Well, the day has finally come when

[uktog]

Time to visit the shop? They had some nice pearls last week...!

 

 

Sent from my iPad mini 4 using Tapatalk

 

I could sell pearls - and freshwater Tay ones at that having inherited all Mums. No we are trying to work on other options

[uktog]

We were not able to have our first choice plans for either day in the port but went for compromises. Today it was the 10 hour trip that did Florence and Pisa but no lunch (great idea as included lunches never work for everyone). Well it was as well the ship did not sail that night, we were over an hour late back.

 

Would I do thus tour again?

 

Unless seeing the original David is a must I would say no, we arrived at Florence just after 10 and left around 1430, but over an hour was in a line to get into the Accademia. Even though the tour has prebooked tickets that does not guarantee the entry time. As a result the rest of the walk through was very rushed, not a lot if time for photos. We did have 90 mins for lunch - would have been less but we left the leather factory demo by not even joining it but telling the guide we would be back at the allotted time after lunch. We did not go to the restaurant the guide was encouraging us to book, I've no idea if it was better or not but we went into a lovely place on the same Santa Crocce Sqaure and had fab 8 euro made to order pizzas.

 

In Pisa they were using a little train to get you from the bus lot to the Tower. This does need a health advisory as it throws and bounces you a lot, not good for back sufferers. There was also a big safety issue which means my back and hip was further affected but I'm leaving that in the hands of the ship, it's not for here other than to say be careful getting off.

 

In summary I'd personally look for what we had originally planned - an in your own trip- if back in these two places but we did see what we set out to see.

[Riocca]

I think that is how ours showed up as well but all was ok when we boarded- your first clue will be does your keycard have the PV sticker on it if it does all is well!

 

 

Thank you for the update I will watch out for the sticker, hope you're having a great cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Leo_On_Geo]

An update on the Land Discoveries situation. The hotel director has confirmed it is a shoreside requirement that there are 35 bookings for a tour pre cruise (other than insider access) or it is cancelled. At that high level (5% of guests per tour) I am now seriously worried for some future cruises.

 

Yes, This is a problem. I have $1100 OBC on each leg of a B2B next Jan-Feb. I would be very upset if I could not use it on LD. There should be a way to reserve tours, but pay with them with the OBC that Azamara has given in exchange for the previous B2B discounts. There should be a solution for this!

 

If Azamara is pushing for only large tours (>35 pax)...then I guess I need to start looking at private tour options.

[uktog]

Today as the ship had cancelled the excursion we wanted and as I was still suffering from yesterday's "little incident" we stayed in town. We noticed no tour or taxi providers on the pier so opted for a short walk. We are docked right at the bottom of the Main Street so five minutes walking (first right as you leave the port and first left) brought us to the lovely canals of Livorno and oh joy of joys the indoor market. We bought great dried pasta and olive oil gifts at a fraction of the souvenir shop prices (and probably far better) and loved walking around with the natives. This was a small consolation we had wanted the chefs tour here but they withdrew it (they have withdrawn all the chefs tours thus cruise which is a disappointment, the Chef had been expecting them to happen so no idea what's going on).

 

Anyway back to our walk out, I was so happy to find the market by chance and enjoyed my time ashore. It was not what we had planned or wanted, but it was good nevertheless

 

 

 

The beautiful markets of Livorno

 

 

And the canal outside the market

 

[beanersts]

We were not able to have our first choice plans for either day in the port but went for compromises. Today it was the 10 hour trip that did Florence and Pisa but no lunch (great idea as included lunches never work for everyone). Well it was as well the ship did not sail that night, we were over an hour late back.

 

Would I do thus tour again?

 

Unless seeing the original David is a must I would say no, we arrived at Florence just after 10 and left around 1430, but over an hour was in a line to get into the Accademia. Even though the tour has prebooked tickets that does not guarantee the entry time. As a result the rest of the walk through was very rushed, not a lot if time for photos. We did have 90 mins for lunch - would have been less but we left the leather factory demo by not even joining it but telling the guide we would be back at the allotted time after lunch. We did not go to the restaurant the guide was encouraging us to book, I've no idea if it was better or not but we went into a lovely place on the same Santa Crocce Sqaure and had fab 8 euro made to order pizzas.

