ptrpanpens

1 minute ago, asnaleah said:

We are wondering the same thing regarding points and airline miles. Plus prepaid hotels before and after the cruise.

i have been through a similar situation before on Celebrity and they gave me compensation for my $200 change fees but nothing else. They are not going to pay for nonrefundable hotel costs, which are booked at the choice of the cruiser. Personally, i never book nonrefundable hotels unless it is only a day or two before, never far in advance. Not worth taking a chance of losing it as hotels are usually inflexible in this matter.

1 hour ago, Wheelhouse said:

 

Thanks.  I was afraid of that.  Unfortunately, taking the original 50% cash in hand might be better than taking a 100% FCC if the  industry goes Chapter 7.

i certainly hope not. 

1 hour ago, Doh15 said:

 

Thanks!

 

 Have you decided what you are going to do for that Baltic cruise?

i am not on any Baltic cruise. Pursuit Wine cruise May 14-24.

38 minutes ago, Doh15 said:

Interesting, thanks.  I read that as saying they will help you change your Choice Air flight with no change fee.
 

But to me that sound like it would only help if I knew at the time of cancellation what flight I wanted to rebook to?

 

 If I cancel a July cruise/flight I will get an FCC good for 18 months, but do I need to rebook my flight immediately or will they also give me a credit for the cost of my flight that is good for 18 months?

they will cancel choice air and waive the fees. (See my post above). This is from someone who just cancelled in the 50% window.

30 minutes ago, Wheelhouse said:

 

So if Azamara's new cruise with confidence policy is similar to that of Celebrity's posted above and I am interpreting it correctly, then if I cancelled during the 50% penalty window  I would receive a 50% credit card refund and a 50% FCC to be used before 12/31/2021.  Guess we need to wait for Azamara's release. 

i just spoke to someone who cancelled a cruise within the 50% window and she was only offered a 100% FCC plus they cancelled choice air and waived the cancellation fees. So you won't get 50% back in cash, only FCC even if you cancel in the 50% or 25% window.

31 minutes ago, Doh15 said:

This is my question as well. Here is a FAQ from Royal Caribbean but it doesn’t cover that—

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/topics/cruise-with-confidence

thank you. I am going to have my travel agent contact them and clarify about choice air.

Clearly includes Azamara! Thanks for the added peace of mind!

Does any one know if this includes the cost of air booked through Azamara?

1 hour ago, az_tchr said:

Sadly California appears to have community based cases reported. Not clear yet but not looking good.

Two cases in Northern California so far, one in Oregon and one in Washington. None meet any of the criteria as they have not traveled out of the US or know anyone who has done so.

probably just the tip of the iceberg.

On 2/25/2020 at 10:39 AM, hubofhockey said:

 

My broker saved me $2,700 on his advice not to buy.  This thing is falling through the floor.  

 

Maybe I'll buy if it goes down below $80 per share.  

it’s almost there as of today!

36 minutes ago, Host Grandma Cruising said:

In the ‘Cruise Again’ Ts & Cs https://www.azamara.co.uk/luxury-cruise-deals/cruise-again it says “Single occupancy bookings will receive a pro-rated OBC based on the single supplement rate paid for the cruise.”

thank you. 

I recently booked a cruise onboard solo occupancy where the single supplement was only 150% and only received 150 OBC. They said it was because of the reduced single supplement and provided an email in writing explaining it.

does it say somewhere that someone booking a single supplement of less than 200% will receive the Normal 300 OBC for a cabin? If so, could you please point me to that policy? When I checked it out, I seem to remember AZ stating that the OBC would be reduced in half if the single supplement was leas than 200%.

can someone please help me with this?

Thank you

i was in 6036 for a 10 day cruise and actually enjoyed it. It is situated between lifeboats so there is plenty of light and was great for one person. Not sure it would be that great for two people, although the use of space is very good. I saved over $2,500 compared to a balcony so it was definitely worth it.

