uktog

12 hours ago, Baron Barracuda said:

When we did this itinerary last Nov/Dec they brought several troupes of native performers on board at various Hawaiian and Polynesian ports.  Each displayed a different style of singing / dancing / drumming.  There were feasts on deck at night (at one roasted an entire pig) as well as performances in theater.   Very entertaining.

We too are doing this itinerary in January. Thank you for your informative post. Two quick questions- am I right in assuming I pack layers for all weather conditions and  for non snorkelers what’s the one thing you would say “you must do”.  Thanks 

41 minutes ago, woodards said:

So if I have Premium and want to move to Ultimate I pay $8 per day minus 20% for Discover plus discount?

 

Thanks.

Yes that was certainly our experience (our discount was 25% as platinum so we paid $6 a day each)

Great balanced review thanks. For us Sakura tastes were great because we can only manage mild. I think next cruise we will ask them to go light on spices as they (rightly) may have turned the dial up on spices based on feedback. 
Glad you enjoyed your adventure 

9 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

I've sailed with Carl, but my personal favourite hands down is Captain Johannes. Extremely customer focused. I guess we all have our favourite, but let's face it. They are all great. 

 

Phil 

There are also two relatively new Captains Kresimir and Dario both trained by both Captains Johannes and Carl and also by Captain G and Captain Antonio. Their approach is also equally customer focused but with a modern twist. I’d say the captaincy of all Azamara ships is in great hands - not just Onward 

37 minutes ago, Grandma Cruising said:

But you can get the Atlas cocktails on all the other ships!

And I found them much better mixed on both Quest and Journey albeit without the theatrical show that Onward had 

We first stayed in an OT2 then a Premium Penthouse. Decided the Penthouse wasn’t worth the upcharge so our next two bookings are in an OT1 and OT2 based on availability at the time of booking and our preference re location. 

Some of us were trying to use that pool when Mr Green Suit was posing and his minders were shooing us away. The problem is these people come with an extensive retinue, so easy to spot.  They take over bars (inside and out) and are very noisy In restaurants. On the same cruise we’d a woman constantly having bar drinks remixed and poured whilst she filmed them or walking around filming and talking into her iPhone but unaware she was about to bump into guests etc 

Not in Southampton but we had to move our bags ourselves “for security reasons”. I think the only people who can accurately answer are “on the ground” in other words guest relations once onboard 

57 minutes ago, Millerhm01 said:

Interested in taking a 12-15 day cruise in early 2026 focusing on South Africa, and I sort of like Azamara's recent S.A. itineraries for '24 and '25.  However, while most of Azamara's 2026 sailings throughout its fleet (3 of the 4 ships) have been released, none are scheduled to go to the typical ports in South Africa. Wondering if anyone has heard any gossip on the Azamara Journey, whose 2026 sailings have not yet been released?  Any thoughts on why that is? Any buzz on when its sailings will be released, and is it likely that South Africa will among its destinations? Thanks. 

Journey is going to be in South Africa over winter 2025/6 according to the CEOs webinar when she highlighted a new cruise itinerary to the Vanilla Islands and mentioned it could be back to back with a South Africa cruise and/or safari.

6 hours ago, RlyLvn said:

Hi English Tim I think you were one of the people who mentioned that there should be a night light in the Bathroom. 
FYI….EJ is listening…..today a night light was installed in the Bathroom. 

We had a night light in November- I wonder if some had gone missing and the suite host hadn’t checked 

Just now, Mommapadraig said:

Thanks. Does anyone ever get to dine twice in Marble? We are on a 10 day cruise. We’d pass on a reservation for Sukura to go to Marble twice. 

Unless the ship is full it’s very easy to get more than one speciality booking especially if you can be flexible on timings. There’s a desk set up on Deck 5 that’s staffed 8-6 and the staff there are really helpful. On our 17 nights onboard even though we were over run by freeloaders we got 3 in Marble and 4 in Sakura (the lower Marble score was personal choice). One day we only decided at 4pm to see if there was space. 

9 hours ago, Mommapadraig said:

Thank you for your review. We are booked on Explora ll January 2025.I have a lot to learn before we travel! Do we need reservations for all of the restaurants or just Marble and Sakura? I read we can make them 60 days before our cruise. Did you do this? I don’t think we will book Anthology. I’ve looked at several past menus and it wouldn’t be anything that would appeal to my husband.I was also concerned about your quest for morning coffee. I thought they had an expresso machine and a kettle in each cabin. Is that not true or were you just being considerate for your sleeping wife? Thanks for your input! 

