DS

12 minutes ago, DS said:

13 minutes ago, DS said:

On the current Quest voyage ( the not Morocco trip) Azamara rolled out their boutique wines.   There are 9 wines-- 4 reds, 4 white, and a Rose -- that are available every meal ( can't really say about breakfast...).   We were told that there would be other wines available each day, but have not seen them.   Some of them have been good/OK, some not so much.   Not sure this is the solution to the issue that many CC posters have about wine quality, but it is what it is...

On 3/27/2022 at 6:19 PM, uktog said:

 

As someone who has taken a lot of Azamara cruises, we recently embarked on a Viking cruise in Bergen. This thread is my reflection of the experience compared to Azamara.  I am not going to cross post but I will shortly be doing a review of the itinerary and ports of call that I will put on the Viking board and will cross reference here (just as I will signpost this comparison thread on the Viking board) – So one thread for each board each one with a different focus!

 

We had selected an itinerary – Search for the Northern Lights – a voyage we had always wished Azamara would offer.  We have seen Norway several times, particularly under Captain Johannes direction, but it was lovely to see places in the winter.

 

So to the comparisons:

 

Pre departure: - Throughout our interactions with Viking we have kept coming up against a common theme - that Viking have far superior technology support and this gives you a superior customer experience.  Pre departure there was a wealth of very high quality resources and information was easily accessed in one place.  However Viking also does still have the same curse as Azamara – the absence of a proof reader which gave us issues when trying to track down exactly what covid test results we had to bring as we had page 1 saying one thing and page 2 another.  Not good!

 

Boarding process – Having boarded on Azamara post covid this was a like for like experience.  We found the Viking process way more stressful.  Viking require you to produce quite an amount of saliva in a tube in an open terminal having not drank anything in the previous hour.  You then board, after a brief drill you go straight to your room for quarantine pending your hopefully negative result which takes 5+ hours to come through.  Compared to Azamara’s test and result in the terminal in 20 minutes we did not find the Viking process a positive experience.  Viking continue to test you every day (no wake up coffee from the lovely little nespresso machine in your room, you have to produce your saliva first.)  Also no lie in, the attendant knocks at 8 to collect the sample.  We feel Azamara is now living with Covid, Viking is still trying to eliminate it, and our personal preference is to live with Covid.

 

The ship- Its not fair to compare a 20 year old ship with a ship less than a year old.  If only Azamara could be able to have new ships.  Whilst Viking has 30% more passengers, there is so much more space onboard to sit and relax.  Space is so flexible – for example the deck with sliding roof gave us a lovely venue to lie and read in the warmth as we floated past snow scenes.  The pool deck has a role come rain or shine.  Likewise, whilst there are three shops, they are discretely tucked away and therefore the focus is on space for comfort not space for revenue.  

Of course, the en suite is nicer than Azamara but maybe one day Azamara’s could be as good if only they had new ship investment.  Some simple things Azamara could do now, like their bathroom products – Viking give you more sizeable tubes of each item which reduces waste but what is really helpful for those of us showering without the help of their glasses, each of the four tubes has very distinctive colourings so its easy for the attendant to top you up with what you need as well as for you to use the right one which you cant read the label.

All the ship is accessible to everyone – you have no suite only areas and there is no real focus on loyalty.  So apart from an increase in square footage and earlier access to excursion bookings pre cruise, once outside your room, your type of room is absolutely irrelevant.  We liked this. There are no butlers, everyone gets on and makes their own arrangements agin we liked that.

Having been excited pre cruise about technology I found the wifi a let down – I was expecting better than Azamara but to be honest it was about the same (slow) speed as we have had on Azamara in Norway.

 

The itinerary – as I said, we went because Azamara did not offer it.  On paper, it was a good itinerary but sadly it was not delivered.  There were some weather related issues which are beyond Viking’s control but at the end of the cruise two ports were cancelled and we did not feel, unlike what would happen on Azamara, that Viking made any real effort to find alternatives.  So we had an unplanned four consecutive sea days at the end of the cruise.  Communication of the change was poor – we were out on an excursion when the announcement was made and there was no follow up.  Only by chance another guest told us what was happening several hours later.  No letter was issued to guests as Azamara would have done, and the ship would not put into writing that the ports were missed which is making it very difficult now to claim on our insurance policy which has missed port cover.  So Azamara wins here as even if we had exceptionally lost two ports they would have immediately issued the required papers.

