2fromTO

Thinking it was SilverSea.  Their entire system was down for several days.  

On board the Journey right now.  We have had live music by the pool every sea day and at sail alway.  Also, live music in the Living Room every sea day at 5:00 pm.  No big show productions, but then again, this is a smaller ship.  Totally different experience than on a larger ship such as Celebrity.

The food has been fantastic in Discoveries, Prime C and Aqualina.  My husband likes his steak “blue” and it has been cooked perfectly every time he has ordered it.  Christmas dinner was great and the dessert buffet was “over the top”.  Service and food is some of the best I have had at sea (Regent, Oceania, SilverSea, Celebrity). 

So far, we have loved our holiday cruise!

Hello,

We were on the  Kangerlussuaq to St John’s cruise last Sept.  Our charter flight left from KEF around noon.  Flight was a couple of hours, if I recall.  The disembarking passengers were waiting at the Kangerlussuag airport to return to KEF.  

There was no food service, just snacks, on the flight.  Recommended you have a substantial breakfast because you will not have a chance to eat again until you are on the Cloud.

We were taken by bus (school bus, not a coach) to the dock.  Embarkation is via Zodiac so dress warmly!  It was just about 40F and raining.  Not a long trip, but many people were not prepared.  And, you won’t get your polar parka until once on board.  

Advice on what to pack - good rain/wind pants are essential.  Waterproof gloves recommended.  Good thermal socks as well.  We took trekking poles and found them useful especially for the walks we did.  If your hands and feet get cold easily, bring hand/foot warmers to slip into your gloves and boots.  

Our cruise was amazing.  Right up there as one of the best ever.  Enjoy! 

A sad reminder that these are wild animals and that we are guests in their environment. Why were they so close? I wonder about the impact of increasing popularity of cruising in the Arctic....

I agree that the itinerary has an influence on the “Expedition” experience. However, so much more could have been done to integrate an Expedition experience with the itinerary and the culinary/culture theme of the cruise. It may not have been a wildlife expedition, but I did expect it to be a culinary expedition.

What about a lecture on oyster culture and the importance of tides? Why is the milk from the cows in Normandy different? What about the role of architecture urban renewal (Bilbao)? A lecture on Mount st Michel prior to our visit would have been great. Or how about the Camino and the pilgramage to the relics of St. James?

If Expedition cruising is distinguished from Classic cruising as being about experience, knowledge and adventure, then this was not an Expedition cruise. It was a port intensive luxury cruise with great food and wine. Too bad, it could have been so much more. Let’s hope they figure it out.

We too were on the Cloud, Lisbon to London. Great cruise. Food was amazing. Service was good.

However, it was not an Expedition cruise. We came home disappointed.

Our expectations were based on a Culinary/Expedition cruise in South America we took on the Explorer in the fall of 2016. That cruise was FANTASTIC. So much so, we booked the Lisbon-London cruise on the Cloud. We were so looking forward to a similar type of experience. It did not happen. There were no zodiac excursions and there was an obvious disconnect between the expertise of the Expedition team and the itinerary (except perhaps for Gordon).

We came away thinking that SilverSea had missed the mark with its re-branding of the Cloud as an Expedition ship. We will be on board again in September for a Greenland/Canadian Arctic Voyage. Will they be more successful in delivering an Expedition cruise? Or perhaps, they need to completely redefine what luxury looks like on an Expedition cruise...

Thanks Les! I will definitely be out on deck, rain or shine. So excited. Lois

We will be on the Cloud, arriving May 8 and disembarking May 9th. I know we will be tied up alongside the HMCS Belfast. Does anyone know the disembarkation location shoreside? Which side of the Thames? Will we disembark via tenders? Thanks.

Wow!

Sorry if a light hearted attempt at PERSONAL choices has provoked such reaction.

I have NO issue with ANY staff on Azamara but human nature being what is it we all have favourites and my comment/question was a light hearted attempt at livening a dull day in UK NE.

Hmmm, let's put the shoe on the other foot. What if we started a conversation about which Azamara passengers we preferred cruising with? Who would our dream passengers be? Guaranteed, it would definitely not be a lighthearted conversation.

