2fromTO

We have always brought our Swiss Army knife on cruises. We pack it in checked luggage and have never had any issues with either Celebrity or Azamara bringing it on board.

I too have brought a Swiss Army knife on board in my checked luggage. However, I also saw security confiscate another passenger's from his day pack when returning to the ship from a day ashore. He was told that it was a prohibited item.

Another solution would be for suite guests to dine-in and order room service from the specialty restaurant menus. Can't get more exclusive than that.

It would have been less complicated and more equitable to earn points based on the price paid per cruise. As it stands now, Celebrity cruisers earn substantially more points for a veranda stateroom and the premium paid by Solo travellers is not acknowledged.

I understand that Azamara is a business and has a responsibility to its shareholders. And that they probably did a risk analysis before making the decision to charter. Since they did chose the charter, I am assuming that the guaranteed revenue of this decision outweighed the risk of upsetting its repeat (loyal) customers or losing potential new customers. Who really knows?

All I know is how I feel. Azamara is my cruise line of choice but this decision has raised doubt in my mind about booking a future cruise. I will wait and see. Is this being disloyal - I don't think so. In the meantime, I am looking forward to cruising to Antarctica on the Journey in January.

Both viewpoints are valid but loyalty is not really the correct basis for either one.

I completely understand where you are coming from, however, for me, it is all about loyalty.

My first choice in cruising is Azamara. However, the decision to charter for 11 weeks in 2015 and now an additional 13 weeks in 2016, has significantly reduced the number of voyages to choose from. Furthermore, the priority given to long term charters, signals to me, a significant shift in the direction of the company. This has created doubt and uncertainty. Where is the company headed? Should I "invest" in a future cruise? Is it time to adopt the strategy of EnglishTim, to choose opportunism over loyalty and to wait for the best last minute deal, regardless of cruise line?

Hi Marinaro44, I didn't mean literally "who"...I was musing in general terms about the error of telling someone who 'wants to book' prior to those 'already booked'. This goes against protocol and again, we apologize.

And with the prevalence of social media, there's the logistical challenge of telling everyone at the same time so no one learns important information from 2nd or 3rd parties.

The so-called important information did not originate from a 2nd or 3rd party but from the Azamara website that, without explanation, showed 9 voyages in 2016 as "unavailable". Totally not fair to point the finger at social media.

Any comments and speculations on this forum regarding the 2016 voyages we list as "sold out" are unfounded.

Comments and speculations are only likely to continue until Azamara clarifies why the sales of 13 weeks of voyages in 2016 have been suspended.

An important part of the cruise experience for me is the anticipation, planning and researching prior to the voyage. Speculation aside, why would I "invest" in a future cruise given the uncertainty created by suspending 9 voyages without explaination? Actions like this create doubt. What assurances do I have that any future cruise I book will not be pulled if a more lucrative charter comes along?

Wow! The Quest is already chartered for 10 weeks in 2015 and now it appears that it will be chartered for another 13 weeks in 2016. That is a huge chunk of time for a cruise line with only 2 ships. How can you build customer loyalty by reducing the number and selection of itineraries to choose from?

BriansBrain and LuAnn,

Thanks for the input. I know Azmara is now using an outside company called Compass to book their lecturers. Not sure if Celebrity is one of their clients, but worth checking into. Bonnie mabye you can pass on this suggestion?

Thanks, Lois

Laraine,

All ships can have a mould and sewer problem. Last year on the regent voyager the sewer gas smell was awful on some corridors. Last Christmas in a Grand suite on RCCL we had to keep the plugs in the tub and sinks at all times or the odor would enter the room.

 

The question is not what issues arise but how they are handled. Azamara has seemed to handle these issues reasonably well both during and after the cruise. I didnt have the same positive experience with Oceania during and after the cruise some years ago and have not given them a try after that.

Agree with your comments. This is not exclusively an "Azamara issue" nor is it an issue with the age of the ships or how well they are maintained. The Quest and the Journey are far from being worn out. And I have no hesitation cruising again with Azamara - we are booked on the Journey, Jan 2015 to Antarctica.

