Interesting Comment on new ship.

[Riocca]

P&O's Adonai sounds like a perfect fit with a little refurb! Reading the P&O site, their explanation of lack of additional Adonia itineraries sounds a bit vague.

 

Caribbean fly cruise season for UK customers sounds a bit strange as there has never been any demand for this. Adonia would need the addition of the Club Continent Suites to deck 8 as Journey and Quest did as at present there are only standard Balcony cabins. We have not been on her since 2012 but she was in an OK condition and P&O tend to look after their ships better than Princess.

[ellbon]

You are missing the point that Infinity couldn't go to many of the ports that Quest and Journey can (Ho Chi Minh, centre of Hong Kong, Syracuse, Seville, Portofino, the list goes on) and that is part of what makes Azamara so special. Economies of scale or not.

 

Phil

 

love your comment and backing all of us up and two threads.

[midwestchick]

Perhaps not, but it could be something wonderful. The M-class are beautiful ships, cabins are larger than Azamara pax are used to, increasing crew cabins to Azamara ratio would reduce pax load and thereby improve space ratio. Just because no one else has done luxury for 2,000 doesn't mean it can't be done -- and the economies of scale could mean very attractive pricing.

 

 

Personally, I love Azamara just the way they are. While I'm sure I will love our Summit cruises, it won't be the same. Our S class cabin on X wasn't really much bigger than our Journey cabin.

[Jim Avery]

Maybe Bonnie will set up a poll of just how large a passenger load we would each tolerate? I know our limits. I am sure you do as well.:D

[BBMacLaird]

Maybe Bonnie will set up a poll of just how large a passenger load we would each tolerate? I know our limits. I am sure you do as well.:D

 

I can make it an Azamara Asks question!

Tell me, how would you phrase the question and the possible answers so that I don't build in our shared bias?

[ellbon]

I can make it an Azamara Asks question!

Tell me, how would you phrase the question and the possible answers so that I don't build in our shared bias?

 

Just ask ' ehat is he largest passanger load you are willing to sail with". mine now is 800 to 1000.

[midwestchick]

I can make it an Azamara Asks question!

Tell me, how would you phrase the question and the possible answers so that I don't build in our shared bias?

 

It will be interesting to see how many suggestions on the Azamara Asks thread they actually incorporate.

Maybe one option to choose is "continue with the same number of pax on any future ships.

[gosport11]

Got of PO Adonia last week,its looking very tired now,even those on board aren't sure whats happening.It would need a lot of money spending on it.I was surprised it had no casino which made for a very comfortable lounge/music bar :):)

PS no art sales either :)

Edited May 1, 2015 by gosport11
added

[Riocca]

Surely a 2000 pax Azamara ship would just be Celebrity, staff would still be good but not have the same time to interact with guests, officers just could not be as visible and most important of all it would lose the ability to dock in smaller ports.

 

We chose a cruise on Journey for the Caribbean next year specifically because it goes to smaller ports that the mega ships can't get to, if we had wanted we could have cruised for a fraction of the cost but Azamara gives us that option and we like many others are prepared to pay for it. Even Oceania with their larger ships can only go to the already overcrowded Caribbean ports, we could have chosen that as a cheaper option but dismissed it out of hand!

 

In our opinion a large ship would be the death of Azamara, if we want a cheaper cruise on a larger ship going to container ports there are plenty of options. Keep Azamara ships sub 40,000 tonnes and 800 pax max please.

[TxnAquarian]

Surely a 2000 pax Azamara ship would just be Celebrity, staff would still be good but not have the same time to interact with guests, officers just could not be as visible and most important of all it would lose the ability to dock in smaller ports.

 

We chose a cruise on Journey for the Caribbean next year specifically because it goes to smaller ports that the mega ships can't get to, if we had wanted we could have cruised for a fraction of the cost but Azamara gives us that option and we like many others are prepared to pay for it. Even Oceania with their larger ships can only go to the already overcrowded Caribbean ports, we could have chosen that as a cheaper option but dismissed it out of hand!

