java spot

I just filled out this survey. I am interested if everyone with a "Black Sea" itinerary was asked the same questions about  which ports they were interested in. My survey asked about Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece.   Did other on other Black Sea dates/itineraries have any other choices for alternate locations? Thanks. 

The poster is from Australia. Perhaps they received guarantees that people from the U.S. did not. 

I re-read my letter from Azamara and don't see any language that is offering a full refund. Could you please post a quote of what your letter said. You may have received a different communication. I really felt I had a choice to either cancel before final payment tomorrow or risk having to leave the $ with Azamara for a future cruise. Given that I just lost a lot of $ with Crystal, I'm a bit gun shy! 

I had no luck having payment extended with my travel agent, and decided it was better to cancel rather than commit to an itinerary which was completely unknown to me.  I am very disappointed that Azamara has not extended final payment for anyone traveling to Russian ports while they finagle itineraries. The cancellation incurred a few fees, which I hope will be reimburseable by my travel insurance. 

Not that it makes much a difference, but in fact I did get a letter directly from Azamara, then about 18 hours later the letter was sent to me from my TA.  Then I called Azamara about postponing final payment on the 27th as was offered to some passengers who are booked on the 29th. She told me I had to call my agent and have them call Azamara to request postponement. So, go figure. 

I am booked on the June 27th cruise to the Black Sea and am waiting to hear we have the same courtesy extended of a delayed payment till late March. Mine is due in 2 days and I would like to know where I am going before I pay!

Just received. 

Dear Azamara Guest,

We have been monitoring the situation between Ukraine and Russia the past several weeks and based on the latest overnight developments, we have found it is necessary to make a change to our voyages currently scheduled to visit either of these countries. As a result, your Black Sea Voyage, which is scheduled to depart on June 27, 2022 on Azamara Journey®, is one of the voyages we will be adjusting to remove Ukraine and/or Russia as a port of call.

We need a little time to ensure the changes we make still result in a memorable, deeply immersive cruise vacation, so we just wanted to inform you that these changes will be shared with you soon.

We greatly appreciate your understanding and thank you for your cooperation throughout our journey as we have worked to manage this fluid situation. We assure you that your upcoming Azamara vacation will deliver the highest standards of service and quality for which we are known.

Should you have any questions, please contact your Travel Advisor for more details or¿visit https://www.azamara.com/contact-us for your local Azamara call center number.

We look forward to welcoming you on board.

I was just after the upgraded OBC.  I think my exisitng offer had already been 30% off - whatever that means. I don't take that part very seriously.  And I'm traveling solo so the usual discounts are always tenuous in my situation. 

Existing bookings with a TA.  One of these is a replacement for a Crystal cruise I was meant to be on in April. Who knows if I will ever see that $ again, so every little bit is helpful!

I was able to have my OBC almost doubled with the new offer, on 2 reservations. Thanks again to the OP for posting. 

Thank you. I just wrote my TA about this. 

Cabinboy2020 - They are a brand made for Azamara - so not a recognizable name brand, Personally, I do not like them at all and usually bring my own,  they have shampoo, conditioner and body lotion. Maybe also shower gel. The only thing I like is the bar soap. 

Other than future cruise presentations, and possibly around the photographer's studio, I have never encountered anything feeling like a sales pitch on Azamara. 

I spoke with a representative at Azamara this week and they said it was possible to upgrade from a premium to ultimate beverage package when on board for the difference, as stated, about $7 /day.  

I usually go to all of the chef's tables while cruising. I travel solo, so this is distressing news for me. Sitting alone at a table in Aqualina to participate does not sound like a lot of fun. 

8 hours ago, travelberlin said:

I have sailed solo with Azamara and I have paid in 2 cases a solo supplement of about 35 % over the price per person. Those were two cruises that are more or less repositioning cruises. For other cruises I have paid the price for two minus port taxes.

Unfortunately Azamara has became less solo friendly in the last years. It only offers very limited reposition itineraries or cruises which are not selling well. Solo supplement is about 50% in those cases. I have not seen 25% or 35% in the last year. I might be wrong.

You can see the solo offers at the Azamara web page.

Ivi

Agree completely that Azamara was once very solo friendly and now the opposite.  I have found it more economical to cruise on Seabourn which has many offerings of 25% single supplements. In addition, they invite solo travels to dine every night at a hosted table which goes a long way towards meeting people on board.  Cabins on Seabourn are twice the size of those on Azamara. I am cruising on Quest in August and hope I will find some reasons to persevere at even checking their offerings. 

I will be visiting Komodo for a 3rd time in April.  Twice it has been absolutely green and lush, and when the Venture staff showed me photos of an earlier visit before rainy season I was shocked at the difference.    There's a reason they call it rainy season!  When it is lush it is an absolutely beautiful tender location,  and I was happy to view from the ship last year as I had already seen the dragons.  I did hear about amazing snorkeling from passengers who went to pink beach and this year will do that for sure. 

On 1/6/2019 at 9:50 AM, alidor said:

Mayaart - we are doing this same cruise in March and we did sign up for the Great Barrier Reef Trip.  You said you thought this was a rip off.   Can I ask why you think this?

 

 

Hi Alidor - I think you may be on the cruise I am on and which I also took last year. (Sydney-Bali)  I thought the trip was good. We drove to Port Douglas and went out to Agincourt reef. The coral was beautiful, and the whole excursion was well organized, especially considering that at least half the ship went on it.  As I've done it once, I'd prefer to find a more relaxed and smaller group experience.  I am trying to organize a trip out of Cairns just a short walk from the ship to a different reef. 

Oh man, MightyQuinn, thanks for correcting me.  And that is where I saw on a cruise ship port schedule that it will be docked closer to town. We docked at the "Grain Terminal" last year because we had to skip Mooloolaba due to seas.  And that is a haul from DT Brisbane. 

Hi Mark - I will be on this cruise as well. I cruised NZ/Aus last year though many different ports. Just off the top of my head...Port Chalmers I would definitely guess there is a shuttle into the town of Dunedin.  It's a bit of a hike and also a beautiful drive into the town.  Melbourne- I checked on the city's port schedule and although someone on our roll call had stated we are docked at the grain terminal location that does not seem to be the case. According to the dock schedules, we are pretty close to town. Oban, Phillip Island and Eden are tender ports. I don't get the impression there's a town to shuttle to, though there are excursions which go to Merimbula at Eden.  Hope this helps. 

If you'd prefer something a little more intimate and also budget-friendly, I suggest a small hotel called An African Villa. I stayed for 5 days a few years ago. There are rooftop views of Table Mountain, beautiful African art featured around the villas, and a great included breakfast. It's easy to catch an Uber to the waterfront or walk to town from the hotel.  https://www.anafricanvilla.co.za/cape-town-city-centre-accommodation.php

Hi Dundeefruitcake, 

Yes, noticed the same thing.  Please try me at stpaulspot at gmail .  I think you can decipher that into a proper address. The rules of the boards are a mystery to me. 

Very curious then what the envelop icon with the designation "message" is used for next to my name. 

Hello.  I received mine in the mail today so have one available to give you.   Please message me privately and we can exchange e-mail addresses, etc to execute the "deal."  Thanks!

@Bourbon77 - they said they would mail it out this week.  Previous info on this thread suggests that it will be close. I appreciate your response but think it may be safer for you to try canuckcruzingirl (above)  who seems to have one in hand already. If that is no longer an option let me know and we will try.  I'll get back in touch with you when it arrives.