hubofhockey

Our May 2024 cruise does an overnight in Osaka. The only change Celebrity made was shortening our port time on day 2 from 5 pm departure to 3 pm departure. We're doing Kyoto pre-cruise, but for people hoping to spend a couple of days there, that change is probably awful. Kobe is a 25 minute train ride to Osaka for those impacted. That's a bit inconvenient.

We usually book Aqua, so that's why I would get the FCC. For suites, eliminating the use of FCCs for a deposit forces you to pay through the nose for a refundable rate or be at risk for a lot of money. I am not crazy about Aqua being all inclusive because the imputed charge for WIFI is too high. On some itineraries, including my next in Japan, it's almost a total waste because I can get a pocket wifi device which should work anywhere and get WIFI for both of us for $6 a day. All of the cruise lines need to do a better job figuring out WIFI. I agree that all are having their issues. We loved Azamara and have one booked with them, but they are a small one off owned by a private equity firm and that's enough to make me nervous. Still, the price was great, so we are taking the risk and only have $150 at risk ($75 per person is what they keep if you cancel). I suppose at some point, we'll be looking mainly at Oceania and/or Viking. The industry right now is in flux.

I can afford Regent and expensive suites, but just don’t see value there.

We will pick up a Future Cruise Certificate on our next cruise (May 2024), but the only reason being is the new policy where Celebrity keeps 100% of cruise deposits. The risk in losing a non-refundable deposit is now 100%, so that's $900+. When booking with a FCC, it whatever the cost of the FCC is (not even sure what they are). No way I will pay so much more for a refundable rate on Celebrity. It's less expensive to book more premium lines.

Thanks. I was hoping to tour in the morning in Kyoto) , get lunch near the train station and then get a train in. 90 minutes means 5:30 pm, so 4:30 is probably good. If there is one cruise I am in no rush to get to earlier than I have to, it's this one. 90 minutes means 5:30 pm, so 4:30 is probably good. Even a 1:45 pm gets us to Yokohama station at 3:37.

If loyalty points and tiers were the only things keeping you from doing cruises on more premium lines, then "jump ship" as you call it. I chose Azamara over Viking for Panama Canal (similar itinerary) only because the price difference was $2,000 over 10 days. If pricing were more similar, I'd go Viking even with status on Azamara (which you probably get from your X cruises).

We have a 7 pm departure listed on the itinerary at Yokohama cruise terminal. Trying to plan hotel check out and Shinkansen (bullet train) from Kyoto to Yokohama. Would taking a 2 pm train which arrives at Yokohama station at 3:50 make sense? I am figuring 25 minute taxi to the cruise terminal. That would get me there around 4:30 pm. Does that make sense? Do most people arrive sooner? Thanks.

There was a time when Explorers Lounge was used for live bands, music, etc. It was fun until Princess decided on cutting corners. In any case, everyone has a sweet spot and you found yours.

Thanks. That’s reassuring and I figured that Azamara would do the Panama Canal justice. We actually believe that we’ll be doing more, not less, with Azamara as the mass market lines continue to water down (pardon the pun) their product. We do have a Celebrity M class to Japan plan, but only because time worked better for us.

My choice for Panama Canal was/is between Viking and Azamara, similar Verandah cabins for 10-days. Azamara begins in Miami and Viking begins in Fort Lauderdale. Both end in Panama after a full transit through. Azamara was $5600 for two with $1075 onboard credits through online TA, premium drinks. Viking was $6600. If price point was similar, would have given Viking a shot. $2K still matters to me, but if people feel that Azamara is in trouble or that product is much inferior, I would consider switching (eating the $150 forfeit fee).

You should post on your roll call. Better targeting

This isn’t great to see. I got a great deal on the Journey for Panama Canal full transit late 2024. It’s far enough away that I could look for alternatives. For now, we have some time to wait for the to figure it out. I could probably find something similar on Oceania. As to Sycamore, at $200 million, that was pretty much an asset sale. If things go bad, they could sell off the ships and not lose too much.

Haven’t been on any ship since Covid (first Covid and then a couple of moves). Even though Azamara had the ownership change, overnights and itineraries are still on point. The back office, pre-cruise experience, even before the sale, was awful. At that, with all of their online problems, it probably doesn’t phase me too much. I am hoping to bid for an upgrade, but we’re more than a year away.

Well, he has that reserved British presence about him. Jay is good too.

The reason Princess is at a lower price point is that, at the same prices, more would choose Celebrity. They all charge as much as the market bears. To me, Princess took a bad turn about 10 years ago when they ramped down entertainment and took the solid entertainment out of Explorers Lounge. When that was funded, I loved the Crown and Ruby. Now, I don’t even consider Princess as an option to Celebrity, but obviously there are many who still love the Princess product.

Bembridge is one of the few honest YouTuber cruise people around. Too many of them are either travel agents or love everything.

It depends on what your focus of the trip will be. In April, you won't be sitting out by the pool on sea days or going to beaches. If you're going to sightsee though, that's preferable. It can also be smoldering hot in Venice in the summer (late August).

This is new and RC appears to be doing the same. Cruise line probably should communicate this better to its passengers.

Azamara often is not too much more than Celebrity. After taking into account that it's more "all inclusive", it probably costs less for similar cruises.

depends on ship class

Our first Azamara cruise was on the Quest because M class was docking 2-3 hours away from Saigon and Bangkok and the Quest was docking right in the cities. Wasn’t expecting to be blown away by the experience. Bid a $600 for the suite upgrade and the cruise part of the vacation was the best we’ve had at sea. We booked the Journey for next December Panama Canal. That’s as much for the Azamara experience. We’ll look again for another after that.

Yup, that is the one Princess ship I would look at and Australia / New Zealand is on our list. It would be an option.

When we first started cruising, we loved the bigger ships with the latest gimmicks. When we started cruising more for itineraries, kind of fell in love with the M class and Celebrity, for constantly refreshing and updating them (solsticizing - not sure if revolutionizing is a big deal). Now, if price is close, I would even look to Azamara (our favorite cruise was on the quest) or Oceania over the M class. Still love the M class though and they hit a good price point, even when they require all of the extras on Aqua. For those who like the typical Caribbean cruises, maybe some see more value in Princess (and of course, Alaska). I have no desire for Caribbean cruises of the Edge class.

Grand Class ships have around 3,000 passengers and M Class has a little less than 2,000, so they are not comparable. Princess has two ships similar in size to M in their coral class. One, Island, they refitted with 10% more cabins and the other is the Coral. I would consider the Coral and Club Class, IF I found an itinerary I liked and the price was competitive with M class and less than Azamara/Oceania. It was the food, worn out ships, tiny balconies, and getting rid of Explorers Lounge which really turned me away from Princess. It would take a great deal to get me back.

Whenever I see comparisons, I generally think about the cruise experience and cost for a typical verandah. We like aqua class and better experiences and itineraries on smaller ships, so there is no comparable match on Princess. Not really a Blu and Princess doesn't re-invest in its older smaller ships like Celebrity does in the M class. As to the other stuff, I believe Princess cuts more corners and Celebrity charges more add ons, but doesn't cut as many corners. This is my experience and those I'm friendly with, but you could talk to so many with feel much differently on this.