uktog

Totally agree

Azamara library was not an exchange. It was stocked with quality hardbacks albeit some had been donated by guests but had then been appropriately catalogued

Unbelievable- bold as brass as we would say

When did this seating at shows benefit start?

Yes they would do that

The issue at Manchester has the greatest queues before check in so before Jet2 can give you assistance. You might get a quicker answer contacting the Airport authorities. You can also use online chat, something that doesn't work too well with Azamara but I know from using it with Jet2 the other week is really good and may be a good short term move

In a word no, shoreside is not a reflection of the onboard service which whilst it can have issues is far better,

Whilst I agree tonic and tests are minor things they all add up and as acceptable alternatives aren’t onboard I don’t see how you can say it can be worked out. Worrying because of conflicting information you get whether you can board or not based on the test you may or may have not done is a stress too far for most people. I’m not sure what rate you were paying but we were paying pre pandemic rates for post pandemic sub par experience in April which wasn’t a patch even on our Autumn cruise. Long waiting times on calls doesn’t help (and my TA has given up trying to get through again today, don’t blame him he has other guests to serve and other lines that answer him far quicker and with more accurate answers). I agree being able to travel is a gift and it’s a gift of my savings I’d have liked to give to Azamara but based on the excellent pre cruise information I have from a river cruise line just now, maybe the oceans will not get my cash.

I also think that when regular cruisers who go on inaugural sailings, so well versed in the challenges of them, are saying "the ship should not have sailed" it inevitably makes people negative. Sometimes there are those negative times, seen them before with Azamara when they hit a rocky patch under Larry Pimentil but he pulled it back to the amazing onboard experience we grew to love. Now is the time to look at Azamara with clear glasses and understand where they are currently not the line they used to be, but it will be a mark of the new leadership how they deal with things in the next three to six months. We have another Azamara cruise in July, by which time we will also be financially committed to our September cruises but July will be a real crunch point for the cruises booked beyond this Autumn. Do we keep or do we "dump"

After two years free of problems DH and I also tested positive shortly after returning from Azamara. Im not sure we would have tested onboard with the early symptoms if was just an "off feeling" but because our grand daughter is classed extremely high risk vulnerable we had to ahead of a visit - and the dreaded two lines appeared. So had we been on board at that time we would have been infectious but not known. Went for a PCR on one of the last days we could get one through the NHS in Scotland and it was positive so we set about following the rules then (they were isolation, we could start home testing after Day 5 and two negatives would let us out) A few days later I was absolutely floored, DH was symptomless. He tested negative Day 6 and 7 so was free - but then regrounded because he was with me and I was still positive. It took me to Days 9 and 10 to get two negatives, coincidentally Day 10 is the day I was to be freed anyway. A week later I am still struggling with no energy and disturbed sleep with a stupid cough. Its been no picnic. I hope you get better very soon, it seems those of us getting it for the first time now are hardest hit.

I think if the cruise line wasnt pushing the "everything is wonderful and perfect line" which they are on social media in communications, people would be less "unhappy" but to have seen things go backwards from how it was in September which was also post covid does give serious concerns. There is also absolutely no excuse for conflicting communications leaving guests not knowing what is happening (and therefore adding to their call volumes/call wait times) and fearing they will make a mistake that will jeopardise their much wanted holiday

It’s being reported that the WiFi on Onward is not functioning well and it’s very weak. I think we’d all hoped that with an upgraded vessel it would be far better. On the other ship I’d about 10% success with WiFi calling usually worked on port days if at all. I fear Onward will be as bad had hoped for better. Do come back and tell us how it works for you.

Yes I think they had lost staff to Onward and also staff who had been since start up were due leave. Ryzard was still on then and was well overdue his annual leave and we felt he was burning out as a result and not getting the back up from the levels below him. Given what you say that the Patio was open in mid December with the guest numbers they had then, in many ways for the Spring guests thats even more disappointing.

The message we got on Quest when raising things with the hotel director was they needed more staff then. We felt then if reduced staff numbers meant reduced service they should have been up front about that from the start.

Worrying, if they are short staffed with less than a full complement of guests how are they going to cope as they increase capacity as I believe they plan to do in the coming months.

Whilst others have had challenges they seem to be coping better overall (from first hand experience on two other lines). I think Azamaras attempt to somehow go from 1-4 vessels working with new owners in a rapid space of time hasn’t helped their cause. Staff have a different view of work post pandemic (every organisation has that issue just now) but Azamara seems to be ploughing on believing their own rhetoric. It used to be feedback about major issues onboard were reacted to and post cruise surveys were followed up on. Our first hand experience in both cases is no they are not. Not looking for financial recompense - but feeling someone is listening and empathising with issues and a simple we need to get that better next time you’re with us would go a long long way. Currently you’re left with a “nobody cares” feeling.

I too heard from someone today, not the same person as Phil, an Azamara loyalist often top cruiser and their report was very similar to the one Phil gave. The ship shouldn’t have sailed missing equipment including key kitchen items that’s impacted on everything. They reported the ship wasn’t clean (I’ve no specifics on that). But what bothered me most was there comments about the crew and in particular the lack of effective supervision by those who could start to make things better. I reported exactly the same problems on Quest last month but thought well at least they will get it better on Onward they’ve plenty of time and executive focus there. Sadly not true it seems. Yep that hand basket (containing decent tonic linked to WiFi fit for purpose) has left the building

I believe the level of stress is not because of individual attitudes to whether they should travel or not it’s because the communication from the cruise line has been confusing, contradictory and very unclear. That’s a back office issue which is plaguing everything including wait times at the call centre. It doesn’t take rocket science or budget to sort effectively communicating one version of the truth.

Oops had a tech issue What do I consider to be a reasonable time well the answer is certainly not the length of time we are currently waiting. Like grandma I have waited two weeks up to no reply and yes I am using the right email address We all appreciate pandemic but in many organisations that excuse is now just being trotted out. If they can’t recruit staff or are still running at lower service levels they need to start being honest about it. I’ve seen some companies do that and you think more of them as a result

Ok, that one hasn’t run at all post pandemic so we’ve no benchmark but given that Ireland is fully open, I would say, if Azamara can run shuttles and they are needed they will.

Dont worry it has not worked for months no one uses it

Thats not what we wanted to hear! If they cant sort it on a new ship will they ever?

Not on Azamara UK site it’s not. It’s another area of total confusion

Shuttles are definitely back on though not every port authority allows them which is as it was pre pandemic. If you tell us the ports you’re visiting recent travellers will be able to tell you the specifics

It’s chaos, if you go on the website it’s mixed messages from end to end. One page says it’s complimentary another it’s charged for. Conflicting information when agents or guests call for answers. It needs sorting out. I think if you really want to stretch the revenue line a different case can be made between charging for tests to board and charging to go home. To board, it’s a cruiseline not country rule, it’s a cost you would not incur for a land based trip in the country so the cruiseline should pay. To go home, it’s a cost dictated by the country you are travelling to. You would have to pay it if you were on a land based trip in the country so you should pay, BUT the cruiseline should sell it to you at cost.