takemewithyou

2 hours ago, sofietucker said:

Newbies here. So we usually eat at a suite-targeted restaurant on embarkation day--Luminae on Celebrity, Club O on HAL, etc. Sometimes there's a special luncheon for past guests of various sorts, or a specialty restaurant is open for lunch on embarkation day. Oceania didn't offer anything but their general buffet, and that was fine...but kind of hectic. Being that Quest is a much smaller ship, should we expect that there are options besides the Windows Cafe or MDR?

Embarkation Day…..windows.  That’s it.  It’s not hectic.  You could go to cafe for small sandwiches and sweets.  The Living room has scones and sweets at tea time in afternoon and then switches to tapas around 5 pm.

1 hour ago, rtdiva said:

Thanks! Very helpful information from you. It states on the web boarding is staggered according to deck around 1:30. As with other ships I’m sure it’s allowed to board when you arrive.  

I believe you are probably doing the exact same itinerary that we just completed on 6/24 Ireland Intensive.  If you have any questions, I am happy to help.  It was a great cruise! 
 

You might also read our roll call Pursuit 6/13-6/24/23 for a lot of discussion on the port of Dublin, etc.

49 minutes ago, rtdiva said:

Thanks! Very helpful information from you. It states on the web boarding is staggered according to deck around 1:30. As with other ships I’m sure it’s allowed to board when you arrive.  

We had early boarding due to loyalty status, but they really weren’t checking that and people were arriving right from the airport and there really is no terminal to wait in so they were allowing everyone to just board.

10 hours ago, rtdiva said:

We arrive before noon in Dublin, I read boarding is at 4:00. Does Azamara allow early luggage drop off? Do you think “lost luggage” could be a problem? Or does anyone know of a luggage storage place in the port? 

We embarked from Dublin on Pursuit 6/13.  We are arrived at the port at noon and we were allowed to board around 12:30 pm,  

You should know there is no terminal at the port where Azamara docks.  There is only a tent.  you hand your luggage over as soon as you enter the gates.  You are directed to the tent to wait and your hand luggage goes thru X ray there.  The rest of your check in is done onboard the ship in the cabaret lounge.

9 minutes ago, aliaschief said:

Spent most of June on Journey cruising two back to backs. We both disembarked feeling we had been on a perfect cruise experience.

That’s great when it all goes fine.  We have just come off Pursuit and all was good except sound levels on White Night.  

But I do not like what I am reading on some recent posts involving misleading shore excursions……not delivering what was promised and not receiving refunds.

 
I am still concerned not about management on ships but management in Head Office in Miami.

It seems like the shore excursion department is not under the HD control and that’s why Tomas could not help out as much as he probably would have liked to,  It’s just another area of concern that Azamara does not need to have going on right now.

Its under Miami’s  control and that’s where I see mismanagement right now,

Some HD’s are more visible than others.  There will never be another Philip or Heike.

5 minutes ago, Birdie91436 said:

We are first time (and probably last time) Azamara cruisers. We had a similar experience on our France Intensive cruise.  Our starting time was changed although the other groups for the same tour left on time.  The tour was billed as The Landing Beaches of Normandy which was supposed to involve a visit to Omaha Beach (as the primary attraction) , the American Cemetary and a walk past Sainte-MereEglise with a sip of coffee and pastries at a local coffee shop.  We were also supposed to listen to first-hand accounts of the battle.  This was not the tour we got (although the other groups did seem to have a much better experience).  Our tour guide knew nothing about WWII or D Day.  The extent of her knowledge seemed to extend to a couple notes she had as to the parachutist caught on the top of the church and the statement that on D Day the Omaha beach was bloody.  Instead of a short walk by Sainte-MereEglise, we were given 45 minutes free time (with nothing to actually see in the town other than a fabulous Airborne museum which we were told we didn't have time for), followed by a 30 minute break for coffee and unimpressive cookies.  So we basically wasted over an hour doing nothing.  We then headed to Omaha Beach where we were given 10 minutes to look at a memorial....no walking on the beaches,  nothing about the battle.  The only part of the tour that worked was the visit to the American Cemetary and even then she did not mention the fabulous visitor center exhibits.

