Itsallaboutholidays

Very helpful everyone - we like to try new things and there are always pros and cons to things. Thank you

9 hours ago, Lynnewob said:

We've cruised both lines and like them for different reasons.

 

We've had all cabin grades on Cunard, except Q2 and Q1. 

On Azamara, we've had Continent Suite, Owners Suite, Spa Suite.

 

We love Cunard for their dress code as people really make an effort in the evening.  We do prefer the aft QG cabins as they are more open on the Vista sisters than the Q4/Q3 which are more of a W shape.  We actually found we had more availability for seating in a PG cabin when we had friends on board than in a Q3.  QM2 is different and the cabins are larger but the restaurants are not positioned in a great place.

 

The service in QG is excellent and the flambes tableside are lovely. You can ask for something off menu for the evening if requested at breakfast or lunchtime. The table is yours throughout the voyage with the same waiters and sommelier.   The restaurant has great views out to sea - wonderful if dining at night in the Norwegian Fjords due to the midnight sun (on QV/QE).

 

The middle outdoor grills terrace is lovely for lunch if the weather is good, but it has no views.  We have dined there at night when overnighting in Istanbul but it is not widely used in the evening.

 

The rest of the ship is larger and can get crowded in some bars but there are choices to suit different tastes - we like the Commodore Club.  Speciality coffees are not included, unless sitting in the Grills lounge.  Neither are drinks, so bear that in mind. However, you can take your own on board for consumption in the room - we always bring champagne for balcony sailaways. 1 bottle of spirits pp (+ mixers/water) is provided in QG (or wine, not champagne though, except the 1 on boarding).

 

Azamara's staff on board are wonderful and they remember you - this is due to the small size of ship and less people on board.  The senior officers are also very visible and will always chat.

 

We prefer that the buffet is served to you on Azamara (not keen on everyone handling buffet utensils on other lines) and that you can sit outside in good weather overlooking the back of the ship for breakfast, lunch and returning from shore.

 

Drinks are included and in suites, they give the one bottle pp option too. The Butler service on Azamara feels more personal and more helpful than on Cunard.

 

Suites on Azamara include speciality dining in the 2 restaurants but the menu is a little repetitive if on for a longer time. The service is exceptional in these restaurants.  The higher level suites have drinks and a dinner with the Snr officers.

 

We love the fact that Azamara can get into smaller ports - a highlight for us is the ability to tender into Dubrovnik and sail directly into Seville.  There is no way Cunard could do that, the ships are just too big.

 

Azamara's dress code is "country club casual".   This varies a lot to people's interpretation and is not anywhere near Cunard's code.

 

We are limited to dates we can sail, so look at both lines and consider itineraries and happy to do either line.   We have used Celebrity in the past, but Retreat pricing has got ridiculous and the ships are loud with not much space to sit and chat as music is blasted everywhere.  If we want that on the odd occasion and the itinerary works, we will sail Princess at a much cheaper price.

 

Hope this helps a little.

Thank you.  We have just come off an Azamara Club World Suite and I'm trying to understand if I may be disappointed by the Cunard QG service as I have read that it can be very hit and miss.  Thoughts?

My husband and I are Azamara fans with the occasional Celebrity or Princess cruise chucked in when a good itinerary demands it (usually in a suite). We are looking to try an august Cunard QG sailing and from my initial research I can tell that it will be different to Azamara...but different isn't always bad right! The only rooms left on this sailing are Q4 penthouses on deck 7 - any views on these? The things we love about Azamara are personalised service/recognition, very few kids, great service, complimentary in suite dining and the butler service afforded to a suite. For those that have cruised both, do you think we may be disappointed with QG on Cunard?  Many thanks in advance.

On 12/13/2022 at 12:40 AM, DaveinCharlotte said:

You might also want to check out ACL's competitor, American Queen Voyages.  The AQV experience is much the same, but they provide a theater and a troupe of professional entertainers for nightly shows,  Meals are somewhat fancier, and they do a bit better on the excursions, in my opinion.  Price point is even higher than ACL, but if you can live with an inside cabin (we do, and don't mind it all), it is less than ACL.

Thank you, i'll check AQV out as a comparator.  Thank you for taking the time to give me some feedback,

On 12/11/2022 at 6:18 PM, BaumD said:

You will probably be the youngest people on the ship. The average age on ACL is probably about 70. Very different than cruising on some of the larger cruise ships. No pools, no casino, no specialty restaurants. entertainment is very limited. After dinner there will either be a musical presentation with a trio or duet or possibly a lecture. No flashy shows like on the big ships.

 

Thank you - very helpful overview and insight.  We have been the youngest people on a number of vacations previously so this does not put us off.

Looking for some advice about whether ACL is going to be the right cruise lines for us.  We are a British couple in our forties currently living in Belgium and we really want to do a Mississippi cruise and Viking are sold out for our dates.  We have only previously ocean cruised (with Azamara, Celebrity, RCL, Celebrity and Princess) but we do like smaller ships.  What should we expect on ACL?  What is the demographic?  What is included in the cruise fare?  Any tips or suggestions?  I realise these questions are not very specific but am hoping somebody could give me some insight.  Many thanks

I think you are unnecessarily worrying, there is no problem getting off the ship and doing your own thing, as we ourselves did so on the first AZ cruise there. Just complete section B of the form, hand in a copy to the US authorities in Miami, join the cruise and enjoy yourself. The form is primarily aimed at US citizens, as a U.K. Citizens, we are simply caught up in their bueaucracy You will not have a problem with the Cubans!

