First Impressions of a First Time Azamara Cruiser

[marinaro44]

A new thing I noticed on my last cruse is that the Chef special and the Destination choice are now included in a seperate menu. This means you can eaily READ instead of waiting for the server to tell them. I liked this new change.

Journey now lists Windows buffet themes in the first day Pursuits, making it easy to plan dinners around your favorite cuisines.

[Grandma Gilly]

Chucktown Steve

I am really enjoying your reviews. Keep them coming. I'm so glad you are enjoying Azamara, we certainly do. It doesn't prevent me from going on other lines but it's now the first one we look at. It sounds crazy saying how great the crew are but until you have experienced it you can't understand.

Gill

[village77]

Please continue with your comments. It is the next best thing to being there. I hope you continue to enjoy your trip.

[ChucktownSteve]

While AZ dismissed the art auctions a while ago, they didn’t dismiss art. The Azamara Journey has beautiful framed art throughout the public spaces. There is also an artist in residence who paints while passengers sit nearby watching. He converses with them as he produces his pieces. When he’s not there, his works remain on the easels as a work in progress.

We tried to do HOHO and the boat included today. There was sun this morning…for about five minutes. Then overcast. While waiting for the canal boat the wind picked up and it started to drizzle. The boats that came by didn’t have a top so we decided to trek back to the ship. Oh well the best laid plans etc.

I was sorely disappointed in the red bus HOHO. It was probably the worst one we’ve experienced. They give you one sentence about the stop on their earbuds. If you’re lucky they may give you two sentences. No real history at all. Then an incessant ten note tune which is not even a song. After a few stops it’s really annoying. We’re done with Copenhagen this trip. The weather really did not cooperate.

[ChucktownSteve]

Now a word about our stateroom. It’s comfortable but a little on the small side compared to what we’ve experienced. However there is enough room to get around and for storage. The covered balcony is shallow but since it’s been cold, we haven’t used it that much. (I guess they don’t have summer in August like we do back home.)

 

The bathroom is OK. The shower is very small. I can maneuver. I like the shower head and controls. I miss the angled foot bar to assist reaching my feet without bending all the way over since you know what that means with a clinging shower curtain. J I prefer the swinging glass doors to a curtain.

 

Bonnie, here’s a suggestion that you can pass along to the home office. As long as they’re keeping the shower curtains, can they add a heating element to them so when they cling they’re not so bad? Lol j/k

My DW reminded me that on previous cruises I usually request an egg crate topper for the bed. This bed is so comfortable without it. No need. She mentioned she loves the thread count on the sheets. They feel really good. I concur.

My DW ate at the Patio Café for the burger which is twice the thickness of another cruise line’s but this one is juicy. She enjoyed it. Since I ate breakfast and she didn’t I was a voyeur at lunch. However when walking through the Windows Café, I couldn’t resist and stopped for a scoop of Pistachio Gelato. My weakness. Wow. The flavor was real. Not the artificial junk. Job well done with the smoothness too.

We’re meeting a great couple from MA for dinner at Discoveries restaurant tonight. We’ve been conversing with them a lot since they share such great information and they’re the ones who introduced us to Ryszard. Hilda, our stateroom attendant, has sent our bottle of Champaign ahead to the restaurant to be chilled and shared.

[excitedofharpenden]

Steve, I can't remember if you said you had been to the Patio for an evening meal. If you haven't I would highly recommend going. There is a special evening menu there. You can still go and get salads etc from the buffet, but the Patio is full service. They have patio heaters there too if it's chilly. Nice atmosphere and freshly cooked (and hot) food, no extra fee even though they do take your cabin number to keep stats.

 

Phil

[afto]

Enjoying this review. This is my first foray onto the Azamara boards, and I appreciate your comparisons with Celebrity since that is who we usually sail with. We are considering Azamara for a future cruise, so this is very relevant for us. Thanks for taking the time to post.

[MarkieMarkNYC]

Excuse me, but I am really enjoying your review. I've been considering an Azamara trip and this is very helpful.

God that hurt. But it's true.

[Spursgirl]

Steve, am loving your review. Sounds like you are an Azamara convert.

