gnld

We were there as a 2-day port call a year ago. Booked a private tour thru Viator for some sightseeing. Then took taxis the 2nd day to the Louvre and Etihad Towers. Taxis are real cheap in Abu Dhabi, and very safe! In fact, all of UAE is very safe - almost no crime (as they're really strict!).

We're booked on a West Africa cruise departing in 2 weeks on Regent. They just cancelled our port call in Casablanca; replaced it with Lanzarote. Pity, as we had lunch reservations at Rick's Cafe -- were really looking forward to the experience.

We were on the Evrima in January for a Central America cruise. We enjoyed the ship, and all agreed it is not a cruise ship -- it is a yacht and is different. But not in a bad way -- just different. We enjoyed the dining, the service, the nightly entertainment. We had a stateroom on deck 8 somewhat forward, unfortunately under the gym. Poor between-decks sound insulation and the heavy footfalls on the treadmills came right thru into our room -- really annoying at 6-7 am and 10 pm! I really complained about that. Do not book a stateroom in this area!

Yes, it is pricey, even in the Caribbean region, but we'd book it again for the right itinerary. But not in the Med, where prices start at ~$1000/person/day. Looking forward to seeing their 2025 cruises on both yachts.

We were on the Evrima in Central America the last week of January. Truly a beautiful ship, but not in the conventional layout of a cruise ship. All we talked to agreed "this is not a cruise ship". But not in a negative way. We didn't have any service or food problems (maybe they've got this sorted out). Didn't take any ship shorex (we did our own 3rd party tours), so can't comment there. The ship still had some mechanical problems (elevators not working all the time, 2 hot tubs only lukewarm), but they have specialists onboard to fix these. Also 2 personnel from the home office talking to guests to get their feedback. Onboard shop very expensive.We were pleased with the casual evening musical entertainment.

Warning: DO NOT book a stateroom on deck 8 forward! That's right under the gym and in your room you can hear the loud footfalls of people running on the treadmills. They need much better sound insulation between decks!

Very pricey -- yes (even in the lowest category stateroom). Worth it? Maybe - we'd only back for a very unique itinerary in the Caribbean (Med cruises start >$1000/night), perhaps on the Ilma. I think there were a lot of 1%'ers onboard; but everyone we met were very nice.

We'll be on the Evrima in <2 weeks for a Central America cruise on the Pacific side. All very good and informative reviews; thank you very much. Concerned about the somewhat negativity about various aspects of the cruise experience. Chalk up some of it to being brand new, tho they have been sailing now for over 2 months and should have worked out the kinks. We'll see what we think of it. We've been on many cruises on the small ships over the years (were on Seabourn this fall, just got off Oceania to the Middle East, and have a Silversea cruise booked in April/May; Regent at the end of the year).

We'll see how it goes and what we think of the overall experience. Already one negative: they recently cancelled both port calls in Nicaragua, replacing them with an overnight and a sea day. Not pleased; we tried to cancel, but RC said NO.

On 4/13/2022 at 3:24 PM, Stickman1990 said:

For those looking for more information on the Explora offering Posts 327 and 328 in this thread over on the Crystal forum contain links to 237 and 53 page brochures on Explora 

 

It seems that Explora is creating a bit of interest amongst Crystal Cruises refugees looking at their options going forward 

 

Been on Crystal 3x and had booked B2B Middle East cruises for late this year. Pity. Now looking at Explora in Jan. '24 for a unique Miami - Cartagena cruise Jan. '24. Something new & different...

On 11/1/2021 at 4:59 PM, carefreecruise said:

She looks good. I heard on Friday that the Wind will be out a little early and have already planned for voyages in May or June 2022. They Don't appear on the website yet but should start showing in the next 30 days. 

First Wind voyage now shown on SS website is 28 May 2022, Athens to Lisbon.

13 minutes ago, csolyn said:

Someone who watched the Live Tour is the French Veranda just an Ocean View with a big window or does it open? The layout isn't obvious except that it looks too small to walk on!

With a French Balcony (aka Juliet Balcony), the door does slide open and you may or may not have a "balcony" about a foot deep you can step out on. Windstar's French Balconies are a foot deep like this. But some French Balconies do not have something you can step out onto. Brochure wording for Vista implies nothing to step out onto.

I just talked with an Azamara rep (Erica). She told me the Quest will remain in Miami -- it will NOT sail to Lima in early January. We have land touring planned the 2 weeks before the 23 Jan. cruise, so we were wondering where the Quest would to on Jan. 23rd.

We were also booked on that 1/23/22 cruise leaving Lima. I talked with an Azamara rep Thursday and was told they don't know where the Quest will go after Lima, or when they'll know. We'll just have to wait & see. Problem for us, we have 2 weeks of land touring planned before embarkation in Lima! And, of course, air booked r/t Santiago.

