The three retirement cruises that are now misnamed

I am sorry I have been having such a time on Journey I have been unable to post.

And in case you are worried, it has been such a wonderful time.

These cruises were supposed to celebrate my retirement but a last minute change of plans meant retirement was cancelled for at least a year and so I'm juggling work and having fun these next five weeks.

I will just pick up on a few main points of note to give you a flavour of life onboard this cruise.

I was able to get the land discoveries I wanted after boarding. I hope this continues next two trips. We can pass the information in on the trips we want on the last night, they are still finalising options whatever that means. The trip we went on was ok 22 of us, but overhyped. The epicurean lunch was a very very average lunch served by surly waiters. I think had the blurb said lunch it would have been just acceptable but it ain't no Epicurean experience and the special views were a room with no windows sitting looking at half full breakfast cereal dispensers.

The Azamazing Evening was good. It was an outdoor event but many did not listen to the advice to bring umbrellas. It rained! Because the event included dinner they could not reset but there was lots of shelter under trees. Two choices, ask to go back to the ship as many did or,as the trees were lemon trees,make lemonade. We opted for the latter,did not really get wet and had a great time. The entertainment was fun and the strolling entertainers did so much to make you feel part of the party. The food was the best we've ever had at an Azamazing Evening. I know there are different views on this event but Azamara cannot control the weather and took the decisions based on the best info they had.

Onboard the trend continues of bringing food onboard to serve at dinner in all venues so we've enjoyed wonderful cheeses, Cannoli, seafood of the best quality. White Nights included griddle lobsters, the setting in Valletta harbour was so perfect. The food has been outstanding, every single dish. Service is good, some new staff learning occasional by their mistakes but all learning and not one grumpy face, all smiling.

We test drove the Chefs Table being offered on the Arabian cruises, it is divine.

They also did not do a top tier brunch but treated us to champagne, caviar, oysters and all sorts of other goodies on the sail in to Taormina. Now that was special

The internet trial, I'm not sure if it is significant because I notice no change on speeds

But news many will like, the relationship with Park West has been terminated last week, so this cruise around Deck 5 is a little bare but they are sorting out some pictures to go there. I would rather look at bare walks than the awful stuff they had and the recycling costs related to all their flyers must have sunk.

The weather gods may not be nice to us the next two days but Cruise 1 has been great and we look forward to Cruise 2. Happy to answer any questions.

I am sorry I have been having such a time on Journey I have been unable to post.

 

And in case you are worried, it has been such a wonderful time.

 

These cruises were supposed to celebrate my retirement but a last minute change of plans meant retirement was cancelled for at least a year and so I'm juggling work and having fun these next five weeks.

 

Ann, I have no idea if this is good news for you or not. .You seem to love your job but i know you work very hard and travel for work.

 

I will just pick up on a few main points of note to give you a flavour of life onboard this cruise.

 

they would know the night befroe.

I was able to get the land discoveries I wanted after boarding. I hope this continues next two trips. We can pass the information in on the trips we want on the last night, they are still finalising options whatever that means.

This seems a step up from the last time i tried before turn around day.. I might of wanted to quote buy my tickets but i would be happy to guote give them a list . i love -not-coming back on board on turn around day to find my tour cancel ed. i would think

 

The trip we went on was ok 22 of us, but overhyped. The epicurean lunch was a very very average lunch served by surly waiters. I think had the blurb said lunch it would have been just acceptable but it ain't no Epicurean experience and the special views were a room with no windows sitting looking at half full breakfast cereal dispensers.

 

I would be very dissapointed and might be asking for money back.. I never had great tour food but at times pick those tours due to getting someplace that i really want to see.

 

The Azamazing Evening was good. It was an outdoor event but many did not listen to the advice to bring umbrellas. It rained! Because the event included dinner they could not reset but there was lots of shelter under trees. Two choices, ask to go back to the ship as many did or,as the trees were lemon trees,make lemonade. We opted for the latter,did not really get wet and had a great time. The entertainment was fun and the strolling entertainers did so much to make you feel part of the party. The food was the best we've ever had at an Azamazing Evening. I know there are different views on this event but Azamara cannot control the weather and took the decisions based on the best info they had.

 

 

Thanks to facebook i saw lovely pictures even with the rain. i saw the food and the dancers etc. looked like fun. .wish it was on my June cruise. sorry about the rain

 

Onboard the trend continues of bringing food onboard to serve at dinner in all venues so we've enjoyed wonderful cheeses, Cannoli, seafood of the best quality. White Nights included griddle lobsters, the setting in Valletta harbour was so perfect. The food has been outstanding, every single dish. Service is good, some new staff learning occasional by their mistakes but all learning and not one grumpy face, all smiling.

