tabatha1

Thanks very much for this info. Hopefully 

this will be resolved quickly and we can go on our cruise to the Canaries from Southampton in Oct and get insurance🤞. 

Just to addd our experience, we were on exactly the same cruise in June-the last one before The Venus left for Malta. Everything was incredibly well organised. 
We are repeating it on 14 Aug as it was so enjoyable. Everything I have received and read so far indicates exactly the same processes and protocols ie

only included excursions available before boarding , PCR test in cabin after boarding, early boarding to allow for PCR processing. The PCR tests take a few hours to process so you are free to leave the cabin once you have handed over your test tube. Viking sends out very good info sheets with everything detailed as you approach your cruise date. 

The included Scillies tour to Tresco gardens is great. We are doing it again. Alternative tours, to St Mary’s for example, could be booked on board. And we were free to walk around at Tresco once we were  off the local boat transfer rather than stay in a group. 

Re the website, app etc- they are constantly working on them as there are a few bugs that need sorting so they are both occasionally unavailable from time to time. Things have had to be changed for the UK market/cruises so we were told. 

Hope this info helps. It’s a great cruise with very slick Covid protocols that just become part of a quick daily routine  ie do your test, fill in a short daily health form, get your temperature taken at a machine you stand in front of.  Plus the usual hand washing, masks when walking around etc. 

Additional Excursions:

We were on this cruise a few weeks ago and could only book additional excursions once we were on board. 

Deck 3:

Recently on Viking Venus Uk cruise and an area of Deck 3 was permanently closed off. The team looking after the area explained that it’s permanently sealed off and prepared in case of a need for quarantine. Fortunately not needed on our cruise but all part of Viking’s incredibly impressive protocols. 

Car parking: Mobility Issues

We were on the sailing at the end of June. My husband has torn foot ligaments so we were taken with our hand luggage from the car park (Apcoa) to the terminal on a buggy. On return I got the car and drove round to the terminal while he waited outside with the bags. We didn't arrange this in advance but everyone was very helpful.  But it might be worth giving them a call to check. 

18 minutes ago, jenna37 said:

I have just had a quick look and cannot find an embarkation radial button. On which tab is is please?

It’s under excursions -Portsmouth. Also 26 June booking slots available. 

Can't speak to conditions on board Pursuit, but some of us who have sailed with Captain Carl would find this assessment amusing.

Couldn't agree more. Captain Carl exemplifies great leadership.

After the India visa saga now comes Myanmar:)

 

We are on the 17th November cruise from Chennai to Singapore, this cruise stops in Yangon for two nights

 

Does anybody (?Phil - excitedofharpenden) have any experience in how Azamara handle Myanmar, I'm being given conflicting advice

 

Thanks Sue

Hello

Azamara Customer Services UK has emailed me with the info that I can purchase them aboard for US$35pp but you may wish to double check that with them for your own peace of mind

Thanks very much Kamlee, Alfredo1 and Bonnie for the info. Much appreciated. Azamara Customer Services UK has also been back in touch to clarify the position.

CC is a fabulous resource and Bonnie's input is invaluable.

Hi

This post on the roll call for the cruise may help:

http://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2087750&page=6

Sorry-previous post submitted before I'd finished. If you scroll down the page you will see some info re the shuttles.

Hi

This post on the roll call for the cruise may help:

http://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2087750&page=6

What is a Restricted Area? This is a new query for me.

Thanks Bonnie and Marinaro for your interest.

Bonnie, If you could investigate this it would be very helpful. P Blair is not a maiden port for Azamara and so the knowledge must be somewhere. I have posted this on the roll call for 17 Nov Journey in case others are also looking at it or maybe already have the answer.

Hi

We are UK passengers calling at Port Blair on a Nov cruise. Just wondering if anyone has experience of this and whether they were able to get the Restricted Area Permit (RAPS) on arrival. Info on this is fairly minimal and Azamara Customer Service is being rather unhelpful and directing us to visa agents. We have received our Indian visas but despite including applications for RAPs they haven't provided them. We have queried this but no response as of yet. Thanks.

