NorthWestPassage

It appears that there are still a substantial number of cruise ships that have not been assigned cruise itineraries for this Autumn (and are not being sold off). Also, there are still a significant number of ships that are showing itineraries for this Autumn, that still show departures/arrivals/port-calls at countries that are not viable, due to the political pandemic situation in those locations. I am referring to countries like India, South Africa, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. That means news about available ships and substantially revised sailing itineraries are being held back.

My specific cruising interest is in south pacific, Asia, Africa and the middle east cruises. I certainly would like to book the right trip soon.

I understand the principal of some initial “testing the waters” before full deployment of the fleet and the hope that the COVID situation might improve in the places that I mentioned over the next few months (for business & PR reasons) but there appears to be more going on than that. What do you think is really happening in that regard across the various cruise lines (especially higher rated lines)?

3 hours ago, Hlitner said:

The cruise industry is in competition with the rest of the travel world and they will need to offer no-hassle travel that is a good value when compared to other travel options.

I concur. Public health considerations are important. However from a cruise business viability point of view, if you substantially reduce the convenience/enjoyment factors, while increasing the cost/price substantially, during an extended period of bad PR and a likely extended period of economic recession, you have a perfect failure storm for the cruise industry recovery (especially in the vital first year), particularly for the budget/mainstream and premium passenger market segments. Land based trips will likely be far more attractive as a customer alternative.

I can appreciate the many valuable improvement suggestions listed here (especially given the current circumstances)....but if they were all implemented, the substantial cost and inconvenience would make cruising a much more challenging experience. I think doing so would make the much hoped for cruising recovery boom, a likely bust.

You make some interesting points and offer some creative solutions. However, I do not think that many of those solutions are viable with a practical cruise operation business model and international terms enforcement. Certainly, some changes will be needed and passengers on luxury and near luxury lines will be more financially amenable. Unfortunately, the lion's share of the cruise business is in the mainstream (budget) and premium categories, where more affordable and convenient prospective vacation alternatives will trounce them. You are probably right about the surviving cruise industry being smaller and operating somewhat differently. Only time and passenger expectations will tell.

On 9/26/2019 at 8:54 AM, AryMay said:

I can recommend the Hotel Plaza San Francisco in Santiago.

This hotel is excellent, runs a classy operation and has a strong traditional service orientation.

On 9/5/2019 at 7:45 AM, mikkelhansen said:

 

Seems to actually be a "real" offer, giving a free additional perk without increasing the price. Just made a few mock bookings, and the stateroom prices with three perks are ridiculously low, when comparing to the normal running promotion.

 

Thank you mikkelhansen. Your posting just saved me $990 and added a free third perk to our current booked C3 cabin on the 2019 15 Night Argentina & Chile Holiday sailing (a week before the balance payment was due). I notified the TA and the adjustments were made. All is well. Thanks again.

What does the concierge level "enhanced room service breakfast menu" benefit consist of?

11 hours ago, ebslcc said:

We are on our cruise now to Cuba arriving in Santiago de Cuba tomorrow staying overnight.......If you have any questions or anything I can watch out for while in port please let me know.

Let us know if tendering is still required in Santiago de Cuba for your sailing port call tomorrow. Thanks.

Please note that Becks beer that is sourced (acquired) in the USA is brewed in the USA and tastes different than the same name beer that is brewed Germany and sold outside the USA. Upgrading to a drinks package is viable solution to the beer choice problem (provided you can cost justify it based on your planned liquor consumption).

Host Grandma Cruising: Can you confirm the AzAmazing event for the 12/21/18 Journey sailing (with the date and start time)? Strong rumor on the Roll Call board indicates the following:

A new shore excursion  - The AzAmazing Evening brings us to the wonders of one of Colombia’s most unique piano shows at the Teatro Heredia, a theater inside a 17th century church.: 

https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/dk/shore-excursion-details/CA63

However, it still does not appear on the (US based) Trip Planner site. The sailing date is less than eight weeks away. Thanks.

I also use a fare watching app to monitor price changes. Good luck.

What is the name of that app?

You might try negotiating with your corporate IT department to let you use a computer cable lock, in this particular cruise situation. Look into applicable products like the Kensington ClickSafe Combination Laptop Lock.

Thank you very much, Richard. This is excellent news and a solid confidence booster for the brand. (For a while there, this long thread was looking like a runaway freight train of bad news.)

I just heard back from Azamara Customer Service, via email, regarding this question. :) Their well received response is as follows:

Thank you for contacting Azamara Club Cruises.

After boarding the ship, you will be given 2 stickers which denote the Beverage Package owners. I would suggest that the 2nd sticker be taken by your son so the two of you can enjoy this benefit.

Please provide your booking numbers 2 weeks and no later than 7 days before the cruise, so we can notify the Onboard staff before embarkation.

We’re looking forward to welcoming you aboard Azamara Club Cruises. Should you have any questions please contact us.

Anyone expecting to see "craft ales" on the included beer list is whistling Dixie. Adding Newcastle to the included list is a big step in the right direction and should be lauded.

The Newcastle addition is definitely a quality step forward for the included beers.

At least they now have a complementary (real) "international" beer - Newcastle Drought - a good product - from an American perspective.

I assume that this upgrade option is not available to first time (new to Azamara) passengers.

I booked two cabins for my immediate family on the Journey for later this year. My wife and I will be in one cabin and my son (age 25) will be in the other cabin. All billing for both cabins are linked to my credit card in my cabin. Can I purchase the Onboard Experience "Essentials Package" and use the component "premium beverage package for 2" for only my son and I. As noted, we are immediate family in different cabins but all charges will be on my credit card in my onboard account. The Azamara online information does not address this unusual usage scenario. Is this permitted?

The choices of beer were pretty weak too with only Bud, Bud Light and Becks.

It interesting that you mentioned the included beers. Azamara's online information about Complimentary Beverages states "Our inclusive amenities feature select spirits, international beers and a changing selection of wines". The listed beers (Bud, Bud Light and Becks) that are purchased in the western hemisphere are all brewed by Anheuser-Busch in Saint Louis, Missouri. That means any of these beers purchased by Azamara in this hemisphere are technically all American "domestic". I know this is a minor point but there have been successful lawsuits in recent years in the USA (for refunds and) prohibiting the misleading use of the international terminology on the labeling of Becks products. I just wish some good cost-effective international beers would be included, at the complimentary level. That is the end of my trivia rant.

I am actually really looking forward to my first cruise on Azamara, this year.

Three romantic things for a couple to do are:

1. Rent a scooter for a day or so and travel the full length and back of the interconnected islands.

2. Hire a carriage for a romantic ride around Hamilton.

3. Stroll through the Bermuda Botanical Gardens in Paget Parish.

How easy (or difficult) is it to get a taxi from Paradise Point back to the Havensight pier area? I know that it is a very short ride. Availability of an unoccupied taxi at the top is my concern?

Try the Mai-Kai (for kitchy 1950s polynesian fun). :D

I really lilke hard cider and would likely buy some onboard, if it was offered. However, realistically, I doubt that HAL would ever justify offering more than one brand (that is not pricey and is widely available). Nevertheless, keep asking because it may lead to a more robust bar products selection.

They are referring to hard cider.....a brewed beverage that is an alternative to beer (which is popular in the UK and elsewhere).

Never heard of anyone mentioning foam pads for HAL beds.

What about the quality/comfort of the fold-out sofa bed for a third passenger in a suite?