CateW

If the ship doesn't have the haven restaurant and bar, I wouldn't upgrade, I'd definitely stay with the PH.  The additional cost really doesn't give you anymore perks, except perhaps a larger room.   

I actually wasn't sure if they were going to show it or not.  I actually would have been more unhappy about it if the Yankees had made it to the World Series, but just in case, I brought my laptop so I could stream it, if necessary.   #alwaysprepared

I did a couple of special requests on our January cruise (on Escape) in the Haven Restaurant.    You should let the matre d in the  know by 1:00 on the day that you want something from one of the specialties.   I didn't have to pay an uncharge.  I only requested an entree and had a salad from the Haven menu to start.  Just be gracious about it and remember the matre d at the end of the cruise.

We cruised Azamara in April, loved it.  Have a wonderful time!

Have a wonderful trip!  We are doing Iceland on QM2 next summer and I can't wait to read all about it, enjoy every minute!

Great review!   I hope your recovery goes well and you are up and around asap and are pain free.  

Gazroberts80, thank you so much for sharing the menu's from your sailing.  We're doing 21 nights on QM2 next summer, round trip NYC and there isn't one night where I couldn't find something that I would like (seafood and vegetarian).   We're in Brittania Club so I know there will be a couple of other choices as well.  I can hardly wait!!!

19 minutes ago, carlmm said:

 

So why did you tip at all? He did less than he should as just basic part of his job desription.

 

Because that's what we American's do, it was a token, nothing more.  Actually, I'm not really even sure what his job description is.   I would never dream of having someone unpack or pack for me and I am certainly capable of making my own reservations. 

We are platinum with Cunard and normally sail Brittania Club, where I have always found the service to be exceptional.    Our last cruise, because it really wasn't selling that well, we did a Queens Grill upgrading about 2 weeks prior to sailing.  We always do auto gratuity and then tip above that for service.   We tipped the QG maitre'd well because he allow some off the menu dinners for me (nothing crazy and nothing that wasn't easy to do, normally a dinner salad) and asked to repeat a delicious Canyon Ranch Dessert a few times.   We also tipped the wait staff but since we only do dinner in the dining room, tipped what I thought was fair based on the service.   Our room steward was excellent so he also received extra.   My one pet peeve was the butler, who from the outset he made it clear that he just delivered food and canapés.  I did tip him as well, but nothing over the top since he didn't really do anything over the top.  I would actually prefer not to have a butler, even in the grills.  

There are so many deli's, you won't have any problem finding a place for breakfast.  For dinner, if you fancy Asian, I love this place:  http://www.taorestaurant.com/.   

We haven't flown in about 3 years and have cruised out of NY or Brooklyn during that time, but we are thinking about a b2b cruise that would require flying for the winter.   We'll see.

Thank you both!

We're considering a b2b in February March 2020 (and since it is not part of Explore4) am wondering if it makes sense to purchase the Signature Beverage Package in advance or wait until we board. Any advantages either way?  

I have been eyeing a cruise to South America on Marina in January for several weeks, the entire cruise was waitlisted.  On a whim, I checked again this morning and there were several PH1's available and a guarantee for a PH2 but everything else still waitlisted.  It is coming close to the penalty period (in a week) so maybe that's why but I can't help but think that someone who is waitlisted missed out.   Ironically, I was able to get the exact cabin that I wanted (7135) which I think will be ideal for this cruise.    

I was able to make all my reservations for my 10/19 sailing this morning.  

You can find them here:  http://www.beyondships2.com/norwegian-dawn-menus.html

5 hours ago, laurieb said:

The flight from Papeete to LA is 8 hours; you could always spend a night in LA( or fly through San Francisco) to break up the long flight home

I'm thinking about that right now!

12 hours ago, SkystheLimit said:

The Saturday, Sunday rounds were broadcast on CBS.  I believe that is an exclusive contract with the Augusta National Golf Club.  With that in mind, surely Azamara could have secured the CBS feed while in Charleston. Readily available on any household cable/satellite feed in the US.

 

 

 

Good point!  Thinking back on it, I did bring my laptop and probably could have streamed (maybe) since I have CBS all access.  Too bad I didn't think of it.

2 hours ago, bbqoug said:

Very interesting how different passengers can have a completely different experience on the same cruise, even on a ship as small as Journey.

We were also on this cruise until a family emergency caused us to disembark after only 3 nights.

 

I don't discount or question Lois' experience at all, but our enjoyment was much more in line with CateW than with Lois & CruisingChick's experience.

Our 3 nights in the MDR had excellent food the first night and what I would call very good the next 2. Food is so subjective, so someone else could eat our same meals with a totally different opinion.

We had different wait teams all 3 nights with very attentive service each of those nights. The service seemed very friendly and efficient, and our wine glasses were constantly filled to the point where at one point I let them know that we were fine & would not need any more.