When we got back, at least 2/3 of the people on the tour went to complain to Guest Services and filled out complaints with Shore Excursions.  Two days later I went to check with shore excursions to see what (if anything was happening).  I was told they had contacted the tour operator and needed to get "both side of the story" (basically calling the passengers who complained liars) and they would get back me later that evening. We were finally giving a 99% refund on the tour as a non refundable credit.  This was the last day of the cruise so that wasn't really very useful.  After a long exchange with Guest Services we were able to get the refund changed to a refundable credit so we did get the cash we paid for the tour back.  

Needless to say,  we are not impressed with Azamara's treatment of their guests and probably will not travel with them again.  

 

Which ship?  Did you ever speak to Hotel Director?  

1 hour ago, Baynanno1 said:

The Insider is one of the first things we check out after accessing our stateroom.

Always!

5 minutes ago, cb2000 said:

Thanks so much! I will relay this to our Roll Call participants.

This is a question that comes up a lot, Glad to help out! 
 

@Host Jazzbeau Perhaps we should have a sticky about it to let people know you can no longer register for a Cruise Critic Meet and Greet on Azamara website, but there is still one provided on embarkation day.  It’s confusing! I have even been asked on my roll calls about this from other roll calls.

39 minutes ago, cb2000 said:

Does anyone know how to register for Meet & Mingle for an upcoming cruise?

Under Meet & Mingle there is a notice from February that registration was paused yet we know they are still going on.

I registered October for our July 20 cruise on Journey and got a confirmation. Others on our Roll Call would also like to register. 
Any advice appreciated! Thanks!

You can no longer register for the meet and mingle…..either on CruiseCritic or on Azamara web site.  Since Azamara revamped their website, they dropped the registration for the meet and mingle.  No worries, though.  There is still a meet and mingle for CC that will be in the Azamara daily program, The Insider.  be ready for it to be the day of embarkation.
 

We had a roll call of over 60 people on our Azamara Pursuit sailing to Ireland.  We had ours on embarkation at 5 pm in the Living Room, port side.  It was all set up by Azamara, with no input from us.  It is unhosted, just show up.  There are usually not any officers there anymore but it gives you the opportunity to meet up with those on the roll call you have been chatting with.  There are plenty of bar servers to serve drinks.

18 minutes ago, cruisingsfun said:

Can anyone see what cruises get the 20% off?

No.  I can not see it on the web site at all.

Not under Azamara Circle, not under Deals, etc.

I would like to know where it is hidden.

3 hours ago, kml246 said:

 

Just got off her this morning after 18 terrific days. Hope you have the same wonderful voyage. 

 

Kevin 

Safe travels home Kevin (and Nan). Glad you had a great time! 

We walked around trying to find a place that the volume might be less, like the pool bar or even up on deck 10 at the back.  The loudspeakers seemed to be turned up everywhere.  It wasn’t quieter even in those areas.

And we weren’t the only ones who noticed it and they also left.  I hope they mentioned it on their surveys, also.

1 hour ago, JYDCruise said:

Just got off the Quest last week (Istanbul - Athens) and the White Night was a lot of fun. We loved the atmosphere, the food was varied and good, and the entertainment fine (and not excessively loud). Watching the sunset over Santorini certainly didn't hurt! The event might lend itself better to a warmer environment?

We never had an overly loud environment at White Night in last 6 cruises on Azamara and always loved White Night.  That’s what made this so disappointing.

We were all excited for it. I think it has to do with the sound levels used in and the band and entertainment staff.

Glad you got to experience a wonderful White Night! it really is usually a fun night.

Completed my post cruise survey and thoughts on White Night, for what it’s worth.  The only significant negative for the Ireland Intensive cruise on Pursuit for us.  Otherwise, we had a great cruise.

