Grandma Cruising

I would go for the time on your original check-in, taking your express pass with you.

It appears at your table in a glass.

Nothing on mine either

Most tours in Venice are walking as there are no vehicles, other than boats, allowed on most of the main island. You can do it yourself with a good map & using Vaporetto’s (public boats) and/or water taxis.

Great review brazilgirl. I agree with most of your comments - but then we’re Azamara loyalists and have been for quite some time. It was lovely to meet you and your husband on the cruise. Maybe we’ll meet again on Azamara!

Oh what a shame!

Yes it is, only time there are queues on Azamara is occasionall to get a table in Discoveries in the evening

That sounds like a great day Betsey. Glad you enjoyed it. We got home OK after a tiring day.

I can sign in through the little person icon that is top right. All it shows is my name - no loyalty level or points. There is the option to click on upcoming cruises, but when I do it says that information is not available at the moment.

Sallyandtex started a topic asking whether Guest Relations will punch a hole in your key card and uktog replied that they will. Added to the spreadsheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15Deg-GaeZYLml8NN3PVwoh_jUkQ8QmYUe1wxnVAlODE/edit

On the starboard side you won't hear anything.

It’s on Pursuit, not sure about Journey

On Pursuit we have had sushi in Windows buffet at lunchtime on quite a few days.

If embarkation is delayed then your options may be limited. We didn’t get onboard in Rio until 4:30. Windows was closed and the Patio was not open. There were some sandwiches & cake in Mosaic coffee bar and some Tapas in the living room

We were also happy to see that there is a shuttle in Madeira today.

We did the same tour and really enjoyed it. We weren’t disappointed about not seeing more of the Caldera as we did a tour to it last time we were here. We loved the tour - our guide was very knowledgeable and interesting. The format of the tour suited us, basically it was a drive from one side of the island to the other, with 2 stops and one ‘photo opportunity’. At the two stops we had about 50 minutes to look around on our own, have a coffee etc. As Betsy said the drive was interesting because the two sides of the island are so different. The port side was cloudy and damp with very mixed vegetation, but as soon we went through what they call the ‘weather tunnel’ we came out into brilliant sunshine and vegetation the is primarily the Canary Pine tree, although with lots and lots of banana plantations as we got nearer sea level. Our first stop was at the pretty hill town of El Paso and the second at a little seaside town. The photo opportunity was at a site overlooking the volcano and it’s ash field. We drove through a village where all the houses on our left were fine but many on the right had been destroyed. You can see the roofs of the buildings in the ash.

We got the same email - I’d been hoping to book a few excursions for the next cruise before leaving this one on 23rd. I’d asked the shore excursions team to print me off the list of excursions, but they haven’t yet been able to do so.

The Hotel Director said they had managed to change to berth so we were nearer and therefore didn’t need a shuttle! I’m waiting to see if there’s a shuttle in Madeira, because that is a long walk - other passengers have said there wasn’t one there in October!

The ship was docked in the berth closest to town, with Balmoral just behind us - Balmoral had a shuttle bus, but again we didn’t. It was a fair walk into town, but we managed it as there were plenty of places to sit down along the way. It was lovely in town. There is a park along the seafront with.a large children's play area and there were lots of sporting activities going on including a youth’s wrestling competition that was very well supported by parents and others. When we got back we had lunch - there was a lovely paella in Windows. We’re using the last of our onboard credit on the ultimate drinks package for the last few days and are enjoying the Whispering Angel, as well as the cocktails and malt whisky.

That would be a shame, but Azamara have downgraded the Meet & Mingle since Covid. It used to be hosted by the Cruise Director with senior officers attending and drinks & canapés provided. Now it's only a room that is provided, no servivpce, no hosting.

I think the decision was made for the Onward because it has a lot more CC Suites than the other 3 ships.

With the Patio in the evening, it makes a big difference how many tables are occupied. We ate there twice this cruise & really enjoyed it - subdued lighting, heaters if it’s cold. There were lots of occupied tables and a nice atmosphere.

We had a similar experience both in Athens in October and a few days ago in Rio. Once we got to the port no-one asked us about our embarkation time, just gave us a group number based on how many were ahead of us.

We watched Emily’s show last night too - it was excellent. She has a great voice and a very engaging personality.

I talked to Marcelo, the Hotel Director about the shuttle. He said that Azamara had asked the port authorities for a shuttle and been told none was available - I assume Azamara asked after the other ships, so missed out.