Azamara Onward - Spain Intensive (11 nights) semi-live blogging

[cavaaller]

Really enjoying your wonderful review!

Thank you very much!

Edited April 13, 2023 by cavaaller

[kcruz]

Love reading about your adventures and seeing the amazing photos!! Thank you!!

[KY Deb]

We are doing Spanish Intensive in October.  This has gotten us super geeked about our trip.  Our AZAMAZING evening is in Valencia at the Arts and Science area!  Thank you so much for your pictures and review.  

[Baynanno1]

On 4/12/2023 at 4:41 AM, WoolworthAdventures said:

 

it’s very clear on the cruise port being at the World Trade Center on the paperwork where it’s getting confusing is when people start saying it’s elsewhere 

 

 

 

 

A reasonable question by @floridafolks to a cruiser who will dock before @floridafolks cruise commences if they have ever been on a cruise where the advertised docking area has changed.

 

It has happened to us on two occasions, one in Barcelona, where we were inexplicably not docked where we expected to be at WTC and one in Valletta, where we were docked without prior notice on the opposite side of the Grand Harbour and the Hotel Director had to arrange at extremely short notice, ferry transfer to the side we expected to be, below the Upper Barrakka Gardens, where all the shore excursions departed!

[Georgeven]

Post 7 - Palma de Mallorca

 

Almost last port… as we planned we woke up, small breakfast at the buffet and then out. There were shuttle busses from the ship to the very close area to the cathedral. 

 

We didn’t have the tickets in advance but we bought these on our phones just five minutes before entering, easy-breezy… 

 

We are not religious but with hat said (Ellet written), we have a thing for Churches, Cathedrals and in general places of religious worship. They show architecture, history, art and all these is an expression of cultural identity that we found fascinating. 

 

La Seu in Palma, just took my breath away. It has to be one of the most beautiful expressions of gothic architecture in a church. The lights through the stained glasses, the chapels, everything. It felt divine,  as a really special place.

 

I recommend taking a walk in the old city, is always beautiful (and crowded). We really didn’t do much this time because we have been here so many times so decided just to go back to the ship for a lazy afternoon.

 

Taste of Indian dinner in the buffet, DO NOT MISS IT. Just that. 

 

Then it was show time with Erick, very nice and funny. 

 

Now we are in Barcelona, docked in the World Trade Center, getting ready to go out to do something. We have also been head so manny times, but it’s always a good time and good shopping.  

[floridafolks]

5 hours ago, Baynanno1 said:

 

A reasonable question by @floridafolks to a cruiser who will dock before @floridafolks cruise commences if they have ever been on a cruise where the advertised docking area has changed.

 

It has happened to us on two occasions, one in Barcelona, where we were inexplicably not docked where we expected to be at WTC and one in Valletta, where we were docked without prior notice on the opposite side of the Grand Harbour and the Hotel Director had to arrange at extremely short notice, ferry transfer to the side we expected to be, below the Upper Barrakka Gardens, where all the shore excursions departed!

Thank you baynonno1- that is exactly why I asked. Within the past year, Azamara was scheduled to dock at WTC in Barcelona and was told without much notice that they had to go across the bridge at Moll Adossat. Azamara was not happy about it, but nothing they could do.
I see now that the OP has confirmed WTC today. (We just arrived at our hotel in Barcelona minutes ago- anxious to board tomorrow. )

[cruisinclined]

 

On 4/5/2023 at 4:32 PM, Georgeven said:

Hi there everybody… Jorge and Stian from Norway and we are back in Azamara and this time for a Spain intensive cruise. 

 

Technically this is our sixth cruise (from 30 cruises) with Azamara, first time on Onward. Booked an inside cabin, happy with it. We decided more cruises less balconies for this year.

 

Flying from Oslo with Tap and spent a night and a morning in Lisboa before boarding. Staying at the Ibis Style Lisboa Centro Liberdade, good location, attentive service, nice restaurant for tapas and wine in the afternoon/evening and a super breakfast. 

 

We had been in Lisboa a couple of times before so this time we just relaxed and went for some shopping in the morning before heading to the port

 

We used welcome pickups for transportation from the airport and to the port, worked perfectly. 

 

Checking inn for the cruise was easy breeze. It took no time and we were already on board, security briefing, staterooms ready, upgraded drinks to ultimate package and three specialty dinners reservations made… then we were ready to go/cruise.