 

The food – ok a very subjective issue!  We decided although both are very good, Viking was better.  For us, that was because there is such a range of options all included in the price (Main Dining room does breakfast, lunch and dinner every day as does the World Café upstairs, a Pool Grill that has a more innovative menu, Mamsens a Norwegian style place, waffles, open sandwiches, late night snacks, Chefs Table – four menus over the cruise and Manfredis, a much more genuine Italian than Aqualina.  All food is served piping hot, nicer presentation and (our big preference) slightly smaller helpings.  The crockery is also nicer (slightly finer and with a modern twist) than Azamara. I was however surprised to see that despite their test test test paranoia, they allowed all guests to serve themselves in the Café.  

 

The service – this is a really inconsistent area and particularly in the Main Dining room and Pool Grill, a very big disappointment on Viking.  We discussed this with officers on board because of issues we had.  We all agreed it’s a training issue, the staff do not seem to communicate with each other so you will either be offered things multiple times by lots of staff or not at all.  Unlike the resturants, the bar service was consistent and very good.  All over the vessel, staff do try hard but some just lack the skills (Or English) to address issues. Officers are accessible though not as visible as on Azamara.  Viking is not a cruise that you will have long conversations with different officers or get the opportunity to get to know them.  Talking to other guests, this is the Viking way of doing things its not a Covid related issue. It did not bother us one bit.  

 

Entertainment – a very mixed bag.  You can immediately see a difference in the shows as they are surprisingly less well resourced,  The orchestra/band is a four piece activity – you really can see the impact on the music they made, no wind/brass section means the sound is weak.  Likewise production shows involve only three singers (they were very average in our mind) and no dancers.  So the shows have good scores (Beatles based, Abba based and one generic 60s show) but the delivery was not as Azamara singers and dancers, with far less staging options would have achieved.  That said the Cruise Director did a good show and the Assistant Cruise Director’s show was exceptional – better than what we have seen from some CDs/ACDs on Azamara.  There was a band who played in the nightclub who were awful but you had a good guitar playing, a piano player and a string and piano ensemble who were great playing in various lounges.

Activities are not a Viking thing and there is only one trivia each day.  Did not bother us but others might have had issues on this.  

 

Enrichment Lectures – all were outstanding (four speakers all excellent on Astronomy/Lights, History, Culture and Photography – the latter gave balanced talks covering both “cameras” and Smartphones and then, as a former Fleet Street picture editor gave two excellent talks about photographing the British Royal Family).  All talks started to the minute and were a strict 45 minutes in length. The port talks were very good and were held in conjunction with the shore excursion brief for the port in question.  These talks were brutally honest, telling us what people were and were not liking about each excursion which was helpful and very refreshing.  So this was an area Viking hit Azamara out of the park.  

 

Shore Excursions – another area where we felt Viking we far better.  Each port includes one free excursion which on this cruise tended to be local drive arounds with photo stops and/or museum visits.  They were very well organised and we were impressed by their operations in this area.  The staff were far more knowledgeable than on Azamara.  As an example the other week there was a discussion on this board about finding out about restroom availability pre tour.  Viking have exactly this information for every tour and you can check it out at the desk if that is important to you, so it can be done.

 

So where does this leave us with Viking.  Well they are certainly an excellent option for cruising, but they do need to sort out the service issues in their restaurant venues.  No amount of good food or attractive ship layouts will get the credit it deserves if the service is poor.  We hope to board Azamara next week for a short trip so will be able to test out our perceptions of the relative strengths of the two brands in more depth then.  But we have booked a trip to Greenland on Viking so you can see we are already ready to commit to more cruising day with them.  

 

I hope this helps those wondering if Viking is for them.

 

(and one simple photo to set you off!)

