Transatlantic on AZ?

[midwestchick]

2 hours ago, macmax said:

So it seems that if you aren't into trivia or card games maybe you should choose another cruise line for a TA?

 

Not necessarily although we’ve not done a TA.  We’ve had some sea days in a row but many times we make our own entertainment and we’ve always met people we chummed around with.  I could have chosen pretty much the same itinerary on another cruise line but chose Azamara because I prefer it to the other line and the food is so much better.  

If anyone plays euchre, we’ll be looking for another couple to play with. 😁 😁 

Edited September 26, 2019 by midwestchick

[excitedofharpenden]

2 hours ago, macmax said:

So it seems that if you aren't into trivia or card games maybe you should choose another cruise line for a TA?

Why do you say that?  I don't understand. On this thread you started there have been more suggestions than just trivia. Without knowing your particular likes it's hard to give an accurate answer, but tas are definitely more than trivia. 

 

I'm with Covepoint. I too like relaxing and not necessarily doing much other than people watch and socialise, but that might not be your thing.  There's enough to keep one occupied activities wise, but depending upon your likes, it may or may not be that exciting for you. 

 

Phil 

[macmax]

Don't get me wrong, I have been on 2 Azamara cruises and loved them but they were the more typical port intensive itineraries that AZ does so well. We have friends who are eager to try AZ for the first time (based on our glowing reports) and also want to do a TA. So they are considering Pursuit's repo next spring. My concern is that that cruise will not be a good introduction to Azamara nor their best choice of ship for a lot of sea days. 

[midwestchick]

43 minutes ago, macmax said:

Don't get me wrong, I have been on 2 Azamara cruises and loved them but they were the more typical port intensive itineraries that AZ does so well. We have friends who are eager to try AZ for the first time (based on our glowing reports) and also want to do a TA. So they are considering Pursuit's repo next spring. My concern is that that cruise will not be a good introduction to Azamara nor their best choice of ship for a lot of sea days. 

 

You may want to encourage them to book a cruise with a much better itinerary.  I have my favorites because of the closeness to the ports and the overnights. 

[travelberlin]

9 hours ago, macmax said:

Don't get me wrong, I have been on 2 Azamara cruises and loved them but they were the more typical port intensive itineraries that AZ does so well. We have friends who are eager to try AZ for the first time (based on our glowing reports) and also want to do a TA. So they are considering Pursuit's repo next spring. My concern is that that cruise will not be a good introduction to Azamara nor their best choice of ship for a lot of sea days. 

Transatlantic cruises are almost in every cruiseline reposition cruises. Those are not for everybody. I love sea days and I I have done many transatlantic cruises. As a matter of fact we do a transatlantic once a year, to travel from the Americas to Europe or viceversa. 

Although I like Azamara very much, I would not book a transatlantic cruise with Azamara as my first cruise with the company. Small ship on a transatlantic crossing is not something I look for. First the weather conditions can make the crossing a memorable experience in a negative sense with rough seas. Second, limited entertainment on sea days.  Third there are crossings, which are competitive in price to Azamara but offer a better experience for transatlantic voyages for example a crossing with the Queen Mary 2, a ship built  for transatlantic crossings and offering good entertainment on board. Even the so called “mass” cruise lines like MSC cruises offer several crossing itineraries in large ships, in which you get better cabins, better entertainment and there are even special areas such as the Yacht Club cabins, which give you a first class service for prices similar to those you would pay at Azamara in a Veranda plus cabin.

Imho opinion the strength from Azamara are the port intensive itineraries and the convenience that the ship docks very central on those ports. Honestly, I think that your friends should look for a port intensive itinerary with Azamara for example in the Mediterranean or to the Greek islands, or Croatia. They would love it, because those ports are nice, because of the wonderful experience on Azamara in port intensive itineraries and because cruising in those areas is really amazing.

Ivi

 

[diana11]

On 9/26/2019 at 6:39 PM, excitedofharpenden said:

If you like cards and haven't got it then buy Five Crowns. It's on Amazon and is EXCELLENT fun. 

 

Phil 

On our forthcoming  November transatlantic we’ll be packing the game Left, Centre, Right. We learnt it on our last transatlantic cruise. Was so much fun, met some fun people, and laughed so much. I bought the game from Amazon. By the way - it is so simple to play

[tv24]

On 9/26/2019 at 9:48 PM, macmax said:

So it seems that if you aren't into trivia or card games maybe you should choose another cruise line for a TA?

