Journey Monte Carlo F1 Question

[JDPCruisers]

We are booked on the 2023 Journey for the Monte Carlo FY1 itinerary  and this will be our first time, so interested in others experience particularly this weekends (2022) race.

 

Any information is appreciated, did Azamara have tickets available and, if so, how was that managed, where was the seating, did they offer different packages, etc? 

 

How was the experience overall, crowds, any special events on-board, and any other information.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

[Scots Caz]

the Grand Prix excursion is here

https://www.azamara.co.uk/shore-excursion-details/MPGP?voyage_ref=jr09m222

 

be good to know from anyone that went, how many places there were this year

[GoSeeDo2]

We would also be very interested in this subject. We have been looking at doing this cruise for a while, would be great to know how it worked out for the people this year.

[scrapcreator]

The Quest and Pursuit were at the Grand Prix this year. Originally, we were scheduled to be in Nice on Sunday and transported to the Grand Prix, but happily a schedule change  had us tendered from the Quest to the race.
 

Tickets were in Tribune K. We had Azamara shore excursion tickets in our stateroom along with other race information (maps, tender schedule). We exchanged the shore excursion tickets for real race tickets, lanyards, and souvenir booklet the morning of the race. Ship escorts met us at the shore and led us to Tribune K. It was about a 30 minute brisk walk. At the end of the race, Azamara escorts were available to guide groups back to the ship. The crowds were insane!

 

We were supposed to be on the Journey Grand Prix cruise last year. I believe you are there Saturday and Sunday.

 

Photos are from my phone.

[GoSeeDo2]

Thanks for posting. We are still thinking about the trip. 

 

[JDPCruisers]

@scrapecreator Thanks for the info. How were the facilities at the track, restrooms, beverages, etc. handy? Did Quest have any special events or viewed as a yet another shore excursion? 

 

This will be our first time on Azamara, how is the staff/service, staterooms, food, bars, etc?

 

Again, thanks!

[uktog]

7 hours ago, JDPCruisers said:

@scrapecreator Thanks for the info. How were the facilities at the track, restrooms, beverages, etc. handy? Did Quest have any special events or viewed as a yet another shore excursion? 

 

This will be our first time on Azamara, how is the staff/service, staterooms, food, bars, etc?

 

Again, thanks!

Azamara always get seats in Tribune K.  There are catering outlets under the stands, they’re expensive and long lines. Likewise the portable toilet facilities.  It’s viewed as just another shore excursion- to be honest if you get your own tickets two can go for the price Azamara charge one.  Getting there is easy, follow the crowds and it’s well signposted. 

[les37b]

On 6/1/2022 at 6:33 AM, scrapcreator said:

The Quest and Pursuit were at the Grand Prix this year. Originally, we were scheduled to be in Nice on Sunday and transported to the Grand Prix, but happily a schedule change  had us tendered from the Quest to the race.
 

Tickets were in Tribune K. We had Azamara shore excursion tickets in our stateroom along with other race information (maps, tender schedule). We exchanged the shore excursion tickets for real race tickets, lanyards, and souvenir booklet the morning of the race. Ship escorts met us at the shore and led us to Tribune K. It was about a 30 minute brisk walk. At the end of the race, Azamara escorts were available to guide groups back to the ship. The crowds were insane!

 

Thank you for posting this info.

 

I did look on Marine Traffic and saw the 2 Azamara ships anchored there, along with Seadream 1 and Silver Dawn (my next SS sailing ship). A French ship took pole position docked. (Cousteau I think)

 

I remember being there a month before the F1 in 2016 and the stands were already mostly up. It must completely take over Monaco for 3 months of the year. As a spectacle, it's romantic and high profile, as a race, a damp squib, though it was a better race than usual this year. Well done Max. 🙂

 

That visit brings back even fonder memories as Prince Albert boarded our ship (Silver Wind) along with several F1 drivers and "faces" for a charity dinner arranged by the SS owner. I remember arriving back onto the ship (it was our first stop from Barcelona) and couldn't believe they'd rolled out the red carpet for our boarding after a visit to the Casino.

 

We never saw him, but we enjoyed the huge firework display for his visit. It explained why we were unable to book the "La Champagne" restaurant - which we genuinely had tried to do for this port on our first "formal" night. Alas we understood why when we got to the top of the stairs and all the ships big wigs were there to greet the arrivals. All a bit surreal. Wonderful times though.

