Melissaghoti

When I first started cruising with Azamara, I remember more guest entertainers. Some were wonderful, some not, but that’s a matter of taste. While all the CDs are fabulous, and I go to shows most every night, I’d still enjoy more variety in Cabaret. And bringing the dancers back would be a popular move too.

I certainly agree with Azamara offering more attractive solo rates, more often, and adding some more unusual ports ( I love Paris and an itinerary that included it brought me Azamara originally ).

Melissa

I’ve never cruised the bigger lines because I prefer the more personal service Azamara offers and I don’t care too much for the Vegas style shows the bigger ships can offer, either.  Of course, entertainment is a matter of taste, but I certainly wouldn’t describe Azamara’s as poor.  I enjoy the variety of shows that are offered in the Cabaret lounge nightly. All of the Cruise Directors are excellent entertainers, and their back-up singers, dancers and musicians are quite good too. There will also be a few shows offered by performers brought onto the ship for each cruise. Some I’ve been impressed with, some not so much, but again, a matter of taste. There’s not as much music offered outside the main entertainment venues as there once was, but the sea day brunch will have a band, and the Azamazing Evening and White Night are always fabulous! 
Enjoy your cruise!

Melissa

Yes, thanks, Riocca and Odd. I did the research that I should’ve done before asking and see that she was R-8. It’s somewhat reassuring to think that it’s an old listing. If RCCL was going to downsize Azamara, it would seem unlikely they’d choose the most recent addition that’s been updated. Journey is do for refit in the fall, but I imagine, like most everything else, that remains to be seen.

Again, thank you.

Melissa

Yes, I should have realized that, but only looked at Date: 2001 per photo below. I also see that it says location: U.S. and Engines: 0, and wondering what that means. What confirms that it is Pursuit?

The brochure date was 2001, you know. 

It would be fun to see pictures, but I’ve never taken or seen other people taking any at M&Ms. There’s not a lot happening to photograph, it may not last long, and there are more Interesting backgrounds for onboard memories. I’m afraid when it happens at sail-away, we’re all anxious to get out on deck - that’s a hint, if anyone’s paying attention!

Melissa

As long as it matches my ‘sea mask’! 
 

“Cruise line operator Royal Caribbean is seeking a trademark for face masks that could be used for "virus isolation purposes," according to an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The name of the proposed item: "Seaface."

How sad that stress may be a factor in these tragedies. It seems as though there hasn’t been much cooperation between government entities and cruise lines in getting seafarers home.

I know that a couple of Journey crew members were moved to Ovation, then to another ship and have made it back home to the U.S. in the last couple of days. I understand there was no coronavirus on Journey, so they’ve made a difficult trade-off!

Melissa 

I am too, and wish I had an answer. I know lots of planning has gone into the Azamazing Evening and I was really looking forward to it. I think it would be a great cruise.

There are just too many unknowns for conjecture at this point. What countries will be allowing cruise tourists? Will there be flights? A vaccine isn’t likely by then; will there be good therapeutics accessible to everyone? Will there be a seasonal aspect to this thing?
I’ve read that RCCL has a Sea-mask in the works, but don’t know who or what that’s planned for.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed, but realistically, also hoping that if this one doesn’t happen, the three sisters Azamazing Evening would be replicated before too long. 
 

Melissa

Journey crew has been transferred to Ovation and are assuming they’ll fall under the RCCL plan. 
M.

I’m not going to name names, but he makes more sense than many of the politicians I hear on a daily basis. He’s more optimistic about testing and treating than I am currently, but I like his attitude. I see something of what’s behind the trademark application for the RCCL Seamask I read about yesterday too.

Melissa

I’ve never sailed with him, but he seems lovely! 

Darned allergies. Have to go get some tissues.

Melissa

50 minutes ago, CA Oceanfront said:

With RCL stock plummeting from a 52-week high of $135/share to today’s close under $36/share, maybe he’s abandoning ship with what little value he has left in his (likely significant) stock options, before (in his possible estimation) it gets any worse.

