uktog

What an amazing morning - we have so many photos but here are three. These are all taken with iPhone obviously the long lense people will have even better views penguins whales and the news we are to have visitor’s boarding from the Chilean Research base. Captain has used his personal contacts to set up this exciting interaction

Good morning Antarctica- looking forward to a day full of surprises and natural beauty. Opening our curtains to this - wow. Im surprised they’ve published a programme of activities in rooms with no viewing options- I wonder how many will watch Oppenheimer this afternoon in the Cabaret when we are in one of the peak viewing areas. Sends out a weird message about destination focus imho. Whilst the speaker programme is excellent the rest including its timings feels like a standard this is a cruise to it doesn’t matter where you have to have ….. (fill in the blanks).

No this was on quest

Sailing past King George Island, our first close up view of the magnificance of icebergs and the polished surfaces. We’ve all been dashing out for pictures and guests have become less recognisable as they shroud themselves in duvet coats fleeces jumpers hats and scarves - many wearing all five!

Our first “big” one The seas have calmed and it’s so good the regular information broadcast on plans and what we are heading to see

We’ve bounced along today. The swell against us slowed our progress but by sailing further east we avoided some of the worst impact. Saw our first growlers tonight (little break offs of ice). Loved the fact the captain did a second weather update at 1830. Other captains could learn a lot about the benefits of such regular communication! Dined in Prime C tonight - pleasant but a little underwhelming- I wouldn’t have paid $49.95 pp for that. It was “fine” not “special” - a little bland and we had to send the potatoes sides back as they were cold. Let’s hope our next visit is better!

I agree. And I tend to focus on how it feels for everyone- maybe my level of emotional intelligence is off the empathy scale! Posting “live” will always attract a range of comments- long may posting and opinions continue

Let’s be sensible. I’m talking about the variation on main product. So far I can only think of things like Veal chop, Dover Sole, Goats Cheese soufflé not every sauce variation known to man. I’d just ask people to put themselves in the shoes of a first time non suite guest on Azamara. They’ve paid $99 for their one time visit to the specialty they sit down and see others all around them being fussed over with table side presentations etc and they think that looks good let’s have that - they look at the menu. They find the item is not there they ask their server and are told oh you need to come back and I can do that for you but it’s a preorder. So now they’re potentially disappointed and/or sucked in to another $99 - a bait and switch some might say pardon the pun. The ostentatious table side service of the sole doesn’t help especially when accompanied by the oohs and ahs of the recipients. Maybe it feels luxury for them but it is far less likely to for the “one night guest”.

Justin the Assistant CD did his show tonight. He really has an excellent voice though we felt the structure of his show was weak and did him no favours. Hopefully he can get mentored by someone else as he’s got tremendous potential and is a genuinely nice guy. We find the show time on the ship of 9pm a total pain. It means only early speciality dining works, if you dine at 1830 you’re kicking your heals for c an hour and if you go to the MDR at say 7.15 to work around this only the poorer middle tables are available. We will continue to work around this but it’s a bad time in our view given it’s only one show. We’ve bounced around a bit in the night. Doesn’t affect us but I think some are feeling less good. We did have fun our curtains kept sliding open but otherwise as we’d done our usual rocking boat precautions eg remove ice tongs from top of bucket to stop rattling , separate the glasses on the tray to stop chinking we had nothing other than the typical creaks in weather like this. As has been highlighted before no mid cruise feedback forms only a tiny QR code in the bottom of the Insider and no mention by the Cruise Director to highlight the code (others do that). It’s a shame because crew miss out on positive recognition mid cruise and little issues don’t get highlighted Lets see what today’s rolling sea day brings

I’ve never seen the ones from Trivia sold for $50. They are usually sold (if at all) for $30. They’re also the ones your given if your luggage goes awol. The more expensive branded T-shirts being sold on my current cruise are a superior product. My DH still wears one of the cheap ones we got at some point. It’s wearing very well but I’m always circumspect in the washing temperatures and spin speed we use and I don’t have a tumble drier.

