Westaussie

We did the Christmas 2022 cruise on Quest.  We went up to deck 11 port side and the ship in front did not impact our view at all.  The fireworks are set off from buildings all over the place as well as the barges and the above video give a true vision of what you will see.  It was a fantastic cruise and I would do it again.

5 hours ago, Ithikan said:

When we sailed on Journey in February, there was no Rice Table.  I asked about it twice, on the first day and mid-cruise, and was simply told that we would not be having one.

We were on that cruise with you and I asked the same question having enjoyed it in the past and was given the same answer. 

Ours on Journey in Saigon 2nd March (cruise before yours?) has just been changed to being on board. I agree, it's a pity as some of the venues have been really interesting. 

1 hour ago, 808Honolulu said:

Can anyone suggest hotel in Hong Kong near harbor for 2 nights (free wi-fi, breakfast, etc)?

We will be disembarking in Hong Kong before your cruise.  According to Azamara info the ship will dock at the smaller Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, so I have booked the Marco Polo Hotel where we have stayed before.  It overlooks the Terminal and an easy walk through the shopping centre to Canton Road.

12 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

I got one too. I did do a South America cruise a few years ago though, but not during Carnival and I have no other booked to there. Perhaps the Carnival is touring to Japan 😄. Really though it's so unprofessional. 

 

Phil 

And the Carnival goes to Hong Kong after Japan!  Received the same email but we're booked on an Asian cruise!!

3 minutes ago, GACRUISER456 said:

I know they have been making progress with the website and our accounts, but do we still think the pricing seems off?  I was looking at a cruise at the end of this year and it went from $1,800 per person before the website change to $5,600 per person now.  That just seems really odd to have that big of a leap.

Same here for a cruise I've been looking at.  I'm just wondering if the $5,600 is per cabin not person.  I am pricing on the Australian site and it used to be per cabin but what I can see now does not specify.  Does what you see say 'per person'?

On 3/16/2023 at 1:16 AM, islandwoman said:

How about on Quest?  New cloth, non-clinging shower curtains or old style clingy ones? We have a B2B booked in May. 

Was on Quest last month and they had the new shower curtains, a great improvement.

2 hours ago, Baynanno1 said:

Still waiting for points from our Quest Sydney to Perth that finished 3 weeks ago today.

 

Have written to several areas over the past week, but no response from any.

 

Keen to have the points visible prior to the IT change!

My 6th February cruise (same one you were on) is showing when I log in but with zero points against it. 

1 hour ago, G.T. said:

I read it as the $600 pp was the deposit on which 3% international transaction fee was charged by the Bank - so $18 pp.

 

Yes, you're correct. I've always booked direct with Azamara in Sydney and they have advised the CC fee when booking, my Visa CC I think is less than 3%. I have also seen the Dublin bank in past years. My current two bookings were banked in Ireland.

41 minutes ago, Ann Johnsen said:

We are new to Azamara and will be taking this cruise in a few weeks time.  Does anyone know where we can find out about theme nights and formal nights please?  Also does anyone know if there are free shuttle buses from the White Bay Terminal to Sydney CBD, we had no idea when we booked this cruise that we would be in White Bay.

We are on this cruise too.  Have been on Azamara several times, our favourite cruise line. There are no formal nights (smart casual for dinner in the MDR)  There should be a 'white night' deck dinner/entertainment where you can wear something white if you wish.  There is a roll call so come and join   https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2796255-december-21-2022-azamara-quest-australia-intensive/page/6/ 

Post 129 on the roll call shows how to register for the Meet and Mingle.

If you go into the Azamara forum on Cruise Critic I think you will find alot of info there about cruising with them.

Happy anniversary - what a lovely cake!  Enjoying your photos, love Greece but still have more to see there (just wish that flight wasn't so long from 'down under'!

When I sign into my account with Azamara is always recognises that I am in Australia and quotes is AUD.  I am currently watching two cruises with them.  However, if it's just a random ad that I look at (without signing in) then it has sometimes come up in USD.  Hopes this helps.  Never had a problem speaking to someone even in the long gone days of the Guatemala call centre!

