uktog

I am in one. I don’t pack light. We’ve had absolutely no issues storing things. There are 9 drawers plus two small drawers each side of the bed. The bathroom is spacious for on a ship with a lovely large shower. No creaking last night for us.

The embarkation was extremely well handled and smooth. There were lots of staff around all at stand-up podiums, which made it feel much less impersonal than the line at the counter experience that we’ve had elsewhere. Ours took a little longer to do as the young lady was still unsure of the various menus on her tablet, and because we are non-US passport holders, there are some additional screens that she had to check through. However, a gentleman came and assisted her very quickly and then we were escorted onto the ship. One of our quickest and easiest embarkations ever. Of course we realise we’re not supposed to call it a ship but a floating hotel and very soon we could see lots of little differences. In some ways, it is a little challenging whilst we get our bearings because lifts aren’t in the positions, you would normally expect them on other ships and they’re actually quite hidden. But I love that it’s not long line corridors but lots of curves. There must be some engineering reasons but there are also some gentle slopes in places. Our room is an OT4. There’s no difference size wise between any of the OTs it’s just location. Grand Terrace is a similar room size but a larger terrace. For Azamara/Viking cruisers it’s slightly longer though a little narrower than a club continental/penthouse veranda but with a much deeper balcony so there’s a good sized round table with two comfortable chairs and a day bed. Inside the suite there is a significant amount of well set up storage and lots of nice touches. I’m sure I will find more but what’s struck me already were a coffee machine and kettle with a range of teas and coffees, recessed storage (no nighttime rattles) for ice tongs, a corkscrew and a bottle stopper and a stocked fridge (yes fevertree!) that is actually cold. Of course my favourite toy is the Dyson hairdryer! Our first food experiences have been exceptional there’s no other word to describe them. The Emporium at lunch (all served the only huge issue was choosing what to have) but this sushi selection chosen for me by the server was divine. The staff so far have all struck the right balance in terms of attentiveness- very professional and all knowledgeable. I’m sure there will be some weaker links somewhere but none evident yesterday. We had dinner last night in Fil Rouge - this is one of the two walk up dining rooms. We both ate very well. Here’s a sample from what we enjoyed I’ve never had so much crab in a crab cake This is rock lobster Thermidor wow and I loved how small the dessert was - of course bigger eaters could have more! But even nicer for this rum baba they bring a pourer and you decide your “rum level” We found the included wines very pleasant- I had some Chemin Blanc DH enjoyed some Shiraz. Their French Rose I would defy the whispering angel aficionados to tell the difference on a blind taste or colour test. We understand there are 372 onboard and over 600 hosts so this could get interesting! So far a most impressive start to our dalliance with a new line. And for Azamara cruisers we’ve met Heike,Alex, Carlos (ex shore ex) Konstantin who used to do the best photography and we’ve seen Tanya Robert’s who seems even more hyperactive than ever!!!

Seems a little unfair if that’s how it’s being handled

Thanks for all your posts and updates. They have been so balanced and helpful. Sorry we have to throw you off so we can get on. Safe travels and hope we sail with you one day

Thanks Floris. Nothing we can do about the weather but make the best of it!

That’s the problem the solution is US centric- almost all European carriers do not unless you bought the more expensive cancellable airfare

Surely they can wait. I’d go to the future cruise people and ask them to speak up on your behalf. So sorry to hear this has happened to you

Im so sorry to hear this Odd. I know how much that cruise meant to you. It’s very late cancellation given for many airfares will be purchased and the maximum sums being refunded are too low for people buying business class

Sorry to hear that. It’s still quite wild in Miami so no beach chairs for us today

Well our start has been an adventure arriving in a tropical storm (yes rollercoaster approach in) and then struggled to get cab to go to South Beach. As we drove in we were sticking in floodwaters Our hotel, like the airport, has sprung lots of leaks. No lifts as the shaft is flooded and water was even getting in our lovely original deco windows Somehow I think our planned sunning it on the hotel’s loungers on South Beach might just be substituted with a mall trip. Anyway we’ve taken the buckets of rain for the team. Just remember that IF we have a great weather cruise.

