Land Tours - the exact poll...

[BBMacLaird]

We are looking at all elements of our Land Discoveries program. Thus the question posed over on Azamara Asks!

We would still love your input over at: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=47702836#post47702836

 

And for those of you interested in taking the exact poll we have posted on our FB page, here it is:

[Andy]

We are looking at all elements of our Land Discoveries program. Thus the question posed over on Azamara Asks!

We would still love your input over at: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=47702836#post47702836

 

And for those of you interested in taking the exact poll we have posted on our FB page, here it is:

 

Hi Bonnie,

 

I've also posted the same poll for our Cruise Critic members : http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2257844

Edited September 10, 2015 by Host Andy

[BBMacLaird]

Hi Bonnie,

 

I've also posted the same poll for our Cruise Critic members : http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2257844

 

Hi Andy, thank you. I saw you had posted a poll as well. I simply wanted to post the poll verbatim (with 5 responses) to allow the land department to combine the results with the original poll on FB. Between the two of us we have all the bases covered :)

[munch1]

Thanks Andy. Can't get poll to work for us but we vote a big NO.

[Lottie A]

Just voted NO.... but also put a post on midwestchick's thread.

 

This is a huge mistake Azamara. Please do not do it. You won't get more people on your tour's because the vast majority of Azamara cruisers are well travelled and independent people who much prefer to organise their own private tours, with small groups going when and where THEY want to go.

 

It would inevitably mean a price increase and despite my ongoing love affair with Azamara....I would be looking elsewhere for my cruises. So my input is PLEASE DON'T INCLUDE ANY TOURS IN THE CRUISE PRICE. Sorry for shouting but I feel very strongly about this.

[Andy]

Hi Andy, thank you. I saw you had posted a poll as well. I simply wanted to post the poll verbatim (with 5 responses) to allow the land department to combine the results with the original poll on FB. Between the two of us we have all the bases covered :)

 

Hi Bonnie,

 

To avoid any confusion, I'm removing my poll, and asking our members to vote and on this poll. They are also welcome to comment on this thread as well.

 

Thanks very much !

Edited September 10, 2015 by Host Andy

[mare s.]

I'm with Lottie 100%. We generally organize our own private tours with fewer people and at less cost than the ship's offerings. However, we might use the ship excursions occasionally when we have a limited time in port or where it may be more convenient. Nice to have choices. Including all excursions will undoubtedly raise the cruise price significantly and, for us, that would mean our looking very carefully at other options.

[cat616]

I voted "No" because many people organize their own activities while in port.

 

I would, however, like to see less inflated prices for the Shore Tours that are offered.

[santrah]

Would like to see more reasonably priced tours, ones that active, off the beaten track or unusual rather than a bus tour with shopping.

By reducing the price (Azamara will know they had a good take up when they offered 25% discount) tours will be less likely to be cancelled and there wont be as many disappointed guests in embarkation when they receive their docs.

[81Zoomie]

Couldn't vote or see the results on an iPad.

[midwestchick]

Couldn't vote or see the results on an iPad.

 

 

So far the nays have it....by a long shot. I wonder what the results are on social media. Those I cannot see. My guess is it's not gonna fly. Prices have increased enough the way it is.

[Brucen]

My wife and I have taken and enjoyed many ships tour over the years but I am REALLY tired of tours the give me "2-3 hours to enjoy browsing in the fine leather-craft factory" or the perfume factory, or, or, or. I did not travel half way around the world to shop. I need no more "stuff" and if I did "need" something I could find it at home or on the internet.

 

I know some people love to shop and God bless them. Trinkets purchased abroad are only valuable to me when I happen across them in my normal course of sightseeing and exploring. Going to a set up, touristy gimmicky shopping experience is not my cup of tea and way to many excursions seem to "feature" shopping opportunities.

 

I would not be happy having to pay for these shopping trips as part of my fare.

[AJCM]

I'm with other commentators. If Azamara keeps adding inclusions, the cost will become prohibitive for some of us - particularly Australians who currently have an FX rate of about 0.69 to the greenback. Prefer having choice I.e. ship excursion; private excursion organised through roll call; no excursion - do our own thing. We often take option 3 and have found we can do some great activities for the costs of transport and admission; so there's no contest with a shore excursion in such places. Option 2 invariably ends up a better excursion because there's a smaller number involved and you get to do more. I've found any ship excursion is expensive, relative to what you often get. Still, if the cruise ships can make some profit from them, so that cruise fares are not further increasing, then that's ok. Our first couple of Azamara cruises had a discount if you purchased before boarding. This made their excursions more attractive. It is apparent though that Azamara is a business which is answerable to RCI and, of course, has to meet target profits to remain viable. I consider it's in a great niche for those of us who prefer the smaller cruise ship experience and I hope they can maintain their attractiveness while keeping a significant pricing point below the luxury smaller ship lines. We have been getting luxury light and long may that continue.

[Grandma Gilly]

A big, fat NO. Couldn't vote on the poll using my iPad.

[englishlee]

Until about three or four years ago we were loyal Regent Seven Seas passengers (13 cruises). Once they started including 'unlimited' excursions their prices went up so much that it was no longer value for money for us as we rarely took advantage of them because we usually prefer to do our thing.

 

Also it seems that since they went all inclusive the number of free tours seem to have gradually decreasd and the number requiring additional payment has increased.

