Port Power

As did my husband. And I hope Hunter followed his own advice and skidded broadside in a cloud of smoke into his grave.

The total amount of the air credit will vary depending on where the flight is to and from. It is not the same amount for every cruise.

It is the total air allowance.

What did you end up doing? The extra $700 is a crock! What a story! I wouldn’t spend $700 on board a ship anyway, not even when there were two of us would we spend that much! Also, don’t buy travel insurance from this type of TA without getting quotes elsewhere, or checking your credit card insurance if eligible.

I disagree about a shuttle from the airport to the ship. I always use Jim’s Shuttle from the airport to either hotel or OPT. Never had a problem with Jim’s with numerous transfers over the years. (Do not use the awful company with a desk by the baggage carousels!) I text a day or two before to book, and text when ready for pick up. If arriving at Sydney International Terminal, Rydge’s Hotel is just a walk across the driveway. However, if you arrive early in the day, it might be easier to take the shuttle into a city hotel (I love Amora Hotel Jamison) and stroll down to the ship the next day. Leave your luggage at the hotel after check out and walk down to see the area first.

Some of your question can only be answered depending in which city you are boarding. You can drop your luggage off very early most place; we often do, and then go walkabout for a few hours. However, if you arrive half an hour early, you can usually still check in eventually but will have to wait around for quite a bit.

I don’t mind the bath/shower combo at all. I put the plug in while showering and stomp on a shirt or two at the same time! Saves water, too. The bath is better than the basin for washing larger items.

They were obviously not Ladies, just women. 😂

Most men these days don’t have a tuxedo, and aren’t going to buy one just for a cruise or three. I agree that a navy blue blazer, tie and dark slacks looks the same as a dark suit. My late husband never wanted to wear a suit again after he retired, but he dressed as I’ve stated.

I agree with @turtlemichael. I thought being moved from a window view cabin to a verandah was an upgrade? I wouldn't be arguing!

We often took our meal from Windows out to The Patio to eat when the rear area deck was full.

I felt I must ask, have you both joined your respective Roll Calls? You should find more activity there, both about the cruises and land tours. Have a great cruise.

I am a definite Azamara fan, but have booked Regent’s 2025 World Cruise. I have never been on a Regent ship before, but still went ahead and book for five consecutive months on reputation alone. As much as I enjoy Azamara, and have been onboard for 2 months on a unique itinerary, they are not the line for long term cruises for me. Regent seems to have more options and entertainment than AZ.

The true benefits of Cruise Critic is sharing new information such as this. I would never have looked at my 2023 cruises this early without your post. Last night I logged into my Silver Muse Vancouver-Japan-Japan B2B cruises booked next year Sept 6 - Oct 9 and reserved all my included excursions. One of them already only had 1 space left! Now to reserve shore excursions for Silver Dawn Nov 14 to Dec 11. I wonder how many passengers, not being on CC, will miss out on their preferred option? No me, that's for sure! Thank you, @Observer. Carol

As a solo cruiser and often paying near double, the balcony cabins are just that bit far beyond my budget. I agree that I also prefer to have four cruises instead of 3! I definitely don't mind the lower deck. I actually have been able to look out the window without a chair, and I am not tall. Lovely view across the water. In any case, I am only in the cabin to sleep. Otherwise out and about or up on deck somewhere, so it doesn't bother me at all. At @Host Jazzbeausays, choice is good.

We have usually placed clothing from shelves/drawers along with toiletries and loose items back into suitcases for the move. I have never even thought of drawers being changed over.

Years back I worked for a helicopter charter company. They had contracts in PNG and the engineers would bring back roasted coffee beans. I have never had as good since! I like my current Fremantle coffee though.

Thank you, Jeff. Flying coffee beans in from New Guinea didn’t give you a hint that I have explored a lot? I have posted on this forum before, but am new(ish) to Silversea.

I also only use filtered water (through a charcoal filter), but also have a filter in the Jura's water container. (I rarely replace that one.) It is limestone where I live, so a filter is very necessary. I don't use the milk frother part as I only like a touch of milk. The machine is self cleaning, but the milk tubes still required a bit of extra TLC occasionally, If I want frothy milk or have a visitor who does, I have a wonderful little jug with a spinning spring in it (a bit like the Nespresso milk frother). It is stand alone, does a fabulous job, and cleans up very easily. Regarding beans, I have also found a locally roasted bean that I really like: not bitter, which I find with many blends. If I can get hold of it, New Guinea Blue Mountain coffee is delicious!

In addition, if your status is just with Royal but not with Celebrity, you would not receive equal status with Azamara anyway. Celebrity acknowledges Royal status and gives complimentary benefits, but doesn't infer actual Celebrity status.

It is a lovely winter day here in Perth. Bright sunshine and 22 degrees C (71F). Rain forecast for the weekend though, but still 20C.) I''ll wait until evening for the wine, though. 😄

Aah…I understand. I think they mean “the implication being” you must complete your Celebrity cruise before February 1. However, it would have been much clearer just to firmly state, “This means you will have to complete….”.

Didn’t someone post earlier that they had to sail once on Azamara before their Celebrity status kicked in? My take is the if you are Celebrity Elite for example but take your first Azamara cruise after February next year, you will be a newbie with no status. If you have already cruised with both lines, you can continue to rise up the Celebrity levels between now and Feb 1 and that will be recognised by AZ.

Some interesting statistics. “39% drink instant coffee” - all those jars of freeze dried coffee on supermarket shelves are there for a reason! “65% have a coffee machine at home” - Nespresso and the like have really made a place for themselves. But are they real coffee machines? Not like my Jura!

I have also just received the email. Yes, it was expected at some stage. Nice that we will keep our current levels though. I guess the new owners wouldn’t want to start everyone new at the same time, while also acknowledging loyal Azamara guests and wanting to them to continue booking Azamara cruises.