mare s.

we had the pleasure of having Russ as our cruise director on every Quest cruise since 2010 (it just worked out that way) Will miss him greatly on Azamara, but we have been looking for new cruise experiences, so maybe Crystal is in our future and we'll see him again.

Oceania has some fantastic Cuba itineraries. We are booked on the one that is in Havana for New Year’s Eve 2019/20. They are worth looking into.

 

Michael

We are on verge on booking Oceania for Cuba for February 2020. We were hoping that Azamara would have cruises there but nothing at all. Oh, and Viking has Cuba cruises (but I don't like the itineraries as much.)

I got the email just now. Yes, Veranda Plus is mentioned and the only extra perks I can see for LCV upper tier members is one night of complimentary specialty restaurants and spirits in the room. Can't see prices so don't know if it is worth it or not. From what I can see from all three ships' itineraries is there are no cruises involving Cuba and nothing in North America. Very disappointing.

Thanks Bonnie. Hoping to get to Cuba in 2019 or 2020.

mare

Unlike some others posting here, we've been able to cruise only once a year. Our first voyage on Azamara was in 2010 also, and we were hooked! We've strayed only once (to Oceania, which was pleasant but not Azamara.) Certainly, itineraries are extremely important to us, as are late nights and overnights. But the ambience, the food, the wonderful fellow passengers, and the music, and the crew kept us coming back. We were disappointed when we lost the wonderful harpist, but we were glad we had someone like Max on the piano before and after dinner. We found Discoveries bar always too busy before dinner and the Living Room on 10 forward (we always choose staterooms aft) just too much of a trek, so we gravitated to Spirits. Mosaic and Spirits are the heart of the ship. Now more of Spirits is being lost apparently to sales desks and huge video screens with piped in music. No relaxing ambience there! Disappointing for sure. I realize that those of us on Cruise Critic represent just a fraction of the pool of possible passengers but we care passionately about our "little cruise line." Change isn't easy and you can't please everyone, but it is clear that what is currently happening is a big concern to many, previously loyal, passengers. I can only hope that the Azamara experience will not be completely lost, but it's been a good run for us.

Thank you for posting, your personal views are interesting on this one.

Spirits is a huge disappointment on our current cruise. Of course no one is using it so its the self fulfilling prophecy I now think from your post is what the cruise line may want.

The reason no one is using it is there is no entertainment, garish casino screens flashing at you and from tonight, the LCV staff working in a portion of the lounge.

Every cruise I have ever been on with Azamara, Spirits has been a very busy place much enjoyed by many and great friendships formed with fellow guests over a post dinner drink. Cant do that in the disco, actually can't even hear myself think there, certainly not the ambience for a post dinner/show drink.

OK if thats the direction Azamara wants to take such that there is no place for a relaxing post dinner/show drink, fine. Doesn't fit what we want in a cruise so we will no doubt reduce our frequency of sailing on Azamara. We still love the onboard service, but not at any price, and if we are paying top dollar, it has to be for something that fits with what we like/want.

Exactly!

I thought Azamara got rid of the "crap art" sales? I am hoping that the so-called Art Gallery on the plan is to feature the work of the Artist-in-Residence? On our Baltic cruise last summer we really enjoyed the new approach to art with the Artist-in-Residence doing many "live" paintings, especially of the ports on the cruise and also doing discussions about his approach to his work and answering questions. And at the end all his work he had done on the cruise, along with some of his other painting, were displayed and sold. But they had to kind of set up the work all around the ship in random spaces and it seems like it would be nice to have a small space for this. Or has Azamara abandoned that concept? I thought it was a real positive because it was unique as well as an enrichment experience for guests.

Park Lane and the art auctions are definitely gone (thank goodness!) On our January cruise, the artist in residence had an area across from Mosaic. While his work was not to our taste, we enjoyed talking to him and seeing the paintings he was working on. So I'm ok with having an area on 5 for this purpose. I don't like the idea of having future cruise sales right in the middle of a public area, however. Oceania had their future cruise sales where Mosaic is on Azamara and I found it distracting when we wanted to listen to music or sit and relax and have a drink, and I personally wouldn't feel comfortable talking about possible future cruises and discussing money, etc. while people are sitting or walking nearby.

I am also less than happy about the direction entertainment is taking. Although Bonnie assured us that there would be live music everywhere, from some of the comments here, it appears that canned music is being piped in to Spirits. Spirits (when there was a piano man) was our go to for before dinner drinks and Mosaic our usual haunt after breakfast or in the afternoons (when we weren't ashore.) Unlike some others, we rarely went to the Living Room, but I guess that may change on our next cruise. At least that won't be for a year and in that time, I hope things will settle down and for the better.

