free from work

We paid £29.98 pp plus 15% this morning. Have been back into my reservation and the price is still the same. There are no offers on our cruise, perhaps because it's a TP so maybe the basic package is lower?

We have just booked 2x Classic drinks packages and saved c£55 each which in our minds could go towards any "premium" drinks we might want to try when on board ship. This is based on an exchange rate of $1.48 per pound which I can get from my CC supplier which is a large clothing/ food store.

What really surprised us was that just one of us could buy the package. Our understanding was that everyone in a stateroom had to have the same!

Having read Project Gal's post I went on to the X site to manage our booking for a Sept TP Vancouver to Japan. Working through the numbers the Classic drinks package @$49 costs £29.89 which I calculate comes out to an exchange rate of $1.67 per £1.00 which is the same as the OBC would be. Thanks for the tip PG. We plan to phone X in the morning and book our packages then rather than wait as we can't see the rate improving any time soon. Of course 15% would be added for grats.

Jim

Do UK cruisers feel the same?

We have booked 2 AZ cruises, 1 by ourselves and and 1 through a TV based Co. We found that to suit our requirements we didn't take the standard TV package and preferred to pay more to get the flights, hotels etc that suited us.

On the whole I don't think UK travel agents offer the same service that US TA's do.

Thanks for the replies.

I guess we will just have to play it by ear. I agree with Alberta Quilter about $7 per day but as long as we have enough laundry bags to get things done I'm sure it will work out ok.

Hi - we received the following reply from HAL after a query to the UK customer service about the option of paying in advance for the laundry package.

5. Laundry Packages*:

The laundry and pressing package will be offered to all guests the day after the first formal night, not on embarkation day. packages do not include Eco-friendly dry cleaning

UNLIMITED LAUNDRY for voyages up to 30 days-$ 7 per day.

UNLIMITED PRESSING ONLY for voyages up to 30 days-$ 4 per day

I have rad other posts that the package can be booked immediately on joining the cruise which is important to us as we have a few days pre & post the cruise and want to keep luggage to a minimum.

Has anyone personal experience of booking on board, on this occasion Eurodam, and did you have to wait?

Thanks in advance.

This is the sort of promotion that makes me think "why should I book now? Something better will be along before embarkation!"

We booked through a TV based TA in the UK on 1 August from prices quoted before the discount. Our stateroom has dropped by £985 on the Azamara website but TA is telling me the "discount" was already included by Azamara (before going onto their own website?). Who would have thought I can arrange a holiday at least £600 cheaper than a "professional"! Live & learn.

Hi, coke $1.95, Victoria bitter $7.95, no mention of volume but I assume a pint?

If you email HAL enquiries they will send you a copy of their drinks menu. We found it useful when considering the SDP at c$50 per day.

Your Better Half, Half Off!

Special is now on the website!

http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/special-offers/second-guest-half-off

Hi is this for all passengers (UK based) or just for American and Canadian cruisers?

Having just come back from the pub and sitting here drinking my bottle of Prosecco I find it hard to believe that anyone thinks we Europeans/English drink more than our American friends. As for being fleeced/ripped off by HAL if you don't want to pay the price nobody is forcing you to take a cruise. I would say that the gratuities are more than we would pay at home because in the main workers receive a decent salary and tips are a bonus but when in Rome........... Just be thankful that you have the opportunity to be a passenger and not a member of staff, away from home for goodness knows how long and missing your family grow up.

Vineyard View - My posting was from the current brochure indulgences offer for a 12 night cruise starting 14 October and not related to the Presidents Day offer in February. As we are new to HAL this is our first consideration of the SBP and we read it as a "Cost" of c$50 with a potential value of c$120. This is confusing an offer that we thought was really straightforward. A few coffees, sodas, and cocktails a day at a moderate saving. There is no mention of a $50 max in value, as mentioned previously by others that would be less than we would have paid. Could it be possible there are different SBP's available depending on your Mariner status?

Are you sure that's right? That would only give you 15 drinks at $2.89 (with service charge factored in) or $3.33 without service. :confused:

At those prices all you could have to make 15 drinks a day would be small bottles of water or sodas!

Jim

The following is the information from the HAL website. No mention of $50 per day maximum.

12 Day Signature Beverage Package

Our convenient, affordable Signature Beverage Package allows you to select from a variety of wine, beer, spirits, cocktails (including non-alcoholic), sodas & coffee! Includes any beverage priced at a $7.00 or lower menu price. Up to 15 beverages per day. * Prices are per day; Signature Beverage Package for $44.95* per day, per person a 15% service charge is not included and will be automatically applied to your purchase. The package must be purchased for the entire duration of the voyage. Up to a 15-drink maximum per day. All adults over 21 years old booked in the same stateroom must also purchase the package. Participants may order only one drink at a time. No sharing is permitted. Excludes Mini Bar, In-Room Dining, & beverages on Half Moon Cay. Packages are not transferable or refundable. Beverage management reserves the right to revoke the package if misused and reserves the right to refuse service for any reason; including refusing service of alcoholic beverages to intoxicated customers. Must be 21 years or older to purchase and agree not to give to minors.

$620.28

Select

The confusion may be between the FREE signature package and the one above which costs $620?