We've done 4 crossings on AZ and look forward to our 5th in November.  Frankly the big activity on sea days is indeed trivia, which we don't play.  So we bring our own hobbies on board, and I spend a lot of time in the fitness center. There are some enrichment lectures of mixed quality.  Lots of socializing, conversation with fellow passengers.  Don't expect the activities that one finds on a huge cruise ship.

[excitedofharpenden]

4 hours ago, diana11 said:

On our forthcoming  November transatlantic we’ll be packing the game Left, Centre, Right. We learnt it on our last transatlantic cruise. Was so much fun, met some fun people, and laughed so much. I bought the game from Amazon. By the way - it is so simple to play

I've played that, but I think Five Crowns is way better. 

 

Phil 

[lovecruzin]

We've only done 1 TA, last year on Pursuit! What did we do?

Sleep in, meet friends for coffee at Mosaic, play trivia or wander around the ship, have lunch, walk, lay by the pool, play trivia or some other activity, do the occasional load of laundry, nap, eat, dance, drink repeat. Amazing how quickly the time passed.

[sunlover33]

Part of the fun of trivia is watching  the people who take it far  too seriously.We love trivia,  it’s a good way to pass the  time and meet new people if non of the team take themselves  too seriously. We also enjoy having uninterrupted reading time, (except for endless eating and drinking in between!)  but also it’s great to meet new people from all over the world and share experiences. Unfortunately the casino is no more but we won’t open that can of worms again! We are still in touch with many people we have met from various cruises. One of the best joys for me on sea days is it’s that’s  my itinerary no one else’s and I can dictate how the  day pans out depending on how I feel when I get up in a morning. 

[excitedofharpenden]

17 hours ago, tv24 said:

We've done 4 crossings on AZ and look forward to our 5th in November.  Frankly the big activity on sea days is indeed trivia, which we don't play.  So we bring our own hobbies on board, and I spend a lot of time in the fitness center. There are some enrichment lectures of mixed quality.  Lots of socializing, conversation with fellow passengers.  Don't expect the activities that one finds on a huge cruise ship.

Good answer. It very much depends upon what one likes to do and what is needed to keep one amused.  A good guest speaker makes a big difference. 

 

Phil 

[mrbluesea]

I've only had two Azamara cruises one port intensive and one transatlantic.  My preference was very much the transatlantic. On the port intensive cruise I never really got that much opportunity to explore the ship and all it has to offer. The transatlantic trip did however provide that opportunity. I think its about getting into a routine on the sea days and getting involved in something you like. For me it was the gym followed by the art classes in the morning and then a lecture in the afternoon. I also thankfully managed to avoid the triva pursuit and anything with the word 'team' attached to it and still had a super trip.

[vanman]

Our last AZ TA was two years ago. There were bridge lessons(beginners/intermediate) and duplicate bridge each sea day. I also joined the sea choir for the first(and only) time. It was fun. We practiced each sea day for about an hour and then performed toward the end of the cruise. You don't need a good voice to join. (I can attest to that)

[PSULion]

For those of us that still have to work, a TA is synonymous with one word "RELAXATION" (assuming you can get the time off from work for about three weeks).

 

I am happy to sleep in, spending time with your spouse/significant other, getting caught up on reading, food/drink, and meeting new friends. I don't need (or want) the constant activities of a big cruise ship.

 

John R. 

[LuAnn]

We have done 3 or 4 T/As on AZ...and we love them!! So enjoy the sea days...I could get on a ship and just go around in a circle!!..and I know that's not for everyone! TBH there are so many things I enjoy doing (Trivia, playing Mah Jongg, lectures, HH etc) that I am never bored...in fact I sometimes find myself with too many things to see/do and not enough time to do it!! But that's just me!!! And I also like to sit in Mosaic and read a book when it's not too crowded...usually when it's warm out and everyone else is at the pool!! :)  Enjoy what ever you decide to do!!

[mimip]

We have done many TAs and have never been bored.  Azamara has had speakers, afternoon piano concerts in the library, watercolor lessons, bridge lessons, etc.  My husband doesn’t do trivia and I do it rarely so it is not a highlight of our cruise.  We also read, play canasta, and on our next TA are looking forward to some Left Right Center.  We’ve also brought Mexican Train and had lots of fun with that.  However, it is really heavy.  To keep weight down in our checked bags, it must be put in a carryon.  TSA always makes me remove it and dump all the dominos because it is in a metal container.  I understand but it is a pain so will not be bringing it this trip.

[uktog]

And I have my grandson's winter jumper and bobble hat to try and knit.....(but I will get distracted and have to go back a few times I am sure)