the food has been excellent—we’ve been in MDR, Aqualina, and Prime C—all good

 

SERVICE:   Mostly up to usual Azamara standards (a bit of hiccups in Prime C last night), excellent in Aqualina.    Comp wines have been a mix of Azamara Label and other non-Az labels.   Usually just 2 reds and 2 whites a night   ( June cruise, with all Az labels, at least had all 4 varietals of both red and white each night).   BUT, as always, you waiter can usually find what you want…   

Room steward have been excellent, although as some others noted, there are now no assistant room stewards

 

COMMENTS and NITS:   still some supply chain problems:  no bagels the first two mornings, and today we knew from Iwan that they had been loaded yesterday – but the restaurant staff did not!   BUT, in usual Azamara style, they went and found them.   There were none of the usual “Make up my room / Do not disturb” door magnets when we boarded--- steward said they were still waiting for them.   They showed up a day or so later.  When we boarded there were still lots of things on the pier to be loaded – including many mechanical parts ( big engines/ generators, huge propane ( or something) tanks)   Obviously still trying to get things up to snuff.

Ship is very cold; our room the first day/night was frigid, even with thermostat turned fully up.   A mention to the room steward the next morning, and it was corrected by engineering—nice and toasty now!

 

CHAIRS:   I think every single chair on the ONWARD is physically lighter than is counterpart on the other ships.   From the veranda (molded plastic with thin cushion), to all the restaurants ( some times on other ships it was hard to move the chairs out from the table—not here… I’ve seen several tip over when someone tried to move them.)    Same thing in the lounges and Cabaret.   They also tend to be very narrow, especially those with arms.    I’m a skinny guy but still touch both sides of these chairs when sitting down—they must be uncomfortable for larger folk.

 

SHIPS APPEARANCE:   There is still a lot of work to be done.   For example, there is a large crack all the way through our desk top.   The hand rails in the elevators are all beaten up, some with chunks out.   A simple coat of paint would go a long way!   (but please, not the same icky brown as in in there now… it’s not a natural wood color, just some other brown stuff).    Brass on stair treads in need of heavy polishing.  (Last cruise on different ship we saw one staff member polishing this brass every single day of our cruise… he started on deck 10 and got to 4 or 5 by the end of the cruise!)

 

TRANSFER FROM VENICE TO RAVENNA:  We were on the Azamara provided bus from Venice airport to Ravenna port.  Unfortunately, the PURSUIT was also sailing from Ravenna the same day, so we had two ship loads of people.  They mixed us up on the busses.  Others have posted here or elsewhere about the trials and tribulations of moving our own luggage from airport arrival hall to busses ( half a klick or more way through the parking lot, then getting off the bus and standing in line ( again with two ships worth of people) before giving the baggage to the porters.   Inside the building, at least there were two separate areas for check-in.     And all this on top of the 2 ½ hr bus ride, without the promised “comfort stop.”   I’m so glad that it looks like Venice will be back in a year or so…

 

BOTTOM LINE:   We are coming from Fort Myers Florida, where the past 2 weeks have been --- just awful!  We are so glad to be back on board and have the Azamara staff take care of us, feed us, entertain us.   We can forgive crappy elevator handrails!

[Travels with Lisa]

21 minutes ago, marinaro44 said:

Are Azamara cruises with packaged flights an EU or UK thing?  I've never seen that offered in the US with more than ten years cruising Azamara.  We've often booked air through CruiseAir, but they don't dictate your flight arrangements.  They offer choices, and you decide on the flight plan you want.. 

There are several companies in the US that offer packages including flights.  We did that for our first Azamara cruise.

[JoAnneV]

22 hours ago, Nippy Sweetie said:

Have just been a little assertive! Result was that we were told to try just turning up at, say, 7 and see if we can be fitted in. There may be either cancellations or no shows or even just vacant tables. We're going to have a go at that.

Meanwhile, the menu in Discoveries looks good tonight and we'll ask to share a table again. We met a nice young American couple that way last night.

We have shown up early for an 8:30 and been seated immediately at a nice table. 