We are booked on B2B 3 Nov & 17 Nov and am concerned to see that there are issues regarding tour cancellations. This is an itinerary driven cruise for us and would like to feel confident that tours will go ahead as booked. We generally do our own thing and book private tours but this time have also booked a few Land D's. I understand that tours do get cancelled from time to time due to lack of demand but it does seem that cancellations are becoming more common place.

We can only hope that some joined up thinking takes place in Miami asap. We don't have Land D's OBC credit so that is not our direct issue but if it is causing cancellations due to guests holding off tour bookings until boarding then Miami needs to resolve it so that we can actually "immerse" ourselves in destinations as promised.

No, but thanks for reminding me. I'll shoot off a msg to the itinerary dept again.

 

Flash update...my Itin Dept says they are waiting for more info from the Port Agent in Maldives.

As soon as I hear I'll post.

Hi Bonnie

Is there any news yet? Thanks

Hi This problem has been around for at least a couple of months. We are sailing from Barcelona to Venice on 21 July but according to regular emails from Azamara we are going to The Black Sea! I suspect this was the original voyage scheduled but IT hasn't caught up yet. I reported it to Nicole at LCV but we had another email just a few days ago. Its no big deal for us but does look very unprofessional - in contrast to the actual cruise experience which is fabulous.

Hi Bonnie

We are based in the UK and our last Az cruise was July 2015. Certainly for the last few years we have always been able to download our edocument brochure from the website. From memory I think the download access button has appeared once we have made our final payment and completed all the passenger information. We are joining the Journey on 21 July and, whilst we have been able to get our express passes, the eDoc is not available from the website.

Our situation is resolved as my TA has provided us with a link to access the eDoc in a PDF. He has always offered to provide our documents in the past but this has been unnecessary because of the website facility. So has this option been removed now? Or is it just a temporary glitch? Would be good to know.

We are travelling on 21 July and the usual "button" to download our cruise booklet is missing. We usually print just a few pages with key info such as pier address, emergency contacts, flight and transfer info. I have queried this with our TA who is contacting Azamara to find out what is happening. We have our Xpress pass but it is rather odd to have absolutely nothing else.

Thank you Marmaduke,

 

We are considering going to Oia but had thought we might take the boat from the quayside. But it's great to have options.

We did this last July when we were on The Journey. Very enjoyable-boat from dock, shuttle bus from port to Oia town, then bus back to Thira on return-all included in ticket price.

There was just one other smallish cruise ship there with us but it was still very busy so important to get timing right for the cable car as the queue can be very long and uncomfortable in the heat. The right timing for a short queue depends on the ship departure times so we made sure we got back before the rush and walked straight on.

When I was perusing the brochure online, I read that when restaurants are open guests can order off the menu for room service. Is this still the case?

Our experience has been that we have always been able to order one glass of wine or beer per guest with a meal when we have asked.

I can't 100% remember whether it was during restaurant hours but think probably not as one time was very late after return from an Azamazing Evening.

We stayed at the Fairmont in a club room. The club lounge was exceptional with free flowing Moet all evening and a generous buffet which was more than enough for dinner. You also have the option to have breakfast around the pool

which was fantastic. Its on the Hop on Hop off bus route, opposite Raffles and had an enormous shopping mall and food court below it. Great service and wonderful views. Free internet if you join their loyalty club. Not cheap but we though it was excellent value. Staying there again next year.

No warnings on the US state dept site.

 

I'm curious as to the credibility of the Express?

I certainly wouldn't consult the Express newspaper for travel advice.

The refugee situation in Europe, anti American/Anti Semitism and unsettled political and financial situation in Europe has caused me to not want to visit Europe. Last time we were in Istanbul the Syrian invasion really impacted touring in the city. In Italy - even in the smaller towns we did not feel safe as we had in the past.