All of the AZ are fabulous and very professional. The game of "who likes who the best" is reminiscent of grade school and can be very hurtful.

We were also on the Southampton to Montreal cruise and concur with all of the previous posters. The Windows Buffet was excellent every night and the steak at the Patio was as good as any we have had in Prime C (thank you Kumar!)

The fresh cod purchased in St. John's and served the next day at the Officers Brunch in Discoveries was the best we have ever had - perfectly cooked and not over seasoned. The cheese from Normandy was OUTSTANDING. The "all you could eat" Stone Crab and Snow Crab claws served at the buffet were unbelievable. And then there was the chocolate buffet held one evening in Mosaic - absolutely decadent!

Serving regional specialties with ingredients purchased locally made our cruise so much more interesting and fun. It was great way to bring "Destination Immersion" onboard. Thanks Azamara!

Just off the Quest. Bathroom clothesline and hooks are soon to be (re)installed, according to Philip. Yeah. We did not revert to using duct tape and bungey cords (joke) but did use removeable 3m hooks on the mirror. The makeup mirror was very useful as a bar for the hand towel and for drying other "smalls"....

Finally - was able to get express pass but only after a call to AZ. Apparently there is a system glitch that does not accept passport numbers. Had the same problem last year....mmmm

Ordered luggage tags several weeks ago for sept 9th departure. Have not arrived yet. Not really worried though. We know from previous experience that if you do not receive your tags, it is not a problem. All you have to do is give the porter your stateroom number.

Below is an outline of How & When you can expect your Final Documents and Luggage Tags. This information will also be available on our website in the near future.

A couple disclaimers:

1) this information may vary a bit in markets other than the North American market.

2) please note that there are a few changes planned later in 2016. Once I have received what they'll be, I'll update this information for you.

Lastly, I want to thank those of you who called our attention to the need for this information.

 

WHEN / HOW WILL I RECEIVE MY AZAMARA CLUB CRUISES FINAL GUEST DOCUMENTS (E-Docs) & XPRESS (BOARDING) PASS?

 

1. Final Guest Cruise Documents (aka E-Docs): Like all businesses we are moving to a digital environment. Our final guest documents are automated and an email is sent out when they are ready to be retrieved online, not printed and mailed.

 

2. When Can I Expect the Email: The automated email messaging that E-Docs are ready (for US & Canadian bookings) begins at 49 days prior to the sailing date provided:

1a. The booking is paid in full.

1b. There are no waitlisted items.

1c. Air is finalized, if purchasing ChoiceAir.

(Note: the timing may vary in other countries.)

 

3. Who Receives the Email: the email notifying the availability of E-Docs will be sent to the email address noted on the booking reservation, which can be either the Guest or the Travel Agent. Note: the email for Group guests always goes to the travel agency of record. The agent then manually forwards the notification to the individual guests.

 

4. To Access E-Docs: The email will provide a link to the documents. Guests/ Travel Agent will enter the reservation number, guests’ last name, ship and sail date to access the documents.

 

5. How to Proceed: The email will instruct Guests/Travel Agent to print and carry these documents for the boarding process, as well as the required forms of citizenship and identification (i.e., a valid Passport, visas as required or other Department of Homeland Security approved documents).

 

6. Online Check-In: The email will also provide information and a link to the Online Check-In, which is available up to 4 days prior to the voyage embarkation date. Note: the Online Check-In is recommended but is not mandatory. If Guest elects to not complete the Online Check-In, all paperwork will need to be completed on the pier before boarding.

 

7. What does Online Check-In Involve: Guests who do Online Check-In will be asked to complete immigration and embarkation forms, accept the Cruise Ticket Contract, and set up their Onboard Expense Account. They are also asked to print the Xpress Pass (aka Boarding Pass) which will reduce the time required to complete check-in formalities on the day of ship embarkation.

 

WHEN / HOW CAN I EXPECT MY LUGGAGE TAGS?

8. E-Luggage Tags: A luggage tag, specific to your ship, stateroom and sailing date will be included in Guest’s E-Doc mentioned above. Guests/Travel Agent will print out as many luggage tags as needed, preferably in color, to be affixed to your checked luggage prior to departing home along with another form of I.D., such as a name tag.