 

In Pisa they were using a little train to get you from the bus lot to the Tower. This does need a health advisory as it throws and bounces you a lot, not good for back sufferers. There was also a big safety issue which means my back and hip was further affected but I'm leaving that in the hands of the ship, it's not for here other than to say be careful getting off.

 

In summary I'd personally look for what we had originally planned - an in your own trip- if back in these two places but we did see what we set out to see.

 

I never understand why people do not take the advice of not doing a day trip to from Livorno to Florence or cruise ships offer this. Florence is city that needs at least 3 days, but even adding Pisa is insane. Lucca is a great choice and easy to get to and walk around. Other option is to rent a car and go to Volterra

[beanersts]

Today as the ship had cancelled the excursion we wanted and as I was still suffering from yesterday's "little incident" we stayed in town. We noticed no tour or taxi providers on the pier so opted for a short walk. We are docked right at the bottom of the Main Street so five minutes walking (first right as you leave the port and first left) brought us to the lovely canals of Livorno and oh joy of joys the indoor market. We bought great dried pasta and olive oil gifts at a fraction of the souvenir shop prices (and probably far better) and loved walking around with the natives. This was a small consolation we had wanted the chefs tour here but they withdrew it (they have withdrawn all the chefs tours thus cruise which is a disappointment, the Chef had been expecting them to happen so no idea what's going on).

 

Anyway back to our walk out, I was so happy to find the market by chance and enjoyed my time ashore. It was not what we had planned or wanted, but it was good nevertheless

 

 

 

The beautiful markets of Livorno

 

 

And the canal outside the market

 

 

That's a nice surprise and so not touristy. Like the pictures!

[Riocca]

Thinking more on this 35+ rule, does this sound more like a RC corporate rule? Would probably be one bus full and a break even amount, on RC or Celebrity it would be easy to achieve this number but not so on Azamara.

Although we don't normally do ships tours there is very little else we would spend OBC on so would prefer it if Azamara moved away from showering us with OBC.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[uktog]

Thinking more on this 35+ rule, does this sound more like a RC corporate rule? Would probably be one bus full and a break even amount, on RC or Celebrity it would be easy to achieve this number but not so on Azamara.

Although we don't normally do ships tours there is very little else we would spend OBC on so would prefer it if Azamara moved away from showering us with OBC.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

I agree, and was surprised that both the Land Dicoveries Manager and the Hotel Director was quoting such an unattainable number. It actually did not stack up as there were only 22 on the trip we went on. There had been 8 sign ups for the one we wanted and I know of at least three other couples onboard who had planned to use OBC for it. Anyway, what's done is done but I'm really concerned about my September and October cruises

[Riocca]

Fortunately we only have the problem for this month and 2018, if it can't be used on our upcoming cruise because the tours we want to do are booked out or cancelled so be it, we won't do trips just to spend it. Then hopefully by 2018 it will be sorted [emoji51]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[ellbon]

An update on the Land Discoveries situation. The hotel director has confirmed it is a shoreside requirement that there are 35 bookings for a tour pre cruise (other than insider access) or it is cancelled. At that high level (5% of guests per tour) I am now seriously worried for some future cruises.

 

Judging from the few tours i do take i notice the count was over 30. In one case you could not hear the guide at all. Several of us had that problem I was able to switch uses but others never asked . the only thing a ships tour good for is to get on the DIY tour or a snorkel boat when the company you want is being used by AZ

 

Another piece of info, as we will now have some OBC non refundable left over I had hoped to use it for extra gratuities however the note I have just received about the OBC states it cannot be used for the casino, any visas obtained by the ship or any gratuities to the crew. I'm talking here about the kind of onboard credit issued as a perk by Azamara not credits your agent buys for you as rewards.

 

I knew about the casino but really did not know of the other two. I use my credit for buying wine or in the spa.. Both are an easy fix to the OBC going away.

