travelberlin

Now I have to say, that we have had wonderful cruises with MSC in Europe and as repositioning Grand Voyages. So I am thankful that MSC went into the cruising business. The negative reviews seem to come mainly from short cruises in USA, which are sold at discounted prices and include the drinks. With that type of cruises, MSC is attracting a certain public, similar to the spring breakers. I would never book one of those cruises with MSC or with any other company. One thing which is annoying with MSC is that even long cruises can end up being divided into short trips. MSC operates like a shuttle bus sometimes. So even if one books a 7 day cruise, it could turn out to be sold as 4 and 3 days at discounted prices. Probably few passengers who book those short cruises are interested in the cruise itself or in the port of calls. The atmosphere at MSC cruises and the quality of the service can change a lot according to the public and to the length of the cruise. Ivi

Or maybe if they get bumped because they did not cruise in the last two years, they can apply again for the status match 😫. Anyhow with diminishing perks is not really worth it. Ivi

We were in June in the Magnifica. We have experienced mostly friendly bar services and we got our drinks without delay. No need to tip anyone for getting a better service in MSC. At least not in Europe. We have been in other cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity where we have noticed this tipping custom. But since almost everyone was tipping US 1 per drink, then you would have to go higher if you wanted a preferred service. We have waited our turn and a friendly attitude was all we needed to be noticed. Ivi

I have watched the whole video and OMG 😱. I hope Azamara takes corrective action. Unfriendly and inefficient guest relation personnel and ship in poor condition is not something cruisers expect. Ivi

And even when you complete the booking it might end up not showing the solo deal, even though it is advertised for the particular cruise. Ivi

That tart looks very good 👍 Ivi

No additional benefit really but it would not hurt… Ivi

Are you sure you got champagne? Which label? That would be great, because nowadays they just provide prosecco or another sparkling wine. Ivi

Yes unfortunately they do 😔. Nothing personal but let me tell you that the status is not much worth anymore since the match program. Ivi

Thanks. I like that. I hope this is the case. It would be good if Azamara would say so when requesting we come after 14.00. If a good cleaning and disinfection is done before my cruise, I do not mind to embark later. Ivi

My cruise will take us to some of the ports of the current itinerary. It is an amazing region. I would like to know about the enrichment lectures on board. Who is conducting them and what is the impression. For example when cruising the Beagle Channel and the Magellan Strait years ago on board the Celebrity Infinity, we had excellent lectures. Cruisers are not posting right now. I guess they are busy enjoying the cruise. Ivi

A friend of mine sent me this link today. It is about what cruise lines to avoid. Maybe you know the video already. In any case I found it interesting enough to share it with you. My next cruise starts next week and goes to the Patagonia and Falkland Islands (Azamara). In less than three months we are taking a cruise to Europe (MSC Yacht Club). Both lines among others are mentioned as lines to avoid 😁. Old Crystal and New Crystal are also mentioned. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o28f739Rq5o

I have noticed that Azamara starts boarding everywhere at 14.00. The starting boarding time used to be at 12.00 and we could enjoy lunch on board and relax in the afternoon. Somehow the boarding process went easily and I do not recall having to wait a long time to board. With the boarding time starting at 14.00, it seems that most cruisers are coming at that time, the waiting lounges are crowded and after boarding it is really too late for lunch. So if Azamara is not saving the money for lunch, they might be wasting the food. The first afternoon on the ship became also kind of short with unpacking, etc. In my case I plan to have lunch in my port of embarkation before going to the ship. Questions: is this embarkation at 14.OO hours due to the ship being throughly disinfected between voyages? At what time is the latest that passengers can debark? Ivi

Where is the Azamara Pursuit now? It appears to be in Port Stanley but this already two days? Ivi

I hope that it is not a thing of the past. Other cruise lines are offering more solo supplements deals now. For example Oceania and Silversea. I hope Azamara is just adjusting its system due to the change of ownership and that there will be solo offers with 25% supplement. Ivi

Your preferences, as mentioned in your first post, seem to fit well with Azamara. Besides that, you will get a more personalized service with accesible and friendly crew and officers, who will most likely make you feel at home. For you the age and size of the ship do not seem to be important for a transatlantic. For a transatlantic, I would pick a newer, larger ship with more entertainment on board because of the many sea days. But if my options were either Azamara or Oceania, I would choose Azamara. Ivi

I have cruised with Oceania and with Azamara. I like both but I prefer Azamara. So if I would have your choice I would pick Azamara. Ivi

You are not alone…😉 Ivi

I am sorry but it was Champagne. We have received a couple of times a bottle of Moet Chandon at the day of embarkation together with chocolate dipped strawberries. Ivi

I have made a bid for my next cruise. As a discoverer plus member I have never received an upgrade from Azamara. We will see if this time works. My bid as a solo cruiser, has to be for double occupancy, this means the double. This limits how much I can bid. I will let you know if I am successful. Ivi

Pre COVID, two friends of us have debarked the day before the official debarking day. That was no problem. They just had to inform guest relation services in advance. I do not know if this is possible now. It is better to get a written answer from Azamara about this question. Ivi

Lovely itinerary 👌 Ivi

Looking forward to meet Marcelo Alonso on the Pursuit. Wishing Nghawira a lovely time off. She was on board on my last Azamara cruise in May last year. Ivi

Did you pay in full already? Ivi

That is interesting! Thank you. Ivi