 

And remember, don't use USD to change to Cuban currency, GB Pounds and Euro are not subject to the 10% surcharge.also, don't rely on Credit Cards, they are not widely accepted.

Thank you!!!! Super helpful.

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I have received official word, herewith:

 

 

 

"Yes, guests will be allowed to explore Cuba on their own, however, in accordance with U.S. law, all guests (including children) traveling to Cuba must meet the requirements of one of the 12 general licenses. All of our tours offer a variety of organized activities involving approximately eight hours per day of cultural exchange while onshore in Cuba, that meet the requirements of one of these categories, which in most cases will be the license for “people-to-people” travel. “People-to-people” tours are sponsored, education-based trips designed to promote meaningful interactions between travelers and the Cuban people. Qualified programs require a full-day schedule of activities.

 

 

 

Also in accordance with U.S. law, guests (including children) will be required to complete a travel affidavit identifying the category of travel under which they are visiting and how they will split their time. This must be completed prior to boarding the vessel.

 

For ease of completion, we have arranged the affidavit into 3 parts:

 

• 
   
  
• Part A: Guests exclusively participating in the Azamara Club Cruises tour program.
   
  
• Part B: Guests traveling on a self-guided people-to- people exchange program. Part B does allow for guests to split their full-day schedule between tours purchased from Azamara Club Cruises and activities organized on their own.
   
  
• Part C: Guests that have not certified in Part A and B, and fall under another general license that is not “people-to-people” travel."
   
  

Thank you!

Sorry I am still a little confused by this. We have 3 days in Havana and this reads to me that I will need to schedule 3 full-days of tours (not necessarily with Azamara but another tour company/Cuban person) to meet this requirement. It is not clear to me if it is permissible to get off the ship and 'walk around'. Bonnie, could you please clarify. Thank you.

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Hello. I have just read this thread and am now much more educated on drinks!!!

Disappointed that sparkling water is not included, so thanks for the tip from someone on the club soda substitute! Is there a list anywhere of any soft drinks which are (or not) included?

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So just finished our cruise...the tax only applies to products not services so spa and corkage fees are excluded. Made my drinks bill rather big so suggest getting a drinks package before you enter Brazilian waters. Would be helpful if the cruise lines advised of this prior to booking or embarkation at least!

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Can anyone update this post that a 25% tax still applies on goods and services while in Brazilian waters? thanks

Sorry guys, having read the thread, was it confirmed that there was this 25% tax on purchases whilst in Brazilian Waters? Also would this apply to beverage/bar purchases?

Thank you for flagging!!

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We have just booked our first Azamara cruise for 2017. We have been looking to experience Azamara for some time and luckily got a good deal so we just booked it. This thread has been great in reassuring me that it was a good decision. We are RC Diamond members and like others have recently spent more time on Celebrity. The jump from Celebrity to Azamara seems to be the 'norm' from reading everyone's posts!

So the OP is...

 

1. Female

2. Fairly serious swimmer (swam for a club until my teens and swims 2 to 3kms once or times a week nowadays)

3. Does get up at 6am (even on vacation)

4. Realises that cruise ship swimming is not the best but does provide a break for the gym (if prepared to spend more time turning than actually swimming) but hoped someone was going to say that Millennium has a pool like Diamond Princess where you can swim on the spot against a current

5. Really grateful for all your comments

 

Thank you

 

 

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By the way I assume 'OP' is me??? I rarely post on here except in the roll calls :)

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So the OP is...

1. Female

2. Fairly serious swimmer (swam for a club until my teens and swims 2 to 3kms once or times a week nowadays)

3. Does get up at 6am (even on vacation)

4. Realises that cruise ship swimming is not the best but does provide a break for the gym (if prepared to spend more time turning than actually swimming) but hoped someone was going to say that Millennium has a pool like Diamond Princess where you can swim on the spot against a current

5. Really grateful for all your comments

Thank you

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Wow! Thanks for all the responses! I was planning to swim at 6am before the masses arrive by the pool but based on all of your comments I don't think I'll pack my hat and goggles then! Appreciate all of your comments, thanks

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Can anyone give me an idea of the length of the largest pool on Celebrity Millennium? Would lap swimming be possible to give a break from the gym? Thank you

I have just got back from my trip and thought I would share what I did for the benefit of others.

Firstly it's an easy and straight forward walk from the dock to downtown Nassau. Nassau is small and there are a few sites to sea - I took a print out of the following just to give us a few things to head for

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/new-providence/722464

We also booked a food walking tour through Viator.com which was great, i did think it was a little expensive when i booked it but there was 5 stops included which all included something to eat (ranging from a chocolate to a whole Bahamian meal). If you would rather book directly with the Company they are at:

http://trubahamianfoodtours.com/

Overall a very easy cruise stop with some home/American comforts like Dunkin Doughnuts. If you do the food tour first you get a good sense of direction.

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Thanks guys - really helpful bu what is the 'jitney' - a bus? :confused:

Hi there

We were wondering whether Nassau as a city/town has any sights to explore? As we are coming from the uk we would rather see a bit of the city rather than just chill by a pool.

Any help greatly appreciated

Thanks