Rabo

marinaro44 brought up an interesting point. We could very possibly see excursions being "sold out" before a cruise, which would lock out others from signing up. Someone may sign up for something else, or do an excursion with a third-party company. Those few that will sign up for everything and then cancel are hurting others.

This is very similar to a post last year where a frequent cruiser said that as soon as they boarded, they signed up for a dining slot at either Aqualina or Prime C for every night of the cruise, and then cancelled at the last minute for those nights they chose not to go. This also prevented others from those time slots.

In either situation . . . excursions or dining . . . signing up for one just because you can cancel is unfair to your fellow cruisers.

I can't speak to the creamy drinks, but bartenders will go out of their way to make something not on the list for you. My wife loves spicy drinks (other than a Bloody Mary). Our first afternoon in the Living Room, she asked Michael if he could make a vodka or tequila drink with jalapeño. He told her he didn’t have jalapeños, but to stop back after dinner. That night, and every day after, Michael had jalapeños to muddle in her drinks - either vodka or tequila with club soda and jalapeño.

We were in VX8093 for the Australia & New Zealand cruise earlier this year. We loved it. Great location. Others have mentioned occasional noise from moving chairs in the Sunset Bar above, but we didn’t notice it at all. Our traveling companions were in VX7116. Their veranda was just a little bit larger, so I would think that the VX6093 would just be a little larger than that.

Look for Jason in Prime C- he will make anything you like. also Micheal but not sure which bar.

Michael's in The Living Room. On the first afternoon, my better-half wanted a spicy drink (not a Bloody Mary). He told us to come back after dinner. That night, and every night after, he had jalapeños waiting to muddle in her vodka or tequila.

My TA does give 10% on the total amount paid including taxes & port fees (airfare & additional hotel nights are excluded). Also, we receive the check from her 7-10 days before we depart. We found out about her from another couple on a land tour we took a number of years ago.

Commissions to TAs vary considerably by cruise line and tour company. Within The Royal Caribbean companies we have received +/-10% on Azamara and Celebrity, and much less on Royal Caribbean. We took the family (kids & grandkids) on a Disney cruise. Percentage (much lower) there varied by the cost and the type of cabin.

We have a wonderful TA. On most cruises and land tours we receive 10% back. We receive it as a check 7-10 days BEFORE we depart.

The current promotion (#1 listed by Host Jazzbeau) is for specific cruises. Check the link from the Azamara home page. All cruises are not included in this promotion.

We were in 8093 (aft cabin next to 8093) for the Australia & New Zealand cruise earlier this year. Our traveling companions were in 7116 (aft cabin next to 7121). Some Cruise Critic reviews have mentioned noise in the deck 8 staterooms due to the Sunset Bar above, but we did not experience that at all. We would absolutely book it again, as our friends in 7116 would book that stateroom again.

It was our first time in an aft stateroom . . . really enjoyed it.

Anywhere they serve liquor! Not only what is included in the Premium and Ultimate packages, but higher end also . . . Johnnie Walker Blue and many others.

We were in 8093 for the February 19 Australia & New Zealand cruise. No loungers, just two chairs and a table. We did not have any noise from the Sunset Bar above, and no soot. We'd absolutely book this cabin again.

From our departure from the port in Auckland to the airport this past March, there was a long taxi line with port employees helping move everyone along. There were both sedans and mini-vans for transport, and came in a continous loop. From the time we debarked, to the time in the taxi (we were four with lots of luggage) we waited about 30 minutes. Had good parting conversations with new friends met on the cruise.

Haven't been on Quest, but definitely not my experience on Journey in February and March.

Slightly off topic, but . . . do any nights/points earned on Azamara transfer to Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor points?

Garry,

We were with you on the February 19 Australia & New Zealand cruise on the Journey, and have also booked the 2019 Norway & Midnight Sun cruise.

See you there!

Jerry

Not entirely sure, but I think I read in another thread that Azamara is not permitting this any longer . . . pre-booking an excursion, cancelling it onboard, and rebooking using OBC. I'd check it out before going ahead with the process. If this is accurate, you may wind up missing out on excursions you do want.

Chief Officer Konstantinos did this on our Australia & New Zealand voyage. He also did an GoPro capture of dolphins “leading” us as we cruised the coast of New Zealand . . . a really AzAmazing video. Check out the post by Captain Johannes on his Facebook page. I couldn’t figure out how to get the video over here!

While not a "gourmand", I do enjoy good food. We did not go to a specialty restaurant on our recent Australia & New Zealand cruise and found the choices, service, and quality of the food in Discoveries to be excellent.

Can’t say anything about 7121, but I was in 8093 (directly above 7121) for the February 19 Australia & New Zealand cruise. The VX cabins are identical in size and layout to the other V cabins.

It was the first time we were in an aft cabin. I had read some Cruise Critic complaints about excess vibration, soot on the veranda, and noise. There was a slight vibration, but neither of us have been susceptible to sea sickness so it didn’t bother us. We never experienced a soot problem. 8093 is directly under the Sunset Bar and the Windows Café outside area. Very occasionally, we would hear the slight scraping of a chair, but it was certainly no problem.

Our traveling companions were in 7116 (the VX cabin next to 7121), and they also had no issues.

I really enjoyed sitting on the veranda with a glass of wine in my hand, and watching the wake of the Journey. Had room service breakfast there a few days. The aft views were fantastic.

Jerry

Best Bartender . . . my vote would have to be for Michael in the Journey Living Room. First afternoon on board, I told Michael that my wife liked spicy vodka and tequila drinks. He said he didn't have anything, but to check back after dinner. Then, and everyday after, he had jalapeño peppers to muddle in her drinks. We were there most days around 5:30 and within minutes he had the "usual" drinks for our group of four.

No one even looked at what kind of bottles were in the bag!

I bought a couple of bottles at a winery we visited in New Zealand. On every other cruise ship we have been on, wine was always collected upon reboarding and returned the last night (or upon departing) of the cruise. No problem on the Journey. I just carried the bottles up to our room.

After leaving the Azamara Journey at 9:00 am (Auckland time) on March 6, we walked through our front door at 11:15 pm (Baltimore time) on March 6 . . . more than 32 hours later . . . it was a very long Monday!

I'll post my overall thoughts of the entire trip a little later . . . when I can see straight!

On the Journey now. I did read about it online. NZ Immigration was onboard for two days prior to arrival. Everyone was scheduled a "face-to-face", passport in hand, with immigration officers.

Tequila, club soda & jalape?os and Vodka, club soda & jalape?os. When you get it, ask that the jalape?o be muddled.