I’m starting this thread to pick up the baton from @InsGuy3 and @florisdekort Our focus will be comparing to Viking and Azamara entry level suites. We hated MSC Yacht Club - the pampered few within a “factory ship” wasn’t for us so will not feature much in comments. Given how poor our dining experience in YC we just hope for far better. We therefore hope this thread stays away from YC discussions ad infinitum This is our third chance to get onboard two previous cancellations one a week before cruising. That was handled very very badly by MSC but we’d already paid in full for this trip so have stuck with it. The precruise experience has been no better than our memories of mass lines 20 years ago - wrong information, agents not able to give answers, we had huge issues accessing paperwork etc. So we will embark for two cruises with only 2 restaurant reservations as the system will only allow that but with the positives and negatives slate wiped clean (helped by the BA lounge Whispering Angel promotion) as we are waiting for our flight to MIA having done the tricky domestic leg. Hoping to be posting positive news very soon

You can’t book direct but you can book through an agent in the US no problem if your happy taking the dollar exchange risk.

Traditionally booking your shore excursions was not part of the majority of UK travel agents role. In almost 30 years of cruising I’ve never had an agent do it or offer to do it. It’s always been the guest that set everything up.

We got an email about the process as we have current bookings. It is good to see clarity but I’m really disappointed that the process is far less straightforward than before. Often we have OBC and working out our excursion plans is an evening/weekend task. Nice downtime from work. Unfortunately if I’m to complete transactions using OBC I have to call Azamara or my agent. Not great trying to fit around work, so whilst we can do the planning when it suits us, there’s a second hurdle at payment which has to happen within 72 hours. Others may be fine with the process and it’s good there is clarity now on what is possible. But I find the new process cumbersome and a retrograde step if OBC is being used. The old way was far more customer friendly

And there is the heart of the issue the new management have to get a grip of. You are only as good as your poorest shoreside operative.

Very much depends on the port authorities I can name several where once you’re on you’re on. The position changes each year so I would leave it until around May 2024 and clarify directly with Azamara

If only ours was the £ equivalent of $75. It’s more like $300. I’m with @Hammer61 the pricing game (ok dynamic pricing to give it its fancy term) is putting us right off committing now the price guarantee has gone. We rarely used the guarantee but at least we knew it was there. Now we’d feel “cheated” if early commitment penalised us. Certainly for UK guests joining European cruises where there’s a range of flight options there’s zero incentive to book early now unless you’re someone who must have a particular room (we are not) Im not sure in the UK the airline comparison is as relevant yes they use dynamic pricing but you also can buy flexible cancellation at no penalty tickets. We do that for long haul then monitor prices. If the price drops (especially at about 3 months out you can often get a great deal on a more restricted) we swap over. Interesting for our two long haul early next year our flexibile tickets still almost beats current non flexible prices to within £25 but I’m watching Black Friday- I may even change airlines then at no penalty It’s a case these days of know the rules for your country and do your homework and regular monitoring

I think many guests opt to enjoy Chefs Table once as opposed to say two visits to Specialty Restaurants where quality has been variable and some are looking for new menus. You also find a lot of suite guests who opt for Chefs Tables as special nights and to use up OBC. If the galley and wine service can cope with it every evening it does indeed make sense. So long as quantity does not compromise quality all round it makes sound sense but the service impact has to be resourced

I can understand why with that head of hair 😂

Captain G

Not quite, last time it was a lot more than that when we were embarking with another line due to a one way system then a security delay

Glad you are getting underway soon

Agree, however it does affect Uber pricing

If I read right on the Miami Port site you are disembarking at Terminal E on Friday (sorry to mention the D word). Ambassador on call told me it’s C Once someone knows the real answer could they post there. (I know the driver will find it anyway but want to help them)

Thank you for the update. I hope the seal comes very soon. Sounds like the captain handled it exactly as he should do.