[beatnix]

47 minutes ago, DS said:

Onboard the ONWARD ( 10 Oct Ravenna to 21 October Rome)

Thank you @DS for sharing your experiance!
We will embark on Oct. 29th and ara looking forward to meet the 4th sister.

[takemewithyou]

1 hour ago, beatnix said:

Thank you @DS for sharing your experiance!
We will embark on Oct. 29th and ara looking forward to meet the 4th sister.

Agree!!  Thank you so much @DSfor your report from Onward.  
I hope your cruise goes smoothly and you feel pampered as you have been through a lot in Fort Myers!! 

Edited October 13, 2022 by takemewithyou

[marinaro44]

4 hours ago, Travels with Lisa said:

There are several companies in the US that offer packages including flights.  We did that for our first Azamara cruise.

I'm trying to understand how Nippy Sweetie, who complained about the short flight layover in Paris, was given that flight routing by Azamara.  He or she is from Scotland, so I was asking if Azamara offers cruise plus flight packages in the UK.  I'm quite sure Azamara doesn't do that in the US and ChoiceAir is not offered outside the US and Canada.  It just seemed strange to me that Azamara would give anyone a mandated flight routing unless a cruise/flight package was booked through them. 

 

[Nippy Sweetie]

Nevertheless they did! We booked a package with Azamara including flights. It's what happens here.

Edited October 13, 2022 by Nippy Sweetie

[marinaro44]

1 hour ago, Nippy Sweetie said:

Nevertheless they did! We booked a package with Azamara including flights. It's what happens here.

Thanks.  First I've heard of that.

[uktog]

26 minutes ago, marinaro44 said:

Thanks.  First I've heard of that.

Azamara offer flights to all destinations ex UK based on a range of regional airports as well as London Manchester and Birmingham. Ex Scotland I suspect due to driving to minimum cost they never offer the transit point in the UK (eg London Heathrow) preferring to take you out via Amsterdam or Paris even got Miami which is crazy as you have to clear immigration and security to make your connection. 

The Azamara offerings with flights only really work if you are travelling from London Manchester or Birmingham. 
Unlike choice air,  UK guests who book a cruise with flights through  Azamara have to accept the flights and routing they are given. We cannot call and ask for anything better. 
 

That is why I never book cruise and flights as a package either from Azamara or a travel company. 

[RW75]

I’m now feeling I need to dine more in Prime C just to know I can have a drink at the bar.  Actually pleased with the many responses giving the polar opposite of my experience. 

[marinaro44]

3 hours ago, uktog said:

Azamara offer flights to all destinations ex UK based on a range of regional airports as well as London Manchester and Birmingham. Ex Scotland I suspect due to driving to minimum cost they never offer the transit point in the UK (eg London Heathrow) preferring to take you out via Amsterdam or Paris even got Miami which is crazy as you have to clear immigration and security to make your connection. 

The Azamara offerings with flights only really work if you are travelling from London Manchester or Birmingham. 
Unlike choice air,  UK guests who book a cruise with flights through  Azamara have to accept the flights and routing they are given. We cannot call and ask for anything better. 
 

That is why I never book cruise and flights as a package either from Azamara or a travel company. 

Thanks for the thorough explanation.  I can't imagine booking flights if I have to accept the routing they give me.  Flying is unpleasant enough when you can choose your flight routing.

[tidespring]

14 hours ago, uktog said:

Azamara offer flights to all destinations ex UK based on a range of regional airports as well as London Manchester and Birmingham. Ex Scotland I suspect due to driving to minimum cost they never offer the transit point in the UK (eg London Heathrow) preferring to take you out via Amsterdam or Paris even got Miami which is crazy as you have to clear immigration and security to make your connection. 

The Azamara offerings with flights only really work if you are travelling from London Manchester or Birmingham. 
Unlike choice air,  UK guests who book a cruise with flights through  Azamara have to accept the flights and routing they are given. We cannot call and ask for anything better. 
 

That is why I never book cruise and flights as a package either from Azamara or a travel company. 

I have gathered so much information and knowledge from yourself and others on this site over the last few years. I will definately in future book my own flights seperately in future. Currently on  Journey in Corfu.

