DS

The Quest sailed out of Miami last winter...we were on the Christmas cruise, you remember, the one that ended up with 30-40 passengers with COVID and more than 60 crew either sick or isolated. Also missed almost half the scheduled island ports...Captain Johannes always found new ones!

The RCCL big book was apparently softcopy and they were literally no longer able to access it. They did go by memory and try to replicate the procedures, but sometimes memory is incomplete or differs. Tony said they wanted a native English speaker with some writing experience and a long tenure onboard with Azamara -- he has these although not as HD

An extract of what I posted on "anyone onboard currently" about wines.. ...Comp wines are a mix of Azamara labeled and others (a very nice other Syrah last night…). Tony had a Q&A today and wines were discussed: head office has hired a sommelier to revamp the entire wine (and other liquor packages) program;... .... They did have a second container full of wine, which they found in Sydney. After it had sat for a year or more in heat and cold and heat and… they ended up throwing most of it away… tested one bottle per case, then if needed dumped the rest. (Now there’s a job that we passengers could have helped with if they had asked!) One of the things "Jonathan" ... the guy hired to look at the wine program... is specifically looking at is a country intensive wine program for those cruises that are "country intensive" Not sure yet if it will be the comp wines or the "revenue wines" or maybe a stand alone package. Tony also noted that Azamara has entered into an agreement with Chateau St Michelle ( which is also owned by Sycamore Partners) to provide more wines... again, not sure if house wines or "revenue wines" -- Tony's words...

Onboard the ONWARD, Transatlantic from Lisbon yesterday (11/20) to Miami (12/1). Number of passengers about 315 ( or 317, or…). Senior Officers are: Captain Gianmario Sanuineti Hotel Director Tony Markey Cruise Director Eric De Gray Asst CD Martin Lawson F&B Iwn Pennings Ex Chef Shiju Sekharan. Our only port stop was to be Hamilton Bermuda, but today, in his noon announcements the Captain said we had to redirect because of a couple of low pressure systems in the mid-Atlantic that were making 5 to 6 meter waves, so we could not maintain enough speed to get there on schedule. Instead, they are investigating Nassau, and we are taking a more southern route. Given the earlier kerfuffle about Bermuda landing permits, fees, etc., I’m sure this will generate a bunch of conversation… A lot of the crew who have been on in the fall left before this cruise because of US visa issues: we lost a couple of dining room waiters we had in the fall, one of the butlers, several of the bar waiters. In fact, our room steward was brought over from another ship simply because he had US visa. In response to frequent topics: Patio open for lunch, but not for dinner (not enough quests per the staff); Comp wines are a mix of Azamara labeled and others (a very nice other Syrah last night…). Tony had a Q&A today and wines were discussed: head office has hired a sommelier to revamp the entire wine (and other liquor packages) program; No info on tonic water (not my usual mixer…). Other topics from Tony… The comms difficulties with shore side was discussed. They are keenly aware of our difficulties. They closed the Wichita call center during the pandemic, and when they reopened only about 20% of the people came back –others had taken other jobs or did not want to work. They are back to about 50% now. Even so, the kinds of questions and calls they get are much more broad than pre-pandemic, so they are having difficulty getting new folks up to speed. Turns out that since ONWARD was never owned by RCCL, Azamara is using it as the guinea pig for many things, including technology testing. One of the fall-outs of the split was that the “Big-fat-book-of-rules-and-procedures-for-everything!” was owned by RCCL and none of the Azamara ships were allow to continue to access it. They have been trying to go from memory (which explains some of the differences amongst the ships.) Tony will probably be charged with writing the master version for Azamara. Sounds like at some point he will step aside as one of two regular HD’s on ONWARD. Elizabeth will do the entire 2024 World Voyage. Between now and then, Tony will work on the SOP and fill in on any ship that needs an HD. Yes, they are discussing getting a newly built ship. Sycamore Partners is supportive. Probably looking at about 1000 passengers. Nothing decided yet. When it is, it is still a two to three year project—have to find a ship yard (some have closed), have to find steel, other supply chain issues. Speaking of supply chain issues (and he did on almost every topic/question that was asked) they know precisely where the huge cargo contain of balcony chairs, carpets, wall covering, etc. is—its sitting in Shanghai. The port was closed for a long time because of COVID, but the containers kept piling up. When it opened again, the “big boys” who had hundreds or thousands of containers hired all the ships. Azamara had 1 container! And have been unable to get it loaded. They did have a second container full of wine, which they found in Sydney. After it had sat for a year or more in heat and cold and heat and… they ended up throwing most of it away… tested one bottle per case, then if needed dumped the rest. (Now there’s a job that we passengers could have helped with if they had asked!)

