welwyngirl

On 3/19/2021 at 2:07 PM, excitedofharpenden said:

If you find it too crowded and/or chilly there is nothing to stop you taking your food into Windows Cafe and eating it there. I've done that before and it means I can still partake in the festivities.  I like the dining room too and they have a nice menu there. But if you haven't experienced White Night before it's a shame to miss. 

 

Phil 

I love White Nights.  I've had a few and some of them with you Mr Phil!

4 hours ago, procter said:

Will your vote for 5th ship be upwards then????!! 

Let's hope it's not downwards!!

Well, it wouldn't be my choice of name!  It's sounds very awkward to me.  There were much better suggestions imho.

It's a big 'YES' from me!

I can't remember if they do recent (ish) movies.  HAL do and we really enjoyed them.  Was tempted to 'stay in' sometimes and order room service and drinks to watch.

2 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

I'd certainly like them to continue the theme of removing the casino on Journey and replacing it with The Den as per the other ships as I missed this area a lot last cruise. Along with the relocation of Shorex and LCV desks. Hopefully ship four will do this too. 

 

Phil 

We used the Den a lot on our last Azamara cruise on Quest.  I loved it.  Not keen on the casinos on any ships to be honest.  

On 2/15/2021 at 1:48 PM, excitedofharpenden said:

I’ll take a gin and tonic on the Sunset Veranda!🙂

 

Phil

Save two seats for us, Phil!

I had my first jab on Monday.  I have to admit I shed a few tears.  Felt a bit of an idiot but I was just so grateful to all the people who had made it possible.  It was freezing cold and snowy and volunteers were outside acting as marshalls.  I felt dreadful the next day but so pleased I got it.  I'm 73.  If all goes well my sons, both early 50s will get theirs in April.  One thing that has gone well, at least.

I received my first email from Azamara today giving details of savings on their intensive voyages. It's described as leaving from Southampton, where the Mayflower sailed from!  History and geography lessons needed. It sailed from Plymouth hence Plymouth Rock.  😆

7 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

Lesley, it's a nightmare to get them. I do now, but didn't for ages and it was fixed and then I fell off the list again and had to be put back on. I would email loyalty@azamara.com and ask them to try and sort it for you. 

 

Phil 

Thanks Phil.  I'll try that.

DH and I have done several Azamara cruises.  However, we don't ever receive the emails that other friends that have cruised with us get.  Does anybody know why this is please?

Azamara Discover.  Although Venture is good, too.

We've done a fair few Azamara cruises and really love the ships.  We don't much care for evening shows and we're happy to just sit and chat with friends over a drink or two.  We've also sailed a lot with HAL on their smaller ships.  We enjoy both but I do hope that Mr Ashford doesn't make big changes to the 'old' Azamara brand.

Totally gutted.  Such a shame.  HAL here we come!

19 minutes ago, norn iron said:

I have contacted the TA and all flights are via Heathrow and with BA.

The only surprising piece of additional information was that they couldn't offer me connecting flights to Heathrow from Dublin.

Belfast City Airport is only six miles from home, but flying out of Dublin removes all UK passenger taxes and the price could have dropped further!!

DH and I are budget conscious and love a bargain.  We'd probably go for it.  It sounds similar to one that we have had a quote for from our local, reputable, TA, on AZ in December 21.  Just my opinion, obviously.  

On 1/10/2021 at 12:02 PM, jay888 said:

I work for nhs in the uk and supporting the setting up of vaccination hubs.  We are vaccinating an amazing amount of people and this week we have the large vaccinating centres opening up.  My husband has has had his first and I will be receiving mind next week.

I think all we Brits are rightfully proud of our NHS and all that are associated with it.  Thank you jay888 for being a part of it.  We have one opening near to us in Stevenage.  OH should be fairly soon, at age 77, I'm 73 so in the following tier.

19 hours ago, tfred said:

I cant think of two wildly different experiences than Hal and Cunard.

