LewiLewi

I am staying in a suite, so this is problematical for me, as I prefer dining with others.

Are you able to ask for a shared table in the specialty restaurants, ie for single passengers who want to join a table of others?

I suggest that you call Azamara directly and ask whether a YF vaccination or a doctor’ s letter exempting you from this shot is necessary before booking this cruise. Better safe than sorry.

We have avoided the Amazon because of Yellow Fever. We were told that if you cruised there, a Yellow Fever shot was very highly recommended. All cruise lines required proof of that shot before you were allowed to board. At our ages, this shot was problematical because of dire side reactions, so we never got it, and never sailed the Amazon.

On 4/15/2024 at 7:10 PM, RachelG said:

April 15, 2024–bumping along in the North Atlantic

 

The seas picked up again through the night, and the room did a lot of creaking and groaning all night long, punctuated by occasional loud thumps from somewhere outside the room.  We went ahead yet another hour.

 

I made myself get up and go to yoga.  Class was challenging due to the motion of the ship.  We then had a leisurely breakfast in La Veranda.  Skies were overcast, and it was chilly and windy outside.  Walking track and outdoors decks still closed.

 

I went for a pedicure, and it was a really good one.  And amazingly, the price was what I normally pay at home.

 

The pool deck lunch was Indian food, which George does not prefer, so we decided to go to Prime 7 for lunch.  The menu is totally different than for dinner.  I had a Manhattan clam chowder and Caesar salad with shrimp.  George’s port ribs were just ok according to him, but his shrimp and grits were delicious.

 

After lunch, the sun had come out, and even though it was still very windy, the sea had calmed enough that the powers that be deemed it safe to open the walking track on deck 12.  I put on a windbreaker and got my steps.  Love,love the walking track.  It is coated with an anti skid material that has a slight sponginess to it.  Very comfortable and safe.

 

We were back to second at Trivia. I calculated the year the euro became the official currency in Europe based on the ages of my children when we visited there, but got over ruled.

 

The seas really suddenly picked up again just as trivia was ending.  There were a lot of bumping noises and creaky sounds in our suite.

 

Tonight was the Event for the upper tier society members.  It was a special performance by the guest vocalists and they were great.

 

Dinner in Pacific Rim was very good.  This isn’t my favorite restaurant, but I have figured out what I like.  George loves it, so we compromise.  He had sushi and sashimi.  I had the watermelon and duck salad, spring rolls and lobster tempura, all very delicious.  Best part for me is that they have really nice tea, not the Twinning that is served elsewhere on the ship.

 

The ship was severely rocking by the end of dinner.  I went to the magician show, and he had to sit down.  But he was funny and did some good illusions.

 

Were you able to get much sleep in this cabin with the groaning and creaking and banging? Is this a nightly occurrence or just during rough seas? Also, could you please tell me the approximate location of your cabin for future booking information. We had a cabin on the Splendor that had the same problems. We changed our cabin after the first night on board.

Thank you all for your quick replies.

My son and DIL are thinking of joining me on a fall cruise on Journey. There is availability of an aft facing balcony cabin on deck 6. Question: Is it a noisy cabin; a lot of vibration, engine noise, etc.? All day at sea or only when ship is coming into or leaving a port?

Regent is great for solos and so is Crystal. Both are very attentive to the solo traveler.

We had problems with noise under the Lido buffet area. Rolling carts all day long. When friends visited our Neptune Suite during the early evening for drinks, they were surprised at the constant noise.

I have just returned to Ft. Lauderdale and have final comments after my week on NS.

Breakfast in the cabin did improve after the second day. I specifically wrote in my order, underlining “well done” for eggs and bacon. Also ordering off menu for yogurt parfaits, cheese omelets, etc. I think that being in a Neptune Suite helps. I’m not sure if this would work in a regular cabin.

Entertainment on the ship was very good at night. This has certainly improved since my last cruise on NS two years ago. 
Food has also improved. There were plenty of items to choose from on the MDR menu. We enjoyed every entree we ordered. We did not find it necessary to order any extra entrees from the Club Orange menu. The service from the wait staff was excellent after the first night. I did order the Peruvian chicken from the CO menu the first night and it was excellent. 
I am a light sleeper and noise can be and was an issue for me. I heard creaking and some loud banging noises when the ship was sailing at night, and changed cabins twice, finally getting an inside “sleeping cabin” for at night. The inside cabin was extremely quiet and I had the best night’s sleep. I wonder why inside cabins are so much quieter than larger outside cabins?

I also heard that many people under entertainment areas like BB Kings, had to change cabins in order to sleep. If HAL knows that this is a problem, why sell these cabins in the first place? Or put money into insulating them to alleviate this problem.

All in all, we all enjoyed this week on board. Staff was wonderful. Also recommend Tamarind, Canaletto, Pinnacle for lunch and Dive In for great burgers.

Things are continuing to improve. Our dinner tonight was very good, served in a timely fashion. We ordered three different entrees, and enjoyed all of them. There was an excellent show in the theatre tonight, Divas, that we really enjoyed. Service on board is very good. I am hoping breakfast in the cabin tomorrow morning will be acceptable.  

We had tea in our cabin this afternoon, and really enjoyed it. Besides the three tiers of sandwiches, scones, and cake, they have added hot and cold hors d’ouvres, including dumplings, spring rolls, shrimp cocktail and cheese. This was far more extensive than what they served a few years ago. I hope we will continue to enjoy the next few days as far as cuisine is concerned.

