beachseeker

We were on the same cruise as Cinnamon and agree with many of her comments. Ron Lucas was the highlight of the entertainment, we thought the food in the MDR was good to very good, and thought Paul Rutter did a good job as CD. The negatives for us were a very hard mattress and noise from the WJ starting around 5 AM (cabin 8508). We used the ship excursion to Maya Key in Roatan and highly recommend the short trip to this island. Beautiful setting with very good snorkeling. We thought the ship handled the rough seas very well and Captain Lis was very visible throughout the cruise. There was a long line for embarkation but since it was the first cruise out of Tampa it was to be expected. DH submitted an official review of our trip to CC today for more details and thoughts. For all the positives on the Vision the ridiculously hard mattress is a deal breaker for us. And yes, we reported it, asked for a egg crate topper. Concierge tried to get us a new mattress but seems we didn't asked soon enough. There were lots of complaints about the beds with many requests for different mattresses or toppers. Our steward did place two comforters under our mattress pad but it only helped slightly.

DW and I are fresh of Grandeur of the Seas. The mattresses are the worst. Prison/county lockup quality and the bed springs squeak like a bad night scene in a 'R' rated movie. If you have back issues or are not moderately in shape your back will be aching I the AM.

 

Just another sign of corners cut.

 

 

JKrise

Hate to hear this. We were looking at a Bermuda cruise on Grandeur. I had hoped the hard mattresses were only on the Vision. We were on the Vision this week in a GS. Hardest mattresses ever! Steward placed two comforters under the mattress pad but it helped only slightly. We were told there were no egg crate toppers but heard others say they were given a topper. First time I was ready to leave the cruise. Overall, we had a good cruise but the hard mattresses are a deal breaker for us.

If you couldn't dock in Cozumel, tendering in the Caymans will be really iffy.

Winds calmed and we arrived much earlier than scheduled. Gorgeous day in Grand Cayman!

We are looking at a cruise on the Grandeur to Bermuda. We are currently on the Vision in a GS. The bed is the hardest bed in all of our cruises. We talked to the room steward and Concierge and they put extra comforters under the mattress protector but it did not help. Many, many people are complaining about the hard beds on board. Can anyone give me information on the mattresses on the Grandeur, especially in a GS?

Also, since the ships are similar avoid 8508. The noise from the WJ starting about 5:30 is very loud. First cruise that I do not feel rested after a week at sea.

Appreciate any information on the beds.

We think the Vision has handled the rough seas as well as any cruise ship that we have sailed. She shudders more than she rocks but handles the big waves well.

Not a good day to be in port anyway:eek:

It rained all day in Costa Maya yesterday too. I think many stayed on the boat or went into the terminal area only. We cancelled our beach fly fishing excursion due to the lightning when we first docked.

Oh yuck!!!! It is cold and windy in Florida today.

 

I am boarding this Saturday, can you tell me when the ariel show is in the centrum?

It was last night (Costa Maya).

Ship - Vision of the Seas

Deck - 8

Stateroom # - 8508

Stateroom Category – GS

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard

 

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – NO! We were awakened every morning about 5:30 with the noise from the windjammer. They were preparing for breakfast. You would hear the same noise about 11:30 pm as they cleaned up from the day

 

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - no

 

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – balcony is under the overhang of the windjammer. We were protected from any rain that may come down. Not a great choice for sunbathers, but we loved it. There was nothing obstructing the view. You can watch the bridge personnel on the wing of the bridge as you come into port.

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - normal

Was wind a problem? - if you stayed within the balcony, no. Leaning out over the balcony (looking forward or aft) was windy.

 

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - n/a

 

Any specific problems with this cabin? - nothing other than the noise.

 

Any other comments? - We loved the room and the balcony. Perhaps if you had ear plugs the noise would be bearable.

