mare s.

Lottie A is going to take a picture of the new menu and will post it when we get home.

 

She tried the Limoncello Soufflé the other night and thought it was superb. We will let you know what we think once we have had dinner tonight. My guess is that it is going to be good.

Oh boy! Can't wait. I thought the Grand Marnier soufflé was terrific but a Limoncello souffle sounds amazing!

I found the name of our private tour guide in Turkey. Ekol Travel. We went on all day tour of Ephesus (including Terrace Houses) Milates, Artemis, and Didyma. Stopped at a local place for lunch too as well as a carpet factory (I'm not usually a fan of such stops, but it was wonderful! Very informative and we ended up buying a beautiful little carpet which is now hanging in our living room! I think about the wonderful cruise every time I look at it.)

Ah, Ephesus! We took a private tour there...excellent! I would give you the name of the tour guide but since it was a few years ago, you would be better off checking on the Port of Call forum for Turkey for more recent recommendations. But be sure you see the Terrace Houses while in Ephesus. We did the ship tour on Santorini (I think it was the same one as Deirdre's) and it was very good. I hope you're going in early to Venice (that's your embarkation port?) because it is such a walkable city. So much to see and getting "lost" in the little streets is part of the joy of the city.

mare

Hi...a couple of suggestions for you. First, have you checked the roll call for your cruise? There may be fellow cruisers putting together some private tours which you may find interesting. Second, do look at the Ports of Call forum on cruise critic...lots of good suggestions for do it yourself and for tour guides.

My method is to look at the ports and do a little research about what to see and do. Then I look at the ports of call and check out suggestions on tour guides. Then I look at what the ship is offering and compare it to what I want to do. I would certainly start making plans now, especially if you want private tour guides. (p.s. Our first Azamara cruise was Greek Isles and Adriatic too! A wonderful experience that hooked us on Azamara...we did a combo of ship and private tours on that cruise)

mare

Loved the review and the photos! We'll be on Quest next year on the sailing right after yours, Deirdre...leaving from beautiful Barcelona. We stop in Mahon also, so it was nice to see the photo and read that it was one of your favorite places.

I am absolutely loving this thread. So many positive reminders of why we too love Azamara. We've never had the pleasure of cruising with Captain Johannes (we are sort of addicted to the Quest) but must say that Captain Carl and Captain Jose are wonderful and the crew (as Captain Johannes pointed out) are superb!

Thank you.

For me it's using the stairs instead of the elevator, lots of fast walking on the jogging track first thing in the morning (with a quick stop afterwards for coffee and a snack from Mosaic....I always try to do a couple of extra laps because of this!) But what really helps is walking and walking and walking in ports. I always intend to join a yoga group too, but it never seems to be at a convenient time.

Yes, it can happen anywhere in the world. A few years back in St. Petersburg I was taking a photo (I had my purse strapped across my chest) and happened to look down and there was a hand in my purse! A young woman had sidled up next to me and, while I was occupied, quietly unzipped the purse and was fishing around inside. Fortunately I caught her, yelled and she quickly ran away. And more fortunately, I had nothing in the purse except tissues, hand sanitizer, and a brush and mirror. I did and still do keep money, credit card, documents, etc. in a pouch around my waist under my clothes. Awkward to get to when I want to make a purchase, but much safer. I also like the idea of having someone in your group standing next to you if you are going to take a photo. On this one occasion, I had lagged behind our little group in order to get the right photo.

I don't think there is any way not to look like a tourist (we all have to consult a map occasionally and we generally have the camera at the ready) so we are going to be prime targets. We just have to make it harder for the pickpockets and scam artists and not have anything of value in plain view.

We found Azamara after the departure of the harpist and frankly I could not understand what all the dismay was about...until I found this video taken on the Quest a few years back. Oh man! Bring back the harpist!!!

Thank you Deirdre! The music was wonderful and contributed so much to the elegant ambience.

Another vote for the harpist and bringing the piano back to Mosaic (and doing away with the art auction, or at least putting the table in another area) I'm all for updating the menus in all the restaurants.

These are such little things, really, and I hope that Azamara pays attention.

Thanks Deirdre. I also asked this question on the other thread. We enjoy the MDR for breakfast (when we're at sea or on a late touring morning) Never have had lunch there, though. We generally will be on shore or grab a quick bite at the pool grill.

Perhaps Bonnie can let us know whether the closure of the MDR (except for dinner) is going to be permanent. If so, that is indeed a huge cutback. I can understand, however, if Azamara thinks not too many will notice. Whenever we've had breakfast there (and we like to do that on sea days or when we have a late start) there aren't many people being served. Still, a cutback is still a cutback.

