EngSet

My Bad !!! Was mixed up with the NEW Nieuw Statendam. as I understand it is virtually the same as K'Dam with skinny promenade, no seating ! Sorry ! I won't sail on either of the two new ships as I agree on the comment the "old" ships are Classic and Beautiful and the Promenade Deck was my "go to" place to

read and relax.

Appreciate that you were tryingto help. :-)

Sorry, right church, wrong pew, Nieuw Amsterdam has no promenade seating where you could listen to shush of the sea, no library as it is on the older HAL ships where you could curl up on a comfy chair and maybe doze off.

Thanks. From videos we've seen of the NA, thought we had seen lounge chairs on the promenade deck. As far as the proper libraries, we realize the NA does not have one, but, saw seating around the ship that would may suffice.

We've got our first HAL trip planned on the Nieuw Amsterdam next year. Thus, cannot say what we like best at this point, but rather, why we booked. We are looking for a relaxing trip- quiet spaces and places to see beautiful scenery, places to be connected or near the ocean (ie the promenade), some places to curl up and read a good book and relax, a kicked back day in a spa, and friendly staff. From the reviews we have read, HAL offers these things. Anxious for next year's trip to arrive.

Happy and safe travels! Looking very forward to your blog. :-)

First, let me say this thread is fabulous for those of us who are Azamara virgins!!

 

Here's a thought for a document:

Maybe a spreadsheet (Excel) or table (Word) with first column for category and second column for tips/info. Then the reader can sort on the first column and there is no need for a contributor to figure out how to format an additional bit of info into an existing category... Just add it to the end of the document.

 

Please let me know if I can help with that. Thank you again!!

 

 

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I love the thread and info in it, too- Thanks to all who are contributing. And, the excel spreadsheet with just a category for the first column, then, notes for the next---that would work well, I think.

Thanks again to all who have shared info on this thread.

Halfacts has pics of cabin 5171 on Eurodam which is the sister ship of N.Amsterdam.

http://halfacts.com/signature-class/5171-eurodam/

Thanks! :-)

Does anyone have any photos of the bathrooms with the shower only on the Nieuw Amsterdam?

Thanks :-)

We love Azamara and also Viking Ocean, but would also recommend the wonderful Star Clippers which is surprisingly affordable and a fantastic 'once in a lifetime' experience. (although we have done two).

Thanks, Mrs. Miggins- Will check out their web site.

Oh, one more we want to try is Viking Oceans...but, due to different price point...see that as a bit out in the future. Maybe year 5 or 6??? :-) I'd better go let my DH know that we have tentative plans for the next six years or so. LOL Wishing all a great day!

Do not get upset about price changes. It happens. I have passed up good prices and regretted when the price went up. I have been pleased when prices go down and I got to save some money. Last week, I asked my trusted TA for a price on 3 cruises. Since then, one went up by $500pp. one went down by $2300pp, and one stayed the same. Not all Azamara. The one that stayed the same was too high. It will drop. Crazy prices? I booked the cruise that had the price go down. Supply and demand drives the prices on many cruises. Whenever I shop a cruise, I check many websites and the cruise line. The trick is to know when the price is good enough. Many cruise lines offer price matching. If the price goes down, you can request the new price. I also look at plane fares, availability of flights, transfers, shore excursions, and hotels. Be patient. Never book any cruise until you are happy with the price. Do not feel pressured to book. If you miss out on one cruise, there will always be others. I also use a fare watching app to monitor price changes. Good luck.

Thanks, Redtravel- Think that the advice to book when the fare is good enough is great advice.

We are not too bummed; practicing being flexible. There are a few lines we want to try (Azamara, HAL for promenade decks, Windstar, and Oceania); thus, if it does not work out re: Azamara for this fare, we will adapt. :-) The size of the ship appeals to us. (We are not big on crowds, lines, etc. Looking for relaxing vacation, time to read, nice scenery, good food, and solid service.)

I have warned my DH that I would like to do at least one cruise each year over the next few years; plan to make Azamara one of the lines we try. And, totally open to loving it so much that we stick with them. :-)

As far as the Azamara fares, will just keep an eye out in case the fares drop for the sailing we were considering.

Thanks again for the great advice.

Nice Suite. I could not leave room.

I concur...that is a gorgeous suite. :-)

Hope you enjoy the suite, as well as the voyage.

Thanks for the posts during your voyage.

