Well, the day has finally come when

[uktog]

Thanks Bonnie for the update and thanks to other's for reviewing things. The most important thing is giving guests who have credit the time to book onboard before cancelling and when you do cancel items when a ship is in port two days look at the options you are effectively leaving guests with.

There will always have to be some minimum numbers but some more sensible thinking is required.

Edited August 14, 2016 by uktog

[DiamondDiva]

We are on the Quest for our first Azamara in Nov, and I just noticed that 2 of our excursion choices have disappeared from the website. We also have the excursion OBC and cannot book until onboard. Does this mean they have already been cancelled?

 

This thread alerted me to look again at our excursions. With so many onboard with the advertised perk, I agree this is not making sense, since onboard booking is required.

So pleased the issue is being discussed here and looked into thru Bonnie. As new Azamara guests coming in as long-time Celebrity cruisers, I really appreciate getting some help and insight on this issue!

[SkiCruiser44]

We are sailing next May on Quest and I I'll be terribly disappointed if we can't use our Shore excursion OBC due to tours being cancelled. It doesn't seem reasonable that you can't book ahead of time and use it. Seems like by allowing that would give AZ a more accurate interest in tours ahead of time. Hopefully there will be a resolution to this issue.

[midwestchick]

We were originally booked on this cruise....sigh!

Following along and enjoying your posts and pictures.

Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

[uktog]

Last night was the Azamazing evening. Azamara were using a new venue at Poble Espanyol which is a recreation of a Spanish town. It was their first time using it but from our perspective (you never know about behind the scenes) it was a great location

 

 

It was the usual very efficient deck by deck departures from the ship and a 20 minute drive to Montjuic. (As the fountains were on which does not happen every night we had a bonus en route).

This evening as we were in port overnight departures did not start until 20.00 which left plenty time for pre event dinner at either Windows or Discoveries where buffets were held.

 

We all sat in the Town Square to watch the lovely music and dancing.

 

 

On arrival cava was served and we were entertained by a trio playing Spanish and classical music. The projections of the shapes against the Grand Palace which had the stage set in front was a feature of all the performance.

 

 

 

Once everyone arrived the display of dancing commenced.

 

 

It was about 30 minutes of very high energy dancing ending in some audience participation for those who wished to.

 

 

Our return on the bus was through the crowds watching the fountains and on arrival at the ship we were greeted by the Journey Orchestra, pink bubbles and for those who needed, a sandwich buffet in Windows.

 

As ever Azamara delivered a truly excellent evening, the logistics were perfect from the passenger point of view. To the lady who held court in Windows beforehand advising guests not to go because these events are mass nightmares, I hope you did not dissuade others from going, Azamazing evenings are not personalised events but they are first class experiences.

 

These evenings are excellent, a lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes and this guest was truly delighted by another great experience in Barcelona

[Lottie A]

Looks really wonderful Ann...another well organised Azamazing Evening. Did you take part in the audience participation? I can visualise you and C doing a mean Flamenco! :)

 

Our Azamazing Evening next week is a night of music at Mdina Cathedral in Malta. Not the usual venue of St. John's Co-Cathedral though, but I'm sure we will enjoy it.

[excitedofharpenden]

 

Our Azamazing Evening next week is a night of music at Mdina Cathedral in Malta. Not the usual venue of St. John's Co-Cathedral though, but I'm sure we will enjoy it.

 

Lottie, just to manage your expectations, I did this in June. The venue is beautiful, but I thought the choir weren't very good. Some people I spoke to thought they were great so perhaps I'm just a bit deaf!

[Lottie A]

Lottie, just to manage your expectations, I did this in June. The venue is beautiful, but I thought the choir weren't very good. Some people I spoke to thought they were great so perhaps I'm just a bit deaf!

 

LOL Phil. My mother is a bit deaf, so she probably won't notice. :)

[uktog]

Looks really wonderful Ann...another well organised Azamazing Evening. Did you take part in the audience participation? I can visualise you and C doing a mean Flamenco! :)

 

Our Azamazing Evening next week is a night of music at Mdina Cathedral in Malta. Not the usual venue of St. John's Co-Cathedral though, but I'm sure we will enjoy it.

 

No dancing for me, still not over Wednesday's problem :(

[Spursgirl]

Ann,

 

Am following your journey on'Journey' with huge interest. Hope you have enjoyed Barcelona, one of my favourite cities. Now you're off to Valencia, a very underrated destination IMO.

 

Have fun.

[ellbon]

Looks really wonderful Ann...another well organised Azamazing Evening. Did you take part in the audience participation? I can visualise you and C doing a mean Flamenco! :)

 

Our Azamazing Evening next week is a night of music at Mdina Cathedral in Malta. Not the usual venue of St. John's Co-Cathedral though, but I'm sure we will enjoy it.

 

I was in the front row.I thought the choir was good.We walked from a car park for about 5 minutes. i should of walked town somewhat as we had time. .i felt the concert should of been 15 minutes longer. Also I learned later there was a bathroom there to be used but not told unless you asked.. no drinks etc. .so bring your own water.

