federalexpress

I'm sailing from BA next year and I think one best place to find answers to that would be in the roll call for your cruise (or other cruises starting from BA) Do you know where to find the roll calls for each itinerary?

Since I think I'm the poster you're referring to, I should reply. I apologise if you are offended, that wasn't my intention. The forum is one to exchange opinions and of course they can differ. I actively dislike casinos for reasons I won't bore you with here but of course many must like them since as I said, they are on most cruise lines, and I presume that is for a good reason. I wasn't suggesting you try another cruise line in quite the way you position it. Only if you wanted to because this was very important to you, which it might have been. Clearly you don't which is fine and maybe we come across each other in future. In which case, I can offer you a game of bridge instead of the machines and roulette wheels?

Everyone to their own. I would avoid a ship with a casino. That might partly be because as a Brit, we just don't have that culture. Luckily for you, there is a pretty big selection of cruise ships that do, the vast majority of them, if that is a deal breaker for you.

Wow. That's impressive. That download is faster than my fibre optic (which is real, to the door fibre optic) A tenth of that in S America (where I'll be on Pursuit next month) would be just fine...

Not sure about that. I think it depends on the site. For example, I find Tripadvisor generally has mostly positive posts (assuming the place in question is any good). Some other sites, like Trustpilot, tend towards the negative. But that site is often about humdrum products and services, whereas holidays, days out etc are nice things that people are more inclined to be positive about. And even the negative reviews can be positive for me. Sometimes it's from people who have clearly made the wrong choice and that can positively affirm it is a good choice for me. I think this forum is fairly balanced overall.

Did you use it? If so what did you think? I looked up a review from a test on another cruise line and it suggested it was markedly quicker than existing systems, even that you could quite easily stream.

I can't really answer you because my first cruise with them is only next month, but I can say I am not hugely put off. It's the nature of forums to be critical and you see the same on other cruise line threads. There are also plenty of people saying positive things on here too, especially about the crew and ambiance. The reviews are also generally positive on Cruise Critic, except maybe some early ones for the new ship which seemed to be having teething troubles. I am one of the people who has criticised the wine and especially what they offer in the higher grade packages, but it won't spoil my cruise, there is drinkable stuff, just not as good as it should be or could be. Maybe your only concern would be how it might compare to other cruise lines you have been on. If you are coming down from a Silversea, Regent or Seabourn and are expecting more of the same, you may be disappointed (and certainly so if you expect formal dressing). Or if you are coming from the bigger resort ships, it is going to be quieter, even 'boring' in comparison and of course as you say, the ships are old (although seemingly well maintained) so maybe you don't get the wow factor of some of the brand new ships like the new Oceania ones or Viking. I think it depends on where 'elsewhere' is for you and why...

I think the truth is, the website is not remotely up to date.For example, I think I share with you a keen interest in wine so in researching who to take this cruise with I checked out the wine list provided on the website. Since booking, I checked it again and the file name suggests it is from 2014!! I am reliant on others onboard reporting that corkage is now $15. I'm not 100% sure, but my money is on the forum's posters being correct.You are right, online information should be a lot more accurate.

I heard on this forum a month or two ago that AZ were recruiting an onshore head sommelier to sort out the wine offering. Can't come soon enough- probably not in time for my cruise in Jan 23. At least it suggests, if true, that they know they have a problem- and perhaps an opportunity- and need to fix it. On corkage, I agree it would be reasonable to drop it entirely given there are included drinks which they not only pay for themselves, but also have to serve, dispose of, wash up glasses etc. For sure it should be free if you pay for Ultimate, but I think even there, they charge what might now be $15 (used to be $10). That looks like gouging. I intend to buy some wine to have available in my room, not least because I gather you'd have to fetch your drinks otherwise. At least that is not subject to corkage.

I'm off on my first AZ cruise next month and intend to buy an Ultimate drinks package. I can live without a beach bag but if I shell out big money for better drinks, then I expect them onboard. If they run out of what they list, I can accept that and be flexible but I expect a replacement of equal or better quality. Certainly not something inferior or just the included drinks. There is a contractual aspect to this.

I'm on the cruise after you. Don't drink all the best vino! I'd also be interested to hear from others about your other question, on testing....

The first review there currently says "I personally have no interest in the glitzy Edge class.But I suspect that Celebrity may have other plans for the millenniums. The Connie was very tired and in absolute need of a retro fit. Ship shape did not apply as varnish was sadly lacking, as was paint and black mold on most windows in the pool area (really?)" and another that followed "The ship is in disrepair. Paint is peeling and it needs some care." These observations are absolute not comparative. They may have thought Quest was even worse had they sailed on her instead. And of course, people do see things differently through their own eyes especially if, as these reviewers were, they are also experiencing other problems with service, food etc. Without those, maybe they would not have noticed what might have been minor decor issues to others.

