floridafolks

3 hours ago, btaylor1200 said:

 

Is mid-cruise Covid testing mandatory? 

 

 

We are currently on Quest TA and only mandatory testing was at embarkation. Captain announced that covid testing was available for passengers flying home to countries which require it.
We are staying on for B2B and learned that no additional covid test will be needed for B2Bers- the first one we had upon embarking 1st leg was sufficient. 

1 hour ago, KirkNC said:

Wow, just saw Martin Kaye on Quest do an Elton John show, OMG, seriously good.

Yes yes absolutely fantastic!  Wish he were staying on for next cruise- says he leaves in Madeira.

2 hours ago, Harrietq said:

We board Quest 5 April. (Yay!) Am I correct in assuming Azamara does not provide masks to passengers? I want to make sure we bring along enough. 
 

We returned to cruising last October on another line that provided masks.

 

I can’t wait to not have to ask this question. 🙂

They do provide masks. My DH rather likes them as his glasses do not fog like with other masks- they are kinda big, but soft.

3 hours ago, KirkNC said:

I guess it ties into this:

 

Effective for all sailings from U.S. ports, masks are recommended but are not required while indoors. Masks may be required in ports of call depending on local governments mandates.

For all other non-U.S. sailings departing outside of the U.S., masks will continue to be required indoors when physical distancing isn’t possible, including public areas, terminals, during shore excursions and in ports of call based on local government regulations. You will not be required to wear a mask in staterooms, while dining, or in outdoor spaces when physical distancing is possible.

We will continue to update our mask policy as protocols evolve and change.

Yes - on current TA from US port(Miami) we received email regarding masks info contained in your first paragraph.

For 3/29 and 4/5 sailings from non- US ports(Lisbon) we received email regarding masks contained in your 2nd paragraph.

Of course things change often, so we just listen to announcements as to what to do. 

1 hour ago, Skicruiser55 said:

FloridaFolks - would you ask what night the White Night is on our 4/5 sailing.  

I am not sure they know. When we boarded they were just settling on date of White Night for this cruise- they really tried to settle based on weather so we could hold it outside. I will ask a little closer to the sailing if that is ok. I think we will get a better answer. At least we know it will not be night of Destination Celebration. 

2 hours ago, LeCommandant said:

how many people onboard ? any idea? 😉

I hear various numbers 225-240. They had expected 350 before late cancellations. 
They expect 400-450 on next two cruises- but with itinerary changes there could be some cancellations. With those numbers, they are considering opening both prime C and Aqualina with both menus. Currently reservations are for Prime C, but Aqualina is open with extra seating. The menu currently is an abbreviated version combining  both restaurants. 

1 hour ago, difranco said:

Joining Quest on 29th March. What is Azamara’s current protocol for mask wearing inside and outdoors on this Transatlantic cruise ? Did it change when the one covid case was announced ?

Taken from the Insider- onboard : mask wearing when indoors and social distancing is not required but highly recommended.

No change in policy since one covid case announced.

At today’s noon announcement captain said the one covid case is in quarantine and one in isolation(close contact but covid negative)

We have noticed more passengers voluntarily wearing masks since the covid case, but not required. 
 

However, before embarking on this TA, we did have notice that masks required on our next two cruises. Mar 29 and Apr 5.

13 hours ago, DS said:

WOW.... just WOW... Tonight was the Azamara Circle "top cruiser" event, and as you may know, they often have a short entertainment event at it.   Tonight, first Amanda and Danny ( once and future Assistant CD) did their duet of "This is the song that goes like this".   This was followed by a special performance, of a Beethoven piano sonata by.... the Captain!   Captain Jonas played the whole "tempest" sonata and it was quite wonderful.   Who Knew!

Before boarding Quest,  we had seen a video online of the captain playing a classical piano piece and really were hoping he would again play at the Circle top cruiser event. When boarding our Circle info card said invitation would come announcing time and place of that event- well no invitation made it- so we unfortunately are disappointed to have missed it.  Glad you enjoyed it!  

3 hours ago, laurieb said:

Last cruise, they also had a station for special breakfast offerings 

Good to know- on this transatlantic they keep taking away an hour, so breakfast for me consists of a new regiment- going to sunset veranda outside Windows for a “sex on the beach” drink( better than a mimosa) followed by lunch!    - makes for a very relaxing day-

New captain Jonas Lyddby has been keeping us between 2 low pressure systems and we have had great weather! No new Covid cases announced today- hopefully one and done.

On Quest- a nice touch in Windows cafe at lunch- special station daily, like live Pasta one day , Fresh Sushi another. Today is French with Bouillabaisse. 

6 hours ago, G2G said:

Did he say if it was a passenger or staff?

He did not say in his noon announcement. I asked and was told a passenger. Many staff are now double masking and more passengers are wearing masks in closed spaces. 
On a positive note- we had a wonderful White Night party on deck last night -great fun- even got hubby on dance floor( which usually does not happen!)

1 hour ago, KirkNC said:

Something else to be aware of.  We are on the Quest for a B2B2B cruise and on the first two legs, the Cruise Critic M&G has been on embarkation day.  It was at 6:00 pm the first time and 5:00 pm today.  Many aren’t looking for it so early.

Where? I registered but no notice. Isn’t 5pm sail away time?

10 hours ago, DS said:

We are!   Drive to Miami in Am, board in PM.   Anybody know how mnay pax?

We are looking forward to boarding today too- will stay on for following 2 cruises like you.  
I too wonder how many onboard- our last B2B cruises in Nov on Azamara had 107 and 170. Hopefully passenger count has picked up.

58 minutes ago, difranco said:

Spoke to Azamara Customer Services this morning and they have confirmed the following regarding covid entry requirements.

