scotsahoy

Really enjoying your reports from world cruise Bruce; we met you on Caribbean cruise January 2023 ( the Scottish couple!); just wondering if you have had update yet on the Red Sea part of your cruise - we are booked on Spice Route on Journey 3 May and still no update from Azamara. Loving your pics as well.

We are also on 3 May cruise, but always renew our annual insurance. Like others, we booked cruise and outward flights via a TA, (UK) but booked our own flights back from Athens to Edinburgh ( 2 flights); I doubt we would get refund for this unless cruise was cancelled. We had to pay balance by 5 January. Keeping close eye on Silversea thread re Silver Moon which departed Aqaba on 6 January - had several changes last few days and latest is cruise now finishing in Athens. We are keeping on open mind on what might happen.

We are also on Journey in May, Singapore to Athens, but have just checked on line and cruises on Journey in Med following our cruise are still showing with prices. I also don’t think there was ever a Dubai to Athens cruise on Journey in the Spring. (it’s in Australia / Far East). The World Cruise on Onward is doing a similar itinerary in Middle East two weeks ahead of the dates we are due there, so perhaps that is one to keep an eye on.

No, was not aware of cabins available in upgrade. Think if I hadn’t liked any of them, could have stayed in original cabin. Guest Relations volunteered they were looking for a certain minimum amount to be accepted for upgrade. I was able to pick a CC suite with a shower ( not a bath) - had been in one before, so that was preference and there were a few to choose from. ( there are more CC suites on Onward). As we had already unpacked, the stewards offered to help us move cabins.

On our Onward cruise end of August there was a sheet in our veranda cabin offering upgrade to CC suite; they suggested a minimum bid and we offered a bit more. After submitting form to Guest Relations we had call to say bid was successful and we were allowed to choose a cabin from those available. I had been keeping an eye on pricing, so knew we were offering less than original advertised price.

We are on Journey, 3 May 2024 and also just been notified our one stop in Israel has been replaced with Santorini and as per World Voyage segment, Aqaba and Sharm El Sheikh dates have been swopped round. Final payment due early in new year.

When we were on Onward end August in a CC suite the printed list of amenities in the cabin did not mention access to the spa deck, so we had to check with our butler. ( we had to pay on Onward in January). It was included, but was never busy ( probably because not listed!); there were 16 loungers and plenty shade if wanted as umbrellas were up.

See page 5 here re “experiences of using loyalty points / complimentary nights”; it’s a bit of a minefield and Azamara needs to be far more transparent in the “rack” rate. Good luck!

Reading the trail of comments on securing benefits earned under the Loyalty Benefits by Tier programme tells me much work is required to bring clarity and price transparency. Recently we had to wrestle with both our UK TA and Azamara to use our four free nights. Email exchanges and phone calls gave us conflicting answers, confusion of terms, ( no clarification of what “ brochure” or “ standard” price meant / where we could see these prices other than web site) , different benefit calculations and for a couple of weeks no clear mechanism to gain benefit - despite having two future cruise bookings in the qualifying period. We got there eventually- with apologies all round getting a price reduction of c£2k from the Loyalty programme. But surely for something we have “earned” - getting the benefit must be easier to utilise. We love Azamara and have many happy memories and friendships. A brand like Azamara, trading on quality, needs price integrity and transparency - especially for its loyal customers.

We were on same cruise and heard of that incident. When we attended a brunch in Discoveries hubby did wonder if he could wear shorts, but decided to be safe and wear long trousers. Many turned up in shorts and it was fine at that time of day. Everyone was smartly dressed in the evenings.

The only problem with powder when I used one of Onward’s machines 2 weeks ago was the front of the dispenser drawer was clogged up with used powder and I had to use paper towels to wipe off before adding my powder.

Our TA in UK also told us for our cruise earlier this year that Azamara did not recognise EasyJet or Ryanair and if we booked their flights, we were on our own if anything happened. Jet2 was recognised.