ikelmay

It sounds like guest response to the Shorts on Ships concept has been uniformly negative.

Kudos to Azamara for taking decisive action and responding to feedback. My impression from talking to Russ (CD) early on in the entertainment cycle was that Azamara was taking feedback very seriously.

I think the idea was interesting, but the writing and production was poor. I'm curious to see how Azamara plugs the hole in support as the actors doubled as entertainment staff during the day. Anyone want to volunteer to organise the trivia sessions?

the journey casino:

It's possible that the entertainment transition on Quest hasn't been so dramatic as on Journey, and not quite such a shell shock to guests.

Our very recent Quest Panama cruise featured a selection of 54 Below guest performers, the Shorts on Ships and a Russ solo and an Ernest solo show. We also had a Sasha (band leader) piano solo performance who was covering for a missing guest artist. Sasha's reception was so positive that I understand he is being brought back in house so maybe a permanent option of his performing.

I would say that CD Russ was actively seeking constructive input and feedback regarding the new format and entertainment offerings. My sense was that the new subcontractors certainly aren't a done deal if feedback continues to be wholly negative.

I am astonished that Azamara is using the automated gaming tables in the casino. They cracked me up on NCL 10 years ago because they were so cheap and tacky. If I recall, the preprogrammed scantily dressed "croupier" periodically leans forward and leers at potential customers and asks if they want to come and join in the fun................... yeesh.

I appreciate the attempt by Azamara to refresh the onboard entertainment provided, but I'm a little perplexed by 54Below's approach. It feels like they are throwing everything at the wall and seeing what will stick.

The Quest's 54 Below acts on our recent cruise were more 'mainstream' and mostly enjoyable - were they any different to acts on any other cruise line? No, not really.

The Shorts on Ships selection however was a radical departure but, I fear, not a good one. It must be tough for performers on board having to endure what I suspect will be a tough crowd giving honest feedback. I can't imagine how depressing it must be for a performer to see a half empty theatre and then have some of the remaining guests walk out.

On our 17 day cruise, the Shorts on Ships formed the evening entertainment on two separate nights in the Cabaret. An early and late repeat of the same three plays (just in case you want to catch an encore performance).

I like the idea behind the 54 Below partnership, the Azamara stage suits the concept of cabaret/supper club entertainment. This of course is dependent on keeping the calibre of guest entertainer at a certain level.

We enjoyed most of the acts - Samantha Ivey, Jennifer De Noia and Matthew Hydzik were all featured vocal performers. Jakum Trasak, an amazingly talented violinist. The standout ironically was Sasha, Quest's resident arranger and backing pianist. He filled in for a late arriving guest artist, and was remarkable.

I had a message back from an experienced cruise friend of mine today who is on Journey at the moment and I asked him about the entertainment. His comment was "The shows are horrible. Honestly. OMG.":eek:

 

Phil

The welcome onboard opening show featured a 'Short' entitled Oy Vey Mariah. Here's the synopsis:

Now I have no particular religious affinity or leaning, but even I did a double take and went 'ouch' as the stereotypes came and went along with the jewish mother, Mary, Joseph and the baby. I'm not too sure this was thought all the way through. What might look good on a storyboard in Lower Manhattan maybe doesn't translate too well given the sailing demographics of Azamara.

I'm not sure the supplementary music entertainment onboard has changed recently, cruisers with recent experience could advise.

As it is 6 years since we last sailed with Azamara (we've been sailing with Celebrity) I was aware of the changes that we saw - but I missed the guitar player in Windows, the harpist (who I know has been long gone) and Max who was a very entertaining pianist.

To be fair, every cruise line has seen cutbacks and streamlining and I wouldn't have expected Azamara to be any different.

Just off the Quest and Yes, Yes and Yes.

I'd be very interested in other cruisers' honest feedback on the new entertainment format. Kudos to Azamara for trying something different, but I feel this will need a LOT of tweaking to say the least. I enjoyed some of the guest entertainment, but I don't see the format as being any different. I sense that it's just an outsourcing of this segment of the entertainment schedule.

As to the Shorts on Ships - oh dear. We suffered through 7 of them (including the first night teaser that went down like a lead balloon) and they were uneven to say the least. I just don't feel the writing is strong enough or that the format has been tested thoroughly. What might work for a roomful of texting millennials with attention deficit doesn't necessarily work at sea.

It also didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that by enlisting the 'actors' into secondary roles (daily trivia hosts, guest artist follow spotlight control) you can eliminate one or more of the onboard entertainment staffing slots.

I was surprised by the overwhelming negative reaction to the Shorts on Ships concept from guests we chatted to, perhaps the idea needs a bit of fine tuning. Time will tell.

Great news! I'm looking forward to exploring Cartagena. Thanks for the replies.

Hi everyone, we are returning to Azamara after a period with Celebrity. Can experienced cruisers who may have taken AZ through the Panama, confirm if Azamara still offers complimentary shuttle transportation?

I'm wondering specifically about Cartagena, Colombia. It throws me a tad when I see "Complimentary shuttle transportation" on web pages but followed by an asterisk and "where available".

Has anyone any experience with an organised walking tour in Chania Town? I'm happy to do my own thing on our visit in October, but it's always more enjoyable with local guides.

Thanks in advance

We will be indulging ourselves this cruise with the Celebrity Premium Drinks package for the first time, and I'm researching like crazy.

Is it my imagination or did I just notice repricing on the majority of World Class bar specialty drinks? I previously saw $12 as the general charge, but I have just spotted an uploaded menu shot which shows $15. Of course I now can't find that particular web page.

