Jim Badger

[cosmi45]

It seems Jim is no longer on the Quest. Is this further evidence of cost cutting, along with getting rid of the harpists? Jim provided a very good reason to stay up after dinner when the featured show did not appeal. If Azamara Management believe he is or was superfluous to their idea of a new "upmarket" product, then I'm afraid they don't appreciate the strong following Jim got on every one of the 8 cruises we took on Quest.

Can anyone confirm if this was Azamara Management's doing? If so, maybe it's time to say Sayonara Azamara.

[ellbon]

i am just learning about the harpests.. when i was on the fired alll the duo's. i was on Quest and Mary was there but she does not compare to jacquline on Journey.

The cost cutting of music is sad.. i always enjoyed Dan or Jeff playign the piano. Max on the Quest was good too.

[150edmiston]

It seems Jim is no longer on the Quest. Is this further evidence of cost cutting, along with getting rid of the harpists? Jim provided a very good reason to stay up after dinner when the featured show did not appeal. If Azamara Management believe he is or was superfluous to their idea of a new "upmarket" product, then I'm afraid they don't appreciate the strong following Jim got on every one of the 8 cruises we took on Quest.

Can anyone confirm if this was Azamara Management's doing? If so, maybe it's time to say Sayonara Azamara.

 

This is a bit concerning, and kind of feels a bit like corporate "we know what you want" rather than asking. Jim badger wasn't our cup of tea, but that said he was clearly popular with a lot of people. Between this and the demise of the harpists....what's next?

[CintiPam]

So there are no more pianists anywhere on Azamara? I thought only the harpists were discontinued.

[captainmcd]

I will really miss the live music. I can understand that Azamara needs to be profitable to continue in business, and that is difficult to do with only two ships of limited passenger capacity. Even printing a brochure each year can become a big expense. I can understand there is an economy of scale. But then there is Paul Gaugin, with only one ship in a specialized market that continues to operate.

 

It seems to me that the re-branding of Azamara was a step in the wrong direction. I believe their customers are savvy enough to realize that more free booze and a shore excursion don't mean much in the face of these cost cutting measures. I wish they would have simply stated the truth, that they needed to cut costs or raise fares, and chose to raise fares instead of attempting to reposition themselves as being more upscale and then doing things like this which cheapen the product.

[uktog]

I think someone has jumped to the wrong conclusion on this thread, no one said all the pianists had gone. This has been confirmed by "excited of harpenden" who is currently on Journey. He says the piano is in Discoveries Bar and he had enjoyed the music with a pre dinner martini.

[nordski]

I think someone has jumped to the wrong conclusion on this thread, no one said all the pianists had gone. This has been confirmed by "excited of harpenden" who is currently on Journey. He says the piano is in Discoveries Bar and he had enjoyed the music with a pre dinner martini.

 

I think you are correct about jumping to a wrong conclusion.

 

Two weeks ago Max Difaz was entertaining us on the Quest. He was particularly enjoyable on the outdoor stage during White Night.

 

If I remember our conversation correctly, he has commitments in the Boston are during the summer and then returns to Azamara.

 

No idea who replaces him while he is away.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[ellbon]

I think you are correct about jumping to a wrong conclusion.

 

Two weeks ago Max Difaz was entertaining us on the Quest. He was particularly enjoyable on the outdoor stage during White Night.

 

i enjoyed him very much but did not like where the piano was.

 

If I remember our conversation correctly, he has commitments in the Boston are during the summer and then returns to Azamara.

 

when i spoke to him this winter he did not mention coming back- so i am very glad.

 

No idea who replaces him while he is away.

 

 

he had no clue whne i was there either.

[cosmi45]

I think you are correct about jumping to a wrong conclusion.

 

Two weeks ago Max Difaz was entertaining us on the Quest. He was particularly enjoyable on the outdoor stage during White Night.

 

If I remember our conversation correctly, he has commitments in the Boston are during the summer and then returns to Azamara.

 

No idea who replaces him while he is away.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

So tell me this- I have it on good authority that the piano, and thus the piano player, have been relocated from Mosaic Cafe to the Casino, where

the competition with the TV and slots would make any concerted attempt to listen to,enjoy and interract with a quality pianist/satirist/entertainer totally laughable.

