New Promo Deal

[blag]

5 minutes ago, uktog said:

The Black Sea cruises might get changes so all the more reason to be booked direct rather than be delayed in getting information from a travel agent.  Direct bookers get direct communications, those who book through an agency in many countries have their communications passed through their agent and I have experienced delays in over two weeks before it was passed to me when I used an agency.  

Depends, of course, on the agency!

[Grandma Cruising]

40 minutes ago, blag said:

Depends, of course, on the agency!

Yes, but it’s hard to know beforehand which agencies will be good, although I use my daughter TA who is a self-employed TA.

[excitedofharpenden]

6 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Understood (although I didn't know it extented to OZ TAs).  But many non-US cruisers book through US TAs in order to get the benefits (rebates plus the certainty of knowing the TA puts your credit card info direct to the cruise line).

I'm honestly not sure it's "many" and certainly not for the reason of refund benefits. This has only become apparent during the pandemic. Who knows?  Going forward a lot of people here in the UK (and most likely elsewhere) will change their booking habits. I know I have.

 

I've booked all ways including through a US agency. I found it a pain doing that it from here, notwithstanding the possible exchange risk that uktog mentioned. Besides, the deals here on Azamara seem pretty good. I no longer feel I'm missing out. 

 

There's no right or wrong answer. One does what one feels comfortable with. 

 

Phil 

[Riocca]

1 hour ago, excitedofharpenden said:

I'm honestly not sure it's "many" and certainly not for the reason of refund benefits. This has only become apparent during the pandemic. Who knows?  Going forward a lot of people here in the UK (and most likely elsewhere) will change their booking habits. I know I have.

 

I've booked all ways including through a US agency. I found it a pain doing that it from here, notwithstanding the possible exchange risk that uktog mentioned. Besides, the deals here on Azamara seem pretty good. I no longer feel I'm missing out. 

 

There's no right or wrong answer. One does what one feels comfortable with. 

 

Phil 

We’ve changed to direct as well for a recently booked Azamara cruise I did check the online price with our old TA and it was a total of £62 less than Azamara’s online price. Phoning Azamara they were able to apply the Cruise Now benefits from a cancelled booking and found £500 in FCC we didn’t know about. Can’t be certain but on recent experiences I don’t think our TA would be interested in finding out if there was anything there for us they just want to get in deposits with an additional non refundable deposit for them.

[uktog]

And if you book with a TA some charge high fees for using Cruise with Confidence this doesn’t happen on direct bookings 

Oh and booking in America unless you’ve a certain type of card you are charged card fees and you lose ABTA or ATOL protection. Case in point the collapse of Crystal. UK guests knew their flights home were protected and their loss of days covered. If they had booked through a US agent they were at the mercy of Crystal etc 

[blag]

4 minutes ago, uktog said:

And if you book with a TA some charge high fees for using Cruise with Confidence this doesn’t happen on direct bookings 

Oh and booking in America unless you’ve a certain type of card you are charged card fees and you lose ABTA or ATOL protection. Case in point the collapse of Crystal. UK guests knew their flights home were protected and their loss of days covered. If they had booked through a US agent they were at the mercy of Crystal etc 

All more reasons to choose your UK TA with care.

I can only say, from my own experience, that using a specialist TA has made life much easier (and less expensive) for me over the past 6 years.

For one thing: no prolonged waits for telephones to be answered, or NOT answered.

Each to his own.

You pays your money, you makes your choice.

 

[G2G]

On 2/11/2022 at 10:10 PM, mchell810 said:

I am posting this since others have done so in the past to my benefit.  The new promo, effective Feb. 8 -- 22nd, is for $1000 OBC and "up to 30% off" and seems to only be for cruises through November of this year.  I already had the price drop and $500 OBC from Azamara's last promo; so I they added the difference, rather than an additional $1000 (fine by me).  I hope others can take advantage.

 

This is running in the US -- I don't know if it applies elsewhere.