4 hours ago, uktog said:

We had that issue on Journey.  The cruise director stood and listened one night after mid cruise feedback and agreed.  He discussed it with the pianist but basically she would not take onboard the feedback, I am not sure if they renewed her contract.  I think the problem is with the particular artist, if they are happy to be the background with a little more interaction as appropriate it works fine but if they see the Den as "their show" and a place to dominate, it spoils everything.  As you say, the whole point of the Den is to meet with others and we have to be able to hear them

That’s the thing!  We were with new people last night at White Night and we were trying to converse.  We were shouting over the sound checks and then the beginning music.  We couldn’t hear each other speak!  And it is embarrassing when you are with new people who we might have had a nice conversation with, but couldn’t over the loud music and then had to excuse ourselves early! 
My husband actually spoke to the Captain to no avail….I am sad to say.

I think they ( the staff) felt this was this was their show as the singers and dancers are on their last contract and wanted to properly sent them off, but this show is actually for the paying passengers!   That is my opinion only.

31 minutes ago, travelberlin said:

I only go to the white party after dinner and only to get the dessert. I have realized about it being to loud also so I try to find a place as far as possible from the loudspeakers.

Ivi

Have never had this experience before and this is third cruise on Azamara since Covid.  Believe me, we will rethink White Night plans after this. 

Well, here we go…..first negative from our Pursuit Ireland Intensive and I am sad to report this.  We got all dressed in white to go to White Night.  Food was pretty mediocre.  But the worst was the decibel level right from the start.  We have enjoyed the band almost every evening in the LR but tonight their music was different, Really loud party music while we were still trying to make conversation and eat.  
 

There was no easing into the party with slower music to get people started.  It went right into loud party music and never stopped!  We actually asked staff to get the music toned down during the beginning of the evening and it never happened so…we left!  First time in many Azamara cruises we couldn’t take the loud music!  Pretty disappointed.

Oh well, we need a good nights sleep.

From Pursuit Ireland Intensive:  Today we are in Cobh and we took the train into Cork.  Absolutely gorgeous weather!  White Night tonight.  Sea day and then back to Southampton and disembarkation….sadly.  It has been a great cruise! 

Tonight we are attending a Rijsttafel Meal…..Indonesian Rice Table.

I have always wanted to attend one of these on Azamara and have not seen them offered post Covid but happy to report they are back! 

Greetings from Azamara Pursuit Ireland Intensive!

We have gone from Belfast to Derry, then Killibegs, and today we are in Galway!  It was as fun as ever …..Love Galway!  Today was a tender port.  Captain says we will sail past the Cliffs of Moher this evening…an added treat to see the cliffs from the ship.

We do have a lecturer on board….Steven Mayo-Smith, who has been giving informational lectures on the ports we are visiting.  We will be attending his next one soon.

We had two excellent shows from an Irish comic named George Casey, who was hilarious!  His shows were packed.

From Ireland Intensive cruise on Pursuit:  Internet was spotty yesterday as we had rain on our second day in Belfast.  Looks like possibly more rain coming as we are in Derry today.  
 

We had our Amazing evening in Belfast at St Anne’s.  I thought the choir we were going to have perform was from the Cathedral, but apparently it was the Dublin Gospel Choir.  The voices were beautiful and very professional.  The concert was quite long and the chairs were hard wooden seats so the only negative point would be that it was quite long…..about an hour and 45 min.  We were served Guiness or old fashioned whisky cocktails.  I didn’t see any appetizers.   Everything was managed very well.   

2 minutes ago, laurieb said:

We booked a club continent for 2025 and were required to pay a 2200.00 suite deposit, which is new.  Always been 1100.00 for a CC before the changeover 

Whoa!  That’s new, for sure!  

4 minutes ago, Mackdogmolly said:

When we were in Dublin years ago on a land trip, we found the people there incredibly warm and friendly too.

Yes, this is my 4th trip to Ireland over the many yrs.  That’s why I was surprised we had no offers of help in Dublin.  I have always found the people to be warm and friendly.