marinaro44

2 hours ago, blag said:

On embarkation a few days ago (Pursuit) there were three s.mall bottles only. Cannot recall what, but they were Bacardi (?),  Bombay Sapphire, and a vodka.

Same three on Onward, I think because there was no scotch.  Brought us a second Bombay Sapphire, instead.

1 hour ago, Norwegian Cruiser 73 said:

Here is a video from my first cruise on the Azamara. Which I loved. Live music on a day at sea on the pooldeck onboard the Azamara Journey in the Mediterranean Sea last August 👍 Great atmosphere 👏

 

 

 

Yuck.

1 hour ago, aliaschief said:

Seeing CD Eric needed to go home has Tony been singing at all to fill the entertainment void?

Four production shows, two shows with violinist Laszlo, White Night, Azamazing Evening, assistant CD Martin Lawson's show on this 10-night cruise.  Don't know yet how the remaining night will be filled.

On 12/15/2022 at 10:54 PM, andrcan said:

Escargot is finally available on Onward tonight. Iwan is arguably the most visible and available of all officers on board; he really takes care of all food related issues, which are quite a few. There was no cottage cheese available for a day or two; mentioned that to Iwan at lunch time; by dinner time, he got back to me with the news that the problem was solved.

Cottage cheese available at Windows breakfast on Onward now.  Also some interesting "destination" items at breakfast:  pineapple-coconut fritters today, polenta pancakes a few days ago, others.

Haven't seen kadota figs at breakfast.

7 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

OK, so I'm not from Maine.  Only visited 40 years in a row, but still definitely 'from away.'  But even I know never to order lobster when you're not in Maine [I give lobster rolls a slightly wider radius but it still stops at NYC].  If it was Maine lobster, it wasn't swimming this morning – so too old.  If it was Caribbean lobster – different species, not interested.  Mexico? – really?  Bottom line: you had all the information you needed to not order this.  🤣

Right.  The obsession with lobster on a cruise ship baffles.

23 hours ago, takemewithyou said:

Ok…..finished dinner in Aqualina.

Brutally honest here……it has never been my favorite restaurant and tonight was no different.  
I tried to find out info about the lobster being served.  I asked where is it from.  Maine? (Where I am originally from).  Could not get a straight answer.  Is it from N Atlantic or is it Caribbean?  He said I think it is from Mexico.  So I passed on it.  My spouse did get it.  Was supposed to be in a sauce with shrimp, scallops and calimari.  We had heard from acquaintances onboard that there is no calimari or scallops onboard….that the shipment came in and Azamara refused it because it was sub standard.  We were trying to find out if it had these and server said yes.  There was none!

I chose the veal chop because it had been recommended from someone who just had it the other night.  It was huge, about 1.5 in thick.  I ordered it cooked medium.  First couple of bites were good.  Then as I got a bit more in to it, it was tough.  Very tough.  The table next to us had the same thing and hers was also tough.  We both reported it.  The meals were complementary because we were in suites. Had we paid $35 for it we would have been very disappointed.  Anywhere else on the ship would have been better.

In fairness, the lobster ravioli was ok.  The hazelnut soufflé was good.

When speaking with the restaurant manager at end of meal, we found out the reservations we made were early on embarkation were messed up!  They had us down for 2 more times in Aqualina (oh no!) and only 1 reservation in Prime C (our fav).  It should have been 2 and 2.  Never had that happen before.  My advice:  Make then give you confirmation at booking time.  I asked for it and was told, you will receive confirmation on the day of.  I am glad we found this mistake before all times were gone.  As it is, we have 8 pm seating instead of preferred 6 pm.

Excellent four-scallop appetizer in Aqualina last night.

Tony said it was a supply issue at his Q & A.  Also said veranda chairs are supposed to arrive in Miami December 23...the day after Onward's Christmas cruise departs.😪

3 hours ago, uktog said:

Iwan is great he has so much to contend with these days though. Everything seems to land on him. 
Have they got yogurt or avocados back at breakfast yet? 

Greek, plain and flavored yogurt. Haven't looked for avocados.

1 minute ago, Kelownadon said:

Per booking per person or per booking per room?

