uktog

I will check for you but certainly Journey in September October it was served with black squid ink pasta

It was 2007 they started sailing at that time very much under the control of Celebrity. It was an ok experience but did not shine until it changed direction became Azamara Club Cruises and started including more. It then became much less a Celebrity clone (thank goodness in my view!). I first tried them in 2008/9.

That’s a more private and comfortable location than the high top. It does reduce capacity for others that night but looks like a fair compromise Thanks for sharing the news

For information to the question asker when did you last cancel an excursion that you’d paid for my OBC? Systems are changing so data referencing in this time of change is more helpful

My experience albeit a year ago I cancelled an excursion pre cruise that was paid for with cruise line provided OBC and the refund was almost instant in increasing my onboard credit balance. I can’t guarantee the same applies now but that was certainly what happened then. (I wasn’t rebooking a replacement excursion I’d just changed my mind)

I have done this. The biggest issue is the exchange rate risk, where will the pound be at the point in time that you have to pay the full balance. So it depends how far ahead you are booking and how far £ would have to drop for you to be out of pocket. Id also look at how you would communicate with the agency and how accessible a contact would be based on the communication method. And finally I’d check your travel insurance covers booking with an overseas agent. Some don’t

Also the days when transatlantic flight costs were a minor consideration have gone. Stressful connections add to the mix. Obviously we are coming the other way. We found both American and European cruises fitted our needs but for different reasons. I think @ericosmithhas summed it up very well. I would add that European cruises they do lots of the thinking for you each day American cruises it’s much more “your agenda- do your research”.

No it’s asking me for details after I select category type - strange

If you want to see the actual rooms available we’ve had that hoop to jump for some time in the UK. It’s an absolutely pain because it also captures your info and starts emailing and adding pop ups when you don’t book. Typical marketing good idea that’s not customer friendly. Maybe it’s also a reason for long call waits as people call for information rather than enter their details online.

So it was - now that was a mathematically challenged error - my facebook memories shared what I did in Miami on the turn around day it clearly said 4 years ago, so why do I now think i am in 2023. Glad there are enough people to help with my memory and analysis of numerical outputs

Yes we were on Pursuits first transatlantic when it first went into Miami in 2019 we were back to back on that one and the crew worked so hard during the transatlantic to get everything ready for the inspections. There were so many checks happening. Good luck to all involved There are indeed several boarding times, it works well, so long as they do some checks when people start the process to make sure they’re part of this time slot

Thanks - you know years merge in my memory a sign of the age I think!

Indeed. Give her Bills remit (it was different to hers) and they’d see results

Miami I can confirm from Azamara no testing currently required. Doesn’t mean no testing ever - if suddenly the port authorities changed their tune but if that happened in the days prior to the cruise testers would be brought in. So for Diana’s friend, this is the first Miami embarkation for Azamara for some time (in fact I’m wondering is it the first post pandemic I think it is) so there’s no recent experience on Azamara just a plan - it’s no testing (and incidentally no vaccine required) For those boarding next week do not go early. It’s the ships first call in the US following Azamara taking it over so they are likely to have lots of inspections etc in the morning

In the case of masking I think for the next year I will always pack masks just in case. The need to wear a mask can always be brought back temporarily if need be Our documentation makes no reference to testing and we will be arriving at the terminal with no test results

Totally agree, Bill is what Azamara needs now

Journey followed my wishes fully but I’m thinking it might vary depending on who is handling it not necessarily which ship

Price of the package is the same pre boarding or on board. The 31% mentioned in the advertising is the benefit of the package vs buying the items separately

The plated option was from a table d hote menu that you ordered from. They also had plated samples at the counters you could look at before ordering. It also had the advantage it was also always lovely and hot when served to you. But so be it, if we are back to buffets thats how it is, like all things it will work for some and not for others

I must admit our preference was for the evening themed offerings in windows to be served à la carte. I found that more convenient than for me than having to jump up and down between courses to get my next helping of food. However, I recognise that was not the view of others. It will be interesting to see how this shapes out on Onward and we will certainly try windows one night but for us not the Indian night because that is allergy central!! Given that it is reported from b2b guests that our cruise will be sailing at near to capacity and in warmer weather, I really do hope that the patio is open in the evening from Day 2 as that will give us the ideal compromise.

This board on cruise critic is a very good place to get access to and to share expertise. Probably a more tech savvy group than the general population of Azamara cruisers https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/677-cruising-technology/

I was told that the link lets everyone bid but somewhere round the back in the system it takes you out if you are not eligible. Only those eligible to bid get the email. Hope you prove that wrong and you are lucky!

You will get an email inviting you to bid then lots of repeat dont forget to bid emails. Not all fares are eligible for the upgrade - I do not think for example if you book a Guarantee Cabin you can bid on an upgrade

And as for their obsession with garnishing everything with nuts - even DHs favourite lemon meringue tarts had to go off limits in September. One lunch time he was reduced to Jello or ice cream for dessert.... he felt like he was back in baby school. Evenings were equally bad. Veg now have to added slivers of almonds. I was a little disappointed the maitre d response was to default to we would prefer you to pre order everything. One of the things we liked about Azamara previously was that we did not need to do that, we could work around their regular menus so long as some one knew what was in each dish and could guide us. He's always struggled with knowing tonight what he will want to eat tomorrow The chefs obsession with "textures" and particularly nuts has been a yuk for us.

General evenings onboard - think about going out to a local restaurant in the UK of an evening, what would you wear? Its that kind of vibe. Ladies often line to wear a smarter dress or other outfit if they are dining in one of the two restaurants (think smartest place in town wear) Although some of the web pages mentions formal dressing if you wish, unless its a Christmas/New Year cruise formal wear would be very very much the exception - like the only ones. Over the festive period it would be about 10% getting sparkled up