Onboard Onward Live - Caribbean (30th November)

[Grandma Cruising]

3 hours ago, takemewithyou said:

Interestingly we are just finishing a 13 day Transatlantic cruise on Oceania where the food quality has been excellent.  Much better than what we have experienced on Azamara as recently as June and  last Dec.  Chateaubriand in Main dining room tonight.  Last night was Beef Wellington.  Will say the lamb is better on Azamara.  Fish has been excellent.  Had the best halibut of my life the other night in main dining room! 

 

And the price of the TA was not more than comparable accommodations on Azamara…actually less.  
 

These reports of further reduction in food quality on Azamara have me a bit concerned! 

We're currently on Journey & have been delighted with the food. No carvery at lunchtime, instead a range of curries, noodle dishes, kebabs etc.

[takemewithyou]

5 minutes ago, Grandma Cruising said:

We're currently on Journey & have been delighted with the food. No carvery at lunchtime, instead a range of curries, noodle dishes, kebabs etc.

That seems to be a reduction in quality to me.  
Noodles and pastas are cheaper to supply than roasts and better cuts of meat.

They are carving all kinds of roasts on Oceania lunch and dinner.  Turkey, stuffed veal roasts, lamb loin, leg of lamb, steamship rounds of beef, pork roasts, beef tenderloin.

 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2023 by takemewithyou

[Host Jazzbeau]

32 minutes ago, Grandma Cruising said:

We're currently on Journey & have been delighted with the food. No carvery at lunchtime, instead a range of curries, noodle dishes, kebabs etc.

 

28 minutes ago, takemewithyou said:

That seems to be a reduction in quality to me.  
Noodles and pastas are cheaper to supply than roasts and better cuts of meat.

They are carving all kinds of roasts on Oceania lunch and dinner.  Turkey, stuffed veal roasts, lamb loin, leg of lamb, steamship rounds of beef, pork roasts, beef tenderloin.

Different strokes, I guess.  I usually take a slice from the carvery (speaking of Oceania as well as other lines), but I don't really enjoy it and sometimes don't finish it.  A range of specialty dishes like curries is more appealing at lunch.  In any case I don't jump to call every change a cost reduction – there is also pressure on cruise lines to reduce waste [roasts are large pieces of meat and the last one is likely to go to waste], and calls for more varied culinary offerings.  Either is as likely an explanation as cost reduction.

[Grandma Cruising]

I guess it depends what you prefer. I really enjoyed my freshly prepared chicken pad tai the other day and for me that had more value than a slice of roast meat. There are lots of meat choices anyway.

[ECCruise]

9 hours ago, takemewithyou said:

Interestingly we are just finishing a 13 day Transatlantic cruise on Oceania where the food quality has been excellent.  Much better than what we have experienced on Azamara as recently as June and  last Dec.  Chateaubriand in Main dining room tonight.  Last night was Beef Wellington.  Will say the lamb is better on Azamara.  Fish has been excellent.  Had the best halibut of my life the other night in main dining room! 

 

And the price of the TA was not more than comparable accommodations on Azamara…actually less.  
 

These reports of further reduction in food quality on Azamara have me a bit concerned! 

No surprise there. In the 15+ years we've been sailing O and 12+ years with Azamara, food has always been better on Oceania. It is largely their strongest point and one of the only things we find is superior there to Azamara. 

Otherwise, for us, pretty meh. 

[Grandma Cruising]

Chinese roast Duck in Windows at lunch today

[woodards]

Day Three - At sea

 

It was a very windy day. The top sun deck and walking track were closed for safety reasons. We managed half of our mile walk before the closure and it was tough going so had to abort. This meant that the pool was busy and the concentration of guests felt quite claustrophobic. I really do object to the bad behaviour of guests who reserve sun loungers. It’s just not fair to go for a long lunch and keep your bed.  I would have liked to have seen some enforcement. 
 

We joined the 80s music quiz in the lounge which was fun, but again a huge concentration of guests. 
 

The Christmas decorations are all up and it’s starting to look very festive. 
 

Guests have been asked to delay their dinner to later as they are not coping with 18:00 and 18:30 dinners. We like to dine late, so it doesn’t quite explain why service is a bit stretched at 20:00. 
 

