pacheco18

We have free wifi on our upcoming Cape Town to Singapore cruise. It was a booking promotion from Oceania.

We purchase unlimited wifi every cruise. For us it is a necessity. We don't want to count minutes. Too stressful

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

I'm sorry. I'm not tech savy..so are you saying with free internet useI can use the in room laptop or evemy own iphoneto get and send emails as long as I don't use any other of my devices at the same time? Even while at sea?

Yes

One device at a time per cabin account.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

100 cruisers yields 200 opinions

We avoid the gdr for dinner

Food ok. Choices far more limited than terrace and we like to sample

Service excruciatingly slow unless you are invited to dine with an officer

Good thing we all prefer different venues or one of them would be too crowded. Lol

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

If i recall your guide can meet you outside the port gate. It's a short walk. That may be the confusion

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

I know nothing about specialties

Did not try to eat there

No mold

Had two excellent buffets todY. Crew did bbq lunch and we had Italian buffet tonight

Only food fAilure IMO is bread and desserts. I kept the weight off. Lol

Disembark tomorrow and on to glorious Tuscany

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

I wrote a lengthy review on my comment card. I received a voice mail

Just had the French buffet. Food good but they know nothing about tarte tatin. Custom grilled ribeye was terrific

Two staff in mosaic were fighting. Again. How could this be?

I rate food better than before but breads and desserts below par

It really doesn't matter what I think. It is one opinion. People will sAil the line they like. Different strokes

I am shocked by the difference between my two cruises. It is what it is. Lots of choices for us all

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

I loved my first Azamara cruise. Read my review. It was posted here. Very positive. Favorable comparison to Oceania.

Based on that cruise I booked a b2b

This cruise is different

Awful IMO

This line has gone downhill in a year

I will always post my honest opinion.

I don't expect any of you to agree and I don't care if you agree or not

It is what it is and for us it is terrible. We cannot wait to disembark

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Laraine, I think you must be on a different ship from our Quest cruise on Sept 1st.

For us:-

MDR was open every day for breakfast and for lunch on Sea Days.

 

Never saw even one " tacky art auction" on our cruise....although I do agree that the "Art" for sale on board is mostly very tacky. No one in their right mind would buy "Art" from Park West...I just ignore the little Park West corner.

 

Fruit was perfectly acceptable.

 

Most free wines perfectly drinkable too. One or two like the Gebert Bertrand, the Chianti and the NZ Sauvignon Blanc were very good IMHO. I didn't like the Portuguese wines but that's just me.

 

We had a great group of passengers on board. Lots of interesting and lively people to talk to and a really good vibe on board. Lots of music, dancing and a great live band.....the new Russian piano player in the Quest Orchestra was very too. Max was excellent, as always.

 

Crew seemed very happy to us....saw lots of old friends and we were welcomed back enthusiastically. Lots of smiling happy faces as usual.

 

Our cabin and bedding was kept sparklingly clean by our lovely cabin stewardess. Bedding was absolutely fine and we had no complaints at all....and anyone who knows me would say that I'm a clean freak!

 

I don't know how you can say that the Buffet is a "germ factory" ....not our experience at all. For the first 24 hours of any cruise the guests are all served the food until the Captain has given the all clear that no new guest has brought Norovirus on board. Windows cafe always seems very clean to me and unlike my experience on Oceania, Silversea and Celebrity, I have never seen Azamara guests pawing the buffet food.

 

I respect your view that you will never cruise on Azamara again and the Azamara experience isn't for you, but I did feel it was only balanced and fair to say that your opinions of an Azamara Quest cruise are not mine.....or, I think many other cruisers. Its sad that you have not enjoyed your cruise, apart from the itinerary. I was at Hvar a couple of weeks ago and agree it'a a little jewel of a place. I don't know if you found it but there is a little shop there selling hand dyed yarn in beautiful colours. The shop also sells unusual hand knitted scarves. I was a knitting devotee like you then I'm sure I would have made a purchase there.

 

I would also say that you should mention any cleanliness concerns to he Hotel Director on board rather than just on Cruise Critic. He would be very disappointed if any guest had problems and would do everything possible to sort it out.

Of course my opinions are my own. I don't speak for anyone else

I put everything in the comments

A self serve buffet is a germ factory. I sneeze into my hand. I touch the arm of the chair. I shake hands with someone. Then I handle the utensils. Times 700 passengers

My cruise is entirely different from yours. Very disappointing. Fortunately our trip is really about our two weeks InTuscany to follow. We love the ports. Not the ship

My stewardess is great. She has little to work with IMO. Robes are nice Towels fine

Bedding should be replaced. Not dirty. Worn. Old.