[uktog]

We are hearing mixed reviews about last nights evening which we considered to be excellent. Just shows how hard it is to please everyone!

 

Today was a Barcelona DIY day we had set up by buying fast pass timed tickets in advance online.

 

Several cruises ago we came to Barcelona and visited Sagrada Famillia, if I am to be honest with a view to the humour that it is taking so long to build. That day we fell under the spell of Antonio Gaudi, the genius of the man. Since then we try and visit one of his works every trip to Barcelona.

 

Today it was the turn of Casa Batllo. It is situated on Las Ramblas a good mikes walk from the ship, but given the parking spot we have not an issue. If walking is too much it's the subway Line 3 from Columbus Statue by the port gates

 

 

We walked straight in, no line and using the free commentary plus handset that gives you an augmented reality view, we lost two hours to a magical exploration of a man ahead of his time.

 

 

The fireplace

 

 

View out to La Ramblas

 

 

Up on the roof

 

This afternoon our feet have however requested a rest, in the heat we understand so we are soaking up the view of Barcelona picking out Parc Guel and Sagrada Familia in the distance.

 

I do of course need another cruise to see Casa Milo inside!

[marinaro44]

We are hearing mixed reviews about last nights evening which we considered to be excellent. Just shows how hard it is to please everyone!

This is why it's unfortunate when someone considering a cruise line reaches a conclusion about the quality of an event, wine, specialty restaurant, or whatever, based on the negative opinion of one person's posting on Cruise Critic.

 

I do of course need another cruise to see Casa Milo inside!

On our Quest cruise in May we did a "Nights and Cool Places" excursion to Casa Mila, also called La Pedrera. Very nice, but doing the standard daytime Casa Mila tour takes you into one of the apartments furnished with period pieces. Apparently three or four apartments are still occupied by descendants of the original tenants at an absurdly low rental.

[excitedofharpenden]

I was in the front row.I thought the choir was good.We walked from a car park for about 5 minutes. i should of walked town somewhat as we had time. .i felt the concert should of been 15 minutes longer. Also I learned later there was a bathroom there to be used but not told unless you asked.. no drinks etc. .so bring your own water.

 

Perhaps I should have sat at the front with you! I sat at the back waiting for some friends. I do remember you cutting me up on the sidewalk on the way back and nearly tripping me up in your effort to be first on the bus home. Lol

[ellbon]

Perhaps I should have sat at the front with you! I sat at the back waiting for some friends. I do remember you cutting me up on the sidewalk on the way back and nearly tripping me up in your effort to be first on the bus home. Lol

 

I do not remember and for that i am sorry. I do the remember being told we had to go back on the same bus- guide was out the door before i could ask about the toilet. i tend to speed walk unless i am shopping. i also remember sitting on the bus while they counted twice as we had room for more. never did understand the reason for the same bus.. last few times it did not matter. you were on the 1st bus so you should of had the front row or two. /COLOR]

[uktog]

Perhaps I should have sat at the front with you! I sat at the back waiting for some friends. I do remember you cutting me up on the sidewalk on the way back and nearly tripping me up in your effort to be first on the bus home. Lol

 

It has certainly been noticeable on this cruise the number of people racing off to nab front seats on the land discoveries and last night at the evening. Last night, we had young twenty somethings pushing for the seats and those of us less able had a bit more of a struggle.

Edited August 15, 2016 by uktog

[oddjob16]

Late last week I shared this thread with senior management, and coincidentally, Phil, I asked that exact question..."aren't we shooting ourselves in the foot?"

 

Needless to say, the strict 35-pax minimum for tours was news to me. I say "strict" because there has always been a minimum number required for running a tour, but there has also been flexibility in enforcement.

As of Friday, my understanding is that the minimum, and tours being cancelled due to low advance numbers, will both both be discussed at the senior level.

 

I'd like to thank uktog for calling our attention to this. Not everyone would do so, and not everyone would know that this is an abnormality.

 

Thank you, Bonnie, .. and thank you Ann. We had the opposite experience in Mykonos this june,- we wanted to sell our tickets for the beach excursion, and they told us they would try to refund us if sufficient tickets were sold. We got our refund to use OBC and were very happy to use this for other events. We do plan for many excursions on our next cruise so we will see.. In my experience it is good, Maybe there should be a lower limit stated in the excursion description,- stating that this will be critical as how many are booked and that one should be prepared to plan otherwise by the day you board.

[CYNSport]

Thank you, Bonnie, .. and thank you Ann. We had the opposite experience in Mykonos this june,- we wanted to sell our tickets for the beach excursion, and they told us they would try to refund us if sufficient tickets were sold. We got our refund to use OBC and were very happy to use this for other events. We do plan for many excursions on our next cruise so we will see.. In my experience it is good, Maybe there should be a lower limit stated in the excursion description,- stating that this will be critical as how many are booked and that one should be prepared to plan otherwise by the day you board.

