uktog

No need to sign up they check with you onboard if they need a numbers count It does appear on the shorex part of the website at zero cost however even if you “enrol” then that information isn’t used by the ship. Usually they ask at check in anyway You have an early dinner on ship and there’s also a sandwich buffet on your return At the venue they usually serve one special drink or cocktail

I’m more worried about how cumbersome it is in the evening which is why I’m currently suspending judgement on whether we would ever go to the Emporium at night. Despite the reports of good food I want more service and less hassle

It is a benefit you either purchase (look on the website under the Already booked tab) or one offered from time to time as a booking promotion

Explora have frequently commented that they do not focus on shows at set times as the food takes centre stage and they do not want chefs being rushed by waiters on behalf of guests so they can reach a show. This was covered in an early video by the head of entertainment that’s on YouTube

That’s ridiculous how many of us have all our past booking references. The onus should be on the cruise line to look at their legacy data.

You should not have to. We had a battle about champagne on our last Azamara cruise, soured the whole experience onboard. You are left to feel you are the one in the wrong. Another training issue I hope they resolve quickly

From Azamara website re the Ultimate Package

It’s a mix of modern and temples. We couldn’t find reliable independent providers so used a ship tour. Two in fact DH went on a bike tour and I went to temples. It was very nice I’m glad we did that. It’s not a DIY place we felt

For a back to back cruise you would have to buy a package for each leg even when you have a single reservation number

Re the previous post You are no longer provided with 4 bottles every time. Often you have a menu to select one larger bottle from Not every suite has a bathtub (thank goodness). Check the deck plan you either have a tub with overhead shower or a walk in shower

$50 on Influencer

Per suite.

The canal authorities have always prioritised cruise ships. They were the only vessels given almost guaranteed dates and times of transit. Cargo ships have to hang around as you see at both ends of the canal. They will be the ones affected

The minibar sodas are free other drinks are charged but you can have one bottle of spirits (sometimes 75cl sometimes a litre) at no charge posted at the same time as @takemewithyou Ive once had a butler who brought us some wine mid afternoon but others no. To be honest I go and get my own or bring it back after my evening around ship

Size sometimes matters bigger ships are more limited to where they can go. Being smaller is great except when the best parking spots have to be given to the bigger ships because they do not fit in elsewhere

Absolutely incorrect. The only benefit reserved to an onboard reservation is the discount on the fare (plus the $300 obc for booking onboard). Sometimes I wonder if it would be better with slightly longer call answering times and only properly trained staff on the line. I hope they’re using call monitoring to identify inaccuracies and not just spotting those unable to close sales. Sounds like the agent was unable to read the prompt script. It’s worrying when they spout rubbish

But some airlines will not let you board regardless of it being US or EU. As others say don’t gamble and think ahead. We did my husbands 13 months ahead from expiry (4 months to the 10 year issued deadline) putting the application in late November as we were told December in the run up to Christmas was a good time

And remember your UK passport in Europe now expires 10 years from issue date not necessarily the printed expiry date.

Nice to see Explora treat you like an adult in this respect

Viking also offers non complimentary excursions that can be booked in advance and paid for using obc and/or credit card. They are very good, our experience of the complimentary ones are that they too are as good as any Azamara walking tour or Panoramic tour and having done quite a number of them only one was “basic” Accept that if you are in a lower room category on Viking you cannot access excursions to book until 60 days pre cruise but it’s fair and well communicated that higher priced rooms have earlier access. It’s an automatic release of access no phone calls needed.

That was never my experience. I could use OBC, when you came to the payment page for the excursions there was an option to use OBC or not and a slider bar where you applied as much as you wanted and paid any balance with your card. In the UK, the first time you did that fixed the $-£ exchange rate that would apply for all your OBC. Did you not have that - I had it whether I booked direct or through an agent? I appreciate they have to find new ways of working but pre booking shore excursions on a destination focussed cruise line is an absolute must. It is no point waiting until you are onboard and going through a process of joining a queue or having to hope your in room TV is working and possibly missing out on a trip that is very important to you. That was how it was at the start with Azamara but then they changed to the process that enabled you to book excursions online (around 2014 possibly earlier) This past customer would walk away from them because prebooking excursions and using OBC is a fundamental as there is nothing else I want to use it for onboard. That said, I certainly have not seen generous amounts of OBC being applied to my bookings in the last year, quite the opposite!!

Interesting that is the first time I have ever gone to the underlying software and I have discovered that OBC, drinks package and internet that was there on one of my cruises has gone over the weekend. The cruise is not until next year but I regret not having screenshots from when it was there

Really? Thats just so rubbish - people want to book excursions ahead of that. Certainly I can see there is OBC to be applied but cannot use it as I used to be able to - we are more than 30 days out. What happens if it is one of the special excursions that needs booking at least 30 days ahead? If it is a new rule they have not thought it through properly. Not everyone is retired and able to go on the phone during the day - thats why online is important to many, sorting out excursions is an evening activity

Never ever been restricted to drinks listed on the handout. Cocktails and ports have always been by price. I probably have the figure wrong.

I can’t understand the position re port. Reads like poor staff training again. My understanding was the Ultimate package covered any drink up to $15 not just named drinks. So the $12 port should have been no issue - maybe a server mistake but don’t cover it up by making out they’re doing you a favour. Seen that too much in the last 18 months- so annoying There are also two named ports on Azamara website. Sounds like you sadly need to have that website link accessible on Onward when ordering drinks if you’re a package holder. Feels very much like deja vu though for us that related to champagne. Wonder if the bar manager is new?