 

We are on Quest and are melting with 40C temperatures. Wish we could send you some sunshine.

[LuAnn]

So glad you are having such a great time and enjoying AZ!!...looking forward to sailing with you in the future! LuAnn

[BBMacLaird]

Bonnie, it’s not so much the crew needs the refresher but that the computers need to be adjusted to include the package brand changes. When the server inputs some of the brands, it comes up as not included. Then they have to confirm with a supervisor to get the permission to serve it without charge. As I discussed with one bartender, according to the computer, the top shelf bourbon (Booker’s and Basil Hayden’s) I was ordering is priced at $7.95 and not included in the package while the Domaine Chandon Brute, is priced at $12, but is included. Too bad Johnny Walker Platinum or BLUE are not included in the Ultimate Package. ;-)

 

Hi ChucktownSteve, thanks for this. It is very helpful. They will look into the Point of Sale program to make sure it is programmed correctly!

[jkadventures]

Steve, we will be first time AZ passengers in a few short weeks. Your reviews are extremely helpful. Please keep them coming. Thx!

 

 

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[DKNYC]

Steve,

I am really loving your live review. I am trying Azamara Quest on the fall transatlantic in November. I sampled Windstar in April on an Eastbound Transatlantic and was very impressed. Sorry about the weather, but not much we can do about that. ☺ I am traveling solo so would like to meet some nice people to enjoy some dinners with. I am a tad shy but friendly.

 

Denise

 

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[ChucktownSteve]

Once we sailed, the sun came back out. Grrrr. Silversea Whisper is where the Viking Ocean ship was docked as we backed out past them. They were doing their life boat drill as we went by. Half the passengers were crammed underneath the two life boats wearing their life vests. I remember those days but Celebrity and Azamara are ore civilized IMHO because you don’t need to be dressed in orange for their drills.

 

Dinner last night in Discoveries again was wonderful. We requested the window again but waited too long before approaching the maître d who told me there would be more than an hour wait. We were one table off but still a great view. The shared bottle of Champaign was an excellent choice.to toast new friendships.

 

I won’t bore you with what I ordered. Suffice it to say it was seafood and more seafood prefaced by a Mediterranean salad. I don’t consider myself a foodie, but apparently I am. I realized that last night while eating the entrée. I discovered the rice and even the green peas were cooked to the proper bite. It was so freshly cooked and delivered to the table still hot without being warmed under lamps. And ohhhh the flavor. We’re still early into the cruise however this is the best food we’ve experienced at sea including a similar premium line.

 

This morning we’re heading into Gdansk. I awoke about 5am. The ship was virtually disserted as I went on the coffee run to Windows Café. The sun is out and it’s partly cloudy. It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day.

 

There’s an annual festival in Gdansk this week. Perfect timing. Then Lech tonight. We received a special invitation to a commemorative LCV family Polish family-style affair in the Patio. We’ll have homemade food prepared by Gdansk locals. Then it’s off to a tightly orchestrated event with Lech Walesa, former President of Poland and leader of the Solidarity movement. Ryszard worked extremely hard to arrange today’s events. And you can tell just by looking at him how proud he is of his heritage and visiting home today.

Once we dock, there will be a free shuttle into town. Well it’s off for a coffee refill. Thank you for continuing to follow.

[ChucktownSteve]

Denise, Absolutely there will be no problem meeting friendly people on board Azamara. We have a large number of women sailing solo on this cruise. Maybe some men but I tend to notice woman more. ;-) Also daily, they have a gathering of people sailing solo so that they can go to dinner together. You’ll have a great time so no worries.

 

Bonnie, Since you’re having them look into the computer programming, any chance you can convince them to move the Johnny Walker Blue into the Ultimate package for this cruise? Hahahaha

 

Phil, Yes I saw the evening menus at the Patio and they have the full service during the day as well. However the MDR experience and food is so good, on AZ it’s equivalent to a specialty restaurant on other cruise lines as I’m sure you’re well aware. J Besides, my DW prefers not to be exposed to the chilly environment even though she enjoyed the heater at lunch yesterday. I had to sit downwind and open the window for my comfort.

 

Spursgirl, I appreciate the sunshine you sent. It’s even warmed up a bit.