 

In our opinion a large ship would be the death of Azamara, if we want a cheaper cruise on a larger ship going to container ports there are plenty of options. Keep Azamara ships sub 40,000 tonnes and 800 pax max please.

 

 

 

I couldn't agree more. And we love ships of all sizes, but specifically book with Azamara when they offer those smaller, unique ports. I highly doubt that Azamara has any intention of taking on any of Celebrity's fleet, or building large ships. I think they will do what Seabourn has done (if we see some newbuilds) and stick to slightly larger ships with roughly the same capacity they have now. They know what their fan base wants and work hard to listen to feedback and suggestions, and they know they would lose a big chunk of their clients by building anything large.

 

 

 

Michael

[Jim Avery]

I can make it an Azamara Asks question!

Tell me, how would you phrase the question and the possible answers so that I don't build in our shared bias?

 

Ok, how about "How many fellow passengers would you be willing to tolerate on a cruise?"

[wripro]

Perhaps not, but it could be something wonderful. The M-class are beautiful ships, cabins are larger than Azamara pax are used to, increasing crew cabins to Azamara ratio would reduce pax load and thereby improve space ratio. Just because no one else has done luxury for 2,000 doesn't mean it can't be done -- and the economies of scale could mean very attractive pricing.

 

I disagree. Luxury cannot be provided for 2000 people. Period.

[Riocca]

Here is a link to P&O's information page on Adonia, it's interesting to read the announcement regarding it's omission from the 2016 brochure and compare the pictures of the ship with Azamara's layouts.

 

http://www.pocruises.com/cruise-ships/adonia/overview/

[Lottie A]

I was on a P&O cruise a month ago.....and rather surprisingly, enjoyed it very much. :)

 

We had dinner with the Captain and I asked him about Adonia, as it would seem she would be a good fit for Azamara. He said that she was due for a refurb in 2016 and then she would be sailing the small Caribbean islands, with maybe some South American ports too. He said she was one of P&O's most popular ships and they never had any trouble selling her out for most cruises, so I doubt that P&O would be thinking of selling her at the moment.

 

We talked for a while about the very large ships that P&O are building now and the Captain said that the company would always want to keep a smaller ship too, but that it seems Oriana may be leaving the fleet soon due to her age and cost of repairs. He couldn't tell me any definite plans but he certainly hinted that Oriana will be leaving P&O. I don't think at 1,900 pax she would suit Azamara though....and she is a very elderly lady requiring a lot of upkeep.

 

Personally, I think a new ship should be a maximum of a 1000 pax, but I would much prefer a newer version of the R class ships, with 600 - 700 pax and no shower curtain! :D

[marinaro44]

I disagree. Luxury cannot be provided for 2000 people. Period.

I agree, but some people have a different definition of "luxury." Regent fans think they are having a "luxury" experience because they have what I call the trappings of "luxury:" caviar at Sunday breakfast/brunch; very large staterooms; walk-in closets; large bathrooms; no-charge specialty restaurants; better selection of liquors, etc.

 

But there is no warmth or personal connection from senior officers on the ship. The captain keeps saying "see you around the ship" but the only place he goes is the smoking room. The general manager is aloof, dining with subordinates but never speaking to anyone else in the dining room. The F&B manager ducks all passenger contact. You can talk with the cruise director one day but she'll walk right by you with no acknowledgment the next.

 

There is no greeting from management when you return to the ship from port. We were given no cold drinks or chilled towels in the Amazon until we cornered the general manager and told him it might be a good idea, and even then he got pushback from his underlings. The sullen security guards at the gangway said nothing to returning passengers. We might as well have been convicts returning from work detail.

 

These are the things that I feel make for "luxury," not walk-in closets or this vodka or scotch instead of that. You can build the trappings of "luxury" into a 2000-passenger ship, but you'll never get the personal touch and engagement that we are accustomed to on Azamara and that keeps bringing us back for more.

