Aardvaark

Seemed fair to me.  We'll find out about the training of the service staff next month when we return to Journey. 

Our favorite places, according to our mood and the time of day, are the Patio for lunch, the Drawing Room to get/return a book, the Den for trivia contests, the Sunset Verandah for a libation whenever it suits us, and the Living Room to see what's ahead (and for little nibblies).

Of course we have to visit Customer Relations when something goes amiss, where we consult with Ferdinand the Fixer.

We used Choice Air to a cruise that was affected by the advent of Covid.  Several countries denied us entry.  The cruise terminated in Muscat vice Dubai.  All through this, ChoiceAir changed our return flights to the states; we didn't need to do a thing. 

Those that did their own flights were going nuts trying to find connections home.

I picked up a case of diarrhea while in Seville.  Very good doctor examined me to make sure it wasn't something else, gave Imodium and anti-bacterial pills and sent me on. 

We were also part of a party, one of whom was diagnosed with Covid.  The nurses looked at us daily to ensure we were not.  The victim was place in an adjacent window cabin for the duration and his changed bills to get home were picked up by Azamara. 

I have no fear of medical distress on Azamara.

This will be a down-check regarding this ship.  I understand it, but don't like it.

On 3/20/2022 at 12:22 PM, Mackdogmolly said:

Happy spring, or as we call it in Vermont - mud season!!

As soon as I reached the age of reason, I departed Michigan for better climes.

On 3/16/2022 at 9:17 PM, roberts2005 said:

To bring up an old topic, does anyone know what type of tonic they have on board.

Schweps last November.

13 hours ago, Mackdogmolly said:

I am wondering why the included beverage list is no longer on the website. 🤨

Might be due to excluding Russian liquors and not ready for printing.

https://www.azamara.com/booked-guests/onboard-packages/beverage-packages will show the premium and ultimate drinks packages.  Also a wine package.

Complimentary booze is not shown but is of the Beefeaters gin level.  Complementary wines depend on what they've purchased - it rotates day to day.  I find it fun to try the different wines.

On 2/23/2022 at 9:54 AM, nordski said:

We also have “mud” season when trucks are limited as to Gross Vehicular Weight.

 

There is a perhaps an apocryphal story from the prairies that a spring road sign carried this message:

 

Be careful which ruts you choose to drive in,

 

You are going to be in them for the next 5 miles.

Love this sign we encountered one day:

See Azamara's web for some information:

https://www.azamara.com/life-onboard/entertainment-activities  (scroll down, look at each ship).

The cabaret entertainers have several different themes for the shows at sea (some also when the ship gets underway early enough).  The musicians get together in various combinations to play everything from classic rock to classical.  Trivia contests abound.  Lectures on various subjects when not in port.  And a good library.

We don't believe in groundhogs.  It's 78*f outside and we'll be even warmer soon in Mexico.  Regards to all:

We were allowed check-in today, 15 days prior to sailing.

Pictures from Quest's final voyage before the Covid shutdown.

3 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

I guess I need to clarify......

 

How's the wine service in the MDR as far as working thru getting the wine package, getting it poured and keeping up with your bottles?

We didn't like it all on NA 8/7/21 Alaska 7-day.  Waiters were understaffed and wine service definitely suffered.  No wine steward.  We attributed it (hopefully) to re-staffing woes.  Still, we're going to another line next month & we'll watch these comments before returning to HA.

After having a great time with Reynaldo as our wine steward on a 2019 Norway trip, it was a real downer.

On 9/21/2021 at 9:12 AM, chengkp75 said:

Yes.  That is one of the true accidents, while the majority of them have been due to overloading and improper stability (tipping over).  Much like the Golden Ray, a Ro/Ro that capsized off Savannah, GA a couple years back, and which the NTSB attributed to "improper stability calculations" (duh).

We loved the passages on QotN. 

10 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

At least 12 true ferries or passenger vessels.

Including "Queen of the North"?

41 minutes ago, vicd1969 said:

Hmmm, Taquan and ProMech show up prominently and often in your list. Are there any other major operators in the Ketchikan area? Seems like they may be the safer choice.

Taquan bought ProMech several years ago.

On 7/31/2021 at 10:41 AM, ski ww said:

Bon Voyage, fair winds & smooth seas. Nice to see cruise ships heading out sea again with passengers.

Wish we could stop in Victoria.  We need another dinner at Four Mile House.

What a wonderful greeting!!!  Thanks, and Best Wishes to all Cruisers.

Last week we took the Lake Express catamaran ferry across Lake Michigan from Muskegon to Milwaukee.  Highly recommended, saves going through Chicago.  Capacity 44 automobiles.

Aardvaark is booked 07 August 2021 Seven Day Alaska Explorer on Nieuw Amsterdam.

51 minutes ago, TeaBag said:

We are also very disappointed with the cancellation of our Tokyo to Athens B2B.  This was to be our first taste of Azamara and we were drooling!  Don't know what to do now as there is nothing to book in that area.

We've been cancelled, too.  I have to infer that no line is willing to do all the work and liaison with the multiple governments when they each might change thier minds at any time.  I don't like it, but I suppose I have to accept it.

22 minutes ago, trtog7 said:

Went to Azamara website. New list of cancelled cruises

Our Singapore to Athens May 13 2022 has been cancelled plus all Journeys itinerary previous.

Appears to be low vaccination rates in the area

I can't find this infomation.  Can you provide a link? 

Or perhaps it's just buried in one of the hundreds of pages that don't work right now.

Whitehorse sign taken while on Aurora Borealis tour, Feb 2019.  Temp -15*f.