Regarding Morocco, they are still planning to sail to both Agadir and Casablanca. The PCR test carried out on embarkation on 29th will still be within the 48hr window for entry into Morocco (Agadir) and as we will not have left Moroccan territorial waters to get to Casablanca there will be no requirement for an additional PCR test.

Passenger locator forms will still be needed for entry into Gibraltar and Spain, plus when returning to Portugal. AZAMARA will be assisting with these forms and generating QR codes.

IMHO the only reason AZAMARA are still entertaining ports of call in Morocco for this cruise is the fact that the negative embarkation PCR tests will still be valid.

Other cruise lines with larger ships visiting Morocco beyond 48hrs from the embarkation PCR test would need to re-test all passengers. This could throw up a large number of positive cases which would become their liability whilst still on board.

Random test by all port authorities could be a possibility so it is a good idea to be covid safe whilst on board.

That is interesting as I thought that the test at embarkation was an antigen test where result come back quickly. 

Also I believe Viking Jupiter had a scheduled stop in Casablanca Morocco on April 3  that has been cancelled. They have already received a revised schedule plus OBC and 25% FCC as they lost a couple other stops as well on a 21 day cruise. 

In regard to the Mar 29th Quest sailing referenced by OP,  we have scheduled stops in both Agadir and Casablanca  on a 7 day Morocco and Iberia voyage. I can imagine Azamara would be looking at alternate plans in case ports are closed. In these times, flexibility is a must.  
 

13 hours ago, aliaschief said:

The large steel band and Soul Sisters were a fantastic Azamara Destination show tonight. Entertainment on Quest by entertainers has been superb. Getting ready to drop lines and head over to St Barts and dock for the night one hour away. 
 

Ate at Windows tonight Moroccan theme dinner tonight at Sunset bar. Until Azamara gets back to full capacity some venues menus and selections are reduced. Like tonight’s Window’s menu was only the Moroccan theme.

 

Off to St. Barts but not many excursion offerings.

Enjoying your onboard reporting! We will be on the next cruise - in YOUR current cabin!  Glad to hear it is a fairly quiet location- never know about those deck 8 cabins. 
 

43 minutes ago, KirkNC said:

How about a follow up question?  How about if you are on a B2B with legs of 11 or 12 days?  Two bags I suspect?

One bag each leg

1 hour ago, manc said:

Do Azamara still give you additional on board credit when you sail B2b?

 

We are sailing from Amsterdam round Scotland to Duin and then Dublin to Southampton in 2023

If these are 12 and 10 day cruises, they both would add $400 OBC. There is an online form to fill out to make the request. 

I think the Experience More packages are a good value, especially on longer voyages. With so much OBC, that might be an idea. 

1 hour ago, skrufy said:

Used SAS round trip this past December. Made reservations on line for the trip to the POM. Was e-mailed back with a pickup time, no mention of minimum passengers. If you use them for return, there's no place on their website to request a scheduled pickup. Talk to the driver when you reach the POM. The two drivers we had were great.

Thanks

I only need one way so no problem there.

The online reservation form makes me enter one of the three times for pickup from includedhotels.  Did you get picked up from hotel or airport?  Pickup from airport has different online registration form. 

I am looking for transfer from FLL area hotel (on SAS covered list) to POM.  I tried calling SAS for questions but no one answers call. In their online reservation it says there are only 3 times for hotel pick- up. 

Question 1.  Approximately how long should we allow for transfer? I am trying to arrive near my scheduled port embarkation arrival time so I want to pick best pick up time.

Question 2.  In the fine print, it says minimum passengers required. How and when would we know that there are enough passengers to meet minimum and not get cancelled?

Thank you

14 hours ago, betsey said:

Perhaps because Spain is now requiring booster vaccines to travel there?

 

I thought as of Mar 1 that Azamara is requiring booster of all eligible passengers.

Have there been any reports of upgrade bids accepted since the restart?  I know there have been email offers to bid on upgrade, but I have not seen anyone who actually bid and had upgrade accepted. Am I missing something? 

24 minutes ago, sleeg said:

You bet things are confusing.  We went FLL(Delta)>ATL(DELTA)>ATH.  Today, it seems like no test is required for USA>Greece; the page has changed.  I know it has been changed because it is more specific and includes the very recent Sputnik vaccine update. 

 

So, to make a short story long, here goes.  When we booked there was NO test requirement.  Two days before the flight we got a Delta email: "Know What to Expect on Your Upcoming Trip" directing us to the Delta Discover Map that said tests "MAY be required"; then go to "more requirement details" page where it said tests ARE required.  Then call Delta Customer Service: a test is DEFINATELY required. 

 

Things change....

 

 

Things change for sure! Thanks- I think maybe I will make appt at CVS for test before flight just in case they make another last minute change.  
 

44 minutes ago, sleeg said:

With us, yup and yup.  Delta: needed test/CDC card to get on the plane to ANYWHERE in Europe.  We went to Greece, spent 14 days on the islands and planed to Venice; no test required (CDC card, yes) because we were US citizens staying in an EU country more than 10 days.  Less than 10 days, test required.  Stayed in Venice 2 days, got tested at Holland America embarkation (CDC card, yes).   So, if we stayed in Greece for a week it would have been test/test/test.

 

Good for you if you are in Rome 4 days. Theoretically, you are free to enter restaurants, etc with your CDC card; actually, you can if the proprietor knows for US citizens the CDC card = Green Pass.  Then, on shipboard, it is only cruise sponsored shore excursions in Italy (at this time). 

Did your trip to Greece on Delta happen to have a connection? When I put in direct flight from JFK to Ath on Delta, I cannot see a covid test requirement to board plane if you have vaccine proof. Could you point to where Delta says a test and CDC card for Greece( when not connecting in another airport that requires test.  Things are so confusing. Thank you.