We joined the French chefs table, which was great. The food, service and company was wonderful. We had to be there for 18:30, but we didn’t finish until 22:20!!!  It was a loooong dinner.  I think there was a problem with dessert as it took 45 minutes arrive. 
 

My comments on lunch seem to have caused a stir. In our view, it’s adequate, but we have experienced much better previously. It’s just our view. I object to being told I’m being immersed into a destination, but the offering is fish and chips. Todays (and I quote…) “destination lunch” is a grilled sausage with a picture of a hot dog. I just think Aza could do better. Maybe conch fritters or black pepper pot. Just our view. 
 

On the Greggs comment… I just wanted to say that other bakeries are available for your UK pie needs 😉
 

 

Edited December 3, 2023 by woodards

[woodards]

13 hours ago, takemewithyou said:

I assume the Onward CC suites still has the same hard plastic balcony chairs on the balcony?  Can you confirm if this is still the case? 

Unfortunately yes. Sat on one now. The pad helps and it’s not too bad.  The view coming into St Thomas is helping. 

[ECCruise]

10 hours ago, takemewithyou said:

That seems to be a reduction in quality to me.  

Price, probably. 

Quality?  Not so. 

And way more interesting. 

[ECCruise]

1 hour ago, woodards said:

It’s just our view. I object to being told I’m being immersed into a destination, but the offering is fish and chips. Todays (and I quote…) “destination lunch” is a gilled sausage with a picture of a hot dog. I just think Aza could do better. Maybe conch fritters or black pepper pot. Just our view. 

 

Fair complaint. 

 

Obviously big variance ship to ship. We've had nothing even remotely like that in almost 3 weeks on Pursuit.  Different offerings every day for lunch, all creative and tasty. Today's was a spicy fish cake, African spices and fried to order where the carvery would be. Virtually all the destination lunch specials were largely prepared a la minute so no way that and a carvery could exist in the same real estate. 

 

And not a Christmas decoration to be seen which is not an issue since still 3+ weeks to go, but again another variance between ships. 

[gymfreak]

7 hours ago, ECCruise said:

remotely like that in almost 3 weeks on Pursuit.  Different offerings every day for lunch, all creative and tasty. Today's was a spicy fish cake, African spices and fried to order where the carvery would be. Virtually all the destination lunch specials were largely prepared a la minute so no way that and a carvery could exist in the same real estate. 

I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. On Onward we had these different offerings mostly pre prepared and then heated. Believe me I love tasty spicy and varied dishes but the expected taste and flavour just wasn’t there on most of these dishes. Usually I’m what you would call an Azamara cheerleader and I’m disappointed  with both Windows and Discoveries on our recent cruise.

[woodards]

Day Four - St Thomas

 

This was a day of two halves. 
 

We went to Windows for breakfast. We were a little late for us, 09:00, but still an hour before the end of breakfast. It was terrible. Tables weren’t cleared. And there was no fruit. I’m not exaggerating.  Mrs W was told it would be 10 minutes. She went back 15 minutes later and was told another 5 as someone was stuck in the elevator with the fruit! Another 5 minutes passed and Mrs W was then told that all the fruit had finished apart from watermelon and no one was stuck in the elevator?!  It was like a scene out of Faulty Towers! Then breakfast was closed. We didn’t expect it to take an hour and not get what we wanted. Oh well it’s just fruit!!!

Mrs W spoke to the executive chef and she wasn’t impressed. He apologised and asked if he could cut up some fruit for her. He just missed the point of there being no fruit for all guests. She took the opportunity to ask about the destination taste choices, but didn’t get an answer, other than a shrug. She still didn’t get her fruit! 🙄
 

St Thomas was wonderful. We walked into town which was a pleasant 30 minutes on a promenade path. We wondered around town and then got an open air taxi truck to Meagans Bay.  It was relaxing and not too crowded. Taxis were easy to get back to ship. 
 

We had a late lunch in the Patio and demolished a very good burger. It took a little time, but service was excellent. 
 

Our Prime C dinner and service was one of the best we’ve experienced. It was excellent. Although it appears Mrs W’s concerns have been raised as the manager of Windows came to our table to apologise. 
 

We were too late for the show, but the band East Pearl are very very good and kept to entertained after dinnner. 

 

 

 

[uktog]

Don’t you just love the excuses they spin!  

[takemewithyou]

On 12/3/2023 at 4:57 AM, ECCruise said:

Price, probably. 

Quality?  Not so. 

