ShopperfiendTO

Do you have a source for the bolded part of your response? Per the OP, Portugal seems to have indicated that the extension is valid only for Portugal when the extension is granted by Portugal. This specific-country validity for extensions rule seems to be the same for the Netherlands: https://ind.nl/en/short-stay/extension-of-a-schengen-visa-or-visa-exempt-period#requirements-for-extension-of-schengen-visa-or-visa-exempt-period- OP, you should really talk to the Spanish consulate. Could you apply to Spain for the extension as well?

Not really a highjack, but do you get this benefit if you select the beverage package as your OLife option (i.e., does O consider you to have purchased the beverage package if you select it as your OLife option?)?: Receive a 20% discount on any of our exclusive wine-pairing dinners in La Reserve on board Marina and Riviera when you purchase either of our beverage packages below.

It's under "Specialty Items" in the list below as shipboard credit. Have to buy in USD. https://www.azamara.com/en-ca/booked-guests/bon-voyage-onboard-gifts

I remember that used to be the case as well, but on our recent sailing, it was a table of fixed savings regardless of cruise and the amount was based on length band and cabin type (oceanview and up). There was also the reduced deposit and a $300 OBC that could be credited to for either the cruise you booked (or the cruise that you will book if you buy a future cruise voucher instead of booking a specific cruise), or the one that you were currently on.

You're right, it's (still) called the Windows Cafe on Azamara. 😅

Thanks! On our Azamara cruise this past summer, it was the same thing - nothing reported or seemingly evident. However, a couple of days or so before debarkation, things started to change, including the Terrace Cafe ceasing self-service (which is the normal operation of the Terrace Cafe on Azamara). When asked why, passengers were simply told that the manager made the change and nothing more. More people started to wear masks after that.

We took the included O Air (no deviation request) and were assigned our flights about 75 days before embarkation. We did not have 48 hours to accept or decline, you get what you get. Are you perhaps thinking about the deviation process that can still be used even after flights are assigned? If you are not happy with the flights that were assigned, I think you could request different flights after they have been assigned but I think you would then be venturing into the deviation situation? I think the problem with waiting until the flights are assigned is that flight options may be limited by then (and perhaps more costly). You are also at the mercy of what contract O has with the airlines, and it may not be for all of the airline's classes. For example, O may have a contract with an airline for economy seats but not premium economy or business seats, which could leave you in the situation of being able to fly non-stop in economy on a given flight but not in premium economy or business class even though that airline does have/sell those seats for that flight.

Could you provide information on what the Covid situation is like onboard for your cruise and whether Covid numbers are being reported?

They were on Pursuit in August.

Got this from Celebrity recently (especially the second FAQ): As you may know, The Royal Caribbean Group sold Azamara to Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm, in March 2021. Since the sale, we have continued to award Captain’s Club Points on Azamara sailings. As of February 1, 2023, this benefit will change, and members will only earn points for the cruise line they are sailing on. When sailing on Celebrity, members will earn Captain’s Club points only, and when sailing on Azamara, members will earn Azamara Circle points only. Members will keep any Captain’s Club Points or Azamara Circle Points earned on or before February 1, 2023. Below are Frequently Asked Questions related to this update. HOW WILL THE SALE OF AZAMARA AFFECT MY CAPTAIN’S CLUB AND AZAMARA CIRCLE ACCOUNT? Points and status earned in either program on or before February 1, 2023, will not be impacted. For Azamara sailings that conclude on or before February 1, 2023, members will continue to earn both Captain’s Club and Azamara Circle points. For Azamara sailings that conclude after February 1, 2023, members will only earn Azamara Circle points. For Celebrity Cruises sailings that conclude on or before February 1, 2023, members will continue to earn Captain’s Club points and Azamara Circle points, if they have at least one Azamara sailing. For Celebrity Cruises sailings that conclude after February 1, 2023, members will only earn Captain’s Club points. AS A CAPTAIN’S CLUB MEMBER, WILL I HAVE STATUS AND POINTS WITH AZAMARA IF I HAVE ONLY EVER SAILED WITH CELEBRITY AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2023? No. To have had status or points with Azamara, you must have at least one past sailing with Azamara as of February 1, 2023. WILL THE RECIPROCITY BENEFITS BETWEEN CELEBRITY CAPTAIN’S CLUB AND ROYAL CARIBBEAN CROWN & ANCHOR SOCIETY CONTINUE? Yes. There will be no change to the reciprocal benefits between Captain’s Club and Crown & Anchor Society.

Does anyone know what is the "COMPLIMENTARY BOTTLE OF OCEANIA CLUB PRIVATE LABEL WINE" that Bronze and up Oceania Club members get? Is it the same bottle for every Oceania Club member on board, or is it a random selection of a set selection? If it is a random selection, does anyone know what the options are and if we could switch if we get one that we don't like? Thanks!

Are you sure about your reading given the first part of the notice in the original post?: "Travel authorities in Qatar have recently informed us that they will be closing the port and not allowing cruise ships to enter during the World Cup games. There are a few cruise ships that have been chartered by the government in Doha during the games to host fans - these are being used as parked hotels for the duration and are not considered cruises. Additionally, Qatar has provided logistical information explaining that travelers can only enter the country if they have tickets to the games. This means that it will not be possible for you to visit Qatar without attending a match." The above seems to read as follows: 1. Cruise ships can't enter Qatar during the World Cup (other than the ones being "parked hotels"). 2. People (tourists) can't even enter Qatar during the World Cup unless they have a ticket to a game.

