islandwoman

When I implied that lounge hogging was severe on Carnival Caribbean cruises, I didn't mean to insult the passengers. What I was trying to get at was the crowding - too few lounge chairs for the number of passengers. I have also noticed table hogging in the buffet and chair hogging in the shows.

How about the cruise lines provide more chairs? Or better yet, build ships with fewer passengers to public spaces? I was recently on a Princess ship that had refurbished to add extra cabins where there used to be a second theater. It cut down on the number of programs that could be offered and made all of the other public spaces more crowded (more passengers per public space).

Have you noticed the chair hogging on a Carnival Caribbean cruise 🤪

https://www.azamara.com/de/loyalty/azamara-circle/member-benefits?_aiid=14597&teng=go&beng=g&deng=c&peng=&ieng=&kieng=&cieng=&cpieng=17143435092&feng=&cleng=CjwKCAiAwomeBhBWEiwAM43YIBfag14s3nRbEmVyQXT_dwLsNf-GD7CNR6dQPADf2-tZXOfy5AJAZxoCMoUQAvD_BwE&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=performance_max_non_brand Scroll down until you find "Reciprocal Benefits"

Of course. As soon as there is information about PUP, someone will post it here. I expect that in about 5 days people will start posting that they have received the points they earned in December. And as soon as someone receives another opportunity, they will post it here too. In the meantime, why not discuss related topics?

So what is it called for cruise status?

Frequent Fliers looking for status call this (on planes) a "mileage run". DH and I took a short Eastern Caribbean cruise on Azamara in December 2022 for such a purpose. It moved us up one level on both Celebrity and Azamara, plus it protected our Azamara status against the separation coming in February and it was a whole lot more fun than paying extra for unearned benefits on our next long cruise.

I always leave my laptop out because on most ships, the safe is too small to lock it away. It never occurred to me that the cabin stewards would risk their jobs by stealing. There are many passengers' possessions that could potentially be stolen and sold on the black market, if the cabin stewards were so inclined. If that happened, the steward would be out of a job and the cruise line soon out of business. As for security of data on a device, my laptop is password protected and I always turn it off before leaving the cabin.

DH and I will be sailing in a Continent Suite for the first time. Do we get "English Butler Service" or is that only for the Spa, Ocean, and Owners suites?. I also see on azamara's website "Our butlers are remarkably adept at tending to the details that make you relaxed and happy. Think of your butler as your personal valet, party consultant and planner, wine expert, mixologist, afternoon purveyor of fabulous treats, reservations specialist, and all-purpose support system." What does that mean? What does a butler actually do? I've never had a "personal valet" or any of those other specialists for that matter. If we don't buy the upgraded drinks package, what use would we have for a "wine expert" or "mixologist"? How many suites does one butler serve?

When does Azamara credit Azamara Circle points? I returned from my first Azamara cruise on December 22. Just today, it appeared in my "past cruises" list with an indication that it was worth 50 points. These points should qualify me for the next loyalty level. But they have not been added to my total and I am still at the loyalty level that I was before the cruise. How long should I wait before contacting Azamara?

Are you suggesting that the ship that Holland America uses for the Grand Africa (in 2023 the Zuiderdam) might be sold and therefore the Grand Africa will not sail beginning in 2024?

I'd like to add that Azamara's fares include gratuities. Viking's do not. That's worth, according to viking's website, US$17 per person per day. Viking's fares, on the other hand, include one shore excursion in every port. When comparing costs, it would be useful to take gratuities and shore excursions (if you use ship's excursions) into account.

We really want to do the Grand Africa or something else out of Fort Lauderdale. Couldn't do Grand Africa this year because we want to see the annular solar eclipse that will be visable in North America on October 14, 2023. We have a HAL cruise booked for spring 2023 that we have to cancel. I was hoping to transfer that deposit onto the 2024 Grand Africa.

🙁

How do I arrange to make one?

What's that?

When can I expect to see Holland America's Grand Voyages (other than the World Cruise) for fall 2024 ? I would like to book the October 2024 Grand Africa out of Ft. Lauderdale. If HAL is not going to do the Grand Africa in 2024, I'd like to see what other Grand Voyages might be offered out of Ft. Lauderdale during North America's 2024 summer or fall.

Can you access Azamara's menus ahead of time, so that you can plan which nights to book specialty restaurants?

But the lowly people in Verandas and outside or inside cabins are charged $35 per person. How many are going to pay that when they've already paid for dinner in the dining room?

DH and I were on the Onward Eastern Caribbean from December 12-23. When we arrived, there were several bottles of alcohol and multiple bottles of water in our cabin. There was also a small sign delineating prices for various beverages. Most of the prices did not match the types/sizes of the bottles we received. Being first time cruisers, we were confused, so we asked Customer Service and were told that all of the alcohol in our cabin was extra price. We were in a Veranda cabin and did not have the Ultimate Beverage package. Does that explain why we would have been charged extra for the alcohol in our cabin and others who have posted here apparently were not ? I just found the answer to my question in the spreadsheet. It's "yes" . Here's another question for you more experienced Azamara cruisers: We have booked a "Club Continent Suite" for our next voyage. Under "Complimentary Features" on Azamara's website, it lists "Complimentary specialty dining", but doesn't say how many. Is there a limit to the number of times this benefit can be used?

Azamara has some cruises out of south Florida in December 2022 and January 2023. We're taking one on Monday to save our status.

Is Flight Ease the same as EZAir that Princess uses ? The interface looks the same. We used EZAir for a Princess cruise pre-pandemic and were very satisfied with it.

Maybe we should just say that we're disappointed that the free PUP opportunities seem to be over.

and to Azamara 😊 And since this is my first Azamara cruise, it will also save my status on Azamara. But I still don't know whether any points I might earn on Azamara after February 1 will also be credited to Captain's Club. I would guess not, but my only information on this has come from Azamara, not from Celebrity.

That "certain date" is in February, 2023.