Originally Posted by
Happy
So you are saying they gave you a statement credit of $1,625 and then deducted the equivalent UR pts 108K from your UR account at the 1.5 ratio. This would be my preference to have the mess cleaned up.
I dont know which program you could credit to on the LAX-CNS flight - it is a long way so even at 50% distance flown, still in the thousands. It is AA code share, wonder if you could credit to AS which charts are cheaper, in some cases, a lot cheaper than AA charts.
Azamara was Royal Caribbeans attempt to get into the market compete against Seabourn at the time but it never took off as hoped. So RCL rebranded it with an itinerary focused market. Celebrity is owned by RCL, there are also Celebrity Exploration class, that only sail around Galapagos and are ultra expensive...
Azamara has only 3 ships with the Azamar Journey is the old R6 and Azamara Quest is the old R7 (The defunct Renaissance which was ahead of its time by getting rid of agents using booked direct method - then 911 killed it). They were built in 1999 and 2000 IIRC. The Azamara Pursuit is equally old but from another line(s) We saw an Azamara at Korcula, Croatia 2 years ago when we were doing a 2 weeks driving trip in Croatia. Last year we saw another Azamara at one of the Italian port but I forgot which - they both looked OK to us for 18 to 19 years old ships.
Oceania also have 2 old R ships. They are just too old to us. The new Oceania ships built after NCL acquired the line, are much nicer.
If you like Oceania, esp if you dont mind the R class ships, you would enjoy Azamara. Like you said, they are similar class. Though for us we prefer newer ships, Those old Renaissance ships are just too old for us. We feel we could not sacrifice the amenities for a more interesting itinerary.
My husband also dont like small ships - using his words "I cannot stand seeing familiar faces every night for several weeks." lol.
I am sure you know both RCL and NCL have shareholder benefits just like CCL. Though they are harder to use because RCL treats the shareholder benefits as "coupons" that carry restrictions while CCL treats the shareholder benefits as what the name says and can be applied to any fares even the very very cheap fares.
NCL also restricts shareholder benefits by the fares paid. A few years ago Brother in Law and his friend had booked an Oceania with a 50% off deal with free air. NCL denied the shareholder benefits, saying their fares were too low.
Next time you may want to check out the Viking now they venture to ocean cruise after being very successful in the river cruises.
I did select Alaska Airlines FF Program. I try to fly United as much as possible. I need 50K for 1,000,000 with United. I earn 11 miles per dollar spent as a premier member on United compared to .25 or .50 on other carriers. On Delta the fare now is $1,410 the miles earned 6305. On United I would earn 15,510 miles if they were flying the same route and a general member would earn 7,010 miles.
I like Oceania because you have free water in your room, specialty restaurants, free Wi Fi and there is a Laundromat. I like Celebrity because of their Loyalty Program, their specials on laundry and Internet. Azamara fare include Beverages, Laundromat and Gratuities and next year free Internet. I read the bathrooms in the cabins are very small.
I was on NCL a few times. One time on the Norway when the ship lost power for a couple of days.
I have been on the Marina about four time one of their two largest ships. I received a call from the Oceania Cruise Line with an offer Cape Town to Rio 14 day with three day pre-cruise package including air, hotel city tour and one day Safari. I said I would do I own air. I asked do you use Marriott Hotels in Cape Town? The agent said she would get back to me about the hotel. She called me back about twenty later and said they could arrange to have me stay at the Marriott. I used itasoftware and lowest fare was on Turkish Air Star Alliance member routing LAX to IST two days in Istanbul at the Marriott. Non-stop flight IST to CPT. GIG to LAX on United miles.
The Online Vacation Center ONVC sells about 1.60 a share must own 500 shares to receive a 5% rebate on cruise tickets purchase. That is the net amount less all the taxes and fees. The stock pays .04 cents a share once a year. The stock only trades a few hundred shares a week very thin. I have purchased cruises from them a few times. I always checked my prices.
There are several websites to find cruise fare even one that you can bid on.
Some cruise companies will not give the shareholders benefits if you obtain a discounted rate.