And way more interesting. 

We can agree to disagree.

[takemewithyou]

1 hour ago, woodards said:

Day Four - St Thomas

 

This was a day of two halves. 
 

We went to Windows for breakfast. We were a little late for us, 09:00, but still an hour before the end of breakfast. It was terrible. Tables weren’t cleared. And there was no fruit. I’m not exaggerating.  Mrs W was told it would be 10 minutes. She went back 15 minutes later and was told another 5 as someone was stuck in the elevator with the fruit! Another 5 minutes passed and Mrs W was then told that all the fruit had finished apart from watermelon and no one was stuck in the elevator?!  It was like a scene out of Faulty Towers! Then breakfast was closed. We didn’t expect it to take an hour and not get what we wanted. Oh well it’s just fruit!!!

Mrs W spoke to the executive chef and she wasn’t impressed. He apologised and asked if he could cut up some fruit for her. He just missed the point of there being no fruit for all guests. She took the opportunity to ask about the destination taste choices, but didn’t get an answer, other than a shrug. She still didn’t get her fruit! 🙄
 

St Thomas was wonderful. We walked into town which was a pleasant 30 minutes on a promenade path. We wondered around town and then got an open air taxi truck to Meagans Bay.  It was relaxing and not too crowded. Taxis were easy to get back to ship. 
 

We had a late lunch in the Patio and demolished a very good burger. It took a little time, but service was excellent. 
 

Our Prime C dinner and service was one of the best we’ve experienced. It was excellent. Although it appears Mrs W’s concerns have been raised as the manager of Windows came to our table to apologise. 
 

We were too late for the show, but the band East Pearl are very very good and kept to entertained after dinnner. 

 

 

 

Thanks for your continuing review which I interpret as honest and balanced.

[Dynacruiser]

Dear @woodards

thanks for the extensive comments.  
 

Most of the issues you commented on concern me greatly.  I may not agree with all of your concerns but collectively, they suggest that there is a problem.  And you are providing balanced fair comments.  
 

tables with dirty plates that nobody cleans?

subpar food?

hot dogs as destination dishes?

Running out of breakfast essentials like fruit?

 

Ive had bad experiences in my 10 or more Azamara cruises, but I’ve never seen them NOT have fruit.   I don’t recall seeing tables full of dirty plates for more than a couple of minutes. 
 

I demand a great product but I also try to have reasonable expectations and not demand perfection.  But your comments suggest that you are not expecting everything to be 100%. 
 

if you have time, please keep posting useful comments.  On the other hand, please also try to stay away from your computer and enjoy the views, cruise, the people, etc.  

 

[ghstudio]

We board the Onward next week...our 2nd cruise on the ship this year. Hopefully, it will be as good a cruise as the last one (barcelona to venice).  You did remind me of the balcony chairs...maybe I'll throw in a cushion or two when I pack.  I am flexible on food so not too worried, but the service was outstanding on our first cruise and it sounds like that may no longer be the case....maybe we'll be lucky.  I am not surprised that there are cutbacks on perhaps crew and food....the new Azamara investors can't be happy with Azamara's performance since February....shown by the recent and well earned departure of Carol Cabezas.

Edited December 5, 2023 by ghstudio

[PAtravelbug]

3 hours ago, ghstudio said:

We board the Onward next week...our 2nd cruise on the ship this year. Hopefully, it will be as good a cruise as the last one (barcelona to venice).  You did remind me of the balcony chairs...maybe I'll throw in a cushion or two when I pack.  I am flexible on food so not too worried, but the service was outstanding on our first cruise and it sounds like that may no longer be the case....maybe we'll be lucky.  I am not surprised that there are cutbacks on perhaps crew and food....the new Azamara investors can't be happy with Azamara's performance since February....shown by the recent and well earned departure of Carol Cabezas.

I found last year aboard the Onward that a beach towel folded up helped on those balcony chairs a lot.   I love to sit out there.  

[takemewithyou]

22 minutes ago, PAtravelbug said:

I found last year aboard the Onward that a beach towel folded up helped on those balcony chairs a lot.   I love to sit out there.  

Hope your trip is as good as last year!  
Keep us posted!

[woodards]

Day Five - Sint Maarten

 

Great day from start to finish.