On 12/14/2021 at 5:55 AM, ellie1145 said:

 

Thank you Vera (Westaussie). 

 

Until a few days ago things were looking more normal, but Omicron has reared its ugly head and thrown everything up in the air again. 

 

I hope to be able to start another review shortly, and hope you will join me again. Its been great to have you along. 

 

Take care and I wish you a happy and healthy 2022.

We're open to overseas flights but not cruise ships yet, probably not till October 2022 for the summer season here.  Had another cruise cancelled....

Look forward to joining you on your next review.

Best wishes to you and your family for the new year.

Thank you for another enjoyable cruise with you (on our favourite cruise line).

When you're in Dublin next hope you can spend minimum of a week.  We stayed not far from your hotel, lovely area - one of our favourite cities!

Look forward to your next travels.

Vera

I'm putting on weight just looking at your photos!!!  You mention going to Spain in September, just check weather then, can be very humid and windy (I lived in Southern Europe for sixteen years).

So lovely to be 'travelling' with you again and to all familiar places.  Will be hard to beat your Cuba one it was so interesting with, as always, great photos.  Hope it's not too long till you're writing another one and not too long till we sail Azamara again. Vera

6 hours ago, tgg said:

One more vote for bringing back the harpist.  The music was lovely and we got to try to play the harp. Where else would I ever have had a chance to feel what it's like to play a harp?  Just holding it gave me new appreciation for harpists.

 

Harp music also greatly added to the ship's ambience.

Another vote to bring back the harpist.  Mary Amanda 's talk about playing the harp was so interesting and to then let us have a go and finding it needed so much strength gave us much more appreciation of her playing.  She was full of travel knowledge and a joy to chat with.

Thank you Ellie for another great review.  So glad you made it home ok and also that your son is doing well.

Look forward to your next reviews! 

Take care

Vera

Looking at this cruise too.  Have been in Sydney for NYE but stayed within walking distance, unless there was a shuttle back to the ship I think transport back to White Bay could be a problem.  Like you, I dislike crowds so would stay on board.

You're making me homesick (for Azamara)!!  Have a great cruise.

3 hours ago, Baynanno1 said:

We have not had any email regarding a security breach "down under" and I see so far no posts from other Australians saying they have received this email.

We have not done any Royal cruises and just a couple of Celebrity. Most of our cruising life has been with Azamara.

Have not received an email regarding this either.  We have had several sailings on all three brands but mostly Azamara.

3 hours ago, Baynanno1 said:

Several days ago, maybe a week or a little less, I was unable to react to posts and when I tried to respond to a quote, the whole page appeared, not just the quote to which I wanted to respond. I logged out and back in several time, but the problem persisted.

 

The following day all was well again.

 

Today I have struck the same problem, so after posting this I will log out and see what happens tomorrow.

 

I would be interested to know whether any other regular users of the site have experienced similar recently?

Having same problem as you for a couple of days and also having to log in at every session.  Happened to me several years ago but been good till last three days. 

Lovely to see you back!  Look forward to your report on Regal, believe my cousin was on the first one but haven't heard from her.  Looks like our February cruise to NZ will be cancelled, no ships here during our summer.  Love your photos of Mexico, have only been to a couple of ports there.

40 minutes ago, PurpleTraveller said:

 

You definitely should put it on your bucket list! The scenery was fantastic and we loved every minute of our cruise. I'd happily do another Norway cruise in the future. If you are interested I did a review of my cruise (nothing like one of your reviews but some nice photos). 😊

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2678142-norway-land-of-the-midnight-sun-on-sapphire-princess-june-15-2019/

Like you, we are now in lockdown too, so I am thoroughly enjoying your review of Norway.  Lovely photos and so far all places we have been too (lived in Malta for 16 years - so much history there).  Sailed out of Southampton three years ago so I should find some familiar places there.

Ellie, I'm still with you but sad that this trip will be over soon!

Still very much enjoying our travels together, especially now that we are in Lahaina!  My favourite place on the three occasions we've been there.  Though, after looking at your photos I do feel very homesick for another cruise.  Hope you have good medical results.