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Reflections from an Azamara Newbie ( 11/20/17 Cuba voyage)


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I've started this review a million times and failed to complete it. So this will be a quick noting of my reflections before I get side tracked again. This was the November 20th sailing to Havana over Thanksgiving.

This was our 10th cruise but first with Azamara. We've cruised mainly luxury lines, but aren't into organized tours and don't want to pay for what we don't use, so we keep looking for the perfect line for us. We cruised Celebrity a couple of years ago and thought the food in Luminae was very good and had hopes for the food on Azamara, since food is an important part of a vacation for us.

First I have to say that this board is wonderful! Respectful discourse, disagreement, comparisons and criticism. I've been using cruise critic since our first cruise over 17 years ago and some of the boards for other lines are useless because of the very vocal minority cheerleaders who shout down anyone with an opinion that differs from theirs. If you can't get honest opinions and advice from a variety of folks, these boards are pointless. Ya'll are awesome! Thanks for your honesty and candor!

The pre cruise experience did lower my expectations quite a bit. An inability to even get the curtesy of a response from the woman I thought worked for Azamara to answer questions on this board was disappointing. The response from the customer service rep I called was even worse. The website is really so bad as to be a detriment to the cruise line. We chose the cruise for the fact it was over Thanksgiving and went to Cuba. By the time we boarded we were just hoping they had staff aboard that could drive the boat and find Cuba.

But the staff aboard the ship are an entirely different animal from the lackluster folks on land. The staff were genuinely friendly, helpful and seemed eager to help you have a good time. There were a couple of cranky pant waiters who we kept running into and avoiding, but the norm was wonderful genuinely, caring servers. Our room attendant was the best we have had at sea, I believe. The room itself needs some TLC from the maintenance crew. That shower! Yes, it is small and that curtain is so low brow. But it is also falling apart, with warped walls and stained floor. The furniture in our room was a bit worn and just shabby looking. We spent most of our time in the Living Room, and the furnishings there also all needed to be reupholstered. Horrendously worn. But the staff kept you happy and the view kept our attention.

The piped in music played in lounges during the day was very nice. The music on RSSC is really so bad as to drive you from the ship and you can't help but feel like you are in a state run nursing home when listening to it. But AZ had great variety and really great selections. Live music was hard to find though. There was a piano player who played in the casino bar each night, but it was always so crowded you couldn't find a seat and so loud with casino noise it was a waste. We got lucky and found the guitar player a couple of nights in the living room. He was fabulous. But he was scheduled at awful times that conflicted with dinner. I commented on the mid cruise survey that music during cocktail hour would be great. I was told that there was live music constantly around the ship by the employee who called to scold me for my comments. From the standing room only crowd and the comments of that crowd packing in to hear a duo sing before dinner that evening, I was far from the only person missing all that live music. Our other complaint mid cruise was the frequent, long winded and repetitive announcements. It was awful! I think the man making the announcements got paid by the word. The scolder told me AZ was a no announcement cruise line. Um, no, you aren't. And don't ask for feedback if you don't want it. And if you disagree with it, then don't do anything with it. But calling me to scold me on my vacation because I gave you feedback you asked for and didn't like is inexcusable.

The food at breakfast was very good. In the main dining room and even on the buffet. It is hard to find a decent poached egg, but AZ had no problem with it. Lunch and dinner were less reliable. The menu was a bit boring, the quality of the ingredients lacking and the execution just okay. The food in the main dining room was not very good and the buffet was actually better. But I really hate eating in a buffet at dinner. We want to dine, not eat and run. The specialty restaurants were not much better, and certainly not worth even the inexpensive up charge. And the waiter in the specialty restaurant was soliciting gratuity and also compliments. It was awkward and considering the service there was anything but praiseworthy, it was just odd.

Our fellow passengers were very friendly, interesting and a more energetic crowd than we often find on luxury lines. We always make new friends on ships, and this was no exception. We also always get told we are very young to be on a cruise without our parents, and I'm going to miss that when people soon stop saying it. ;). On several occasions there was a great dancing crowd until late in the evening. Some other lines are dead after dinner, but this was a lively crowd. The white night party got rained out and we (along with many others) chose not to attend the Azamazing evening which was a mariachi performance at a beach/water park in Cozumel. But the crowd danced late into the night to fun current hits after the white night party. So much fun.