 

It is a personal choice, but, there are some lovely places to go without much political and social impact.

Yes Europe has issues but so do most places. We visit Istanbul regularly and I can't say that anything has impacted adversely on our recent visits. We are going back in 5 weeks time and can't wait. Generally local people are very grateful of your visit in difficult times. We love to travel and, for us, life is too short to be constrained by what ifs. We welcome American visitors here in Wales and hope you continue to visit.

But as you say it is a personal choice.

Bonnie, thanks for your confirmation that Kibo restaurant will be open for general use until 5pm. Good to hear. I am sure Azamara have many brains working on the new plans (!), but from what you have said wanted to add my own thoughts from observations I've had. Randomly:

 

• At the moment I estimate there is seating for about 75 at Windows Outdoor. It would be interesting to know what capacity there will be at Kibo. From the pictures I would think about 20 less than that. The tables for four reduces from around 17 to 8. That's quite a reduction.
  
• The current seating at Windows Outdoor is great. The seats are very comfortable. From the renderings I can see the chairs to be used are the same as those currently on the Thelassotherapy deck. They are OK, but not that great to sit on. Not a patch on what we have at the moment.
  
• You talk of deck 10. I agree with marinaro. It can get awfully windy up there and not a great spot when the ship is sailing, unless it is calm weather. As ellbon says walkers and joggers use that area until quite late too. I just don't think it's practical.
  
• Deck 11 whilst a nice idea on paper is not ideal, not just because of the wind, but because it can only be accessed via steep stairs. There is no elevator. It is a good spot for sunning during the day, but not for drinks. Its too remote from the bar and staff would struggle to man it properly carrying trays up those stairs. BTW, there is already a roaming bar tender service there. Some of the bar tenders roam much better than others!
  
• It's difficult to make comment of the new Pool Grill area as we haven't seen any details or pictures, but I've never felt it has an outdoors feeling because it is enclosed. Not a place to watch the stars or sunset.
  
• It will be good to see the Pool Bar area plans, but unless there is decent shade there and in warm climates it gets so hot as there is no breeze. Not a place I'd want to sit and eat. Pass by for a drink, yes.
  

 

Sorry, it sounds like I'm just moaning, but I've tried to be constructive in what I have said. I'm very disappointed at the "enhancements" to Windows Outdoor having studied and pondered some more and feel that the suggested alternatives that are being considered haven't been thought out properly and perhaps thrown out there to placate us a bit.

 

Phil

Agree 100%

My husband and I enjoyed our first Azamara cruise on Quest last year after cruising many times with Celebrity and Royal Caribbean.

 

We loved everything about our Azamara cruise experience from the ship to the excellent staff and service on board and also the Azamazing evening and white night party. One of the most memorable pleasures we enjoyed on board was dining outside on the back of the ship in the evening watching the sunset together with the wonderful themed buffets and delicious food.

 

It was one of the main factors that persuaded us to take another Azamara cruise on Journey this August.

 

Having read about the planned re-fit onboard the ships, although everything sounds and looks amazing i.e. the cabins etc. my husband and I will be most disappointed if you are no longer able to dine outside at the sunset bar in the evening and enjoy the wonderful themed buffets if this is replaced with a pay for Asian restaurant.

 

I agree with others that this would have been better situated where the pool grill is and leave the back of the ship sunset bar as it is with the themed buffets and the choice of eating at a table on the back of the ship outside enjoying the wonderful views and sunset.

Azamara is the only ship where I willingly go to the buffet in the evening - a bowl of 'bespoke' stirfry and a cold glass of wine is perfect, so sitting at the Sunset Bar watching the wake is one of my favourite places on the ship. Some cruises we eat there every night!

Sad to see this go.

:(

We couldn't agree more. And this area is very weather/wind dependant so it will be interesting to see how it works in practice.

The new décor looks great. Also an enhanced evening Grill experience, similar to Oceania, will be very welcome if that's what's planned.