To return to your post, I’m glad I read it as I contacted my UK agent & had the increased OBC added to my account yesterday. I booked in January and the cruise price hadn’t changed, I’m thrilled to get the extra $$ 

[Mackdogmolly]

I book with a TA for the extra perks and they will spend hours on hold with Azamara to get answers to questions, so I don’t have to! Sometimes I don’t get communications from Azamara through them as fast, but that’s why I come here! 😄

[cruisinclined]

On 2/15/2022 at 10:14 AM, excitedofharpenden said:

Have a look at Onward, both the 10th and 20th July cruises. Last time I looked they were good prices. 

 

Phil 

I also spotted these Onward cruises. Am guessing that Istanbul can be perceived as an issue if you haven't been there before, I found it similar to any European city except for its spectacular location and fantastic and historical buildings. Am about to book b to b.

David

Edited February 16, 2022 by cruisinclined
spelling

[blag]

7 minutes ago, cruisinclined said:

I also spotted these Onward cruises. Am guessing that Istanbul can be perceived as an issue if you haven't been there before, I found it similar to any European city except for its spectacular location and fantastic and historical buildings. Am about to book b to b.

David

Why do you say that Istanbul might be perceived as an issue? (I'm booked Onward, out of Istanbul, July 30)

[neilbrunton]

I contacted my agent yesterday about the extra $500 credit being offered for our 2nd April cruise and they spoke to Azamara and have added it to our booking. We now have $1000 OBC

[Skicruiser55]

21 minutes ago, neilbrunton said:

I contacted my agent yesterday about the extra $500 credit being offered for our 2nd April cruise and they spoke to Azamara and have added it to our booking. We now have $1000 OBC

Are there still cabins available in your booked category?  

[Baynanno1]

16 hours ago, Janet&Carl said:

 

 

Thanks but like others that are outside the US I have had previous problems with TA's not refunding me when  my fares have been refunded to them - or keeping a ($300 AUD) cancellation fee for cruises that were cancelled and refunded in full. So I choose to book directly with any flights/cruises/land tours that I do. They even charged me a cancellation fee (again same TA same cost $300 AUD) for a flight that was $150 and sent me a bill !!!.  So once bitten (or twice in my case) twice shy as they say.

 

You are by no means the only Australians who have been held to ransom by unscrupulous travel agents over the past two years.

We too now only book direct with Azamara and will no longer do as we did in the past after booking on board, subsequently transfer the booking to a TA.

Edited February 16, 2022 by Baynanno1
spellcheck

[excitedofharpenden]

1 hour ago, cruisinclined said:

I also spotted these Onward cruises. Am guessing that Istanbul can be perceived as an issue if you haven't been there before, I found it similar to any European city except for its spectacular location and fantastic and historical buildings. Am about to book b to b.

David

Istanbul is an amazing city, huh?  With a real mix of cultures being on the border of Europe and Asia. Given how many earthquakes they've had over the centuries it's incredible it has survived so well. 

 

Phil 

[Janet&Carl]

On 2/15/2022 at 1:28 AM, roberts2005 said:

Most of the cruises I have looked at still have excessive high prices.   Is it possible for some of the posters to mention a cruise by ship and date where there are great prices.  Don’t want the price just the cruise.

 

 

I thought I got a great deal - booked an 11 night Black Sea Cruise that started at AUD $2597 pp for an inside leaving on 26th August and I got US $1000 OBC.  A similar cruise (1 night longer) in June started at more than double this price

 

[Janet&Carl]

1 hour ago, excitedofharpenden said:

Istanbul is an amazing city, huh?  With a real mix of cultures being on the border of Europe and Asia. Given how many earthquakes they've had over the centuries it's incredible it has survived so well. 

