Spursgirl

Trifecta show tonight even more bizarre including a Japanese piece that was just weird. Audience was almost non existent at the second show. I don’t know who at 54 below brief them but their music choice would have been appropriate for an audience that is highly knowledgeable about classical music and has gone to a classical concert but that’s not a cruise ship audience.

The trio leave the ship on Tuesday- it now reads this 54 below is just a hiring agency brand for the guest entertainment brought onboard. I can’t wait to see what appears under that heading next week.

 

 

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Happy Easter Ann to you and your DH.

That Trifecta show sounds bizarre. Let's hope the new act coming on board soon is more to your taste

Trifecta from 54 Below disappointed. Not in their technical skill but in their strange choice of music. Would have been far better doing more popular stuff for their first show. What they did was more edgy and rather than doing shorter pieces we had elongated versions. Not an issue on a two hour land based program but did not show a recognition of a 45-50 minute ship slot. More variety more mainstream and shorter pieces might have worked.

The show was very badly attended and several left early.

I’ve reached the conclusion whoever came up with this new idea was trying to do something far too way out and they’ve lost a lot of guests along the way.

I’ve also discovered the 54 below performers are no different to other entertainers on for a short period then off. At least previous entertainment by folks no longer being used like Bruce Parker and Brookes Aeron hit the spot. They understood their audience none of the 54 below or Opera folks have ever worked on a cruise ship and it shows. It’s not fair on them either, Trifecta and the Opera are very talented but are going to struggle.

 

So 6 days in it’s a massive thumbs down for us on the entertainment but we have 26 more to go.

 

Oh and White Nights tonight no entertainment before 2015 because the trio are needed for the Party music.

 

 

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Ann, thank you for continuing to update us though I am finding the content of your posts increasingly depressing.

Am assuming Azamara will review their new entertainment offerings maybe six months in and make tweaks as appropriate.

Appreciate that our CC community is only a small fraction of the guests on board but the low attendance of shows speaks volumes.

Hope your disappointment at the entertainment is not impacting the enjoyment of your cruise too much.

Will be very interested to read your assessment of White Night.

I'm not understanding how you're drawing the conclusion that we are losing the Spirits Bar? What will no longer be there is the Casino to the left (if one was sitting at the Spirits Bar.) To the right of the bar, the sitting area where there is often live music, is still as it was.

There will be a few desks where you're used to there being game tables in the casino, but the shorex and cruise sales desks typically close shop by 8pm or earlier. So your post-dinner Spirits Bar experience will not be marred by sales activity.

Bonnie, I appreciate that you are trying to reassure us but must admit to feeling rather dispirited by the way things appear to be evolving.

Manned or unmanned desks where shore excursions can be booked or future cruises can be discussed do not work in an area where guests want to relax, chat and enjoy entertainment ( whatever that entertainment might be). Just my opinion of course, but it seems that Spirits is becoming a rather soulless space. And someone on board at the moment reports that there is now only seating for 22 guests. That is clearly ridiculous.

I am trying to reserve my opinion until June when I will experience these changes for myself. But if my fears that Azamara are chasing dollars to the extent that my cruise experience is materially affected, my dollars will be going elsewhere.

I so hope that I am wrong.

Ticketmaster currently have no tickets on sale for the World Cup grounds - well certainly in the UK where the poster is based. FIFA are also taking steps with other resellers to remove their ability to sell tickets. You have to have FanID which you can only get through FIFA to go.

 

I suspect it was the FIFA restrictions that stopped Azamara getting tickets for guests, the problem was they weren’t quick or proactive in telling guests this.

 

Now of course as a UK based fan, we might still have other hurdles to overcome- hope we don’t!

 

 

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Bearing in mind the current situation Ann I am pleased that the match you and your DH have selected doesn't involve England.

Last month the Quest had a piano player (George) that played evenings in the lounges, but nobody sang along, or even noticed him. Very poorly attended.

We spent so many lovely evenings in Spirits singing along with Ed and Max and our fellow guests seemed to be enjoying their music as much as us. They will be much missed.

I want to give the new entertainment a chance when I next board Quest in June but fear that the ambience in Spirits will be totally different.

Completely agree. Nicole is personable and efficient and one of the best things about the Home Office.

Congratulations Nicole

We travel with a variety of lines, Cunard and Azamara being just 2 of them.

Sometimes on Cunard we will travel in Britannia and sometimes in the Grills. The differences between Cunard and Azamara are quite distinct.

Azamara's ships are obviously a lot smaller ship than Cunard's so you lose that intimate atmosphere. There isn't the same familiarity with the officers as on Azamara.

