Xport

When the AzAmazing Event was changed for 2014, we needed to set up a new code with the new description, duration, etc. Due to system limitations, we cannot just "move" guests to the new code, but we have to cancel and rebook them manually. Therefore, all booked guests received a cancellation notice via e-mail explaining that we made some changes to the program and listing the short description of the revised event. All guests were rebooked the same day on the new code / program and would have received a confirmation e-mail showing they were rebooked with the new code and AzAmazing Evening name. (Tour descriptions would not have shown on this confirmation).

 

Unfortunately, the practice you describe above was not consistently implemented as notification was not sent to all guests when the AzAmazing Evening at Ho Chi Minh City [Journey cruise starting 3 February] was improved; that inconsistency only added to the confusion...

 

Some [2fromTO, for instance] got the cancellation e-mail; others--like me and friends with whom I'm traveling--did not... My notification--though I didn't recognize it as such at the time--occurred when I unexpectedly got a new e-mail confirmation of all tours I'd booked on that leg of the trip and had no idea why [i'm not enough of a Sherlock Holmes to recognize that the related tour number had changed; I just assumed it was another IT glitch and filed the document away after noting that all of my tour plans--by tour name and including my AzAmazing Evening reservation--were properly enumerated]...

 

It wasn't until I caught up with the related posts on this Forum that I understood what had occurred... It was fine--I certainly appreciate that Azamara tweaked the offering to improve it--but it was perplexing... And then, not all guests are Cruise Critic members...

 

I don't want my comments to come across as further proof that no good deed goes unpunished... But I rather suggest that Azamara could get far more mileage/far less confusion when communicating good news if such announcements were written from a guest-focused perspective--highlighting improvements and telling guests what to expect administratively--and then sending them consistently [no, we didn't miss it] to all guests for whom valid e-mail addresses are available...

 

Thanks, Mike

Over the last four or five years--perhaps longer--Celebrity's last Bermuda cruise has occurred in late August/early September [generally coincident with Labor Day] and is then followed by three, fourteen night New England/Canada sailings [in 2014, on September 7, September 21, and October 5] before Summit repositions to San Juan for an extended winter season in the Caribbean [in 2014, on October 19]...

 

The deployment schedules are generally released--by market over the course of several weeks--during the March/April timeframe for the next cruise year... As such, you'll know the plans for April/May 2015 [it varies by ship] through March/April 2016 next Spring... Check the Celebrity website at that time and know that the scheduled release dates are often published here just in advance of those sailings being opened for reservation...

 

Thoroughly enjoyed Summit to Bermuda this summer... Hope that you have opportunity to do the trip too...

The advice that you've gotten to check the very conspicuous overhead signs as you enter the port for terminal assignment is solid... Or instead, you can check the Port Everglades website [click on Ship Schedule from the Home Page] several days before sailing...

 

http://www.porteverglades.net/about-us/

 

While it is true that Equinox has used Terminal 18 during her alternating Monday and Friday sailings over the past few years, I did notice that Independence Of The Seas used Terminal 18 last Friday... I have no idea how often Equinox and Independence will be in port coincidentally during this season but I suppose it possible that the two will be in port at the same time on occasion...

But you'll also need to produce the credit card referenced--in shorthand format [the online check-in process only asks for the type of card and the last four numbers]--on your Xpress Pass...

 

The agent will take an imprint of your credit card during check-in/before you board the ship...

It would also be interesting to know from our US residents if the US website is showing the same error.

 

I assume that you are referring to the 15 April trip from Mumbai to Athens aboard Journey... If so, the US website is not reflecting a reduced single supplement [perhaps it's capacity controlled/sold out, but then, I don't know whether the website ever handled the reduced single supplement properly] either... For a V-1...

• Solo pricing is quoted at $US 8498.00 + Port Taxes/Fees of US$ 482.79...
  
