Lioncub

On 1/19/2024 at 2:55 AM, amyhphoto said:

if I wanted to grab breakfast after going to the gym would gym clothes be acceptable at the buffet?

I would kindly ask the OP to reconsider this. A rinse is usually the norm for both garments and wearer! The hand gel only goes so far………….

Boarded Journey on Saturday (15th April) from Chioggia. VCE to Grande Italia took about 45mins at 9:30pm, cost around €135 with City Airport Taxis. Grande Italia very comfortable with fabulous breakfast and at a fair price. Lovely helpful staff too. Chioggia itself is very pretty and wished we’d stayed an extra night. The ship docks close by but you need to head a fair way down to reach the only bridge to cross the canal. Probably not doable with luggage. Taxis are very limited in this small town with lots of canals. Grande Italia was very proactive in booking guests together to help share the cost. We were put with another pair and split the quite hefty €25 cost for a 5 min ride. Check in was swift and we were aboard in very short order. Back to the Azamara of old! There are zero facilities at the terminal. No real seating and not much cover in the event of rain or strong sun. But like I said, wasn’t an issue as check in was efficient. But not a place to expect to sit around and enjoy a coffee and a good book! For those debarking in Chioggia the taxi situation is an issue. Ensure you are organised as you won’t be picking up a taxi dockside very easily.

On the plus side Chioggia is a great place to start your cruise and certainly beats the nightmare that was last year in Ravenna. If you’re organised it is a breeze. Journey is running smoothly and despite the weather we’re having a great time. White Night tonight in Kotor, whats not to love?

Thanks Baz-t for the tip for Shell beach. And to everyone above for their suggestions too. Very helpful. Just had an itinerary change yesterday. Sopers Hole is substituted for Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke instead. Still the BVI’s at least! For me it is a good change as I was considering a tour to White Bay anyway. Now I can spend the money instead at the famous Soggy Dollar Bar! My only sadness is that I will approach from landside and not wade ashore, hence the ‘soggy dollar’. That is unless I cheat and get into the sea and swim up to the bar!!

Thanks Isklaar in advance of any help, from hard drive or “little grey cells” (to quote a famous Belgian detective!).

Anyone done the ships tour in St. John’s Antigua called Reef Snorkel and Beach? Seems ok value (all relative of course!) but from my last memory of St. John’s is of tens of these catamarans departing the pier. It did seem decidedly touristy. Anyone have a better suggestion? Either for a beach day or boat trip?

What a timely thread! Doing exact itinerary, but a bit sooner! Great advice so far. Looking forward to Isklaars next post too. Being a beach lover does anyone have a ‘must not miss’ one for this itinerary? My last Caribbean cruise was just after the hurricane in ‘17 with both the islands and Odyssey not at their best. Not the fault of the islands in their case I must stress! Some options for the bigger islands would be great too (St. Lucia, Antigua in particular).

Did I see both Pursuit and Journey both anchored off of Amalfi a few days ago? Anyone got a picture of this? A spectacular anchorage with two lovely ships. Had to comment after much abstention, have to very much agree, Dimple really is fab!

On Pursuit at the moment. Schweppes tonic readily available. Will report back if I manage to find fever tree. Was on in Nov in select locations. Enjoying a lovely cold beer in Zakinthos with great view of port and Pursuit at anchor in the distance 😁 🍺. Being well looked after too. Happy days!

Flat white is an Australian import. Enjoyed many a good flat white whilst in Sydney. Becoming very popular in the UK for reasons mentioned above. Mosaic coffee the best at sea! So much so, the Pursuit has not even bothered with Nespresso. The room service coffee is awful though. Not unique to Azamara. RS Coffee on Silversea and Seabourn also terrible. Why can’t cruise lines sort this issue out? Would really prefer not to have to do the coffee run whilst on a top cruise line.