Mdr closed except for dinner

Russian pianist ok. Total orchestra off key a lot. SAd we love music and there is none. People watching football instead In bar on 5. Ridiculous

My private guide in Montenegro is the one the ship used for narration on the sail in. Fabulous.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Pacheco..I follow your posts because I think we have a lot in common with our selections. My 1st cruise with AZ was several years prior and I thought the whole experience was fabulous. I loved the mahogany and dark blue colors and it's understated elegance. Off to a B2B on Oceania new Riviera next and truly enjoyed. We prefer to buy our bottle of wine for evening dinner (no need to get polluted at lunch) and most often do our own private drivers for excursions. I highly recommended AZ to my Aussie friends we had met on O who spend large amounts of time abroad on cruises. After our AZ cruise this past May, I was embarrassed to recommend due to the unsatisfactory conditions of our cabin and mold, dirty carpets, odors etc. We cancelled our Croatia cruise, but will be on Silversea to experience almost the same itinerary. Looking forward to hearing about your travels thru Croatia and and happy you agree with my experience. We love O

There are so many deficiencies on this cruise

Tacky art auctions

Mdr is never open for breakfSt or lunch. Cutbacks

Fruit is awful

Mood is somber

Listened to orchestra last night. They need to practice other than saxophonist who was the star

Everything done on the cheap. Even the comment cards are cheaply done

Bedding needs to be refreshed

The self service buffet is a germ factory

Free wine is mostly undrinkable and I'm not that picky.

Yes. You can go hiking with the captain. That's not why I cruise

I recommended Azamara to friends based on my last cruise. They booked for next summer. I am going to try to get them to cancel. I know they will not be happy

My husband who never complains is complaining

You can't have a top tier cruise line without a financial investment

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

OK, I do understand..I have always had that feeling on Azamara but I do know lots of the staff from years ago..

 

 

 

I will be interested in your opinion of Seabourn since passengers still smoke on the balconies..

 

Jancruz1

That does not bother me

The tacky art auctions do

Today it is Thomas kinkade

Yuck

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

The obvious question why didnt you look at Oceania and there newly redone R ships..between April, May and June O put 17million in each of the ships and they are gorgeous!!

 

Jancruz1

Jan is right. Azamara's ships need a major overhaul. The renovated r ships are gorgeous.

Personally I don't believe the hype I have read on these boards Talk is cheap. When the parent company puts some money into the line then maybe I will believe

Do u expect them to post anything but a rosy picture?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Wish we were there, too! Leaving for Prague next week! Enjoy the remainder of your holiday.

 

 

 

IMO (again, this is just me)it does make a difference when a crew clicks and does not. Azamara is known for its great onboard service and warmth/friendliness of the crew. When that is not there, it does change the atmoshphere of the cruise. On our last cruise there were a lot of distractions and the usual amazing onboard experience was underwhelming. It is not a reason not to cruise with Azamara again.....just a change from what we were accustomed to and loved.

Jan. My friend nonrev1 is correct. What made me return to Azamara was that warm and fuzzy on board experience. It is totally absent this cruise. The cutbacks are obvious to me as well. Few smiles on the faces of the staff. I would call this an unhappy ship.

Oceania is clearly my intended home. Bob and I both agree that we prefer it and we are trying Seabourn too

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Be careful, you will likely be slammed as I have in stating the obvious-AZ needs to spend about 40+ million and modernize their ships or let the competition preside over the funeral. As Jazzbeau indicates above, the competition is only getting more aggressive for cruise dollars. nI have spent may months on Crystal, Seabourn and Oceania so don't say I am unaware of the competition! There are a lot of choices out there, it seems AZ doesn't realize the landscape

 

I have spe

On quest now

Ship is tired

Carpeting is badly stained

Internet must be upgraded

Crew not warm and fuzzy this sailing. That was the main attraction

Very little live music on board

Some will sail Azamara no matter the age and condition of the ships. That will be their clientele plus charters

That's fine

We will not

Maybe that's their path to success

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Hvar is an absolute jewel isn't it? I am sure you are enjoying a fabulous day there.

 

 

 

And while Russ doesn't quite have Eric's singing voice his warmth and personality more than make up or it. Continue having fun.:p

Hvar was divine.

I'm sure his show will be fun

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

I understand what Laraine is saying. Our last cruise on the Quest was not our favorite and the crew just did not seem to click. Our first Azamara cruise was on the Quest and that is what sold us on Azamara. My husband and I both agreed how different the onboard experience was from our first and second cruise on the Quest vs. our last one. So....it is very possible for things to change from one cruise to the next.

