Atlas Bar on Onward

[uktog]

They need to be careful marginal revenue generation could lead to an overall loss of cruise purchase revenue. 
They don’t have much free space for guests to relax in when poolside or balconies are not an option 

[helby]

16 hours ago, takemewithyou said:

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The one area that they never showed was the Drawing Room.  I assume that was on purpose.  My question is what did this room look like when Azamara acquired it?  Had it been changed by Princess or was it still the same as all the other Azamara ships?  

I was on the ship four years ago when it was Pacific Princess and the library was the same as on Azamara.

[Mackdogmolly]

The Azamara Facebook group is very quiet on this topic 

[cruisinclined]

I don't mind the option of another bar, there is not a huge choice for pre-dinner drinks. The problem I have, which others have mentioned, is that this space was used to house books and could also be used for small gatherings.

Most passengers spend some time reading but  bringing our own books means more luggage weight and that eventually they are all read and then we need access to other reading material.

Question: is that the end of any book storage and access or will the shelves be moved? The best part was perusing those books other passengers had read and were recycling. I picked up a few gems that way

[mchell810]

6 minutes ago, cruisinclined said:

I don't mind the option of another bar, there is not a huge choice for pre-dinner drinks. The problem I have, which others have mentioned, is that this space was used to house books and could also be used for small gatherings.

Most passengers spend some time reading but  bringing our own books means more luggage weight and that eventually they are all read and then we need access to other reading material.

Question: is that the end of any book storage and access or will the shelves be moved? The best part was perusing those books other passengers had read and were recycling. I picked up a few gems that way

IMHO the trend on all ships will be away from book storage at all bc of the ongoing shift to ebooks. While many people still prefer physical books, the reliance on downloadables and personal devices is growing and is considered to be the future path. 

Edited March 23, 2022 by mchell810

[cruisinclined]

1 minute ago, mchell810 said:

IMHO the trend on all ships will be away from book storage at all bc of the ongoing shift to ebooks. While many people still prefer physical books, the reliance on downloadables and personal devices is growing. 

Yes that is a good point but recently there has been a reaction back to the written page and handling a book. I did start using a device but reverted. If you look at readers on deck a good number are book readers, even 50/50 but that is my biased guess!

[lisiamc]

5 hours ago, amyr said:

I fell in love with the Pacific Princess when we took a long trans-Pacific cruise on her.  It was not long after Princess acquired her from Renaissance, so she was still in good shape.  Loving that ship is what led us eventually to Azamara, and I was so happy to see they were giving the old R3 new life.  It's sad, however, to see what's happened to the lovely library.  Looks like they replaced the ceiling panels with plain ones?  It's a nice looking bar, I suppose, but it's so dark and closed in.  Not a place I'd seek out to buy a fancy cocktail.  

Well, if that’s what they’ve done, it certainly is not very photogenic.  I’m sad that the ceiling appears to be plain now.  

[Riocca]

20 minutes ago, lisiamc said:

Well, if that’s what they’ve done, it certainly is not very photogenic.  I’m sad that the ceiling appears to be plain now.  

Given that Onward is still in dry dock I have a feeling those pictures are digitally generated so there may be hope for the ceiling yet.

[marinaro44]

48 minutes ago, cruisinclined said:

I don't mind the option of another bar, there is not a huge choice for pre-dinner drinks. The problem I have, which others have mentioned, is that this space was used to house books and could also be used for small gatherings.

Most passengers spend some time reading but  bringing our own books means more luggage weight and that eventually they are all read and then we need access to other reading material.

Question: is that the end of any book storage and access or will the shelves be moved? The best part was perusing those books other passengers had read and were recycling. I picked up a few gems that way

Let's see.  There's The Living Room with tapas, Spirits in The Den, Discoveries Bar, and the Sunset Bar.  Seems to me there is quite a choice for pre-dinner drinks...don't you think?  There's only one, however, library.

[cruising22]

We have always enjoyed pre dinner drinks at the Sunset Bat but now they have done away with that. Discoveries bar is good for pre dinner drinks but gets very crowded and it is a shame it closes after dinner. It would be a shame to not be able to go to a bar just because it only serves cocktails. I will be looking at this board with interest seeing as we are on the World Cruise.

[Aardvaark]

This will be a down-check regarding this ship.  I understand it, but don't like it.

[darcori]

This is the ship for the World Cruise also. Very disappointing for a voracious reader to see the library eliminated

[lisiamc]

52 minutes ago, darcori said:

This is the ship for the World Cruise also. Very disappointing for a voracious reader to see the library eliminated

We are newly recruited fans of Viking. Their ships are all partially libraries, with hundreds of books in virtually every public area. I think it’s a great idea, and I have borrowed and enjoyed some of those books. Maybe Azamara could veer in that direction?

Edited March 23, 2022 by lisiamc

[Travelingwithstyle]

58 minutes ago, darcori said:

This is the ship for the World Cruise also. Very disappointing for a voracious reader to see the library eliminated

Plus if your on the World Cruise you only get the Premium Beverage Package.  You cant even enjoy the new area.  Will see how many people upgrade on any cruise to the Ultimate Beverage Package.  A little expensive on 155 day Workd Cruise. 

[IslandThyme]

I am booked on the 2024 World Cruise and find this move on Azamara's part to be really discouraging. I hate to see a library removed anytime, anywhere, and on a 155 day cruise a library seems like an essential offering.

 

And as a separate comment, I have no interest in premium cocktails. Zero. Less than zero in paying extra for fancy nibbles. As someone mentioned upthread, a wine bar, with some really good wine, would interest me, since by all accounts wine seems to be such a weak spot on Azamara.

