Melissaghoti

Sorry to see we should have booked and payed in advance, then cancelled once on board in order to use OBC. If we had played that game what rate would we be charged when cancelling/rebooking on noard?

 

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My question as well, though I'm afraid I know the answer. The long promised ability to book with OBC in advance has never happened and unless prices go down after the sale (highly unlikely!) this will amount to a surcharge for those of us who've used the work around. Really, really poor PR. The money's spent though, and it seemed like plenty at the time, so I think I'll just suck it up and have more massages and manicures instead of rebooking the excursions at additional cost.

-Melissa

I did as Allison suggested and got to the sale through Voyage Planner. Three of the 4 tours I'd booked are now more expensive than I'd paid and weren't included in the sale. One was reduced enough that I would've canceled and rebooked, but when I tried to get beyond the description, I got a message saying that availability may have changed and to check on board. It had been canceled once, several months ago, then reinstated. Looks like now, it's probably filled up at the sale price. I'm sorry I paid more for that one, but over all, I paid less booking earlier, sale or no sale. How naive I am! I had no idea tour prices fluctuated!

Melissa

I'm having the same problem. Six hours of 'Oops'. I don't know if I'm sad or glad though. I've already booked and paid for four excursions that I plan to cancel and use OBC for once on board in Oct. I was dreading the idea of finding them discounted, canceling, rebooking for less, then canceling again to use the OBC. Don't know if the 20% would be worth it, except given the included drinks issue, I might use what I saved to do an upgrade!

Melissa

Cocktails were removed due to lack of demand and anything that was below 10% sales was looked at, which is why some of the liquors available have been changed

Call me a skeptic, but I'm a little surprised that a Salty Dog or Gray Dog would beat out a Whisky Sour in popularity.

I'd be more than skeptical if I were to board today assuming the 'complimentary' drinks list on the website was in effect, only to be told that wasn't really what was offered. How embarrassing and awkward for bar staff. Could the website not have been updated in the time it took to have the physical menus on board changed? Not doing that has an unpleasant sort of 'bait and switch' feel.

Riocca - so happy you're enjoying your cruise and undertaking this research project for us!

-Melissa

Did you do a search for reviews of the company? I haven't used them, but I've been comparing plans and their reviews seem to be very positive.

I think before everyone gets too hot under the collar I will seek clarification on a few things.

Thanks for doing the homework on this. It really seems to have been rolled out before being given a lot of thought. I saw lots of non-included drinks that contain ingredients that are all included elsewhere. Hope you're able to get some info that makes this a little more palatable - so to speak!

Melissa

You are right! You know the answer.

Just as I thought. It would've been nice to have those extra percs, but I'm happy to know now instead of being disappointed on board.

Thanks -

Melissa

I'm afraid I know the answer to this but will ask anyway. MY LCV tier goes up on the first night of my next cruise. Will I be eligible for those amenities then or not until my next cruise?

Meliss

I don't drink that much; can't be called a drinks connoisseur by any means, but this is still disappointing, as so many of the new Azamara offers have been. In this update, prices haven't changed but inclusions have been reduced. I guess it may seem fine to newbies, but we who've been loyal to Azamara just see our experience becoming less and less valuable. As flawed as they are, I'd like to have a Survey Monkey opportunity to comment on those nasty included grapefruit juice drinks!

One question for those who know more than I. Does one need to buy a Premium or Ultimate beverage package for the entire trip? Will it be prorated if I decide to buy it four days into my cruise? Maybe, I'll find the included offers fine, but I'd like to be able to change my mind half way through.

Meanwhile, I think I'll poor myself a Schweppes and Tanquray 10 gin and tonic.

Sigh.....

Meliss

It is 'Survey Monkey.'

The first question asked if I was in the U.S, U.K, Canada or Australia -- if I remember correctly. I'm curious about how the answers will differ by region.

This one was easy to do on my iPad, but not sophisticated enough to default to appropriate follow-up questions based on the answers entered.

Melissa

To be of any real use, any decent survey needs spaces for an individual's input rather than just ticking boxes.

It does have several spaces for input, but is still flawed. I indicated that I hadn't experienced the new entertainment and was still asked a few questions later to rate it. I did, based on what I've seen here, then mentioned what I was basing my opinion on in one of the narrative spaces.

I don't know if or when the survey might lead to some changes, but I'm happy to know that Azamara seems aware that the 'updated' entertainment offerings aren't a hit with everyone.

Melissa

I agree that any number over about six works better at a round table. I'm digressing from the original topic, but was sorry that I had no chance to get to know those at either end of a rectangular table at a Chef's Table where there are at least 12. I'm not sure a round table is even possible, given space constraints. It was a fantastic dinner, in any case,

Hysterical. Thanks for the link. Some British humor is a bit more subtle than ours (U.S.) and I love it, but really have to listen. A British comedian on Journey had about half the audience rolling, but we Americans left shaking our heads. Ah, well. Fair's fair and I'm sure the reverse happens. Now, I'm hoping Phil will practice, practice, practice and get a 6 month contract.

