Choices, choices, choices

[Granny DI]

This message is for those of you who don't receive correspondence from Azamara. I just received an email from Azamara about a NEW promotion. You have your choice of $1000 in Choice Air credits, $1000 OBC or one category upgrade for your cabin. Doesn't include an upgrade from balcony to suite.

[Leo_On_Geo]

WOW- I am sure glad I booked when I got the inside to balcony upgrade and $1000 choice air. If this promotion is a sign of the times, I am worried I will not be cruising Azamara in the future. I am not sure I could ever spend $1000 on board, so that is virtually useless.

[Granny DI]

Not sure any of these choices could entice me since we prefer the suites, Choice Air wasn't "amazing" on our last cruise and there is no way I could spend $1000 on board.

[midwestchick]

I got that E-mail also and am glad I booked when I did.

Can't te $1000 OBC be used for shore excursioins?

Who dictates the prices and promos? Is it Azamara or RCCL? I'm wondering if it's a way for RCCL to phase out Azamara. :eek:

Edited February 7, 2014 by midwestchick

[Granny DI]

The problem with using OBC for excursions is they can't be booked until you are on board. The excursion you might want maybe sold out by the time the ship sails. I always book my preferred excursions in advance.

[dln929]

I got that E-mail also and am glad I booked when I did.

Can't te $1000 OBC be used for shore excursioins?

Who dictates the prices and promos? Is it Azamara or RCCL? I'm wondering if it's a way for RCCL to phase out Azamara. :eek:

 

Yes, if you choose $1000 in OBC then you can use it on anything that can be purchased on the ship, and that includes shore excursions. Now that there's no discount offered for pre-booking, it's a good way to use up OBC.

 

As to your other question. Azamara is owned by a corporation by the name of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL), which also owns Royal Caribbean and Celebrity as well as few other cruise lines. Each line has its own president and CEO and each operates separately from the other. There is Loyalty recipricosity among RCI, X, and Azamara but that's it.

 

I think it's a huge leap of thought to say on the basis of a few promotions that RCCL is trying to get rid of Azamara. Where did that come from?

[Granny DI]

I was reading the posts on the Crystal board several days ago. There is speculation that Crystal might buy the two Azamara ships. The Crystal Cheerleaders weren't happy as there are "inside cabins on Azamara ships and the cabins and baths on Azamara are much smaller than on Crystal". I've also read speculation on other boards that the "R" ships will be phased out after the Panama Canal is widened to accommodate the bigger ships. This project is way behind schedule so nothing to worry about for a long time! Of course this is all speculation but it's being speculated on all the boards of lines with "R" ships....gives people something to talk about!

[midwestchick]

Yes, if you choose $1000 in OBC then you can use it on anything that can be purchased on the ship, and that includes shore excursions. Now that there's no discount offered for pre-booking, it's a good way to use up OBC.

 

As to your other question. Azamara is owned by a corporation by the name of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL), which also owns Royal Caribbean and Celebrity as well as few other cruise lines. Each line has its own president and CEO and each operates separately from the other. There is Loyalty recipricosity among RCI, X, and Azamara but that's it.

 

I think it's a huge leap of thought to say on the basis of a few promotions that RCCL is trying to get rid of Azamara. Where did that come from?

 

Just a thought that popped into my head......nothing more, nothing less. I was just thinking...."something must be up"....I know they all have their own CEO's, etc. No flames please.

[dln929]

I was reading the posts on the Crystal board several days ago. There is speculation that Crystal might buy the two Azamara ships. The Crystal Cheerleaders weren't happy as there are "inside cabins on Azamara ships and the cabins and baths on Azamara are much smaller than on Crystal". I've also read speculation on other boards that the "R" ships will be phased out after the Panama Canal is widened to accommodate the bigger ships. This project is way behind schedule so nothing to worry about for a long time! Of course this is all speculation but it's being speculated on all the boards of lines with "R" ships....gives people something to talk about!

But Edie Bornstein, present president of Crystal, just left Azamara...

[Willow1686]

But Edie Bornstein, present president of Crystal, just left Azamara...