[oddjob16]

:)One argument for smaller ships is that they can get into ports the bigger ships can never visit. This video is proof of that, and somewhat nostalgic, as I preferred the previous paint job:)

https://youtu.be/r6mKnjn3cb8

[Ithikan]

:)One argument for smaller ships is that they can get into ports the bigger ships can never visit. This video is proof of that, and somewhat nostalgic, as I preferred the previous paint job:)

https://youtu.be/r6mKnjn3cb8

I remember that Aug. 2012 sailing, passing between the cliffs into Pasajes! It was extraordinary, with people lining the walkways, cheering and waving, and the water cannon salute once we'd docked. Now THAT was an unforgettable, quite amazing, small ship treat... I haven't seen Pasajes on the itineraries after that, perhaps this was, indeed, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

[workingtocruise-59]

I remember that Aug. 2012 sailing, passing between the cliffs into Pasajes! It was extraordinary, with people lining the walkways, cheering and waving, and the water cannon salute once we'd docked. Now THAT was an unforgettable, quite amazing, small ship treat... I haven't seen Pasajes on the itineraries after that, perhaps this was, indeed, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

And we remember our arrival into Seville, very early in the morning, in 2013.

Cheering crowds, still enjoying the Feria de Abril, on each side of the bridge... the ladies wearing their flamenco dresses...

Truly unforgettable...

[Redtravel]

Azamara needs to fix up its ships. After my most recent cruise on the Journey (3rd time on that ship), it looks worn. Cabin hasn't changed since my first cruise on the Journey in 2009. Update beds, change drapes and carpets, fix broken tiles in bathrooms, etc. Build some new smaller ships with luxury features. Oceania's Marina and Riviera are gorgeous. Azamara has competition.

[excitedofharpenden]

Azamara needs to fix up its ships. After my most recent cruise on the Journey (3rd time on that ship), it looks worn. Cabin hasn't changed since my first cruise on the Journey in 2009. Update beds, change drapes and carpets, fix broken tiles in bathrooms, etc. Build some new smaller ships with luxury features. Oceania's Marina and Riviera are gorgeous. Azamara has competition.

 

Quest goes into dry dock for extensive updates in October and Journey in January. I have never felt the ship's look worn and for the record I have never met anyone onboard who thought that and I talk to a lot of guests. The beds were changed out a couple of years ago. You must have been unlucky. I've always found the updated ones very comfy.

 

Phil

[marinaro44]

Quest goes into dry dock for extensive updates in October and Journey in January. I have never felt the ship's look worn and for the record I have never met anyone onboard who thought that and I talk to a lot of guests. The beds were changed out a couple of years ago. You must have been unlucky. I've always found the updated ones very comfy.

 

Phil

Agree. We spent more than a month on Journey last June and July and the ship was in fine condition. Beds were replaced in the winter of 2013 so are almost new and, in my opinion, are very comfortable. By the way, I pointed this out the last time Redtravel complained about it but I suspect this won't be the last time we'll hear about it. Edited May 4, 2015 by marinaro44

[ellbon]

Quest goes into dry dock for extensive updates in October and Journey in January. I have never felt the ship's look worn and for the record I have never met anyone onboard who thought that and I talk to a lot of guests. The beds were changed out a couple of years ago. You must have been unlucky. I've always found the updated ones very comfy.

 

Phil

 

u ddu not waste my time answering negative attitude.

[oliveau]

It is said that Ocean Princess / Pacific Princess, and to a lesser extent, Adonia, would require a lot of work/ money to get up to AZ spec/standard.

 

But what would I know, I'm not a marine engineer!

[orchestrapal]

It is said that Ocean Princess / Pacific Princess, and to a lesser extent, Adonia, would require a lot of work/ money to get up to AZ spec/standard.

 

But what would I know, I'm not a marine engineer!

 

Hopefully Azamara will bring their ships up to Oceania Standards. We are trying A for the first time after the dry dock. Fingers crossed!

[marinaro44]

Hopefully Azamara will bring their ships up to Oceania Standards.

And you base this statement of relative standards on what?