Riocca

It depends on what sort of itineraries, competitors like Viking do repeat itineraries year on year so block booking ports is easier. One of Azamara’s usp’s is doing unusual ports and itineraries and hopefully that will continue under the new management.

I asked one of the more senior customer service advisers a few weeks ago and was told they were expecting to release them within 6 months. I’m not surprised as uktog says there are too many variables at the moment both economic and geo-political. In the past Azamara have released itineraries very early then had to deal with problems and upset customers because of changes, so being cautious is probably the best approach even if customers used to early releases are frustrated.

They were saying first quarter of 2023 but last week’s email from Azamara’s President did mention 9 to 12 months for full implementation of the new IT system. Where the loyalty split will fit into this is unknown.

The Tapas did seem like an add on rather than a core strategy, given that the Atlas Bar is the ideal pre dinner venue for those dining in speciality restaurants it’s highly unlikely that anyone would want to spend on extra food beforehand.

They were having real problems on Onward transferring information from the RC system to Azamara’s new onboard system, they established a work round at the end of the cruise but that caused even more problems.

We didn’t receive anything on the last night the email a week or so later was a complete surprise.

Be interesting to know how you get on, never tried it but might want too one day.

For normal cruise sales U.K. market works differently from the US, U.K.travel agents are fiduciary agents of the cruise companies in that sell their products and receive commissions for doing so. This means the cruise you purchase is the same as the one you could purchase from the cruise line, but they pay the cruise line the price less the commission they receive so can offer a discount. For example if the travel agent receives 10% commission they can offer a 5% discount and keep 5% commission, it’s the reason travel agent payment dates are usually 4 weeks before the cruise lines to ensure the cash is in hand. Many years ago a large U.K. travel agent went bankrupt having collected fares from customers but not paying P&O U.K. but because they were fiduciary agents paying the agent is deemed to be paying the cruise line so P&O had to honour the cruises it cost them a lot of money. Some agents however are able to purchase cruises from the cruise line package them with flights, hotels and transfers and this is a whole new ballgame, then the travel agent is responsible for everything.

If it shows on your online account it’s Azamara OBC, sorry to say but a lot of U.K. travel agents are dishonest about this. Friends have booked Azamara and say their travel agent gave them $500 OBC, free Wi-Fi and a Premium Beverage package to seal the deal no they didn’t it was Azamara’s offer at the time. During the pandemic we had 2 cancelled cruises and have had to start legal proceedings against our ex travel agent each time before they paid out they now owe us money from another cancelled cruise and guess what despite many promises no money. I realise all travel agents aren’t the same but my preference is to deal directly with the cruise companies, and Azamara other than the occasional problem getting through on the phone have been excellent.

I noticed that, did wonder if having refunded the cruise cost for the maiden they thought that there was no requirement for this FCC. If that was the case it should have been communicated in the maiden refund email and maybe they realise this. Anyway gratefully received and spent on an extra cruise so Azamara have gained from it 😁

2023 cruises are still saying Venice probably in the hope that the promised cruise port in Marghera will materialise. If not it’s going to be interesting if they choose to stay at Ravenna or change to Trieste either way it’s going to cause problems with transfers to the port. Our next cruise from Venice is October 2023 so we’ll hold off on getting the outbound flight until we know what’s happening.

I know this is a US travel agent but in the U.K. booking through a travel agent Azamara’s confirmation is always Azamara’s price the agent gives discounts from their commissions which are never shown on Azamara’s customer documentation. So, and this is a crude example, Azamara’s confirmation price is £5000 but the agent gives 5% discount you pay them £4750.

Phoned Azamara this morning to apply a FCC to an existing booking, all done in 10 minutes. There’s a new on hold message that’s up to date and references the 4 ships, Atlas Bar and Onwards World cruise. As regards the email it obviously addresses customers concerns on contacting Azamara and that things will improve slowly. Sounds like some functions are being outsourced hopefully that will work better than the time RCCL did it and moved everything to Guatemala. The 9 -12 months timeframe for IT implementation sounds like it may be a little longer than the previously quoted first quarter 2023 to fully unplug from Royal Caribbean, hopefully that helps get things right first time.

Just received ours as well, thought they were going to apply it directly to clear the outstanding balance for our October cruise. Going to have to brave telephoning Azamara tomorrow to check.

You get reciprocal status but not points the same as between Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. Azamara is no longer part of the Royal Caribbean family having been sold last year, once the new accounts system is up and running the reciprocal arrangement will stop this is due to be the first quarter of 2023.

No, if you’re not on the Ultimate Package you can still pay as you go, obviously as the special cocktails are $17.95 a go the Ultimate Package is better value if you are going to use the Atlas bar often. Think of it as a beverage version of the speciality restaurants where buying a package is better value.

Looking forward to seeing how this will work when we’re on Quest at the end of the month, The Atlas Bar is a very different type of venue to The Den. Can see there could be a conflict between those wanting to enjoy the live entertainment and those wanting The Atlas Bar Experience, but as always we will be open minded about it.

Have you looked at the Roll Call for this cruise? It’s been quite active by Azamara standards with tours being arranged there might be something that works for you. As regards speciality restaurants reservations can only be made once onboard there’s a desk set up in Windows Cafe, possibly on embarkation day there will be another desk on deck 5. You are able to purchase dining packages pre cruise but not make specific reservations.

Gratuities are included on all drinks.

Having been on Onward I would disagree, the Atlas Bar is all about the the theatre of the bartenders art doing this in venues where live entertainment is key won’t work as well. We liked the ambiance in the Atlas Bar where we could talk freely with other passengers without having to defer to others wanting to listen to featured musicians. As has been said before the space is available during the day for those seeking quite contemplation, we will be on Quest in a few weeks time and it will be interesting to see how well this space is used in the evenings.

I have asked Azamara this question and the reply was “within 6 months”. I would think that with so many problems worldwide these days they are reluctant to be releasing itineraries that have to be changed later with all the problems that creates.

It’s the overnight in Seville that’s a big draw for me.

Party time in the Atlas Bar 🥳😎

We did the same for a March cruise, I was told that the balance of the FCC would be credited back after that cruise was completed and could be applied to another future cruise. It’s only a small amount so not a major problem if that doesn’t happen but time will tell. We had to pay the taxes at the time of booking as the agent said any cruise booked using the maiden FCC had to be paid in full at the time of booking.

If your referring to the Maiden not yet, I had to pay the balance for our October cruise less the FCC amount and it was escalated to the senior management team, Friday was the target to resolve but I’ve heard nothing yet.