As an inexperienced cruiser, I flew out on the day of departure from Copenhagen for my only previous cruise. Think we landed about midday with a departure of 5pm. Never occurred to me that was a problem and we did indeed make the ship. I think you do indeed know the answer. You will almost certainly make it OK assuming it is a non stop but March from Scotland might make weather delays more a possibility. I went in June from London. At the least, it might be wise to consider a back up plan, for example if there are flights available to the next port of call.

Interesting. I should say I have minimal cruise experience, I've only sailed with Holland America if you discount a work trip on Costa (which was awful). I'm not and probably never will be a cruise enthusiast, I go on them only because they are going to multiple places I'd like to visit, that would otherwise be impossible on one trip. I've had to rely on research not experience, my trip with AZ isn't until January. To be fair, I enjoyed being on HAL a bit more than I thought, but that was from a low expectation. The only thing that really impaired the experience was the constant nickel and diming and the casino, which was positioned to encourage traffic through it. I find casinos tacky, to say the least. My impression is it might be a bit more like the Millennium class ships in size and appeal? (although I imagine Celebrity would be somewhat more upmarket) I did have Celebrity as one of my options, because they do some S America itineraries that are similar to AZ. I guess I just preferred a smaller ship for a change. I'm on Pursuit which was re-fitted more recently than Quest so hopefully is in somewhat better shape. To be honest, it would take a very bad ship to spoil what looks like a fascinating trip to some unusual out of the way places. Certainly a quiet ship won't do that. And the seemingly more informal ambiance also was a big appeal. I'm not big on dressing up, jackets and ties- did that my whole working life. Out of curiosity, I checked out the Cruise Critic reviews on Constellation. The first three were complaining about the tired decor/condition of the ship! So either beauty is in the eye of the beholder or more recently, the ship has begun to show wear and tear. I guess there will be a point before a planned re-fit when that happens to any ship. Maybe that is where both Constellation and Quest are. Others more knowledgeable than me might know if a re-fit is on the cards for Quest. Anyway I wish you many more happy holidays.

This has been an interesting exchange. To be fair to Edinburgh Girl, I think she is clear that she was on the wrong ship for her tastes, even if some of the offering was to her satisfaction. She wants atmosphere and a vibe around the ship and clearly has her own interpretation of what that means. It's a bit disappointing to pick the wrong cruise brand as seems to have happened here but I guess it does happen.As I said before, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Here's a couple of recent reviews on Celebrity Edge (where most of the reviews are otherwise very positive: "If you wanted to lie outside in the sun/shade there were no quiet spots as everywhere was in earshot of the main pool. It was so rowdy. Blaring music or entertainment staff screaming into microphones most of the day." and "Most irritating for us, however, was the noise level in the specialty restaurants. While the food and service in both Eden and the Fine Cut Steakhouse were excellent, the experience is almost ruined by the noise of the live entertainment bleeding into the restaurants. It was difficult to have a conversation." I have a hunch that if Edinburgh Girl swapped places with the two cruisers above, all might be happier. Different folks for different strokes and it's good we have choice. I've not been on AZ yet, but if anything it sounds too noisy, what with Grandma Cruising's post about 90 plus decibels. I just hope they keep the pool largely clear of pop music and have at least some quieter bars and spaces. If I'm in the mood for pop music and dancing, I can always go and find it in the places other posters have referenced. But I know I'd be unhappy on Celebrity Edge. What some see as a vibe, others will see as an intrusion.

Can't help you with the onboard details, it's my first cruise with them in January but if you are talking about the one starting on 24 Jan, the Azamara evening is a festival of Carnival at the Solis theatre in Montevideo on the second night.

That would be nice! I guess it's just luck of the draw. I gather, for example, that the scheduled stop in the Falklands has a close to 50% chance of not happening, because of high winds affecting the tendering. On the other hand, if one chooses to go to the world's more extreme places, that is the potential price you pay, one in this case I feel is worthwhile.

Yes, my suite is towards the back though not at the very back. People have warned me the front of the ship tends to be the worst to be, when it's rocky. I suppose it's unlucky to be hit by rough seas in the Med though I recall reading there was quite a big storm that hit Spain and Italy in the latter part of November, maybe that is what you were caught in. I'm in S America during their summer so in theory, weather should be more settled but on the other hand, they are also very unpredictable waters, especially in the far south....

Interesting insights, thanks, especially given I am going on my first ever cruise early next year. Couple of questions: 1) Where were you sailing? 2) What suite were you in, fore or aft? Sorry to hear you got seasick, this also somewhat concerns me because I perhaps foolishly have chosen to sail around Cape Horn and to the Falklands where I gather things can get pretty spicy!

I think there is a middle way, but surely that is not somewhere between rave and silence everywhere, but places where you can have music if you want it, but other places where there is quiet. I've not been on an AZ ship yet but the Den, if that is one of the bars, might be a place for a livelier ambiance and of course the live show (but even there, maybe one of the evening shows could be lower than 90db because if that is accurate as a reading, that is quite loud). There is only one pool so that should not have loud music and probably not any piped music at all, certainly not throughout the whole day, and especially the banal pop music you usually get when it's piped. Celebrity and its ilk are there for those who feel that kind of atmosphere is important for their cruise. I imagine they do it quite well and presumably all the other passengers like it, otherwise they wouldn't be on Celebrity in the first place.