 

We flew Air france Manchester to Venice changing in Paris with only 1 hour 30 transfer time. We only just made the connection. On our last Azamara cruise in 2019, the travel agent was able to book us direct flights out to Rome with Jet2, private transfers, and on disembarking from Barcelona direct flights home with Tui after a night in a Hotel.  Now they seem to be saying if you want an ATOL package the flights have to be booked through Azamara. I am not sure why this is so.

 

We are both enjoying our cruise apart from a few niggles. We were due 35% discount on a full voyage internet package which was not applied until I queried it. We were charged $37.00 last night in Discoveries last night for a bottle of wine we had not ordered plus a tip of $6.00. I queried this and $37.00 was refunded but not the tip. It is only $6.00 but its the annoyance that counts. Everything I have actually bought I have handed over my card and signed for so what allows such a bill to be created without my signature.

 

Other than these minor points we are enjoying the cruise.

[lisiamc]

49 minutes ago, tidespring said:

I have gathered so much information and knowledge from yourself and others on this site over the last few years. I will definately in future book my own flights seperately in future. Currently on  Journey in Corfu.

 

We flew Air france Manchester to Venice changing in Paris with only 1 hour 30 transfer time. We only just made the connection. On our last Azamara cruise in 2019, the travel agent was able to book us direct flights out to Rome with Jet2, private transfers, and on disembarking from Barcelona direct flights home with Tui after a night in a Hotel.  Now they seem to be saying if you want an ATOL package the flights have to be booked through Azamara. I am not sure why this is so.

 

We are both enjoying our cruise apart from a few niggles. We were due 35% discount on a full voyage internet package which was not applied until I queried it. We were charged $37.00 last night in Discoveries last night for a bottle of wine we had not ordered plus a tip of $6.00. I queried this and $37.00 was refunded but not the tip. It is only $6.00 but its the annoyance that counts. Everything I have actually bought I have handed over my card and signed for so what allows such a bill to be created without my signature.

 

Other than these minor points we are enjoying the cruise.

At the moment, we would rather book everything through one source. We are using a UK agent who is able to do this for us, with ATOL and IATA backing, and contingent on approval from us as to which flights and which airlines. Since the booking is done as a package, it gives me some peace of mind in case everything goes pear-shaped again. 

Edited October 14, 2022 by lisiamc

[marinaro44]

2 hours ago, lisiamc said:

We are using a UK agent who is able to do this for us, with ATOL and IATA backing, and contingent on approval from us as to which flights and which airlines.

If you try booking flights through Azamara, surely you can say "no thanks" and go elsewhere if you don't like the flight routing.  Yes?

[lisiamc]

15 minutes ago, marinaro44 said:

If you try booking flights through Azamara, surely you can say "no thanks" and go elsewhere if you don't like the flight routing.  Yes?

Yes, you can book your own flights, and I previously always have. I’ve never booked anything direct with Azamara, neither cruises nor flights. I like having an agent to make cruise bookings easier, but we normally booked our own flights.  When Covid came along, we had a stack of future cruises, and ended up with a huge headache, with credits for flights, credits for cruises, and all sorts of bits and pieces like hotels and hire cars to cancel, rebook, get a refund or a credit for, etc.  So for the next little while, at least, I’m booking each new trip with a one-stop-shopping provider. If it all goes wrong, they will rearrange/cancel things for us. I’m enjoying the lower-stress approach and starting to wonder why I didn’t start doing things this way years ago.

Edited October 14, 2022 by lisiamc

[Riocca]

10 minutes ago, marinaro44 said:

If you try booking flights through Azamara, surely you can say "no thanks" and go elsewhere if you don't like the flight routing.  Yes?

When you look at booking Azamara online you get an option to add flights:

 

So it’s totally optional and you can see the flight details to make comparisons, incidentally we book directly with Azamara by telephone these days and have never been offered flights let alone that we have to book them. 
 

However there are a number of travel agents in the U.K. who package cruises with flights, hotels and transfers, with a number of cruise lines not just Azamara. Unfortunately shall we say they are not always as transparent as they should be and customers may believe they are having to accept these packages as the cruise lines insist. We are aware of the culprits and avoid them but others probably won’t be.