Edited March 23, 2022 by IslandThyme

[Jim in OR]

OK, I get that I’m in the minority among this small subset but I love the idea.  To me, the only true downside is that it takes away the venue for Friends of Bill W.  I hope there are plans for a suitable alternative. Oh, and I guess the other downside to me is that it eliminates the possibility of converting it to a French specialty restaurant… another idea that was met with disapproval by posters here but that I still kind of like.

 

Let the downvoting commence!

[laurieb]

8 hours ago, john1970 said:

Way to annoy the loyal customers. To be honest after our April cruise on Pursuit we will be looking at testing other lines. I just feel Azamara doesn't listen to it's loyal cruisers and the crew onboard are being let down by the management in the USA.

How is the crew being let down??

[laurieb]

6 hours ago, uktog said:

I’ve never seen an overly crowded bar on Azamara so why add another

Theres no way back once they smash out the library - when the changes were made to the Den it was only the gamblers and one person who had issue with the siting of the piano who were unhappy all the other comments were positive. 
Of course they kept it under wraps to now when it’s too late….

Did anyone get a survey asking if you wanted more cocktail venues onboard?…..
How many of Azamaras customer base would say in the evening my No 1 drink of choice is a cocktail?  This is more the language of twenty somethings than the Azamara average

Its all about revenue generation pushing sales of packages. I’m really disappointed to have a booking on Onward now. 
And I’m not sure the direction of travel fits the customer base unless we are heading towards a more “Celebrity type experience” 

It sounds like you are narrowing Azamara's loyal customer base to a narrow base too.  Most people I know that are loyal Azamara cruisers, myself included, are far from 20 somethings or even 40 somethings.  I think the customer base is much broader than you think.  We do have cocktails prior to dinner and often afterwards in either the Living Room or the Den.  The Den is often full, and sometimes the Living Room has no seating available either. 

[nordski]

2 hours ago, Jim in OR said:

OK, I get that I’m in the minority among this small subset but I love the idea.  To me, the only true downside is that it takes away the venue for Friends of Bill W.  I hope there are plans for a suitable alternative. Oh, and I guess the other downside to me is that it eliminates the possibility of converting it to a French specialty restaurant… another idea that was met with disapproval by posters here but that I still kind of like.

 

Let the downvoting commence!

I appreciate the concern that you and uktog have  raised about a venue for the Friends of Bill W.

 

It is important and one that I hadn’t considered .

[Baynanno1]

18 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

If Azamara took out the painted ceiling, they will lose face BIG TIME in my book.

 

This also implies that they don't intend to bring back the 'best of the best' dinner, which was held there pre-COVID.  Another downgrade.

 

Perhaps that may also go to Aqualina, as has been the case with Chef's Tables on recent cruises.

Perhaps preparing for the inability to use the Drawing Room/Library for those occasions going forward? I hope not!!

[Travels with Lisa]

I'm assuming you will also pay for the small plates that will be served with great "panache"? I don't like the direction that this is headed.

[Xcelsior]

Personally, I think this bar sounds GREAT.  Look forward to it.

[takemewithyou]

Ok….I know I will probably be booed for this…BUT….craft cocktails are “a thing”, at least where I live.  And I have to admit, while on Quest in Dec., I thought the “featured cocktails” (different ones offered for each venue….LR, cabaret, Den, etc) we’re really good and about the only saving grace of purchasing the Ultimate Package because the wines were only so-so, nothing special.  I really was not impressed with the wines!  

 

FWIW, I just received a brochure today from Silverseas (who I haven’t sailed with !), but they talk about a venue with regionally inspired cocktails, and mixologists, etc.  So it is a Thing that some people want and enjoy.

 

Change is hard!  I love the Drawing room and appreciate the ambiance for weddings, vow renewals, special gatherings and just the fact it has all the great books!  
 

I am glad I didn’t have to make this decision! 

Edited March 24, 2022 by takemewithyou

[AJCM]

I don’t mind the change. We usually get the ultimate option, enjoying the 20% discoverer plus discount; so It’s something we’ll undoubtedly use. I’ve never seen anyone use the Aquilina bar and in Prime there’s a single low table and (for me) uncomfortable bar stools, for a pre-dinner drink there. It’ll make a pre-dinner cocktail a much more pleasant experience, when dining at either restaurant.

 

 I imagine the “special” events the library has been used for will be accommodated somewhere else. I assume the number of participants is quite low so there must be alternative options.

 

On each cruise, we check out the library on admittedly only a few occasions but when we’ve been there we’ve often been the sole occupants, especially if we want to check the atlas at night. On other occasions we’ve never encountered more than a couple of other cruisers. I’m sure there must be times when there is more people traffic but it seems to be a very under-utilised facility.

 

We consider the den was a big improvement (at the expense of casino patrons) and initial reaction is that this too will be.

 

There have long been a number of “paying” facilities in Azamara - various categories of cabins ranging from inside to owner’s suite, specialty restaurants, premium drink packages, wine packages, chef’s table, spa treatments, some gym classes, Thallasotherapy deck and excursions. All of these are voluntary extras which some people are prepared to pay for. This is simply another paying option, albeit at the expense of the library sitting room.

 

I think this is quite different from the sunset bar consideration a couple of years ago; which potentially impacted adversely on all patrons, being a prime location on the ship.

[Mackdogmolly]

9 hours ago, takemewithyou said:

BUT….craft cocktails are “a thing”, at least where I live

Is there some reason they can’t feature craft cocktails in the existing bars?