I’m meeting with Greeta, the Concierge, later this morning trying to arrange our first day’s St Petersburg debarkation. We have 32 people in our roll call, private, three day deluxe excursion and I don’t want us to get bogged down in an hour long wait through immigration. I was first to sign up with the tour company so I got roped into being the organizer.

Greeta told me we’re the largest independent group, even beating the Ensemble group. Our TA is a member of the group. We found an invitation to their free first day tour however we didn’t find out until we embarked and had already arranged our three day. Greeta mentioned they’re trying to get the authorities to conduct the face to face immigration meeting on the ship. However nothing has been established yet.

 

Well time for another coffee run.

[coldweathergirl]

Really enjoying your review. We'll be first time Azamara cruisers in January so it's making me look forward to it even more.

[DKNYC]

Thanks Steve.😉

 

Denise

 

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[ChucktownSteve]

We went up to the Windows and had breakfast at 8am. Then we read about the Journey Brunch in Discoveries from 8:30 till noon. While in the Windows, I discovered the difference between “fresh squeezed” OJ and AZ’s freshly squeezed. I’ll be posting my pictures when we get to the hotel in Stockholm. I hope you’ll enjoy them. I’m trying to conserve my perk internet minutes for these posts.

When we docked in Gdansk, we were met by a marching band. I learned later that a dock person who had been here many years told Ryszard that he’s only seen a ship met twice with a marching band.

The free shuttle took about 20 minutes to town where we walking into the main section. The architecture is beautiful. We walked around a bit doing some window shopping but the crowds were too large because of the festival and their booths blocked a lot of the walking space for our liking.

We attended the special LCV Polish dinner family style where tons of food was passed around. It was real home cooked brought on board by ladies who did the cooking. The extensive selection is beyond description. I finally had to toss my hands in the air and surrender.

That was followed by and insightful and entertaining presentation by Lech Walesa. Then people filed behind him each getting their picture taken with him.

Back at the cabin my body keeps saying…too much food….not enough time. Too much food. And I’ve been taking small portions.

Tomorrow is a sea day on the way to Tallinn. I was offered a tour of the bridge, galley and engine room. I selected the first two. Tomorrow evening we’ll have our first experience in an AZ specialty restaurant.

[ChucktownSteve]

Phil, I’m sure you already know but this cruise is Hilda’s last on this contract then off for two months before she starts her next contract.

 

For those of you who have not cruised the R class ship before, i.e. Journey & Quest, it’s easy to navigate. Here are a few tricks to remember:

 

 

• If you’re in an odd numbered cabin or on Starboard, always turn to the right getting off the elevator. Even numbers or port side, always turn to the left. If you’re doing the stairway, left for odd and right for even cabins.
  

 

• Party in the front. On deck 5 forward are the Cabaret and casino. Deck 10 forward are the Living Room and drawing room.
  

 

• Eating is mostly in the back. Discoveries MDR deck 5 aft and Mosiac Café at the aft elevator. On deck 9 is Windows Café buffet. Deck 10 aft are the specialty restaurants Prime C and Aqualina. The exception is in the Living Room where there’s wine & tapas in the evening.
  

I like being aft of the aft elevators (lifts) because I’m closer to the food and there’s less foot traffic in the hallways.

 

Anyway, today is an absolutely beautifully sunny day at sea. It is a little chilly unlike what they’re experiencing on the Quest with 100 degree temperatures. I’d say there are about 5 ft. seas with small white caps. The ride is smooth though.

 

I have a 9am appointment at the future cruise sales desk. Looking to see what we can sea.

[tiggertom]

Love everything you are telling us Steve. Even though we have been on Journey numerous times it is great to hear it all from another passenger. Can't wait for our trip in January.

[excitedofharpenden]

Continue with the good weather and wish Hilda a great vacation!

 

Phil

[BBMacLaird]

Phil, I’m sure you already know but this cruise is Hilda’s last on this contract then off for two months before she starts her next contract.

 

For those of you who have not cruised the R class ship before, i.e. Journey & Quest, it’s easy to navigate. Here are a few tricks to remember:

 

 

• If you’re in an odd numbered cabin or on Starboard, always turn to the right getting off the elevator. Even numbers or port side, always turn to the left. If you’re doing the stairway, left for odd and right for even cabins.
  