 

Stateroom was as expected, everything in order. We met our room attendant, very nice guy. We just though about the position of the TV on the side of the bed and it cannot be moved… very weird but it’s not like we will watch a lot of TV while in a port intensive cruise. 

 

We had a small lunch at the buffet, everything was delicious. Dinner at Discoveries was marvelous, service on point and a delicious meal all the way. 

 

Went to the Atlas bar, tasted a couple of drinks. Very nice place with an interesting and good “live” entertainment and nice bartenders. think this will be our favorite place for the nights.

Day 2 in Portimao, 

 

Breakfast at Discoveries, perfect… then out. There was a complimentary shuttle bus, but we decided to walk walk and walk our way into the old town and then to the beach (Praia de Rocha), very nice little city with a very local feeling in the center. The beach area is more “touristy” developed with tons of restaurants, hotels, clubs, etc. and Praia de Rocha is the mother of all beaches… beautiful and organized. Back to the ship after some hours for late lunch in the Buffett with some wine. Again delicious food… then it was time for a Power Nap…

 

 

 

 

Later tonight we’ll have dinner at Prime C… looking forward to it

Sorry to return to boarding with a question. What time were you given to board. We hear that 2 pm or later is typical at the moment and wonder how late the buffet stays open for these later boardings? What happens if you knock half an hour of and arrive earlier we wonder?

 

Edited April 14, 2023 by cruisinclined

[marinaro44]

1 hour ago, cruisinclined said:

 

Sorry to return to boarding with a question. What time were you given to board. We hear that 2 pm or later is typical at the moment and wonder how late the buffet stays open for these later boardings? What happens if you knock half an hour of and arrive earlier we wonder?

 

Our experience has been that boarding begins at 2.  Arriving earlier may get you into a group that boards ahead of other groups...but still after 2.

[beatnix]

1 hour ago, cruisinclined said:

 

Sorry to return to boarding with a question. What time were you given to board. We hear that 2 pm or later is typical at the moment and wonder how late the buffet stays open for these later boardings? What happens if you knock half an hour of and arrive earlier we wonder?

 

Windows Café is open in the afternoon. Last time we had lunch around 3pm. 

[Grandma Cruising]

59 minutes ago, beatnix said:

Windows Café is open in the afternoon. Last time we had lunch around 3pm. 

I think it stayed open until 4pm when we embarked in Rio in March. No good for us as we didn’t get on board until well after 4:30 despite having had a 2pm embarkation time.

Edited April 14, 2023 by Grandma Cruising

[Georgeven]

4 hours ago, cruisinclined said:

 

Sorry to return to boarding with a question. What time were you given to board. We hear that 2 pm or later is typical at the moment and wonder how late the buffet stays open for these later boardings? What happens if you knock half an hour of and arrive earlier we wonder?

 

 

Boarding starts at 14:00. It was very very very effective in Lisboa. buffet was open until 15:30 if my memory doesn’t fail. If you arrive earlier guess you’ll have to wait. 

[Georgeven]

Post 8 - Hasta la vista Barcelona and Onward

 

So We went out for a walk to la Boqueria market, the barrio Gótico and the shopping center for some hours, Barcelona is always crazy crowded but it’s always fun….  We just wanted to get some air and that’s what we did. Back to the ship for a lazy movie afternoon in the cabin (it was cold to be sunbathing) and packing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had dinner again in Prime C, kudos to Gustavo the manager for sorting problems out. It was a perfect dinner in every sense. 

Easy-breeze out of the ship to the airport. 

 

Now we are flying back home and will impatiently wait four long weeks before we go on board again in Choggia (Venice) for an intensive Greece sailing in the onward again. For that one we have the same cabin, so far… and we decided we will not upgrade the drinking package neither do specialty dining. 

 

Thanks for following up… sea you around… 

J&S

[combine]

Your daily posts and pictures have been wonderful and you've captured so well the onboard experience and making the most of ports. Thankyou

[Grandma Cruising]

Thanks very much for your posts and photos. Glad you had a good time.

[Mrs Miggins]

Hope to embark from the World Trade Centre in June.  Have just paid extra to move our flight from London Gatwick to Barcelona to an 8.10 departure instead of 9.10.  Prompted because Azamara website is showing a 4.30 pm departure from Barcelona so needed a little extra wriggle room in case of flight delays.  Previous departures have been much later.

This early departure doesn’t leave much time for the new later afternoon embarkation schedule.

Of course at the moment I have no real idea about docking location, sailing time etc since I can’t get information due to the current shambles on my account details online.  Keeping everything crossed !