Belfastman

Never heard of drinks up to $15 being included in the ultimate package ( this was a Celebrity thing). Cocktails in Atlas Bar are over $17 and are included. I believe it is the listed drinks that are included.

Still using plastic.

Atlas bar is a nice cozy bar located where the library is on the other ships but is only found on Onward at the moment. It serves a different range of cocktails (which are included if you have the Ultimate drinks package) and also other upscale drinks. The cocktails served are also available in the Den on the other ships.

I have been notified today of new sailings for Quest to fill the time when she was due to be in dry dock (1st April 2024 - 14th April 2024). I wonder what has happened to the dry dock which is over due and when it might now happen?

Did you mean Onward?

You can get Med cruises on Azamara in an inside cabin for about £120 - £170 pp per night.

The Ultimate package is still the same price as it has been for the past three or four years.

Yes indeed senior officers will also rotate between ships from next year in particular the Captains.

For flights before 11.30am there is a direct transfer from Fusina to the airport. The transfer leaves the ship at 6.45am. Your flight details will be checked by Italian customs before you are allowed on the transfer. Apparently some guests on our cruise who had flights slightly later than 11.30am tried to get the early transfer but were prevented.

There was English bacon every morning on Onward for our last three cruises.

On Onward two weeks ago the muster drill was delivered to small group of about eight people shortly after boarding, although we were given the choice of attending anytime before 5.00pm on embarkation day.

We disembarked in Fusina a few days ago and had booked an Azamara transfer to Venice airport. I'll describe how this works. After leaving the ship guests are directed to coaches by Azamara staff depending on their flight times (your luggage has already gone ahead to Maritima). The coach then takes you to Maritima where you leave the coach and enter a warehouse type building to reclaim your luggage. You then exit the building to board a different coach for your journey to the airport - there are no passport or any other checks at Fusina or Maritima. The coach journey to the airport takes about 20 minutes and you leave the coach with your luggage in a car park about 15 minute walk from the terminal. We had to stand in the car park in 35 C bright sunshine for several minutes while everyone got their luggage and then were guided to the terminal. I'm not sure why you cannot be taken directly from Fusina to the airport as there were no checks of any kind at Maritima.

Captain is Carl Smith, cruise director is Martin Lawson and hotel director is Elizabeth Vogel. However I understand that all of these will have left the ship before you board. Roy Ryan is assistant cruise director ( not sure when he leaves ).

Newly promoted Staff Captain just joined Onward yesterday - James Brennan.

No one person can upgrade and at any time throughout the voyage.

When boarding Onward they tell you where the reservation desk is - no need for hide and seek!!

On the current Onward voyage the desk was in Aqualina only.

Currently on Onward Loyalty hostess has access to everyone's Loyalty status including how many nights have been sailed. She has printed mine and it is correct.

No reason to avoid Onward. Having sailed twice on Onward and on Pursuit since Covid there is no difference and if anything I prefer Onward both for the staff and facilities.

Piper Heidiesck is the ultimate package champagne on Onward now. They have Whispering Angel and Mondavi Pinot Noir also.

No reservations required and it does not get crowded.

Your maths are not correct. 14 nights at $1120 is $80 per night!!

The Den is another place where the noise level from the pianist is very loud. We had great difficulty ordering a drink at the bar or talking to the person next to you on a recent cruise.

Pursuit and Journey were in Monaco for the Grand Prix.

The other difference is that on Onward there are more suites. As suites get complimentary access to Prime C and Aqualina it can be harder to get reservations for the time you want if you are not in a suite.