I've been on Azamara Quest in the Med a couple of times. Had some trouble just once when there was a stormy night off Amalfi and I decided to skip dinner and go to sleep early. But, as others have said, a little Bonine and a mid ship cabin will help a lot. And Azamara knows how to do the Med. Would definitely recommend over a bigger ship.

Yamash!ta is the park and waterfront area of Yokohama. Osanbashi is at one end of it and I think it's the only pier big enough for cruise ships.

 

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3204.html

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3208.html

We're on Azamara, so small ship, and they said specifically Yamash!ta. So I'm even more confused.

I am a little bit confused. I think I read somewhere (now I can't find the post) that transportation options at Haneda to Yokohama were limited in the evening hours and that the limo (or was it the train) stopped running at 5 pm. We will be flying into Haneda next year and departing from Yama****a Pier (that's another question....anyone have experience departing from there rather than Osanbashi?) I believe there is a bus which departs Haneda with a stop at Yama****a Park and also the Marine Tower. This seems to run relatively often and into the evening hours. Can someone confirm this? We will probably be booking a hotel within walking distance of Yama****a Pier.

Thanks.

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.

The ambience depends so much on the personality of the piano player. Max and Ed engaged with guests and created a welcoming and fun experience. Having someone just sit at the piano and play background music isn't much better IMO than canned music. On Azamara we love(d) to sit with Max and sing along or make requests. We will miss him a lot. On our one Oceania cruise, the piano man had zero personality and we rarely bothered to sit and listen. On the other hand,the string quartet, surprisingly, was not only musically brilliant, but interacted with guests and we spent much of our time there. I am hoping that by the time our next Azamara cruise comes around, the entertainment issue will be settled in a positive way.

On our Japan cruise next year we arrive in Kobe at 8 am and depart the next day at 2 pm. We'd like to spend a full day in Kyoto but not sure whether to stay overnight in Kyoto and try to get back to the ship the next morning with a brief tour along the way (is Nara doable?) or to come back late in the evening of the first day and then do a half day the next day to Osaka or Nara. Any suggestions?

thanks.

Just came in at the end of this discussion. I have to second Grandma Cruising's assessment of food on the January Quest cruise we were both on. It was outstanding. I've cruised on Oceania and agree that the buffet is somewhat better than Azamara and I like that it is not self serve (although I had to wait a few times to get someone to serve me.) I also loved the grilled to order lobster tails and shrimp every night. I thought their Italian specialty restaurant excellent (and I love Aqualina.) That being said, we found the food in the Main Dining Room pretty bad (I couldn't eat their Jacques Pepin chicken one night...way over salted, and another night the fish did not taste fresh) and their pool grill dreadful (think undercooked chicken.) Maybe it was just a fluke on this particular voyage, but I'd give the edge for food to Azamara.

Back to the original thought on this thread...Azamara's pricing is getting out of reach. I regularly receive Oceania brochures and I have to say I'm seeing a lot of tempting, and affordable, itineraries. We have another Azamara cruise booked for next year (we were lucky and were able to book the circle Japan when it first was released and since then prices have shot up tremendously) but after that, we'll have to wait and see.

As I mentioned on the other thread....when I received this new survey I had to stop myself from laughing out loud...daily motivational quotes and juicing classes??? Oh dear.

I received the new survey today and had to stop myself from laughing out loud. Motivational quotes every day???? And for that would I be willing to pay extra (and you know that the per diem will probably increase considerably)???? Oh, and juicing classes???? Who thinks this stuff up?

As I succinctly responded....I would be very unlikely to book "enhanced" veranda for any of these "benefits."

I love Azamara. It's our go-to cruise line. But this nonsense, if implemented, will be a quick turn off.

mare

The accessible cabins on deck 6 are club continent suites. (with extra large veranda)

I have to completely agree with everyone...your blog and photos are wonderful. It was indeed a memorable cruise and we so enjoyed meeting you and DW and also Host Grandma Cruising (and her DH) Apart from my wonky ankle, this cruise was one of the most enjoyable we've had on Azamara. In your blog you captured all the wonderful moments...even dear Eyup, the butler, who wanted to "butle" us so badly (and I am afraid we disappointed him somewhat) and make sure we ate constantly!

The itinerary, Costa Rica intensive, was terrific, but it was the wonderful officers, crew, and staff on board who made the experience outstanding. And our roll call was definitely the largest, most active, and friendliest of any cruise. Hope to cruise with all of you again.

mare

Onboard Quest currently, we do have live music going on....piano in Spirits, guitar some nights in LR and also the Sparkling trio in LR which consists of keyboard and guitar with female singer.

