Dry Dock Refit Details

[paremata2]

Phil, I went to one of the art auctions once. I can't remember whether it was the last cruise or the one before. It was a sea day or I wouldn't have been there!! I stayed for about half of it and all I saw was someone buy a nice but over priced print. Actually I whispered to my wife, would you like to have a wine at the Sunset Bar? and she was off like a robbers dog with me in tow.

[lexdisic]

Its not so much asking AZ to stop the auctions, but the people who buy from them. They will exist as long as it remains profitable for Shark West. There are obviously greater numbers that do, but dont care or dare to admit it on CC boards. As much as I loathe the auctions there is a silent majority who want them, so they will probably remain :(

The same for the Sunset Bar - Az will only keep Kibu if it gets used. Those who dont want it - dont use it and hope that the majority dont as well or that too will probably remain.

Az are trying to enhance the experience for everyone and no doubt will upset a few people on the way. I am sure they would have taken into consideration the backlash that inevitably would arise from making changes, but like every other business, they are looking to attract new money. I have a business which has regulars that I look after. If, however, I make any changes, I have to take into consideration the detrimental effect to my regulars vs the new business I can attract. I am in the business of making money and should a change be of benefit of the business, I have to follow it through. Az are no different in their approach.

As a newbie to Az, and probably the new money they are after, I can only see great moves forward for this line, and cant wait to experience what they now have to offer. I do feel for those who may be disappointed with the changes, just as my regulars would be, but if the circumstances dictate something should be done, then so be it as we have to survive in a very competitive world.

Unfortunately, loyalty is no longer fit for purpose from either side anymore.

[bbqoug]

I seem to remember reading someone's comments a while back that the machines in the casino were in need of being updated.

If that's the case, I hope Azamara gets some of the newer machines and does whatever other updates needed to the casino.

 

My wife and I enjoy spending a little while in the casino in the evenings and this is one area where Azamara should be able to get an almost immediate return on their investment.

[tiggerrr]

I think the later port times are part of the appeal of the buffet, quite a few people have told us that when they come back to the ship after a long day it is nice to just be able to wander up to the Sunset Bar for a drink and a leisurely meal. The atmosphere and ambiance are also really good, largely because of the ability to go outside and also because there are plenty of people around. When you go to one of the Azamara buffets you will find a different choice of food every evening, a station for food cooked while you wait (varies between stir fries, pasta, seafood, paella etc), a carvery and plenty of other choices as well as sushi, salads and of course desserts and ice cream! With a different country theme every evening there really is something for everyone. We have sailed with HAL, RCL and Celebrity and never ate at the buffets on those ships. On Azamara we seldom eat anywhere else.

 

We're another family you can add to this of being very disappointed with the loss of the sunset bar area. And your comments here echo our own thoughts. When we tried Azamara for the first time last year, we were very impressed. We keep looking for our next opportunity to sail again with AZ.

 

We ate/drank every night but one, on our 10 night Baltic cruise last year, at the Sunset Bar. This was a surprise initially, but the long port days and really good food/variety made the buffet the best option. And the atmosphere of the aft, outdoor seating created such a feeling of relaxation and contentment, it was amazing.

 

When I talk to others about Azamara, two things always stand out. The ports and itinerary is one, which we expected because that drove our original purchase. The second is the feeling of contentment and joy, which was the surprise. This was created in large measure by the crew, but the evenings on the aft deck - eating, drinking, meeting others, being quiet and reflective - are a big part too.

 

I'm not interested in a louder, active environment - a TV screen or a live band is not what I want forced on me when eating. I love the feeling of the outside air - which even the pool area doesn't create. And I do not have the energy for a 3-course, waited-on meal when I've had a long day of great memories in port.

 

I didn't expect to find that ideal situation on Azamara, but to have found it and now to lose it is disappointing. It's probably not a deal breaker for a future cruise, but it dampens all enthusiasm to keep looking on Azamara for a cruise now. And if it turns out it's a combination of both losing the Sunset Bar and making the buffet so crowded that it's not a relaxing option any longer (we aren't going to eat with movies or a live band blaring next to us), then that is a deal breaker. We'll try Oceania or Viking.

 

Thank you for the therapeutic rant. Putting the search on hold now until people's real experiences with the setup are shared next year.

Edited June 14, 2015 by tiggerrr

[uktog]

I forgot to add in my earlier posts another vote for the removal of the "art" auctions as soon as the contract position allows it.

