oddjob16

2 minutes ago, uktog said:

Yes I have seen that happen before though it may be this time they are juggling ports around. We’ve been over in Lanzarote for a while and have noticed on several days the ships in port weren’t the ones we expected to see 

In case the cruise is full it will automatically dissappear from the web site. These cruises are probably not full, so there must be a different explanation. Significant change of itinerary or charter?

8 hours ago, snowglobe said:

I was tempted by that Rio to Lisbon one.

Will you and Synnøve spend any extra time in Lisbon?

Sorry, not this time. We had a couple of days in Lisbon in October before a cruise to Barcelona. This time we are heading straight for the airport. 

1 hour ago, snowglobe said:

 

Hey, hi!!!

Unfortunately, I’m relying on it more and more.

Have you and Inge restarted cruising.

Hi, Diane. Me and Synnøve have had three cruises in 2022,- all in the Med. Next one will be Rio to Lisbon in march

Say hi to Bill

Odd Inge

Hi, Diane. Me and Synnøve have had three cruises in 2022,- all in the Med. Next one will be Rio to Lisbon in march

Say hi to Bill

Odd Inge

Hi, 

really didn’t see your scooter last time in NZ, but if it is loadable I would see no problem riding it in any of the ports. 
It would be so much easier if one could hire scooters in ports. 

26 minutes ago, Hammer61 said:

Ovation arrived from Alaska on 29th October, we got off in Sydney! It then departed around NZ fully compliant with Hull cleaning etc, HAL arrived about the same time, Princess are the only one who have been here more than a few months..........All seemed to have complied and over the past 4 months you would have thought they would have got the same interpretations from Aus and NZ authority's?

 

If you agree or not, but from what i can see Azamara, Viking and Regent are complacent and accountable for not following the rules, agree there may have been confusion but they should have clarified if unsure? Putting the blame all on the NZ and Australian authorities is an easy option and as far as i know none of the company's have.  

 

Well, Ovation usually alternates between Seattle and Sydney, but calls Sydney its home port. My intent was to point out that when so many companies are thrown off as non-compliant this season, something is not right. Viking Orion had two days of cleaning in Bangkok and two days in Benoa before two more days after arriving. They still weren’t cleared. 

On 1/21/2023 at 9:48 PM, Hammer61 said:

Apparently, these environmental restrictions were introduced in 2018 and applies to ALL shipping, not just cruise ships.

 

HAL, Princess, RCI etc all seem to have observed the requirements and been cruising NZ as nornal, on the whole its the high end brands being caught out and having to change routes and ports AND get the hull cleaned. 

 

Azamara on the current cruise have changed the cruise to having an extra day in port in Auckland, the departure port! And added Hobart into the schedule, but when Milford Sound is maybe the highlight of any NZ cruise i dont blame those on this cruise for being a bit fed up or disappointed especially when this could have been avoided, Just read through the roll calls for the 2 NZ cruises affected.........

 

The cruise ships operating in Oceania are sailing normal routes and ports as they have had better time to comply with environmental restrictions. Ovation of the seas are one of them. Azamara, Regent, Viking and many others have been thrown curveballs by the Australian and Kiwi governments for the last four months as they have been given new interpretations of the rules many times. Some of the ships have done their hull cleaning as usual and sent documentation to the authorities, - only now to be told they have done it wrong or not at authorized companies,- and often with short time frames to be able to comply. 
I refuse to believe that a number of serious cruise companies are deliberately trying to make things awkward for their own customers.

The environmental authorities must take som of the blame.

3 hours ago, Grandma Cruising said:

That’s interesting, especially if she was in the spa on Quest. I was very unimpressed with the spa. I booked for a treatment to use up the spa credit I had bought in the Indulgence package. I arrived a couple of minutes early to be told that the appointment ahead of mine was going to run over and I’d have to wait a few minutes. In the event I had to wait well over 20 minutes and, apart from initially being asked if I would like a drink, I was pretty much ignored. The therapist popped out once to apologise, but there was no attempt to put me at ease or chat to me by the spa reception staff.

It is probably some time ago since she was a Spa Manager. I think she has worked as  a Guest Relations Officer for a some years before she became manager

48 minutes ago, trk_koa said:

On Pursuit right now and there are three tonic brands available. Royal, Schweppes and a South American brand. I can try to get the exact name if you are interested. DH is happy with Schweppes so we haven’t tried to find out if there is any fever tree onboard. 
 

Schweppes is visible and available on the trays at the Windows bar and at Spirits. We also have Schweppes in the minibar. 
 