I also wonder if it is true that cabin attendants are now responsible for more cabins? (This was posted in another thread) If there are staff cutbacks, it could account for a less happy crew.

As for the art auctions, I guess Park Lane has a lucrative contract with Azamara which benefits both financially. But on our last cruise, we attended an art auction (there were a few) just to see what was going on....there were just a handful of people and most seemed there to observe...certainly no one we saw was buying anything! It is a shame that the area in Mosaic which used to be for the piano is now for the art auction table.

I am sorry for those of you who do not have as much access to internet minutes as you had expected. It still puzzles me why people need to be on the internet so much while away from home. I can understand if there is an ailing family member or the like but tell me what is so important that you have to be tied to the computer. :confused:

 

We have been on more than 50 cruises, several of them lasting three weeks or more in the last 15 years or so and I have never used the internet while on vacation. :)

 

Happy cruising,

For us it's having elderly family members and for DH to check his work emails (and not having to use data minutes on his phone). I'm very glad you don't have ( or want) to be in touch with home while you're on vacation but please don't disparage those of us who do.

Well said Hazel and Andy. They did listen to us and while you know how much I value my free Internet minutes, and in an ideal world would have liked 235 free, I will be happy to top up my lower allocation with a discounted package now.

And I think the double points for solo travellers are great. How many cruise lines not only offer 25% single supplements but also double loyalty points?

I agree with Host Andy.....time for us to thank Azamara for their wise reconsideration n their LCV loyalty programme and move on.

I am really looking forward to our Journey cruise in a few weeks! :)

I don't see any option to purchase additional minutes at a discount.

I received the email with newsletter and too am delighted that Azamara listened. But I have a question ..I noticed that Discoverer level has 90 minutes of free internet. We used to get 235 minutes. I'm certainly glad to get any free minutes, but is there still a discount to purchase additional minutes? As an aside, is there any plan to upgrade the internet service?

ahhhh. yes! A lovely cappuccino in the early morning after my many laps around the walking track! (and maybe a little snack or two to tide me over until breakfast LOL)

The coffee in the MDR was a bit better our last cruise, but on earlier ones, we asked for coffee from Mosaic after dinner and our lovely wait staff brought them back for us!

(BTW, I too miss the piano there)

Hi Mare S!

Another restaurant to try is called "El Reloj." It's right by the City Park. Reasonable.. good food and if you get 2 dinners they include a bottle of wine for free! Yippee!! Check and make sure they still have that special though. The Delta flight attendant on the way over recommended it to us. Here is their review on trip advisor.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187497-d986378-Reviews-Restaurante_El_Reloj-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

If you are near the City Park there are rowboats for rent on the pond inside the park. It was fun.

Enjoy!!

Thanks!

Interesting discussion. And the last post by Redtravel uses the key word--"value".

 

The service on the Azamara ships is very high. But I would suggest that a major reason that many consider Azamara is the appeal of its itineraries--different ports, more time in port, some overnights. Frankly, if we are talking about Azamara and its competitors offering for the most part identical itineraries, Azamara at its current pricing probably cannot compete. Interaction with the ship's captain and hotel manager, small ship size and a country club apparel dress code are not enough. But so long as Azamara can offer itineraries somewhat different from those its competitors, it can occupy a small niche in the marketplace.

 

The problem is pricing level. Even for those who embrace the "destination immersion" concept, Azamara can charge only so much given the state of its two ships and the amenities they offer.

Precisely! I know I'm repeating myself, but we did look at other cruiselines for next year and Azamara's itinerary was unique. We love the service on board, etc. but that is not the prime motivator for us. However, if the on board experience deteriorates further (and I'm talking about the removal of the harpist, addition of the art auctions, and now the LCV changes) prices continue to go up, and itineraries remain basically the same, we will move on to other options.

Thanks Larry, for listening and posting here. We all will be awaiting October 9 with great anticipation. However, I note, by its glaring absence, any reference to the internet/laundry issue (you mentioned specifically the singles, suites, and upper tier distance) which, if comments here on CC are any indication, are very important to us. I hope there will be some movement on this in your October 9 announcement.

p.s. I think the CC Advisory Board is a wonderful idea as long as they have real input.

We've been to other parts of Spain but never to Barcelona. We made the decision to book next year in great part because the cruise leaves from Barcelona! We plan to fly in a few days early and I can't wait! I've been lurking on the Ports of Call Board and on Trip Advisor for recommendations. Thanks, mzk90 for the restaurant suggestion!