• Party in the front. On deck 5 forward are the Cabaret and casino. Deck 10 forward are the Living Room and drawing room.
  

• Eating is mostly in the back. Discoveries MDR deck 5 aft and Mosiac Café at the aft elevator. On deck 9 is Windows Café buffet. Deck 10 aft are the specialty restaurants Prime C and Aqualina. The exception is in the Living Room where there’s wine & tapas in the evening.
  

I like being aft of the aft elevators (lifts) because I’m closer to the food and there’s less foot traffic in the hallways.

 

Anyway, today is an absolutely beautifully sunny day at sea. It is a little chilly unlike what they’re experiencing on the Quest with 100 degree temperatures. I’d say there are about 5 ft. seas with small white caps. The ride is smooth though.

 

I have a 9am appointment at the future cruise sales desk. Looking to see what we can sea.

 

I'm happy to read you're thinking about your future cruises with us!

As for your Johnny Walker request, I have very little influence over what spirits are included or not included in our packages. You'll have more influence by noting your wishes on your mid-cruise or end-of-cruise survey. Those go directly to our Hotel Department.

[ChucktownSteve]

I’m tempted to book a Journey cruise in mid July. Still mulling it over.

I have neglected to mention Chuck Richardson’s Destination Enrichment talks. He is a pretty good presenter and knows his stuff. He’s not selling anything either. Just giving you tips and history of where we’re headed.

Today’s lunch in Discoveries was Dim Sum. Now I don’t need to tell the regulars how good it is. But it is excellent. I had several types of dumplings, duck crepes with some additional duck, sushi and stir fry. I passed on the desserts, fruits and several other dishes. I’d do it again in a heart beat.

I enjoyed the bridge tour. The Master Captain came on the bridge as it was ending. I think we had taken longer than he expected and we were still there when he arrived.

The galley was smaller than I expected but then again it is a smaller ship than many. It’s very efficient but not much was happening because it was a break between lunch an dinner.

Speaking of dinner, we had our first specialty restaurant experience on AZ in Aqualina. Tonight was lobster, lobster and LOBSTER. But first, my DW had the Dover sole. She loved it and as expected it was deboned at the table. Tonight they had a special seafood appetizer that included lobster, baby scallops, large shrimp and calamari.

I also ordered the lobster ravioli appetizer with orange olive oil. The main dish was the lobster and freshly made pasta that was al dente. All too good. Today was the best food lunch & dinner.

The entertainer was Rikki Jay. He’s funny and corny but he’s hard to following running back and forth continually. The poor spot follower had his workout too. Lol I hope he gets some new material soon though.

Unfortunately at the end of the set, there was an emergency in the audience. The PA announced Alpha, Alpha, Alpha Cabaret port side. The crew jumped into action.

I saw them giving a man CPR and was pulling out the defibrillator. I can’t give you any more information since the audience was asked to file out the other exit. We respected that. The crew blocked off the area with chairs to give the passenger some privacy while they assisted him.

The seas picked up a little today to 3 meters but calmed down in the evening. It’s a bout 10pm and there’s a beautiful sunset off our starboard side. Fortunately, that’s my side. I’ll post a picture later. It’s warmed up.

Tomorrow is Tallinn. We dock about 7:30am and sail 4pm. Then three days in St Petersburg.

[Spursgirl]

I'm happy to read you're thinking about your future cruises with us!

As for your Johnny Walker request, I have very little influence over what spirits are included or not included in our packages. You'll have more influence by noting your wishes on your mid-cruise or end-of-cruise survey. Those go directly to our Hotel Department.

 

After just completing my end of cruise survey after leaving Quest yesterday, I am wondering what value our responses are to Azamara. We had a great cruise as usual but there were one or two things I wanted to feed back and there didn't seem to be a facility for me to do this on the form.

 

Bonnie would you be able to mention this to the Miami office in th hope that the survey can be tweaked a little.

 

Steve, apologies for hijacking your thread. I am glad you are continuing to enjoy your cruise.

[jkadventures]

I hope the person who needed medical assistance is okay now.

 

 

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