[iana1212]

We were on the Quest this year to go to the Grand Prix. We had originally booked Crystal as it was due to port in Monaco and Azamara in Villefranche  sur mer (Adjoins Nice) but as Crystal failed we booked Azamara and had booked transfers privately from the port to Monaco but these were not needed as Azamara got tendering berth at Monaco, if they had had that originally we would have booked with them from he start. 
 

We booked our tickets online direct with the Monaco race organiser which allows you to select where you sit, you do need to book immediately when the seats go on sale or there are very few left! We got a good price for the cruise and would have had just about enough onboard credit to get the tickets but we had already bought them. If you can get the tickets yourself I would do so as there is little ‘extra value’ in the excursion other than the possibility that you cannot get ashore. Everyone is tendered in and just make their way to the stands which is not that difficult so no need for any guide.

 

As it it is a street race you can eat and drink in any of the adjoining cafes or get something from the supermarket. There are sandwiches and beer/soft drinks available in the stand areas and were not that bad 7 euros for a large beer plus 2 euros for souvenir cup and 5 euros for half baguette sandwich. Can be a long queue but there are quite long periods where nothing is happening.

 

quite a lot of toilets but can be long queues.

 

Leaving was much more of an issue. The stands allow exit in numerical order (or that is what they said) but then it becomes a bit of a free for all with thousands exiting into a small number of streets. That being said we were on the tender about an hour after the race finished. As there are so many people work on the basis of finding your own way back as you are likely to lose contact at some point with your guide.

 

 

[mj_holiday]

We have been to Monte Carlo and were fascinated with the Grad Prix track (streets) etc.  

 I found the cruise that overnights in Monte Carlo.  So from what I gather, you can either get an Azamara excursion with a seat ticket or purchase your own ticket.  Sounds simple enough, and what fun.

[mj_holiday]

One of the things we did before our first visit to Monte Carlo was get the movie "Grand Prix" from the library  (that is probably the only place to find that very old movie) and watched it.  It can get kind of boring but still interesting and get an understanding of the Grand Prix.

[Leo_On_Geo]

The one thing I would recommend  is a pair if small binoculars.  The screen is far away and it allows you to see the rankings and times. I was glad I had mine.

[JDPCruisers]

Anyone mind sharing their experience being in a suite? The 2023 Monaco Grand Prix voyage will be our first time and we are in a Club World Owners suite and interested in what to expect, any information, good or bad, would be appreciated!

[annapolitan369]

JDPCruisers,

Mary and I recently returned from a Greek Intensive cruise on the Journey in the Club World Owners Suite, our 2nd time in that suite.  Veranda is very nice with 2 comfortable chaises and a table for four.  Living room also comfortable.  Plenty of storage, both drawers and hanging.  Very quiet at the end of the hallway.  No soot on the veranda!  Comfortable bed.  Bathroom has some issues:  single sink in the main part of the bathroom with very little space to put things.  We never used the sink in the small room with the toilet.  Shower was OK.  We had 7119 on both cruises, the only deck that has suites both above and below.  Having been in a regular veranda and a continental suite on other Azamara cruises, I think you will like the difference that the Owner's Suite provides.

[Host Jazzbeau]

3 hours ago, annapolitan369 said:

Bathroom has some issues:  single sink in the main part of the bathroom with very little space to put things.  We never used the sink in the small room with the toilet.

Why not?  Unlike some super suite layouts, the two halves of the CW bathroom have a connecting door – so except when someone needs the toilet part for privacy, you always have two sinks available.  We thought this was a terrific bathroom layout for two people, and we travel with LOTS of bathroom stuff that needs to be stored!

[annapolitan369]

Host Jazzbeaux,

This just shows how things can be different for different people.  We prefer not to have our personal items in the area with the toilet, so that guests can use it easily without seeing all my pills etc!  We prefer the dual sink layout as we had in a Royal Suite on Celebrity or on our suites on Regent.  For us, the bathroom would be better if they removed the tub and used the space in a better way.  For others, the tub could be important.  You just need to find what works for you.

[Host Jazzbeau]

6 hours ago, annapolitan369 said:

Host Jazzbeaux,

This just shows how things can be different for different people.  We prefer not to have our personal items in the area with the toilet, so that guests can use it easily without seeing all my pills etc!  We prefer the dual sink layout as we had in a Royal Suite on Celebrity or on our suites on Regent.  For us, the bathroom would be better if they removed the tub and used the space in a better way.  For others, the tub could be important.  You just need to find what works for you.

