2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - any soccer fans out there?

Any World Cup soccer fans out there?

In June 2018 we have two Azamara Journey sailings that will spend 3-days in St Petersburg Russia during the FIFA World Cup soccer matches. If you've ever wanted to join in the excitement of these games, now's your chance!

Sail on the first voyage June 17-June 29, 2018 and you could see the Argentina vs Nigeria match in St Petersburg. And/or return to Russia on your own after the voyage for the Round of 16 and the finals.

Alternatively sail on the second voyage June 29-July 11, 2018 and you could see one of the Round of 16 games in St Petersburg (teams to be determined). Plus the games will be broadcast onboard the ship.

Note: You must purchase your own ticket(s) to the games through the FIFA website, but we will provide transportation options to ticket holders. Also please note that to attend the games you will need to obtain a Russian visa.

12 Night Baltic & World Cup Voyage, June 17-29, 2018, sailing from Greenwich (London)-Stockholm (St. Petersburg 6/25-6/27)

12 Night Baltic & World Cup Voyage, June 29-July 11, 2018, sailing from Stockholm-Southampton (St. Petersburg 7/2-7/4)

Grrr nightmare. We booked the cruise with the sole purpose of attending the game and were led to believe like Monaco and Rio carnival there would be a package to obtain tickets.

This information has come out far too late as we should have been registered with FIFA months ago.

Because of work commitments unlikely passports will be in the UK long enough to get visas.

So disappointed as this cruise was bought to be a dream for my husband.

Now I have all the hassle of trying to sort everything out and jumping through hoops to keep his dream alive.

Wish we had known months ago when we first started asking about tickets that there was no chance Azamara could get them.

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Also please note that to attend the games you will need to obtain a Russian visa.

 

 

 

12 Night Baltic & World Cup Voyage, June 17-29, 2018, sailing from Greenwich (London)-Stockholm (St. Petersburg 6/25-6/27)

 

12 Night Baltic & World Cup Voyage, June 29-July 11, 2018, sailing from Stockholm-Southampton (St. Petersburg 7/2-7/4)

Is this correct as it conflicts with information I can now see on FIFAs website. IF we get tickets (and we now see we’ve missed some rounds of ballots so the chances are lower) according to FIFA if we follow their processes we use Fan ID as a Visa. Are Azamara saying that’s not an option for guests going ashore to a game.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organisation/fan-id/index.html

Sorry but we need answers as we need to decide whether to keep or cancel this trip very soon as we’ve already incurred other costs re hotels and were about to book Air.

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Is this correct as it conflicts with information I can now see on FIFAs website. IF we get tickets (and we now see we’ve missed some rounds of ballots so the chances are lower) according to FIFA if we follow their processes we use Fan ID as a Visa. Are Azamara saying that’s not an option for guests going ashore to a game.

 

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organisation/fan-id/index.html

 

Sorry but we need answers as we need to decide whether to keep or cancel this trip very soon as we’ve already incurred other costs re hotels and were about to book Air.

 

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Hi uktog,

Since guests will be attending the games on their own, i.e., unescorted/not as part of an AZ shore excursion, obtaining the appropriate visa will be the guest's responsibility. If FIFA will include the visa in the ticket price, that's a plus.

I included the footnote simply as a heads up so that no one boards thinking the ship could provide the visa for attending the games in Russia. I've pasted below the exact wording I received this morning.

I hope you don't cancel. As with your husband, attending a World Cup game sounds like a dream to me.

Will Guests with tickets to the 2018 FIFA World Cup need a visa?

Yes, guests purchasing World Cup tickets will need to obtain Russian visas since they will not be escorted into the games by our Russian guides and will need proof in their passports when travelling independently of an escort in Russia. Shore Excursions purchased through Azamara Club Cruises include a Russian visa.

Thanks. I think the wording you’re being given is misleading given the official FIFA guidance as a guest lucky enough to secure a ticket might go to a lot of unnecessary expense and hassle.

I’m afraid no ticket will be a cancellation it would be far far to cruel for him to be so near but not there. And more annoying he had another way he could go but he gave is vote to Azamara.

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Wow, I can’t believe Azamara would advertise a World Cup cruise with no options to book through Azamara. We’ve sailed to Rio for Carnival with AZ and to the British Isles for The Open at St. Andrews under the assumption it would be easy knowing AZ would handle all the bookings.

We had the June 17th cruise booked, but cancelled when the US missed the cut. Glad they did and we did. I do believe Azamara was misleading in advertising this as a World Cup cruise without the opportunity to book tickets through them.

Thank you, I have to say I agree especially as we verified the ticket position with a senior Miami rep earlier this year and were told Azamara were sorting out accessing tickets. They obviously failed but did not tell booked guests in time to get into the earlier main ballot.

