uktog

In the UK, the OBC given by Viking is in sterling. At what stage do they make the dollar conversion - at booking, when using pre cruise say for an excursion or if no excursions booked is it at boarding? I have searched these boards but could not find an answer.

I listed both but the discount did not apply sorry, that was one of the reasons I wanted to call them - no difference between zero numbers, one or two - and yes it is on a cruise included in the offer. Anyway have to leave it now the timings are just not sort it all out

Thanks, my frustration is I do have time today and then not until after the 10th - I also had time during last week but on that call, the agent gave completely wrong information. Had I had the right information then I wouldn't be needing todays call! - Perhaps if they had competent staff taking the calls Monday - Saturday I could live with the position today.

Thanks. I tried that no got cut off and as I’m not on Wi-Fi calling it’s too expensive to sit in a queue and I suspect they can’t access sales info anyway. Sad, Azamara used to be a 7 day operation but sign of the times I presume

I was hoping to do some business with Azamara today, Sunday being the only day of the week at present I can do it. I have called the number on the website to be told they only work Monday to Friday. Does anybody have a number regarding looking after an existing booking/maybe a new one that operates on a Sunday or is this just something I have to let go

They are serving only so no need for additional specific training - they are taught portion control, they are taught to use a single spoon and they are also subject to the general hygiene training all crew gets which seems more than sufficient to me. Unfortunately you would be going hungry on Azamara if you do not want them to serve you at lunchtime as they closed the dining room to alleviate the staffing position

Maybe on these boards, as is seen on other boards there is a case of familiarity breeds contempt amongst some frequent cruisers with some rose tinted glasses back to what was remembered (or imagined) about the good old days. s no bad thing that people try other lines, whilst some stay away for ever, others realise either the grass on the other side was not actually greener or they find that works for what they want now but there is a snag. For many we know who discovered on finding what they wanted now, the per day rate was over £75+ more per person per day - some are happy/able to do that others trim their expectations and return to their original line of choice. There is no right or wrong answer but its better to move on rather than hark on if thats the right thing for us

Discovered some more positive information elsewhere. This related to the onboard "lecturers" or luminaries as they call them. Here is an example David Allfrey, Brigadier and former CEO of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will be aboard this journey to Scotland (August 2023). He will be sharing his experience in the British military as well as of his 12 years as CEO of this fantastic spectacle. He will also accompany the Destination Experience to the Tattoo in Edinburgh’s famous castle. This is someone with outstanding pedigree. I am hoping we get some equally illuminating speakers on the inaugural

You will not be able to see them until the offer opens on Saturday

But I did chip a back tooth trying to bite into my ship

I would rather a cruise line refinanced debt when there was an advantageous deal around than didn’t. Given rising commodity costs globally every one is looking for opportunities to reduce some aspect of their outgoings and I see nothing untoward with the transaction that’s been completed

Very encouraging to read this focus on training and very much setting out how they wish guests to experience Explora https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/ehl-hospitality-business-school-provide-training-exploras-shipboard-employees

Me too (if that phrase is allowed)

I think we will discover the “more ordinary shops” in two weeks time when folks board. I’m starting a list of things to post back on in the first few days (I doubt I will manage it all Day 1) and I’ve added sources of chocolate to my list 😀

Interesting, when norovirus hits on Azamara, they put extra staff on to serve in the buffet requiring entertainers, guest relations, spa staff etc to do extra shifts to achieve this. The catering staff very much focus on their no one priority - getting the food out to the servers. Sounds like Viking does not do this

Correct it’s the rate when you first use your obc

I sat with the agent this morning and listened to the experience. All I can say is no wonder some agents are avoiding. Once we got through the agent was constantly having to put us on hold even regarding basic questions (ok that happens) but she was also very very curt and abrupt and at times was what is considered rude in the UK. She also gave information that has now been found to be factually incorrect the cruise is not sold out. So Azamara got no extra revenue from us and a travel agency’s less positive view about Azamara has been reinforced.

Yes the transfers were actually debited by land discoveries

We have often used OBC for a transfer arranged via the concierge. It’s an excellent way to spend it rather than buy a watch or sunglasses!

Cabins can also be removed last minute and used for travel agent familiarisation experience trips. I have seen groups coming onboard on that basis before and talking to them it was only set up in the week previously. So rooms would be removed from inventory to accommodate the trips but maybe the agents could take up the offer in time. I once had a similar situation to Whitby100 and was told that the agency offering the rooms at a snip have to pay for the rooms (or a very high % fee) that they have taken up as a last minute block whether they sell them or not. That’s why the price is so keen and other agents can’t match it. It also explains why there might be empty rooms once onboard- a discounter failed to use their block

I doubt my travel agent would be happy with my criteria - I am interested in any cruise on Azamara in a four month period because beyond that I need to see prices and availability in different categories to make my decision. I cannot refine my criteria any further at the outset. I see my initial research as a basic courtesy to my travel agent who is in any case not around at the time of night I am doing my research and making initial decisions.

Very well said - on recent cruises I noticed those that stayed post eating did dance but the percentage who stayed was much lower than before. Very few were staying just to listen and watch as used to happen My Loud Environment warning on my Watch which is in excess of 90db was constantly going off and we were seated in front of the pool bar away from the speakers. If its a lovely evening as it was in Santorini I could escape the noise but stay and watch (and dance by my seat) by heading to Deck 10 or even 11, but if it is cooler and you want to be near the heaters or some shelter from the wind, it is I am afraid a case of noise noise noise or do not stay. It would be so easy to fix, I am sure the dancers would still be able to dance no problem with the volume down by a quarter

Butlers in suites room hosts in non suites

No it’s always quoted at the full rate hence why three free nights often aren’t worth anything when you come to get quotes. Sometimes on 7 night cruises they are or on itineraries where prices don’t drop - you have to always get thing’s priced two ways with and without using free nights to make your decision

We have a saying in Scots which I will translate - it goes along the lines of "there are none as deaf as those who do not want to hear". I felt when giving feedback last year was one of "this is how its going to be to appeal to our new demographic"..... time will tell but the current format and volume is not for me anymore, but we have choices which is great