lahore

Hi all,  Azamara does this Aus intensive every year lately.  I know that somewhere on this awesome site there was a review with photos of what you could actually see of the NY fireworks from White Bay on Azamara.  I can't seem to find it.  Does anyone have a link please?  Or even some of your won photos or memories of that itinerary?  TIA

Oh well, I slithered in just before the cut off COB 10th April.  $30k spent, leading to well over $4k OBC (including previous OBC).  Looks as though I'll be getting some more jewellery, and the odd spa appointment. Fingers crossed we don't live to regret.  

Pointless arguing about it.  I did realise that, is my point.  You don't know the total I am paying and how much interest it may or may not accrue; nor whether the resulting amount is something I would consider significant so perhaps just assume that I am a PhD holder with a functioning brain and you would be on the money (pun intended).  Let's leave it there. 

22 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

A 6 month term deposit quotes APR (annual percentage rate) – you only earn 1/2 of that in six months. 

Um yes, I do realise that.  LOL.    Also, you are in USA and I am not, so interest rates differ.   Best not to assume that our fellow board members are morons in my experience. 

I received 'the email' for a cruise in December.  It just made me suspicious.  Call me a cynic.  However I have noticed that the 5% offer now comes up on the website when you go to make a booking.  I can get almost that much in a 6 month term deposit, so I don't see the appeal.  Perhaps if the offer is still there closer to my final payment date I'll consider it.

Ok. So I paid for four pre-cruise. We will not eat late, rather not go. If we can't get a time we want can we get refund, does anyone know? 

On 11/20/2023 at 9:50 PM, uktog said:

If you’re bored with the whole thing why not do what others do - ask that they recognise the second top cruiser instead? For them it might be a very meaningful event. 
I much prefer the Viking model of a drinks party but simple round of applause for the top cruiser - no pointing them out or parading. 
The event should  recognise loyalty many are very loyal with less than 5 cruises. Top cruiser only recognises wealth and the personal circumstances to be able to engage in multiple cruises only. So I agree time for a radical rethink 

Agree, I think Azamara is quite classy because of its understated-ness.  I find this whole celebration of wealth and indulgence thing really crass,  So what if someone has enough money to spend cumulative years on a costly cruise line, I also celebrate someone who saved up like crazy for their first cruise on Azamara (I fit into neither category btw). If I wanted ostentatious wealth I'd sail on Regent or Silversea etc..

Hi all,  Haven't been on Azamara for ages, since pre covid.  We are doing a quick NZ 18 days from our home base in January.  I love the Thalassotherapy pool (although I think the name is BS, I just like lounging about in it).  Can anyone tell me what the story is now?  I might be getting confused with Oceania too...but I seem to recall there used to be a number-capped per-day charge, or a whole-cruise charge where you could go as often as you liked.  Can anyone refresh please?

19 hours ago, Riocca said:

When you’re in the booking go to Add ons, then choose available you should be able to scroll through all the available packages. In our bookings I can see all the Chefs Table options but as we’re in a suite no speciality restaurant packages.

Thank you, I just managed to do that.  My FCC was showing in a large text box under Add ons and I didn't notice that you could click on 'add ons' as well.  Booked four speciality restaurants.  We don't usually pay in advance but I know we love the speciality restaurants on Azamara so....FOMO. 

8 hours ago, read2learn said:

I am trying to book dining package for my trip on Dec12th but cannot find a place to do it. Excursions no appear under Manage my Reservation. It says coming soon. I think a little Gremlin gets into their website just to frustrate us!

Same, I received that email and considered booking it, but the link took me to the website with nowhere to make said booking and no sign of even any mention of the dining packages.  It's a strange way to run a business.   I'm certainly not going to phone them about it.  #notthatdesperate

@Vesalius  Good news. I'm happy for you. Azamara recently changed something for us too, and they didn't have to according to their T&C's, so it seems that they may be compensating for recent bad press about shoreside customer service with some empathetic and responsive service.  Win/win. 