If your husband isn't prepared to wear a jacket then the main dining room will possibly be out of bounds but....

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=55470175&postcount=1

I am not suggesting for one moment that you behave in the manner described but it does seem Cunard were lax in the application of their 'rules' which is such a shame as they let their regular passengers down.

If I am travelling on Cunard I know what their dress code is and dress accordingly out of respect for my fellow passengers. I prefer wearing trousers with a top so that's not a problem as far as the ladies are concerned.

The food in Britannia is certainly acceptable but not up to the standards of Azamara's speciality restaurants. However the food in the grills is better than the Azamara specialities IMHO but food is a very subjective matter.

If you travel in Queens Grill you will also get a bar set up for consumption in your suite.

I'm pretty sure you could use the buffet and I believe that they have serve more or less the same dishes offered in the restaurant on any night.

Also there is no anytime dining unless you are in the grills, it is fixed seating 6pm and 8:30pm.

Drinks are quite expensive, they even charge for the mixer if you order a G&T. As I rarely drink alcohol this isn't a problem but if you are used to Azamara and their included drinks then it is something else to consider.

Coffee and soft drinks are also an extra charge unless you drink the buffet coffee. If travelling in Britannia I buy a coffee card in order to get my Lattes, if I'm travelling in the grills I can get them free of charge in the Grills Lounge.

Gratuities are not included as they are on Azamara.

We travel for itinerary and tend to go with the flow.

In the last 12 months we have travelled with Princess, Saga, Cunard and Oceania. We understand the package each line offers and adapt our expectations. Each cruise has been different but each one has been enjoyable, certainly not unpleasant. :)

It really depends on how willing you are to compromise for the itinerary.

Hope this has helped, whatever you decide have a great cruise.

Glenndale, you have cheered up my afternoon.

Think it's very unlikely that I would ever book a Cunard cruise as I would find the formality stultifying. However I found the link you posted totally hilarious. AlanXX sounds rather a character. Thanks.

I believe a show could include some explanations about a dance, maybe a little story about its history and what the key steps are, then the dancers could showcase a number or two of that style. I’d find that fascinating and the time would fly by

 

I am concerned about the reports from Journey- next cruise when we join will be the first without the existing established entertainment- whilst I’m ready for a little change I’m hoping I find something I like sooner than 8 nights in but I have my fears.

 

I’m approaching it with an open mind but will report back.....

 

 

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The dance show idea sounds very entertaining though unlikely to happen certainly in the short term.

Like you I am going to reserve judgement until I view the new offerings myself. Some things appear appealing while others might not be of interest.

Time will tell

Thanks for all the replies and for clarifying the theater is in Livorno. A Google search of Goldoni popped up Florence. It seems there are 2 with the same name. I think we can do it all and visit Lucca the next day. We're in Livorno port 2 days.

Sounds like you're going to have a lovely two days. Florence is beautiful though busy. We love Lucca and are looking forward to going back there in June.

The Three Tenors evening is very enjoyable and well worth doing if you are not too exhausted.

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.

Are the Shorts on Ships performed in The Cabaret? They are not my thing at all and plan to give them a miss when I board in June.

Like the sound of the trio though and hope that tweaks that some posters think necessary will have been completed by the summer

I think posters will report varying degrees of satisfaction with Azamara food because as you say this is a very subjective topic.

My opinion for what it's worth is that the food in the MDR is good whereas when I first started cruising with Azamara in 2008 it was excellent and very beautifully presented. I have rarely been served a meal I really didn't like but in common with other cruise lines have been offered an alternative without being made to feel uncomfortable.

I really like the food in both speciality restaurants and sometimes the ambience is just what I'm craving after a busy day ashore.

Many of my friends rate The Patio highly but I'm not a fan of either the food or service which can be spotty. Just my view.

I know others will have different thoughts

I found the video inviting and making me want to reach for my passport. However, it didn't necessarily encourage me to think about cruising, just travel

Haven’t Azamara recently appointed a new marketing company? This is probably them trying to make their mark. They seem to have a very funny idea about Azamara and their typical customers.

 

 

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You are right HGC. The new marketing people are obviously trying to impress their new client. However having worked in this sector for a while I find it concerning that someone in Miami has signed off this claptrap. Beginning to wonder if they understand their guests at all

Hope you all enjoy today,s survey ! We are still laughing!

Really Diane, do you and Alan not fancy yoga under the stars or a motivational motto sent to your stateroom every day?😄

I really couldn't take this survey seriously

Thank you for the quick responses on the bringing of wine on board.