I am sorry to disagree with you Mare s but we had just chosen an Azamara cruise for next spring when the changes to the loyalty programme were announced. Fortunately we had only held the 4 cabins whilst I researched the location. We are now spending our money with a different cruise line as most of our points have been gained with celebrity. We will reach zenith before we will qualify for anything under the new rules with LVC. Removing valuable perks whilst promising 'free' but almost impossible to qualify for nights is a con. The internet connection, which we cannot manage without, is a joke. Whilst we had free minutes we put up with it happily, almost fondly, BUT it is to poor to pay for and I do not go on holiday to spend my time looking for a decent connection in ports or complaining about the internet charges. It is not the cost but the principle.

If you read the other threads on this subject you will see many people who have never had a bad word to say about Azamara cancelling cruises and booking with other cruise lines.

 

It is a well known fact that a happy customer tells one or two people but an unhappy customer tells at least 10 people.

I do agree that the recent changes in LCV are awful and I was ready to cancel our 2015 cruise. But then I looked at other cruiselines and there was no itinerary that I loved as much as the one we're booked on Quest. If the on board experience remains good (and it has deteriorated a bit IMO, with the removal of the harpist and the addition of the art auctions), itineraries remain interesting, and prices don't continue to jump, many (notice I didn't say "all") will continue to book. I think that Azamara's response to all the concerns we've voiced will prove pivotal. If they "brush-off" the feelings of their most loyal guests, they will continue to lose customers. If they respond with some positive changes to their announced program, they may very well win back a lot of people. We'll see.

You've hit the nail on the head, Phil. As you know we're on the Journey right now and it's been one of the most incredible cruises we've ever done. A "perfect storm" of excellent weather, cheerful crew, mouthwatering food, and fabulous ports. We could not ask for more. And, as has been mentioned, while the freebies they've stolen away from us don't have a lot of value--I mean, a bottle of bubbly, a bag of laundry, and internet--that's absolutely not what this brouhaha is about. It's about the principle of the thing. We've exhibited loyalty and in exchange for a few lost perks it we've been told that they're giving us greater, more Azamazing things to enjoy and that ain't exactly the way it works. I think the Emperor has no clothes and he can parade all he wants but to the majority of us here, he's nekkid as a jaybird. :(

wish there was a "like" button on CC

I share your view.

 

Staff onboard Azamara Quest told me so. We were on the last cruise (disembarking in Istanbul September 1st, 2014) with the "old" workload for housekeeping staff.

As I stated housekeeping staff has now 30% more cabins to attend to per person.

Well, that is indeed unfortunate. The housekeeping staff work very hard and have done (at least on our cruises) admirable work keeping a friendly and accommodating attitude. Loading them with extra work can only mean less attention to detail, less availability for special requests, and I'm sure a less than happy staff. Forget the lousy LCV program...this change is really bad.

Bonnie...you want to chime in on this?

This is one change I can get behind! Also, it makes the dining package more attractive...one night in Prime C one night in regular Aqualina and one night in Italian Aqualina. Perfect.

We just returned home from the 12 night Black Sea cruise of Azamara Quest which ended September 1st in Istanbul – nobody told us onboard the details of the new program. We were told "exciting changes will come shortly". So we did not expect less perks we really can use.

 

 

We had a most wonderful time on board – but we do not like the new program.

 

 

I had hoped Azamara would one day offer “all internet included” as we were told Azamara wants to make its ships “paperless”.

For me to cut the free internet perk is a move in the opposite direction.

 

 

On our cruise on Quest the wifi was so bad, our tablet (which really works everywhere all over the world and did so last year on Journey) had no connection in our cabin on deck 7.

We were told wifi works in public areas, in some cabins it may not work. I guess with more and more devices being used their system is stretched to its limits.

And I expect not only the loyalty program may be affected by some top management decisions.

 

 

If my information is correct starting this September just after our cruise the housekeeping staff has 30% more cabins to attend to per person – this has to affect the Azamara cruise experience for all passengers.

With so many cruises in 2015 at key holiday dates on charter (and with Quest the ship we would favour!) in our opinion Azamara is no longer a cruise line with two ships. It is for us down to 1.5 ships at best!

So our doubts are: what other changes will come and will we ever have the same great onboard experience again.

uh oh. if this is correct, there will be a direct impact on the wonderful on board experience. Let's hope this is just a bad rumor.