That would certainly help but I’m sure the chef would be happier to be working off a second menu. In any event all guests should be made aware of the options for alternatives at the time of booking. The current system discriminates against new cruisers and those not in the know.

I’m not talking about minor variations I’m talking about this 24 hour pre order stuff. How do people know what their options are if there isn’t a menu? Is it to be only for those “in the know”? Sorry it needs a menu.

We went to the MDR it was meh tonight and way too hot. We heard people telling their butler at 1830 they were too tired to go to Prime C so just cancel. We should have done as you did and chanced a slot upstairs

@Mackdogmolly I thought Bertha Beach was a 4x4 trip so how on earth did they get left behind! I think most people today have had a wonderful time. Now we continue the British theme with the menu tonight!

They should publish what items are available and perhaps charge a supplement for these orders

We have had an amazing day on the Falkland Islands- and we say not one penguin except stuffed ones in the shop. We engaged Shaun Jaffray (Adventure Falklands) who has taken over Patrick Watts business. He provided a driver Dave who was a young boy during the 1982 conflict and knew so much about all the sites. It was a most wonderful day. We were off-road but in comfort for most of the time, through farmyard etc to access sites. We paid 50% more than the quick ship drive by but were out for 7 hours. I’ve tried to name all the pictures for those into the details of the conflict. For UK guests this one is a must do Downtown Stanley The Governors house where Argentine surrendered in 14 June 1982 Inside the Anglican Church You have to have a pub and a phone box The Fleet Air Arm memorial Bluff Cove The Welsh Guards Bluff Cove. Sir Tristram and Sir Galahad were lost there Grave of an unknown soldier in the Argentine cemetery Where Sir H Jones was killed (the white marked area) and his grave at San Carlos The Task force memorial San Carlos Goose Green Wreckage of an Argentine plane. Still there Mount Tumbledown area

No it’s not it’s now $49.95 pp and $125 for Chefs Table

I feel so bad dumping more work on them which is unnecessary

But my problem is now I went to pay for the excursions Azamara provided an online link for this. My cruise is in four weeks time and is fully paid for by us but the agent hasn’t yet paid Azamara- quite normal I believe. However it won’t let me pay for the excursions it wants a payment for £14k reflecting the cruise cost as well Tricky to sort out when you’re on a ship but the onboard staff are inexperienced/temporary cover

Once paid for all confirmations go to your travel agent (well they do in the UK) even though it’s a separate transaction you pay for with your credit card. I do not like this new way of operating at all

I think the current cruise director wants high volume high excitement- it’s certainly her style. It doesn’t work for us. Funny the shows volume have been ok it’s just the Den and Living Room that are the issue. We met friends for pre dinner drinks and had to move to the back of the room but even then as there was a get together at the large table which were (understandably) shouting over the music to socialise it was not a great experience

Hopefully we get a mid cruise form to use to highlight this. It’s driving us away

Our options for today Should I suggest I run a proof reading class? We’ve also been invited to an event today to celebrate our being on a Chilean Fjords cruise 😂😂😂. Silly mistakes However I do like the new hairdryers no stupid buttons now!

We continue to enjoy the cruise despite suffering a bit from the reactions to bites yesterday. The enrichment speakers continue to be very good - each different but knowledgeable especially Caroline the naturalist. An alternative focus for one speaker Les Evans is really welcome otherwise we might get “over natured”. He is talking about his experiences as a fighter jet and Concorde pilot. Entertainment continues to be good but the pianist in the Den and band upstairs are far too loud. My watch is constantly setting off high decibel warnings and whilst there are lots of lovely guests I’d like to have a conversation with we can’t as we can’t hear them. I’m going to feedback on this though I doubt it will make any difference

A lot of people are going independently with the reputable local providers. As far as I know the island was declared mine free in 2020. We are going independent but will be careful- the ships tours are very expensive compared to what the two main independent providers are offering