Spursgirl

A delightful afternoon with old and new friends, seamlessly organised as always by Azamara

Hazel June is football time just leave the others and join us on Journey where you can get it live :) bucket list etc

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

That's a very tempting offer - food for thought 😄

I am usually in tennis mode in June but 2018 is World Cup year

So sorry we won't get to meet on Monday. Hopefully to be rectified before too long

Unfortunately, my post on this topic may well have led Kathy astray, as we have not had the same experience in Spirits. The Living Room is a different matter; for us a much better experience.

 

Perhaps that is explained by:

 

1/ We are in Spirits at the wrong times (quite likely)

 

2/ You and Spursgirl have not been on our cruises to create a party atmosphere there (certainly true)

 

3/ Sadly, we constitute a “blackhole” sucking all the good times out of that venue (very likely, but we can try to reform [emoji1])

 

Actually we were excited to hear that the casino’s removal might provide another lounge where people can gather, but we certainly agree it should provide live music.

 

Obviously we are in a tiny minority in criticizing Spirits. We would have preferred the piano to be located in the Discoveries Bar. Fond memories of the harp, and no large screen TV!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Lottie A and I with other friends are doing a B2B on Quest in mid June 2018. Join us. I'm sure we would all have huge fun 😃

This is more than a poor decision IMO - those pianists, guitarists and beautiful ballroom dancers will be very much missed.

Am interested to hear about Azamara's new plans for entertainment but if part of that is canned Muzak in Spirits it doesn't do it for me. A place that had a lovely ambience after dinner will become totally soulless. Just my opinion

We enjoy listening to the guitarist/pianist pre/post dinner and would be most dis-heartened if they were to "disappear".

We have no Azamara cruises booked for 2018 ( for the first time since 2008!) but have already booked Pursuit for 2019 so are hoping that they will provide some pre/post dining "live" entertainment - we do not want to hear "muzak". We have already paid our (UK and not inconsiderable) deposit and would be reluctant to lose it and so it is quite difficult for us to "look elsewhere" ... at least for this cruise.

Maybe we will find out more at Le Club Voyage event in London on Monday. Look forward to seeing you again.

I totally disagree with your statement regarding Amazing Evenings. While some a forgettable others are the highlight of the cruise. I would truly miss them.

Disagreements are healthy but as far as I know there has been no talk about the demise of the Azamazing Evenings.

In a perfect world we will still be offered them alongside the piano players and the guitarists.

Hopefully Bonnie will be able to update us all of the new plans early in the New Year.

Until Bonnie informs us about the new entertainment in the New Year I am going to assume this is an unwelcome rumour because the thought of piped music replacing Ed, Max and Simon is too horrible to contemplate.

And it could be a deal breaker for me.

Having a third ship join the Azamara family is wonderful but if the offerings on the ships are trashed to pay for it seems not to be a great strategy and I really really hope this is not the case.

If the budget has to be reduced I am with those who could live with the Azamazing Evenings being discontinued.

On my recent Journey cruise it was more than hinted at that none of the ships would have a designated Casino in the long term, going forward. This was from someone who would definitely be "in the know". There would be a few slot machines in the area formerly known as the Casino but the space was underused and not a big revenue earner as Azamara has so many late departures and overnight stays.

 

I think they intend to use it as a piano bar and also for the band to play in sometimes. They did a trial of this on our cruise but I felt it was too small an area for the band. The music was very loud and we couldn't talk at all, so we left. In my opinion that area is just perfect for a piano player like Max or Ed or even occasional guitar music, but it is too small for the band.

 

So it's not just Pursuit that won't have a designated Casino. Although I'm not a big gambler, I do like to donate a little in the Casino so I find this disappointing, but it won't materially affect my cruise.

The band played one night in Spirits on our October Journey cruise and I agree that it is totally the wrong venue for them.

The band are lovely people and we felt bad leaving but as we were sitting right on top of them the noise was deafening.

Good news for me if there is additional space in Spirits for Ed and Max. I love listening to them both.

Think these will be very popular appointments with Azamara loyalists.

So pleased that Ryzsard and Tony now have their own ship

Thank you!

Disembarked yesterday and now the detox starts!

We had two wonderful cruises with excellent ports of call on both.

The AzAmazing evenings (Palma and Livorno) were truly amazing (as we expected).

We were so happy to see so many familiar, welcoming and friendly faces amongst the crew.

We had excellent weather for every port (though we were a little late docking in Palamos due to high winds).

Glad you had such a good time on Quest.

I too loved the Azamazing Evening at Palma Cathedral. In fact it was my favourite until I experienced the wonderful concert in Ashdod, Israel two weeks ago.

We are very lucky to have the opportunity to enjoy these unique experiences.

Hi Spursgirl,

I'm sorry and embarrassed that the one (paid*) tour you decide to take with us disappointed you :o. I have shared your comments with my management.

They would like to know the tour name and/or number if you have it? Here's the msg I rcvd:

"We have recently implemented a thorough tour review process where all tours are verified by our team shoreside and the tour operator. Can you clarify exactly which tour the guest purchased in Jerusalem? That way we can bring this to the tour operator’s attention to avoid further complaints."

*I know from another thread that you loved the inclusive Azamazing Evening on your cruise. Did you provide your mailing address to the U.K. Office for the DVD?

Hello Bonnie,

I had originally planned to take a private tour to Jerusalem but had to cancel when I developed knee problems 3 weeks before the cruise which will probably require an op.

