Live on Pursuit: Lisbon → Rome

[cavaaller]

Our impression of Florence was ambivalent:

It is without doubt one of the most beautiful cities I have visited.

 

Every corner you turn hides an ancient building full of cultural treasures.

 

But it is messy: While the cities we had visited on this cruise up to then (Malaga, Barcelona, Nice) seem to have taken the full range of infrastructure options to improve the walking and cycling experience in Florence the pedestrian has to fear for his life (of course I exaggerate). 

Most times there are no pavements at all. You always have to watch out for cars and/or scooters. It is noisy, it smells of fuel and pollution and it is soooo crowded. 

 

 

In my very own opinion cars cannot be the center of a healthy and serene city. 

 

That aside - as mentioned. Florence takes your breath away. Just to show you some of the sights:

The dome:

 

 

 

David (just one of the copies though)

 

Edited April 1, 2023 by cavaaller

[cavaaller]

The old bridge:

 

 

[cavaaller]

After we had done the circle tour we were tired of evading the cars and the millions of field-trips-students and escaped on to the other side of the river and climbed the hill up to  Piazzale Michelangelo. There you not only have a terrific view over Florence but can also breathe a little in a serene little garden paradise away from the crowds. 

 

 

 

We loved it.

Then we stopped for a cappuccino (Vivaldi, Via dei Renai, 15, 50125 Firenze)

 

I highly recommend it not only for the café/gelato but also for the clean restrooms and the very nice staff 😉

[cavaaller]

 

Initially I wanted us to visit Pisa on the second day of Livorno:

It is a 6 minutes walk to Piazza grande where you can take the Lam Blu (LB) at stop GRANDE2 (4@A8049) Porto Mediceo. It goes directly to the central station where you can take the train to Pisa (or Lucca or Florence).

 

There is also a direct bus that goes to Pisa: 

For taking the bus (#10) to Pisa, which departs right behind the dome and goes every full hour you go to 

Piazza della Republica (follow Via Grande) 

 

 

But as the day in Florence had been quite strenuous and it was already the last day of our cruise (= dreaded packing) 

we decided to stay in Livorno.

 

 

[cavaaller]

I would not go so far to say that Livorno is a beautiful city but we still enjoyed our tour. Some of the things we saw:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sleep7]

👏BRAVO!!! I'm enjoying your trip report immensely.  Thank you for taking the time to post.

We are sailing soon and this has made me extra excited!🤗

[cavaaller]

Back on board I decided, that if I was going to have to pack I would at least try one of those famous Atlas-bar Cocktails. 
Initially I had the intention to buy the beverage package but found, that for me and my taste, buying wine by the bottle was the better choice.

But I still wanted to try at least one of those cocktails even though they are quite expensive: 

 

 

I chose the "Parisienne". And a good choice it was.

 

 

Packing was still no fun but a little less horrible.

[cavaaller]

The last evening is always a little sad. Osvy was so kind to bring us dinner from Prime C because we did not feel like going "out". I was so distracted by the "last night blues" that I did not even take pictures. It was very good though. I had the lamb and the donuts. It is a good thing I had them on the last night because I would have ordered those for lunch and dinner every day!

 

Then I went to spend my last OBC.

My problem was that I had not consulted the shop-schedule and did not realize, that the shops would not open after "white night". With the 2 last days being overnight port stays I had to do the shopping very very last minute. Of course I was not the only one. I bought a very nice Coast Purse and some Clinique Cosmetics I would have bought at home anyway - so for me it was a good buy.

Next time (if I have that much OBC again) I will plan ahead!

 

Then we took another stroll around the ship

 

 

 

 

 

Spa:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and called it a night.

 

 

[cavaaller]

 

As usual the Captain made sure we arrived in port in time.

 

And again: we had the best mooring position (sic?) all the way up front:

 

 

Busses and some taxis were already waiting at before 7 o clock. First passengers were walking off by 7:15.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cavaaller]

We had arranged for a private taxi (link: CSE Civitavecchia Shuttle Express).

 

I had received an email with the name and whats-app contact of the driver. He texted me promptly at 10 minutes before the confirmed time that he had arrived and would be greeting us at the ship's exit with a sign with our name on it.

He had a clean, new Mercedis sprinter, drove carefully, helped with the luggage... everything was great. I highly recommend this service. (Price was 140 €).

 

We checked in without delays, went to the Priority Pass lounge which was surprisingly good, flight was on time, seats were great...

everything was just perfect.

 

 

Perfect ending to a perfect cruise.

Edited April 3, 2023 by cavaaller

[cavaaller]

The old website provided a lot of information on the ports as downloads.

Maybe these will be back after the revamp is finished. I scanned the Information we got on board in case it is of interest to any of you:

 

Portinfo and Azamazing-Evening Schedule:

 

Portinfo.pdf

 

 

[cavaaller]

Insider remaining days:

 

THE INSIDER days 5-9.pdf

 

last day:

last day.pdf

 

link to days 1-4

Edited April 3, 2023 by cavaaller

[cavaaller]

Menus Discoveries Restaurant

 

Discoveries Restaurant menus.pdf

 

[silkismom]

The menus look a lot more "international" than I remember, can hardly wait for Sept.

[Azulann]

Thank you for your trip report.

I am always sad the last night of a cruise. I started ,many years ago ,to always  do a night or two in port before I go to the airport to fly home. It helps me  savor  the memories of my wonderful cruise vacation and slowly get back to reality of life. 