• Dual pricing is quoted at $US 8498.00 + Port Taxes/Fees of US$ 964.58...
  
• The only difference in quoted fare is in the per person Port Taxes/Fees...
  

These fares do not include air, hotels, or insurance...

 

As you may have read in the post cited below, the US website is an absolute nightmare too... I struggled to find pricing [not all links that seem logical take one there; it takes digging], can't see an ounce of information about stateroom availability by cabin class and/or a sampling of available staterooms within a class, and the whole model seems directed at filling in a web-form or requesting a call to get a quote... I hate that...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1934622

 

I'll obviously be eager to see which sailings are included in next month's promised "Savings For Singles" promotion... But quite frankly, the current inability to research and/or book via a functioning/accurate series of reservation web panels that are easy to navigate does, I believe, serve as a deterrent--it's not user friendly/wastes guest time--to my consideration of booking again with Azamara anytime soon; the experience certainly does dampen one's enthusiasm... Hype to the contrary, Azamara's website--both in the planning/booking functions and in the removal of much of the "Manage My Reservation" functionality [that remaining now is, at best, minimal/convoluted]--seems to be evolving without guest focus... And if it doesn't improve substantially soon from a prospective [first impressions are lasting ones] or booked guest perspective, I might be inclined to focus my future cruise plans elsewhere with a cruise line that values my interest/respects my time during planning and appreciates my patronage upon booking from both a shore-side and onboard--no matter how good Azamara is once aboard--perspective... It need not be so difficult...

I've never had difficulty finding Splenda--or Equal and Sweet & Low for that matter--on any Celebrity ship...

I've had Concierge Class aft cabins 7203 and 8170 on Infinity as well as 8185 on Constellation... I've also sailed in AquaClass aft cabin 1133 on Infinity and have booked 1140 on Summit for a trip next October...

 

The Deck 11 AquaClass cabin interiors are identical in size to all Concierge Class cabins--including those situated on port and starboard [the Deck 9 AquaClass cabins were in fact converted from Concierge Class]--on the four Millennium-Class ships... And aside from the fact that the Deck 11 AquaClass cabins are new[er] and that the baths feature the AquaClass shower panel/glass enclosure--they're essentially a clone of the Concierge Class cabins in layout, furnishings, and décor...

 

You are correct that the Deck 11 aft AquaClass cabins do not feature the same enormous verandas associated with the Concierge Class afts on Decks 7, 8, and 9 but they all still feature oversized balconies relative to other non-suite veranda cabins found elsewhere on the ships [1140 is largest, 1138 and 1141 are next largest, and 1130 and 1133 are the least large of the five AQ afts [but still oversized]...

 

Hope this helps... Enjoy!

AquaClass guests who elect to have dinner in their staterooms select from the Main Dining Room menu... The Blu menu--as well as the menus for the specialty restaurants--are not available via room service...

But I'm not sure that anyone here will know definitively as our itinerary, to the best of my knowledge, is--at least in large part--new to Azamara...

 

Perhaps Bill Lieber can provide us with guidance as to Azamara's shuttle plans...

 

Bill, this inquiry refers to Journey's 17 February 2014 sailing from Hong Kong to Shanghai...

The insulated souvenir soda cups--that were, in the past, provided when one purchased a soda package--are now history... Celebrity started dispensing soft drinks by can--with an accompanying glass of ice--rather than by fountain more than a year ago...

 

I suspect that the website reference to the souvenir cup is now erroneous...

It is not uncommon--at least in the United States--for land-based restaurants [and bars, supermarkets, etc.] to offer "Two For One" or "Buy One Get One Free" promotions that are often of no--or of doubtful--value to a solo... One also sees such offers aboard cruise ships [don't know if the practice is used on Azamara but Royal Caribbean and Celebrity certainly employ them] at onboard bars and specialty restaurants [not to mention single supplements--most often 100%--on cruise fares and diminished loyalty benefits (ie; half the internet time; half the laundry allowance) for equal allegiance and equal spend]...

