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Some optimism? A new ship?

govanguy

By govanguy,
in Azamara

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Mrs Miggins

Mrs Miggins

Posted
Posted

On further investigation I see David Duff was the subject of a thread in October 22 and several from the UK, including me, welcomed a boost to Azamara in the UK.

Since then I do not recall any mention of him and indeed I had completely forgotten about him.

Perhaps those in the UK that have ongoing concerns with Azamara should try him as a point of contact.  Since he is speculating about new builds he may actually know what is currently going on within Azamara.

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uktog "Live from...." Rare

uktog

Posted
Posted
20 minutes ago, Mrs Miggins said:

On further investigation I see David Duff was the subject of a thread in October 22 and several from the UK, including me, welcomed a boost to Azamara in the UK.

Since then I do not recall any mention of him and indeed I had completely forgotten about him.

Perhaps those in the UK that have ongoing concerns with Azamara should try him as a point of contact.  Since he is speculating about new builds he may actually know what is currently going on within Azamara.

I hope you are right but it could be the standard jam tomorrow spin. 
Nice idea @hamrag so long as it’s not Fergusons 😂 - for our overseas friends google Glen Sannox or Calmac 

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hamrag

hamrag

Posted
Posted (edited)
9 minutes ago, uktog said:

I hope you are right but it could be the standard jam tomorrow spin. 
Nice idea @hamrag so long as it’s not Fergusons 😂 - for our overseas friends google Glen Sannox or Calmac 

Indeed.

 

For those same overseas friends the Cunard QE2, now a refitted 'hotel' in Dubai or at least a visitor attraction, was built just 'doon, and across, the watter' and launched from there in the late 60's. We are old enought to remember that, and have a friend who was taken on a school trip to see the launch.

 

Sadly, changed days for Clyde shipbuilding!

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Fairgarth

Fairgarth

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, hamrag said:

 

Maybe they'll build it on the Clyde, even Govan! 🤣

 

They are not that stupid!  Some years ago, Northlink Ferries ordered three new ships - two from Finland and one from the Clyde.  Then the Clyde came back and said they could not do the job.  Right then, three from Finland, nae problem!  How the mighty are fallen.

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hamrag

hamrag

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, Fairgarth said:

 

They are not that stupid!  Some years ago, Northlink Ferries ordered three new ships - two from Finland and one from the Clyde.  Then the Clyde came back and said they could not do the job.  Right then, three from Finland, nae problem!  How the mighty are fallen.

Indeed, both Govan and Clydebank are a shadow of their former selves, in past times heavy engineering as well as shipbuilding! Both are still trying, and struggling, to reenergise their areas yet currently failing to do so meaningfully! 

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boxman52

boxman52

Posted
Posted

Playing virtual Cruise CEO game for a bit!

It would be interesting to see what they go for. 

Can't see a new version of what they currently have paying 

To make it pay it might well be larger and have more upcharge venues

It could have children facilities to attract more families

None of that would be popular

The alternative is to charge more and go towards Viking. My experience is that if I wanted Viking I'll go on them as they do it very well.

Or Azamara position the ship at Seven Seas market - is that viable?

I'd like a more modern version of what they have now of course with a better entertainment venues and a more modern approach to the specialist restaurants that are now dated 

 

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govanguy

govanguy

Posted
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21 hours ago, hamrag said:

Indeed.

 

For those same overseas friends the Cunard QE2, now a refitted 'hotel' in Dubai or at least a visitor attraction, was built just 'doon, and across, the watter' and launched from there in the late 60's. We are old enought to remember that, and have a friend who was taken on a school trip to see the launch.

 

Sadly, changed days for Clyde shipbuilding!

I was at the launch watching from the Blythswood estate in Renfrew. 

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hamrag

hamrag

Posted
Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, govanguy said:

I was at the launch watching from the Blythswood estate in Renfrew. 

Wow......I saw it on black and white cooncil telly, there were no other options in those days as you know. In our wildest dreams could never have believed we would one day cruise, and do so again, and again......So privileged!

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john1970

john1970

Posted
Posted

I think of all us who have been Azamara fans for a long time have been told this by different staff members. I would love to see it as it would show that those in charge have a plan and a vision of what Azamara will look like in the future. Fingers crossed.