Thanks to all who encouraged and shared more info. For us, for the Region we were hoping to cruise, the veranda prices seem a tiny bit lower than they were before the change in the fares (nearly doubled) for inside and ocean view staterooms. (Memory not always perfect though.)

Unfortunately for us, the inside and ocean view staterooms were the categories of interest, as were their previously available price points. Thus, until the promo offering a veranda for fare of an inside is over, suspect we will be waiting to book and hoping for the best. Had we been looking at the veranda category, might be a different story.

I have also learned that fares on the web site may change in prep for a future promo before the current promo is over. That is what I was not anticipating, thus, thought I had a few days left under the promo that ran until the end of Aug. But, looks like the inside and ocean view prices for the voyages we were looking at were hit with the hike in fares a few days before the new promo started. Again, my lesson learned. :-) And, it is a while before the voyage we were looking at sails...a bit under a year; thus, still some time to see what happens with the fares for those categories.

If it doesn't work out for sailings for this region, we will watch for another region. Still want to try Azamara when we can.

Wishing all a great day.

Looking forward to September 1st, then

Me, too, Tondakea. I'll be getting online in the first for sure.

Will also check witg a TA per the suggestion to make sure I cannot find a better deal today.

Maybe it will be included on the new promotion that starts September 1st at a better price point

 

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Hoping you are right, Laurieb. Next time I'll get that deposit down, for sure :-)

Thanks to all who have shared info re: Azamara-Appreciate all the info about the ships, staterooms, etc., both in response to my posts, as well as all the info folks continually share on the boards.

Was ready to book, then, went to bed one night, woke up next a.m., got online...and about to book- and, yikes- same promo, but fare had increased $1,500 per person for an 8 night cruise.

Not criticizing nor complaining - fares do fluctuate and shame on me for just not booking the night before; but, I had not anticipated such a fare hike while an already offered promo still in effect.

The increase pp was just shy of what the entire fare pp had been 24 hours prior for a sailing about a year in the future. Thought I had pulled up a different voyage, or the fare I was seeing was for a different promo; but, unfortunately was not the case. Looks like most trips to same destination had similar overnight increases.

Again - Not criticizing, rather, sometimes one just wants to share with others and to know if anyone else has seen or experienced the same thing- in this case, a sudden fare hike of an amount that makes you blink. Multiple blinks. Lol (I keep checking the site to make sure it is not my sight or glasses. Lol)

Thank you for indulging my need to share my surprise at the amount of the sudden pp fare increase. Again, shame on me for just not booking the night prior. Lesson leared re: putting the deposit down asap when desired stateroom at an acceptable-to-you fare is published on the web site. Plus, hoping that by posting/sharing maybe someone new to or considering booking on Azamara can learn from my lesson learned. Helping someone else always takes a bit of the sting out, at least for me.

Still hoping and planning to travel on Azamara someday. Just will be holding off on booking for a while.

Thanks for reading/listening. Wishing all a nice night. :-)

Thanks, Kamlee. :-) (Was hoping for table near the window-but, thanks for the info.)

Greetings- Checked the cabins/staterooms spreadsheet--awesome info there - thanks to all who have posted on that thread and for getting the stateroom info into a spreadsheet.

Question for those who have sailed in the Ocean View staterooms on Deck 4. Trying to ascertain the placement of the bed- near the window or near the bathroom- in some staterooms. (I have not found this info via the search for this board, or on Azamara's deck plans. Could just be my eyes and searching skills, though.)

Can anyone who has sailed in 4023 and/or 4045 share where the bed is located in the stateroom- either next to the window or next to the bathroom? (We are looking to sail on the Quest- not sure if that is important for this question or not.)

Also, want to ensure that these two staterooms are not connecting rooms; but, from the Azamara web site and deck plans, does not look like they are connecting rooms. Please correct me if I am wrong. :-)

In addition, I have read on these threads/posts that a tender may pass by 4045 at when it is being lowered/raised. Is that also the case with 4023?

Whew--Thanks for reading through all of that! :)

Thanks in advance for your help.

Wishing all a great evening.

-EngSet

There are 4 non-alcoholic cocktails on the included list. They are all slushes - I love ‘tropical lemonade’, and I often also ask for a ‘Virgin Mary’ (Bloody Mary without the vodka) which is not on the list, but is available.

The included sodas areCoca Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Tonic Water and Ginger Ale. There is fruit juice too - orange, pineapple, mango, tomato.