 

If Azamara included tours (and presumably increased fares) it is very likely we'd look elsewhere once our next two booked cruises have been taken.

[uktog]

A resounding no from me - groups would be too big and on the basis of experience to date there is not consistency in the product or overall value for money and despite promises they are still typically rehashed Royal Caribbean tours. The new Eat Local, Cool Places etc have not appealed and speaking to some travel writers onboard whose opinion I value, they are still work in progress in terms of being quality items that their prices would suggest they should be.

 

Don't get me wrong, I have been on some great Azamara land discoveries, but I have also been on some shockers. I therefore want to chose when I use them (often based on country and logistics of the trip in question) and when I do not.

 

Current offerings are too expensive IMHO when I compare with local high quality guides and smaller groups. I have just done 2 days in Bordeaux with a wine specialist arranged by another CC member - 8 of us only, fantastic boutique wineries - all costing around 40% of what Azamara was charging and indeed they did not do a two day offering which was a big lapse given we were in wine regions for two days, - the 40% comparison was against their one day trip which attempted to cram Margaux and St Emilion into one day - for 40% of the price we had a day in each region, so double the touring and fantastic lunches including one with the winemaker including truffles (and I don't mean the chocolate variety)

 

Personally I would rather Azamara concentrated on providing shuttles in ports first and coming to solutions where taxi unions do not allow shuttles (ie provide guests with prepaid vouchers for the local taxis). I would also welcome information in advance of those ports where shuttles are not being provided and also details of approximate shuttle drop off points so I can plan accordingly (appreciate it can all change but some info would be a help)

Edited September 11, 2015 by uktog

[Leo_On_Geo]

I think Azamara attracts well-traveled passengers who are looking for more individual travel experiences. I have been generally disappointed with the several Land Discoveries tours I have taken, because I dislike the big bus approach to travel. Additionally, the big bus approach does not seem to be in line with Azamara's small-ports, longer stays and more overnights philosophy. However, there are other passengers who want to go on vacation and do not have the time or energy searching out smaller tour operators, or organizing tours. Azamara should welcome both styles of traveling. I have attended all the Azamazing evening on my Azamara cruises and I have enjoyed them as a special set of big bus tour, but I do not want every travel experience to be in this genre. Undoubtedly, if tours would be included the cruise price will increase, and many passengers fear this. I understand that Azamara is a business, not my private yacht, but perhaps they could go to a model (a la Celebrity) where you buy into included tours at a stated cost. Then a passenger can chose to include that option. Some passengers might prefer this option. Then I would be free to do my own thing.

[Wacktle]

It's also a "no" from us.

The cruise prices would go up and, for us, they're already high.

Also, there's many ports - if not the majority - where we like to just wander and not be talked at, educated, sold things, etc etc.

[ellbon]

Part of me agrees with Ann .my negative side is saying that AZ will never come up with a plan to pay for taxi's they just will not fight them. What I do wish is that the first day of the cruises we were given a list of shuttle ports on a seperate paper with the drop off point. that the shuttle ran later in the day when we sail at 10 or overnighted.. i remember in a couple cases we were told at he last minute it was a shuttle port and i would of done the shuttle vs a tour.. we need more info faster so we can plan better . one other thought is to get the maps and info ahead of time if possible onto the ship so we can look it over the night before .

[greeneg]

No!

[cat616]

Part of me agrees with Ann .my negative side is saying that AZ will never come up with a plan to pay for taxi's they just will not fight them. What I do wish is that the first day of the cruises we were given a list of shuttle ports on a seperate paper with the drop off point. that the shuttle ran later in the day when we sail at 10 or overnighted.. i remember in a couple cases we were told at he last minute it was a shuttle port and i would of done the shuttle vs a tour.. we need more info faster so we can plan better . one other thought is to get the maps and info ahead of time if possible onto the ship so we can look it over the night before .

 

I also would like more timely information on shuttle hours and drop off points.

 

Maybe they hold off on letting us know shuttle information in hopes that more tours will sell.

 

Many of the port maps and guides were/are on the Azamara website. At least they were for our last cruise. I have had no need to check since then.

[columbusnj]

I don't want land tours included. Although we do sometimes do tours depending on the port, we prefer to either book our own or just do DIY. We totally dislike touring with large groups. My husband has hearing problems so large groups is difficult for him.

 

I would love to get info on port shuttle ahead of time as it would help with planning.

 

We had finally gotten to the point where we were going to try a Regent cruise, but their new inclusive policy has just priced us out. Plus we don't want to pay for something we are not going to use.

[ellbon]

I also would like more timely information on shuttle hours and drop off points.

 

Maybe they hold off on letting us know shuttle information in hopes that more tours will sell.

 

on some cruises the day i arrive there a list in the cabin but added to the daily planner so it is not saved.. i agree about trying to sell tours.. i also know if you go to front desk they do know ahead of time if we get a shuttle or not. there is a port in Spain tat has one but then did not and they added it again. .tof ar to take a taxi

 

Many of the port maps and guides were/are on the Azamara website. At least they were for our last cruise. I have had no need to check since then.

i never notice that but did notice on the Quests maps were showing up at the front desk early but small and hard to read.. the color maps showed up on port day.

[DaKa2002]

But voted here - "No" to included tours in cruise price.

[helby]

I voted no on the poll. I often like to just explore on my own or go with CC members or others and the price would be too high. Liked the 25% discount and would like to see that again.