oddjob16

19 hours ago, Ron1209 said:

I don’t think much can be done in 4 or 5 days…maybe an oil change… lol

Quest is in drydock for 12 days. Obviously some maintenance and changes to the basics of the ship, but plenty of time to make her pretty and shining as well.

On 1/29/2024 at 7:05 PM, excitedofharpenden said:

The only reason I say about the GR door is I've been in 4049 on the other ships and had exactly the sane thing and I asked them to look at the door closer. It worked. Hope you don't get disturbed too much. 

 

Phil 

#4050 or similar is a better choice, then. No doors in the corridor until the medical facilities.

4 hours ago, uktog said:

Is it back on the menu- great news if it is! 

Not regularly. We had it on Quest in August, but it was offered as the "todays special". Not on the menu.

44 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

It's weird. I board Journey on the 7th March, had the email, but nowhere against the Specialty dining does it give a price. Internet packages yes, dining no. 

 

Phil 

If you pre-purchase in your booking price is still $85 for the three table tour. Would guess that they will not ask for more after you get on board.

We are on Quest april 8th and doubt if we will bother with any of the speciality venues this time. 

39 minutes ago, Mercruiser said:

I'm on Quest right now. It's $49 or $120 for a 3 night package. Sounds like there has been a lot of inflation recently.

Definately a no- go. 

8 hours ago, AZ-Landshark said:

July 2024 Ireland Intensive. I've scoured this thread and haven't found an answer to this question. We have the upgraded drinks package. We like to have a glass of wine on the balcony on occasion and wondered how it works if you want to get a bottle to share in the cabin. Can it be procured from a bar or ordered through room service? Maybe purchased in one of the shops?

Thanks!

You cannot order included wines via room service, but you can go to a bar and carry it yourself to your stateroom.

On 1/18/2024 at 8:22 AM, Grandma Cruising said:

You can see a selection of cabins, but not all. You have to go through a mock booking. If you sign into your account, then all you have to add is the second passengers name. Once you get to the cabin section, click on the paper and pencil icon against cabins and it shows a selection of cabins.You can choose list view or de k view too.

I found one US TA site which gives you vacant staterooms in a mock booking. Cannot reveal it here. 

11 hours ago, SoBaycruiser said:

It seems like they are rotating more frequently.  In Sept Capt. Korona was on Journey.  In November it was Capt Filip and now in January it is Capt Korona again.  I’m am assuming he will stay at least through February unless someone has heard otherwise.

The length of the contracts will vary, but it seems that they rotate senior officers more on different ships as well. 

17 hours ago, ECCruise said:

Yes, and they are non-negotiable on it.

 

And Azamara followed the directive.  Either you had a YF vax within the last 10 years or a current exemption, you could not board the ship.

If South Africa is a member of WHO they have to abide by their rules for vaccinations.

This is what it says about yelow fever:

»The international vaccination certificate becomes valid 10 days after basic vaccination and is valid for life [18]. Previously, the validity period was 10 years, but the rules have been changed on the basis of new knowledge about the duration of the vaccine's effect [19]. The change is legally binding for all WHO member countries from 11 July 2016. No country can therefore require a refresher dose after 10 years [18]. The change has retroactive effect, and those who have an international yellow fever certificate marked with 10 years of validity can continue to use this even if the expiry date has expired.»

7 hours ago, Kitekat said:

Yes! Fabulous voices and great range of music from classical to modern stuff - and their outfits shine too!

Then we have seen the show. Quite entertaining and very "fabulous", - just saying. Looking forward to see them again.

3 hours ago, Kitekat said:

We saw these wonderful singers/keyboard player on board during the later covid years and the concert was almost as good as the theatre experience we had before covid. Highly recommend it!

 

Is it the four girls? 

11 hours ago, 150edmiston said:

Hi Odd,  thanks for the reply and good to hear from you.  Time does fly!!  We are both retiring this year in March.

 

It was indeed the Quest that was mentioned in the cabin list but I was intrigued as to what the vent was and whether it was an issue near 6060 on Journey.  Hopefully not. 

 

Hope you and Synnøve are well and hopefully see you both sometime in the near future.

Thanks. We can absolutely recommend retirement. 😁 We will do Quest in april and May and usually stay at home during summer months. Maybe we will cross paths 

3 hours ago, 150edmiston said:

Hi we have cruised with Az a number of times.  I've booked a surprise cruise for my wife in September on Journey for her 60th.  Has anyone any experience of 6060 (cabin I specifically chose)?  I note on the spreadsheet that someone had an issue with the smell from a 'vent' in 6061 although it was a long while ago.  We usually sail on deck 7 or 8 so aren't entirely sure what the issue may be. 