 

wonder why White Night was here. I did the AZ evening at the church-which I loved here. Food sounds great. but being socked there i might of been off ship for part of it. The lobsters sound good but after seeing pictures from the Quest ports i want a real Maine lobster.

 

We test drove the Chefs Table being offered on the Arabian cruises, it is divine.

 

I saw pictures twice on that. Ann, you are so lucky to get that meal and can have it on that cruise. Personally i wish they keep it and bring it back even in Norway. I love AZ but want more changes to menus.i do drool over that menu.

 

They also did not do a top tier brunch but treated us to champagne, caviar, oysters and all sorts of other goodies on the sail in to Taormina. Now that was special

 

Heike posted pictures- believe i would enjoy all this over brunch anyday. Also in June for some reason they were serving brunch at 830 in the morning. i never made it. But was told by staff like 30 to 50 people came. which is low numbers. i am not sure if due to the hour or people are bored with it. .I am not a breakfast eater and a 10 am brunch is to early. i prefer one later. in the states brunch can mean from 9 or 10 to 3 in the afternoon. the pictures of the new food and the idea of this party will be great in dec . I hope it is on both ships.

 

The internet trial, I'm not sure if it is significant because I notice no change on speeds

 

it was ok in June. really do not remember the speed.

 

But news many will like, the relationship with Park West has been terminated last week, so this cruise around Deck 5 is a little bare but they are sorting out some pictures to go there. I would rather look at bare walks than the awful stuff they had and the recycling costs related to all their flyers must have sunk.

 

I LOVE THIS NEWS! Half the guests will love that news. yea! wondered what made them finally listen to the guests. if money bye bye. now we have more space on deck 5 for sitting. hope the move the desk far away. plus they got moved from Living Room. art and that ship do not work.

 

The weather gods may not be nice to us the next two days but Cruise 1 has been great and we look forward to Cruise 2. Happy to answer any questions.

As you know the weather Gods and Mattrew are having a field day in the states. many friends are home waiting to be hit. not fun..

If you talk to anyone that in a spa cabin love to know what they think for the money. i do like it but bad weather could be interesting.

Thanks for your views. pictures have been great but words mean more.

Hello uktog,

I'm so glad you're enjoying your time aboard the Azamara Journey. And that you were able to get the tours you wanted upon boarding. I know that was a concern you had earlier.

I look forward to hearing more.

B.

Thank you for the update, good to hear that your having a great time we really enjoyed our 3 weeks on Journey only got off a month ago but it seems such a long time ago.

Glad to hear the budget that the ships now have to bring onboard local food is being put to good use it certainly was for our cruises, although the 750 cannoli was a challenge[emoji848]

News about Park West is the best, hopefully there's to be no replacement and there will be extra seating in Mosaics.

Hope you continue to enjoy your cruises we are preparing for our first Hurtigruten experience at the start of November, certainly will be different from Azamara.

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Very happy to read Park West once again got the boot. Hopefully they don't bring them back a third time.

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"...seafood of the best quality"

Yes! Your experience was not a one-off. Our September 'Pearls of the Adriatic' cruise featured just-caught sea bream, grilled on deck during White Nights. It was really, really good! We appreciate fresh fish, and this was the best I've ever enjoyed during a cruise.

Not at all surprised that you are having a wonderful time as we did last week on Journey.

Hope the weather gods are kinder than you expect and that you continue to enjoy your now non retirement cruises

You are far too young to retire Ann! Plus, I know how much you really enjoy the grilled slugs and green frog juice in the morning when you travel for work. :D

Wish I could have done the B2B ....work has been very busy this week though, so it really wasn't possible.

So glad you are all still having a great time.

Very happy to read Park West once again got the boot. Hopefully they don't bring them back a third time.

It is true...beginning this month, October 2016, we began winding down our on-board partnership with Park West Art Galleries. In their stead, we will be introducing new and innovative programs to the ships. Once finalized we look forward to sharing these new programs with you.

But please note: we will continue to graciously host the occasional VIP Art Cruise for private groups. If you are on Park West's mailing lists, I'm sure you'll see the invitations.

It is true...beginning this month, October 2016, we began winding down our on-board partnership with Park West Art Galleries. In their stead, we will be introducing new and innovative programs to the ships. Once finalized we look forward to sharing these new programs with you.