Agree with noise from Windjammer. We were awakened every morning and not able to go back to sleep and I am not even close to a light sleeper. I would also add that the mattress is the firmest that I have ever had in a suite. Our steward placed two comforters under the bottom sheet and it only helped slightly. We did like to L-shaped sofa and chair configuration. The bath tub is longer than the tub in a GS on the Adventure.

Due to high winds our stop in Cozumel was cancelled today. We are rocking and rolling our way to Grand Cayman.

Translation: I was lucky enough to be on the maiden transatlantic voyage of one of the most anticipated ships in years. It's innovative, it's beautiful, and I was there! Now that I'm home, all I can think to do is run to the computer and complain about not getting free eggs in my room!

I thank the OP for the heads up. Breakfast on our balcony is one of the top reasons we love cruising. Everyone has their ahhhs, and not dealing with the buffet or MDR in the morning and enjoying the beauty of the ocean as we dine is ours. If breakfast room service becomes a item that we have to pay extra for, we will NOT cruise with that cruise line. Period.

I would like e-mails when you have something to say, like when there's a new promotion or a new bit of news.

Ditto.

i look at other small lines for newest or size of cabin but no wherre do i get "officers' who call me by name and hug me.

Robin, I know that you spend many weeks on Azamara and I'm not surprised that the officers and crew know you well, as they should. But for the one voyage a year customer, we did not find the familiarity that I read about on CC. Before our first voyage I read about everyone knowing your name and I had unrealistic expectations. The only person that called us by name was our steward and butler on the first cruise. I agree that officers were very visible and friendly with a smile and hello in passing, but never by name. Second trip on Quest was pretty much the same. We received much more personal attention from the Concierges on Royal and NCL than Azamara. But the small ship, itineraries, and late times in ports are what brought us to Azamara and will keep us looking at Azamara for our vacations.

My reasoning for posting is that I don't want someone new to Azamara to be disappointed as we were on our first cruise.

I could've swore i saw peoples signatures showing cruises booked further out than this... I must have been mistaken.

There are some cruise lines that are open for booking for all of 2016. Azamara is one that I know is a available.

No - lots of parking available near each ship berth. :)

Thanks!

Parking at POM is covered, convenient and secure - but costs $20/day. :(

 

Parking anywhere else will not be as convenient (crowded shuttles or shuttles that do not show), will likely not be covered, and for sure will not be as secure! :eek:

 

It is your car - do you feel lucky? :confused:

 

Some of the hotels that offer cruise parking deals do a good job - occasionally the Hampton Inn Mary Brickell in downtown would be my top suggestion. Hotels in the Blue Lagoon area near MIA are also okay. None offer a free shuttle back to your car - so figure $20-25+ for a cab.

 

www.parksleepfly.com and www.stay123.com are two sources for hotel cruise parking deals. Good luck! :)

Do you need reservations for the parking at the port?

I believe a sport coat or jacket is not formal wear and my friend belongs to MCYC and I am surprised they allowed men to not wear one. It is a lovely club and I would hate for anyone to miss the opportunity due to no jacket.

Maybe formal is the word that is confusing. If we had to pack DH's sports jacket or suit or tux and a cocktail appropriate attire for me that requires additional items for our suitcase that would not be worn (or needed) at any other time on our 14 to 20 days that we are on vacation, I would not be happy. And yes, we could make the decision to not attend but I am surprised that a cruise line that does not require more formal (dressy) attire at any time on the cruise would require the attire for the Amazing Evening. Since our only cruise with Azamara planned at the moment is a Panama cruise, I don't think it will be an issue. Just my thoughts on the subject.

Has somebody been on board any Azamara ship for Christmasand New Year and can share with us their experience?

We have sailed twice for Christmas and New Years. Once with Oceania and once with Celebrity. While in Oceania the whole athmosphere, celebrations and menue were very nice and grand, in Celebrity, besides the Christmas tree on the bottom of the stairs we did not find anything memorable.

How is it on board Azamara ships?

