Maggie North

Also important to turn off "WiFi Assist" (at the bottom of the cellular section under all the apps) even when on Airplane Mode. When WiFi signal is weak, phone automatically switches to Cellular.  I even have this and data roaming turned off on land.

I always set an alarm on boarding day...a reminder to turn on Airplane Mode around noon on phone and iPad and watch (which is about the time I sign into ship WiFi).

Here is my B2B confession: I like turnaround day, watching everyone leave and having the ship 'to ourselves' for a few hours! Running into crew/staff/officers can be entertaining: "are you STILL here?" Keeping same cabin is wonderful; just unpack once!

If you are able to do B2Bs...I highly recommend!

We finished a 4xB2B in June....some of the similar destinations that you have planned, although it began with a Transatlantic. Honestly, even if menus/entertainment repeated, the last three cruises were so port intensive (as yours will be), we didn't care at all. We were never bored; spent time planning our port stops and looking at maps. And during downtime, searched the website for future cruises! Back to backs are our new obsession; only way we book these days!  Won't take long for all crew/staff and officers to know you by name!! Enjoy your cruises!!

Maybe they want to ensure all new stock is ready. Many times on the first day, we hear that our selection is "on board" but not distributed yet. So we wait...no big deal. On the first night, celebrate by buying a nice wine/sparkling with your Elite discount...and order your free drinks on night #2. 

The app usually isn't fully functional until just before sail date; just give it time and don't stress. You also have to keep refreshing it if things don't show up; staff is constantly updating it when onboard. 

Nice! We do enjoy the WCB on S class ships (and on Beyond, although in a noisy location); will be on the Infinity shortly, so will definitely give it a try!  Thanks for the news!

2 hours ago, Tony UK said:

On the app it is showing $60 a la carte and $160 for tasting menu. Wine pairing isnt mentioned but the price doesnt make any sense otherwise!

W tend not to do wine pairing. We have a premium drink package so thats usuallly sufficient!

We really look forward to dining in Eden so I hope to try the tasting menu

Maybe things are done differently now; but that was our experience. Either way, it is a beautiful venue with amazing service and dishes! Enjoy!

Check in opens 45 days before sailing. Look on website and click on 'log in' top right corner. Manage reservation shows you list of cruises; can check in from there.

We enjoyed this a few months ago on Edge, I believe. It was fabulous; same price as the fixed price. Enjoyed seven courses (smaller versions of menu items), we each picked one item of each course so we could sample everything. There was a wine pairing offered which did almost double the price (maybe that is what you are seeing?), but we decided to just order two bottles (at sommelier's recommendation). 

I would recommend it just to sample almost every dish.

Thank you for the report; hope all is well now!

1 minute ago, mahdnc said:

Perhaps I may be mistaken. I came across this very recent thread which tends to suport what you heard. 

 

 

Interesting....guess I will find out in October.  Thanks for your detective work.

5 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

Yes, I realize that which is why I said I think your CVP is mistaken and not you. 

 

I simply do not recall reading on CC that Infinity is limited in that way.  When I get a chance, I will scour CC to see if I can back that up. 

I am doing the same...hubby read on a FB forum that wifi is very weak inside cabins, but signal is stronger in more public areas such as Solarium and Sky Lounge. Interesting that booking a Retreat cabin (which we do not have), Premium wifi is offered as an amenity.  Within the "plan your cruise" section under our account, only Wifi  devices is offered...no mention of either Basic or Premium.

If I remember, I will report back after boarding this ship with a solid answer.  I appreciate your efforts.

2 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

 

I think your CVP is mistaken. 

I was simply reporting what I heard...please let me if you are aware of more information. TIA.

I just tried to upgrade our internet on Infinity on a cruise in October 2023 and was told by our Personal Vacation Planner that the infrastructure on Infinity doesn't support Premium wifi....therefore only Basic is available. Not a big deal, but we plan to inquire when we board. 

51 minutes ago, the penguins said:

No need for detergent X's shampoo works just great.

Ha ha....never thought of that! Will have to give it a try! 

