ONWARD and Upward.. our Azamazing "Italy Intensive" Week - April 22 to April 29, 2023. Full Trip Report With Tons of Pix.

[Sleep7]

👋 Helloooo out there on the Azamara Board!

We just returned.. literally just returned yesterday from a 7 night Monte Carlo to Rome "Italy Intensive" cruise on The Onward.  First time on the Onward.. 7th time on Azamara; and oh my how terrific it was to be back!

A little about us.. we both just turned the big 6-0 and 6-1.

Those are ages not heights! 😊

We started cruising on Azamara way back in 2010 (when they were Azamara Club Cruises with only 2 ships) and fell in love at first sight..  or really first cruise.

Our last Azamara sail was on The Pursuit in late 2019 and then we all unfortunately know what 2020 brought.. nothing but friendly ghosts of cruises past.

In 2021 and 2022 we restarted cruising with two outstanding Viking Ocean cruises.

Last week we were super excited to have come full circle and sail again with our first love Azamara.

 

The suitcases are unpacked.. the laundry is done.. the mail is sorted and I'm ready to write. Looking forward to telling the happy tale of our fabulous week plying the smooth Mediterranean waters from Monte Carlo to Rome.  ONWARD to my review!!

 

 

Before I begin.. I am anxious to set some minds at ease.. Despite all the IT issues pre-cruise with the new Azamara site, once onboard we had not one single problem related to the website overhaul!  I had tried in van to book transfers from the airport to the ship on the day of arrival but was never able to speak to anyone about it.  I submitted the online form and then a few days before we sailed I got an email asking for our flight information.  When we arrived we were on "the list" and then shortly after on the bus from NCE to the pier Monte Carlo.

All of our loyalty information perks were intact as well as the shore excursions I had booked with OBC before the IT upgrade, and our unused OBC as well.

Come sail along with me!🚢

 

Edited April 30, 2023 by Sleep7

[Sleep7]

FRIDAY - April 21

JFK airport.. ready to check in!

 

[Sleep7]

Plenty of time to visit both lounges in Terminal 4.

First the Amex Lounge just after security.

 

 

I had read there is a "secret" area they call a Speakeasy? 🤫 It's on the lower level all the way in the back.  Eh.. unimpressed!.🤷‍♀️

 

 

 

[Sleep7]

They did have great hand crafted cocktails though!  And a line when we left..

 

 

[Sleep7]

Well if we are comparing lines then the Sky Club wins!🙃

 

 

Line or no line I do love this lounge.. much closer to the gates and a huge array of delicious food and drink.

 

 

 

Even matzoh 2 weeks after Passover! 🤭

 

 

A hot dog stand..

 

 

 

 

And nicest of all..  sparkling wine and a sparkling smile to greet you!

 

 

 

 

[Sleep7]

Time to go!  Boarding soon!

 

 

 

Checked that our bags were on the plane and they were.. whew!

 

 

Great exit row seats.. 🥶FREEZING for most of the flight but plenty of leg room for a 6'3' DH.

 

Edited April 30, 2023 by Sleep7

[Sleep7]

Lines for the lounges and lines to take off.

 

 

On our way!  7 hours and 30 minutes flying time from JFK to NCE.  Goodbye Gotham.. see you in a week!

 

 

 

 

With the sun was setting behind us we knew we had all week to look forward to.. how lovely.

 

[laurieb]

Thank you for sharing your very recent experiences!

[Sleep7]

1 minute ago, laurieb said:

Thank you for sharing your very recent experiences!

👋Oh you're so welcome laurieb!  Thanks for sharing the smiles with us.😊

[Sleep7]

Almost there..

 

 

Bonjour Nice!!

 

[Sleep7]

Aaaah... LOVE these people!!! Always so warm and friendly!

 

 

There was plenty of room on the transfer bus for us. 👏 

Even if they had not responded to my email it would have all worked out fine.😊

 

[Sleep7]

There she is!  First glimpse!

 

[Sleep7]

Dropped off our suitcases and then asked if the people behind the counter could hold onto our carry on bag which was heavy with laptops and they said no problem.  It was 10am when we arrived and check in was just starting at noon so we were anxious to walk around Monaco for those two hours.

 

[Travelingwithstyle]

So glad that you had a nice time on your vacation. Thank you for posting your experience.  We are even more excited now for our 3 b2b on the Onward that start in June.

Really looking forward to your post about your cruise.

Thank you for taking your valuable time to post.  It is very much appreciated. 

[Sleep7]

 

2 minutes ago, Travelingwithstyle said:

So glad that you had a nice time on your vacation. Thank you for posting your experience.  We are even more excited now for our 3 b2b on the Onward that start in June.

Really looking forward to your post about your cruise.

Thank you for taking your valuable time to post.  It is very much appreciated. 

Oh my gosh!  Thank YOU Travelingwithstyle for coming along for the ride!

I'm so happy to post every little detail.  Awesome that you will spend 21 days on the Onward..

Wow.. now that's a vacation.😊 Lucky you!!

Edited April 30, 2023 by Sleep7

[Sleep7]

Preparations were underway for the Monaco Grand Prix at the end of May.🏎️

 

 

 

[Sleep7]

About a half an hours walk around the Harbor and we arrived at Van Cleef & Arpels by the Casino.  I had emailed them in advance and they were saving a ring for me that is not available in the USA.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 30, 2023 by Sleep7

[Sleep7]

Plenty of tourists by the Casino.

 

[Sleep7]

What a fantastic location.. the Onward was docked right across the harbor.

 

 

12:00 came and it was time to check in.✔️

 

 

 

Edited April 30, 2023 by Sleep7

[Sleep7]

As I always say.. this is the BEST time of a cruise.  When you are walking up the gangway for the first time you have the WHOLE WEEK ahead of you to enjoy!!👏

 

[Sleep7]

Check in was done in the Cabaret Lounge.  Quick and easy..

 

 

 

 

The sparkling wine and the lifeboat drill were flowing smoothly.

 

 

 

[Sleep7]

Cabin 6083.. nice location near the back of the ship.😊

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sleep7]

 Lots of paperwork awaiting our arrival.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sleep7]

Included were tickets for our pre-booked shore excursions.. all present and accounted for.😊

 

 

 

[Sleep7]

Met Rayner our incredibly sweet and helpful cabin attendant.