Our cruise was 2 weeks after the travel restrictions for Cuba were revised. Many people were confused and concerned about what was allowed. Azamara took advantage of that and actively forced MANY people to buy their group tours. They misstated the law to people and many people were mad about not being able to do the fabulous experiences they had booked for themselves. A lot of people were complaining that the ship's tours violated the new regulations from top to bottom. We chose 'Support the Cuban People' as our general license for travel and booked our own tours complying with the law and were not hassled by AZ. As Cuba was our sole reason for being on that ship, and I'm an attorney who had poured over the regulations prior to our departure, I am confident we were in compliance with the restrictions and I would not have tolerated interference by Azamara in our plans.

The living room was a wonderful place to spend the day! The alternative art program to Park West was such an improvement! Present if you wanted to chat with the artist, but not intrusive or taking over valuable real estate like it is so often. The included drink package is not good. And things just get confusing when you upgrade. It's hard to tell what is included, the menus don't call it out and the staff is often unsure. And having to constantly show my key to get a drink is just not a part of a vacation experience I want.

I had an experience this cruise that related to cruise critic and it was a first. Being old hat at these boards I'm well versed in fashion police, the smart jean debate and the fact that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We've had the experience on many lines where what we read on these boards and what we saw on board that ship were worlds apart. This cruise, a frequent poster to these boards who was vocal about jeans being inappropriate most places and shorts frowned upon even in hot climate cruises was onboard. And her one dance move of lifting her dress over her head revealed more than just the fact she had been over served. It also revealed an answer to her snotty question of why would anyone ever wear shorts. A nice pair of a designer shorts, properly tailored and appropriate for your body type and age can be far more appealing than a sun dress in certain circumstances. The next time I start to let a stranger's comments on these boards change my mind about what to pack, I'll remember that experience.

Thanks again to all those of you who provided information, either in direct response to my questions or who had just shared on these boards and whose shared experiences benefited my planning! Would we cruise Azamara again? Probably not. Food is a big part of life for us and Azamara just doesn't deliver on that front. My answer would be it would depend on the itinerary, since that is really our biggest reason in booking a cruise. But the horrendous handling of Cuban tours/visas by Azamara would make me hesitant to trust them again.

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My wife and I are booked on a future Azamara Cuba intensive cruise. As you’re an “attorney who had pored over the regulations” I’d really appreciate some more detail as to what the regs permit as far as privately arranged and self guided tours.

 

 

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The furniture in our room was a bit worn and just shabby looking. We spent most of our time in the Living Room, and the furnishings there also all needed to be reupholstered. Horrendously worn. But the staff kept you happy and the view kept our attention.

These comments re the furniture surprise me, as Quest was refurbished in April 2016.

I would also question the comments re food.

I was very impressed how the chef on Quest produced food local to the area on our TA in 2016.

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We are also planning a future cruise to Cuba and would appreciate clarification as to taking privately arranged tours while being in compliance with the regulations. I also appreciate your providing your assessment of your cruise experience on the ship. It is always helpful to hear of others' experience.

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My wife and I are booked on a future Azamara Cuba intensive cruise. As you’re an “attorney who had pored over the regulations” I’d really appreciate some more detail as to what the regs permit as far as privately arranged and self guided tours.

 

 

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Check out the Cuba port forum. This has been very well hashed out there. I've spelled out my argument there as well. As far as what is permitted versus what Azamara will allow you to do... Unless you are going in ready to do battle, I'd assume they will force you to do a ship's tour as they did so many on our sailing. Sad, but true.

 

 

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These comments re the furniture surprise me, as Quest was refurbished in April 2016.

I would also question the comments re food.

I was very impressed how the chef on Quest produced food local to the area on our TA in 2016.

 

 

 

I was very surprised at the condition of the furniture in the Living Room as well. Furniture where the pattern has worn off the arms and seats of the chairs and sofas is definitely surprising.

 

As we all know, food is very subjective. I've been to top rated, three Michelin Star restaurants where some in our party found the food outstanding and others thought it was undeserving of all of the accolades. Just stating my opinion that lunch and dinner aboard Azamara did not meet our expectations. We don't expect Michelin star quality on any cruise, but based on the comments of others had hoped it would be better. We found the food in Luminae on Celebrity to be much better.

 

 

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I was very surprised at the condition of the furniture in the Living Room as well. Furniture where the pattern has worn off the arms and seats of the chairs and sofas is definitely surprising.

 

As we all know, food is very subjective. I've been to top rated, three Michelin Star restaurants where some in our party found the food outstanding and others thought it was undeserving of all of the accolades. Just stating my opinion that lunch and dinner aboard Azamara did not meet our expectations. We don't expect Michelin star quality on any cruise, but based on the comments of others had hoped it would be better. We found the food in Luminae on Celebrity to be much better.