I'm not an attorney but tend to doubt that such practices would be so pervasive if illegal... And while I'd personally prefer that such offers be expressed on a half-price for all basis, I--as a solo--either adapt to get the experiences I want [for instance, I like cruise vacations] or vote with my feet--ashore or aboard ship--to bypass those that I find unimportant and exploitative from a pricing perspective...

Without having the time to go back and read previous threads/posts - I recall something about a December promo geared towards single cruisers.

 

I saw it too after reading a link contained in a 10 October post--posted in a different context--by Host Andy... You'll find the reference to a December "Savings For Singles" promotion among Larry Pimentel's comments here...

 

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/b16db138#/b16db138/6

 

Andy's original reference to this newsletter was contained in the following thread...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927217

This is one of those cases in which--regardless of your judgment as to the competence resident in the UK office at the present time--I'd call and ask for a quote after citing the promotion on the website... As you know, both Azamara and Celebrity are not known for the flexibility/capability of their systems in handling basic booking/reservation management issues; promotional bookings are likely even more challenging... And if you don't like the quote [at least then you'll know if the fares are capacity controlled and that they've reached capacity], conclude the call...

 

It goes back to early May but I did receive the 25% Single Supplement--in tandem with the "Book An Inside/Get Upgraded To A Verandah" promo--for the 3 March sailing on Journey... That said, I booked while aboard Solstice--along with the two prior cruises--so have no idea how gymnastic their on-line systems were/were not at the time...

 

Comments offered in only the most constructive of ways... Hope to see you aboard!

When I did the Scandinavia/Russia cruise [aboard Eclipse; round-trip from Southampton] in 2010, the weather was often quite hot [records in St. Petersburg] while ashore [and for us, dry] but always very pleasant while sailing between ports/when at sea... Weather is a craps shoot...

 

Even after factoring in our overnight stay in St. Petersburg and our late sail-away times in Warnemunde [for Berlin] and Copenhagen [you should review the specifics of your itinerary], I think that I may have used my verandah more on the Baltics cruise than I have on any other...

 

Having sailed from 26 June through 10 July, I did the trip during the latter part of "White Nights" when the sun at many of our destinations didn't set until 11:00 PM or later... As such, it was not uncommon for me to have dinner, take in the show, and still--after long days of touring; it can be a rigorous trip if you plan to take it all in--spend an hour or so relaxing on the balcony and watching the world pass by before bedtime... Depending upon your personal travel style/preferences, your mileage may vary...

 

As another poster mentioned--and you need not have a verandah to do so though it is more convenient--don't miss the sail-in and/or sail-out at Stockholm... It's very scenic/memorable...

 

Great choice; enjoy!

We are looking at some back to back cruises in the Caribbean in January or February on Celebrity. Does Celebrity give an extra discount for the second part of the back to back cruises? Some back to back are 7 nights each cruise, and others alternate between 10 and 11 night cruises.

 

Look carefully at the alternating ten and eleven night itineraries that are, I believe, still being offered on Equinox out of Fort Lauderdale... They visit very different ports/provide more diverse and interesting experiences than you are apt to find by stacking two seven day cruises [even if you were to change ships]... And it is very nice/hassle free to settle in aboard a single ship--try to reserve the same stateroom for both voyages--at the start of the your cruise...

 

Others have advised you correctly; Celebrity does not offer discounts for back-to-back cruises...

 

I've done four consecutive cruises with Celebrity and will do a B2B2B with Azamara starting in February... Though the menus, the entertainment, and activities may start to become familiar [if you were to change ships, the entertainment would change but the fleet-wide menus and activities would not change materially], I do not tire of the experience and always find more than enough to keep me occupied and happy...

Maybe they aren't so keen on sending emails with updates and offers to UK guests! Yet another difference between us and our fellow guests from the US.

