You are not going to believe this!

[nordski]

Just disembarked from the Quest, and truly enjoyed the work of harpist Mary Demers. A remarkable facility with an array of genres, an ability to play requests, a fine singing voice and a catholic knowledge of Canadian artists and songs (and THAT's unusual!).

 

She played, of course, in the Discoveries Lounge but also in the Looking Glass for afternoon teas.

 

I'm certain others know of her contributions, but it was our first encounter with her and she ranks the best based upon our three Quest experiences.

 

If the cancellation of this wonderful service is indeed final, then we have marvellous but bittersweet memories.

[xander]

We have just returned from our cruise on as Azamara journey , and Mary Amanda was on our cruise . In fact it was her very last cruise after many years on Celebrity and Azamara.

Mary Amanda was amazing she is such a lovely person , And her music adds a sense of class to the evening. She will definitely be missed on board bypass and many other fellow cruises.

She also came to our rescue in Halong Bay when we had trouble meeting up with our pre booked private excursion. She put us in contact with a local tour operator / friend whom she knew very well and make sure that he helped us out and put us in contact with our pre arranged tour. This saved our day !

And she did this even though she had no obligation to do so and she was off duty too. We feel she went over and above what was expected , she is a true asset to Azamara.

Thank you So much Mary Amanda, we will miss you greatly !

[GuiGuru]

For what it's worth, adding yet another voice lamenting the loss of the harpists Our first three trips on the Journey last year were enriched by their music, and we were looking forward to enjoying the experience in our upcoming b2b on the Quest. We know it will be a great trip anyway, but... Really does seem like a shortsighted (well, actually BAD) decision by Azamara management.

[troywest]

I just read that Azamara is eliminating harpists, and adding "art" auctions.

 

I have always believed that the harpists added class and ambiance to Azamara.

 

"Art" auctions are a source of cash, and detract somewhat from ambiance.

 

I am not totally opposed to the "art" auctions, just as I am not totally opposed to the onboard casinos, I regard both as intelligence tests. but I recognize that some passengers may derive joy from being relieved of their cash, while other passengers appreciate that the revenue derived from those who voluntarily surrender their cash, subsidize the rest of us.

 

A fair compromise -in my view- would be to use a small portion of the revenue from the "art" auctions to continue the wonderful harp players.

[pacheco18]

I just read that Azamara is eliminating harpists, and adding "art" auctions.

 

I have always believed that the harpists added class and ambiance to Azamara.

 

"Art" auctions are a source of cash, and detract somewhat from ambiance.

 

I am not totally opposed to the "art" auctions, just as I am not totally opposed to the onboard casinos, I regard both as intelligence tests. but I recognize that some passengers may derive joy from being relieved of their cash, while other passengers appreciate that the revenue derived from those who voluntarily surrender their cash, subsidize the rest of us.

 

A fair compromise -in my view- would be to use a small portion of the revenue from the "art" auctions to continue the wonderful harp players.

 

There is a new thread about the awful art auctions --

[durante]

I think Troywest has a great idea of a way to help bring back the harpists! :)

[CRUISERTN]

Cannot believe they are getting rid of the harpists and adding art auctions- going from classy to classless - very, very, very disappointed in Azamara for doing this.

[troywest]

If there's no delightful harp music outside the dining room before dinner, what -or who- has replaced the harpists?

[pacheco18]

If there's no delightful harp music outside the dining room before dinner, what -or who- has replaced the harpists?

 

Silence

There is no music at all

[CRUISERTN]

Looks like the art auctions will be replacing the harpists.:mad:

[troywest]

Everyone misses the Harpist.

 

No one wants the "art" auctions.

 

Why not use the additional on-board revenue generated by the "art" sales to fund the return of the harpists?

[Mparis184]

Looks like the art auctions will be replacing the harpists.:mad:

 

A step in the wrong direction. Next they will have a photographer following everyone around the ship taking photos. I agree the Art Auction are just another commercial venture to generate more income and are quite annoying.

 

I always looked forward to listening to the harp music, especially on TAs when you have have a long stretch of sea days - it was so relaxing. Just call me Disappointed in Azamaras poor decision.

 

Marion

[jnjcruz]

I am a late voice on this thread but I want to add my piece. The harpists have been wonderful part of the Azamara experience. It's something I always mention when touting Azamara to friends. We will sorely miss them.

Jay

[SkystheLimit]

I would consider sitting through the art auction only if they had a harpist playing during the viewing!

[BillC]

Well, today they had a live auction in the main theatre of the Journey,so I guess silent is no longer the operative word. In order to get in you had to register via giving them your room #. Sadly, no harpists seen, or heard

[troywest]

When thinking about this:

 

- The harpist is an integral and much beloved part of the Azamara experience.

 

- It is therefore unlikely that anyone at Azamara would have eliminated the harpists.

 

- My guess is that the decision was made by some RCCL buffoon who never set foot on an Azamara ship.

[shedridt]

Just don't go to the art auctions, & fill out review cards that lament the loss of the harpists.

 

I was surprised to see in a mailing sent to me this week by Azamara that they featured classical musicians in the posting! Poor salesmanship when it comes to truth in advertising.

 

We are booked for Singapore-Hong Kong & I'm hoping that Az will have an azamazing idea to bring back the classical musicians. These are the little touches that make a cruise, & after all - what to substitute? L'il Wayne????

 

PS - I do not know who L'il Wayne is, but I have heard his name.....

[Redtravel]

The harpist was excellent. One of my favorite places before dinner. We would stop in the lounge to have a drink before dinner. Perhaps once Azamara started to include drinks they found that the bar with the harpist was not a profitable investment.

[2irisheyes]

Redtravel - what a cynic you are (it takes one to know one) but probably some truth in what you say. If the harpist attracted people, people bought drinks so Az would be happy.