 

And is therefore in a good position to know whether Azamara is making any money; if it isn't then a rock bottom price for two ships drastically in need of upgrade may be a good deal for Crystal, leaving RCCL to concentrate on bigger ships. This is pure speculation, but it's based on market economics:)

[Andy]

I was reading the posts on the Crystal board several days ago. There is speculation that Crystal might buy the two Azamara ships. The Crystal Cheerleaders weren't happy as there are "inside cabins on Azamara ships and the cabins and baths on Azamara are much smaller than on Crystal". I've also read speculation on other boards that the "R" ships will be phased out after the Panama Canal is widened to accommodate the bigger ships. This project is way behind schedule so nothing to worry about for a long time! Of course this is all speculation but it's being speculated on all the boards of lines with "R" ships....gives people something to talk about!

 

Hi Granny,

 

FYI, I'm hearing the Panama Canal project has shut down, due to massive cost overruns, and the contractors seeking more funds, and (so far) not getting it. As I said years ago, this was going to take a lot longer than anyone anticipated, and it was a good prediction.

 

As for Crystal buying the 2 Azamara ships ? I'd say it's unlikely, BUT - with Edie Bornstein running Crystal ? I certainly wouldn't rule it out. They've made it clear they wish to add to their fleet. If it happened, it would certainly be a very interesting move, and could be the end of Azamara's current management team, as Crystal is based in Los Angeles. If I were in Edie's shoes ? I'd probably go for it (if the price was right) as Crystal could acquire the ships and wonderful crew, and eliminate the areas that some of the Azamara faithful are unhappy with.

 

My guess is, Azamara remains on their own, but if anything were to happen, I'd quicker see the 2 AZ ships becoming part of Celebrity, unless Crystal bowled RCCL over, with an offer they could not refuse.

 

Again, this is TOTAL SPECULATION, but it's interesting to think about !

Edited February 7, 2014 by Host Andy

[dln929]

And is therefore in a good position to know whether Azamara is making any money; if it isn't then a rock bottom price for two ships drastically in need of upgrade may be a good deal for Crystal, leaving RCCL to concentrate on bigger ships. This is pure speculation, but it's based on market economics:)

 

Heh heh this might just prove to be a very interesting thread with lots of tangents. Granny Di, you may have named it "Choices, choices, choices" for a reason...;)

[wripro]

I don't think Crystal will ever buy the Azamara ships. With Regent and Seabourn each building new ships for 2016 Crystal needs to keep up with a new build, not recycle 15 year old ships.

[Kellie Poodle]

I'd quicker see the 2 AZ ships becoming part of Celebrity, unless Crystal bowled RCCL over, with an offer they could not refuse.

 

I'm with you, Host Andy. I think there is a demographic within Celebrity that loves the smaller ships. Just look at they way the Century fills up every year.

 

With the retirement of Century imminent, I think the two smaller ships might be a good fit with Celebrity. If the itinerary was interesting, I'd book one in a heartbeat under Celebrity's flag.

[Local17]

Over the last 12 months the stock price (RCL-NYSE) is up almost 41%. . . No need to re-arrange any deck chairs. . . or sell any ships. . .

[Going Coastal]

I'm with you, Host Andy. I think there is a demographic within Celebrity that loves the smaller ships. Just look at they way the Century fills up every year.

 

With the retirement of Century imminent, I think the two smaller ships might be a good fit with Celebrity. If the itinerary was interesting, I'd book one in a heartbeat under Celebrity's flag.

 

I agree with this assessment, but I haven't been very good at guessing what would happen so far.

[Granny DI]

I understand that more than 50%, maybe as high as 60%, of the company's profits come from The Allure and Oasis of the Seas. I looked for the exact quote but can't find it. The mega ships make big profits... think alcohol and casino.... where as the smaller ones are having a tough time competing with the mega ships. Mr Fain said in his earnings statement that 2013 was tough and the wave season has been soft. Another mega ship the Quantum will start sailing this year. I own CCL stock and its up almost $10 a share this year.

Edited February 7, 2014 by Granny DI