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wjfan417

wjfan417

Posted
Posted
45 minutes ago, john1970 said:

I think of all us who have been Azamara fans for a long time have been told this by different staff members. I would love to see it as it would show that those in charge have a plan and a vision of what Azamara will look like in the future. Fingers crossed.

Yes-we’ve heard it at at least 2 Q & A’s in the past year!

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excitedofharpenden

excitedofharpenden

Posted
Posted
6 hours ago, wjfan417 said:

Yes-we’ve heard it at at least 2 Q & A’s in the past year!

The difference is that this is coming from the top of the tree. Q and As answered by those on the ships are purely speculative, in spite of what might have been intimated.

 

We will just have see what pans out. It has always been said that they won't go larger. I can see that they may have to do that whilst keeping the intimacy and service as much as possible. I love the Azamara ships, but if there is one thing they don't do very well it's to accommodate when the weather is poor and people are kept indoors. The pool area is a big dud in the middle of the ship. They need a covered pool amongst a number of other things. 

 

Phil 

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Host Jazzbeau Great Review Rare

Host Jazzbeau

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, excitedofharpenden said:

It has always been said that they won't go larger. I can see that they may have to do that whilst keeping the intimacy and service as much as possible.

Do you think that means they won't build a ship that has more tonnage, or more passengers, or both?  If both, I don't see how they can solve the R-ships' space issues.  If they will accept more tonnage, the Silversea Muse class is a model they could start from.  That would still be more intimate that Viking's model which is both more tonnage and more passengers.  But is that enough to close out some smaller ports that they call on now?  [R-ships are ~30k tons and ~700 pax; Silver Muse is ~40k & ~600; or Silver Nova, which is getting rave reviews, is ~55k and 728 pax]

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Mackdogmolly

Mackdogmolly

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

The difference is that this is coming from the top of the tree. Q and As answered by those on the ships are purely speculative, in spite of what might have been intimated.

 

We will just have see what pans out. It has always been said that they won't go larger. I can see that they may have to do that whilst keeping the intimacy and service as much as possible. I love the Azamara ships, but if there is one thing they don't do very well it's to accommodate when the weather is poor and people are kept indoors. The pool area is a big dud in the middle of the ship. They need a covered pool amongst a number of other things. 

 

Phil 

The ability to cover the pool would change everything 

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excitedofharpenden

excitedofharpenden

Posted
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6 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Do you think that means they won't build a ship that has more tonnage, or more passengers, or both?  If both, I don't see how they can solve the R-ships' space issues.  If they will accept more tonnage, the Silversea Muse class is a model they could start from.  That would still be more intimate that Viking's model which is both more tonnage and more passengers.  But is that enough to close out some smaller ports that they call on now?  [R-ships are ~30k tons and ~700 pax; Silver Muse is ~40k & ~600; or Silver Nova, which is getting rave reviews, is ~55k and 728 pax]

It's a conundrum for sure. I wouldn't like a ship that's too big and which can't get into the ports Azamara do now. Of course ship design has come on quite a bit since the R ships were built, not least the green credentials which I see as a big driver going forward. I'm not clued up on the other ships so am not sure what those luxury vessels were able to achieve. It's fun to speculate. 

 

Phil 

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Riocca

Riocca

Posted
Posted
42 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

It's a conundrum for sure. I wouldn't like a ship that's too big and which can't get into the ports Azamara do now. Of course ship design has come on quite a bit since the R ships were built, not least the green credentials which I see as a big driver going forward. I'm not clued up on the other ships so am not sure what those luxury vessels were able to achieve. It's fun to speculate. 

 

Phil 

Yes it’s fun to speculate but it’s going to be difficult for Azamara to get the balance right. If they stick at 30k tonnes and approx 650 passengers then space especially in cabins will be at a premium and prices will rise considerably especially as the demand in any new build will be for all balcony cabins.

The most likely scenario is the Viking model of about 60k tonnes and 900 passengers that provides enough space for all balcony cabins and of course bigger bathrooms. Big problem for Azamara is that they will no longer be able to dock at the smaller ports which provide some of their most popular itineraries.

Covered pool in theory a good idea for cruising cooler climates but the main problem is the amount of deck space that’s lost to it, not a problem on a big ship but as tonnage decreases it can be. Also it’s use has to be sensible, on Viking in the Caribbean they closed the roof every time they saw a passing cloud making the pool are too hot to use.

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