 

Phil 

 

 

We love Istanbul - walk outside th port and found  taxi driver with good English - We had our two teenagers with us.  He took all 4 of us all around the main sites all day long for $60 - he even acted as a tour guide, bought our tickets (we bought him lunch) shepherded us the whole day long, jumped all the queues.  Was a fabulous day one of our best shore visits.

[neilbrunton]

3 hours ago, Skicruiser55 said:

Are there still cabins available in your booked category?  

Yes still availability 

[cruisinclined]

14 hours ago, blag said:

Why do you say that Istanbul might be perceived as an issue? (I'm booked Onward, out of Istanbul, July 30)

As you will have noted, I praised Istanbul wihich is one of the finest cities in the world. There have been reports about Turkish politics situation in recent years but in reality it is as safe as any European city and safer than many.  Its people are warm and welcoming. Perceptions are often wrong and not universally held. We will be on the preceding cruise on 20th and hope you enjoy yours as much as we are expecting to enjoy ours.

David

[Mrs Miggins]

18 hours ago, G2G said:

To return to your post, I’m glad I read it as I contacted my UK agent & had the increased OBC added to my account yesterday. I booked in January and the cruise price hadn’t changed, I’m thrilled to get the extra $$ 

Can  ask when you  booked your cruise. My B2B was cancelled twice and I took the Lift and Shift option.  Would love to get some extra OBC !

[G2G]

1 hour ago, Mrs Miggins said:

Can  ask when you  booked your cruise. My B2B was cancelled twice and I took the Lift and Shift option.  Would love to get some extra OBC !

I booked in January of this year

[Medeba]

On 2/14/2022 at 9:52 AM, blag said:

I contacted my TA with regard to taking advantage of this promo for an existing, fully-paid-for, cruise.The cruise is included in the list.

My TA spoke on my behalf with Azamara, who advised her that, because the price I have paid is much lower than the current price (in the promo sale), there is no advantage or benefit to me, and that stuff like increased OBC  cannot be applied.

Hi blag

Sorry for the delay in getting back; I have been away.  My TA has confirmed that Azamara has given us $1000 extra OBC for both of our back to back cruises but no further price reduction (which I wasn't really expecting tbh).  I think this OBC is in addition to the $900 per booking we already have but I'm getting that checked out.  I will enjoy having a shopping spree!  I'm sorry you didn't manage to get the new OBC applied.

[TeaBag]

We have received nothing in the way of an email regarding the extra OBC for this promotion.  However, our total price is a lot lower than the current prices from the same TA,  for a cabin close to ours, same category.  So, I guess I won't bother asking for more OBC than the $200 we have.

[Host Jazzbeau]

1 hour ago, TeaBag said:

We have received nothing in the way of an email regarding the extra OBC for this promotion.  However, our total price is a lot lower than the current prices from the same TA,  for a cabin close to ours, same category.  So, I guess I won't bother asking for more OBC than the $200 we have.

Personally I would always prefer a lower fare than OBC.  Our booked Azamara cruise comes with a total of $2,100 OBC that I am finding very hard to use up.  Already taking all ship excursions, and there's still some left over.  Hope the part from my TA is refundable!  Otherwise – try to sit at my table, we'll be drinking some really good wine...

[Susu on the go]

 

It doesn’t seem to apply to my cruise…Sept. 6 from Amsterdam to Bordeaux 

Edited February 19, 2022 by Susu on the go

[TeaBag]

5 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Personally I would always prefer a lower fare than OBC.  Our booked Azamara cruise comes with a total of $2,100 OBC that I am finding very hard to use up.  Already taking all ship excursions, and there's still some left over.  Hope the part from my TA is refundable!  Otherwise – try to sit at my table, we'll be drinking some really good wine...

Well, it would be great to meet you and dine together but I don't think we're on the same cruise!  Yes, our TA gives money up front off the price of the cruise and I agree, then you don't have to find  way to spend it on the cruise.  However, I'm noticing that Azamara's tours are very expensive but maybe it has something to do with Norway as well!!  Norway is a very expensive country to vacation in.