I wonder if there is a little nuance involved here. What I don't want is music blaring away non stop by the pool a la Celebrity or so loud in all the bars that you can't have conversations without raising your voice. I'm fine with a bit of background (in the true sense of that word) music or a live pianist at a reasonable volume. Moreover I think it is possible to adjust this around the ship. If you go to a show, then obviously you are there to listen so the volume is louder. Equally I could see the merit in having a bar that is a bit 'livelier' for those in the mood. I just don't want it everywhere around the ship. I want there to be 'a library' atmosphere in some parts of the ship, free of banal pop music. That is what makes cruise lines like AZ different to alternatives like Celebrity. From what I can tell, it seems the latter have had to resort to different classes onboard in order to deliver in part for those wanting a quieter space. I don't think AZ should be following that model and I don't believe its appeal will suffer if it doesn't.

I'd agree with that. In fact it taps into a discussion elsewhere on how Azamara can evolve and whether their is a market in the niche for quieter, reflective cruises on small ships, given the broader market moving to bigger all singing, all dancing (sometimes literally) vessels. Oceania have gone with food, maybe AZ could make wine one of the points of difference. Given they have limited short term scope on the hardware- the ships are getting old- the focus presumably has to be on software. I'm aware restaurants buy and sell on different margins to shops but I was just using retail prices as a guide. To look at it another way, I doubt they would sell even the house wines onboard for less than say $25 so if you add another $23 or so, that should mean you are offering wines from the list at $50 plus, provided we aren't all drinking a bottle each a day. I take your point about moving it all to an 'all inclusive' on wine, but at a higher quality level. That would certainly appeal to me. Then maybe sell the higher quality bottles at a very low mark up, reflecting the fact that wines are already included and paid for. Either way, I think they are embarrassing themselves by calling the current offering 'Ultimate'.

I'd broadly agree that they had little appetite to invest or even manage a brand they didn't believe in, but I don't think that means that other investors, with different circumstances, would not believe in it. PE often makes a success of brands large conglomerates dispose of. Maybe that is where we disagree. RCI have their hands full trying to steady their massive ship, in every sense, so the fewer distractions the better. Of course all the Covid re-financing dwarves the $200m cash received but all the same, it reduces the debt a little and given interest payments are now running at about $1.3bn a year, every little helps!

While it is true that AZ does not have to stick to boutique wineries, it is also the case that its fairly small size makes this viable if they so wish. I've guesstimated the numbers, they can be adjusted as needed. They carry roughly 2500 passengers per week. If 20% buy the Ultimate package, that's 500 passengers on it. If they drank a little under a bottle of wine a day (I'm guessing on the high side, but maybe not!), that would be around 3000 bottles per week or 150,000 a year, equivalent to around 12,000 full cases. That is split among around 10 wines, so 1200 cases a year for each. That is not massive production and of course the numbers reduce significantly if you carry different wines on different ships and/or rotate every 3-6 months. You could easily be looking at 4-500 case lots. This is small producer territory. For me, I suspect it is less about quantities but the price they are prepared to pay. That Matanzas Creek Merlot they used to carry is about $35 at retail. In fairness, I don't expect that if you are only paying $23 to upgrade and the included wines are unlikely to cost much more than $6 or 7. But I don't think $15-20 retail is asking too much and here in the UK, I could buy some pretty tasty wine for that money. Just maybe not a boutique winery offering, unless they were attracted by shifting most of their annual production in one go.

I'm not convinced the transaction details, to the extent they are public, reveals much about the viability of specific customer segments. It looked to me like a fairly opportunistic transaction. RCCL was bleeding cash. Strategically, AZ struggled to justify a place in its portfolio because it is so small. RCCL wants scale. It makes sense to shift a brand that somewhat overlaps with two much bigger brands in Celebrity and Silversea and then focus resources- not just investment cash- into those two. The impairment charge of $170m merely reflects historic book values prior to the pandemic. Old cruise ships were not going to sell for book value, their value plummeted post March 2020. It seems to me that Sycamore drove a decent bargain with RCCL but only one that reflected the realities of the business environment at that time. Whatever else AZ now do, I believe the last thing they need to do is copy or follow what the big brands are doing. Even if they doubled their fleet capacity, they are a minnow, a tiny market share of way less than 1%. They are and will always be a niche and as I said before, the issue is whether there is a market in that niche. I can't answer that but they have no choice but to differentiate as much as they possibly can. For sure they will have to evolve and certainly on hardware, Viking has raised the bar and if they don't go for new builds, they are definitely going to need to upgrade the current ships over time. Personally I think on customer segments, they have a point of difference on itinerary and ship size that could work for them on the scale they will be operating on. Making money from it is a bit tougher. In a way, the 5000 passenger ships have a much easier business model, the economies of scale are significant.