 

I feel bad that Lois and CruisingChick have been disappointed with their experience so far. Hopefully things improve for them for the remainder of the cruise.

 

For us, this was starting out to be so enjoyable that it was on track to be our best cruise yet. I have to admit that this was only our 9th cruise, sailing previously on Azamara, Celebrity, and Princess.

 I'm so sorry to see that you had to leave the ship for a family emergency.  I hope that everything works out and that you have the opportunity to sail Azamara again soon!

One thing I will say, is that we went to white night for a couple of hours and enjoyed it tremendously.   After a long day of on shore and lots of sun,  we were ready to relax in our cabin and watch a news program.  Neither MSNBC, FOX,  BBC, or even ESPN are available.    We've been on Escape to Bermuda, (Dockyard) Summit (Dockyard) numerous times,  as well as Oceania Regatta (Hamilton) and on each of those ships we had some sort of news programming.   Now, some might say you can watch that at home and that would be a fair assessment, however, everyone makes their choices.  I find this more annoying than anything else and I agree that I missed the Masters on Saturday and Sunday as well!   

On 3/27/2019 at 6:36 PM, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

15 minutes ago, NJ Gal said:

 

We got off the Journey on the cruise before you.  It was our first Azamara cruise and what a wonderful experience!  Yes, Johnsess and Eric are the best.  In fact, Eric was one of the best CD we have ever had.  He is so talented.  Would I go back on Azamara--absolutely yes.  It will be hard to go back on a large Celebrity ship, but we will as several are already booked.  The singers, dancers, crew--all were so helpful, friendly and helped to make our cruise just wonderful. 

 

NY Gal I agree, what did you book?  I so wanted to book the 18 night LA to Papette but the flight back is just too long. 

48 minutes ago, nordski said:

I don’t know that I would ever recommend Azamara for the “Wow” factor. 

 

We sail on their ships for the comfort they provide, the care they show for the passengers, and for the quiet experiences of insight we experience on board and ashore.

 

There are times that we are really impressed but not to the “wow” point. 

 

But relaxed enjoyment suits us and the decor reminds us of an upscale country club, hence the appropriateness of the cruise line’s name.

  I couldn't agree more!  Plus,  anytime I don't have to cook, clean, make the bed and grocery shop, I'm a happy camper.  I also like the country club casual atmosphere and no dressing up.  The show the other night with music from Broadway shows was wonderful.   We are skipping white night because we are having dinner off the ship so we'll do that next time!

My husband and I are also on this cruise having a wonderful time, I would say it is one of the best cruises we've ever taken (we are approaching #40) having sailed Celebrity, Oceania, HAL, Princess, NCL and one with Regent and one with Crystal.  The service everywhere on the ship has been outstanding, the crew can't do enough for you.  The Captain and CD are visible and mingling with guests a lot of the time.  I have run into Eric everywhere and he is so approachable.  I'm loving the noon announcements and the interaction between the Captain and Eric.   

We don't like to rush through dinner and find the pace good (a little under 2 hours for dinner).  The first night was a little bit slower but the dining room was full with most guests choosing to have dinner there.  I love that the wait staff is always asking if you want more wine or if need anything else.  I've never had to ask for something twice.  The food has been very good in the dining room.  I don't eat meat at all and stick with fish or pasta and everything has been excellent.   We've also been to Aqualina and Prime C and enjoyed them both so much that we are going back a second time.  We have had lunch at the Patio a couple of times and that is also very good, I'm loving the grouper panini!    No buffets for my husband ever so I can't comment on that.  

We arrive Bermuda this morning (Thursday) at 9 a.m. and we are leaving tomorrow (Friday) at 2 p.m.  Apparently, there is some storm brewing and there are anticipated seas of 20 feet and the Captain wants to get ahead of it.  While it is true that our time here is going to be cut short, I get it, safety first!

I have met so many nice people, many repeaters so I think that Azamara is doing something right!

I will be looking for another cruise to book and while I would love to book one on board, sadly, cruises leaving from the U.S. are very limited for next year but I will keep looking for something to book in the future for sure.    

We just booked 7133 (PH2) for a transatlantic in 2020 because the aft cabins on deck 7 (PH1) are already gone but I'll be checking for an unlikely cancellation.  These threads will give you an idea about 7135 and 7133.   There are some very good pictures.  

Flying has become such a chore that our last 5-6 cruises have left from NYC.   We did a 13 night cruise on Queen Mary2 in November and there were 4 formal nights (they don't call them that anymore) but most of the men in the dining room, including my husband were in tuxes (Queens Grill for the first time).  I wore either a long dress or cocktail dresses overnight and heels.   We just got back on Sunday from a 14 night on NCL Escape in the haven.  Although everyone dressed very nicely, no formal clothes, more what I would say country club casual (for us anyway and for a lot of people that we saw and several couples that we had dinner with).  At this point, I much prefer country club casual for packing as well as no heels!