What is an issue for me, is whether Azamara , and the cruise industry, have health and safety protocol re: clean air. There are guidelines to deal with Novovirus - what about mould and VOCs? Question for Bonnie.

The Quest is a great ship and the crew of Azamara are wonderful. I would not hesitate or worry. However, if you have any problems or concerns once onboard, the Hotel Director is very approachable and responsive. Enjoy your cruise!

PS: Ask at Guest Relations to go on a Galley Tour. It is very interesting - all of the pastries and breads are baked fresh every day. And especially wonderful is the Gelato - also made onboard.

The mould probably did not grow overnight, however it can grow very quickly especially under the right conditions - it could have been only a day or two. Contrary to popular belief, cleaning with bleach is not enough to eliminate mould. The only way to get rid of mould is to physically remove any infected material and to thoroughly scrub the affected area. I am surprised this was not done. I am also surprised that it sounds like the removal of the carpet was not carried out according to any kind of health and safety protocal for mould remediation.

I am not sure about in the US, but in Canada there guidelines regarding acceptable levels of airborne spores that are deemed safe and protocols for the safe remediation of mould.

Perhaps Bonnie can find out for us whether or not Azamara has a health and safety protocal regarding mould and whether there or not there are any mandated actions required by the crew when mould is discovered. Thanks.

Yes to all your statements and you are correct I do not have to see it to know as I experience similar symptoms but I end up breaking ribs from the cough. Thanks for all your info as I have cruised on several RC, Celebrity, Regent and Paul Gaugin and never had a problem with mold. Now perfume is another story!

So agree with you about perfume - especially bad in the elevators when everyone heads out for dinner. Also bad are the VOCs from marine varnish and paint.

I have dealt with a serious mould issue in my home and thought I would share my knowledge from this epxerience.

Some posters have suggested that the age of the Azamara ships is a contributing factor to the presence of mould. I disagree. Mould starts to grow immediately under the right conditions - moisture and a food source - like wet carpets and a humid environment. That is why it is so critical after a flood, that wet material is removed immediately and that the area is thoroughly dried. I think all ships, old or new, are particularly susceptible to mould given their ongoing exposure to a damp marine environment. If you are sensitive to mould, as I am, and you enjoy cruising, it is important that you are well informed and can insist, based on knowledge, that the appropriate action be taken you encounter mould.

There are two aspects of mould that can be of concern to your health. The first is from inhaling airborne spores of the mould. This can be an issue if mould is in the ventalation/AC system or if spores are released into the air during the un-safe removal of mouldy material.

The second is from the VOCs (volatile organic compounds) released by mould that is actively growing. If you are sensitive, as I am, you can detect the presence of mould just by smelling it and by experiencing an immediate tightening of breath. I do not need to see the mould to know it is there. With any amount of prolonged exposure I develp a deep bronchial cough that takes weeks to go away.

So, if you suspect there is an issue with mould in your stateroom, the first thing I recommend is that you inform the Hotel Director and the Environmental Safety Officer on board as soon as possible. Request that the ventilation system be cleaned, the air filter replaced and any mouldy material removed immediately and safely. Unfortunately, its removal may be logistically difficult on a ship full of passengers because if not done properly, spores will be released into the air and actually increase the health risk to anyone who is exposed. Post remedation, an air test is typiclly conducted to ensure the space is safe for occupation. Based on Azamara's response to a situation with mould in the carpet outside my stateroom on the Quest last summer (both the Environmental Officer and Hotel Director were involved), I doubt that Azamara is equipped to deal with mould remediation on board.

If not, that leaves the simplest and safest solution - insist on changing staterooms. And do not wait until the end of the cruise.

Do any of you folks know what the withdrawal limits are for the ATM on the Journey? Dollars per transaction' date=' dollars per day, or whatever they may be?

 

I need paper money to pay for US dollar denominated independently arranged shore excursions that I do not want to put on a credit card and I don't want to bring a bunch of cash with me if I can avoid doing so.

 

This may be a question best directed to Bonnie but any and all input is welcome.