 

I am an American, have three consecutive cruises booked with Azamara starting on 3 February, and haven't received the related e-mail either...

 

The lapse in--and based upon my reading here, the apparent ambiguity surrounding--this communication is seemingly universal...

Although they do not have the timings on them, details of many of the 2014 evenings now seem to be on line, not on the shore excursion page but if you search for details of a voyage aka as a new booker, the descriptors have been added, I can see what is on offer for my cruises.

 

I found the AzAmazing Evening descriptions for two previously unpublished events during my upcoming Asia trip too, Ann... But wow; it did take some sleuthing!

 

Interesting--and a bit frustrating--that Azamara would choose to post this information in a place that those considering booking a cruise might see but that it's not posted in a place that those who are booked would be apt to look!

Figured a charter, just having NO luck finding it anyplace online. just curious now on a mission...

 

But there is a Canadian bank that has some history [for instance, on Century out of Miami in 2010; it's happened subsequently] of doing an annual full-ship charter with Celebrity for a short-sail out of Southeast Florida during January...

Good to know about Murano. Actually, there is not a restaurant or a food in the world to make me want to dress formally -- so may just forget about the specialty restaurant and order room service or eat at the buffet those nights.

 

You will find that the dress code in their Specialty Restaurants--such as Murano on Century--is "Smart Casual & Above" every night [including nights on which Formal Night is observed in the Main Dining Room]...

That would seem easy IF you have this magical reference Number which we do not have :o

 

We are booked through a Cruise Company and have no such number as yet

 

But at least We know it is the 29th now not the 28th so can plan our days now

;)

Shintaro

 

You are very welcome...

 

We each choose a Travel Agent for a variety of personal reasons... But frankly, I'd be really vexed if I didn't have my Reservation # less than two months prior to sailing...

 

You need that number to book Land Discoveries [shore excursions] on-line in advance as is required if you want to secure the 25% discount that Azamara offers [on-board bookings are full price/undiscounted]... Surely you have time as I believe the deadline for on-line, discounted bookings is four days prior to sail date... But I'd personally be pressuring my Travel Agent for my Reservation # now so that I could plan my days with the benefit of knowing all options...

 

Enjoy your trip; looking forward to doing the same itinerary in February...

Any info on the evening planned for Bangkok 28th November 2013 on the Journey

 

The AzAmazing Evening details for 2013 sailings have been listed on the Azamara website--and likely available for booking [you do so as if a shore excursion]--for months...

 

AzAmazing EveningsSM

 

 

Discovering Bangkok’s Ancient City—November 29, 2013. Walk candlelit paths to enter the Ancient City, a 200-acre site representing Thailand’s architectural heritage of temples, shrines, palaces and stupas. Enjoy curries, Pad Thai, chicken satay and other Thai foods paired with beer and Mai-Tais. Soak up the local culture as you watch dancers, artisans and live performances of Thai Khim (dulcimer).

 

 

We ask that you sign up for this event online at least four days prior to your voyage. Full participation details can be found in the AzAmazing Evenings section.

 

-----

We, and our friends, just took the shuttle to Hoi An for the day. It was the best day ever - I think it was $20 or something.

 

During our port call at Da Nang next February, the "Hoi An On Your Own" excursion [#DE-22] prices out at US$ 74.25--after the 25% discount associated with booking in advance on-line--or US$ 99.00 if booked once aboard!

But I am doing the 3 February sailing from Singapore to Hong Kong--it covers the same ports--and have done a good bit of research relative to logistics...

 

• Embarkation At Singapore/Disembarkation At Hong Kong...
  
  • There are two cruise passenger terminals in Singapore... It is my understanding that--for both of our sailing dates--Journey will dock at The Singapore Cruise Center [Maritime Square at Harbourfront Center]... It appears to be center city...
    