[Spursgirl]

Am guessing that Journey wasn't berthed in its usual spot by the coastguard station. Have been to Livorno countless times and have never found the indoor market. We are there for 2 days during our September cruise so will try to locate it on the day I go into town. It looks interesting.

[uktog]

Am guessing that Journey wasn't berthed in its usual spot by the coastguard station. Have been to Livorno countless times and have never found the indoor market. We are there for 2 days during our September cruise so will try to locatfe it on the day I go into town. It looks interesting.

 

We are right by the Coastguard place - go out over the bridge to the main road with the Statue of the Duc, go right there and first left I think it is, follow the canal up the street, you will come to the large Mercado building, it's an absolute treat!

[uktog]

For those with the like package wine tasting, it's not a scheduled event it's a DIY

Made a nice lunch for us today

 

 

[Spursgirl]

We are right by the Coastguard place - go out over the bridge to the main road with the Statue of the Duc, go right there and first left I think it is, follow the canal up the street, you will come to the large Mercado building, it's an absolute treat!

 

Thanks Ann,

 

I will be able to find the indoor market easily if we too berth by the coastguard building. Think I will be making purchases there too.

[ellbon]

We are right by the Coastguard place - go out over the bridge to the main road with the Statue of the Duc, go right there and first left I think it is, follow the canal up the street, you will come to the large Mercado building, it's an absolute treat!

 

I wish I had known in June. I would of gone after Lucca.. I went for a walk but never turned right.

 

i have to agree with several posters. i had been to Florence so I did the Insiders tour to Lucca. Loved it- but would go by train to see and do more. The second day went by train to Pisa. . several of us shared a taxi so i I am sure others went on a different trains

 

When I first sailed Azamara a tour with go with around 15 to 20. .35 on a bus is awful. Very easy to lose a person.

 

also think a guide pushing a restaurant makes me run the other way. I always question kick backs. i was told years ago that happens..

 

Lastly I am glad OBC can buy wine of get my nails done.

[Lottie A]

Nice pix Ann. Looks like an interesting market. As Hazel said, I don't know how we have missed it as we have been to Livorno so many times. We will find it in September though.

 

Really hope you are OK after your little "mishap" and having great fun. Can you tell me who the piano player is at the moment? Know it's not Max and I think Ed is on vacation. My mother will want to sit and listen to the piano quite a lot next week.

Thanks very much.

[little britain]

Can you tell me who the piano player is at the moment? Know it's not Max and I think Ed is on vacation. My mother will want to sit and listen to the piano quite a lot next week.

Thanks very much.

The pianist is Lora Georgie. My mother enjoyed her piano playing (but not her singing.....;) )

[Lottie A]

The pianist is Lora Georgie. My mother enjoyed her piano playing (but not her singing.....;) )

 

Thanks for that. She is a new piano player to me. Will have to see what she's like.

[uktog]

The pianist is Lora Georgie. My mother enjoyed her piano playing (but not her singing.....;) )

 

She is not playing in the casino just The Living Room. Too many wrong notes on the piano as well as an off key voice. Not taken to her but will persevere

[ellbon]

She is not playing in the casino just The Living Room. Too many wrong notes on the piano as well as an off key voice. Not taken to her but will persevere

 

Is there other live music before or after dinner? We always had two choices.

[excitedofharpenden]

She is not playing in the casino just The Living Room. Too many wrong notes on the piano as well as an off key voice. Not taken to her but will persevere

 

Not come across her before. "Playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order":)

[little britain]

It seemed to alternate between Lora and the guitarist up in the Living Room during tapas time... And then Lora was in the Casino in the later evening.

 

 

Sent from my iPad mini 4 using Tapatalk

[Andy]

Hi Ann,

 

Wishing you a wonderful Cruise onboard Journey. Thank you for your updates, and we look forward to your insights when time permits. All the very best to you !

[uktog]

We have arrived in Monaco and are docked (not tendered) right beside the rich and famous. Tonight we are having an extra deck party with a tenor to sing - what a magical setting that will be!

 

 

 

Many people ask about Rome disembarkation here is the info and various prices for our cruise. Self disembarkation is only available at 0630. Like many we made private transfer arrangements - ours is costing 70 euros for 2 to the airport.