Experienced cruisers...question for you

[midwestchick]

Some of you have cruised many, many times. We'd like to do more Mediterranean cruising. Besides Oceania, who else would you choose as a cruise line? I've been looking on the Internet all afternoon...we want to see more of Italy and Sicily in 2013. Suggestions please.

Is Azamara the only cruise that includes gratuities and transfers? I know Oceania does not.

[marinaro44]

Some of you have cruised many, many times. We'd like to do more Mediterranean cruising. Besides Oceania, who else would you choose as a cruise line? I've been looking on the Internet all afternoon...we want to see more of Italy and Sicily in 2013. Suggestions please.

Is Azamara the only cruise that includes gratuities and transfers? I know Oceania does not.

Regent includes airfare and transfers, wine, most liquor except really high end, soft drinks and specialty coffees, specialty restaurants, "standard" shore excursions booked on-line or on board, all gratuities, and a pre-cruise night in a hotel. Pricey, though, but Azamara is moving up and includes less even with the new "enhancements."

[midwestchick]

Regent includes airfare and transfers, wine, most liquor except really high end, soft drinks and specialty coffees, specialty restaurants, "standard" shore excursions booked on-line or on board, all gratuities, and a pre-cruise night in a hotel. Pricey, though, but Azamara is moving up and includes less even with the new "enhancements."

 

My TA advised against Regent though...he said it's mainly for CEO's of companies, etc...which we are not. I think he said Seabourne is another very high end cruise line.

[marinaro44]

My TA advised against Regent though...he said it's mainly for CEO's of companies, etc...which we are not. I think he said Seabourne is another very high end cruise line.

We cruised Regent for 25 days in March and I was no CEO. My best pal on the cruise was a minister from South Carolina, and another was an 80+ mom from the northwest traveling with her violinist daughter. Many professionals (doctors, lawyers, etc.). Many were certainly monied and felt appropriately entitled, but we had no issues and didn't feel at all out of place. Casual attire same as Azamara--although Az is now "recommending" suits or jackets in the dining rooms evenings.:confused:

[ltcTN]

It is not all inclusive but I have had good experience with Holland America in that area. I will be on a private charter on the Noordam in July.

[cruisemuse13]

. Casual attire same as Azamara--although Az is now "recommending" suits or jackets in the dining rooms evenings.:confused:

 

I was wondering about your comment that Az is now recommending suits or jackets in the dining rooms. Is that a change in the dress code? We are trying to cut back on what we pack due to the airline baggage restrictions and my husband was hoping to leave the suit at home. Will he look out of place in a sweater instead of a suit?

[ltcTN]

They can recommend all they want, I will NEVER EVER pack another tux or suit or sport coat for that matter. Period!

[marinaro44]

They can recommend all they want, I will NEVER EVER pack another tux or suit or sport coat for that matter. Period!

I'm 100% with you on this. Totally unnecessary. Never wore a jacket on either Azamara or Regent.

[Phxazzcruisers]

We have sailed the Med on Celebrity also and really enjoyed it.

I am also unaware of the dress code change on Azamara. We were just on a B2B on Azamara in July and the dress code as always resort casual. We never wore a jacket and ate in both of the specialty restauranst all nights for dinner

[Jade13]

Take a look at Holland America Line. The "gratuities" are their hotel charges and it is easy to figure into the cost, mostly $11.50 per day per person (a little more in a Suite). The ms Noordam has a fantastic itinerary round trip from Civitavvechia (port closest to Rome), and we did East one year and West the other. They also have ships embarking in Barcelona and Venice.

 

We are also traveling on Celebrity from Civitavecchia in December, but the ship is much larger than the ones we like on HAL (which are twice the size as Azamara), so I can't comment yet on the experience.

[May B]

I've cruised the Mediterranean twice, both on Celebrity. Mr. B. and I both love Celebrity.

 

Have fun planning!

 

--May

[midwestchick]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm definitely searching and planning. Lots of food for thought here.

I've never seen suggestions from Azamara about suits or jackets in dining rooms....in fact I saw men in white or black jeans at speciality restaurants and the MDR...I packed dress pants and nice docker type pants for DH...I did see only a very few with jackets and maybe one or two with a suit on.

[marinaro44]

We have sailed the Med on Celebrity also and really enjoyed it.

I am also unaware of the dress code change on Azamara. We were just on a B2B on Azamara in July and the dress code as always resort casual. We never wore a jacket and ate in both of the specialty restauranst all nights for dinner

 

Scroll all the way to the bottom. Another appeal to so-called "up-market travelers?"

 

http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/life-onboard/dining-and-wines

[cruisemuse13]

Scroll all the way to the bottom. Another appeal to so-called "up-market travelers?"

 

http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/life-onboard/dining-and-wines

 

Very interesting that they now state " We recommend that men bring a sport coat or SUIT". I checked my 2012 Destination guide for shipboard attire and it says "...and a sport coat if desired (not required)." no mention of bringing a suit.

 

This does seem like an appeal to "up-market" the passengers. And is contrary to the opinions expressed on the thread about Azamara enhancement, where many have stated that they are comfortable with, and prefer, the existing atmosphere on board. I think the current resort /casual dress code is one reason some passengers choose Azamara.

[Phxazzcruisers]

Scroll all the way to the bottom. Another appeal to so-called "up-market travelers?"

 

http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/life-onboard/dining-and-wines

 

Just a suggestion. Not mandatory and will not happen. NO ONE wore a suit on our last B2B cruise in either Prime C or Aqualina, a few men wore a sport coat.

Resort Casual is the best I will do.

[paremata2]

We are also just back from a "back to back" cruise of the Med. If I had worn a suit or a jacket at dinner I would have felt out of place.

The dress code / standard is one of the things that I love about Azamara.

We travel with them to see the World and the wonderful places that they take us, with like minded people.

At the end of the day it is the customers on board who decide what one wears, not a small paragraph in a brochure, unless they drive away all their current clients and replace them with another demographic.

As long as we are sailing with them I will never wear a suit on an Azamara cruise. If I did it would be a bit like wearing jeans at a wedding!

[Jancruz]

My TA advised against Regent though...he said it's mainly for CEO's of companies, etc...which we are not. I think he said Seabourne is another very high end cruise line.

 

Regent is a wonderful all inclusive cruise line that has a wonderful base of passengers, retired and still working..I have met very few CEO'S on my several times on board..that is a ridiculous statement..

Jancruz1

[midwestchick]

Regent is a wonderful all inclusive cruise line that has a wonderful base of passengers, retired and still working..I have met very few CEO'S on my several times on board..that is a ridiculous statement..

Jancruz1

 

Even before our cruise, I was growing unhappy with my TA, hence I am on the search for a new, more reliable and one who does not glibberish to me ;)...I also want someone who will take the time and explain things...cruising is a whole new ballgame for us. Caribbean beach vacations have been our niche but there is so much more we want to see.