 

Sailin' Shoes, sailin' soon[/quote']

 

I do not know what the limit per day is, however I do recall that the transaction fee was very high, somewhere around $10. My advice, bring the US cash with you.

I have no problem with the change in policy per se, however, I hope we get a revised invoice soon as we are cruising in January 2015. Advancing final payment by 30 days without giving us sufficient notice may leave some of us scrambing...

Hello Bonnie,

On a previous thread initiated by you, there was a great conversation about movies that had some kind connection to many of AZ's desinations. With that in the back of my mind, I discovered today that there is a movie, ICE, that has been made as part of the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Shackleton's expedition. Since we will be cruisng past Elephant Island, wouldn't it be great if AZ could screen this movie onboard when we are there? There also is an earlier movie entitled "Shackleton" which would be interesting.

And, I would guess that there are many more movies and documentarties about the area that could shown onboard. This would be a great way to enhance the enrichment program. Could you please pass this suggestion on?

Here is the link to the site about ICE: http://iceshackletonmovie.com/

Thanks

Charles Richardson did talk about the unique climate, glaciation, physical geography and history of Antarctica and Patagonia. Agree about the books etc.

Sounds like you had a great lecturer in Charles Richardson. Let's hope we have someone equally as good. Thanks for your feedback.

Agree completely with Gill. I have been very disappointed with the enrichment programs on my last 4 cruises. Many of the lectures were not at all revelant to the region in which we were cruising (lectures on the Crown Jewels of England while in Asia???). Or the lecturer did not have the depth of knowledge to provide factual, interesting talks. No more retired professionals who have taken up cruise lecturing as a hobby.

I am on the Antarctic cruise and expect an exceptional enrichment program given its special nature. Please, no repeats of the talks Nigel Marven has given on other cruises. Already seen them.

Would love someone with a specialty on Polar Regions - someone who can talk about the unique climate, glaciation, physical geography - not just wildlife and birds. And someone who can talk about the many expeditions and scientific research conducted on Anarctica. How about Bernard Stonehouse (if he is still lecturing on cruise ships)? How about a scientist who has spent time in a research station on Antarctica? I understand that on a HAL cruise, the ship picked up a scientist from one of the research stations who lgave ectures on-board.

And why not stock the library with reference books and field guides relevant to the regions Azamara cruises? I have been disappointed on previous cruise with not being able to identify the wildflowers I saw in Flam. Or not being able to research more of the history of the Vietnam War after touring the Imperial Palace in Saigon.

Time for Azamara to give more attention to ship-board experience re: "Destination Immersion".

How long did that take? I believe you receive that after the first voyage at the new level? Correct?

We received the gift within several weeks of achieving Discoverer and returning home (actually, they sent us a duplicate gift a few weeks after the first one arrived). Did not receive gifts when we reached Adventurer or Explorer level.

I have to agree with other posters about the inequity in how points are earned on Celebrity vs Azamara. It is not fair to have reciprocity of status across the two cruise lines when the points earned per dollar spent are so much higher on Celebrity.

The continuing saga of the infamous LCV announcement and the unfairness in earning power does not engender loyalty to Azamara. And, isn't that the point of the program.....

On a positive note, we actually received the elusive welcome home gift for acheiving Discoverer status - dark blue leather luggage tags and passport holders. Very nice.

http://www.enetenglish.gr/?i=news.en.newsmain&id=1898

Here is another article. According to the tracking data in the article it appears that the Journey spent several hours assisting with the search. So sad.

Wouldn't it be great if Azamara could screen these movies and films on board when sailing in the relevant region? Great way to enhance the "Destination Immersion" experience. How about an on-board movie club complete with pre-screening dinners and trivia contests.... Would be a lot more interesting than knapkin folding and bean bag toss!

Here is the link to the announcement made in Sidney by Larry Pimmental re the Quest circumnavigating Australia in 2016 - but as a charter.

http://www.seatrade-insider.com/news/news-headlines/azamara-quest-to-circumnavigate-australia-in-2016.html

In some cabins, the small sofa is actually sofa bed...