My disappointment is there is no Diet Coke. Only Coke Zero Sugar. 

Thank you for the update.

The review was too long to bother watching,- however I got the essentials and obviously there is a problem at the head of guest relations. We sailed with Quest in october and didn't have an issue with GR on that cruise. She is newly appointed as GR Manager and has previously worked in different roles onboard, including the Spa as a therapist and manager. Maybe a new post is imminent?

15 hours ago, travelberlin said:

Any updates from the current cruise with the Pursuit? How is the on board experience? Are the outside venues open for meals?
Ivi

Ivi, right now they are in Antarctica so doubt very much if the Patio is open for evening meals. I expect it to be open when we board in Rio in march…

5 minutes ago, Mackdogmolly said:

What’s a UK double, exactly?

The UK Weights and Measurements Act defines that a premises may sell a single shot measured at 25ml or 35ml, and a double measured at 50ml.

20 hours ago, Benthayer Gonbak said:

 

Thanks, I was thinking about a different area. Although we were fairly safe too, I’d like to stay nearer some other areas.  I’ll however miss the pizzaria we found that mostly spoke Italian!  Great food though and using your hands to communicate is expected😂😂😂

Argentina is actually more Italian than Spanish. ( More Italians immigrants than Spanish) A friend of mine from Modena once said: «Argentina is a strange place where all the Italians speak spanish.»

We are on Pursuit Rio to Lisbon march 07 2023. Never sailed trans Atlantic before so it will be a new experience. This will also be our first on the «new» ships. We have only done Journey and Quest, i.e AzaClassics😂😂

17 hours ago, luv2travel90266 said:

Try LaCava Wine Store which is close to the harbor. Pick up a bottle of Malbec too. Rodríguez Peña 1515, C1021 CABA, Argentina  

Good suggestion, especially if your hotel is close by. We would rather stay in San Telmo and then the La Cava would be too far away. 
My suggestion would be to google «wine shops in Buenos Aires» and you will get hundreds of results, -even better it will show them on a map so you can pick one close to where you are staying or close to the port.

7 hours ago, uktraveller said:

Oops, we’re on the 24th June, not July! 
 

itinerary says

01 July 06.30. -19.00 Trollfjord

01 July 07.00-17.00  Svolvaer

 

You will have a beautiful sail in Trollfjord. No worries. Only strong winds will cancel it.

1 hour ago, uktraveller said:

We are booked on the 24th July 2023 Norway intensive cruise and are looking at possible excursions. 

Does anyone know if the ship actually sails into the Trollfjord? Or is this best seen on a shore ex from Svolvaer? 

The Pursuit 24th July does not go north of Trondheim, at least that is what the available itinerary says. 

Sorry

1 hour ago, Grandma Cruising said:

Bergen is very easily doable on your own. If you get the chance to do the Flam railway, do it through the ship as the queues can be enormous.

In Geiranger we did an independent bus tour https://www.geirangerfjord.no/panoramic-bus-geiranger-2

At Honningsvag we did a super independent tour with Blue Puffin tours - 2 bus loads of passengers from the ship booked this https://www.blue-puffin.com/en/#north_cape_sightseeing_tour_english_wrapper.

In Lofoten we did a brilliant RIB tour to Trollfjord & to see the sea eagles https://www.fjordtours.com/things-to-do-in-norway/fjord-cruises/sea-eagle-safari-to-trollfjord-rib/

From Molde we did an independent bus tour to see the Great Atlantic Road https://www.norwayexcursions.com/en/destinations-in-norway/molde/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5aiG8LSL_AIVm-3tCh3p1AFVEAMYASAAEgKjuvD_BwE

We just walked around on our own in Alesund which is a lovely little town.

Bodo we walked around on our own. It has a great street art walking tour. You just call in to the tourist office and get a map of where the paintings are, then follow the trail.

 

 

A brilliant summary, Denise. I can chip in that «The Best of Norway» was a show that was held on Quest this summer in Ålesund as a «Destination Celebration» event. It is probably the same show in Tromsø held as an «Azamazing Evening» and therefore in a venue on shore.

Well it is not a gift. You have paid for it, and if they cannot provide it it should be replaced with something useful e.g extra OBC.

13 hours ago, annapolitan369 said:

If anyone goes to Flam, the Fjord Safari was the highlight of our cruise of the Norway Coast.  I was hesitant to go but it was a real blast.

Flåm is part of the UNESCO Heritage area, hence restricted for ships with higher polutive emission. Azamara is now restricted from that area already, but many other with more modern engines still are eligible for sailing.  In 2026 these areas will be «No emission» and very few are able to sail here.