 

9. Hard-Copy Printed Luggage Tags (For U.S. & Canadian Guests only): for the time being pre-printed paper Luggage Tags may be requested. Guests/Travel Agent may request that Azamara mail personalized pre-printed luggage tags before leaving home. This is done via the Online Check-In section and must be received no later than 14 days prior to sail date. Note: the e-message “exceeded our permissible limits” is received after two requests for Pre-printed Luggage Tags.

 

10. Pier-side Luggage Tags: Generic Luggage Tags are always available from our porters at the pier. Guest will fill out the Luggage Tags with name and stateroom/ suite number using the Xpress Pass as your guide prior to handing over luggage to our Porters.

Hmmm....have not yet received email notification of edocs for our sept 9th cruise. Neither has my TA. Last 2 cruises we have had issues with online checkin. Have had to call to complete the process and get our Xpress pass. Somehow the system will not accept my husband's passport information! In our experience, the online process has been less than smooth.

Ordered luggage tags a few weeks ago. Have not received them yet. I know we can check our bags at the pier or, print off the digital tags. It is just not the same as opening the mailbox a few weeks before your cruise and receiving personalized tags.

Talk about apples and oranges. That is really not a valid comparison. The physical effects of Azamara's actions are negligible (and one could argue that there are none at all other than those passengers who had to change plans because their booked cruise was cancelled). Reactions to this have been focused mainly on how it "cheapens the brand" and there is no logical rationale for that, only emotional.

 

As can be relatively safely assumed, Azamara considered possible risks in doing this and decided it was still a good business decision. I would agree, even without knowledge of all the factors they considered. People who would never sail again (or at all) over this are almost certainly a small number and the loss of their business is probably heavily outweighed by the profits for this charter.

 

Not everything that some people find objectionable is bad to the majority.

But one can wonder, is the "brand" holding its own? If it is, why cancel a scheduled sailing for a charter? Are charters, like this one, a crucial part of Azamara's profitability? Who knows. Morality aside.

AZ has chartered their ships to Swingers before. This seems to be a different group. The charter is probably quite lucrative, but I can't help but wonder if these charters will impact their reputation. Converting the ship into a sexual playground is so inconsistent with the AZ branding. Yuck. I feel for the crew who work these cruises.

No, I wasn't "dissing" you, just expressing my opinion. Taking items from home to hang up clothes on a multi-million dollar upgraded ship for people to use duct tape and as someone else said hanging stuff from the ceilings. I wasn't "dissing" the Chinese either, but speaking metaphorically as yes, a bit of a joke.

 

Phil

It is sad though when a multi-million dollar upgrade misses the boat (pun intended) on small items that would make the room more functional (at least for some people).

Time to lighten up! The duct tape was a joke. Although, I do travel with duct tape. It has proven to be invaluable on more than one occasion. Have you ever seen the Canadian tv show "Red Green"?

By the time you load up the hooks on the bathroom door with 2 bathrobes, 2 bath towels, and a hanging cosmetic bag, you can hardly turn around inside the tiny bathroom (unless you are in a suite or leave the door open, that is)!!!!!!😂😂😂😂😂😂

PS: I already have the hook and the line. Looks like I will have to add a "sinker" to my kit. At this rate I will be packing packing a second bag! Maybe I will bring extra to sell. Perhaps I could set up a table in Mosaic....

Good luck with those staterooms keeping looking nice and tidy with hooks and duct tape all over the place. I'd love to see some of the cabins wth stuff hanging from the ceiling and walls. Like walking into a Chinese laundry! :eek: I prefer to keep the place smart and tidy and uncluttered, but each to their own.

 

Phil

Hmmmm.....not sure if you are dissing me, the Chinese, or making a joke! To each their own.

Is my understanding correct that not only are there no hooks or clothesline in the bathroom but also no hooks anywhere at all in the newly-refurbished cabins??

 

On the bright side, I am very happy to read about the excellent new reading lights over the bed.

I don't recall if the hooks on the back of the bathroom door were still there. There were no hooks in the main cabin.

Attention to detail, especially in a small room, is important to making a space work both aesthically and functionally.

