NC&KY

5 hours ago, Grandma Cruising said:

 we discovered that they have an incorrect email address for him. She’s going to find out how to amend it, which should sort it out, I hope. 

 

Bad timing, I know, but I have to change my e-mail address. I can't find anywhere on the webpage where I can do that. If you find out how to change your husband's, can you give me the secret formula?

For the first time ever, it appears Azamara will not be helping with getting visas for our Japan Intensive cruise in April. In general they have always obtained the visas on our behalf. If not, they have at least given us notice that we needed to get a visa on our own from Country A. This time, no notice whatsoever. Fortunately, someone on the Roll Call discovered that we need a visa to go ashore in South Korea (which currently is scheduled to be the location of our Azamazing Evening). I contacted my TA to ask what was going on, and they said Azamara will not be procuring visas on any of its cruises in the future! Has anyone else run into this situation? Is my TA misinformed?

Azamara is probably not a good match for you. Maybe Royal Caribbean? I think they are supposed to have a big sports bar.

Are you working with a Travel Agent?

6 hours ago, marinaro44 said:

Usually on sea days; sometimes port days if high passenger load.

Today we docked in Trieste at 1:00, so lunch was offered there noon to 1.

Well we talked our way onto a national park hike next week. Talked to excursions desk and told her we were over 65 but could do the hike. She said ok and booked us!

8 people were in Discoveries for lunch today. What a shame! Hint for newbies: don't miss lunch in Discoveries when it is offered, which isn't often. One of my favorites experiences.

On Pursuit now. 500 passengers. Aqualina and Prime C both open with separate menus. Dover sole is NOT on the regular menu but available readily by special request. Agree with earlier post; WiFi worse than usual.

44 minutes ago, KirkNC said:

  On the other hand the Dover Sole and Caprese salad is hard to beat in Aqualina.

Is the Dover sole on the regular menu or did you special-order it?

27 minutes ago, NC&KY said:

So are these the wines generally served to everyone or only if one opts for the upgraded package?

Never mind, I answered my own question. These are pretty basic, inexpensive wines that are available to everyone.

16 minutes ago, DS said:

 

On the current Quest voyage ( the not Morocco trip) Azamara rolled out their boutique wines.   There are 9 wines-- 4 reds, 4 white, and a Rose -- that are available every meal ( can't really say about breakfast...).  

So are these the wines generally served to everyone or only if one opts for the upgraded package?

For our April 9 cruise there are now 2 Venice excursions offered from Ravenna, a "Venice on Your Own" option as well as a guided tour. Each is listed as 9 hours.

1 hour ago, ECCruise said:

First thing in the morning (9 EDT).

Same experience. The earlier the better, because it's too early for people on the West Coast to be up yet.

4 hours ago, Baynanno1 said:

In the past, those stick on coloured numbers were related to the particular tour one was on.

The number was called and all those on that tour left the Cabaret Lounge together.

Yes, not a true ticket. If you are not on a ship tour (and I guess even if you are but you're in a hurry), you can simply go to the tender deck and hop on the next boat.

So where does one go to get the daily crossword, the daily sudoku? And where does one go to see a travel guide for the next port? Dreadful decision unless there are contingent plans for these questions. Purely because of itineraries, we've never been on any ship except Quest. We'll break that pattern in two weeks when we do a B2B on Pursuit. Then Quest again in a year. But if there's no answers for my questions, never on Onward.

5 hours ago, ECCruise said:

We book nothing non-refundable or non-changeable in this environment and we have dozens of flights and lodgings booked for the next 18 months or so. Just way too risky.

Same here except, if there are no other choices, I will make such a booking but immediately cover it with travel insurance.

It sounds like you've never taken a cruise on a small ship, whether it be Azamara, Oceania, or any other line. Not having to deal with the lines for tenders, dinner, coffee, elevators, and everything else is a cosmic difference. Once we moved to a smaller ship, we would never go back. We did make an exception when we sailed around the tip of South America on a big, but not huge, Princess ship because we were worried about the rough seas, and we've regretted it ever since. And we too do not typically opt for a suite; our go-to accommodation is a verandah, which is quite comfortable for us.

2 hours ago, Land From Down Under said:

 

Would I have booked this cruise had I know the frustration over 5 weeks this would cause “Absolutely not”.  Am I now excited at the prospect of going on a cruise again?  “Absolutely yes”

Thank you again everyone for your help

Awesome. Nice to hear about "happily ever after" endings.

2 hours ago, KirkNC said:

All is well onboard the Quest.  We were surprised that onboard, masks are optional for guests.  Most guests are going without.  Ship seems fairly empty.  We have been told different passenger counts with a low of 250 and a high of 350.  Food and crew have been great.  Our first exposure to a R class ship shower 🚿, tiny tiny tiny.  I can try and answer any specific questions.

Maybe you should post your reports on the Anyone On Board sticky? People are more likely to look there.

If you have a TA, have him or her to call.

Reservations at Aqualina or Prime C are not terribly difficult to get. They cannot be booked in advance. There will be a couple of desks the day of embarkation, and you can see what's available and book then. I've never had a problem getting a reservation, but we eat pretty late for Americans and we're flexible on dates.

It's been 10 years since our Baltic cruise, but on it if you took only ship excursions, you did not need a visa (or perhaps the cruise ship got a mass visa). If you had opted for private tours, you (or someone on your behalf) had to get a visa.

40 minutes ago, islandwoman said:

But the main dining room is included for everyone?

Yes

I'm not picky but DW can be, and she has never complained about them.

And a special bottle of wine.