 

Thanks uktog.   Most interesting and informative write up.   We are currently on the AZ Quest ( for the past 15 days or so) and wanted to comment on your comment on portion sizes at meals.   We have long noted that there is 'too much."   My wife even suggested they offer "1/2 plates."  However, NOW,  we both noted that the sizes of portions have been reduced.  While it may visually seem to be a big cut back, eating wise it is welcomed!   So if it is for cost cutting reasons, or listening to passengers, fine by us!

2 hours ago, curmudgeon98 said:

Definitely a surprise.  I see my May 21 Onward itinerary shows the change to start in Ravenna as well.  Presumably they will send actual notifications with additional details on transfers soon.  It's too bad they didn't get their act together on making this change earlier, as it definitely throws a wrench into people's plans.  I was aware of the potential for this, and so had held off on booking flights and hotel for pre-stay until last week...

 

I know there is no magic switch to flip to make changes of this magnitude to the itinerary and notifications to passengers all in one simple process.  I'm sure it will take some time to work out the details.  

I just checked our October 10 ONWARD trip and it say Ravenna as well!  Clearly we should get notification!

We have at least one future cruise that is using 4 certificates!   So its possible.   Perhaps your TA has to find a friendly AZ person, I don't know, but we have used more than one cert several times

39 minutes ago, Maryann221 said:

3 Questions:

 

1. Are they still doing White Night?

2. What about Azamazing Evening?

3. Are we permitted to disembark in Italy without a ship excursion? 
 

thank you!

1.  Yes White Nights

2.  No Az Evening.   Still doing "Destination Celebrations" on board.    But Ryzsard said they plan to resume Az Evening in "3rd quarter"  ( so... July timeframe?)

3.  Quest doesn't get to Italy until at least 2 more cruises, so no discussion of that and no insight

On the Quest...back-to-back mtg today... For the Mar 29 ( not) Morocco cruise... 392 total passengers.... 54 of whom are remaining from current cruise ( largest back-to back since post Covid restart).   Destination Celebration in Cadiz, White Nights ( weather permitting) in Malaga.   Re COVID testing... new folks get tested before embarking.    Only other testing is at disembarkation if you need one to fly home.    Looks like Prime C and Aquilina will be be open with separate menus!  (Not sure they are full menus as per pre COVId.... we'll see.)

WOW.... just WOW... Tonight was the Azamara Circle "top cruiser" event, and as you may know, they often have a short entertainment event at it.   Tonight, first Amanda and Danny ( once and future Assistant CD) did their duet of "This is the song that goes like this".   This was followed by a special performance, of a Beethoven piano sonata by.... the Captain!   Captain Jonas played the whole "tempest" sonata and it was quite wonderful.   Who Knew!

2 hours ago, takemewithyou said:

Who is ready for a TransAtlantic to Lisbon? 😀

Wish we were joining you!  Not long now……hope to read some reports!

 

We are!   Drive to Miami in Am, board in PM.   Anybody know how mnay pax?

Our TA got the same message and forwarded to us... if you did not get it directly, and your TA did not forward.... I'd ask them...

5 hours ago, KirkNC said:

Just did it here because DS asked.

What, pray tell, is the "Anyone Onboard Sticky" ??

KIRKNC.... I believe you are on the subsequent TA to Lisbon.    We'd appreaciate your comments on the conditions onboard on your current cruise, as we will join you for the next few cruises.   Thanks...DS from Fort Myers Fl.

Hey guys, currently on baord...   We are on the next cruise---  Mar 17 ->Miami to Lisbon.    Anything you can post about conditions onboard would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

2 hours ago, Janet&Carl said:

 

 

Exactly what I thought too

 

Agree... what we would like to see is a Turkey intensive down the western coast of Turkey  and into the Med.   We've done the usual Greek isle many times...

we're on the ONWARD June 29 Black Sea and have NOT received the survey...

WE'RE ON THE 29 jUNE TRIP....Our TA got this last week...   We have also had our final payment moved back from 1 March to 1 April...

Dear Travel Partner,

We have been monitoring the situation between Ukraine and Russia the past several weeks and based on the latest overnight developments, we have found it is necessary to make a change to our voyages currently scheduled to visit either of these countries. As a result, your clients Black Sea Voyage, listed below, is one of the voyages we will be adjusting to remove Ukraine and/or Russia as a port of call.