Ok, I realise this is an Upgrade thread not a loyalty thread so will keep this brief. In a competitive world where loyalty is highly prized  by most businesses, it seems odd to me that  LCV is not treating its biggest spenders better. Maybe introduce free upgrade vouchers for those customers who reach a certain level of spending per year? This allows for better recognition of the big spenders, and allows for those who are loyal, but with smaller budgets, or less free time, to still climb the loyalty tiers at their own pace. I would be very worried if I were Azamara,  that loyal cruisers and big spenders are on CC talking about going elsewhere!

The question is, if one tips extra does one receive better attention? A twenty here or there to get ahead of the queue/ line?  I’ve seen it in action, and on ‘ ultra’ luxury lines too.  My very British morality doesn’t like it, but it does happen. A fact of life, or poor behaviour? I’m very happy to give to the crew fund, but if Mr/ Ms X is tipping staff to beat the system then I’m being a mug, right? 

Do they also do Sushi at lunchtime in the Colonnade as part of the buffet selection? Or can one have a bento delivered to you? Same issue, one likes the other doesn’t.

I agree, would be nice to see a few more premium Gins and a few flavoured ones too. Love Whitley Neil’s Blood Orange! The big question is, do they have Fever Tree tonic onboard? It does make me laugh though how much we brits love our G and T, just go over to the Azamara boards to see much discussion on this! I will be quite happy with Hendricks and a slice of cucumber or grapefruit with FT.  Logistically I can see it being a bit of a nightmare, various gins, dozens of garnishes and don’t even get me started on the shape of glass to use!! I think our Americans cousins are probably starting to realise how big gin has become in the UK at the moment.

My overall impression of Pursuit was also extremely positive. The Den is a great space and very popular early evening. All is well at the Pool with four tables by the bar and the new cushions very comfortable. Service was always friendly and genuine. The overall decor modern and classy. Both specialities have a much improved feel. The new layout in the Living room worked well and was popular at all times of day. Entertainment was good, with the house band being particularly excellent. Especially their Jazz sets in the afternoon. Captain Toledo is a great addition to the AZ family. Amanda and Lee also great in there roles as CD and ACD. Our V2 cabin was bright and the beds very comfortable. Cabin service discreet and efficient. Oh, and Fever Tree was available on request, heaven!

Some niggles though. Though the lack of the Sunset bar does allow for more outside seating, bar service does really suffer. No service outside of meal times, and frustratingly slow and inconsistent during service. Drinks have to be garnered from the pool bar outside of restaurant hours. Loved the new Pizza station in Windows but did miss the Chefs station for a dish of the day. Also would like to see a dedicated Sushi station. When it did appear it was always mobbed! Aqualina menu needs a refresh and the tables for two in both specialities really are too close together. Still the best gym at sea, but would prefer Life Fitness equipment not the Technogym stuff. A few more machines also needed, especially cross trainers. As always the best crew at sea, but with one exception. One very rude member of the reception team. She, let’s call her Y,  has a reputation and needs to be dealt with as she is letting the side down.

Overall Azamara Pursuit is a fabulous addition to the fleet and pushes up the standards we have grown accustomed to. Can’t wait for her sisters to get the same treatment. Very much looking forward to my next cruise on Pursuit.

Well done everybody! While we can’t claim Cruise Critic power made this happen, I’d like to think our efforts didn’t hurt, and maybe even focused minds. Thanks for not letting this thread die!

Any news about these cushions? Though they may not be getting much use this week. Safe voyage Pursuit, crew and pax alike.

Would this be a bad time to ask about sun lounger cushions?!😏🎃🦁 

This definitely has overtones of ‘the dog has ate my homework ‘ about it. Pleased that the powers that be are on to it, let’s hope though they arrive before Miami. That would be just my luck! Could be worse, I could be on a river cruise [emoji57].

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Good news indeed! Though any chance of putting a rush on it for November? [emoji57]

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Thanks for checking re cushions. Journey is indeed in Marseille. I suspect they maybe sheltering from the Mistral that is currently blowing. Windy App is showing an avaerage of 30+knot winds and 4m waves. I suspect they may have had a rough night of it! 🤮

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Starting to agree with you [emoji26] p.s does DFS mean Don’t Forget Sunbed-cushions?! Wish I had a hotline to Captain Carl, now he would get this sorted!!!