 

I did post last year when I came back from my first cruise with the piano in the new location that I was OK with that and actually saw advantages (as well as the downside) but I now hated Mosaic because if I sit on one side I am overlooking art that jars with the ambience of the ship (especially the elephant with the kudu in its mouth - yes I know it's the law of the jungle but....- and as for the psychedelic bad trips.......). If I sit on the side of the auctioneers table, they are loud mouths and their bull**** really winds me up and I want to say something when they are trapping any innocent bypassers

 

So Larry and others, thanks for listening, I know you probably can't comment now as this is a commercial arrangement but please at contract review time get rid and give some thought on what that space might be used for - it may not be the piano....or dare I mention the harp (which I now don't miss) .....but something appropriate

Edited June 14, 2015 by uktog

[excitedofharpenden]

I seem to remember reading someone's comments a while back that the machines in the casino were in need of being updated.

If that's the case, I hope Azamara gets some of the newer machines and does whatever other updates needed to the casino.

 

My wife and I enjoy spending a little while in the casino in the evenings and this is one area where Azamara should be able to get an almost immediate return on their investment.

 

The link provided by minz56 in post 131 indicates refurbished video slots.

 

Phil

[ellbon]

I forgot to add in my earlier posts another vote for the removal of the "art" auctions as soon as the contract position allows it.

 

I did post last year when I came back from my first cruise with the piano in the new location that I was OK with that and actually saw advantages (as well as the downside) but I now hated Mosaic because if I sit on one side I am overlooking art that jars with the ambience of the ship (especially the elephant with the kudu in its mouth - yes I know it's the law of the jungle but....- and as for the psychedelic bad trips.......). If I sit on the side of the auctioneers table, they are loud mouths and their bull**** really winds me up and I want to say something when they are trapping any innocent bypassers

 

So Larry and others, thanks for listening, I know you probably can't comment now as this is a commercial arrangement but please at contract review time get rid and give some thought on what that space might be used for - it may not be the piano....or dare I mention the harp (which I now don't miss) .....but something appropriate

since all of the above happened i am not enjoying the space at all. you left out the sales tables.They seem to grow with each cruise since decc2010 when i started here. The worse is the art.. I sat there during cold days drinking coffee or tea but it is not relaxing anymore. . Oceania did it right they moved the coffee bar to the bar by DR and opens at 6 or 7. .read that on a a review. this space is a mess now.. i still do not like the piano moved and that area needs fixing big time

[bbqoug]

The link provided by minz56 in post 131 indicates refurbished video slots.

 

Phil

 

Thanks Phil,

 

I missed that part when I perused the article.

Sounds good.

[excitedofharpenden]

If they improve the payouts, even better!;)

 

Phil

[Lindy028]

I remember they went from Azamara and have come back. I don't get it all, but it's obviously worthwhile them doing it. Even if they sell a couple of, in my eyes at least, hideous paintings at the prices they ask perhaps they cover the cost. I have never seen anyone actually buying a painting, but then avoid those art auctions like the plague. Perhaps I should go to one and see what all the fuss is about. There is a lot of work involving the crew moving all those pictures around the ship, that's for sure!

 

To me Park West has never sat comfortably as a concept on Azamara. It shouts larger mass market ships rather than a small ship "destination immersion" line. I think it looks is tacky and invasive when they use public spaces to display them, but then as I say I just try to avoid it. I suspect we are stuck with them.

 

Phil

 

I agree completely, it does not sit comfortably with Azamara's smaller ships, much easier to avoid on the larger ships. Yes it is tacky, if I want to buy 'art', I know exactly where to go to buy what I want, and a cruise ship is certainly not it!

As you say it does look like we are stuck with them, though quite why a supposedly upmarket cruise line would want to sell something so tacky is beyond me! Like you, we avoid it like the plague!

Edited June 14, 2015 by Lindy028

[Granny DI]

We used to go to the art auctions in the"old days" on RCL et al. They would provide "entertainment" on sea days. We've bought one print in 17 years. We still have it as it reminds us of a favorite place. "In the old days" we were given a nice print for attending. We always had the prints framed and donated them for silent auctions at our favorite charity ball. They always sold for over $300. We just ignore them now. We take their literature and put it in the trash.

[minz56]

We used to go to the art auctions in the"old days" on RCL et al. They would provide "entertainment" on sea days. We've bought one print in 17 years. We still have it as it reminds us of a favorite place. "In the old days" we were given a nice print for attending. We always had the prints framed and donated them for silent auctions at our favorite charity ball. They always sold for over $300. We just ignore them now. We take their literature and put it in the trash.

 

In the "old days" I used to go for the free glass of wine that was on offer :D

Never bought anything

[hubofhockey]

We used to go to the art auctions in the"old days" on RCL et al. They would provide "entertainment" on sea days. We've bought one print in 17 years. We still have it as it reminds us of a favorite place. "In the old days" we were given a nice print for attending. We always had the prints framed and donated them for silent auctions at our favorite charity ball. They always sold for over $300. We just ignore them now. We take their literature and put it in the trash.