But please note: we will continue to graciously host the occasional VIP Art Cruise for private groups. If you are on Park West's mailing lists, I'm sure you'll see the invitations.

BRAVO. Goodbye and good riddance.

Well Uktog, I hope I will be the first to wish you an excellent SECOND retirement cruise aboard Azamara

next year.

And perhaps a third, and a fourth and so forth. [emoji3]

Also thanks so much for the updates.

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Thanks to all Azamarians who did not attend Park West sales

Hello uktog,

I'm so glad you're enjoying your time aboard the Azamara Journey. And that you were able to get the tours you wanted upon boarding. I know that was a concern you had earlier.

I look forward to hearing more.

B.

Thanks Bonnie

It really did set the trip off on the right foot having this working for us. We gave feedback to Heike on the tour that was not 100% - certainly not worth of seeking any refund Robin, feedback is all to help with the future in our view.

Just waiting for the new guests to board, really looking forward to round 2!

On a further positive note, I think I posted some time ago on Quest that a back to back was a stressful experience when we had a room change. We have a room change today on Journey and it has been handed in an absolutely exemplary fashion :)

I spent much time enjoying the beautiful museum quality ship's art on the Quest this summer. It was an incredible joy, and for me the icing on a fabulous cruise. I despise Park West and I am very glad they are gone.

Hopefully they will not expand the antique shopping. That would be what I would worry about. Azamara would really benefit from an exceptional taste master for the shops. I have seen some nice ship shops over the years,

but Quest's did not have those. It seems like a missed opportunity. Not to say we don't buy anything. In all the pictures I took of my husband during our cruise he was wearing his Quest pullover.

Thank you, Ann. Great news that Park West is gone. Glad to hear that your cruise has been up to standards. We are booking som LD for our next cruise very shorlty, and hopefully they will be performed as scheduled. Have a soooper cruise to Dubai. :D

Thanks Bonnie

It really did set the trip off on the right foot having this working for us. We gave feedback to Heike on the tour that was not 100% - certainly not worth of seeking any refund Robin, feedback is all to help with the future in our view.

 

Just waiting for the new guests to board, really looking forward to round 2!

 

On a further positive note, I think I posted some time ago on Quest that a back to back was a stressful experience when we had a room change. We have a room change today on Journey and it has been handed in an absolutely exemplary fashion :)

So glad the cabin change went well. I do remember you had a stressful time with a move once. I had good luck in general with them.

as far as not so good LD tours i tend to tell the LD mananger in writing. this past June I walked out of a church and there was the LD mananger and other LD person and I had them get me on another bus . learned alter that several of us could not hear our guide but we could hear the others. I ended up enjoying the walking tour. but on the tender back i saw others from tat tour and we all complained. i have no idea if they got money back but i did. I have so/so hearing but when people half my age say they can not hear the guide then it a problem. never been to this port and I feel like i missed a lot.

Thanks for the updates... I hope we hear more about what you decide to do in port. We are taking a version of this itinerary next year at this time, on Quest. Looking forward to planning some excursions. I'm especially happy to hear about local food being brought on board to give a flavor (or flavour, as you'd say;) ) of each place.

 

But news many will like, the relationship with Park West has been terminated last week, so this cruise around Deck 5 is a little bare but they are sorting out some pictures to go there.

Hip hip Hooray!!!

Thanks Bonnie

 

It really did set the trip off on the right foot having this working for us. We gave feedback to Heike on the tour that was not 100% - certainly not worth of seeking any refund Robin, feedback is all to help with the future in our view.

 

 

 

Just waiting for the new guests to board, really looking forward to round 2!

 

 

 

On a further positive note, I think I posted some time ago on Quest that a back to back was a stressful experience when we had a room change. We have a room change today on Journey and it has been handed in an absolutely exemplary fashion :)

Happy to read all is well! [emoji3]

Looking forward to joining Journey and all of you in Dubai in 8 days' time. I haven't been on Journey since 2012 - it's long overdue lol!

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I have been accused of being missing in action, no such luck, I have just been continuing to have such a good time onboard and I am thoroughly chilled out now.

Truth is I also had internet access issues in Jordan as had everyone including the ship management onboard. Nothing the ship could do, it was a stupid control tower by the port jamming things. I have to say the IT team and Heike could not have done more to try and help me access my pesky work emails from which I regrettably still cannot escape.

A update on land discoveries - I am pleased to report that on this trip everything I booked or had to wait to book is available. Probably helped with one exception by the fact that I had selected popular trips.