I found this, can't vouch for the tour company however as we have not used them before: https://www.bellaitaliatour.com/tours/pisa-florence-uffizi-academy-david-tour-from-livorno/

Although it's generally not recommended because you won't really experience Florence, if you are set on doing this, then I think that you can do it. But it's going to be pricey, although the costs might not be so bad if there are 4 or more of you going to share the transportation costs, and likely hurried as well. If you know your way around (i.e., be the de facto tour leader for your group), you might just want to hire a driver/taxi for the day to drive you, or hire a taxi to get you to Florence and then hire another taxi to take you back to the ship with a detour to Pisa for a quick photo stop of the Leaning Tower. You'd have to book entry tickets for both the Accademia and Uffizi in advance. The timing of the Accademia tickets should be early but not too early. Keep in mind that even though it is timed, you still might have to wait 15 minutes or more to get inside the museum/gallery (but it's still much quicker than walk-up). The time of the Uffizi tickets should be 2.5/3 hours after our Accademia tickets. Go to Florence first thing and then go to the Accademia for a look at David and whiz through the museum. Then walk to the Uffizi through the glorious pedestrian streets, past the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral. If you have time before your time to enter the Uffizi, you can explore the area around the Uffizi (e.g., the square in front of the Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio) or if you don't have time, then you can explore the area after your Uffizi entry. The "must-sees" according to the gallery itself are these: https://www.visituffizi.org/artworks/ About 2.5 hours before you have to get back to the ship, get a taxi to take you Pisa for a quick photo stop. Then you can take another taxi back to the ship (or you can ask the taxi to wait for you, though you will likely incur a standing charge). I'm not sure if it would be cheaper to hire a car/driver for a whole day or to just take one-way taxi rides for each segment. An unfortunate part about such a hurried excursion is that you will have to eat quick-service or to-go food in Florence, which is pretty mediocre.

Oh, that's a long cruise. I guess the question should have also been what date did you board. Since you said 26 days into the cruise, then you must have sailed before September 3, 2022, when the new policy came into effect. I wonder if passengers on sailings after September 2, 2022 will still be able to get FCCs if they get Covid and have to quarantine given the new policy.

Did you have a negative test for Covid shortly (72/24 hours) before you boarded? If so, which type?

Iceland's prices this past August were not that far off eye-watering either!

Can confirm that this was the case on Pursuit in August as well.

Is the repetition that it repeated more than once every 10 or 14 days? I thought that there was a "cycle" of 10 or 14 different menus. So it's not unreasonable to see the same menu 3 or more times on a 46 day cruise...

I take it that "clear security" at LHR means that I shouldn't buy liquids over 100mL (e.g., bottled water, large fragrance bottles, wine, etc.) at the airport where the first flight departs since I will be forced to forfeit them when clearing security at LHR?

I'm sorry, are you saying that by the day of your outbound flight, you're waking up 6-7 hours earlier than you normally do? There's also this that might be helpful: https://sleepopolis.com/calculators/jet-lag/

Thank you for the response. Yes, the flights are on the same booking. These flights were assigned by the cruise line and I have to pay a lot more to change them which I don't want to do if I don't have to. We're mobile so the concern about the timing is not as much about the time needed to walk/run to the gate as it is the time used up to get off the first flight, clear security, passport check, etc.

Hi again, Is it possible to make a connection at LHR under the following circumstances?: Flights are in early November 2022. Flights are from continental Europe to LHR (the first flight) to connect to another flight from LHR to North America (the connecting flight). Flights are both British Airways flights. Apparently the first flight lands at Terminal 5 and the connecting flight departs from Terminal 5 as well. The first flight lands in the afternoon and the connecting flight departs an hour later. Thanks in advance for any insight.

Not sure if these links will help. The price is not mentioned and these go by different names such as "e-Maritime Visa" for cruise tourists or "Nautical Transit eVisa" application. The uncertain part is whether the new e-Maritime Visa for cruise tourists can also be used to leave/disembark the ship and go to the airport. This is the excerpt from one of the websites below (and whether the part I underlined can include a visit to the airport to leave the country): "Foreigners will not be able to stay in Saudi Arabia for an extended period with the cruise e-Visa. It is a transit visa allowing passengers to fly into the country and travel to the port, or for short visits when their cruise calls at a port in Saudi Arabia." The official link to apply for a visa is here (Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)): https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/Account/Loginindividuals https://www.saudiarabiaonlinevisas.com/e-maritime-visa-cruise-tourists/ https://www.onlinevisa.com/news/saudi-arabia-launches-e-visa-service-for-cruise-tourists/ https://evisa.express/en/news/saudi-arabia-to-introduce-cruise-e-visa-service#Nautical-Transit-Visa-application

That is scary. Thanks for making this known (assuming it's true). I wonder why no ATW passenger on that cruise has posted anything on this (unless I missed it)?