150edmiston

Thank you Lirio

That was actually uktog's suggestion.

 

Why not just close this thread and reopen it on Monday when Bonnie is back, should she wish to respond? I think it’s had its day for now.

 

Phil

Agree 100%.

This thread should have died a few pages ago. Bonnie confirmed, again, and again what the future held for us all ref the inclusive list. No change.

I do however feel bad that newbies, AZ virgins, etc will head to the bar and order something at $8 a pop when it's actually free. Call me cynical.... but it does smack of commercialism.

We are going during carnival and am reliably told that it takes almost twice as long to get anywhere as many streets are blocked off for parades and parties. Worth considering if youre going that week. David

In the interests of investigation I had two Cosmos in the Living Room pre dinner. No problem in ordering as a complimentary drink although the barman did mutter something about that they would not be made with a premium spirit. Post dinner I had a Kamikaze and a Grasshopper. My wife thinks that I am nuts !!

Well done today HYC. Much appreciated. You are a trooper checking out that the cocktail list is in fact intact....

.. ;p:D

Hi, we dock in Santos (for Sao Paulo) in March 2019.

Has anyone used a guide in Santos that they would recommend for a tour?

We're not sure about taking a trip to Sao Paulo as from what I can see it looks pretty industrial. Any ideas / suggestions welcome.

Thanks in advance.

David

What a debacle. Didn't I read somewhere recently while lurking on the board, that AZ had appointed a new Marketing company? They should be 100% involved, take lead, and guide the top brass particularly on anything like like before it gets into the public domain. Really disappointed (again) with the comms. To repeat my original post, I feel like I've been shortchanged. This isn't about free alcohol. Its about caring for and about your paying clientele and honouring what you've committed to. I'm hoping that there is some real clarity on this in the coming days, and will make my mind up where I spend my hard earned £ depending on the response.

Thanks for originally posting Riocca and bringing this to out attention, and your credibility was never in doubt.

Thank you as well Bonnie for seeking clarification, and providing some degree of comfort.

Oh, I remember the "carbolic smoke ball company" from my University days studying Pharmacy.

Also remember "offer/invitation to treat" but not sure that I completely understand the legal implications.

Quote from same case law under ‘significance’.....

Firstly, misleading advertising is a criminal offence. Under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations [13] (secondary legislation, passed under the European Communities Act 1972), regulation 5 states that a commercial practice is misleading......

"if it contains false information and is therefore untruthful... or if it or its overall presentation in any way deceives or is likely to deceive the average consumer... even if the information is factually correct"

I dont want to turn this thread into a circus or a class action, but ive been sold something AZ are now not willing to deliver. The uk web site still states the ‘old’ inclusive drinks as they were, even though they appear to have changed on board without notice elsewhere. I booked my vacation, those T&Cs applied, and both ways at that time. Unless there is something im missing? Willing to be proved wrong and as i said earlier lets see what Bonnie says.

Trade Descriptions Act 1968.

The Trade Descriptions Act 1968 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which prevents manufacturers, retailers or service industry providers from misleading consumers as to what they are spending their money on.

If you want “the” definitive case on contract law, google “carlill vs carbolic smoke ball company 1892”. Its basic, but it changed the way contracts were executed in law in the UK. Offer to treat, accepted, contact made, end of. Anything less is breach. Simple. Lets see what Bonnie says.

Knowing the OP they are not a prankster and I believe what is happening 100%. However, because of the way it is being communicated there is an inevitable reaction and as no one from Azamara is able to give a quick response here (not a criticism of Bonnie, more a reflection of how communication seems to happen there these days as opposed to how it was a few years ago when her predecessor was in post) there is inevitable speculation. No 1 rule in corporate communication do not leave a gap because rumour fills the vacuum, better to be ready before it happens. Maybe one department made changes without joining up with others, who knows.

 

As ever, yes change happens but it needs honest explanations why......

 

I am sure you will enjoy the onboard experience, that is why so many of us have come back to date, its only with the raft of recent issues that loyalty is being tested to the limits and beyond.