I am a bit surprised about the lack of empathy displayed by some posters here.  I would have thought that it went without saying that the situation in Gaza and Israel is appalling and without doubt the OP realises that a cruise is a 'first world problem'.  That being said, people pay a lot for cruises and look forward to them for years.  Perhaps the OP was about to do something they had wanted all their lives; viz to visit Israel.  Now they can't and nobody seems to think it matters much.   If it was me I'd be beyond peeved to be told that one of the most fascinating countries in the world (obviously now completely untenable as a port to visit) was going to be replaced with two of the MOST BORING ports in the Middle East (Sharm El Sheikh and Salalah).  No wonder they were easy to get into at short notice.  I adore Oman but Salalah doesn't have much going for it, especially in comparison to Israel.  I would be desperately seeking a refund at this stage and wish the OP luck with the outcome they desire.  

I worked FIFO for years in HKG.  There are many choices, what is your budget like?

22 hours ago, seagunthera said:

Wow, this is shocking! I'm in the US and always travel with a round of Paxlovid that I got via insurance for $30. I'm sorry it's so darn expensive in your neck of the woods. 

 It's actually free in Australia if you have covid, but very expensive if you buy it 'just in case' for overseas travel purposes.  

Thanks for the input everyone.   @Worldtraveler 4727 unfortunately the vast majority of that sub form relates to USA insurance which is utterly different to Australia.  I had a look though, so thank you.

Just now, memoak said:

When we got Paxlovid a year ago on ship it was $700 per person

thank you: USD 700 I presume, which makes it roughly equivalent to the AUD price.  Thanks 🙂

Sorry, just posting so I can follow...forgot on previous post.

On 9/23/2023 at 2:06 PM, JoRoy218 said:

I need to add my two cents here. DH was diagnosed with Covid on the Regal in January this year. Since we were out of the US our plan stated they did not cover. Once we got home, we filed a claim with AON (as mentioned above) and a large portion of the medical expenses incurred was covered. It didn’t take as long as we expected. (PS Hubby did fine, we’re both boosted, he took Paxlovid and turned neg by day 5).

Princess even credited him with 5 days worth FCC). 😎

Could I ask please what Paxlovid costs on the ship?  Thank you.   If you don't have the itemised cost for the Paxlovid, an idea of what the covid treatment cost in total would be helpful, thank you.  (Reason for asking, buying Paxlovid in Australia to take 'just in case' costs over $1000 so wondering if it's worth it).  Thanks for any help you can give.

I'd take @BruceMuzz's long experience as good enough for me.  I have travelled extensively throughout Asia for work, and I take a massive bag of drugs with me (for gut, head, pain, anxiety, etc..).  YMMV but I've never even been looked at, including during about a dozen border crossings to Japan.  The rules are there, but I don't now how/when they enforce them.  As i said though, YMMV.

Hi. I highly recommend 'Tabifolk' website: a site for travellers in Japan with disabilities.  

Hi.  The pier is very close to the main heritage areas in Georgetown.  With even a modicum of research you can see what you want without doing a 'tour'.  I used to live there and have just returned from six weeks there.  Download the 'Grab' app and just use them....incredibly cheap and always available (like Uber, only better).

@Thrak and everyone else.  Thank you so much, that one that Thrak posted is exactly the sort of thing I had in mind.

HI, it's been a while since we cruised Princess, and never on a Medallion ship before.  There is not the remotest chance we would ever been seen with a medallion hanging around our neck or anywhere on our person. I have a real aversion to being tagged.  I was thinking of buying a couple of Belkin clip on air tag holders or just using the silicone AirTag key fobs we already have.  The Belkin clips could clip to the waistband of pants or onto a bag handle.  Can anyone tell me if they will fit without falling out please?    

We cruise in October in what was called a 'Club Class mini Suite' when we booked it.  Then it became a 'reserve collection' mini.  Now God knows what it is, if anything.  Probably been downgraded to steerage. Actually I didn't really care much about the so-called perks, I just wanted a mini in the position I chose.  

So it's probably FOMO, but will there still actually be any perks other than priority boarding for 'reserve collection'?  Just wondering....

We don't drink alcohol and are on a port intensive Japan 18 day cruise during which I will have internet on my phone (e-SIM) so zero chance they are getting anything more money out of me.  

It's Ok, thank you, I finally managed to get through on chat.