Xcelsior

Yes of course. I'll continue to sail on both lines. I definitely like Azamara's itineraries better, I'm just lowering my expectations somewhat. Azamara is a little too boring for me, and Celebrity sometimes a little too crowded and busy. It also depends on who you are travelling with and what you are looking for in your vacation. Choice is a great thing.

I can only speak to my own experiences. I was on the Millennium in November and the Solstice in December. I rank the Millennium the best service and food I have had on a cruise in many, many years. It was absolutely excellent. The Solstice had its challenges - mainly with the condition of the ship as it badly needs to be drydocked and refurbished in several areas - but the food in Blu was not as good as the MDR was on Millennium which shocked me. I think ship to ship in all lines can be big differences in quality of food and service. The Onward was not a great experience or value for the dollar in my opinion compared to Celebrity - that being said, I have another cruise booked on Onward as I am not going to let one less than great experience define the entire line or the ship in the future. I just think it's a work in progress and they need to do better.

When I was on the Journey last Summer, there was not mid cruise survey at all, which really suprised me. So the fact that they even had a QR code in the daily to give feedback on the Onward was an improvement. I think I was probably the only person who completed it though. I think this ship is a bit of a mess overall, I noticed a lot of things that were just not up to Azamara standard - used towels piling up all day around the pool, lounge chair fights, lounge chairs scattered haphazardly everywhere after passengers had moved them and left. There were public areas that needed to be cleaned that obviously never were, missing tiles already missing around the thalossotherapy pool (only one jet in the t-pool even worked, the rest were broken and I was told it was not possible to fix them), banged up cabinetry in the staterooms, doors falling off hinges etc. etc. etc. Don't even get me started on the cleanliness of the area directly above the bar in the Living Room. Don't think that area had been cleaned since it was the Pacific Princess.

Onward. I did give feedback on the mid cruise form (which I believe came out on day 3 of a 12 day cruise). This was one of the issues I mentioned. I actually asked the Guest Relations manager to meet with the Hotel Director on Day 1 regarding this and some other issues in my stateroom....he told me that was not possible. On Day 4 another supervisor came to my room to address an issue. I finally saw the Hotel Director about the ship around Day 8. Perhaps was in quarantine...I have no idea.

Completely agree. Just off the Onward and I think there is nothing to distinguish between Azamara and mainstream lines now except for the size of the ship - which of course also brings fewer onboard amenities and activities. I will now only sail with Azamara for the itinerary as the food, service etc. is the same as other lines (honestly, IMHO Celebrity is actually a step UP from Azamara now).

I showed up at my boarding time of 3:30pm. Apparently I was the only person who did as everybody else was already on board. I then got into a HUGE line for specialty reservations they had set up next to the pool with a lot of unhappy passengers. After waiting half an hour, I was told that they were closing and I couldn't make my reservation even though I was already in line. Told to come back at 6pm. Did so...no table, no staff there. Went up to Aqualina where I found the same person. She neglected to tell me that I was supposed to go there instead. Could no longer get what I wanted for all 3 tables. Got two instead, therefore couldn't get the special pricing for 3. Was told that they would have cancellations and contact me later (they didn't). Instead they signed me up for a different package including Aqualina and PrimeC which I didn't want. I was then told later in the cruise when I tried to cancel my Prime C reservation that they could find me a seat at the 3rd Chef's table if I kept my PrimeC reservation. If not, they couldn't. Huh?? Nuts. I cancelled my reservation regardless. This was not good customer service.

Thank you. I thought boarding started at noon.

What are the odds of me being able to buy the chefs table tour if I can’t board the ship until 3:30? Seems a bit unfair if you can only book onboard and they assign you a late boarding slot.

Hello, Wondering if anyone has current pricing on spa deck pass for the Onward. I was onboard Journey in June for 12 nights and believe I paid $99 for one per person and the rate for 2 persons would have been $179 if I remember correctly. Does anyone know what the current rate is? I'm getting mixed answers. Thanks so much!

I used it in on my Greece/Turkey cruise in June - europe regional plan. It was fantastic. Used the regional plan for the Caribbean earlier this month - it was terrible for connectivity.

Did you get any options to bid on suites? I only got the 2 kind so of verandas.

I am on Jan 5 sailing, didn't get an email yet, but I can now pull up the offers on the website.

The Celebrity Blue Chip Club lists a "standard" drink package at Amethyst level and Classic and Premium packages at higher levels of the Club on the Celebrity website. And if you google it...you will find flyers from onboard that show what drinks are included in the Standard, Classic and Premium packages.

It is my understanding that there is a "Standard" beverage package that is below the Classic Drink Package - but I never see it listed on the Celebrity website to purchase. Does anyone know if this still exists or how you can purchase?

That is one heck of a price jump! I was on Journey in July for an 11 night and it was $99 for a single and $170 for a couple.

They would be right about that!

What is the balcony furniture issue?

I meant the lower tables that other lines like Celebrity have, this one looks high enough...just cheap.

I guess that's true. They just look so dang cheap in comparison to the other ships. I really like those - much prefer having the higher table and something I can eat at instead of the lounge type chairs with a low table. It makes the veranda more functional and I spend much more time out there as a result.

It looks to me like the table is too narrow though when placed lengthwise on the veranda for the arms of those chairs to slide under so you can pull it up comfortably to eat. Am I wrong?

Could someone who has sailed on the Onward in a Club Veranda please provide some feedback on the table and chairs on these verandas? They don't look nearly as nice, comfortable or functional as the furniture on the other ships....and the table looks like it would be difficult to get your knees under to have a meal if it is positioned lengthwise on the balcony. If you turn it the other way it probably isn't wide enough for 2 people to sit across from each other while dining. Are these temporary...or are they the real thing?

Have not sailed celebrity since they allowed CC elite cocktail drinks at bars around the ship instead of the hosted event in the lounge. Do they still have the hosted event in the lounge? AND are guests travelling with an elite member who are not elite still allowed to have complimentary drinks?

Same here. New Year's cruise. Best email I've ever received!

Can anyone who has sailed on the Onward tell us if the Locker/Change rooms were refurbed? They are still original on the others - Quest and Journey (not sure about Pursuit) and are REALLY looking shabby and in need of some TLC in my opinion.

No it was not, and that was a disappointment. Go for lunch though, it continues to be great. Perhaps it will be open on your sailing. We had so few passengers it was probably didn't make much sense to have it open I guess. I would rather they kept it open though and close Windows for dinner.