[Andy]

Hi Everyone,

 

I heard from Jim Badger a few months ago, and he mentioned returning to Quest. FWIW, I highly doubt Azamara has eliminated the Piano players.

 

Perhaps Bill will see this thread, and confirm for us.

[excitedofharpenden]

The pianist on Journey plays in the Discovery Lounge each night and I really enjoy the soft music there. There is no longer a piano set up in Mosaic as they are trying to keep that area as a quiet spot. To me that works really well, but there is a compromise to be made on the smaller ship. CD Eric said they will monitor guest reaction.

 

Phil

[nordski]

So tell me this- I have it on good authority that the piano, and thus the piano player, have been relocated from Mosaic Cafe to the Casino, where

the competition with the TV and slots would make any concerted attempt to listen to,enjoy and interract with a quality pianist/satirist/entertainer totally laughable.

 

Your source was correct re: the location, although that particular area is now considered a lounge and separated from the casino by a partial wall. On our particular cruise, it was also the site for the music quizzes etc. and there was no interference from the casino nor tv's that we experienced.

 

We only noticed the tv's on for certain sports, football and tennis, and for Thatcher's state funeral. Can't remember the sound ever having been turned on.

 

Thus, on our cruise, we had absolutely no problem listening, enjoying or interacting with Mike whom we really enjoyed.

 

Our cruise still had a harpist on board and, if I understand Phil (excitedofharpenden) correctly, the piano now has that location (Discoveries Lounge). In our experience, this lounge could actually be noisier than the Casino Lounge. Much much noisier when CD Tony hosted a reception prior to hosting a single cruisers dinner which, on our other cruises, used to be in Prime C. We were worried that that issue might recur. Thankfully it didn't.

 

Our personal preference would be to have the setup as it was on our cruise, with the return of the harpist.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[nordski]

Your source was correct re: the location, although that particular area is now considered a lounge and separated from the casino by a partial wall. On our particular cruise, it was also the site for the music quizzes etc. and there was no interference from the casino nor tv's that we experienced.

 

We only noticed the tv's on for certain sports, football and tennis, and for Thatcher's state funeral. Can't remember the sound ever having been turned on.

 

Thus, on our cruise, we had absolutely no problem listening, enjoying or interacting with Mike whom we really enjoyed.

 

Our cruise still had a harpist on board and, if I understand Phil (excitedofharpenden) correctly, the piano now has that location (Discoveries Lounge). In our experience, this lounge could actually be noisier than the Casino Lounge. Much much noisier when CD Tony hosted a reception prior to hosting a single cruisers dinner which, on our other cruises, used to be in Prime C. We were worried that that issue might recur. Thankfully it didn't.

 

Our personal preference would be to have the setup as it was on our cruise, with the return of the harpist.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

Please allow me to correct an obvious error in the post above.

 

I should, of course, have referred to the "solo cruisers' dinner" hosted by Tony Markey.

[ellbon]

So tell me this- I have it on good authority that the piano, and thus the piano player, have been relocated from Mosaic Cafe to the Casino, where

the competition with the TV and slots would make any concerted attempt to listen to,enjoy and interract with a quality pianist/satirist/entertainer totally laughable.

 

 

since i was on the Quest for a solid 2 months and daily Max played in there but for the last few days. surprise Tony had him in the Looking Glass and Victor in the Casino bar area. As i said the furniture in there sucks.

The Tv's were not on at night but for the playoffs...

so it seems the Journey and Quest still have piano's but in different rooms.

[whynotme]

Azamara has been our favourite cruise line since its inception. if Jim Badger is gone, I suspect so are we .

[Bill Leiber]

Hello Readers -

 

Unfortunately, there has been an inference that since Jim Badger was no longer on the Quest that it meant that Azamara has eliminated pianists. That is not the case.

 

I'm currently waiting for a response to my request for factual information about the pianos' locations and other details about this aspect of our entertainment from our hotel operations executive, who is currently traveling. Once I have that response, I will share it with you.

 

Until then, I respectfully suggest that you remember the distinction between the "glass half-full" vs. "half-empty" when discovering deviations to our product components and allow me the time to investigate the reason behind it. I respect your passion about the aspects of our onboard experience and want to save you from needless angst.