 

[uktog]

25 minutes ago, marinaro44 said:

If you try booking flights through Azamara, surely you can say "no thanks" and go elsewhere if you don't like the flight routing.  Yes?

Not quite and whilst what Riocca says is correct on some cruises and routings it’s certainly not the case for ex Scotland flights on every cruise. They do not secure flights sometimes until after final payment. I’m looking at 6 cruises in the middle of next year, they cannot give me the flight options on any. I’ve also had flights changed I booked on the basis it was BA through Heathrow only to find I had a KLM Amsterdam nightmare. 
Flight information often doesn’t come until they ticket it at which point any cancellation would involve penalties. 

So you have the dilemma either risk it unbundled doing the flights yourself or let them do it and get crazy offerings like Nippy Sweety had. Technically 1 hour is the minimum transfer in Paris so it can be ticketed but it’s stupid, stressful and crazy. You just need the flight out of Edinburgh to be 5 minutes late or parked on a remote stand as often happens and you’re stuffed. 

[marinaro44]

44 minutes ago, uktog said:

Not quite and whilst what Riocca says is correct on some cruises and routings it’s certainly not the case for ex Scotland flights on every cruise. They do not secure flights sometimes until after final payment. I’m looking at 6 cruises in the middle of next year, they cannot give me the flight options on any. I’ve also had flights changed I booked on the basis it was BA through Heathrow only to find I had a KLM Amsterdam nightmare. 
Flight information often doesn’t come until they ticket it at which point any cancellation would involve penalties. 

So you have the dilemma either risk it unbundled doing the flights yourself or let them do it and get crazy offerings like Nippy Sweety had. Technically 1 hour is the minimum transfer in Paris so it can be ticketed but it’s stupid, stressful and crazy. You just need the flight out of Edinburgh to be 5 minutes late or parked on a remote stand as often happens and you’re stuffed. 

Sounds nutty.  So you commit to booking your flights with Azamara (and pay) without knowing what the flights are and then you're stuck with whatever they give you?  Why would anyone do that?

[uktog]

7 minutes ago, marinaro44 said:

Sounds nutty.  So you commit to booking your flights with Azamara (and pay) without knowing what the flights are and then you're stuck with whatever they give you?  Why would anyone do that?

Exactly 

[santrah]

On the Azamara UK website you can see a choice of flights and connections with various supplements payable.  They dont use low cost carriers such as Easyjet or Jet 2 though.    A sample of a dummy booking Machester to Nice -  this one hasn't a long connection!

Edited October 14, 2022 by santrah
Additional info

[tidespring]

4 hours ago, uktog said:

Not quite and whilst what Riocca says is correct on some cruises and routings it’s certainly not the case for ex Scotland flights on every cruise. They do not secure flights sometimes until after final payment. I’m looking at 6 cruises in the middle of next year, they cannot give me the flight options on any. I’ve also had flights changed I booked on the basis it was BA through Heathrow only to find I had a KLM Amsterdam nightmare. 
Flight information often doesn’t come until they ticket it at which point any cancellation would involve penalties. 

So you have the dilemma either risk it unbundled doing the flights yourself or let them do it and get crazy offerings like Nippy Sweety had. Technically 1 hour is the minimum transfer in Paris so it can be ticketed but it’s stupid, stressful and crazy. You just need the flight out of Edinburgh to be 5 minutes late or parked on a remote stand as often happens and you’re stuffed. 

Spot on.  When my cruise and flights were booked last year for this cruise it was BA Manchester to Heathrow on to Venice. Then 4 months ago changed to Air France . Out via Paris. Flight times changed a couple of times and one week prior to travel we were emailed final flight timings. Surprised to find us booked business class on the outward flight. Not what we paid for. I suspect the flights were only booked last minute and these seats were the only ones unsold.

[mchell810]

Is Azamara still using Eco Boutique toiletries?  I assume it would be this same on all ships, but am especially interested in Pursuit. 

Thanks,