cotto22

We are more or less booked on the 9/27 Journey cruise as well as the 10/4 cruise following it. I, too, am having some problems with finding out about the shore excursions. I do have the pdf brochures downloaded from the website, but was dumbfounded to find out that the free excursion promotions did not coincide with most of the ones listed, so we will probably switch out that promotion for the newer one since we booked on 1/31.

When I called to find out more info about excursions, every question I asked was answered with "I don't know". My TA is not that much help either, and at this point we are debating canceling and booking the Regent cruise at the same time.

Since Azamara is an unknown to us, we are trying to gather as much info as we can in advance, and this is one area where the info is sadly lacking. There are somethings we really want to see and do, and we want to make sure that happens. I may try again tomorrow and see if I am more successful with another rep.

We just booked one of our back to backs using that promo. i had done what I thought was extensive research on the shore excursions for the ports on the 10/4 cruise using a pdf brochure with detailed info and prices, but when I was able to find a link on the website for the actual excursions that were included in the promo, there was quite a disparity. Instead of 10 excursions for one port, there were 2. For one port where we are there for 2 days, only 3 excursions were offered, and none of them were ones that I had chosen to do based upon the info in the pdf brochure.

When I called Azamara, I was berated by the rep who told me that all that info was on the website, and that she always tells people what excursions are included. I had spoken to several people at Azamara, and I guess my TA was as ignorant as I was on the subject. My choices now are to switch promotions, or to cancel and book the Regent cruise for the same time period. The price is comparable, but with not as good itinerary.

I am not fond of these promotions that are not what they seem to be...

My TA said that it did not apply to upgrades to CC suites. So, guess everyone is in agreement!

I think we have ruled out the Oceania cruise in October and now are debating the Azamara back to back and a Regent at the same time period during the first week of October. We would be taking an Azamara larger cabin (Club Continent?) to give us more space, and the amenities seem pretty comparable. The itinerary is nice, and with the excursions included we may bite the bullet. We only have a few days to decide, so it is decision time!

I disagree. On each of the boards on these forums, you have almost obsessive devotees to their favorite cruise line that I don't think there is a lot of objectivity amongst many of the posters. Occasionally there are some very objective posters who will compare cruise lines unemotionally and I appreciate that. But for someone like myself who is trying to decide between two new lines and one that I have cruised on before, I have not found a lot of fact based information, but a lot of cheerleading. It is nice that everyone loves their favorite ship and line, but personally I appreciate an objective analysis once in a while!

We, too, are trying to decide between a Regent, an Azamara back to back, and an Oceania cruise after sailing on Silversea, Regent and Seabourn during the past 10 years. We have concluded that the Club Continent cabins would be better for us in terms of size, and more comparable to what we are used to.

We have never really clicked with fellow cruisers on Silversea for a variety of reasons. We did enjoy our last group a lot, and had a lot of fun on several shore excursions and sharing several meals. But for the most part, fellow travelers were retired and traveled constantly, which we do not.

We will be celebrating our Anniversary this October, so are limited in what is available at that time. Azamara sounds nice, but so did the Seabourn cruise from Hell to the Caribbean we took 5 years ago ! We also took a family cruise on Norwegian years ago, so we have experienced mass market cruising.

Since the Azamara experience would be 14 nights, I don't want to make the wrong decision! The shore excursion promotion expires in a few days, so I have to commit or forget it I guess. Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated!

TIA.