 

That's what these art auctions depend on. People want souvenirs of their cruises and the art auctions are convenient. We try to walk on the streets for artists selling prints in ports. Some are actually pretty good. I'd rather pay a fair price to a local artist than be involved in Park West's scam.

[81Zoomie]

I'm surprised Park West is still invited to sail based on the online articles about their business model.

[JVilleGal]

I'm surprised Park West is still invited to sail based on the online articles about their business model.

 

 

Ditto!

[Host Jazzbeau]

I'm surprised Park West is still invited to sail based on the online articles about their business model.

 

I'm looking forward to most aspects of our upcoming Azamara cruise, but not this one. One first cruise ("post-kids") was on Oceania Insignia, so our baseline is no photographers and no art auctions, and such a small casino we weren't aware it was there. [Actually, the photo gallery was there, but empty -- we guessed what it might have been.] But I don't see any space on the Quest deck plans labeled for Art Auctions -- where are they? This may be worse than I thought, because it probably means they are taking away some space that I thought was available for a better function!!!

[excitedofharpenden]

I'm looking forward to most aspects of our upcoming Azamara cruise, but not this one. One first cruise ("post-kids") was on Oceania Insignia, so our baseline is no photographers and no art auctions, and such a small casino we weren't aware it was there. [Actually, the photo gallery was there, but empty -- we guessed what it might have been.] But I don't see any space on the Quest deck plans labeled for Art Auctions -- where are they? This may be worse than I thought, because it probably means they are taking away some space that I thought was available for a better function!!!

Don't stress. It's really not that bad. Perhaps us anti-art auction types paint a depressing picture. That really was a bad pun.

 

Phil

[ellbon]

Don't stress. It's really not that bad. Perhaps us anti-art auction types paint a depressing picture. That really was a bad pun.

 

Phil

 

their art takes over views in Looking Glass went to a lecture in caberet and it was everywhere. the gentleman on our ship was fun to talk to about cities etc he want to or lived in but i still do not want art on this ship

Edited June 16, 2015 by ellbon

[nordski]

I'm looking forward to most aspects of our upcoming Azamara cruise, but not this one. One first cruise ("post-kids") was on Oceania Insignia, so our baseline is no photographers and no art auctions, and such a small casino we weren't aware it was there. [Actually, the photo gallery was there, but empty -- we guessed what it might have been.] But I don't see any space on the Quest deck plans labeled for Art Auctions -- where are they? This may be worse than I thought, because it probably means they are taking away some space that I thought was available for a better function!!!

 

In our opinion. you needn't worry about the photographers. They are not nearly as persistent as those we encountered on our last Celebrity cruise.

 

As for the Art Auctions, perhaps the "works" have become more obtrusive since our last Azamara cruise when we really didn't pay much attention to them.

 

I will concede that they are often in the most garish colours (no doubt to attract attention), but at best they are a source of amusement and, at worst, they are like the stories that my internet provider places on its Home Page. You know, "celebrities", "wardrobe malfunctions" etc. I simply click on by and console myself that perhaps this "news' provides revenue and thus may lower our costs.

 

I place the art auction's presence in the same category as the "shops" on board (why would anyone utilize them?), and Bingo games. Obviously they must attract some interest.

 

Perhaps anachronisms from an earlier period of cruising?

[hubofhockey]

In our opinion. you needn't worry about the photographers. They are not nearly as persistent as those we encountered on our last Celebrity cruise.

 

As for the Art Auctions, perhaps the "works" have become more obtrusive since our last Azamara cruise when we really didn't pay much attention to them.

 

I will concede that they are often in the most garish colours (no doubt to attract attention), but at best they are a source of amusement and, at worst, they are like the stories that my internet provider places on its Home Page. You know, "celebrities", "wardrobe malfunctions" etc. I simply click on by and console myself that perhaps this "news' provides revenue and thus may lower our costs.

 

I place the art auction's presence in the same category as the "shops" on board (why would anyone utilize them?), and Bingo games. Obviously they must attract some interest.

 

Perhaps anachronisms from an earlier period of cruising?

 

Your post makes me wonder about how how these anachronisms survived as long as they have. I believe the "formal nights" survive for a couple of reasons. The first is that cruise lines love renting out formal wear. The second is that it also drives the photography side of the business. Many cruisers seem to enjoy them and that helps keep them alive. For some of us, it's extra packing and lugging a tuxedo and special shoes across the ocean is inconvenient at best. As for Bingo games, that's just casino lite and more revenue for cruise lines.