We are 4 Star Mariners and have sailed with HAL on most of their ships over the last 30 years. We are currently in a Neptune Suite, which is lovely and spacious. But, so far, I am not as happy with HAL as I used to be. Lunch at the buffet was crowded and almost impossible to find seating. We finally took our food outside to eat it. Breakfast in the cabin was a disaster this morning. Cold toast, no plate. A small tablespoon of weird jam, a cold and slimy looking frittata, inedible. I am usually not a complainer, but I hope things improve. Dinner last night was okay. We chose to dine in the MDR because CO was crowded and the wooden backed chairs were not comfortable to sit in for long periods of time. We noticed that the MDR menu and the Club Orange menu were different; more dessert choices on the MDR menu. Other than the Peruvian chicken, the entrees were the same. My son waited an extra 40 minutes for his steak; the waiter told us that the steak came from another kitchen and therefore the wait. I really hope that things improve, we used to enjoy cruising on HAL.

15 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

No fish and chips?

Ditto!!

We have sailed on the Star Legend pre expansion and loved it. I am thinking about the Wind Surf for a future cruise. Is your cabin quiet? Any noise issues at all?

20 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

While signed in to Cruise Critic, go to: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/settings/signature/

 

You will see a toggle to view signatures, or not.

Thank you very much!

On 3/3/2024 at 9:54 AM, Host Jazzbeau said:

At the bottom of every post I make.

 

When I look at your posts on my device, your email does not show up, nor does anyone’s. I wonder if something is wrong with my CC system.

19 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

I spend some time yesterday compiling my own brochure of the Atlas accommodations.  I had come to a similar conclusion, that the Horizon cabins are preferable to the Verandas because the extra space inside means you get a nice couch and two chairs and the window slides open for air if you want it.  But I hadn't figured out that there was a benefit to deck 6 over deck 5 – as described that would make it worth paying the premium.  Thanks!

 

[edited to add:  tried to post Atlas Accommodations brochure, but CC doesn't work for large pdf files.  Email me (in my signature) and I will send it to you.]

I have never figured out how to email someone “in my signature”. Where is your signature? I’ve been a member of CC for 25 years.

14 minutes ago, Texas Tillie said:

 

You were in a regular double balcony, not a suite. When I was on 7 recently the potato chips or peanuts came about 1/3 of the time and the truffles about 1/2 the time. I didn't want the potato chips and had a zip lock bag to bring the truffles home since when they did come there were 3 for 1 person!

 

Patty

On deck 7 the peanuts/chips came every day when my butler saw that I nibbled them daily, and the chocolate truffles(three of them) came every evening, which unfortunately, I demolished. No wonder I gained 5 pounds in one week on board.

22 hours ago, rafinmd said:

I don't think it was the Sun you were on 40 years ago (Star, Sky or Sea?) as Sun was built 36 years ago.  All the Royal Viking ships were in service up to the Pandemic, but now only 2 remain.

 

Royal Viking Queen is now Windstar's Star Legend.  I had 171 fabulous nights on Sun as HAL Prinsendam.  She is still going strong as Amera for Phoenix Reisen.  I got a final look at her when she visited Baltimore last April 6:

 

 

Roy

I guess it must have been Star or Sky. I remember a celebration on board when both ships came into New York harbor on the same day. Also, I loved Windstar Legend, not even realizing that it was a Royal Viking ship at one time. Funny, I had been on almost every HAL ship,except Prinsendam, and now realize that I was on that ship, only it was the Star Legend at that time.

25 minutes ago, ctjon said:

Royal Viking - my parents used to sail on that line before they switched to Crystal when it was launched.  Don't know if it was crew or ?  but Crystal was supposed to be built on Royal Viking with improvements.   I searched the web for Royal Viking - I found that a couple of their ships are still sailing - talk about old vessels.

We were actually on the Royal Viking Sun over 40 years ago; wonderful cuisine.

13 hours ago, kazu said:

 

So agree with you.  I normally exchanged ours for a decent bottle of wine.

 

 

Can I change it out for bottles of water?

17 hours ago, May B said:

I think they may not be available to book until Monday. 

The cruise is now available to be booked on one of the big cruise agencies.

10 hours ago, Roland4 said:

To be honest, like the "Midnight Buffet" of cruising years past, the Grand Buffett was an anachronism that was due to be dropped. Yes, it was an incredible feast to look at, but we, like many we talked to, rarely participated, and more often than not watched vast volumes of uneaten food be taken back into the MDR at the end. While some of it MAY have made its way to the crew dining room, I suspect most of it went into the waste disposal system. 

 

In the last two years we have sailed on Regent, Seabourn and Silversea, and with the exception of one of those lines, which one escapes me, and which only does it when Sunday is a sea day, Grand Buffets are a thing of the past. 

Regent does a Sunday Grand Buffet at sea.

I have sailed solo on Regent four times since Covid and enjoyed the experience. I was in Concierge category, large cabin, beautiful bathroom and large veranda. The food was wonderful as was entertainment and most excursions. However, I booked my first cruise as a solo on the Serenity two months ago in a singles cabin. I loved everything about Crystal including the solo fare. It was a warm, friendly ship and very inclusive for single travelers. I feel the food was equal or better than Regent and I felt totally comfortable with the experience on board. I have my next cruise booked on the Serenity and am looking forward to sailing with them again.