  • There are now two cruise passenger terminals in Hong Kong... During 2014, Journey will continue to use Ocean Terminal; it is is situated on the Kowloon side [area is specifically known as Harbour City] of Victoria Harbor... Larger ships have moved to the recently opened, new cruise terminal adjacent to the airport...
    
  • You will find that information here; I've confirmed its accuracy with Azamara...
    
    • http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/plan-your-voyage/after-booking/helpful-information/directions-embarkation-ports
      

    [*]Both are seemingly very convenient/in the thick of things... I would not, in any case, expect that shuttles will be offered on embarkation or disembarkation day...

  [*]Ko Samui...

  • Barring weather/other port considerations, I have confirmed with Azamara that they intend to tender into Na Thon...
    
  • From what I can tell, most people use Na Thon as a jumping off point to start a broader tour of the island there [i have already engaged a driver/guide]... A web search and a review of Azamara's tour offerings will help you to decide if you want to do more...
    

  [*]Bangkok...

  • The ship will dock at Klong Toey; apparently, it's a rather industrial section of Bangkok... Central Bangkok is several miles away...
    
  • I have, again, engaged a tour company for three days [city, Ayuthaya (50 miles away), and the floating & railroad markets] so as to keep us focused/maximize our time there...
    

  [*]Ho Chi Minh City...

  • Journey will dock right in town rather than several hours away at Phu My as larger ships do...
    
  • Note that if you want to see things like the Cu Chi Tunnels and/or the Mekong Delta, you'll likely need to take a tour... They're not right around the corner from central city...
    

  [*]Da Nang...

  • I've confirmed with Azamara that Journey will dock right in town [specifically at Tien Sa Port on Yet Kieu Street rather than at Chan May Port as typically used by larger ships]...
    
  • If you are planning to tour only Da Nang, my guess is that you will be able to do so on your own...
    
  • If you want to see Hoi An [about an hour's drive each way] or Hue [about a three hours' drive each way], you will likely need to do an excursion...
    

  [*]Ha Long Bay

  • Best I can tell, the tender port is small--you might consider doing a web search to determine if it will suit your needs--and primarily serves as the origin/terminus for scenic cruises of the bay...
    
  • If you wish to visit Hanoi, know that it is located about a three hour drive--each way--from where Journey will anchor at Ha Long Bay; a tour is probably appropriate...
    

Strongly suggest that you research each of the ports [using a source such as Trip Advisor] and look at Azamara's tour offerings--even if you don't choose to book with them--for inspiration... To my mind--your mileage may vary depending upon how much you want to see/do and how much you want to venture out--ship shuttles, while helpful, may still be of limited value even when docked right in town [as in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City]...

Note - when you find what you believe to be a discrepancy with itinerary times and published shore excursions and/or AzAmazing Evenings please bring them to my attention on Andy's new thread.

 

Though it may be premature to report this as a conflict, there is currently one shore excursion posted for our two days in Tokyo--25 and 26 February--during Journey's 17 February sailing from Hong Kong to Shanghai... It's an evening Geisha Performance/Dinner on 25 February...

 

You reported some time ago that the AzAmazing Evening for this cruise had been tentatively scheduled [content/date not yet finalized] for Tokyo on the same evening so as to create a potential discrepancy...

 

In addition, Bill, you have an inquiry above from a fellow cruise mate relative to the AzAmazing Evening during Journey's 3 February sailing from Singapore to Hong Kong... I posted to our Roll Call this morning that the details have been posted/that it is available for booking [10 February at Ho Chi Minh City] via the Azamara website...

 

--Mike

No Azamazing evenings listed yet for Journey's February 17 and March 3 cruises from Hong Kong to Shanghai and back. The good news, I suppose, is that Azamara can't call these trans-Atlantics and renege on their "every cruise" promise.;)

 

I'm on the same sailings and, if it helps in your planning, Bill posted here several weeks ago that the AzAmazing Evening for the 17 February cruise is expected to occur, with no hint of content, on 22 February during our long port call in Okinawa...