I’ve just spent two hours online trying to sort this out and get in the ballot for tickets. Great because I’m supposed to be enjoying an Azamara cruise not having to sort this out! Certainly spoilt our day but we will try and forget it.

For the game on the first cruise it’s showing red - low to zero availability in all price points.

The FIFA website does not recognise the usual international countries so We had to register as Scottish (a non qualifying nation) - this impacts on your ballot success but as my credit card address is there and any ticket delivery had to be there I’d no option. So anyone in the USA you’re in the same boat.

I appreciate Bonnies post was to market this cruise but I’m sorry, if you’re expecting to cruise and see a game don’t book until you’ve got a ticket confirmed.

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This is indeed bad. There’s no way this is a “World Cup cruise” if Azamara did not source World Cup tickets, as they do with other events such as F1.

If you can only attend a World Cup match if you source your own ticket and get a Russian visa, you might as well book a flight and hotel instead (and turn it into a city trip). Cheaper and many more choices of cities and thus games.

Ann, at a minimum they should allow you to cancel without penalty... Clearly this cruise was mis-marketed for the past 18 months.

Floris

This is indeed bad. There’s no way this is a “World Cup cruise” if Azamara did not source World Cup tickets, as they do with other events such as F1.

 

If you can only attend a World Cup match if you source your own ticket and get a Russian visa, you might as well book a flight and hotel instead (and turn it into a city trip). Cheaper and many more choices of cities and thus games.

 

Ann, at a minimum they should allow you to cancel without penalty... Clearly this cruise was mis-marketed for the past 18 months.

 

Floris

Thanks, I am hoping that’s not a route I have to pursue, but it sure is an option! It’s the original marketing that hurts so much and had we known before today could have handled this SO differently whilst still being with Azamara.

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Thanks, I am hoping that’s not a route I have to pursue, but it sure is an option! It’s the original marketing that hurts so much and had we known before today could have handled this SO differently whilst still being with Azamara.

 

 

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This reminds me of the marketing for the Sydney Harbour Bridge to London Tower Bridge cruise, only to find the ship could not moor near to either.

Do Azamara not check things like this before advertising cruises, not good at all.

Ann, I am so sorry to read about this as I know how much you and particularly C were looking forward to seeing a World Cup game.

It does seem odd to market a World Cup cruise and then fail to source any tickets for guests. They should have informed guests much earlier if this was to be the case.

I hope you can resolve this and C can get to see a game....however you get there!

Simply another of many examples why the azamara home office continuing fiascos so mar the excellent on board experience and so many of us have and will continue to boycott azamara.

Really too bad the home office is clueless and ruining the ability to cruise on ships that are excellent with a home office that can't manage its' way out of a paper bag!!! And these problems go all the way to the top with the president thru his posts on CC is obviously clueless to the IT as well as many other home office duties need lots and lots of help rather than telling people to contact a specific person to get help and ignore the fact that the IT system is seriously broken.

Thanks, I am hoping that’s not a route I have to pursue, but it sure is an option! It’s the original marketing that hurts so much and had we known before today could have handled this SO differently whilst still being with Azamara.

 

 

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Hello

I know you would probably pay a pretty penny for this but to me this sounds like the Super Bowl here in the States. I know nothing about soccer other than Beckham is bringing a team to Miami soon. Anyway what about a ticket broker? Like I said I know here they would cost triple for a seat to the Super Bowl but at least it is an option. I feel bad for your husband. You look forward to doing something and then it is taken away thru no fault of your own. Bad Azamara for misleading cruisers...................

As a new cruiser to Azamara yet to take my first these these kind of things make me cringe. Reading here about Azamara's problems for the past year makes me really really frightened to book another cruise before I take my first one. That plus the horrible horrible IT problems. I really want to like Azamara but the more I read the more I am nervous.

Kathy

Honestly Ann, this really is a shambles and you've only found out because of a cruise advert posting from Bonnie. It's not as if you haven't tried to get the info and it's been duff from the start. I'd be really cross. I hope you can source the tickets for you and your husband and enjoy the cruise as you should. Miami do really appear to be asleep on the job at the moment.

Phil

I am very sorry to hear about this uktog. When Germany was holding the WOrld Cup many years ago, it was nearly impossible to get a ticket on your own. I find it very misleading to advertise cruises as World Cup cruises and then it turns out to be that no ticket or visa is being arranged by the cruise line Gor such an event.

So, at the extreme, if all the passangers on the ship want to see the football match that everyone knows has limited capacity, its the responsibility of Azamara to source tickets and visas. I don't think that's a reasonable expectation.

