uktog

You spotted the give away clue "I think it was"..... if I paid for it I would know it was..... Husband and I can go for a whole day with a Michelin star chef, get real hands on and a lovely 3 course lunch for that price so it is not amazing for a two hour session

I will be interested to know if the butler leaves you alone if that’s what you want or keeps trying to justify their existence. Lately I’ve found several of the Azamara “butlers” so annoying but I’m very much if I want I ask and if I don’t ask I don’t want person

Possibly When it was quiet yesterday an influencer was posting elsewhere all sorts about cooking classes so maybe they took over the kitchen with interesting effects

If the papers are to be believed the Azamara advantage in Barcelona has gone From the UK Daily Mail the heading is Barcelona BANS cruise ships from main port in bid to reduce pollution. It cites the World Trade Centre as the pier involved with the ban coming into play on 22 October. The larger port also is to be capacity limited to 7 vessels a day (it can take 10).

Indeed I suppose the spa is a little more flexible in terms of time but an excursion may be a once in a life time at a place so very time limited. I am going to have to rethink my strategy for one of my remaining cruises booked as it is a once in a lifetime cruise but with more OBC than I would ever be able to use onboard. The excursions are very important to me, I do not have time to scramble around once onboard to book with an independent if Azamara has no space left. No about of fabulous warm and fuzzy onboard feel would compensate for not getting on a bucket list excursion because it was full once I was able to get Guest Relations to sort out the issue - imagine the stress if the last space went to the person one ahead of you in line!!!

@woodlander1 that is a nightmare They need to go back to the drawing board on OBC and excursions. The old system was far superior. This just turns you off promotions with OBC and using ships excursions Are you booked on the excursion that needs an intervention at guest relations not or could you get there and find the trip is full

That would be a UK response because significant alterations do require more offers of alternatives.

Some UK agents are very very reluctant to work with Azamara these days. They’re confused by all the changes, don’t for whatever reason seem well versed/ trained in it and still are frustrated by longer wait times for call answering and inaccurate/inconsistent responses. All this leads to the agents actively dissuading you to book Azamara and extreme reticence in accepting any requests to book. So it’s easier to go direct. However, I do agree having them handling the pain, if indeed they do step up when there are issues, can be a good move.

Several cruise lines will be chasing after new ports. I would expect it is going to be a few days before a new plan emerges. Azamara is gong to have to negotiate access to ports in the Eastern Med and its probably harder now as a smaller company. But they will come up with something!

It wasn’t in my experience. It also was less because it hasn’t got all the lovely hardbacks one of the guests has delivered to the other three ships

Be aware the selection is much smaller

Phew

Dress for the climate not for how you look is always my motto

Just thinking is the naming on Friday 13th? hmmmm,

Does any 3 star chef do except by prior arrangements for severe allergy reasons ( and in our experience that’s 96 hours)

At least he is positive that he thinks it will change. But certainly the other six lines listed to avoid I would contend are not the company Azamara wants to keep.

Indeed that appears to be the situation today (assuming it’s not over capacity) next cruise who knows. But that’s the same on everything on Azamara just now whilst they are evolving

I heard they’re still trying to work out whether to restrict it or keep it quiet. You will probably see “experimental communication” on different ships. With only 16 loungers they’ve got a potential capacity issue. My guess eventually they’ll revert to the big suites front and back, the spa suites and a charge for everyone else possibly two price levels for remaining suites and others. They’re hunting for revenue streams, the front deck has caught their eye

It is an excellent show. I look forward to seeing it again next year

No need to sign up they check with you onboard if they need a numbers count It does appear on the shorex part of the website at zero cost however even if you “enrol” then that information isn’t used by the ship. Usually they ask at check in anyway You have an early dinner on ship and there’s also a sandwich buffet on your return At the venue they usually serve one special drink or cocktail

I’m more worried about how cumbersome it is in the evening which is why I’m currently suspending judgement on whether we would ever go to the Emporium at night. Despite the reports of good food I want more service and less hassle

It is a benefit you either purchase (look on the website under the Already booked tab) or one offered from time to time as a booking promotion

Explora have frequently commented that they do not focus on shows at set times as the food takes centre stage and they do not want chefs being rushed by waiters on behalf of guests so they can reach a show. This was covered in an early video by the head of entertainment that’s on YouTube

That’s ridiculous how many of us have all our past booking references. The onus should be on the cruise line to look at their legacy data.

You should not have to. We had a battle about champagne on our last Azamara cruise, soured the whole experience onboard. You are left to feel you are the one in the wrong. Another training issue I hope they resolve quickly