DS

Ah-hum... if you have a good relationship with your waiter-- and ask nicely, they are often, in fact available--- especially on the next day ... (We had them every night on a recent Journey cruise, although they were not in the "standard" bread basket...). Its yet another example of Azamara Relationships...

Lisbon (38.7 N) is only about 220 miles south of Boston (42.3 N), so, not nearly "equatorial." But you are right that the weather in the northern Atlantic can be different than the "southern route," which tends to end in Miami or the Caribbean.

Hummm... its almost 11 PM, and some people ( most people?) will not be queueing up for more food?

Very nice!

I think you're correct in that.... but it does not make the customers feel any better to keep getting nagged... They should have told every one in the cancellation email to ignore those software generated emails in the future

A down side is carrying those metal bottles on excursions-- they weigh a lot more than the plastic. And, if you want some water in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning, you'd better have planned ahead....

We got one of those "final payment" emails for the Dubai-Dubai cruise right after the Suez transit, which was also cancelled. When I called about it they said that they had to process all the refunds and FCC's before they could "cancel" the cruise in their software. So, that intuitive software thinks the cruises are still a go and of course send out all the pre-programed "you're late" emails. In theory, all the FCC's will be done by 7/31 so this "artificial intelligence" will be put down...

Do they give you the reusable bottle? Are they still providing the plastic bottles? Advantages and disadvantages to each option...

That cruise is part of the world cruise, so they must be doing something else. Can someone post the whole email telling you that that particular segment was cancelled? Any hint of what they are doing? Not a word about it on the 2025 World cruise CC page !

In Copenhagen we have stayed at Hotel St Anne, a block from Nyhaven a couple of times... nice location, not outrageous price... https://hotelsktannae.dk/

see post # 58 on this board for the new itinerary.. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2935777-pursuit-indai-and-sri-lanka-21-nov-8-dec-2024/page/3/

Thanks

Which cruise? Athens to Dubai? Can you post / copy/paste the email? I got changes for the follow on Dubai-Dubai ( cancelled) and Dubai- Singapore ( changed to Port Louis, Mauritius to Singapore) and posted them on respective roll calls...

Aliaschief… Let me join others in thanking you for the very enjoyable trip you have taken us all on. It truly was (hopefully!) a trip of a lifetime! We were with you on legs1-3 (FLL to Auckland), and would have liked the opportunity to rejoin for the “detour.” I’m sure Azamara made some kind of business calculation about # of continuing passengers and reducing the crew, vs allowing others to join. Not sure we would have done it, but would have liked the chance to consider it! From your and other’s reports, Azamara sure made some sweet lemonade from this sour situation! As others have discussed here, and on other boards, there has been concern in the past about the ONWARD crew and their ability to project the Azamara “spirit” that we all know and love from other ships. Indeed, our previous cruises on the ONWARD left this impression: nothing was done wrong, just something undefinable was missing. Some of that was still there on legs 1-3. But I sense that something has changed. Just as you the passengers had a unique experience, so too did the crew. Their efforts, which you documented, on new activities, new dining options, new entertainment (although some with “old” personalities, which we would have enjoyed), and other things, show some evidence of the crew coming together and projecting spirit like they haven’t before. Here’s hoping that it continues and transfers to regular cruises with a full ship. Kudos to Elizabeth the HD (the only constant in the senior ranks, I think??), who I suspect, had a big hand in this effort. P.S. Where in Florida?

I asked Azamara if there was a port shuttle... not an unreasonable question, since there was no "on your own" listed, which often are in this situation on Azamara. My main point was that the AZ answer was... not an answer

I asked the question because usually in situations like this ( far from the port to the "real" city) Azamara offered a "XXXX (read Athens) on your own" excursion which was basically a shuttle bus that one paid for to take you to the city center. However, this was not listed as an excursion option.... hence the question.... which was NOT answered...

Azamara's catch phrase is "destination immersion." So, ignoring Mexican, Egyptian, Indian, Greenland, whatever, wines, one would think that cruises to New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Argentina, France, Italy, etc. could focus on those wines. We have been on multiple cruises over the past two years, Before that, they had the "two reds, two whites" plan, with wines from all over. Then they move to the Azamara label wines from a no-name bottler in France ( for the most part)... some of which were ok, some of which were... "nearly undrinkable." Then they moved to a French "bottled for Azamara" brand -- Chateau Beauvotte -- which was marginally better.... but googling the brand only showed the Azamara wines, nothing else... I think they should have destination specific wines... and indeed would gladly buy a destination specific package if it had quality wines-- especially since the existing packages provide virtually nothing for the wine drinkers...

Without providing any light, but adding confusion to the issue... I asked Azamara customer support "Will there be a shuttle from Piraeus port to Athens city on 30 August? There does not seem to be a shore excursion “Athens on your own” that day, which leads one to believe that there will be a shuttle. " Realizing that Athens is a bit away from Piraeus, we were not hopeful... But the response we got is ... unfathomable? "We can't guarantee there will be free shuttles at the Ports to take you into town. The only way to know is if if you are part of an excursion that says you are being shuttled. Well, that was basically unhelpful...

We received an email today that said the Azamazing Evening for Journey 10 August sailing would now be held onboard, instead of at an onshore venue in THESSALONIKA. Still the Opera, but on board. I think the great thing about real Azamazing Evenings is three-fold: one is the location/venue, often a magnificent concert hall or venue, a 12th century church, or a natural venue like Wadi Rum; the second is the performance itself; the third is the "special treat" for the passengers, usually food or drink of the location, prepared and served by locals. By doing these onboard, the first and third are eliminated. We do get a performance, perhaps the same as previously planned, but the spectacular location and the local "treat" are eliminated-- get dinner in the dining room instead! Azamara often brings local talent onboard for special shows to emphasize their support of local culture. Turning Azamazing Evenings into on onboard event diminishes them to the status of the usual "bring the locals aboard." WE are disappointed...

Thanks!

so... what was the link ???

Totally agree. The Personal Info ( birth date) they have, for legal and other official reasons, should NOT be utilized for their own profit... and "ask your friends and family" to contribute to Azamara is over the top !!! Is there a legal issue here?

What ???

So,,, nothing about the Red Sea ??

This cancellation is a mystery. This Israel/Egypt cruise was the last one listed for the Journey. It (Journey) was not included in the recent release of winter 25 / spring 26 trips: The Onward to the Caribbean before its World Journey. The Quest to the Caribbean before doing South America. The Pursuit thru the Red Sea to the middle east, India, Asia and Australia. Based on past experience, one would expect the Journey, therefore, to be doing South Africa during the Northern winter. So... was the trip cancelled for a charter? For a different winter schedule ( that starts a bit sooner than before)? If it were the "Red Sea" why was not the Pursuit passage ( 10 days before this!) also cancelled? I guess we'll find out when the future Journey schedule is published. Did you get something in writing from Azamara? Can you post it? You're absolutely right... cancelling a cruise a year and a half in advance for a "political" situation is absurd... especially when the Pursuit is scheduled to go thru the Red Sea a week before!