So I was v pleased that Azamara offered 'Leisurely Jerusalem' (sorry don't know the tour number) as it seemed to offer a stress free day. I managed to see the major sites with some difficulties but some guests were really struggling as the walking element was far more than advertised.

On the other hand as you know I thought the Azamazing Evening was outstanding and yes I have sent an email to Richard Twynam after you very kindly contacted Journey on my behalf. Thank you again for your intervention.

Find it very sad that we have to post in this way Pam but can only agree.

Just off Journey and experienced the usual very good on board experience. Rarely take Azamara tours but had to on this occasion to Jerusalem. Found Shorex staff pleasant but lacking knowledge. Tour was very expensive, the description was incorrect (stated the total walking would be 0.5 miles but was nearer 3 miles) The first stop was totally pointless and the last was aborted because the site had not received the correct paperwork.

The included lunch was poor and I returned to the ship feeling we had been ripped off. I know I should have complained but didn't want the hassle.

There is so much to love about Azamara but with the level of pricing being levied these days they really have to smarten up their act.

I enjoyed my first Viking cruise very much. The presentation of the pre cruise information set the tone for a lovely cruise. Three weeks ago I received photocopied information and labels from Azamara. That wouldn't impress newbies and it didn't impress loyal Azamara cruisers like me.

Someone is rather pleased this evening 😀

Thrilled + delighted particularly as I was there 😄😄😄😄😄

Hope Eric is able to send you a UK copy, if that doesn't work I can send you a couple of video clips that I took

It was a fantastic evening or should I say AnAmazing evening

Thank you so much Julie. If for some reason I don't receive a replacement copy would love to take you up on your offer.

Expect G like me is a little nervous about tonight. I have everything crossed that we will get a good result

Our CD Eric is asking for your mailing address so it sounds hopeful!

You can email your name and mailing address to Mr Twynam at rtwynam@Azamara.com and I'll ask him to send it along to Eric.

This is great news. Bonnie, thank you so much for interceding for me. It is much appreciated. I'll contact Richard in the morning

I hope this all works out Hazel. I've fallen foul of the DVD "region" issue before. I also concur about this Azamazing Evening. The best performance I have ever seen for one and the female vocalist was simply outstanding. The venue and food was pretty good too!

 

Phil

We did have a great night didn't we Phil. Like you I think the Ashdod Azamazing Evening is the best I have attended. Hope other Azamara guests have the chance to also experience it in the future

I have a DVD of our Panama transit on Celebrity, it works fine on our player but when a friend borrowed it they could not get it to work on theirs.

Eric, perhaps I could borrow your machine?😃😃😃

They are indeed different, US is Region 1, Europe is Region 2, it depends how your DVD player is configured, some can be multi region, others are specific to the Region you live in.

 

If you can find anyone with a multi region DVD player it may be worth trying your DVD in it, alternatively it may play in a PC DVD player.

 

Apologies for getting technical, good luck!

Thanks. As the least technical person in the universe hadn't a clue about this but it was also explained to me by my American partner last night.

This superb concert will stay long in my memory, it would have been a bonus if I could have shared it with mum but it's not the end of the world.

I cc'd the Cruise Director as well.

 

I may be dating myself but are UK DVDs a different format than US DVDs? If so, I should probably let them know that's what you're looking for.

Thanks again for your help Bonnie. Must admit it hadn't occurred to me that UK and US DVD formats may be different

Hi Spursgirl,

I'm so sorry! I'll ask the Hotel Director, to see if they have any non-duds onboard. I hope so! (yn)

Thank you Bonnie, I am sure Heike will help if at all possible.

Hopefully you will be able to post some positive news for me in the coming days.

I returned from Journey at the weekend. During our cruise we attended a wonderful Azamazing Evening in Ashdod, Israel where a 40 piece symphony orchestra and a superb singer treated us to the most wonderful concert.

Knowing how much my mother would enjoy seeing it, I purchased a DVD of the event on board. Imagine my disappointment when I found that the DVD is a dud and is unplayable. The team on board did tell me that they had experienced some technical difficulties when producing the product - clearly these had not been resolved.

Bonnie, is there any way you can assist me by arranging for me to receive a playable replacement copy?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Lottie

If only it was £7k. The cruise we wanted in 2019 is £10.5k for 12 nights in a balcony in the Med so we won’t be booking!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

That is an insane price! Can't imagine who would book a balcony at that figure.

Btw Ann, I am Hazel 😃Though I know Lottie would also agree that these prices are mad. We have discussed this subject many times

When this promotion was first run there were some very attractive offers and the balcony pricing was really good value.

Now I just laugh when I see the pricing structure. 7k+ for a balcony? Not for me when I could book a true luxury line for significantly less.

Think marketing needs to have a serious rethink

Adonia doesn’t have a Sunset Bar, the terrace behind the self-serve is all seating other than a beverage station on port side.

Maybe an opportunity to add an up charge fusion restaurant for the evening? I’ll get my coat......[emoji850]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I hope that Miami realise that that ship has sailed (forgive the pun)

Recall that the idea went down very badly with posters on this board

Nothing lovelier than enjoying the Sunset Bar with a drink or buffet dinner on warm evenings

Thank you for checking. That is good news. We're looking forward to seeing him again next week (and sampling a few cocktails!)

Your gain is our loss but possibly my liver will be grateful.

Have a great cruise on Quest