uktog

Indeed that’s why I’d like Azamara to open up the schedule for these time slots officially- it would work for so many guests

On another line yes not on Azamara

I’m now sailing on lines that have limited pre booking and on Azamara. The limited pre booking where the line allows one reservation only works fine as it allows me to be sure I have a reservation for a “special date” if one arises during the cruise. It’s stressful but manageable so long as you keep a track of cruise -60 days when all bookings open. On balance I like that approach. One line varies the number of bookings you can make and when you can access it depending on your room category. That does give issues and quite a bun fight the day bookings open for standard cabins not least because higher ups may have block booked as Phil describes. I don’t like that approach. The Azamara system works up to a point for me. I’ve never had an issue getting a reservation but I have had to be flexible with dates/times/venues. Given the new tarrif for specialities I think problems will be even less particularly taking account of how good Discoveries has been at least on two ships. What I do really think needs changing is the rigidity of the two sitting timings. I know people have correctly pointed out that they’ve managed to negotiate reservations at 7:15 or 7:30 but staff make it feel like such a big deal to do this. I think they should be changing to reflect what the other lines and indeed shoreside restaurants do in running a multiple sitting operation with reservations being available every 15 minutes across the opening times. If small shoreside galleys can do this to Michelin standard so can Azamara. I think the binary option of reservation windows is what adds to the tensions. And suite guests should be charged the penalty if they don’t cancel at least 24 hours ahead unless for extenuating circumstances. (A penalty is advertised but the managers are pressured to waive it). Some frequent suite dwellers seem to expect their precise table to be available every night regardless of whether they come or not. I know it really frustrates the restaurant managers but they can’t say a thing. It’s not fair on other guests.

I wish we’d had the opportunity to buy that adventure- even if I was not allowed off. I see Greg Redfern is back for more star gazing and there are potentially big meteor showers to see next week - how wonderful

Intercontinental Strings. Just back. Fabulous hotel wonderful views and right by Shinagawa station making getting around so easy including coming in and out to airports. As we’d luggage the hotel arranged us a beautiful car through Royal Limousines for hardly any more cost than an ordinary taxi.

No you need to set up your sharing arrangements before booking eg at the single and solos event

Deck 9 Windows Cafe Port side or on embarkation day there may also be a second booking station on the Pool Deck as well

No there is a desk on the port side of Windows Cafe deck 9 which is staffed 10-1600 each day. In addition on embarkation day they are there from 12 and often also have a second booking station set up on the Pool Deck. You are far more likely to be successful with reservations if you visit yourself. On embarkation day you may not see your butler until late afternoon and a lot of guests will already have made direct bookings. Its an Urban myth that butlers have access to more slots than the reservation desks

On an app on my watch

I think the onboard bidding was a temporary work around to continue to generate revenue on excess capacity whilst the pre boarding process was in abeyance due to the IT meltdown. It was a lot of work for guest relations during their busy early days of the cruise and didn’t give any recognition for loyalty which was always a stated focus of the upgrade process. It was much more a first come first served action once the ship was sure of its inventory (a slight (!) issue during the IT meltdown). Looks like they’ve now reverted to a version previously used with the significant added benefit of the guest having the final say on accepting the upgrade or not.

Exactly my thoughts or alternatively canned marketing never mind the detail!

Fantastic review - it was so hard to decide which excursions to do and I spent many hours agonising over it. I think your post demonstrates that whatever you do you are going to see things that are so different and which amaze and fascinate you. How I miss the orderliness of Japan now I am home - why dont people walk on one side of the pavement/sidewalk only - it makes so much sense and leads to so much less hassle!!!

As the ship was almost full no upgrades were accepted (though offers were sought) on the 3/4 cruise. Wisely they kept back what wasn’t sold as “contingency” I suspect these days letters to bid are automatically issued - it gives Azamara useful data if nothing else.

The other person who can help is the Cruise Director as its an "entertainment" issue

They can easily turn it down/off if they want to.

I suspect given the flexibility built into ships structures to withstand vibration caused by more unpredictable wind and wave patterns unusual noise is something that’s potentially going to haunt you on ships regardless of their age And things can change overnight. Recently on a cruise that had previously experienced quite rough seas the captain highlighted that he had sounds that appeared through the night in his quarters which he had never heard in all the years he had slept there. Journey has recently had a few beatings at sea so I hope you’ve packed your earplugs - that’s what we do.

8060 is one of my favourite suites. We were 17 days next door to it recently and never had any noise issues. Maybe it’s down to individual hearing and the frequencies that each person is affected by

I wasn’t sure what I was expecting. I’m kind of glad the reason ran late so that our peak viewing was in quieter places and not in the Sakura frenzy of Tokyo

Funny we had that replenishment issue in Windows in February on Quest and didn’t enjoy our lunchtime experiences however just off Journey where we never encountered any issues and enjoyed a lovely varied range of offerings. It’s down to the Executive Chef and FB manager. If they’re not supervising it goes pear shaped. We never saw them checking around on Quest but did on Journey and the difference was significant. Journey also had a very proactive Hotel Director who was also checking- the inconsistencies are down to the management

To which the correct answer is yes indeed I can afford a private yacht but there are other experiences I prefer better 😃

That would be an excellent idea. Create a go to source for next years guests. I so want to do the survey so much was 10/10 Our experience has exceeded expectations both ashore and onboard though the latter was from quite a low base!

Unfortunately we have the curse of Azamara IT. Our surveys have arrived - neither survey will allow us to progress beyond Page 1 on any device. We had many positive things we wished to say and in particular there were four excellent staff members (two on first contracts) we wanted to highlight. After so many positives and green shoots of recovery onboard they go back to the old ways!

You were lucky we got no tablecloth 2/3 mornings and only got called ahead after the first no call delivery as I wrote that on the special request on the order form. Every time tray just dumped down and we were left to manage it - we did think that change in procedures was unnecessary and disappointing if you want to stay a premium line

We are now in The Intercontinental Strings. A lovely hotel right by Shinigawa station which has the fast line to HND the Shinkansen and excellent local connections eg 12 minutes to Shibuya Crossing for less than £1 It’s the same rating as the New Otani that Azamara used for the pre cruise extension, its room rates on Expedia are lower than the Otani but this is a far better more personal experience. Azamara sometimes uses here. I think our pre cruise would have been 100 times better if they had for us Weve just braved the crossing and some back streets and didn’t get lost! We did however resist buying outfits for our sons new kittens. We’ve seen dogs dressed up but never cats!

Safe travels home. Hope it’s negative for you. I’ve realised our tests are past their sell by so tonight’s results may not be reliable. I noticed the stateroom staff were masked up this morning but maybe that’s standard on turn around