On 12/3/2022 at 4:55 PM, uktog said:

Thanks. We were told there was no capacity but it’s great to get the local experts clarification 😀😀

That was what the skipper told us, too. He had it from Miami. Turned out they just played a white lie. You don't get banned from Bergen if you are unable to take shore power. 

I can confirm zero emission from 2026 applies to the Geiranger and Næroyfjord. These are Unesco World Heritage sites and all other fjords are "cruiseable" without restrictions.

The docking in Bergen is possible without land power. In the future there might be restrictions to be able to use land power, but capacity on land is not close to cover all ships.

56 minutes ago, uktog said:

Currently on Onward. First experience of this ship. 

Positives we like the lighter colour scheme, the layout of the living room and with no sunset bar much more space to sit on the back verandah. Last nights act Unity were the best we’ve seen on an Azamara ship and Vasi in the Den is very good. Staff are trying hard. Many new faces as always some better than others. 

Patio was open last night but for us unfortunately they’ve abandoned the served evening meal in Windows. I’m sure the fans of buffets are happy, we aren’t!

 

Maintenance issues continue. The door of our dressing table is falling off. They can only fix it by screwing it shut so we lose both that space and the table drawer so we’ve gone for the distressed furniture look. Shower and air conditioning both can’t keep a set temperature- very annoying. All are I suppose minor issues but not what you expect in a premium line. 

Biggest bugbear by far. “Due to higher levels of consumption on the transatlantic” I quote - you know who you are - 😂😂there is NO champagne onboard. They are passing off a French sparkling wine Veuve de Verve as their premium champagne. There is also no Schweppes tonic anywhere. The bar manager has checked. He knows it’s an issue - says has to take what Miami gives him. Don’t want to sound like alcoholics maxing out on the Ultimate Package but these two issues are future deal breakers if we can’t rely on consistent product quality across four ships. 
 

Sailing in high winds so Decks 5 and 11 are closed. Couldn’t find anywhere on pool deck to sit yesterday lots of bottles of sun cream and bags were enjoying their holiday. Staff weren’t dealing with it. We went to use our balcony- I see what others mean. These low backed chairs are so uncomfortable and with no support are only useful I suppose for eating at the table.  Today at 1010 virtually all seats gone again. Hopefully less windy conditions and the issues will go. 

 

Wifi is the worst we’ve had on any Azamara ship even in Norway. It’s the usual Jam tomorrow- we are getting an upgrade soon. Appreciate its coming that doesn’t help me work a little as I have to this week. I will sort that by working ashore in each port - not ideal but ok

 

Still waiting for the cruise booklet with everyone’s names to arrive (day 3 now) as soon as it does will update any changes on that thread. 
 

In conclusion so far it’s an OK trip. Not a disaster but not up to Quest and Journeys experience in the summer. But things may change.  

I would not consider the Ultimate package if no champagne and no decent tonics. Serving expensive gin with sh**** tonic is an insult to the customer.

Faulty Wifi and a/c, full pool deck and uncomfy veranda chairs. All in all glad we have no future bookings on Onward, and we will avoid it until things change.

Hope your spirits stay high and that you enjoy the rest of the cruise.

20 minutes ago, uktog said:

but not this week 🙂

Just wondered. We just booked Pursuit TA out of Rio in march...

On 11/17/2022 at 7:03 AM, uktog said:

A very fair perspective by AJCM. 

There will be those who love While Night and it’s good that it’s special for them. And there will be those who for whatever reason are unable to wear white, eat at a buffet or dance. They too need to be welcome at whatever part of the event if any they choose to join. 

I can understand why people leave after the meal, if you are not able to dance it can on many itineraries get quite chilly if you are just sitting watching. If only Azamara had a roof over its pool deck - now that would be ideal ……

 

On my upcoming cruise I may or may not go to all or part of White Night it will depend on many things. If I do go I’ll run the risk of not being in white unless I find something in Miami (not going to waste too much time on that) and I will not be dancing other than something slow - that works for me and others shouldn’t worry about what I’m up to!

 

I do hope those that do go have a wonderful time and that everyone whatever they do has an enjoyable evening. 

 

So it's the TA with Onward in feb?

11 hours ago, Baynanno1 said:

I see oddjob16 got in a more up to date post as I was writing!

It could be helpful to know whether those shuttles were on a "port day" or on a "turn around day."

It was a port day.(Day before disembarkation) I would expect shuttles to be more scarce on a turnaround day