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A big thank you Pirouette for answering my question. Will literally take it on board. Nothing booked for 2019, all to play for.

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Any sign of sun lounger cushions? [emoji881]

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I agree. Price isn’t always the best indicator of quality when it comes to wine. For us in the UK we are very fortunate to be able to access a wide geographical variety at very reasonable prices. And we can source it from many suppliers unfettered by draconian laws. I can’t imagine having to use a state dedicated liquor store like our Canadian friends!

My experience is that if you go New world rather than Old, you get better bang for your buck. Sadly this doesn’t seem to include California though. For me Azamara just doesn’t seem to alter there wine choice enough. We have had the same wines for years! This is unnecessary whatever the budget. Next time around I am considering a package to upgrade my wine choices. Maybe this is the intended tactic? Pirouettes commentary has me worried though that even this is not sufficient? $20+ per day on top of what has already been forked out for the cruise is not to be sniffed at.

My question therefore is this, is the Ultimate package worth paying for just for the extra wine choices? For me the option of Champagne is attractive as well as an included port. The still wine looks better too. To Pirouette I ask, what was your take on the wines, which were your favourites and what was your experience of being served your wine in the different venues? For this question I’m looking for answers specifically wrt Ultimate package wines. I appreciate any help you can offer with this, I know you covered aspects of this in your Blog mainly wrt the MDR.

I also thank you for your review. I have to say having cruised mainly on Silversea and Seabourn I broadly find myself nodding in agreement at most of it. Where I do disagree is your food comment. Azamara is very good, but not at the same standard as the other two. Discoveries can be very hit and miss. For me though, the point that maybe has been missed, is that Azamara has a certain feeling that can’t be quantified by a tick box exercise. I arrive feeling somewhat underwhelmed, but leave feeling like I’m leaving a very comfortable home, that is to say the whole experience grows on you as you go along. Let’s hope Pursuit lives up to her billing! Oh, and to bang my drum once more, hurry up Azamara with those cushions!!

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I quite agree, and well said. Come on Azamara, enough time has passed for this to be sorted out. Let’s not let this thread die until we have satisfaction. If others can have their Tonic thread, or Shower curtains, then we can have this. If I must drag along my own Fever tree, shower magnets and wall hooks, I at least expect a decent sun lounger cushion on which to drink my Gin and Tonic! I draw a line at bringing a lounger cushion. Oh, and by the way Proper G and T is with LEMON, garnish should be reserved for the buffet. You have until November!!

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Now that’s a different cruise altogether!!![emoji12] and has been (un)covered on these boards before! Being serious, sound proofing on these ships is an issue. Our last cruise landed us with a neighbour that was so sensitive to noise, conversations after 10pm became an issue for her. Choose wisely or take really good ear plugs.

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Enjoying your posts Pirouette. It’s always good to hear about the misses as well as the hits. uktog is absolutely correct, Heike is a top operator and very open to this sort of feedback. My recent observations on Quest were also that wine service particularly at lunch was very slow. Why give me only half a glass of wine if you are not going to come back? Even more annoying I suspect if your wine and key card needs to be processed from the bar! It didn’t help that the wait staff continually changed through the service. I know the staff are trained to pour to what are considered good etiquette levels but it can be frustrating to see food go cold whilst waiting for wine. As for canapés or nibbles I can’t recall ever being offered these outside of special events or receptions on Azamara. To be fair though, the Tapas offering in the living room is excellent and for me is a better fit. By dinner time I’m just hoping to have developed enough of an appetite for the main event! Another lovely alternative is to order the nibbles from room service and enjoy on the balcony. Of course drinks will have to be garnered from any open bar to accompany this. Though once in Bordeaux I’m sure you will be able to rustle up a few nice bottles to enjoy [emoji4] . With harvest time upon us a lovely time of year to visit and looking forward to hearing all about it. Keep posting!

As an aside it is good to see uktog back posting, we are all better off for your experience. See you in Nov.

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