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So, at the extreme, if all the passangers on the ship want to see the football match that everyone knows has limited capacity, its the responsibility of Azamara to source tickets and visas. I don't think that's a reasonable expectation.

 

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Completely disagree unless it were disclosed in ALL of the advertising that tickets are limited. As far as Visas, there is no limit so azamara should be able to get Visas for all who wish to see the matches but, at least in the US, many states, if something is offered there has to be a note that supplies are limited or something similar or the company advertising has to provide the product or service to all who wish it and since this is being advertised by a company headquartered in the US in at least some states this might constitute false advertising

Why azamara has to be careful with their advertising to avoid being sued or have to provide a product or service that is actually available in limited quantities.

So, at the extreme, if all the passangers on the ship want to see the football match that everyone knows has limited capacity, its the responsibility of Azamara to source tickets and visas. I don't think that's a reasonable expectation.

 

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Our expectation was not for that. Our expectations based on what was indicated would apply were for some ticket packages to be available through Azamara for guests to buy. Not a whole ship access to the event.

We expected to have to pay a premium for that but given the circumstances of the event, what it means to my husband and some other personal things we were prepared to pay that premium. We expected the number of tickets through Azamara would be limited which is why for over a year we’ve been enquiring so we could pay for them as soon as they were released.

Our expectation is as always from Azamara accurate and timely communication. The Visa statement is not accurate and shows how little the research done with FIFA by Azamara has been. It’s just a default to not our problem. We never said it Azamara’s role to get visas was but give guests accurate information.

The correct information is so easy to find so it’s a nice slap from Azamara that they couldn’t even do that.

We know scams will exist all over the place and the ticket process is correctly being managed through FIFA so that has to be our ticket route. Unfortunately we won’t know until late March if we have been lucky. Given the info we have and what Travelberlin has said we hold out very little hope.

I have a very unhappy boy here. He’s trying to enjoy this cruise but yesterday was a lousy day for him. He’s had too many of these lately and a fair few over the year (5 changed itineraries, Pursuits issue, no email invites, several land discoveries that never even delivered what was advertised etc etc etc) from the cruise line he used to love so much.

Sadly he’s asked me to spend some of my sea day tomorrow researching alternative cruising options for next year. I can totally understand why and will enjoy a few hours surfing for him.

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I saw people addres Azamara's misleading "clarification" statement, so just to reiterate:

1. You do not need a Russian visa "in your passport" if you have a game ticket - ANY game ticket. What you need is a FAN-ID, which is much easier to get and comes free. You still need to apply for it, though (see FIFA sites for details).

2. Azamara's "Club excursions" or whatever they are called DO NOT include a Russian visa. As a cruise passenger and a user of an organized tour, you qualify for a 72-hr visa waiver. However, without that fanID you won't be able to attend any games anyway.

As a cruise passenger and a user of an organized tour, you qualify for a 72-hr visa waiver.

BUT, you must be on an organised tour, with an operator approved by the government, you cannot roam freely on your own in St Petersburg.

Advert for 50% off for 2nd passenger:

‘cheer on your country at the World Cup,‘

Both sailings are featured, does this mean that they are not selling well?

Advert for 50% off for 2nd passenger:

‘cheer on your country at the World Cup,‘

Both sailings are featured, does this mean that they are not selling well?

Could also mean that some people are cancelling when they realize that they have to obtain their own tickets to the games and visas

Azamara may be paying the price for not making that clearer from the start.

Advert for 50% off for 2nd passenger:

 

‘cheer on your country at the World Cup,‘

 

Both sailings are featured, does this mean that they are not selling well?

This makes me so angry. I’m currently on a cruise marketed with a line about enjoying the fireworks in Ho Chi Minh for New Year. I’d stupidly believed when we had a 4pm departure it was like Rio and we were moving to a viewing position- this was not the case, out to sea we went. We were never going to see the fireworks.

Azamara is so pushing it’s luck with its marketing now.

Rant over - life onboard is good

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This makes me so angry. I’m currently on a cruise marketed with a line about enjoying the fireworks in Ho Chi Minh for New Year. I’d stupidly believed when we had a 4pm departure it was like Rio and we were moving to a viewing position- this was not the case, out to sea we went. We were never going to see the fireworks.

That’s just horrible. So sorry!

This makes me so angry. I’m currently on a cruise marketed with a line about enjoying the fireworks in Ho Chi Minh for New Year. I’d stupidly believed when we had a 4pm departure it was like Rio and we were moving to a viewing position- this was not the case, out to sea we went. We were never going to see the fireworks.

 

Azamara is so pushing it’s luck with its marketing now.

 

Rant over - life onboard is good

 

 

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I would call that false advertising.

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