Hi, David. #6060 seems perfect. Btw there are no #6061 on Journey because of the positions of the accessible cabins.

Dawn 60???? Never!!!🫣😄

10 minutes ago, roberts2005 said:

As I mentioned above, Azamara also canceled my August 25th cruise on Pursuit.  I was doing a b2b with the August 18th cruise.   I was able to book the August 10th to keep the b2b.

 

The major issue is rebooking my air, as the beginning and ends have changed.  All the good mileage awards are gone.

What reason was given for cancelling that cruise?

7 hours ago, DreadPirateRobert said:

I know this is very disappointing for those booked on this. We were to join the Quest in Oslo for the Ireland intensive at the end of your cruise. I wonder if that will change. Does anyone know where Azamara does their dry 

Quest will obviously sail to Oslo in time for your departure. The drydock is either Bremerhaven or Amsterdam according to my unofficial sources.

5 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

Sorry you've had this news Odd. Very disappointing, especially as a local who had made family plans. It's tough because Norway is a special cruise and there really isn't anything comparible. It's not like you are going to the Med and can pick another. Hopefully you can get something else planned. 

 

Phil 

Thanks, Phil. Feeling a bit deflated, to say the least. Azamara's offer in Option 3 to give us a full refund is gobsmackingly generous. I must be the luckiest guy here....

1 hour ago, candkd said:

I was able to rebook to the Journey for 7/24 but I had to go from a V1 to a V3. The bad part which my TA is trying to resolve is that we booked the trip will on The Quest in January 2023 & at the moment we have lost the early booking, book on board, loyalty discounts and also the Essentials Package. I can see loosing these promos if I cancelled the trip but Azamara did the cancelling. Not a good business move.

There are only 3 sailing for which they will honour the prorated rate and if you choose any other sailing you pay the prevailing rate. 

Honouring the prorated rate would include the early booking bonuses and on board booking OBC,- in my book.

As I said earlier: I would have preferred some more options to maintain my original per night price and other benefits. 

I am not sure what is " normal" compensation for a cancelled cruise, but there must be many examples out there.???

1 hour ago, Dynacruiser said:

@oddjob16 Sorry to hear this!  I have imagined that cancellation due to drydocking or emergency repairs  is a risk with any cruiseline.  Fortunately it had not happened to us with Azamara, but I see that it could happen.  I realize it causes a lot of disruption and could cost thousands of dollars.

 

 

@uktog I did not know this!  In the US, I stick to the same airline and I can cancel and use the money for future flight.  

I'm curious, while in Europe, could you buy flights from the website of a US carrier?  You may end up flying with a European airline that is partners with the US carrier, but could that give you some protection?  I realize this does not help those who have already bought their tickets.

We have had cancelation a few times. It is always bad news, but previously we have been given more options for re-booking. Wish there was a broder choice in the same period.

1 hour ago, uktog said:

Im so sorry to hear this Odd. I know how much that cruise meant to you. It’s very late cancellation given for many airfares will be purchased and the maximum sums being refunded are too low for people buying business class 

Yes it is a real bummer. We had refundable air and hotel so no problem for us, but I guess many people are looking at significant losses. There are no Azamara cruises that will be suitable replacements in this period and we will consider maybe re-book to Journey in 2025. Johannes will be on Quest in 2025 doing the Greenland and Canada sailings, but maybe he will do the fjords again in 2026? This was a cruise that we had waited for…

Just got this from my TA. This is devastating news. Finally we were ready for a fjord cruise with Johannes and told the rest of the family to arrange their plans to different dates. (We usually don' travel in july since the kids and gran kids comes to visit.)

So,- today this message popped in:

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel the cruise that they had booked for July 26, 2024, on Azamara Quest^®. This cancellation is necessary because the drydock schedule for the Azamara Quest has been adjusted, and their original travel dates now conflict with this essential maintenance work. Please accept our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience this may cause them, and rest assured that we are committed to making this situation right for them.

We want to offer them several alternative options for their travel plans. We hope that one of these alternatives will provide them with the opportunity to enjoy another remarkable Azamara cruise experience. Below, they will find the details of the alternative options available to them:

Option 1:

Sail on one of Azamara's alternative sailings, Azamara Onward – July 13, 2024, Azamara Journey - June 13, 2025, or Azamara Journey - July 28, 2025. To view the itineraries, click on the corresponding date.