I am in a veranda in May, and it is only costing me about $320 per day for a V2 balcony, (single occupancy) including an excellent deal for singles. I think double occupancy would be only about $250 per night pp. It even worked out cheaper than a RCCL Baltic cruise at the same time, plus consider the difference between sailing on RCCL and Azamara...priceless..

Hi Mike,

Great review of your cruise! I will be on Pursuit again in May and really looking forward to it. It looks like you had a great time and it was nice to see Paul and Gail again. I have never had much desire to see Rio, but after your review, I might give Brazil another look. 
 

Keep on traveling and posting your great adventures for all of the rest of us to read and enjoy. I will be looking forward to the next ones (especially Africa..I am so envious!)

Have a great 2020,

Anne

40 minutes ago, franski said:

 

The biggest issue in Paris with Avalon after that cruise (IMHO) was the location of the hotel.  it was not central at all.  It was great from the perspective of getting to the airport (airport bus stopped right outside) but it was horrible from a sightseeing perspective.  Now, I have been to Paris a few times - so I am comfortable making my own way around the city - but there are definitely "better" places to stay if you are planning a stay on your own.  Not sure if their hotel has changed since I was there with them (about 5 years ago....).

 

I found their included tour pretty standard --> bus takes you to see many of the "major" sites (mostly drive by...), guides are knowledgeable etc.   but, if you want an in-depth experience,  you might not feel this meets your expectations. 

 

There is no way you can see even a fraction of Paris in the length of time you are there.  If there is something you *really* want to see - and want to have lots of time to spend there, book on your own.  But - if you have not been before, the included tour is a good way to get a taste of what makes Paris so magical.

 

Fran

Two days in Paris is practically no time at all so I would make sure to stay centrally located, somewhere in the 1st to 6th arr. you want to be able to walk everywhere not depend on public transport.

i have been to Paris 30+ times and still find new things every time I go there.

I have changed a guarantee to a better cabin but only in the same category. If there are alot of vacancies and the price difference is substantial it might be worth it but only you can decide. Just decide whether you will be ok with any cabin in the category in case you cant change. In my case I saved over $2,000 on a 10 day cruise so I decided to take the risk and just accept any cabin. Only you can decide.

3 minutes ago, Floridastorm said:

I forgot to ask. Do these obstructed cabins have couches? Some of the  OV Cabins I've seen on the Pursuit don't seem to have any couches which is strange.

No room  for a couch. They do have a vanity. But the room is still surprisingly comfortable in my opinion for one person. Plenty of storage space. I think it would be better if they didn’t have a huge bed taking up so much of the room but I understand why that is.

3 minutes ago, Floridastorm said:

Looking at the T/A out of Miami to Lisbon on the Pursuit. Would appreciate a review of either OV Cabin 6030 or 6033. Both are obstructed and are near the elevators. Any appreciable noise from the elevators? Seems as though the obstruction is one of the smaller type boats. Also, I would not imagine there is much noise coming up from the Cabaret Lounge on Deck 5 or is there?

 

Thanks in advance for any info provided.

 

Dave

Location is great. I stayed in 6036 and liked it a lot. The obstructed view is between two tenders so you can see out. Would definitely book that category again if I could get a cabin that was not totally obstructed. Fine for one person with great closet space but no place to put room service, so note that.

I stayed in an OV Category 08. I was a little leery of it being obstructed but I could actually see between the tenders so it was no big deal. And the location is great. I will say that although I really liked it for one person I am not sure how comfortable it would be for two people. It is small but cozy and I would book it again. Cabin 6036. Some of these cabins are totally obstructed so try to get one in between tenders.

18 minutes ago, seashell said:

I was able to get one for May 2020.  I think it is a great program.  I believe I was told there were 5 cabins available for the single program on my cruise.  I can't wait for my cruise.  I hope you can get one Roz.    

i stayed in one of the Avalon panoramic view cabins at the single rate and it is a great deal for a river cruise. Loved the tulip cruise but would recommend the sailings mid April when the tulips are in full bloom and the weather is a little warmer. March could be really freezing.