Best post on this thread by far and encapsulates the issue. Someone in Miami who has never been on a cruise in thier lives making an arbitrary decision because it looks better on a monthly report or P&L, and without a proper info cascade from the top down internally, and then to us, the customers. So disfunctional it beggers belief. We’ve been doing other stuff ref vacations since our last cruise, and looked forward with relish to our upcoming Rio cruise in Feb. Less so now, not just because we cant now (maybe) have a seabreeze, but as usual the dots are just not joined. Really , really poor customer interaction from a company that used to pride itself in the same.

Dissapointed. Just booked South America a couple of days ago and the reduction in the number of included cocktails is staggering.

Cant help but feel we’re being short changed.

Thanks.

 

Will be walk with cases to our hotel, according to Google about 15 mins (without getting lost!!)

I would take a Vaporetto. Hauling cases around Venice is NOT a good idea, and even if you've been before its the easiest city in the world to get lost in. It is also really busy, and can be very hot.

My wife and I always enjoy the complimentary wines on Azamara, but we also like the occasional glass of Champagne or sparkling wine, so for our next cruise we are considering buying one of the packages that gives you so many bottles of wine priced under $50 for a flat rate. The Azamara web site says the list of wines under $50 includes five sparkling wines, but there is no indication of which brands are offered. Does anyone have a current wine-by-the-bottle list for Azamara? The most recent one I could find by doing a topic search was from 2012, and I suspect those prices are out of date.

 

We particularly enjoy the Domaine Chandon sparkling wine, and the last time we were on Azamara, I think the bottle price was $49, but I don't know if that wine is still under $50.

 

I'd also like to know how the bottle package system works. Do you buy all the bottles up front or as you go along on the cruise? Also, can the bottles be purchased anywhere on the ship (like the back deck, pool bar or bow lounge) or only in the dining room? If I don't finish the bottle, can it be stored for me, as you can do with regular wine bottle purchases?

 

We have never bought the package on previous cruises. In the past, we have just bought glasses of Champagne when we were in the mood for one, but it appears the bottle package would be a much better deal financially as long as it's easy enough to get a bottle anywhere on the ship.

 

Any information from recent or current Azamara passengers would be appreciated.

Your best bet is to buy what you want to drink prior, take it on board with you and pay the $10 corkage. Much cheaper and you'll get what you want.

David

Edit - there is no restriction on Azamara unlike other lines.....as long as the quantity is 'reasonable' i.e. not a case.

i would now be very wary if using credit cards in that part of the world unless in a top end hotel etc.

For the last two years we have been cruising in the Far East, and each time we come back to credit card "cloning". We have no idea how this has happened, and neither has our bank, and we are very careful, but the first time was $200, and the next $600 a year later from a different country.

I don't mean to scare you, but cash is king. USD is accepted almost everywhere in the big cities. Local currency is used in more remote locations and everything is cheap by western standards.

David

Each to their own - thank you!

 

We too have a horror of jumbo ships with entertainment that possibly doesn't suit us! My enquiry was simply whether the outdoor experience - on occasions - incorporated the luxury of an evening spent relaxing on loungers on the pool deck - possibly as an alternative to an Azamazing evening ashore!

A couple of years ago we watched "Slumdog Millionaire" as we left Mumbai, Cosmo in hand. That was appropriate and was great fun and well attended.

I agree however with the general consensus. A cinema on board any cruise ship is a not for us.

Hi Heike, Happy Birthday!!

Dawn and i hope this message finds you well, and that you are still enjoying life with Azamara.

Hope to see you soon (June 2016 and March 2017) on Journey.

D&D

Well, yes a 18 night would make sense for a higher OBC, and I know we can only say so much about TA on here. The wife and I are more the independent travelers do it on your own, and only a handful of cruises on different lines, but this June 2016 cruise ticks off our travel bucket list. Looks like a very nice cruise, and maybe see you on board

 

Thanks

There is a roll call for this cruise. Not much action on it thus far tho.

David - a $1600 OBC? Really?