So an update. In Taormina having down the town as a DIY last week, this cruise recognising it was a Sunday we opted for the ship's tour Panoramic Italy to the slopes of Mount Etna passing a major traffic jamming annual festival en route. There were 28 on a large coach. What was good was the guide was a specialist a Volcanoligist originally from Switzerland. His explanations were excellent, understandable and he made the trip.

I felt that the $89 for this 4 hour tour was really worth it because of the guide. I hope Azamara can persuade operators world wide to give them more specialist guides like this gentleman.

Then Chania and at last a Chefs Tour runs with 12 of us, some serious foodies head out firstly with Monica, some of the Deck 10 sous chefs and Theo the financial controller - not to control Monica's spending, he was the Greek in the group when it came to bargaining! It was great to watch the chefs who knew what they wanted and were so enjoying seeing the produce and thinking of the opportunities to use things as we went along. We had such fun in the cheese and fish shops and met real local characters as well.

Then we set off with the sommelier in a small minivan to a family run vineyard and olive oil producer where a tour and a lovely unhurried wine tasting took place. The sommelier chose the wines for the night and we came back to the ship with the further supplies.

That evening, we had a Greek dinner on The Patio for the 12 of us. All the courses were superb, some like the salads were just simple combinations of outstanding ingredients. The highlight was the grouper cooked to absolute perfection and served with fresh local veg. The wine we had enjoyed at the tasting tasted even better that night.

I do hope the numbers for the Chefs tour each cruise can be achieved. The chefs obviously enjoy the opportunity to prepare items and whilst initially the tours look expensive, if you consider it as both a days touring plus an evening special dining, it certainly does not seem so bad! We hope we can become regulars on these tours in future cruises.

The third port was Aquaba and our bucket list trip to Petra.

A 10 hour trip cost $249. Honestly I would not DIY Petra. There were few taxis in port, they did not look well maintained and the published Tarrif on the board was $100 each way (not sure if this was negotiable) entry to Petra is $35 each and the ship did provide a really good buffet lunch at the Movenpick hotel. Our guide was excellent and honestly his knowledge was better than some of the private guides we overheard. It really is beyond words the beauty and incredulity of the place.

Petra is a long day, it is a 3 mile walk all the way down and the harder bit three hours back up - you could risk horses, donkeys, camels etc part of the way at your extra cost but as they allowed us to manage our own time - we arrived at 11, had to be back to the bus by 1530, lunch in the hotel by where the bus was parked was available 1300-1445 it was not as taxing as I feared.

A lovely touch on return, cocktails were offered on the pier and Johannes, Heike, Eric and all the team were on the pier.

So I am reporting three excellent positive excursion experiences this cruise and if I look back Larry Pimentil did say they were working on things to improve them. I am not saying every trip is going to be perfect but I can see the green shoots of recovery and as I have two more booked this cruise and am 100% ships tours on the LCV trip next week I am far more positive than I was in August.

Thank you so much for spending your time posting the illustrated review.

The chef's tour (& tasting, & dinner) sounds wonderful!!! I haven't seen that listed for any of our ports but I'm off to check again, just in case ;)

In Chania i blew it. i had a private signed up weeks before. i would of prefered this tour or another ships tour. we all make mistakes mine on my June cruise was going private. In June they served dinner inside I believe as it was the AZ evening in town.. my Dec cruise will be ships snorkel tours or nothing. You have been blessed to see Petra as most of us will not. Looking forward to the next update.

Thank you uktog. I'm sharing this now with LP as well as the tour planning staff so they'll be sure to know you're enjoying the cruise & tours.

B.

I am sorry I have been having such a time on Journey I have been unable to post.

 

...

 

... We can pass the information in on the trips we want on the last night, they are still finalising options whatever that means. The trip we went on was ok 22 of us, but overhyped. The epicurean lunch was a very very average lunch served by surly waiters. I think had the blurb said lunch it would have been just acceptable but it ain't no Epicurean experience and the special views were a room with no windows sitting looking at half full breakfast cereal dispensers.

...

Which tour was this, the overhyped one? We did something similar on October 2nd, Town of Amalfi. Had lunch in Minori, not bad but not at all memorable for sure. Not sure the dates are right, probably a different tour, but same opinion. Also very overpriced, I thought.

Azamazing in the Rain--it was fun, although aside the great cheeses thought the food was fairly awful. White Nights was better, although the queue for the lobster et al. was not great--terrific music.