We were on the Quest last year for New Year's Eve. We were supposed to be in St Bart's but due to rough seas and a bay crowded with private yachts we could not get close enough to tender safely. We returned to St Martin where we docked. The deck party was awesome with a fireworks display provided by St Martin. Wonderful evening even if we missed the intended port. This was our 3rd New Years cruise, all on different lines, and Azamara's celebration was the best hands down. It was a cruise from San Juan to Miami. There were many large multi generational family groups along with a company that had 100+ employees on board so the demographics was very different from a typical Azamara cruise. Lounges and specialty restaurants were crowded but I don't think this is the case most times.

... that I

 

 

f) would like to have a more time in a port to explore the areas that I couldn't do otherwise?

 

 

or am I on my own on this?

If this is important check out some of the smaller cruise lines such as Azamara. Most port stays are much later and some are overnight.

For St Lucia we love to snorkel between the Pitons. It us easy walk-in snorkeling with a lot to see. Spencer Ambrose has a great excursion that takes you to the beach via a boat ride. We have gone twice and are booked for Feb 2015.

If you haven't swam with the turtles in Barbados, it was a great experience. There are several good private excursions that include the turtle stop.

Both of these are good for beginning snorkelers.

 

If I did Alaska again i would try a different ship just to say i sailed on her.. but i want the time in ports and really do ont want to pack formal clothes for there.

We did a land + cruise to Alaska last month on the Coral Princess. It is certainly larger than Azamara but had a small ship feel. We did not take formal clothes and ate in the buffet once and a specialty restaurant once. The time in Juneau was too short but the other stops were longer.

Susan

On our Mediterranean cruise we were scheduled to stop in Santorini followed by Capri. There were 5 other ships scheduled for Santorini on the same day with expected loooong lines for the cable car. Capt Carl announced the first night that we were switching Santorini and Capri so that there would only be one other small ship in port with us in Santorini. Absolutely no lines!

Another smile. We were in a suite and I asked for Bloody Mary mix so I could make Bloody Mary's with the included vodka. Butler said no mix on board but he would take care of me. Brought me all the ingredients so I could make my Bloody Mary from scratch each morning. Love breakfast with my Bloody Mary on my balcony. That's when I know I am on vacation!

pacheco18,

I did not see you mention specialty restaurants and their availability. If you did not eat in one, did you hear anyone discussing being able to make reservations past the first day?

Susan

I think you are right. For us, the crew--on both ships--has always "clicked." Takes two to click.

I think there are many factors that can affect the vibe of a cruise, even with a positive attitude from the guests. Length of cruise, cruise destination, weather, demographics, etc. If our only cruise on Azamara was our last cruise which was West Indies during New Year's Eve holiday time, we would not have rebooked. Luckily our first cruise was a 10 day Mediterranean cruise which was delightful in so many ways. We both feel the Caribbean does not bring out Azamara's strength and the large multi generational family groups that were on board during the holidays created congestion in the lounges and specialty restaurants. We are hoping it was just an off cruise and not the norm. If our Panama cruise in 2016 disappoints, I doubt I will get DH to book Azamara again. Time will tell, but my point is a positive attitude doesn't always make a cruise really good.

This won't apply to the OP since they are traveling together but good info for experienced cruisers who are helping novice cruisers. A couple from work were taking their first cruise and pumped me for information for about 6 months. I thought I had relayed everything they would need to know on the ship and suggested excursions in all the ports. Was shocked when they returned and told me they didn't realize until the last day that they could eat in the MDR for free. They had been eating in the buffet for the first 6 days. I was so embarrassed that I had not talked about the different dining options.

We did the land part first followed by the cruise. I learned how much cruising has me spoiled. After 4 different hotels in 7 days, I was so glad to get on the ship and unpack once for the week. I am so glad we did the land part first.

Ditto. We went two days early plus 7 day land tour. I was ready to get on the ship and relax. First two days out of Whittier were glacier viewing days so felt rested when we hit Skagway.