Toronto Guy

Whenever somebody asks how many cruises i have been on, I run in the other direction. What I like about Azamara is that it is a well-travelled crowd that isn't a bunch of competitive snobs.

A bonus of the shuttle transfer from Maritimma is that you pass by the Italian shipyard Fincantieri on the mainland side of the lagoon when you come across the bridge from Venice that is busy building the next generation of cruise ships. Queen Anne was under construction when we went past last August.

Well said!

I often change my onboard booking. I think they may charge you a fee now if you change the sailing more than once though, I think I was told that the last time I booked a future cruise onboard. Just make sure they keep the same reservation number as that is what connects your onboard credit for booking on the ship, and if you have a loyalty reduction on the cruise fare, make sure they remember to take that off the new fare as well. Some agents are great at this, others not so much.

That's what I recall as well....but I'm not sure I ever really believed it.

Yes I was on Italy Intensive in late August as well and moved to a CC suite the same way. Same way again in December.

I'm sorry, but this is why I have asked this question twice now, and both times I was told to check this thread that didn't have the answer. Last year, when they didn't have online bidding due to the ownership change and IT problems, they shifted the upgrade bidding to the ship. You got a letter in your cabin on boarding day and you could make bids at the front desk. I wasn't sure if they kept the onboard bidding now that they have the IT issue worked out. I am aware of the enquiring onboard and paying for an upgrade route - but that's not what I'm referring to.

Does anyone know if they are still allowing you to put in bids for upgrades on board?

I found it was impossible not to hit it. I also can't tell you how many times I stubbed my toe reallly hard on the leg of the sitting chair in that room getting in and out of bed. The neighbours must have wondered why I was always shouting. The wood legs flared out to the front, and the chair had to be the most uncomfortable low thing I have ever sat in. It seems the Onward suffers from bad chairs everywhere.

They sound very similar to what celebrity did to the millennium class AQ cabins when they added them on Deck 11. The middle split works really well, especially if they fold in and out.

I was staying in a Club Continent Suite on Onward last year and ordered a bottle to my room. Unsure if they would charge me for a bottle on room service as I had purchased the Ultimate drink package. They didn't charge me......I was surprised. Not sure if they were supposed to or if that was a mistake.

Yes it's very good and worth upgrading your drinks package if you like champagne.

They are good about this kind of thing on board. I'm sure they will take care of it for you.

Have never seen that. All I've ever seen is a bunch of loungers with nobody using them in the blazing hot sun. Hence why I think better furnishings with options for shade etc. would be awesome. I made the mistake of mentioning "cabanas" and everybody went nuts...so I won't say "cabanas" again. If they were free however, the same people would be parked there all day I suspect.

Me as well. I'll take music on deck any time actually as long as the band is decent.

It was really quite cool and certainly unique. I'm sure people would complain if they had it now because a) its a change; and b) any form of music in the background will ruin their cruise entirely.

Agree.

I really didn't realize others were so strongly attached to the way things are on board. I was really just putting out an idea of what could be improved upon from my perspective, not trying to take away things that others find enjoyable just the way they are. It's a good thing I don't make the decisions I guess!

I was just thinking about the first time I sailed Azamara and they had a guitarist singing on the sunset veranda during dinner. It was great. Used to have a harpist above the main lobby as well. Both were nice additions that i haven't seen since.

Several times they had live on the pool deck on my last sailing.

I think I do remember this from either the Quest or the Journey now...just along the front next to the glass right? I for sure didn't see on the Onward the last few times....the last time on Onward they had put in those two big oval covered daybed things on each side up there but I didn't see anything further along the deck. That comfy style seating is all I'm talking about --- wish they had more of that up there.

I think they are like double doors that split down the middle so access in an out would be easier I think. My friend sailed on O Regatta (?) I think.... and said he thought they did a good job with what they had to work with, but who knows... he thought it was an improvement over the reno they had done on Onward....but everybody is going to have different opinions on that i guess.

Yes you absolutely are. I fail to understand why you're so concerned about me sharing mine. Anyway, I don't think I'm doing that. I've been sailing with Azamara since the first year the line was introduced. Things were very different onboard then, and I'm sure they will continue to evolve. Things change based on feedback from customers, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Suggesting I am seeking "mass market sensibilty" is not true. A bit better entertainment, some background music from the last decade in the venues and some nicer deck furniture - for sure. That doesn't make me mass market. Initially I didn't like the idea of the Atlas Bar, would have preferred they kept the library as it was my favourite room on board. Then I gave it a chance and tried it, and i like it. Problem is I find it a little too quiet at times and not a fan of the video wall they have to substitute a live performance. So a piano/singer in there, or some contemporary music to liven it up a bit would be a good idea in my opinion. Without it I find that you end up having to listen to the loudest and perhaps drunkest person sitting at the bar all night. 😉

How did I not see this? On the Onward as well???

I'm not familiar with EXPO, what is it? I think there is a balance they can try to achieve - offering a few more activities and entertainment that appeal to a slightly younger crowd - without going full Celebrtiy. Don't know how they possibly could do that with such smaller ships anyway. The lack of entertainmet options drive me a little bit batty so there are definitely times that I'm bored to tears. But then I'm an extrovert and like current music. I guess that's considered a bad thing by some on these boards, but I just can't listen to the same old cruise ship songs over and over. I love the ships and the itineraries and the crew so I keep coming back. I don't think the food is necessarily any better than the other lines but that is probably just personal taste. The lack of shuttles lately has definitely been annoying though.