uktog

Unfortunately overnight mosquitoes invaded us. They are spraying everywhere and hope those pesky fliers go as quickly as they came

Another busy day ahead!

As @Mackdogmolly showed so much going on for our first sea day and we were blessed with beautiful weather so it was so many choices inside and outside With four enrichment lecturers all focused on features of Antarctica so you can really get immersed in it all. We listened to two, one on seabirds and one on geopolitical situation and will do the other two on tv catch up. All have been very informative to date. Dinner in Aqualina was very good. The portion sizes are certainly much smaller- it worked ok for us but we overheard rumblings elsewhere. You can always order a third entree to share. The tables are now very close together but last night we had no one next to us which, given we wanted a dinner just together, was spot on. Spotted our first wildlife albeit these pictures are through windows from Deck 10 to grab an opportunity- not my favourite photo spot but nature doesn’t understand to appear when I’m in my preferred spot. However did give if you look closely a lovely undersea shot of the pod The good news is that Captain is pretty confident that we will make Port Stanley. So far very smooth sailing and the thought is possibly a little rocky after the Falklands but not too bad.

It’s even more special than the chefs table

I am with you, the system needs to be more efficient than now. And that includes how long it takes the girls to process bookings on embarkation day. By the time we got to the desk as a suite guest this cruise four nights including the first one had nothing available until 2045 which was too late for us. Butlers have no extra access to slots by the way. The reason given was a large number of b2b guests had made reservations ahead of this cruise boarding. Our first evening meal in Discoveries was fine but not what we had been so looking forward to

For those people who got premium packages as part of a booking perk are they allowing upgrades at $3 a day then?

An example of sensible communication at the Azamara event tonight. During his welcome Captain Johannes explained that when we went to bed tonight and we were still in port not to worry there is no problem with the ship. It’s just they were re provisioning here but the container was rather delayed. The good news it had just arrived but would need 6 hours to load so they will leave during the night. How to kill rumours before they start!

Well the Azamazing evening was indeed special. I have so many photos but just a small selection. It was the kind of evening that can only be off ship. You could never recreate it onboard. It was a 10 minute drive which was logistically ok. The theatre is so steeped in history built in 1856 The show had a cast of over 70 and was based on Uruguay carnival. It was high energy with audience interactions throughout Even our send off to the coach back was special with the cast forming a guard of honour This evening was great but they’ve done it several times so have a slick operation

We too have just returned from an excellent excursion- we were the workers! A group of 6 like Betsey we were Harvesting at Pizzorno winery. We did the hard work - picking And crushing our individual crops the old fashioned way (feet feel like they’ve had a fabulous spa experience) Followed by a tour of the winery that was actually working - how many times do you tour an empty building and an amazing lunch with paired wines. The ribeye was unbelievably good If all Azamara excursions were like this one we’d never go independent!

Very much depends on which table. But it’s marginal

Confirmation of the price increases on Specialty and Chefs Table dining. Unfortunately by the time we got through the various lines off ship and waited to be seen at the booking table (one inside windows and two staff outside on the patio port side though one was on a break) there were no speciality opportunities last night before 2045 available. A few other nights also have issues but we can check back later on them. We had a very good meal in Discovery Restaurant so all was well The show was an introduction to all the talent etc. Some have good potential the jury is out on others. Great to see a six part orchestra again.

Unfortunately I got held up and sadly never made it. Was still sorting out a luggage issue but all was well. Sorry to have missed it

So pleased to hear 😀

We have been told guest count on this trip is 471

Well I’ve started your challenge no problems tonight with Whispering Angel, Botanist Gin or piper Heidsike.

Crazy! MSC Norwegian and Azamara all boarding together having to filter through shared security and immigration points. The information on where to go to join the cruise from Azamara was incorrect - fortunately our designated driver had shared the right info with me and I put it on the roll call though non cruisers chipped in telling me I was wrong - oh well I did try!! You have to drop your luggage at one point (no porters) 10 minute ride to the hall of “lines” - security check in and immigration in that order then bus to the ship. Took us 1 hr 20 min from taxi drop off to the ship All out of Azamaras hands. You just have to breathe deeply and remember the tranquility that lies ahead 😂

Just boarded Quest the flyer clearly says $26.95 for the ultimate

Now safely onboard and trying to unpack And now for the good news The Beverage Package has NOT increased in price See the flyer attached The selection of wines is slightly different DH will be on a Malbec hunt I’m sure

Far fewer police in evidence than in 2018. We commented on that

Last night we did a foodies walk tour through the Palermo district of the city. The tour was run by Sherpa Food Tours and was a good way to see another neighbourhood and its varying cultures. Maradonna is still the local hero The tour did perhaps involve more walking than the write up led you to believe - well over 10000 steps and quite a brisk pace but the food experiences were really good. The home made vermouth certainly eased the joints! There was a stop involving wine tasting and I found a new variety to love There was so much art work and murals to see, the fast pace gave little time to photograph so we need to go back to that area if we come back The old courtyards had running rails so the owners could run businesses from their homes. All the walkers were on the cruise having connected through the roll call. It was a good pre cruise meet up!

So we made it to Buenos Aires with all our luggage and no delays and would recommend Lufthansa, particularly the food options. We had booked our airport transfer through the hotel (the Hilton). It was a little more expensive but so worth it because it was seamless and when we arrived at 0930 our room was ready for us. The Hilton is in a great location with so many waterfront bars and restaurants beside us. It’s worth booking an Executive Room as the lounge is very good They directed us to an exchange bureau across the road. We got 980 pesos to the $. Not sure if that was the very best rate but it was fine for us and was in a place that felt safe. We’ve only changed $50 and took a new note. Will report back how much we do with that amount! We are a very easy 10-15 minute walk from Casa Rosada indeed our room looks out on it, so we ventured over this morning. It felt much calmer and more peaceful than our previous three visits. - Maybe they don’t protest on Saturdays! We like the cathedral which of course has links to the Pope so visited again. Slightly bizarrely some aged rockers were doing sound checks for a rock concert there 😂😂 The National Memorial is impressive though I don’t know how the guards kept their composure with all the Chinese tourists and their selfies and v signs dancing in front of them. I doubt our Royal Household Regiment members would be so tolerant It was a good leg stretch out to work off last nights tomahawk steak but that’s another story ($40 monster beautiful cooking to our tastes with sides that we shared and failed to finish)

Will do. I’m going to pick everything up on the “live” thread I started. We’ve got a vested interest in the Ultimate Package issue 😀

Long time cruiser sitting on the fence but boarding tomorrow hoping (really hoping) that previous decline was a temporary glitch. I will answer your question in a few days time

Yes you had a nationally recognised band as I recall - the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. We happily pay £25+ a ticket to see them. We had a fantastic band and singer onboard in Alesund. On board doesn’t mean cheaper but they need to level with guests. Seems off ship is few and far between unless your on the world journey. There will come a point that the % of off ship events is so low the advertising standards in some countries will catch them out

Heading off for this much wanted and awaited 17 night adventure boarding on 18th (3 days time). We’ve had a lively roll call. Not many ports to do excursions in but lots of pooling of resources to share ideas. So this “live from” I’m hoping will also be a shared effort. Getting to Buenos Aires to embark gives multiple flights for most of us. Ours started today and a hint to any UK travellers looking to do this in future. Really good fares particularly in business can be had by first heading in the “wrong direction”. We are currently in Frankfurt waiting to board with several £k more in our pocket than all other routes offered. Next stop Buenos Aires as the dear Evita said 😀