Has anyone noticed that the Azamara pricing for Europe cruise has skyrocketed?

Last year, we had an ocean view double room for $2000 in May. This year, also in May, the price for an ocean view double room ranges from $4500 to $5000.

Should I wait until very last minute for better deal? I was told by the travel agent the price is guaranteed. If the price drops, they will give my money back. How would I know the price has dropped? It is not very transparent.

We like the 05/16 itinerary. The upgrade room to balcony has sold out. It seems the demand has been high. Would it be a good idea to wait?

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If I had choice, I definitely would not take the cruise this year. Why don't I have a choice? Here comes my long story.

Last year, we planned 3-week honey moon trip to Europe. The last week is to relax and reunite with my parents on the cruise. Unfortunately, I caught cold during the second week, the week WHO announced H1N1 epidemic. I was upfront with the cruise about my cold and they refused to have me on board. (I didn't have H1N1.)

There were four of us, me, my hubby, and my parents. At first, we were told that the four of us would entitle a full refund. And then, after several hours of waiting for the staff to communicate with Miami, the final answer was given to us as either my parents go on board or accept 75% refund.

They told us there would be travel agent assisting us on the spot to rearrange our trip, but the cruise line would not cover any additional costs due to the changes. So the ship left without us..

We were stranded at the port with their local staff who had no internet access, no computer and certainly no travel agent to assist us. They borrowed a computer from the port authority and started searching for flight tickets on Google.. Just like how we normally planned trips at home without "professional" help. We were rushed because the port worker wanted the computer back. In the end, they managed to reserve a hotel for us overnight near the airport with expensive hotel rate and got us on a flight to Spain for a week. As for the rest of the week, we were on our own.... No trip plan, no place to stay...

I asked for a written note about the refunds, but given none. The local azamara staff specifically told me that I would receive an email with the ship hotel director copied on it stating everything. And the hotel service staff wanted to follow up with us. And there would be someone from Azamara customer service contacting us in the US. Until today, I have not received any of the above.

Even worse, they only refund our room and issued a voucher for my parents to use within a year. I was told they couldn't refund our parents' room because it was our decision not to go on board.

Cruise line always advertises the "customer service" as the priority. In my case, there was no service at all. (I'd like to say there was no "heart" involved.) It was purely money Azamara cares.

Thank you for finish reading my long story.


Do I want to sail with Azamara? No.
Do I have a choice? No.

I have been searching and asking for quotations, but they are just too expensive !!! : (