I have  gotten some excellent deals recently on Azamara. For instance their Anarctica cruise 16 nights last minute voyage was going for about $1,000 less than Celebrity. Also there are excellent deals right now in South America around Xmas into the beginning of 2020, and India too.

next April and May there are several AZ cruises in the med including the TA to Lisbon that are excellent deals, especially for single travelers with a reduced 50% supplement. I just booked a 10 day cruise on Pursuit May 14-24 from Lisbon to Southampton with three overnights in Bordeaux for $3,500 single occupancy Veranda on their double upgrade special. I think the pp rate for double occupancy is around $2,300 pp without any discounts (loyalty or TA). I think that is a great deal for the quality you get on AZ and the small ship experience. Also gratuities and drinks are included. Of course you have to want the itinerary they are offering but I would definitely not just assume AZ is higher than Celebrity. 

I am not interested in the shows generally or all that nonsense that sometimes goes on in the center of the larger Celebrity ships, the casino, etc.  so the ambiance and refinement of Azamara works perfectly for me. I am sure people would disagree if their priorities are drinking, dancing and shows, though. And BTW the food on AZ is much better as is the general atmosphere in the ship with extremely laid back and friendly passengers and crew. And the beds are 1,000 percent more comfortable too. 

Just my opinion of course and I continue to find some good itineraries at fair prices on Celebrity, especially the smaller ships, which work for me.

Anne

2 hours ago, Mynki said:

 

Celebrity pricing is now comparable to some Seabourn and on some rare occasions Silversea cruise prices. These are true 6^ luxury lines. It's not common but I've seen the classic verandah suites (376 square feet with 64 square foot balcony) on Silversea with grats, internet all drinks and $1000 OBC go for the same price as some E class aquaclass rooms. 

I've also noticed that good last minute deals on AZ are slowly starting to increase in availability in recent months. 
 

i just priced an 11 day itinerary for veranda single occupancy on Apex to Spain and Portugal for over $7,800. Obviously I am not taking that cruise. I am in Paris now at a wonderful 4 star hotel on Rue Jacob in St Germain for far less than that per day,, including business class air and delicious food from the restaurants around here, plenty of money left over for purchases from the expensive boutiques and the best pastries you could ever have.😁😁

Plus, you cant get better surroundings than Paris, even in the rain!

I booked a cruise for single occupancy with a 50% single supplement versus a 100% single supplement so that may be the difference. It sounds like yours was for double occupancy.

in any condition, I will find out when I return home.

Thanks Phil

i will check it out when I get home. I am in France now. The cruise deal was so excellent that whatever it is, I would take it. The cruise is costing me about $310 a day when Le club voyage discount and travel agent discount is taken into consideration. That is cheaper than.

the Baltic cruise I was booked on RCCL around the same date which I am canceling. 

Thank you Bonnie. This makes sense since it looks like I only paid a 50% supplement for this cruise which was already a great deal due to the double upgrade. 

I might point out to singles who are interested that several cruises on AZ in Europe in April and May 2020 have these great single rates which are unadvertised. The Pursuit April TA is even a better deal but unfortunately I can’t take advantage. I think most of the best deals are on Pursuit for some reason.

some of these cruises are working out way cheaper <50% of some prices on the new Celebrity cruises for 2021, which is really unbelievable.

Anne

I just booked a single occupancy cruise on Azamara while I was on Celebrity Constellation earlier this month. I booked on the 2nd day of a 10 day cruise. Celebrity told me the maximum OBC would be $150 for single occupancy since I booked on Celebrity not AZ. They queried AZ and showed me the email confirming this from AZ. Has the policy been changed recently? 

Bonnie can you clarify this with AZ? I thought I should have received $300 OBC but AZ says no. This cruise is May 14-24 on Pursuit and has very low rates for single occupancy that are not advertised as low single supplements but show up when the cruise is priced. The exceptionally low single occ fares are the supposed reason that the OBC is reduced to $150 for singles booking onboard Celebrity in the first half of a cruise.

i intend to clarify with AZ when I get home but would love to know what’s what before then.

thanks

Anne