Huntingdon1701

Can I ask what month this cruise was?

Have a great time! Can you share your cabin numbes and your thoughts on the oceanviews? I'll be on the Dawn in January in an ocean view for the first time, and keen to hear about the experience.

Do you book through US travel agents, or directlty on the Azamara US website? [Not asking for a specific TA recommendation]

Barring a major disaster, that should be plenty of time. However, make sure you have your transport worked out.

I've been able to book excursions directly, even though the overall booking was with a TA and they wouldn't discuss anything else.

Typically the Southampton cruises don't board people at different ports, unlike the Mediterranean. That means they don't let you back off once you're on board. There's not too much to see in Southampton itself, at least in proximity to the cruise terminal. You're best taking a transfer tour that will take you to Stonehenge and Salisbury on the way down (try for Avebury too if you can - far more enjoyable than Stonehenge). On cabin, would echo the recommendation to book one with cabins above and below, and aim for midships. Beyond that, they're all the same, as long as you avoid one next to a service area (white space on the deckplans).

Thanks for posting all these!

I have that for an October cruise too, but in Yacht Club you can walk up at any time and they escort you through.

Unusually, it was often packed on my last cruise on the Star (March), especially on the sea days - to the point that you couldn't get in. The afternoons of port days were very quiet, but still relatively busy in the first couple of hours. But like everyone else, I've normally found the gyms empty on most cruises.

I've never had anyone check the time Southampton, or any other port.

10am is likely to be too early, but you can normally expect boarding from 11am.

Jade seems to be unique in that the MDR isn't always open for embarkation day. Worth checking it out in case it is but you may find that you need to go to O'Sheehans instead. I wouldn't try the buffet as it's packed.

Just got round to watching it. I thought Dondra was very impressive, and some of those new itineraries look really good. The solo deals was probably the weakest bit, but at least there are some. Not sure how they defined 'most loyal' cruisers though. I've only done three so felt a bit like an imposter when the invite arrived. 😆

Agreed. Too many people here, and everywhere online, don't scroll past when they should. If something's not relevant to you, just move past it.

I use videos a lot in between cruises or for planning. I thought your posting of that video was entirely relevant and appropriate to the forum, as it showed something out of the ordinary and that many people would like to know.