 

Started the day with an early breakfast in our room due to a 08:15 meeting time for our  pre-cruise booked excursion through Aza’s website (more on that later). Food arrived promptly and as ordered. French toast was particularly delicious not something we would ordinarily choose but worth the calories. Fruit was plentiful😀

Onto the excursion. Usual registration process in the Caberet Lounge, stickers allocated and displayed followed by rapid departure to the pier. Once on the pier we had a short wait to be united with our catamaran for the morning sail, snorkel and beach visit. All very painless and very well organised. The trip itself was very good, one of the best of its kind we have done……and we do to tend to choose at least one excursion like this on a Caribbean cruise. There were only 30 of us on a the vessel which could hold over 90, so plenty of space. Crew couldn’t do enough for everyone onboard. Snorkelling was good and the beach visits even better, by which point beer and rum was flowing a plenty!!!!

 

Once back onboard we decided to head to Windows for lunch with a level of trepidation after our experiences so far in the buffet. Pleased to report everything was much better, from service to food offerings including a very interesting Caribbean callaloo soup…..much more destination relevant!!

 

Finally managed to get up on the top sun deck after previous days of high winds had closed access off to guests which have us a lovely quiet environment to enjoy a couple hours of sun away from the hum of the pool action. 
 

Evening meal was back in Aqualina but before that we tried the Atlas bar for the first time for a pre dinner cocktail. Very nice indeed. We both had a Mumbai hug which was vey spicy but delicious! Food and service both in Aqualina was excellent.

 

[woodards]

Day Six - Sea Day / Barbados

 

Light breakfast in the room so that we could leave space for brunch! Something we have particularly enjoyed on previous cruises. 
 

Unfortunately it was a bit of a disappointment. Very little variety from what has already been on offer in Windows. Very little protein available and what was presented was underwhelming (including the reappearance of the grilled hot dog!!). Weirdly a whole load of broccoli and cauliflower in every format - salad, side and even as a tapas! Now I love my veg but it was definitely overkill in terms of the different serving options offered. 
 

In contrast our evening meal was excellent in Aqualina. Service and food very good. Both Mrs W and I chose pasta for our mains. We enjoy Italian food back home and this was comparable with some of the best we have had in local restaurants in England an in Italy. 
 

On to the destination celebration. Titled ‘Bajan Carnival Experience’. Some context - this had originally been advertised as an Azamazing Evening and we had booked our places online quite a while ago. We then received an email a few weeks before the cruise to say it had been changed/cancelled becoming a destination celebration. A little disappointed as it had been due to be hosted at the Kensington Oval which would have been very cool as a keen cricket fan! The event itself was very good (despite it being moved last minute to the Caberet lounge due to the weather). Well presented and performed with local singers, dancers and acrobats. 
 

A few other observations. Due to the demographic on board trivia events are very very popular and well attended. Now that isn’t an issue in itself but it does mean venues that we are used to using at certain times for a quiet drink or read are pretty much off limits due to noise/lack of seating. This means we have had to adjust our usual schedule to avoid the crowds! Have mentioned previously sun bed etiquette which continues to frustrate, people leaving beds unattended for ‘lunch’ for over an hour is in my view unacceptable and even worse coming back afterwards to collect belongings to go elsewhere is utter selfishness especially as the top sun deck has again been off limits due to the wind. 

And lastly…..for the love of god please please please if you are reading this and exhibit the following behaviour STOP. Eating food from your hands whilst walking around a buffet has never and will never be acceptable…..disgusting!!!

Edited December 7, 2023 by woodards

[Host Jazzbeau]

16 minutes ago, woodards said:

moved last minute to the Cabaret lounge due to the weather

that might explain why they had decided to convert the AzAmazing Evening into a Destination Celebration!

[woodards]

24 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

that might explain why they had decided to convert the AzAmazing Evening into a Destination Celebration!

True but ultimately it was advertised as an Azamazing evening when we booked the cruise including venue location. 

[Host Jazzbeau]

17 minutes ago, woodards said:

True but ultimately it was advertised as an Azamazing evening when we booked the cruise including venue location. 

Our AzAmazing Evening in Panama City may have been one of the first to be relocated to the ship – because of threatened thunderstorms that would have made the outdoor venue dangerous (and tendering plus busses would have made the evening long and tedious in any case – this was before they built the pier).  I was very happy to enjoy the folkloric presentation in the air conditioned comfort of the Cabaret Lounge.