Azamara Journey canceled trips

[Gardendog]

Azamara Journey cruises from February 8, 2022 to May 19 2022 have been canceled.

 

We were offered:

Lift and shift, OR

125% future cruise credit OR

100% refund

 

We booked this trip while on the Journey in October, so sorry not to be able to go.

 

“We hope that you have remained healthy and safe. 

As the pandemic continues to bring new challenges, we wanted to provide you all with an update on your upcoming sailing. As you are all aware, the Omicron variant has changed the COVID pandemic dynamics once again. Due to the ongoing complexities of operating Journey during the dynamic COVID environment, we do not believe we can provide the guest experience that would be up to Azamara standards, and we need to pause operations on Journey from February 8, 2022 until May 19^th, 2022. Unfortunately, this means your sailing has been cancelled. We're truly sorry for this inconvenience and are grateful for your patience through this pandemic. While this has been a difficult decision, we feel it is the best decision at this time for our guests and crew. 

The Journey will start up again on May 26, 2022 from Athens, Greece while Azamara Quest and Azamara Pursuit will sail as planned. We're also looking forward to launching our 4^th sister ship, Azamara Onward, at the end of April 2022 to start the European season. While travel these days has a few more steps and protocols, our guests have shared they are invigorated by the opportunity to explore once again. Equally, our crew is happy to be back doing what they do best - connecting with you and offering their warmth and hospitality. 

While all of us wish we were cruising, we have three options for you, including several alternative sailings to which we'd be happy to move your booking. Here are your options:”

Edited January 18, 2022 by Gardendog
Added part of the letter from Azamara

[john1970]

Was any reason given why?

[sfcsu]

I was booked on Journey for February 26th.  I was afraid this was coming, I'm not surprised.

 

But I REALLY wanted to go!

[Skicruiser55]

Holding our breath the Quest Apr 5 sailing will still be a go!!  

[Scots Caz]

looks like this will be the last Journey cruise for a while😞

 

 

[Mrs Miggins]

Any news on why this 3 month cancellation period. Seems like a very long time.

[betsey]

Perhaps because Spain is now requiring booster vaccines to travel there?

 

[Skicruiser55]

2 minutes ago, betsey said:

Perhaps because Spain is now requiring booster vaccines to travel there?

 

I don’t think so the Quest is sailing Apr 5 Lisbon to Barcelona and that sailing is still going as of now.  The Mar/Apr sailings of Journey are in E Med which may have more issues.  

Edited January 18, 2022 by Skicruiser55

[silkismom]

I don't suppose anything was mentioned about the Quest Caribbean cruises, we are on Feb 3???

[Skicruiser55]

Just now, silkismom said:

I don't suppose anything was mentioned about the Quest Caribbean cruises, we are on Feb 3???

It is ONLY the Journey sailings until Mid-May

[ECCruise]

As it stands, then, we are on the first sailing back on 26 May from Pireaus.

That does not give me warm and fuzzy because these cancellations often become rolling cancellations.

[annapolitan369]

We are also booked on the May 26 cruise and also have concerns, particularly since final payment is next week.  Really looking forward to this cruise as our last one was a T/A on the Regent Explorer.

[oddjob16]

We are on the Journey now. Will ask around.

[ECCruise]

43 minutes ago, oddjob16 said:

We are on the Journey now. Will ask around.

Thank you!

[deberoons]

7 hours ago, john1970 said:

Was any reason given why?

Complications related to covid.  

[Grandma Cruising]

I also suspect that the small number of bookings may also be an issue. The ships can’t keep going with less than 200 guests - they must have been losing a lot of money.

[oddjob16]

Quoting one of the crew this: "..cancellation is only because of low sales/bookings. The omicrom situation is NOT the reason."

Obviously it all comes down to covid, but right now they just lose money sailing with less than 200 pax

 

[ECCruise]

Another contributing factor may be some of the itineraries.  E.G., Israel and Egypt where there are a lot of restrictions.  Sailings from Turkey that go to Italy within a 90 day period, where arrivals from Turkey are currently (at least of last month) prohibited.  The current prohibition of non-cruise line tours in Italy, which turns a number of pax off. 

Just speculation, but with the low pax totals, all makes some degree of sense. 

[Mrs Miggins]

I posted recently about tiny roll calls and plenty of empty cabins on our April Quest cruise.  I wonder if some of those affected by cancellations may be able to move over to Quest ?  What lift and shift options were offered I wonder.

[floridafolks]

14 hours ago, betsey said:

Perhaps because Spain is now requiring booster vaccines to travel there?

 

I thought as of Mar 1 that Azamara is requiring booster of all eligible passengers.

[ECCruise]

19 minutes ago, floridafolks said:

I thought as of Mar 1 that Azamara is requiring booster of all eligible passengers.

You are correct:

As of March 1, 2022, all guests 5 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated. Azamara will require vaccine eligible guests to be fully vaccinated with all initial doses administered at least 14 days prior to sailing. We also require that fully vaccinated guests get a booster dose when they become eligible to do.

[WB57]

Does anyone know what the ship will be doing during this time off?

[ECCruise]

23 minutes ago, WB57 said:

Does anyone know what the ship will be doing during this time off?

Probably what every other ship (and there are dozens) in this position.  Keep moving, porting only for fuel, provisions and crew changes while maintaining a minimal crew for operation.  

[Huntingdon1701]

Very sad. Had such a great time on board last week. But there were times when it felt like I was the only one on board. 

 

[Spotbattman]

We will be on the final cruise before this break (disembark on 8th Feb) I am gutted for those people who have had their cruise cancelled, I know how disappointed I would be. Whilst an almost empty ship will make it feel very special, like a private yacht, it’s understandable that Azamara have made this decision, as I understand it, purely on a commercial basis. This will be our first Azamara cruise.