The TA on Onward is NOW! WE left Lisbon today heading for Miami. In the spring it does not do a true TA... it goes from Miami to the Canaries in Feb, does a few Canary intensives, then gets to Lisbon in early April.

I think if you use one credit card for the both of you, all the OBC credit gets combined. If you each give them a seperate credit card, then you're on your own!

Three weeks and no posts by anyone onboard any of the four ships??? Should I worry about Azamara???

We, also from SWFL, are on this cruise. We expect Lisbon to be cool at the end Nov, but Miami to be "usual"... so I'd expect every temp in between. As with you, after IAN, we are looking forward to DOING NOTHING, and having the Az crew take care of us!

Someone earlier posted about the railings on deck 5. EVERY day this cruise there has been a crew person oiling down these railing.... not just running a cloth over them, but giving them a good massage over every inch. They are beginning to look much better.

Vasi (last name unknown) has been, but tomorrow Pavel from the orchestra sits in, as does the Guitar player for another set ( tomorrow is Destination Celebration, so not a good day to compare...)

UPDATE ON ONWARD Many of the postings have noted some of the deficiencies on the ONWARD. We are currently onboard (Islands of the Med Rome-> Barcelona). We were told by HD Elizabeth that there would be workers onboard this cruise doing “stuff’ And, boy, are there! They have replaced all the bench seats in Atlas Bar (I presume they took comments of them being too narrow to heart). They are replacing all the hall wall coverings at least on deck 8. They are replacing all the cabin desktops that were cracked (as ours was… we came back today with a new desk top). They are adding new air flow devices to keep smoke from smoking area out of cabins on deck 9 and 8 (ONWARD is first… will migrate to other ships later). While there are still things to do, its clear they are taking things seriously. (I would add that at most ports the majority of “stuff” loaded onboard has NOT been consumables, but equipment, engine parts, pallets of wood, furniture, etc.)

UPDATE ON ONWARD Many of the postings have noted some of the deficiencies on the ONWARD. We are currently onboard (Islands of the Med Rome-> Barcelona). We were told by HD Elizabeth that there would be workers onboard this cruise doing “stuff’ And, boy, are there! They have replaced all the bench seats in Atlas Bar (I presume they took comments of them being too narrow to heart). They are replacing all the hall wall coverings at least on deck 8. They are replacing all the cabin desktops that were cracked (as ours was… we came back today to a new desk top). They are adding new air flow devices to keep smoke from smoking area out of cabins on deck 9 and 8 (ONWARD is first… will migrate to other ships later). While there are still things to do, its clear they are taking things seriously. (I would add that at most ports the majority of “stuff” loaded onboard has NOT been consumables, but equipment, engine parts, pallets of wood, furniture, etc.)

We are onboard the ONWARD ( Rome -> Barcelona). What was originally advertised as an AzAmazing evening is going to be held on board-- i.e. a Destination Celebration. Eric said that after Nov 25 they would be AzAmazing Evenings... we ( or you, since we are not on cruise immediately after Nov 25...) will see!

on 2nd leg of B2b.... same senior officers as noted above.... 573 passengers... assuming all got thru the Rome airport mess ( we were almost 3 hours late in departing, waiting for passengers... some never made it... including Capt Carl's family, whose flight was cancelled yesterday

1. it was onboard... a Destination Celebration 2. Every venue has been TOO loud... Cabaret, Living Room, Den. I also thought that maybe all those "youngsters" had hearing loss so they turned everything up. Yesterday Roy, the Assit CD did a set of Jazz numbers in the Living Room before dinner... the canned sound track was too loud. Today, the Band Saxophonist did a set and the same thing.... the canned track blocks out the soloist. Both those sets were wonderful... orders of magnitude better than the usual LR band...

MDR times are usually 6-9 PM...so 7 PM tours require gulping dinner before... But you could eat in the patio or other non-full-service restaurants before 5

our cabin was frigid on boarding day... told steward... next day and since... as toasty as we wish... currently onboard ONWARD

He also did a 3 course selection in MDR last night... a wonderful potato-less gnocchi, a great 5 oz filet, and a chocolate dessert that received DW's approval -- no small feat!