 

Tonight we will have a local folkloric group of Mariachis and dancers in the cabaret.

 

Also celebrating Fat Tuesday in LR tonight and a special Valentine’s Day brunch tomorrow.

So, a piano in Spirits? That's very good news.

My husband likes to play blackjack (with a live person!) and I'll throw a few dollars in the slots, but no thank you to electronic gaming. I agree that if you're going to remove the blackjack and roulette tables, there are better ways to use the area...more seating, more live entertainment, etc. It will be interesting to see the changes next year when we're on board again.

mare

Yes, when you get on board be prepared to know which nights work well for you at the specialty and Chef's Table. The staff will have a schedule which shows when the Azamazing Evening and White Night party will be so you can schedule around these, if you wish.

As for menu choices, each Table has a theme and a set menu (which you can view) but for our Italian Table, there was a choice of a meat or a fish option for the main course and we received a telephone call in advance of the night enquiring if we had any food allergies.

The Chef's Table was wonderful...food and wine excellent. So definitely splurge!

Do you mind me asking....

Is Capt Jose taking over from Capt Carl?

And I understand there is a new CD taking over from Russ? Is Philip still there as HD?

P.s. thanks for info on food and chef’s table!

My understanding is that Capt Jose was coming aboard when Capt Carl left in Caldera. Philip is still there as HD (and still does a brilliant job!) I had not heard about the new CD...but I am certain that they needed to hire someone to give Russ (who was in top form on our cruise) some time off.

My only food related regret is that we didn't also book the Cuban Chef's Table...the menu looked wonderful.

Just got home from this cruise and I have to say it was terrific. Food was outstanding in all venues. We tried Chef's Table for the first time and it was worth every penny. Chef Fabio outdid himself and the table conversation was lively. Our Chef's Table (Italian) was hosted by the F&B Director, Thomas, and the resident artist, Eric Waugh joined us. So much fun.

The Azamazing Evening was excellent and I, for one, was glad it was on board. I had broken my ankle a couple of weeks before the cruise and tendering was difficult (although the ship's crew was marvelous and so helpful and kind.) I had been on an excursion during the day in Panama City and was quite tired and reluctantly went to Guest Relations to say I didn't think we could do the evening. Imagine my delight when they said not to worry, they were bringing it on board!

The White Night was particularly lively...the food fantastic and everyone was up dancing. It was a bit sad, however, as it was Captain Carl's last on Quest.

I must admit, we didn't go to much of the entertainment. I was very tired in the evening, but the couple of shows we did attend were good (love Amanda and the rest of the singers and dancers.) Our guest lecturer was very good.

But what made this cruise particularly wonderful (apart from the terrific crew and officers) was that we connected with so many other interesting and fun people on our roll call. Going on joint excursions with them, having dinner with them, and just seeing them around the ship, made this cruise really special. We made some new friendships and I have to thank Host Jazzbeau particularly for keeping track of all of us (one of the largest roll calls and meet and mingles) To our new friends...we hope to see you again soon and we will definitely stay in touch.

mare

Wow! Just returned from a wonderful Costa Rica intensive cruise and decided to catch up on cruise critic and see this thread. I'm just shaking my head. I didn't receive a survey but would have responded in the same tone as most. It just sounds like Azamara is looking to increase profits anyway they can. Oceania's concierge class on its smaller ships offers no more than an opportunity to book the specialty restaurants earlier. Oh, and perhaps an upgrade in bathroom products. We booked the concierge class on Oceania because we wanted deck 7, but wouldn't have bothered otherwise. As Discoverer level on Azamara, we get plenty of perks and don't really need or want any more. We were upgraded to a CC on this cruise and loved the extra space and enjoyed the free specialty restaurants (but we would have paid for them either way) and really didn't use the butler (the one time we asked for snacks, poor Eyup kept thanking us for letting him do something!) Creating a class system on a ship this small would be dreadful and I, for one, would not be happy at all.

I’m on board too and everything is as wonderful as our previous cruises. Dinners in Aqualina and prime c have been spectacular. Loved the azamazing evening on board. I must say I’m not a huge fan of the new decor (not really new anymore) and I’ve noticed some wear and tear in our suite. We go to chefs table tomorrow and really looking forward to it. Met so many wonderful cruise critic members pre cruise and on board and it feels as if we are cruising with family. Being here after a cruise on Oceania (which was fine) just makes me realize how much we enjoy Azamara. More later.

Mare

Wow...so we will be on Carl's last Quest voyage. So sad, but it feels like it's come full circle. Carl was the Captain on our very first Quest cruise back in 2010. It will definitely be party time next week!