If they select any of these sailings in the same category booked, we will honor their original, prorated or prevailing rate, whichever is lowest. In addition, they will receive an onboard credit as a token of our appreciation:

• $500 USD onboard credit for bookings of a Veranda category stateroom or below.
• $1000 USD onboard credit for bookings of any Suite category.

Option 2:

Select Any Other Azamara Sailing of Your Choice

They have the flexibility to choose any other Azamara sailing that suits their preferences. If they opt for this choice at the prevailing rate, we will provide them with the following onboard credit:

• $300 USD onboard credit for bookings of a Veranda category stateroom or below.
• $600 USD onboard credit for bookings of any Suite category.

Option 3:

Cancel Their Reservation and Receive a Full Refund

If none of the alternative options resonate with their plans, they may choose to cancel their reservation entirely. In this case, they will receive a full refund of their cruise fare. They will also receive a full refund on any flights, hotels and transfers that have been booked as a package through Azamara.

If they’ve independently arranged bookings for flights, hotels, and transfers, Azamara will refund the specified change or cancellation fees stated below. To qualify, provide proof of receipt to Azamara Cruises by December 8, 2023.

• $500 USD/£400/€450/5,500 NOK per person for short haul flights.
• $1000 USD/ £800/ €900/11,000 NOK per person for long haul flights.

We would also like to assure them that any pre/post land programs and shore excursions they may have booked with Azamara for their canceled cruise will also be fully refunded.

We deeply regret any inconvenience this situation may have caused them, and we sincerely hope that they will continue to choose Azamara Cruises for their future travel adventures. We kindly request that you inform us of their decision no later than December 8, 2023. Their timely response will help us make the necessary arrangements to ensure their smooth transition to one of the alternative options or the cancellation of their reservation.

1 hour ago, myden said:

Onward is finally on her way to Barcelona after a 22 hour delay. Apparently the problem was a propulsion pod. All fixed now. 

R-class ships do not have propulsion pods.

2 hours ago, Riocca said:

Tatiana is supposed to be on Onward until the 5th January.

Thanks. I just thought she was on vacation since she was on Quest in August.

11 hours ago, DS said:

On the Quest, from Lisbon to Barbados (with follow on thru the Amazon to Buenos Aires).  Current passenger load is 419 PAX.  Somewhere between 20 something and 100 or more are back-to backers from previous cruise—heard both numbers--- but some times at specialty restaurants were already booked by B2Bers before we got on in the first group!   We had a good sail away from Lisbon, a bit of a swell to Funchal, but wonderful weather when we got there.  Now heading toward Barbados with 6 sea days.  Calm seas.  Expect more than 200 back-to-backers onto the next, Amazon, voyage.  Early info (no precise numbers yet) indicate that this cruise has the most number of repeat/loyalty cruisers of ANY Azamara cruise ever (even with only 419 passengers!)

Current Senior Officers are…

              Captain:  Johannes Tysse—gets off in Buenos Aires on Dec 10^th… no info on replacement

              Staff Captain: Roman Kutsenko

Chief Engineer:  Nikolay Georgiev

Hotel Director Ryszard Gusmann – gets off in Buenos Aires on Dec 10^th… no info on replacement

Cruise Director:  Amanda Poulson… gets off in Barbados on 18 Nov… replaced by Steven from the Journey!

Asst. Cruise Director:  Jose Alpizar… gets off in Barbados on 18 Dec… replaced by Justin from the Journey

Exec Chief:   Jason Chastom

F&B Manger:  Tekin Sahin

Most probably Johannes will be replaced by Jonas Lyddby and Ryszard will be replaced by Tatiana Morello.

33 minutes ago, 150edmiston said:

Yes you did,  and that was the one we were on!  I got my dates mixed up.  We had a drink with you and your wife on white night (David & Dawn from Scotland).  You were doing a B2B.

Hi, David. Of course I remember. We fought hard to get that White Night and Russ did a really good job to get it organised. 

3 hours ago, 150edmiston said:

 

We did a similar itinerary,  I think it was around 2016/17 and took our (adult) kids.  It started in Nice and finished in Barcelona.  It also went to Mahon (Menorca) instead of Toulon.  It was I think our 4th or 5th cruise with AZ at the time and I have to say I didnt notice a difference in demographic at all.  White night was also one of the best IMO.

We also did one. Quest, Nice to Barcelona september 26.-29. 2015.