Exactly!  And yes, we never use the tub so would prefer the new CC layout with a tub-sized shower – then the ex-shower space could be used for more bathroom storage.  My real gripe is the many layouts I've seen where a dual-sink design means little counter space left for storage.  Only one of us uses the bathroom at a time, so dual sink is a waste of space – and taking away precious storage space for that useless sink is rubbing salt (water) in the wound!  Give me a ginormous shower and a single big sink (recessed, not one of these designer-special vase sinks thank you very much!) set in a huge vanity.

 

But the sad truth is that interior designers never live in the high-design spaces they design.  This is nothing new.  Here are Flanders & Swann from 1959:

 

 

[JDPCruisers]

Thanks for the info on Club World Owners. We've done the Royal Suite (and other suites) on RC and Celebrity Suite and Sky on Celebrity so very much looking forward to our first time on Azamara (RC sold them off before we could try them previously) especially for this itinerary. And how is the food and service on Azamara?

[kimberlydrzymala]

Following along on this one. We are also booked in the Club World Owners Suite for our May 2023 cruise. I have been seeing some disappointing things on the boards regarding Azamara and I must say I am concerned. We have always traveled on Celebrity and I am hoping we did not make a mistake on switching brands now. Any and all feedback is appreciated!

[Host Jazzbeau]

7 minutes ago, kimberlydrzymala said:

Following along on this one. We are also booked in the Club World Owners Suite for our May 2023 cruise. I have been seeing some disappointing things on the boards regarding Azamara and I must say I am concerned. We have always traveled on Celebrity and I am hoping we did not make a mistake on switching brands now. Any and all feedback is appreciated!

My guess is that the more you love Celebrity [in its current Edge-y state] the less you will like Azamara, and vice versa.  Azamara is classic country club luxury.  The CW suites are nicely laid out [separate bedroom and living room with full dining table; wrap-around veranda that offers a choice of sun or shade almost all day; pass-through bathroom that allows guests easy access to the toilet part while keeping your personal items private on the shower/vanity side], and decorated in classic dark woods with big comfy couch and chairs – the opposite of the modern '50 shades of off-white' and furniture so hard it's painful to sit down.  Also the Azamara ships are small enough that even from the very back nothing is too far away.

[kimberlydrzymala]

20 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

My guess is that the more you love Celebrity [in its current Edge-y state] the less you will like Azamara, and vice versa.  Azamara is classic country club luxury.  The CW suites are nicely laid out [separate bedroom and living room with full dining table; wrap-around veranda that offers a choice of sun or shade almost all day; pass-through bathroom that allows guests easy access to the toilet part while keeping your personal items private on the shower/vanity side], and decorated in classic dark woods with big comfy couch and chairs – the opposite of the modern '50 shades of off-white' and furniture so hard it's painful to sit down.  Also the Azamara ships are small enough that even from the very back nothing is too far away.

This is a big splurge for us and I am not so worried about the decore but we REALLY do want decent food. The big attraction for us was the ports this trip had. We have never been on a small ship and thought it was time to try something new. At this point we are going to keep the trip and hope for the best. Since this is a nearly a year away we are hoping some of the cool perks are back like the Amaraza evenings and the full white night experience.

[JDPCruisers]

My wife and I care much like you in that we have always wanted to try Azamara (since when they were under RC) for a luxury small ship and we like the classic look (big Celebrity fans but their newer ships decor is a bit to modern for our taste). Food and service is very important so hoping someone will weigh in on that aspect from a recent cruise so we have an idea of what to expect.

 

As far as big splurge, it is for us as well especially the airfare and cost of F1 club level! But, considering it's a bucket list and doing it while we still can physically (never know what the future brings!).

[Host Jazzbeau]

1 hour ago, JDPCruisers said:

As far as big splurge, it is for us as well especially the airfare and cost of F1 club level! But, considering it's a bucket list and doing it while we still can physically (never know what the future brings!).

F1?  You mean P1?  If it's one of the aft-facing verandas, that should be a really nice cabin!

 

And I understand your attitude:  as my wife and I say, Covid took 2 years out of our travel window but our 'sell by' date didn't change!

[Rabo]

The F1 probably refers to the topic title . . . Monte Carlo “F”ormula 1 😀