 

 

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Currently on Quest and I agree that the furniture in the Living Room is worn even after a short period of time since refurb. Food has been hit and miss and not what I expected based on my previous experiences.

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A helpful review. As you say food is subjective and so some will have different benchmarks on what they expect to yours.

I agree 100% the experience between shipboard and shore is so different. The issue about tours is a shore issue, the ship will be following the land based directives. It’s such a shame people are unable to now trust anything stated by head office.

 

 

 

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I do not think that the standard cabins were redone yet.

 

Surprised what you are saying about Prine C bd Aqualina food. I was on that cruise and felt the food was very good. Also went to a wine dinner.

 

Cuba.. well I do my own thing for one whole day and afternoon of another day.no one cared. Several people did their own tours with private guides or walked around by themselves.

 

We all know not to listen to Mia, no one in ship told me to take a tour or not, I did check out the new Jewish tour As I wanted to see a Temple.

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The standard cabins were redone in the reimagination in 2016.

I’m interested did you get permission from the ship to do your own thing or did you just go ahead anyway. There’s a big difference between the two.

Food is subjective yes it’s good in the speciality restaurants but it’s not Michelin. Aqualina is far nearer that rating than Prime C in my view.

 

 

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I’m interested did you get permission from the ship to do your own thing or did you just go ahead anyway. There’s a big difference between the two.

 

We were not questioned about our plans. I'm not sure if that was because of how we filled out the affidavit (support the Cuban people) or if we just got lucky. MANY people we met were complaining about being told they would have to do a ship's tour instead of the private arrangements they had made for themselves or they would not be allowed off of the ship. And lots of people were angry about the ship's tours seemingly being non compliant with the regulations as the guide worked for the Cuban government, the bus they were on was owned by the Cuban government and they visited with sites specifically called our on the banned list. It seemed as long as you bought a tour from AZ, they would let you come and go as you pleased.

 

 

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The standard cabins were redone in the reimagination in 2016.

I’m interested did you get permission from the ship to do your own thing or did you just go ahead anyway. There’s a big difference between the two.

Food is subjective yes it’s good in the speciality restaurants but it’s not Michelin. Aqualina is far nearer that rating than Prime C in my view.

 

 

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Thanks Ann on the cabins, I saw them but vaguely remember dark wood vs rhe new light woods.

 

All the buses in Cuba are owned by rheur Gov't. The bus drivers all work for the Gov,t. That was well explain back in Jan.

 

The first day I did the new Jewish tour . The second day did walk to the Capital and Rhein got a classic car tour. Then went shopping and had a late lunch.

 

Not sure of the ban list of places besides a hotel that I walked by. Looked inside , very lovely but very empty. All I know on my bed was a list of four or five places not to go in. The hotel I remember as it was an easy woman's name.

 

I really do not think AZ was that concern. I felt rhst a classic car tour was people to people as I talked to locals.

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For those of you who asked for more details about booking your own tours and staying compliant with the new regulations, I'm posting the applicable provision from the Code of Federal Regulations as well as one of the examples of permitted travel listed by the Treasury Department. We chose this provision, support of the Cuban People as our reason for travel on the affidavit. People to people is no longer a permissible reason for self guided or private guided travel, though if you booked your trip prior to June 16th 2017 you are grandfathered in for that license.

 

We did a private tour with Tours by Blexie (blexie100588@gmail.com) and George wound up being our guide as Blexie was sick the day we arrived. It was wonderful! He speaks wonderful English (he is a linguistics professor at the university) and told us repeatedly that no questions were off limits and made us feel very comfortable asking him all about life in Cuba. They provided a sample itinerary that we tweaked for our own interests and to avoid places on the banned list. They were extremely accommodating. We started with a walking tour of old town with George telling us places we might want to visit the following day such as museums and cultural sights where we would spend more time or would have a guided tour by a museum docent. He helped us maximize our time. Then we got into a beautiful classic car with a wonderful driver, we chose a closed top car with air conditioning. Then we went all over. Fusterlandia at the edge of town, El Morro, a drive through just about every neighborhood, Revolution Square, and a drive by the Hotel National and our now infamous embassy as well as much much more. George was so informative and really wanted us to see everything we showed interest in. I had requested a stop by a typical Cuban grocery store, it's something we do everywhere we go. I thought Russia had interesting grocery stores! This was a definite must do! George also walked us by a privately owned restaurant we wanted to eat at our second day to make a reservation, o'Reilly 304. And he drove us by the place we were having dinner that night, which was near the Hotel national where we went for a pre dinner drink. At our insistence George joined us for lunch in a privately owned restaurant he selected, and our fascinating conversations continued through the meal. I can't say enough wonderful things about our day with George. Our tour ran long and we actually had to tell him we needed to wrap it up to get dressed for dinner. He wanted to show us all of Havana!

