excitedofharpenden

This one of the notable anomalies with the Azamara ships as they have been "adopted". It's really a case of small, bigger, biggest as far as shade at the Pool Bar. Journey has none, Quest a little more and Pursuit has a good size awning. As Odd has observed, the attempt to provide shade on Journey has some limitations. And whatever is done on that ship it can't stop the direct sun hitting if you are stood at the Pool Bar itself. Pursuit was so much better, but it's quite a structure. Phil

Same here. Phil

Absolutely. It won't give you precision finding. When I used one with a 7 it just said your tag is so many metres away, but with no direction of where it was. Phil

My understanding is that Norway is getting stricter with certain ports and the age of Azamara ships and their green credentials means they have precluded them from certain stops. Geiranger and Flåm are two. Looks like Longyearbyan is another casualty. Phil

I got it👍 Phil

Actually It was more directed at harrodsfan who described them as tiny. I do take your point about confinement, but wanted to mention that too as to how I feel. I didn't want anyone new to Azamara being put off by the "tiny" comment. They are the same size as a veranda, but obviously smaller than a suite. Not everyone stays in a suite though. That poses a question of anyone who has been in a suite and then confined on deck 4. Does your butler still operate for you? Phil

I would like to comment that some of us often stay in the deck 4 outside cabins that have also been used for quarantine. I've spent more than 40 days in one on a series of back to backs and have sometimes been confined. It's never nice to have to do this, no matter what cabin you are in, but the deck 4 OVs aren't "tiny". Admittedly if you are in a suite then it's a bit of a come down, but for me it would be doable. Phil

I'd agree. The mosaics are stunning. Just like a painting from a distance. Phil

I'm getting off Journey on the day you get on and staying the night in Ravenna before getting on Quest on the 7th. We are sharing a few ports with you on that cruise. Perhaps we can at least meet for a drink in one of them. Would be good to put a face to the name. I think you are overnighting in Ravenna at the start too. Phil

I just got a new iPhone 12 which gives a more accurate Airtag location using Precision Finding. I think I have just discovered how to pass the time away when I'm at the airport!🙂 Phil

I really hope to be proved wrong, but my experience has been just as you think it's safe to go back in the water........ Phil

The Chef Experience is a shore excursion you pay for. Typically you will go to a local market with the Executive Chef and other galley crew in attendance. You go back to the ship and he or she will cook something for you using the ingredients. The B o B dinner is more of a formal occasion in the Drawing Room stsrting off with drinks and canapes and moving on to dinner with paired wines. It's served by some of the butlers and waiters and the Head Sommelier pops in too. You are sat at a large 20 odd seater table and four of the senior officers attend too. As has been said, the Executive Chef is given free reign to practice their skills. No two B o Bs are the same food. Phil

My mum was born and raised on a farm. They had Guernsey cattle from the neighbouring island and she said the milk from them was really good. And the Guernsey cattle also benefit from an excellent temperament. Phil

That's great. I'm sure they were thrilled to get that. 😎 Phil

I prefer the gelato too. Only thing is its Windows food time only and it's sometimes nice to get a frozen yogurt fix at other times. Phil

That's an American brand. For me in the UK nothing holds a candle to a Mr Whippy 99 with a Flake😋 Phil

Trish, you know I have spent a lot of time on Azamara and can say I've never seen that happen. I've always found the smokers to be a respectful lot who observe the rules. You were unlucky. I would have swiftly spoken to the bar tender. To sort it out. I agree with RW75. Very disrespectful. The bar staff are excellent at coming round and taking orders. No need to go to the bar at all. Phil

I totally agree. I've made some amazing friends from all over the world that i never would have met otherwise. Phil

You'll need a full visa I'm sure. Phil

Yes, I've arrived by cruise ship into Egypt by cruise ships a few times and have never needed to get one myself. It was handled by Azamara. My understanding is that if you arrive by air directly into Eqypt then you'll need one. Otherwise if it's just a cruise stop and providing you leave within 3 days then you don't. But with all things like this I'd take my steer from Azamara directly. Phil

Totally the right thing to do Betsey👍 Phil

I think the moral of the story is it's your responsibility to ensure that you don't leave anything behind. If you do then best endeavours, but it may end up costing you. Might be simpler to claim on your insurance if its covered. Phil

Makes total sense. I'm pleased to hear this. Phil

My own view? The Atlas Bar will be hugely expensive to retrofit so I don't see them happening on the Azamara ships that don't have them. Unless the extra revenue generated on Onward is huge. I do like the idea of offering Atlas items in the Den, but I really hope that the faffing around to prepare them doesn't impact the service there. It will be interesting to see. . Phil

You'll enjoy the caves. They have used them as the venue of an Azamazing evening too. Phil