Work in to Cruise 2023

I agree!  Richard has gone above and beyond to provide a variety of "extras" for the passengers on this cruise.  From what he told us there are still a few more to come!  Fantastic  cruise!

1 hour ago, Grandma Cruising said:

We're on Pursuit at the moment & at the end of this cruise we go up to Discoverer Plus, earning 6 free nights. We went to talk to the Cruise Sales Manager yesterday, looking to book Bordeaux to Barcelona on the Onward in September. We expected to be able to either get whatever promotions there are plus on board booking discount OR to use the free nights. We were delighted to be told you can now have both so we were able to book the cruise at a very discounted price.

Great news!  We reach Discoverer Plus at the end of our next cruise (departing March 19th) and also planned to book another one.

8 hours ago, BuddyR said:

Does anyone know who the captain will be on the November 30 Onward sailing?

From a video I watched on one of the Azamara Facebook sites it should be Captain Carl.  Video was taken during the crew parade on White Night.  During his Captain speech he announced who was leaving at the end of that cruise, one being him.  He said he would be back to sail the Onward from Lisbon to the U.S. , that is the one prior to Nov,. 30 cruise.  I was very happy to hear this as we are also on the Nov 30th cruise and very anxious to board and see Captain Carl again!

If we have a very early excursion departure we had room service breakfast, usually pre-order the night before and indicate what time we would like it delivered to the room.  They have always been right on time.  

I contacted my TA the other night to inquire if my booking can be switched to the Double Quarterly Savings (only have a deposit on it now).  After being on hold for 15 to 20 my TA came back and said the Azamara rep told him "there is no such offer" and the best they could do is offer me a change to one that provided a discount of around $600 and additional OBC of $400!  I told the TA that there was definitely this offer and where to find it on Azamara web page.  After another 15 minute hold TA came back and said the rep found the offer but I could not change my booking to that one!  No idea where they found this first "Offer" but the discount I was expecting was around the $1,000 I settled for the deal that they were willing to provide.  I think the Azamara online reps need a little more training and clear documentation on all new offers being provided.

I think that it depends on the child - what activity do they like, what type of entertainment will appeal to them.  If you are on an itinerary that you believe your children would like - they will enjoy the cruise.  They do not need to attend all activities or entertainment - they may want to stay in the room and watch a movie, read a book, sleep whatever.  I do not believe anyone else can say whether or not a person/child/teen would enjoy the cruise, the parent should know what type of activities their child likes and should discuss the cruise and its amenities with them before hand.  As cruisers we all have different likes/dislikes when it comes to a cruise line, whether it be entertainment, food, activities or excursions. I believe Azamara is a great fit for anyone, it is what you make it.  Last summer we had multiple children, ages between 5 and 16 years old,  on our 3 cruises - they were all very well behaved, joined in with everyone and were having a great time.  My 9 year old granddaughter will be aboard with us in November.  I do not expect all the on ship experiences and activities will appeal to her but I am planning our excursions with her in mind.  This will be her first cruise experience and we are all looking forward to it.

I have always used OBC to purchase the packages.  Just remember that the OBC you will receive with the package can only be used for excursions.

Thank you Sleep7 for the detailed, well written and informative post - with lots of stunning photos! 😍.  We LOVE Azamara having cruised many times with them. Our first time aboard the Onward will be November 30 for the Caribbean Breezes cruise.  This trip will be extra special as we are taking our 9 year old granddaughter with us, this is her 1st cruise!  Looking forward to a wonderful experience once again with Azamara.

So happy you posted this uktog!!  I have been trying to encourage those on Social Media to have patience and trust in Azamara.  We have taken 4 cruises with Azamara since Sycamore purchased them.  We experienced the same phenomenal service with them as we did prior to the change of ownership - and we have 3 more currently booked.  When I sign in it shows no upcoming cruises, and no Loyalty points.  Since my first cruise does not depart until November 30th I am just sitting and waiting - they will have my account updated soon.  I love sailing with Azamara for many reasons from the itineraries, the crew and quality of service provided.  I certainly hope the negative comments do not turn too many people off this wonderful cruise line.  I agree there are many frustrations - especially for those who are sailing in the next few weeks, however there are multiple comments on here and on Social Media the confirm - once you get to the port you are well looked after and your loyalty points are correct.  So I say - relax, board an Azamara ship and have an Az-amazing vacation!  ✈️🚢🍷🍹

Sadly we will not be cruising until Nov 30th - Caribbean Breezes on Onward.  This is the only Azamara ship we have not sailed on.  Really looking forward to this cruise as we are bringing our 9 year old Grandaughter with us.  I will be working straight through this year and saving my vacation days until early November then officially retire the first week of January 2024!

We have travel booked as of January 28, 2024 - two of the cruises will be on the Journey starting March 7th in Hong Kong.  

Hope the next 10 months go by quickly!