[cavaaller]

 

My résumé - or:
what made this cruise so different from all the cruises we have experienced so far…

 

Destination Immersion –

Of course, I had read about it before booking. So I knew that Azamara puts a lot of emphasis on making sure that there is not a big drop in quality-level between the on-board experience and the off-board experience.

So I knew that the layovers were much longer, that there would be overnight stays. What I didn't realize is how much it would enhance our travel quality our relaxation and our whole experience.

We have never enjoyed the ports so much. Of course, we had the weather and the low season on our side. 

Nevertheless, I think that it makes the world of a difference how long you stay in port and, above all, what berth you are assigned. This was really a first class experience.

 

Organization–

From the absolutely smooth boarding to the tightly organized and reduced to the absolutely necessary safety exercise, to the always punctual port calls, the well-organized shore excursion, everything was very well planned and executed.

Of course, the staff:guests-ratio and the fact that this trip was not fully booked (only 406 guests) helped.

 

Staff / Service–

I've already raved enough about our cabin team. 

But we noticed almost no employee on board who did not make an effort, was cheerful and courteous. The service on board can be described as first-class!

 

Meals–

All the restaurants we tried (these were all except Discovery) had a very good selection and the quality of the food was also very good.

The surprisingly large selection for vegans and vegetarians should be emphasized.

 

Guests-

We met so many nice people on board. Everybody seemed interesting (so well travelled), open and friendly.

 

Cabin -

The Owner's Suites are beautiful. Huge amount of storing, wonderful shower, terrific mattresses, huge balcony, great perks.

 

What they do not have is a decent mirror with decent lighting where you can you can do your make-up (I like to sit down to do so and the mirror in the bedroom is too far away for my myopic eyes and the lighting is very bad there too.)  Unfortunately I forgot to mention this in my guest survey because I think that this could be so easily fixed.

 

The other inconvenience can probably not be remedied: The cabin was terribly terribly noisy when at sea. There was rattling, humming, vibration, knocking - it was sooo loud. I got used to it at one point but it made me consider booking a forward cabin the next time. I know that the balcony can hardly be used when at sea but with the long port times that Azamara offers this should not be a problem?

 

We have a new favorite shipping company – the next trip is already booked.

 

I would like to thank you all for reading my lines but especially for the reactions and comments you have posted
(it made it feel like less of a monologue)

 

❤️ you have made the writing fun! ❤️

 

Edited April 5, 2023 by cavaaller

[cruisinclined]

On 4/1/2023 at 6:58 PM, cavaaller said:

I am running a bit behind on my report - sorry about that!

 

Nice - evening: The white night.

We were just AMAZED how much effort every single member of the staff must have put in the organization of this event. The food was amazing, the staff were obviously proud of the wonderful experience they had created  - I wish my English skills could explain how much we and the other guests appreciated the devotion to detail.

The food was out of this world.

I could only take pictures of the dessert because there were so many people around the bbq.

 

 

but desserts are my fav. course anyway 🙂

 

All the senior officers were working (even the head chef was serving the best cuts and the Captain was working the tables)

My favorite dish was the Crêpes Suzette cooked by Marcelo Affonso  (Hotel Director).

It was a real pity that it was sooo cold because everybody was participating (everyone dressed in white) so many beautiful people- the atmosphere was great. You will find plenty of pictures and videos on YouTube and/or Facebook of this event!

 

Your exceptional English skills could not have better described this fantastic evening. Azamara seem to have returned to their past glory after the long layoff and the challenge of rebuilding of the brand.

[voyager1964]

Thank you very much @cavaaller for your live review! I am sorry it did not get as much attention as it deserves, apparently due to the distraction caused by the IT transition.

 

Did you happen to pay a visit to the spa/T-pool? 

A recent review (https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=698117) suggests that "They have cocktail servers coming in to serve guests which contributes to a rather loud and crowded atmosphere... Imagine it’s fun to be with your group in a private setting yet change the name of the Spa from Sanctum to Sorority House."

 

Any observations to corroborate? 

Thanks

[cavaaller]

@voyager1964

 

I am sorry -  we have not used the T-pool (we are not really Spa-People). 

 

thank you for your kind words ❤️ 

[uktog]

16 hours ago, voyager1964 said:

Thank you very much @cavaaller for your live review! I am sorry it did not get as much attention as it deserves, apparently due to the distraction caused by the IT transition.

 

Did you happen to pay a visit to the spa/T-pool? 

A recent review (https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=698117) suggests that "They have cocktail servers coming in to serve guests which contributes to a rather loud and crowded atmosphere... Imagine it’s fun to be with your group in a private setting yet change the name of the Spa from Sanctum to Sorority House."

 

Any observations to corroborate? 

Thanks

My experience on the Spa/Tpool deck on all the ships very much varies on the guests who are using the deck at that moment in time.  It differs even from hour to hour.  It ranges from Party Central to a lovely relaxing experience.  The biggest and most regular problem is not whether cocktail servers are coming round it is who is in the hot tub.  Too many guests like to chat with others in the tub not realising that as they raise their voices to chat over the sound of the jets, so the rest of those trying to relax have to hear their conversations.  I have had several late afternoon chill out times spoilt having to listen to life stories, graphic details of medical histories, blow by blow explanations of rounds of golf and the worst full disclosure of prices paid for the cruise and arguments about travel agents and perks.

 

When it is quiet, it is lovely but quiet is never guaranteed