Azamara’s Pimentel sells $1.9m in RCL stock

          From Feb 7, Seatrade Cruise News
 

Perhaps, at 69, he’s concerned he won’t be able to get a  Fit to Travel letter!

Somewhere, there’s an actuary with a sharp pencil, ready to tell Azamara that their target customer I.e. those who are interested in cruising with them in 6 or 12 months, has a certain income or net worth and people in that income bracket typically spend a particular percentage on travel. That gives them some idea what they can charge and if they can afford to cater to that customer. At least that’s my totally naive conjecture. I know they aren’t attaching my answers to my email address, so not targeting me personally, so why should I care? 
Melissa

I have no qualms about giving my household income or worth. Azamara and Survey Monkey aren’t the IRS, so no one will be checking my honesty and no one reading the survey has any interest in me personally. The results are aggregated and useful to any business in future planning. We should all claim to have the lowest income/worth listed (which may be true, currently!) in the hope that cruise prices will be adjusted accordingly!

“Hi Melissaghoti,

Before I report this to our IT department, may I ask if you double checked the country flag at the bottom of the page?”
 

I hadn’t, but did and found I was looking at Ireland today. Clicked the proper flag and I’m good. Thanks, Bonnie. 

A slightly different website issue is frustrating me. I can log in with no problem, but logged in or not, haven’t been able to access the U.S. site for several days. I usually find myself at the European site, but occasionally, the U.K. site. I’m assuming that from the currency cruises are priced in and slightly different options offered. It’s not a problem currently; I’m just looking at options a year or so out, but still seems strange.

Melissa

Thanks for the thread! Happy to have another connection to the ‘outside’!
I live, with two Cardigan corgis, in south central Idaho in a  county where only 2 cases have been reported. We assume that’s a number based more on the scarcity of testing than reality. We’re just a couple of days into a three week state mandated stay at home period, but many of us chose to self-isolate a week or more ago, so are getting a bit of cabin fever. Fortunately, on one I know has contracted the virus, but I worry a good deal about the many in the area who have limited resources and now, no jobs. With neither health insurance nor discretionary income for health care, life must be scary and there’s the possibility of many undiagnosed, untreated COVID-2 cases. 
I’m keeping faith (and crossed fingers) that this will be well resolved before my Oct. Azamara cruises. Meanwhile, landlocked Journey Cruise Director Eric is hard at work keeping his Facebook friends well entertained. Kudos to him for that!

My best to all of you who’ve been touched by the virus. Everyone, stay well, stay safely at home! 
Melissa

Phil, Hope there was more meat in your lasagna than there was in the video. 
Melissa

However, perhaps with consideration of the potential impact on the cruise industry, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases said, “If you are a healthy young person, there is no reason if you want to go on a cruise ship, go on a cruise ship.”  Healthy and young may eliminate a big chunk of the cruising demographic, but it leaves room for common sense to prevail.

Does one specialty restaurant for 2, equal two specialty restaurants for 1 on a 7 night cruise? Seems like it should to me.  Yay, to all the clean clothes I’ll have on my fall Veranda Plus cruise!

Melissa

7 hours ago, Host Grandma Cruising said:

e.g. the US where there is little testing taking place, especially given that, as I understand it, you have to pay for a test there.

All tests in the U.S. should be covered by health insurance now, but there are simply not a sufficient number of tests available. On another forum, I’ve read posts by exposed, but asymptomatic people who can’t get tested. They may be contagious, but have no way of knowing, so are going to work, going out socially, conceivably getting on cruise ships. COVID-19 will have an interesting evolution here.

Melissa 

I’ve never run into this. So there are excursions I can’t do if I’m sailing solo? Are they overnights? What if I paired up with someone I met on board? We couldn’t participate because we weren’t in the same cabin?

Interesting, but not a problem so far.

Melissa

What Phil said! 
M.

Thanks.

That’s more like what I’ve heard with the caveat that many cases are going unreported because they’re either very mild or testing to confirm wasn’t available, thus perhaps lower mortality. Also, hear that a vaccine is a year out, assuming the virus is still around when it becomes available. 
In any case, no fun for travelers to Asia!

M.