 

I want to book the same cruise in June 2016, but the best OBC for inside is $300 that I could find in the US. Is that good or should I look for different TA?

Hi I can't comment on what kinds of deals your TA can produce, and whether thats a good deal or not, sorry.

The OBC quoted in my earlier post was for the 18 night cruise from Sydney in 2017. Its made up by $500 pp from AZ and $600 from my agent.

I don't have any OBC for the cruise in June and wasn't offered any, but did manage to get the double upgrade offer.

David

Quote "We have two suites this year8053/8055, although we loved them we were not in them a great deal. Would we find Balcony cabins small ?"

Sorry, missed this part of your question.

For us, no issue and the extra space in the suite whilst appreciated, isn't worth the extra money. All subjective of course, but we spend very little time in the cabin and the extra space for us isn't required. A drink, or a breakfast or dinner on ANY balcony is special, and the 'junior' balcony cabins are adequate for this.

David

Advice needed please.

My TA has rung me re a offer which is giving 25% of Suites and Balcony cabins.

We are looking at high season next year.

As we have only sailed once this August I am therefore not used to Azamara's offers.

The summer cruises were not included in the buy an inside get a balcony offer.

 

Does Azamara usually give 25% off selected cruises each year? Or is this a one off due to the refit.

 

We have two suites this year8053/8055, although we loved them we were not in them a great deal. Would we find Balcony cabins small ?

 

I know booking cruises with all the deals about is a mine field but I don't really know what a 'good' per day rate is?

 

Any advice gratefully received.

 

Thank you all.

Hi welshfamily, as uktog suggests there isnt any real pattern here, and depends on sales and also incentives for agents.

We're sailing towards the end of this month in a v2 without incentive, but have rome to athens booked in june 2016 with inside to balcony upgrade, and the same upgrade again in march 2017 from sydney to singapore, but also with $1600 OBC.

We use a canadian TA.

David

hi capegirl, if you search the roll calls for this cruise you'll see that "oddjob" has had contact with the ship and there is a strong possibility. It will likely be Mahon which is a wonderful small port.

Lets hope it happens! I am taking "whites" with me just in case!

There is also a meet and mingle planned if you are interested. Again its posted on the roll call.

BR. David

Well done azamara and thank you so much for taking the feedback seriously and acting upon it. Well done!

Having arrived in Shanghai on Feb 28 with no subsequent phone or e-mail contact by Azamara regarding cruise cancellation, my wife & I took a taxi to Shanghai Hyatt March 3rd and spoke to Robert who said we were on our own financially if we wanted to remain in China & join the Journey in Hong Kong. A young Chinese lady on the Go Team then helped my wife plan (via a Chinese TA) a river cruise starting in western China with a flight to Hong Kong. Late that afternoon, we have an e-mail travel proposal of US$2,000 per person. In our reply, we ask if the TA accepts VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. Early morning of March 4th, we have a reply from the Chinese TA saying they only accept a certain Chinese credit card.

 

Later that morning of the 4th, we get our very first Azamara phone call at our hotel from an RCCL lady who had flew in the night before to help Azamara's Go Team. With no immediate means of paying for further travel in China, she asked if we would like to fly home and return to Hong Kong for the March 17 cruise at Azamara's expense. Within 20 minutes, she had made arrangements for us to fly home the next day and return to Hong Kong on March 16, then stay overnight at a Hong Kong hotel with transport there and to the Journey on the 17th.

 

So, after an unnecessary slow start, Azarama's Go Team rep (on loan from RCCL) resolved our issues to our satisfaction.

Hi dr carl, most reports back thus far have been in general, really good and positive. You guys seem to have slipped through the net for whatever reason which seems odd and inconsistent. A learning perhaps for AZ?

Good you are home safe. See you on the 16th in salisbury at around 7pm or the MandM on board.

Best. David

Linda, just turn up, grab a drink and a seat. No one even bothers to check. Check with guest relations when you get on board as Host Andy suggests. See you soon!

David

Thanks for posting host andy. These are certainly views of the ship you wont see too often.

David