Any input from very recent cruisers would be appreciated.

Hello all - I need help from seasoned X cruisers.

I'm looking at booking a last minute X with an online agency that is offering prepaid grats and other goodies. Trouble is, the small print seems to say that prepaid grats offered is only available for fixed dining options. We usually prefer flexible dining. Chances are, if we jump at this cruise at this late stage, only the later traditional dining option will be available.

Does anyone have experience with this requirement of prepaid grats only being available for traditional dining?

also, what would the chances be to try and change from fixed to flexible on board? These days (it's a few years since we've taken X) is flexible more popular than it used to be? We just don't want to be stuck with late night dining and no other options.

thanks very much

Thanks - four bottles will be more than enough for us!

Hi everyone, we are about to embark on a WindStar cruise and looking forward to it very much.

A question please - I seem to have conflicting answers from what seems to be 2 alternate Windstar websites (one I access looks like an older WindStar web page, and one a more modern page)...... one FAQ tells me that I can bring wine onboard for in-cabin consumption (i.e. no limitation) and one says passengers may bring two bottles.

So which is it? and just to add to the lack of clarity, if it is a two bottle limit is that per passenger or per cabin?

I don't want to turn up with 4 bottles, only to find the cruise line will not permit more than 2.

Thanks for your input.

Same experience here. When I was following up on an email offer I was routed from Azamara's website to their 'preferred' agency. Their pricing, when they got back to me, was much higher than other sites that I found within a few clicks of my mouse.

I suspect it's just the onshore check-in staff who are always in a hurry processing your embarkation forms, and as pointed out, see the citizenship and then charge in local currency rather than USD.

I'd agree, check your onboard account at some point to see how charges are being billed - it has only happened to us once on Princess (our second cruise, long before I realised this could happen), and even after the cruise they happily recalculated the charges and refunded us the difference (after realising that yes, we had ticked the correct box and asked for billing in USD).

I also highlight and star the paragraph on the Express Pass and usually also write in capitals "BILL IN USD PLEASE".

IMO, I think Celebrity are a good way down the road to losing us. We have taken a two year break from X and were experiencing other lines - we returned to one of the Solstice ships, our favourite vessels I think of any cruise ship.

Despite being forewarned by CC, the cutbacks and changes were noticeable and very disheartening. It didn't help that we seemed to be surrounded by a lot of grumpy and generally ticked off passengers, so maybe the collective sense of things going downhill was common.

I just don't think they are scoring as well as they should be in the various areas - having the Captain's Club benefits is still a really nice bonus, but other lines do some things way better for a more competitive price, and it has become difficult to justify the cost for the experience.

The tram system is fast, easy to navigate and convenient - it would certainly be my choice.

I would add that anyone choosing the taxi option should have their wits about them - three separate groups on our Journey cruise reported getting ripped off by different scams ( the "I quoted in Euros not Turkish Lira" trick, and also the switcheroo on the higher denomination euro for a lower one when the note was passed over).

I'd normally take stories like these with a grain of salt, but of course with Azamara ships being so small, these were upset people we talked to that same evening.

Sady, boorish ignorant and obnoxious passengers are to be found on most if not all cruise lines. We had an unpleasant quartet on our last Celebrity cruise who decided it was their birthright to push to the front of the departing queue of passengers, primarily because they had a suite cabin and were felt they were entitled.

We became involved accidentally but they of course decided to fling various epithets at us (a gay couple) as we were passing them on the gangway. It was like water off a duck's back, and only proved that having money certainly doesn't give you class.

I can only imagine what led up to this reported confrontation as I wasn't there. I can only hope that Celebrity had more supporting evidence to warrant throwing a passenger off than a '"he said, he said" argument.

This only reinforces my sense that cruise lines aren't very good at adjudicating and settling differences and arguments between passengers and go for the least awkward and easiest option every time.

Whatever flowery rhetoric RCCL uses to describe the Celebrity new builds (for instance, what exactly is Modern Luxury?) I'd still not describe them in any shape or form as 'premium'.

The relevant point though, is that RCCL sees fit to announce yet another 2 ships for the brand. The only serious vote of confidence by the parent company is its commitment in terms of tonnage. I can't believe Celebrity is getting another two vessels after barely a pause of breath following on completion of the Solstice class.

I'm another one who thinks Azamara's future will be within the extended Celebrity brand.

With LP announcing recently that Azamara had finally broken into profit with the two ships, it will be interesting to see if RCCL can stay the course and hang on to them.

Modern cruise economics seems to be dictating that everyone move in the direction of larger ships with a much greater capacity. The R class seems to be a hangover from the past, occupying a niche sector. I hope Azamara can continue to tweak the product to make it work, they are up against some serious competition in the high to premium cruise sector.

I would expect some thought given soon to investment to keep the Quest and Journey in the game. The crew do an exceptional job of maintaining standards, but it must be getting very difficult with older ships such as these two.

The art auction's presence does grate, even though they have been back on Azamara for a while. I can't help associating it with high pressure sales and taking advantage. I know, buyer beware, and you can ignore the hoopla - but it still doesn't ring true for me on the small Az vessels.

Not sure what the intention is of Kiawahdon, but what is the intention of Azamara's Chiefing Blogging Officer? What is the role of the CBO on this forum? This post seems to cross the boundary of listening and providing factual information.

Wish there was a like button available !!

I think Azamara will continue to score with the more interesting and varied itineraries, their onboard ambience and the great team of employees. For some, this will be weighed against other lines with newer ships and dramatically better cabins and facilities.

I will be interested to see the reception for Viking's new cruise ship, 928 passengers and all-verandah.