There is a pretty good range on speciality teas too.

 

 

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Thanks! :-)

What non alcoholic beverages are you looking for? The list of complimentary actually doesn't include all that are offered. Perhaps your drink of choice is available / those who monitor these boards are well travelled aboard the ships and may be able to find out if your choice is actually there.

Greetings- Thanks all for the comments/advice. Sorry I disappeared for a couple of days---work/life got a bit busy.

I guess my quandary at the moment is trying to decide to book now while the fares are a bit higher than they were a couple of months ago for now there is a package that includes the OBC for spa, excursions, the wireless, and the Premium Beverage package if the bev package is not something that would truly benefit us. But, then, fares may not return to what they were prior to this promo...thus, conflicted.

As far as what types of drinks, for the DH, would probably be slushes, smoothies, shakes, specialty teas, lemonades, juices, etc., that he would want. Not sure what all is included in the standard fare- I need to review the website and cc better.

For me, smoothies, juice, and slushes are nice; but, probably would be coffee drinks in the a.m. (one or two at most). Sounds like, though, the Mosaic café already offers some nice coffee drinks, vs. the coffee drinks that would be included in the package above the premium beverage package.

Again, just trying to decide...book now, when fare is about 500 more pp than it was a couple of months ago prior to this package, or, hold off until after this promo ends the end of August. (We'd use the spa credit and the excursion credit; if I mentally back those amounts out of the fare for we'd be spending those $ anyway, puts the fare at about 200 pp higher than it was prior to the Experience more package, if that makes sense.)

I'll admit, not feeling uber decisive today. Maybe after another cup of coffee...:-)

Wishing all a great day.

And, again, thanks for the thoughts and info. (I am also checking out the thread re: the drinks. The photos of the offerings are super helpful. Thanks to those who post photos and info.)

I would expect we will source fresh fish while in Alaska. But this is really up to the ship personnel.

Thanks, Bonnie!

Looks like the only non-alcoholic drinks are in the Ultimate package, and are Nespresso coffee and Evian & Perrier Water.

 

 

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Thanks for confirming...that is what I was seeing as well; but, wanted to make sure that was correct. (Thus, the premium package not too helpful for us. The Ultimate might be; but, not the premium. Thus, will wait to book and book after this promo is over later this summer.)

Thanks to all. Wishing you a great day.

Thanks, Bonnie!

Greetings- The DH and I are looking at some sailings and right now they are under the Experience More offering which includes an OBC to be used for excursions, one for the Spa, wireless Internet, and upgrade to Premium beverage package.

While the OBC for excursions and the OBC for the spa would work for us; not sure if the premium beverage package that is part of the offer would be or not since we do not drink alcohol.

Looking for advice/info re: Are there many non-alcoholic drinks added to that package? (Looking at Azamara's web site, I don't see many non-alcoholic beverages added to that packet from those included in the cruise fare. Want to make sure I am not missing info since the additional to the Premium upgrade seem to be mainly alcoholic beverages.)

While I am anxious to book our trip, thinking that unless I am missing something re: additional non-alcoholic beverages being part of the premium package, it might be best for us to wait until late August when this offer is over so we could get (hopefully) a cruise only fare vs. the Experience More package.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Wishing all a great day,

-EngSet

Thanks, Bonnie, for the info! :-)

Saw on the article/blog mention of the excursions in Alaska that will include local cuisine (salmon, halibut, crab, etc.).

Do you know if there will be locally sourced cuisine onboard the Quest during the Azamara sailings to Alaska next summer vs. just via the excursions mentioned in the blog article?

Thanks,

-Engset

If the Azamara cruise you are looking at is part of the Experience More promotion, check the prices once the promotion ends. For me, the prices are inflated. I don't want the chef table meal, spa credits, upgraded booze, or shore excursion credits and am waiting until all these extras are stripped out.

Thanks, MNgardens for sharing that thought re: the price of the fares under the current promotion. We have been leaning towards Azamara for a trip next year; but, I missed the last Book and Save promo for a particular sailing. When looking at the current promo, the fares are significantly higher and we just don't need some of the items offered with this fare. I was concerned about waiting, though, for I didn't know if the fares would be even higher after this promo ends. (I think it ends at the end of August.) It would be nice if Azamara always offered a "Cruise Only" fare while other promos are in place. Would make me book much sooner. Would be nice to have that option.

Thanks again, -EngSet