 

Sincerely,

 

Bill Leiber

_____________________

Chief Blogging Officer*

Azamara Club Cruises

(*CBO is an authorized and compensated representative of ACC)

[captainmcd]

Thank you Bill for the reassurance that the piano will not go the way of the harp. I was afraid that those who chose to eliminate one would easily eliminate the other. One of my favorite memories of my time on Azamara was the high quality of the entertainers on a ship that carried so few passengers. I still maintain that Azamara's main strength and selling point is the quality of their crew.

[cosmi45]

Azamara has been our favourite cruise line since its inception. if Jim Badger is gone, I suspect so are we .

 

Amen - Couldn't have said it better

[Lottie A]

I am currently enjoying a fab cruise on Quest and can tell you that they have no plans to axe the live piano entertainment. Max Di Faz is currently playing in the Luxe end of the Casino and we are having a wonderful time listening to him.

 

Jim Badger will not be returning to Quest at all.....his decision. Therefore Max is staying on for the foreseeable future. I believe Jim may be going to NCL.

 

Very sadly, this is the last cruise for the wonderful harpist Mary Demers. She will be missed and Azamara management....if you are reading this.....it is such a big mistake to get rid of the wonderful harpists!

 

And by the way.....no-one buys the Nespresso and our Azamazing evening was truly AZAMAZING! It was a fantastic show and a beautiful chateau.

 

More later.....off for a coffee in Mosaic.....and it won't be a bespoke one! :D

[excitedofharpenden]

Lottie, enjoy! Sarahlou has just joined us and I've said hi to her from you.

 

Phil

[nordski]

I am currently enjoying a fab cruise on Quest and can tell you that they have no plans to axe the live piano entertainment. Max Di Faz is currently playing in the Luxe end of the Casino and we are having a wonderful time listening to him.

 

Jim Badger will not be returning to Quest at all.....his decision. Therefore Max is staying on for the foreseeable future. I believe Jim may be going to NCL.

 

Very sadly, this is the last cruise for the wonderful harpist Mary Demers. She will be missed and Azamara management....if you are reading this.....it is such a big mistake to get rid of the wonderful harpists!

 

And by the way.....no-one buys the Nespresso and our Azamazing evening was truly AZAMAZING! It was a fantastic show and a beautiful chateau.

 

More later.....off for a coffee in Mosaic.....and it won't be a bespoke one! :D

 

 

Thanks for the update. We really enjoyed Mike Difaz and glad he's staying on. We also enjoyed that location.

 

Couldn't agree more about Mary Demers and her status.

[Freckles49]

Have just booked Quest for Xmas Cruise. This will be our 3rd Azamara cruise and Jim Badger is a necessary requirement. Cant believe this news that he's gone. Wont be the same.

[Lottie A]

Lottie, enjoy! Sarahlou has just joined us and I've said hi to her from you.

 

Phil

 

Hi Phil,

 

I hope your having a great time too. Please tell lovely Sarah Lou we miss her very much.....Helene is wonderful though and we are having a lot of fun teasing Russ.

 

We three "lively ladies" are still living up to our reputations! :D

 

I have to say that much as I liked Jim Badger, the entertainment has drastically changed on Quest.....and much for the better IMHO. Max is lovely and very easy on the ears. We had a soul/Motown show by the fantastic Bruce Parker tonight and tomorrow is Danzare, which was an absolutely wonderful show last October and certainly bears seeing again.

 

More later in the week.

[ellbon]

....Helene is wonderful though and we are having a lot of fun teasing Russ. i like him a lot.

 

 

 

I have to say that much as I liked Jim Badger, the entertainment has drastically changed on Quest.....and much for the better IMHO. Max is lovely and very easy on the ears. think he is great.. jut wish the move the piano anywhere else. We had a soul/Motown show by the fantastic Bruce Parker tonight Russ has been trying to grt him. Lucky you!!:) i saw him twice and he gives a great show. is his GF on the ship? and tomorrow is Danzare, which was an absolutely wonderful show last October and certainly bears seeing again.

 

.

 

Danzare is a good show.

[Spursgirl]

Lottie, enjoy! Sarahlou has just joined us and I've said hi to her from you.

 

Phil

 

Hi Phil,

 

Hope you're enjoying Journey despite the blackout.

 

Please say hi to Sarah-Lou from me too. We miss her.

 

About to enjoy a beautiful day in Portovenere which is a new port for most of us including Captain Carl