Melissa

For anyone planning a trip: These are both really great websites. They're better than any I've used and Ventusky can be set to Fahrenheit, for the unevolved - like me. Thanks for sharing these.

Melissa

Watched the old stuff being pitched in the dumpster while boarding the ship in Singapore. Wondered what it was about.

 

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Really? Pitched into the dumpster?

Obviously, they weren't going to have a yard sale or leave furniture on the street in Singapore, but there must've been someway the business bringing replacements could've taken them away to resell or contribute to someone/someplace that could've made good use of them. Sad.

Melissa

For what it may be worth, I want to add my voice to those who aren't happy about the changes to Spirits. The ambience there has been similar to that in the lounge/bar area of a good restaurant. A wise restaurateur wouldn't sell catering, coupons, anything at all in an even remotely public place. That detracts from everyone's experience and I hope Azamara will reconsider.

Melissa

Thanks, AllisonJames. I cleared my Safari history and the site worked as it's supposed to. Could be coincidence, but it's often the cure to problems like that. The itinerary I had my eye on isn't there, but I'm much less frustrated!

Melissa

Yes, that's what I've had happen too. If I try to get anywhere else, I get a message asking me to wait while my request is being accessed....or something similar. Then, the little, whirling 'updating' icon appears and whirls, and whirls, and whirls! Haven't gotten beyond that for several days.

Have you purchased travel insurance? Those are people who will definitely make every effort to clarify the situation since it's to their advantage to know the specifics before paying a claim. You've put a lot of time, energy and of course, money into this trip, so I'm sure it's incredibly distressing, but you can trust that Phil and others who've had suggestions only post with good intentions. You've got plenty to deal with without adding concern over the motivation behind CC comments to the mix. I do hope this will resolve well for you and your fellow cruisers.

Entertainment posts seem to be moving toward positive, which bodes well for my two upcoming trips. I always enjoy Eric and it will be great to see something fresh. He looks like he's happily in his element, so it'll be a good show. Since I've done only two Journey cruises, I thought it was just chance that I'd seen repeats of Voices, etc. Two times was fine, but I might not have been as appreciative at the third or fourth time around!

Thanks for all the updates. Hope those onboard will keep sharing as the entertainment changes evolve.

Melissa

The bad room service coffee is most likely the result of the quantity being brewed. It's never good and rarely fresh when it's a done by the 'urn-ful'. It was the only real negative with a room service breakfast and I'd never thought about asking for a latte. It may not be on the menu, but Azamara is always so accommodating that they'll probably make it happen.

I envy you for being able to avoid a long flight to your cruise. That simply isn't an option here in Idaho!

You should try all of the restaurants and consider too, one of the Chef's Tables. They're a bit more expensive than the specialty restaurants, but the food and paired wine is sublime. Breakfasts are great in Windows and MDR, but if your in a hurry, room service will have whatever you want precisely when you want it. Even if you aren't in a hurry, breakfast on your balcony is worth doing. There's plenty of room for that inside, as well.

Enjoy!

Melissa

This is a thread that, as someone who travels by myself, I've watched closely. As it happened, I spoke to my travel agent in the midst of it, and she too felt that the suggestion of a 25% supplement was misleading and called Azamara to ask where it could be found. Apparently, it can't. 'Puffery'? Perhaps, but here's the definition of that term:

"In law, puffery is a promotional statement or claim that expresses subjective rather than objective views, which no "reasonable person" would take literally. Puffery serves to "puff up" an exaggerated image of what is being described and is especially featured in testimonials."

Twenty-five percent is pretty objective and I'm pretty reasonable, so I do think that this is an issue that really ought to be addressed.

That said, Azamara is still my cruise line of choice and I have to appreciate that the things I like make them popular enough not to need to offer loss-leader promotion. I'll hope for the occasional discount and adjust my expectations (and budget!).

Melissa

I'm joining the fingers, etc. crossed crowd!

I've only sailed on Azamara twice and the quality of the entertainment was huge for me. The dancers, solo piano and guitar in various venues were things I talked about long after. I thought it was just coincidence that I saw Voices on both cruises, so that wasn't a problem either. I'm all for freshening up what's getting old and tired, but the reviews of what's going on now are making me nervous about what I may find on my next cruise. I hate, HATE walking out on any entertainer, but Oy, Vey Mariah would force me to vote with my feet. I don't think it'd play well in Lower Manhattan, either. Sounds just tasteless and tacky and I'd hope someone would be vetting what's offered a little more carefully.

Oy, vey, indeed!

Melissa

I have several different styles and I think I prefer the Eagle Creek Specter series. They mostly zip on just two sides, so don't open up like a suitcase, but they're unstructured and very, very light. Some have a second zipper to expand (or compress) them as needed. They don't necessarily prevent wrinkles, but do a good job keeping things organized. I don't use them on a cruise, where I'll be unpacking only once, but find they're a huge help if I'm on a trip where I'm moving every day or so. I don't need that kind of organization for a cruise and don't want even that much extra weight. I've become a rolling vs folding advocate and think that allows me a little more room, with or without the cubes.

Melissa