But I agree with cruisestitch, why keep the Miami-Lima cruise? They've got to get the Quest back to Miami by March 17th, when she sails for Lisbon.

On 6/25/2021 at 11:38 AM, fdnycruiser said:

I hope that it launches in 2023. Our 50th wedding anniversary and my 70th birthday. We definitely want to celebrate both on this ship ! 

My TA told me she'll set sail in summer 2023. However, the CC article says "by the end of 2023". We'll see...

Interesting --- no response from Ms. Muckerman! I agree with gogo65's first sentence. We were on the Silver Explorer in Jan. 2016 to Antarctica, etc. Wouldn't go on her again -- too many new luxury expedition ships now (or soon) available.

On 4/28/2021 at 8:57 AM, ohmark said:

Regent has officially cancelled Vancouver/Tokyo 9/2/2021.

And all other Alaska 2021 cruises. Ditto Oceania exc. LA-Tokyo Oct. '21 (but all "wait list").

We were on the July 10th Greece Intensive cruise on the Pursuit. Personally, I'm glad it's been cancelled (tho the itinerary was great) as we were not comfortable in traveling to Europe this summer. Will now have a lot of FCC to use on something in the future.

Anybody hear if Azamara will require all passengers (as well as crew) to be vaccinated? Many other lines are requiring it. Although we've been fully vaccinated over a month ago, we would not be comfortable going on a ship that did not require it. Too much risk.

We're on the 1st cruise to re-start for Azamara (July 10, Greece intensive). Greece is opening up to tourists next month, even though they're undergoing another Covid spike (look at the new daily cases plot). They're clearly prioritizing euros over public health! I wouldn't go to Greece now if you paid me!

On 4/5/2021 at 2:06 PM, Host Jazzbeau said:

No, the footnote says only Azamara and Celebrity. 

Correct. We got 6 free nights as we moved up to Discoverer+. Had 6 cruises on Azamara and 5 on Celebrity.

We're on the July 10th Greece Intensive cruise -- 1st one after start-up. Do we think this cruise will happen? NO. Just waiting for Azamara to cancel July cruises. Booked this with FCC, so it should be rolled over to something else we'll have to find. Hurry up & wait.

2 hours ago, Gcto said:

What do people think is the chance Alaska or post Alaska will open. We are booked for a trip via Alaska in September and final payment is coming up. Don't think it will happen with Canada still shut down, Congress not moving on Jones Act and...and ... and.  So far no info from Regent if they are moving final payment date to a later point. I find it silly to have clients pay the full fare only to the refund it a few weeks later. Accounting might like it, but "customer satisfaction" will certainly take a hit. 

We were on the last cruise of the season, Vancouver - Tokyo. Like you, we figured the 2021 Alaska season is toast. We cancelled Wednesday. Many of those on the thread for that cruise are thinking the same way, albeit waiting until next week hoping against hope.

On 3/25/2021 at 7:50 AM, luv2travel90266 said:

Went on Choice Air and  Azamara is still listed. At this time they don't offer non-stops from LAX to down under and back however  playing with GoogleFlightsI see that a few weeks before the trip American Air and Quantas both fly non-stops. Waiting till the air lines list there flights thru late Feb 2022 to accommodate our  trip schedule. Thanks for the feedback

We did a month in Australia 6 years ago on our own. Looked a business air LAX-Sydney on Qantas -- $8000r/t. Woof! Wound up booking Fiji Air 1-stop business class for half that!

All 2021 Alaska cruises in the same category, incl our Vancouver-Tokyo transpacific at the end of the season. I agree with OP -- these cruises are toast!

6 hours ago, TeaBag said:

Not thrilled either, but I would be thrilled to sail on it regardless of the name.

Ditto. Will be looking for something "new" in 2023.

We'll be on the Evrima January '23. Will  love to be with Capt. Magnus and esp. Philip Herbert again! We've been on Azamara several times - have 2 more booked.  😀

6 hours ago, annandme said:

 

IMHO - The bigger problem will be getting the ship's crew vaccinated.  What "developed world" politician is going to offer up vaccine doses for cruise ship crew ahead of their own citizens!

 

And will those of us lucky enough to be vaccinated want to sail with an unvaccinated crew?

Cruise lines have already been announcing they'll have their crew 100% vaccinated, for just the reason you mention in your last line (and I agree with you).

We're now on the first Azamara cruise to re-start: July 10th, Greece intensive. Do I think this cruise will occur - NO. I'll bet in the next couple of months, Sycamore will pause more cruises well into the summer.

I feel vaccinations should be a MUST to board a cruise ship, esp the small luxury & near-luxury ships (like Azamara) that cater to seniors. We're scheduled for our 2nd shot in 2 weeks here in San Diego.

Still showing Explorer doing Alaska cruises this summer. Wonder when this will change?