43 minutes ago, uktog said:

Thats one of the options on the Edinburgh Tour link.  They work if you are there for a few days but the timings of the three bridges tour does not work will if you also want to stop off at the Castle and Holyrood and only have a day.  You need to be really organised and watch conscious to make it work

Thank you uktog for all of this wonderful information!  Your insight will help to ensure the rest of us have a fabulous time in Edinburgh.  💖

There are 2 robes and 2 pairs of slippers in every cabin, does not matter what category your cabin is in.

We did the Canary Islands aboard the Journey in January.  This is the dinner menu for the Asian themed dinner in windows.

On the Journey on January Prime C was open with menu from both resturants.  We had a fantastic Chef's Table which was at the long table in Prime C.  

6 minutes ago, USC Adventurer said:

i can't find it.  your answer is too vague.  can you be more specific please?

Check out post #806 on page 33.  There are links to the cabin spreadsheet.

We were also successful on our upgrade bid from Oceanview to Veranda Plus for January 18th cruise on Journey.  Bid was made on Dec 7th, it was considered weak. We paid $385 P.P. CAD.

Sailing on the January 18th Canary Islands, we are departing Toronto with connection in Montreal to Lisban to Gran Canaria.  Do any other Canadians know if we must have a COVID test (either PCR or Antigen) prior to Toronto departure?

Ok uktog and Huntingdon1701 I am blaming you both!  With the phenomenal reports and photos you have provided my longing to be aboard an Azamara ship has gotten the best of me.  We are already booked to sail B2B2B next July but just can not wait that long.  Happy to report I just called and booked for January 18, 2022 aboard the Journey!  Sooòo looking forward to once again walk up that gangplank to enjoy another fantastic Azamara adventure.  Thank you for all your wonderful posts - safe travels.   💕⛴💕⛴💕

On our last cruise - March 2020 we tipped our cabin staff independently as they were both phenomenal during the extended voyage. With all the refundable OBC we still had as no excursions taken, we asked for all of it to be applied to the crew fund as a thank you for the fantastic service we received from everyone!

I am currently employed and very lucky to receive a substantial hourly wage.  I was considering early retirement (my husband retired 5 years ago) then realized my salary provided the funds to allow us to travel extensivly without depleating our investments.  Plus I have the added luxury of the opportunity to take Self Funded Leaves - I work 18 months and the employer will take a  portion of each pay and invest it, then I when take six months off - to travel of course! - and will still receive my monthly salary from the money the employer invested.  Hence Work'n  to Cruise.  

6 hours ago, MNgardens said:

@Work in to Cruise 2023 I had to change a setting in my profile in order to get the email despite requesting them through the loyalty program. Can you sign in and then click on your initials. Click on "offers and communications" and select Azamara. If you have already done that, I have no other ideas.

I had contacted the Loyalty team regarding another matter and when she got back to me I mentioned the email situation.  She said she found what was wrong in their system and corrected it, hopefully I will start getting emails now.  Thank you for your suggestion though!  

As usual no email.  I have signed up multiple time yet do not receive any Loyalty emails.  I really hope the new owners look into this and ensure ALL loyal Azamara passengers receive all emails!

Captain Carl is on his way. This is a letter that Carl wrote and found by a friend who is in training to be a deck officer.

“So that’s it. I am going home. 6 months and 10 days since I joined Pursuit in Buenos Aires on January 5th of this year. 3 and a half months and around 9000 miles since I was supposed to have signed off in Peru back in March.
We have the cables laid out between the Pursuit and the Quest, which will be the mother ship for this Cold Lay up situation. As I get in the car with Captain Magnus, who is also leaving today, they are connecting the two vessels together, and Pursuit will power down and go “Cold” tomorrow or Friday.
Captain Gianmario is staying in Command of all 3 ships for the next few weeks, and will then go home himself when Captain Filipos is out of self quarantine.
This whole contract has been an emotional roller coaster, from Antarctica and Rio Carnival through the west coast of South America, where the ports were closing in front of our faces. Disembarkation of Guests in Miami, well most of them, we kept 5 Argentinians an additional 5 weeks as they could not get home! Then the crew transfers off Cococay in the Bahamas. 18 Cruise ships transferring crew so that each nationality was accounted for on a certain vessel, an operation that took weeks, and was war like in its scale.
And now, here in Glasgow. We arrived with 54 onboard, and have seen our numbers slowly decline to a situation where there are currently 42 left, 4 more Indian crew are leaving an hour after me, and the rest will be moving to the Quest over the next few days, where they will live until everything is completed on Pursuit.
I’m going home. 6 months and 13 days ago I said my goodbyes, and kissed my wife and kids as I left my family. It’s been a bloody long time.
I will be home just after midnight tonight. 10 hours from now. 600 minutes. Not that I’m counting.....
Getting just a little emotional now.”
Carl

What a wonderful way to thank a few of the hard working nurses!  Way to go Azamara and Captain Carl!

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/nhs-glasgow-azamara-cruise-ship-18593481

You can do a quick flight search to see what fights are available but you will need to change the return flight info as the system will pick up the return port and dates from the first cruise.  However as these are B2B this system does not let you book the flights on your own, you need to speak with the agent.  Also if your return flight is more that a year out the flights can not be booked yet.  I have used ChoiceAir for B2B cruises before.