We pack mostly lightweight tech-type fabrics that can be washed in our sink and hung in the bathroom (using magnetic hooks); everything dries quickly. We bring detergent sheets (little squares that melt in water) and foldable hangers.When we send laundry out, it is usually pjs, undies, socks and jeans (in colder weather cruises) or things that might take a while to dry. There is a Downy wrinkle-release product that we have used on occasion. We just make a point to not pack garments that need a lot of care...and no one has complained that we aren't "chic" enough!  Ha ha!

Just returned from a 45 day 4x B2Bs cruise and only had one medium sized case and backpack each. We have found that the key is to pack as few shoes as possible, as they take a lot of room. When I stick to one color scheme, it is easier to pack lighter (ie; all black/gray or navy/khaki). Flesh toned shoes/sandals go with just about anything.

PS: I realize the original question was about laundry; but these are ways to pack lighter and maybe avoid much laundry. 

Enjoy your TA...we LOVE them!

Such great posts and comments; looking into Hurtigruten and sounds so refreshing! 

Thank you for this review. We are looking into Hurtigruten for a cruise in the future and this certainly helps to put it into perspective. 

4 hours ago, davekathy said:

Celebrity calls them infinite Verandas (IV). Celebrity introduced the first E class ship in 2018. The Edge. The IVs are on all the E class ships. Apex, Beyond, Edge and the Ascent coming out later this year. 

Thank you! I am quite familiar with IVs, having just enjoyed one on the Apex TA. Don’t understand the negativity towards them; especially on a rocky/rainy/cold TA. Was perfect for us.

Have not heard of an ‘infinite balcony’. Is this new?

Hey…can’t believe it’s been 8 days and we haven’t found you guys yet! Has been a great cruise; mostly because we have discovered that we DON’T get seasick! We have been re-acquainted with a favorite server from two years ago (will not disclose her name so she won’t get too busy). We are in an IV now (PERFECT for a rough NA crossing IMHO) but will move to an S1 on the next three. Having a great time!

4 hours ago, brazilgirl said:

Like you , we have mostly sailed on Celebrity in the past. I think Azamara will be very enjoyable, happy sailing!

 

I know in just the last few years Madeira has really developed a lot. We live on mainland Portugal and the Portuguese comment about all the development and the boom of tourism there. It really did blow me away, I hope it maintains the level of development it has now, which is nicely balanced and not become overly developed like some islands ( Tenerife for example is lovely but has passed that nice balance IMHO)

 

Let us know what you think of Azamara when you get back from your cruise in October 😃

I travel to Madeira via Google maps and can see all the tunnels on the west side of the island, where we took tiny roads teetering on the edge of cliffs 40 years ago!! We are anxious to return to look for familiar places but understand things change. 

I do believe we sail into Lisbon next year on yet another cruise!  Ha! We keep saying that when our cruising days are over, we plan to fly to Portugal and Spain and DRIVE through the countries. We lived in Amsterdam in the 80's (thus we would have NEVER thought of going to Madeira on our honeymoon!!!)...and saw a lot of Europe (but not Spain and Portugal; hard to get to on a long weekend!)  by car. Will be fun to see some of the same cities from the deck of a cruise ship!

I'll try to report back...thanks for your reply!

Thank you for your newbie review! We are not sailing on Azamara until next October, but have a few more  in our sites! Have sailed mostly Celebrity in the past, and we have quite a few booked between now and then!

I appreciate your comment about Funchal; we honeymooned there in the '80's and have not been back since. Will visit next spring...so looking forward to that for sure. From photos I have seen, the island is more developed now. We stayed at the Reids Hotel...which I do believe is walking distance from the port!

Thanks again and wishing you happy sailings in the future.

Thanks for the tip to click on the "edit" icon to select a different stateroom.

I just mock booked a cruise (had to enter contact info before seeing which cabin was assigned), clicked on the paper & pencil icon to see available cabins. I selected a different cabin, clicked on 'continue', went back to summary page, but original cabin was still there.

Guess bugs are still there; will wait and try again at a later date.

Thanks for starting this thread; I never thought about emergency dental care! Got some long cruises coming up so ordered a couple of kits in case we need temporary repairs. Fingers crossed we DON'T need them!