 

HAL is value priced, reasonable product but searching for its future growth.  

 

Cunard is class regimented with portions of the ship cut off for higher fare pax

 

Its a big jump

I agree tfred.  Tried it once but wasn't impressed.  Some very snooty people onboard, too.  Incidentally, notice you're in Delray.  We used to have a condo there but unfortunately had to sell.  Absolutely love it there.  My favourite place in FL.

2 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

This is just a further example of how all over the place the pricing is on Azamara. I've commented about it here many times. I will never again book a cruise thinking "that is a lot of money, but I really want to do it so to heck with it" because I can wait and the prices have dropped like a stone prior to sailing. Not always, but a number of times. It's why I don't book onboard any longer. The discount I would get from being an Azamara Circle member is meaningless.  

 

It's all a game and I hate it. A few hundred ok, but 1000s?  No way is the Azamara product worth that. 

 

Phil 

I agree, Phil.  We feel the same.  Hate to mention competitors but the HAL cruise we did last year was a delightful surprise.  Food and service on par with Azamara in some respects and even with buying a drinks package it came in much cheaper than an Azamara equivalent.  Although our cruise was curtailed due to Covid we did, in fact, have a longer cruise than planned.  Plus full refund and 100% FCC.  They gave everyone free WIFI too and phone calls.  We're still waiting for a refund for our booked and paid January 2021 cruise.  We're told up to three months' wait!  

2 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

More encouraging news just out. 

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54902908

 

Phil 

We'll all be back cruising by this time next year Phil!

5 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

I've got one planned for October 2021 too and am much more hopeful than I was a couple of days ago. 

 

This video clip reaction from Twitter of our own Sarah Montague on BBC Radio 4's World at One is priceless and how many of us feel:

 

Phil 

That was great, Phil.  I heard it 'live' as I always listen to WaO but her reaction is priceless!!  Here's to better times.  

12 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

The pricing and using the Ritz Carlton brand name will have an affect on the demographic for sure. Not my thing at all. I know my place!

 

Phil 

Nor mine, Phil.  Too hoity toity for us.  It was bad enough on a Cunard cruise when we were at dinner the first evening people were discussing the size of their walk-in freezers!!  

34 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

I totally agree and whilst I always try and be positive in any situation, this PR push telling us how good future bookings are kind of sticks in the throat. Especially when one is still waiting for refund monies.

 

This type of thread lacks empathy and does nothing more than alienate a client base. Notice how few positive replies have been forthcoming?  Hopefully a lesson learned by Azamara. Sorry. It had to said and good on you welwyngirl for starting the dialogue. 

 

Phil 

Thanks Phil.  I thought there might be a few posts from a Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells.😏 Good to know you acquiesce.  

Lesley

We have booked and paid for a cruise from Cape Town on Journey in January.  I fear it will not go ahead.  As much as I love Azamara, it's my favourite cruise line and I don't think it can be bettered in terms of service, I believe the Company would be even more highly regarded if we were given a realistic timeline when cruises are likely to start.  November 2020 cruises are still appearing for sale on the website which is ridiculous. I think it is very bad form to take money from clients when they know the sailing will not go ahead and there will be a lengthy wait for a refund.  

2 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

I've done Ho Chi Minh Vietnam, but not Halong Bay and would like to do that and also the Philippines.  I'd like to do the Philippines on a land trip in fact.  Stay in some beautiful island beach resort.  Research required!

 

Phil

Funnily enough, Phil, the Philippines are on our bucket list, too.  You're almost there with your name already!  Also, we'd like to do the Galapagos.  I know you've done that already.

A friend, who lives in NJ, was going surfing on the morning of 9/11.  He happened to see a friend who was due to work but decided to take a day off and go with my friend as it was such a beautiful day.  They got their board and headed off.  They saw the flames on the horizon and only later learnt the dreadful news.  The friend worked in the WTC on one of the highest floors.  Had he gone to work that day he would likely not have survived.