Hooks and clotheslines are small items however, they are very practical. Where else does one put their bathrobe, layout their clothes for the next day, hang damp clothes or a raincoat? If you are like my DH, without hooks in the room, clothes will end up on the floor, on the bed, on the chair.....

We were invited to view a veranda room when on the Jouney last September. We were not WOWed. The grey/blue wallpaper made the room feel dark, the hardware and cabinetry were an inconsistent mishmash of old and new, the vinyl and mirrored headboard was more tacky than elegant, the curved mini-sofa/chair was very uncomfortable and artwork was absent. The room felt "staged", cold and impersonal.

Not all was negative though. We are very happy that the large mirror opposite the bed is gone, the bedside tables are now the same height as the bed, the wall-mounted reading lights are functional, and the closet now has a light.

We will be on the Quest in September. We'll see how the room measures up once we have actually lived in it for 15 days.

PS: We plan to pack magnets, removable hooks, clips, portable clothesline, duct tape.....

Hi Everyone,

 

I've known UKtog for years. She's a highly valued, appreciated & respected member of our Azamara forum. I've never had any reason whatsoever to question anything she's said. In addition, Uktog has been passionate about the Azamara brand for as long as I can remember.

 

While I sincerely appreciate Bonnie's time, participation, and insights on this forum, I wish the response had been framed differently. With all due respect, and IMO, it should have been presented about the topic at hand, and nothing more.

 

I'm going to try and be the statesman here, and say that we've all had our share of posts that we wish we could take back, or, in hindsight - choose our words differently. This forum has always been extremely friendly and helpful. Say what you need to say, but, let's retain the friendly approach. Please go easy on Bonnie and your fellow members. Thank You !

Could not agree with you more about keeping our forum friendly, and, just as importantly, open minded. Thank you Azamara and Bonnie for listening and responding to our queries. But please respect our voice. This is our forum. Enough said.

"Fruit bowls in the room have been reduced (we've actually seen the housekeeping memo to this effect). Unless you are in a suite, no grapes just apples and oranges. Now we did get grapes when we asked with one of our attendants but not the other. Come on Azamara, what would it cost to revert to the previous arrangements? Would we notice $10 on our bill. Why not have cards at the start of the cruise for non suites give us a list of fruits (say apples, oranges, banana, grape and one other) and get us to select any three for each day - you do a one time start of cruise selection, virtually no additional cost, less wastage, better experience)."

 

Hello uktog, your cruise review has been sent to management as well as the UK office. As said earlier, we always appreciate feedback from our loyal guests.

I have received the following feedback re the observations you made on the fruit bowl (pasted above.) If I hear more on the other topics, I will post accordingly. Bonnie

 

"Instead of a full fruit basket we now set up a small fruit selection in the standard staterooms. Why? Because every day we replenish the fruit in each stateroom, and any fruit not used is discarded because health authorities do not allow anything to be recycled that has been returned from the staterooms.

The stateroom attendants are trained to ask the guest if there is any other fruit they would like. Maybe this did not happen and and we apologize for that. I have reminded our Chief Housekeepers to address it again.

Not sure where they [the guest] saw the memo. It might have been posted in the service areas, but that would mean guests are entering the service areas..."

First,

We rarely eat the fruit in our stateroom. It probably ends up being thrown out. I think uktog's idea of asking guests what fruit, if any, they would like is an excellant idea. No wastage.

Second,

I can not believe that azamara's response to a loyal customer is to suggest that she may have obtained information seriptitiously by entering a restricted area..... what?

Third,

I can't I believe that Bonnie would actually post this on cruise critic. Way too aggressive and completely inappropriate. This is our forum, not Azamara's. Please stop trying to manage us.

I get motion sick in cars, on any rides that spin. However, have never been sea sick on AZ - and that includes crossing the Drake Passage with waves breaking over the Looking Glass Lounge on Deck 10. We always book Deck 6 mid-ship or aft. Top decks and forward are the worst for motion.

Even though there are 30 new ports, by and large, the itineraries are the same old, same old. Not enough new to entice us to book 2018. What about the west coast of South America? What about the east coast of Canada/US? What about the Arctic and Greenland? Very disappointed.