On all sailings you can make one booking in each of Marble, Sakura and Anthology 60 days before departure either via your travel agent or by calling the service number for your country yourself. It’s easy to do - we had no issues doing it 

In my experience reduced pricing after final payment has very much been a feature of cruise pricing on all lines the difference is since the pandemic it’s been more widely advertised.
However it’s rarely worth waiting for if you want a particular cruise because it’s too big a risk (some cruises do sell out) and the price reduction is offset by far higher airfares and hotel costs.  It’s also typically the less desirable rooms available within each category.
Prices may be reduced but most people find when it’s mapped against what they paid for their total holiday there’s little difference. 

1 hour ago, CJANDH said:

You might find that the never changed menus get a bit boring for a 14 night cruise.

We did 17 nights on the original fixed menu. Never had an issue choosing, no boredom for us and repetition only of dishes we loved and wanted to enjoy again eg the lamb chops in Sakura 

8 minutes ago, tgg said:

 

My husband and I don't travel with companions or a group of friends. So when we book a suite and eat in the specialties most nights, we eat alone. On a past 14 day cruise, there were many people in a similar situations. Lots of us wanted to meet new people.

 

Many of us got to know each other (because we were seated next to each other) and started having dinner together. 

My definition of friends includes people we’ve got to know on-board who become friends quickly. We really enjoy these new group meals however we’d hate a “blind date” in the speciality restaurants. 

9 minutes ago, Marylebone37 said:

Yet Azamara is broadcasting these offers to the public. That’s what is concerning. Are they a bit desperate? Or have they ticked off enough TA’s due to their systems issues that they have to go public? 

You could say it’s prudent behaviour trying to maximise the sale of every cabin. Since Covid it’s been rare for any cruise line to sell out 100% in the months following final payment. So any effort to sell more is what investors will appreciate 

There were always late sales it’s just they’re better communicated 

11 minutes ago, Allwashedup said:

In the Speciality Restaurants, is there a facility to book the time you want to go and join other strangers at this time on a table; or do you go by yourselves or with a group of friends?

The focus of the Speciality restaurants is on an experience with your travelling companions or a group of friends who have booked together.  There is no joining together with stangers

1 minute ago, Stem to Stern said:

My preference is "still" water such as Evian or Acqua Panna.  Can I get these with the Premium Package?  Or will I need to upgrade to the Ultimate Package?

Evian only included in the Ultimate package there is no water options on the premium. Didn’t see Acqua Panna 

Interesting having given feedback to the former manager at Azamara now in a senior leadership role I found someone extremely willing to listen and react. As an example the opening and closing hours of a venue were altered and our room steward was changed 

Thank you for clarifying - I would agree you suffered from less than perfect service.  Not sure in my language it was unprofessional which I see is inappropriate behaviour/conduct in relation to guest interaction and guest property.  Encroaching personal space, looking in drawers etc is inappropriate and unprofessional, not showing empathy is less than perfect service.

I hope you shared your findings with the appropriate managers

16 minutes ago, HappyInVan said:

 

Unfortunately, there's quite a bit of unprofessional behavior going on.

Care to explain and evidence?

7 minutes ago, auntbarky said:

We are doing British Isles Explorer so will be dealing with several different currencies.  So confusing what to tip bus drivers and tour guides.  We have used local currency in the past but not sure what to do this time.  Same as for the on board staff.  Final destination is London.  Any info appreciated.  Thanks

Local currency throughout so Norwegian Kroner in Bergen and Sterling everywhere else but Dublin which is Euros- this is a relatively easy itinerary not needing too many currencies 

Is there not also an emerging issues with some ports (?? including Norway) that Azamara vessels hit as they cannot use shore power when in port?  The curse of older vessels

In April it was $8 before the discount - a good add on for me as it got me sparkling water that I like (the included is too flat for me) 

7 hours ago, saminina said:

It began prior to the cruise.  Asked for bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue and was told it probably could not be supplied.  No surprise, it was not.  He purchased at first port stop.   This is not a complaint, just seemed odd that such a request could not be met.   Suite decor too brownish for the lady.  Their favorite evening dining venue was Emporium outdoors.  No problem until their butler invited himself to sit at their table.  Also, attempted same on final evening.  By then, they knew how to say NO to him.   While sitting in their suite, butler came in and did not remove tray of dirty dishes.  Also, butler in suite going thru drawers looking for his keys when occupants walked in.  Disappointed in lack of (zero) perks.  The little niceties one sees when residing in top suites on land or at sea.

 

About same age as Whip.....90.

I’m not sure I would see the whisky absence as a big issue but if that had been my butler I would have gone straight to the General Manager as that behaviour is unprofessional and unacceptable. Anyone going through guests drawers without their permission should be asked to leave. Joining you at dinner without your invitation is also an absolute no no