Room

1 hour ago, KevintheIrishDJ said:

Don't you think it is misleading?

Worst is "2-for-1" pricing on Regent and Oceania.🙄

3 hours ago, uktog said:

Lobster and fillet mignon both of which used to appear on the main dining room menu were only available in additional pay venues this last cruise.

The other sad thing is herbs are now very rarely enjoyed, all "flavouring" seems to come from spice which does not work for everyone

Filet mignon in Discoveries tonight along with bacon-wrapped venison.  The latter was excellent.

1 hour ago, Mackdogmolly said:

Is anyone masking at all?

Some (including us) on Onward.

Latest word is Eric is staying with parents for the holidays and will return after his already planned vacation, sometime in March.

7 hours ago, tgg said:

As the original poster, I never implied that the cruise was ruined by a missing beach bag. This is a Caribbean cruise and lots of people will be going to the beach. They'll take towels, sunblock, water, and whatever else they might need. A bag would be nice to have, especially if you expect it to be provided. 

The key phrase is "if you expect it to be provided."  If it's a supply chain problem, tell people, don't just ignore.  Show that you understand that people will notice something's missing.

Yesterday I was expecting a coffee/tea cart outside our CC suite sometime mid-afternoon.  Nothing.  Then I expected a canapes plate late afternoon.  Nothing.  I called the butler's number and was told no more cart and you have to request your canapes plate.  Why weren't we told?  No one likes takeaways...especially without explanations.  That's simply human nature.

44 minutes ago, uktog said:

Snacks cost $6.95 and upwards. Seem very expensive for what they are. 

The concept itself is  insulting.

No interest in doing work.  Stopped that 23 years ago.  Browsing is fine.  Email is fine.  Much better than on Windstar.  Expecting a ship's internet to be "speedy?"

Hot water restored at 11:30 am after broken pipe this morning.

Internet working fine for me.

Had the all-inclusive package 10/23 to 11/3 on Pride and never signed anything.

Check-in was as soon as you entered terminal C, not at 2.  First boarding was at 2, precisely as Azamara said it would be.  There was a section for suite passengers to wait.  Emergency drill took five minutes immediately after boarding.  No big muster. 

Chateaubriand was excellent, as were three vegetable sides and the special rum raisin souffle.  Tonight is Italian Chef's Table to be served in Aqualina, likely at the rear.  The long table in Prime C is a few inches higher than a standard dining table, so pretty much sit down, not high.  Two sets of three Chef's Tables supposedly sold out.

Eric likely to return on the 16th now that his father is home.  Martin did well last night.  Brunch this morning.  Two lecturers onboard plus art and bridge instructors, and a rabbi.

Must be 600 plus passengers.  Americans, Canadians and Brits totaled 550.  Even a handful from embattled Ukraine.  Azamara-branded wines leave much to be desired.  Included rose from Provence is OK.

Three sets of dancing tonight in the Living Room on Onward, plus a show with the singers and dancers in Cabaret, followed by dancing with the DJ late.  Buffet brunch this morning at 9:30 with talks at 10, 11 and 1.  Don't understand the whining.

2 hours ago, uktog said:

No difference from pre pandemic fully staffed. Tables are only one part of the consideration the galley is shared between the two restaurants and is v small

The specialties need a mix of twos, fours and sixes or more, so they can accommodate a different mix of patrons each night.

4 hours ago, Grandma Cruising said:

The bookable times were the same on Quest in October/November when the ship was full.

Allows two seatings.  Kitchen size limits how many can be served at once.  

2 hours ago, Edinburghgirl1 said:

Entertainment is an important part of cruising for us also  so although we enjoyed some  aspects of Azamara it would put us off booking another. There were certainly no pool performances on our cruise and periods in the evening when nothing was happening anywhere! 

Some need constant entertainment, others make their own.

4 hours ago, zentraveler said:

The laundry is fabulous. Comes back the next day with everything appropriate ironed (!) and looking better than it looks at home. Worth every penny. Who wants to do laundry on vacation??

If you have the laundry package or are entitled to free laundry and put the bag out by 9 am, it comes back the same day by 4 pm.  Amazing.