UKTOG.... we are INSANELY JEALOUS of you! We are on ONWARD and had Kotor chef tour booked for months. when we boarded Monday in Ravenna we were told it was cancelled for "operational reasons"! Yet you got it the day before! Did you eat all the food in town! Glad you enjoyed it... We have been on a couple of these and they are always great. Famishedly yours, DS

AMEN! Its been more than 3 years since we saw his show and it was great to hear him again. We've had 101 nights on ships since then, so maybe 80 shows? and 40-50 single performers? None come close to Eric--- a league of his own!

and the USB in the bedside light

Onboard the ONWARD ( 10 Oct Ravenna to 21 October Rome) Senior Officers: Captain CARL Smith; HD Elisabeth Vogel; Cruise Director ERIC DeGray; F&B IWAN Pennings (former exec chef); Assist CD Roy Ryan Passengers on Board: 442

Onboard the ONWARD ( 10 Oct Ravenna to 21 October Rome) Senior Officers: Captain CARL Smith; HD Elisabeth Vogel; Cruice Director ERIC DeGray; F&B IWAN Pennings (former exec chef); Assist CD Roy Ryan Passengers on Board: 442 FOOD: So far the food has been excellent—we’ve been in MDR, Aqualina, and Prime C—all good SERVICE: Mostly up to usual Azamara standards (a bit of hiccups in Prime C last night), excellent in Aqualina. Comp wines have been a mix of Azamara Label and other non-Az labels. Usually just 2 reds and 2 whites a night ( June cruise, with all Az labels, at least had all 4 varietals of both red and white each night). BUT, as always, you waiter can usually find what you want… Room steward have been excellent, although as some others noted, there are now no assistant room stewards COMMENTS and NITS: still some supply chain problems: no bagels the first two mornings, and today we knew from Iwan that they had been loaded yesterday – but the restaurant staff did not! BUT, in usual Azamara style, they went and found them. There were none of the usual “Make up my room / Do not disturb” door magnets when we boarded--- steward said they were still waiting for them. They showed up a day or so later. When we boarded there were still lots of things on the pier to be loaded – including many mechanical parts ( big engines/ generators, huge propane ( or something) tanks) Obviously still trying to get things up to snuff. Ship is very cold; our room the first day/night was frigid, even with thermostat turned fully up. A mention to the room steward the next morning, and it was corrected by engineering—nice and toasty now! CHAIRS: I think every single chair on the ONWARD is physically lighter than is counterpart on the other ships. From the veranda (molded plastic with thin cushion), to all the restaurants ( some times on other ships it was hard to move the chairs out from the table—not here… I’ve seen several tip over when someone tried to move them.) Same thing in the lounges and Cabaret. They also tend to be very narrow, especially those with arms. I’m a skinny guy but still touch both sides of these chairs when sitting down—they must be uncomfortable for larger folk. SHIPS APPEARANCE: There is still a lot of work to be done. For example, there is a large crack all the way through our desk top. The hand rails in the elevators are all beaten up, some with chunks out. A simple coat of paint would go a long way! (but please, not the same icky brown as in in there now… it’s not a natural wood color, just some other brown stuff). Brass on stair treads in need of heavy polishing. (Last cruise on different ship we saw one staff member polishing this brass every single day of our cruise… he started on deck 10 and got to 4 or 5 by the end of the cruise!) TRANSFER FROM VENICE TO RAVENNA: We were on the Azamara provided bus from Venice airport to Ravenna port. Unfortunately, the PURSUIT was also sailing from Ravenna the same day, so we had two ship loads of people. They mixed us up on the busses. Others have posted here or elsewhere about the trials and tribulations of moving our own luggage from airport arrival hall to busses ( half a klick or more way through the parking lot, then getting off the bus and standing in line ( again with two ships worth of people) before giving the baggage to the porters. Inside the building, at least there were two separate areas for check-in. And all this on top of the 2 ½ hr bus ride, without the promised “comfort stop.” I’m so glad that it looks like Venice will be back in a year or so… BOTTOM LINE: We are coming from Fort Myers Florida, where the past 2 weeks have been --- just awful! We are so glad to be back on board and have the Azamara staff take care of us, feed us, entertain us. We can forgive crappy elevator handrails!

So, today are all four ships in KOPER? Would someone tell us what, if anything, is going on?

As far as tipping on board, I’ll repeat what I said before on other boards. Although, in theory, “gratuities are included,” the past two years have been HORRENDOUS for the staff and crew—and their families at home – of the AZAMARA Ships. Most of us have fared better. They are not, for us, like random folks at a local pub or restaurant: they are almost like family members—some we’ve known for years, who routinely take excellent care of us. Since the re-start, I’ve had NO problem dropping a few dollars/Euros at the bars, or leaving something extra for the waiters or stewards who take SUCH GOOD care of us. We almost always do this in dollars, as that is the onboard currency.