Maverine

We might be able to answer in 12 days [emoji6]. Like you we have cruised Celebrity and Hal before and we'll board the Journey tomorrow! After reading all that positive post we are very exited to have this opportunity.

We decided to give Azamara a try since we were looking for a smaller ship experience for some time. The prices for Celebrity stepped up a lot (at least for us in Europe, more than double for the same itinerary) and we are not sure about their new class system with extra rooms and restaurants for suite guests. The new perks (go big, bigger, better) are definitely not free!

Not much to add but having an espresso or capuccino somewhere in between. If you don't sit down and just drink it at the counter (like the romans do) its cheaper. Try a gelato close to the Pantheon. If you travel in fall have pasta or pizza "porcini", the mushrooms are delicious. Except of St. Peter we didn't encounter long lines, even at the colosseum we could walk in in about 10 min (late afternoon). Enjoy!

My selection is

Sagrada Familia

Park Guell

Ramblas

La Bouqueria

Barrio gotic

and try some tapas.

Thanks for the great photos and useful info. However, I may be a bit dim, but what can the USB port be used for?

The USB port is useful for loading smartphones, tablets and other devices like speakers.

Great review! Like Hoyaheel I was reading parts of it to my DH. We have less than 3 weeks so I'm exited to read about the Journey.

Enjoy the Eclipse. Love that ship and especially AC, too.

No Bob. It was an evening of local entertainment held outside which consisted of people dressed from the Middle Ages reenacting songs and dances from Bergen's past. It included some dressed as "ladies of the night" flirting with the men. They had strange costumes too. As I said it was all very odd, but the food was really good. Yours sounds very good if it's at Grieg Hall. Much more cultural!

 

Phil

Maybe they should be Norwegian Trolls, the "ladies of the night" sounds like "Hueldra", a female troll of norwegian tales, that flirted with young men and fooled them.

Thank you for clarification! Great to have someone to address such questions! [emoji106]

Thank you in advance, on the cruise calender (azamara site) you find both options for the same day, [emoji854]. Just dont know which one is correct.

Hello Bonnie, munch1 has asked before, but this might have been overseen. Originally the itinerary showed tendering in Playa del Carmen first and then Cozumel 11:30 to 19:00. Now on Azamaras site it shows only Cozumel 8:00 to 18:00. Land Discoveries shows different.

Could you please clarify? I know several people want to leave the ship in Playa del Carmen to go to Tulum and we were planning an afternoon excursion which may come short it the ship leaves at 6 pm.

Hi Marita, the OP asked for the printable tags, so he/she might also live outside the US. We are from Germany, too but booked through a TA, so we got an email with the attached travel documents including the printable luggage tags. Maybe we missed a link but we couldn't print them before. I think we'll be on the cruise next to yours, [emoji4].

We got our documents with the printable luggage tags almost exactly 30 days before our upcoming cruise. We live in Europe, not sure how it is in the US or other countries.

We are Celebrity fans and have sailed MSC once. I think is a bit difference! Food is sub par, the only italian is the name, it was loud and crowded everywhere. The ships are glitzy (at least the Fantasia). One big minus was that there was smoking at the indoor pool, made it almost impossible to use it for me. Hot tubs always occupied by children, even babies with diapers! Yacht club may be different but for that price a can almost cruise seabourne or similar luxury lines. I don't know if their americanize ship is different but i would compare MSC with carnival not celebrity.

Same for us!

Thank you for the fast respond!

Hi Bonnie, perhaps you can answer a question. We payed for an Open passage certificate on a Celebrity cruise some years ago. So far we couldn't use it for different reasons. Is this Certificate also usable for Azamara? Since I have already booked, can I use it for the already booked cruise?

I am not a native speaker, but it sounds horrible to me. Like training a dog!

 

I see so much stress overhere. This thread is about holidays. It should be fun! There are so many people who would be so grateful to be able for only once in there life on a ship like this. Lets not worry about hooks, shelves etc. Start having fun and be a grateful that you can have holidays like this. I am sure looking forward to your holiday will be twice as much fun.

 

Peter

 

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Well said! But for me it's part of the exitement f.e. to look for pictures of the stateroom or info of the ship. I don't mind if I have hooks or not but I love searching CC for every little bit. [emoji5]

My favourite cocktail is a simple mojito, it´s included in the classic package on Celebrity but also not on Azamaras list. I´m now wondering if I can ask for one with standard brands or if I have to pay anyway. On the other hand there are lot of choices, so I might just try something different.

Wonderful menus, thanks for showing. It will be tough to select because a lot of dishes are so enticing.

All 5 are tempting but the Adriatic including Venice is my favorite romantic cruise, too. [emoji106][emoji173]️

I have been on three X cruises, one on the Reflection and had never a problem to find a lounger at any time. But I agree that it can be a problem to get one directly at the pool, this area can be crowded on a sea day in the Caribbean. I doubt that this will be different on an even bigger ship like most RCCL. Sometimes you have chair hoggers, too.

Regarding to food it's hard to believe that anybody could not find something to please. F.e. They serve really good fresh burgers at the Mast Grill for lunch if this is more your type of food. In my opinion the food on Celebrity ships is good - not Michelin star good - but good if you have to cater several thousand people 24/7.

We have booked AC, loved the Blu restaurant (more "healthy" choices, less heavy), but I can accept that some people are used to different food. And we eat almost every type of food (fish, seafood, meat, veggies) so it might be easier for us. That said chicken was not the only poultry on the menu, even had quail or pheasant!

One more reason for me not to cruise carnival.

I have a pin board in my bedroom with all the cruise cards and a few more memories. Gets me sweet dreams [emoji6]

I just want to add my "thank you". It's not mandatory to spend valuable vacation time to post about the changes and your experience and even investigate specific details. Your posts have been very informative for a soon to be first timer on Azamara. I am even more exited now. Thanks again.

HI, we have cruised Celebrity and MSC. Both are different but as people say: there is a cruise (ship) for everyone. The Fantasia is very bling (f.e. Swarovski stairs), much going on on this ship, especially in the med and with a lot of Italians on board. Celebrity is more sophisticated, food is better IMO but this also depends on personnel likings. The itinerary is great, I'm sure you both will have a great cruise and a memorable birthday! Just enjoy!