 

Wow, this is becoming a very long post! I hope it's helpful and not boring! The second day we went back to some of the sights recommended by George, we had a fabulous lunch and s fascinating waitress who told us all about her education. We enjoyed using our Spanish talking with the docent at a pharmacy museum and hearing about the history of that business and the gorgeous building. I think the highlight of that day and one that exemplifies the "support of the Cuban People" was a visit we had with a private shop owner. We talked about what she sold and why. I explained my constant search for Christmas ornaments when we travel, and that many American's do the same. And we came up with a way for her to make a fridge magnet into an ornament. That earned me a hug and kiss on the cheek. My husband also had a nice chat with an artist, as he enjoys painting and was fascinated at his inspirations and his materials. Anyway, we met a lot of other wonderful Cuban people and definitely had meaningful conversations.

 

I'm confident that our experience in Cuba complied with the letter and spirit of the regulations. I would have been willing to fight with Azamara to get to do our plans and avoid being on a bus. We didn't have to. But I know other folks tried to fight and were still forced to buy a tour from Azamara to get a visa. I'm not sure if that has to do with their reason for travel selected on the affidavit or not.

 

 

§ 515.574Support for the Cuban People.

(a) General license. The travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560© and other transactions that are intended to provide support for the Cuban people are authorized, provided that:

(1) The activities are of:

(i) Recognized human rights organizations;

(ii) Independent organizations designed to promote a rapid, peaceful transition to democracy; or

(iii) Individuals and non-governmental organizations that promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba; and

(2) The traveler's schedule of activities does not include free time or recreation in excess of that consistent with a full-time schedule.

Note to § 515.574(a):

Each person relying on the general authorization in this paragraph must retain specific records related to the authorized travel transactions. See §§ 501.601 and 501.602 of this chapter for applicable recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

 

Example 1 to § 515.574: An individual plans to travel to Cuba, stay in a room at a rented accommodation in a private Cuban residence (casa particular), eat at privately-owned Cuban restaurants (paladares), and shop at privately-owned stores run by self-employed Cubans (cuentapropista) during his or her four-day trip. While at the casa particular, the individual will have breakfast each morning with the Cuban host and engage with the Cuban host to learn about Cuban culture. In addition, the traveler will complete his or her full-time schedule by supporting Cuban entrepreneurs launching their privately-owned businesses. The traveler’s activities promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba. Because the individual’s qualifying activities are not limited to staying in a room at a rented accommodation in a private Cuban residence (casa particular), eating at privately-owned Cuban restaurants (paladares), and shopping at privately owned stores run by self-employed Cubans (cuentapropista) and the traveler maintains a full-time schedule that enhances contact with the Cuban people, supports civil society in Cuba, and promotes the Cuban people’s independence from Cuban authorities, and that results in meaningful interaction between the traveler and Cuban individuals, the individual’s travel qualifies for the general license.

 

 

 

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I am sorry - what does the phrase 'grandfathered in' mean to anyone who booked this cruise prior to the June date? Thank you.

 

 

 

If you booked your cruise prior to 6/16, the changes in the regulations do not apply to you. You are bound by the regulations that were in place prior to that time, but will have an easier time doing a tour with a private guide or even doing "people to people" self exploration.

 

 

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These comments re the furniture surprise me, as Quest was refurbished in April 2016.

I would also question the comments re food.

I was very impressed how the chef on Quest produced food local to the area on our TA in 2016.

 

I found the same in my balcony room as well on the October Quest out of Civitiveccia.

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although your review is very informative it also contains a personal attack on a fellow cruiser, I think you are out of order and such comments should be kept to yourself - enough said.

 

 

 

I did not personally attack anyone. I told the facts of events that happened during my cruise, and the facts of that cruisers nasty comments on this board before that cruise. I don't believe she was anymore embarrassed about her antics that night than she was her rudeness to fellow cruisers before and during the cruise. I think she was trying to be funny with her dancing. I only found it funny in light of her rude comment to a question about shorts. The story had a moral, evidently it escaped you.

 

 

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