 

Maybe the accessible cabin one is that we requested a balcony and you stated they were inside cabins.

 

Thanks again

Didn't realise that Phil as I had been in one of those deck 6 accessible cabins when they were verandas. You are a fantastic source of information

Did not get the survey. These days, I get surveys from everywhere. Some surveys are really looking for opinions. Some only accept positive comments. Some are slanted so that you have to give a positive response. Many are poorly presented. The after cruise survey is often just a way to get your immediate comments. Positive comments are expected. If you have negative comments, you may be unable to book again. People who complain are bad for business.

Found your post extraordinary. Have you personal experience or know someone who has made a negative comment on a survey and been unable to travel on that cruise line (whichever line that is) afterwards?

I find Azamara's post cruise survey unsatisfactory in the way it is structured but still feel able to comment if I feel something is not quite right, though if the issue had really bothered me I would have addressed it while I was still on the ship.

So glad you enjoyed your cruise. I hadn't seen the Spa Suite before so really appreciated your lovely pictures.

Sorry but I'm in the camp of no background music around the pool. If they introduce it those that dislike will not be happy whereas fans of music could always enjoy their own selections using a device and headphones.

I thought I ought to just update everyone, this morning I have a “pensioner” bouncing round our bedroom like Tigger - we got an email that we were successful in the ballot so my three hours online during our Journey cruise at Christmas was truly worth it. Match 39 here we come and now having made absolutely no real plans for our World Cup cruise I have some research to get on with pronto.

 

Still feel this could have been handled better by Azamara at the outset but all’s well that ends well!

 

Now friends I will be watching Nigeria [emoji1184] vs Argentina [emoji1033]- what colours should I wear. I thought about taking this well travelled flag 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 to confuse everyone!

 

 

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As a huge football fan I have been following this thread and am so glad that your DH will get to see a World Cup game.

And you can both enjoy it without any stress as you have no real vested interest in either side.

Guess this means you won't be transferring to our June Quest cruise?😃

To be fair, I don’t think Azamara ever said LCV members were getting priority on upgrades. Upgrades have always been given for a variety of reasons of which loyalty is only one. It’s nice when an upgrade happens but if it doesn’t we have to remember we got what we paid for - and never stress if you hear others appear to have had the nod rather than you. Could be worse, you could be back home!

 

 

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Completely agree Ann. On the very odd occasion we have been fortunate enough to be given a free upgrade have felt that it was not appropriate to discuss it with other guests other than those we might be travelling with. I would hate that our lovely surprise might upset another cruiser.

Thanks Phil.

We are booked in a category 05 cabin (4044), so it should be OK if we stay put.

However, we love having breakfast on the balcony if weather permits so we usually book a veranda cabin.

Hopefully we will be offered the LCV upgrade if cabins are available, or maybe a balcony for the price of an inside offer will come along that we can take advantage of.

Must confess I think the LCV upgrades are a bit of a lottery. Have applied many times without any success. Am Discoverer Plus level and have often done the paperwork many many months before the cruise so am puzzled that it has never worked for us.

One of our two June b2b's is wide open and we applied for this upgrade more than a year in advance so we'll see what happens this time. I certainly hope they don't offload a huge amount of unsold cabins to a US consolidator as has been their recent strategy.

Must admit we have been given free upgrades once or twice which was a lovely surprise and which we were very grateful for

Lahore, it is so good to hear that you are having an enjoyable cruise. I have my own views about who the crew member might be who is looking after you so well. This person is a huge credit to Azamara and would have been totally mortified at your predicament.

Hope the rest of your cruise is equally wonderful

EIGHT attempts. I've given up!! Honestly???

Goodness you're persistent. I give surveys two goes only and if that doesn't work I'm done.

Managed to submit this one first time I tried

14.02.18

 

Another survey from Azamara, this time LCV Benefits.

I have filled it in with extreme difficulty, due to the GREEN font.

Completely agree. One of the things I noted was that it listed free Internet as one of the LCV benefits. Not in my experience, though a generous discount is applied depending on loyalty level.

I disagree. Two days notice was terrible. If there are 8 weeks notice you can rearrange your life. Two days before a cruise I am already at the departure port.

I'm with you MNgardens, the OP was at the airport about to board her flight when she received a phone call from Azamara. Not acceptable in my book.

There will be a line of taxis waiting at the tender point which you can share with others.

Think it cost €25 each way when we went up to Taormina last. The ship also offered a Taormina on your own tour at an inflated price of about $50 per person.

Others have mentioned that there is also a bus service but have never used it.