 

Our second Azamara cruise was on the Journey and we left that cruise saying we would only sail on the Quest because we felt such a difference onboard. But, due to the destinations, our next 3 cruises were on the Journey. We now like the Jouney better than the Quest.

 

Enjoy your cruise Laraine!

Wish you and bill were with us

Croatia is breathtaking. We are with private guide in hvar today. Loving it All

The crew on this ship doesn't click. No big deal. We heard AzAmazing evening good but some passengers were rude

Looking forwArd to Russ's show

tonight

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Enjoying it all

I was talking about the lack of live music. Very little. IMO they should get rid of the not so amazing evenings and invest in some good live music I am not experiencing the musical experiences you mention. The ship is quiet. No music.

The ports are why we booked. One of the few parts of the world we have not been to. Looking forward to Dubrovnik and kotor especially

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Laugh or cry

Folks are being tendered to tonight's Azamazing evening. They announced

Outdoor event

Will be cold

Long walk from tender to venue

Expect problem with mosquitoes ( you can't make this up)

There was a pre event international buffet. It was not good but an exception to the rest of my experience with food this cruise.

What I miss on this cruise is music. The harp sits with a "don't touch "sign. The keyboardist , who was good, played when we boarded. I have not seen him since. There is no music at the pool or mosaic or in the bar area

Strange not to have music on a ship

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

More likely it's the itinerary. This is a unique itinerary and shows Azamara's selling points -- but let's fact it, how many people want such an in-depth exploration of Croatia?

You might be right. But I don't notice much difference in the demographic. Seems pretty typical.

We booked for the itinerary lol

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Hmmm. I disembarked Quest on September 1 after one of my best Azamara cruises ever. I would be highly surprised if everything on board changed in just 27 days. :confused: Before you boarded, you posted that because of the Le Club Voyage changes, this would be your last Azamara cruise. Are you sure that mindset isn't clouding your experience/perception?

 

 

 

Floris

Not at all

I am just observing the differences between my two Azamara cruises

The staff on this ship is not especially friendly with a few exceptions.

As I said food is better. Love the captain and cd

But it is what it is

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Azamazing evening tonight. Not our thing so we will remain on board

This cruise is strange in some ways. Tone is so different from journey cruise. Ship very quiet. Few participants in activities. Six people playing bingo. 5000 prize possible. My husband was only one at cha cha class. Teacher cancelled it. He will try waltz class today.

Last cruise you could not get near the future cruise desk. She was double booked. This cruise her calendar is wide open

I am happily reading and knitting and enjoying private excursions with cc friends

Every cruise is different

Maybe because it's a seven day cruise?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Laraine,

 

 

 

Very surprised to read your comments about friendliness of Quest staff. My experience is completely the reverse.

 

 

 

Found the Journey crew in May to be efficient but not particularly interested in engaging with pax while on Quest everyone seems willing to go the extra mile.

 

 

 

Hope your experience is not spoiling your cruise

Only a dire problem could spoil my cruise. Illness eg. Ship sinking lol

I am in split at a cafe with free internet.

I'm fine with the on board experience. Just noting the differences. My husband commented which really surprised me. Every cruise is different. We were

just so overwhelmed by the experience on journey and expected the same on quest.

After two cruises on Oceania's refurbished r ships the one comment I will make about the condition of quest is that the carpeting is badly stained other than on deck 5 where it was replaced. You can see where they tried to clean it It needs to be replaced

In addition they should upgrade the wifi. It is very bad compared to other

r ships

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

I do not think that actions that make your company look like a bunch of idiots can possibly be a marketing ploy. :)

HilArious. Good point Pam

Too little too late for me

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

My second Azamara cruise. First was on journey

Also my last

Food on quest superior. Far superior to journey. Could be function of chef but difference is noticeable. Bread and desserts still mediocre IMO. I'm happy. Prefer to avoid

Quest is far less friendly than journey. Many staff I find standoffish or disinterested. Difference is palpable. On journey I understood what all of you raved about in terms of the on board experience. I don't feel it on quest

Captain Carl is all you say. very funny

Russ is cd. Charismatic. Met him at meet and greet which was held at sailaway and therefore not well attended. Event was Nothing special IMO

This is a short 7 night cruise rt Venice to Croatia

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

HAs a revision been announced?

Internet on board problematic

Glad I have my free minutes.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Is the hand out with the update one from the new "improved" or the first improved one?

It's the program we all object to

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app