We need a little time to ensure the changes we make still result in a memorable, deeply immersive cruise vacation, so we just wanted to inform you that these changes will be shared with you soon.

We greatly appreciate your understanding and thank you for your cooperation throughout our journey as we have worked to manage this fluid situation. We assure you that their upcoming Azamara vacation will deliver the highest standards of service and quality for which we are known.

Should you have any questions, please give us a call.

• For North America Individual Reservations: 1-877-222-2526; press menu option 1, then menu option 1, again
• For North America Group Reservations: 1-800-556-8208; press menu option 1
• For U.K. Individual & Group Reservations: 0344 4934016
• For AUS Individual & Group Reservations: 1800 754 500
• For New Zealand Individual & Group Reservations: 0800 102 123
• For all other countries, please visit: https://www.Azamara.com/contact-us for your local Azamara call center phone number.

We look forward to welcoming your clients on board.

Sincerely,

AZAMARA®

2 hours ago, Janet&Carl said:

 

 

We are August 26th  on the Journey and we have notification via email.  I booked direct with Azamara.  I'd get your travel agent to check their emails.

 

We are on the 29 June Black Sea voyage and have  NOT gotten a direct message from Azamara... but our TA did.   Perhaps if you use a TA it goes that way, if you book direct it goes to you?

We are on the 29 June Black Sea voyage.   We did NOT get a email from Azamara, but our TA did.   Perhpas those who booked directly got notice, those who used TA's did not?

1 hour ago, Mackdogmolly said:

Hmm, was open for dinner on my Christmas cruise.

Probably depends on number of passengers.... I was on Christmas cruise and MANY more than 200.  Suspect on the Mar 17 crossing and following Euripesn cruises there will be more passengers

2 hours ago, njguy_south said:

Eric DeGray was the cruise director on another cruise I had been on. Was we always on Azamara? My only Azamara was on the Journey in 2013. I wonder if her was on that cruise -- or perhaps another line I have sailed.  Does anyone know?  (My 2nd Azamara will be this July to the Black Sea, hopefully.)

Yes Eric has been on the Journey since mid 2000's.   BEST ever!

43 minutes ago, Mrs Skip said:

What I’m picking up from this is that the TA from Miami to Lisbon is indoor masks optional but the cruise from Lisbon that follows is indoor masks mandatory. IMHO this heightens the risk of COVID to guests joining in Lisbon, not to mention crew on board. . Have to say we hadn’t factored that into our decision to book for 29 March…

1 hour ago, WB57 said:

Here is the face mask guidelines (also received yesterday) for the 17 March Transatlantic:

 

Face Masks and Physical Distancing

• Following the Vaccination Standard of Excellence guidelines as per the CDC's COVID-19 Voluntary Program, indoor mask wearing although optional, is recommended. Masks might be required in the ports of call we visit. 
• You'll find the entire ship and boarding process set up to allow for physical distancing, which is encouraged whenever interacting with those outside of your traveling party.

My comments above were also for the TA on Mar 17   ( still required per email from last night).  I concur with the left hand / right hand suggestion!

A good reason to use a TA and make them do the midnight calls to Miami!

We got this email at 7:56 EST tonight:

Face Masks and Physical Distancing

• All guests must continue to wear masks indoors when physical distancing isn't possible and while visiting public ports of call, where local regulations may require them to do so.

Clearly some mixed messageing going on...

First, thanks to all who post on this board.   We were on Quest over Christmas/New Years and got a lot of info from our fellow passengers, and I belive it provided good info to those who were about to board.  We are getting back on in March for the TA ( Mar 17) and two subsequent cruises.  I've found the posts since we got off in January helpful as we prepare for the March cruises.   So, thanks again, and Keep Posting!

Have not gotten detailed email, but...AZ will conduct a COVId test on the pier in Lisbon before you are allowed to board.   Once on board, if a given port (country) requires another test, AZ will give it.   They  will also conduct test before disembarcation if required by the landing contry or if you need it to fly home ( which is, yes, for US... at least for now)