 

This confuses me as a first time Azamara cruiser. We have prebooked a number of excursions for an upcoming cruise with the understanding that we can cancel 24 hours prior to each excursion and get a refund to our ship board account credit card (not have to "sell them back".) Is your situation using your OBC once on board to book excursions and then trying to unbook them? Thanks.

 

Cynthia

[ellbon]

This confuses me as a first time Azamara cruiser. We have prebooked a number of excursions for an upcoming cruise with the understanding that we can cancel 24 hours prior to each excursion and get a refund to our ship board account credit card (not have to "sell them back".) Is your situation using your OBC once on board to book excursions and then trying to unbook them? Thanks.

 

Cynthia

 

not sure about others but i pre book at home and then cancel if needed on ship. because i charged it at home he money is applied to my ship account. sometimes i am just trading a tour for a tour.

[uktog]

An update on that subjective issue of food and drink, I know this is just one - or two peoples opinions if you count DH.

 

The food onboard has been excellent not one meal has had a "blemish". Service has also been great.

 

In the Specialities some of the portions are now slightly smaller which we welcomed and we noticed much less waste of uneaten food. If this is a "cutback" it's one we welcome. You can always ask for more, we did also notice some order two entrees, we'd never manage that!

 

All the menus are on the interactive TV for the whole cruise as are the wine selections for each day - again all the cruise is posted in advance.

We have very much enjoyed the new wine selections and as a non Chardonnay drinker I have loved the fact I do not have to ask them to find something else some days. I have not seen any wines being served out of sequence so I am not sure if you can ask for a different days wine.

 

The Rose is much better, nice and dry

 

And of course the bubbles are lovely any time!

[Lottie A]

Excellent news Ann. I have always found the amount of food served in the specialities a bit overwhelming and could never eat all the courses. I just don't know how some people can eat there every night, and as you say I have seen some order two entrees! :eek:

 

With five choices of wine a day, including the bubbles, I'm sure there is no need to ask for an out of sequence wine now. I'm not a great Chardonnay fan either. Glad the Rose is dry....I like this at lunch when a heavy red is not the best choice for me.

 

Can't wait to try them for myself next week.

[uktog]

Our luck ran out with the weather today, it is a little overcast but still warm. Given the Tapas and Markets walking tour we are doing (not through the ship, can share details if asked it was excellent) I think we were glad it was cooler.

 

The ship provides a shuttle from the port (there is nothing to do there) to the town. We were dropped a 5 minute walk from Plaza de la reina where the cathedral is. Although people tell you your bus is by the river there is no river now, it's been drained but the bridges preserved and made into beautiful parkland walkways. We could have walked along there later but our feet said no

 

Valencia is a fascinating town, full of character old and new with a lot of urban art.

 

 

An embroidered house by the Cathedral, thick wool cross stitch

 

 

The Cathedral

 

Valencia is a town of many influences having been ruled by Rome, the Moors and Spain. Rich townsfolk showed their displeasure with the church by funding the building of the Silk (trading) Market by the Cathedral and then placing "interesting gargoyles" on it.

 

 

Our tour involved eating and drinking typical local foods including the delightful Horchata drink (non alcoholic made from tree nuts) in real local places

 

 

Hard to choose which two market pictures to show you, hope you like the choice, I like tomato and ham sandwiches but..... These tomatoes are a feast

 

 

And I'm not sure about slicing this ham - but the taste we were given of it, it was scrummy!

 

 

Valencia is a beautiful town, much quieter of course than Barcelona and we felt it was genuine Spain. They are well set up for tourists with many good small operators customising trips at a fraction of cruise ship prices. Guides have to be fully licensed so you are taking very little risk going DIY here.

[Lottie A]

We love Valencia...and their cocktails! :D

 

Very non cultural I know, but we always go to a great hairdresser near El Corte Ingles. He does our hair in a few minutes and it costs peanuts!

 

Never seen the embroidered house though..How clever. I always intend to go to The Oceanographic Institue in Valencia but haven't got there yet. A good reason to go back. :)

[TrulyBlonde]

Excellent news Ann. I have always found the amount of food served in the specialities a bit overwhelming and could never eat all the courses. I just don't know how some people can eat there every night, and as you say I have seen some order two entrees! :eek:

 

With five choices of wine a day, including the bubbles, I'm sure there is no need to ask for an out of sequence wine now. I'm not a great Chardonnay fan either. Glad the Rose is dry....I like this at lunch when a heavy red is not the best choice for me.

 

Can't wait to try them for myself next week.

 

I love a nice dry French Rose, also. I call it "Summer Water" ;-)

[uktog]

At the start of the cruise I mentioned there were quite a few children onboard. I have to say, the under 18s have been an absolute delight, all charming, well behaved and well mannered etc. (Cannot say those who are in the late teens group but that's another matter not for here, it's been handled onboard)

 

One particular star is Cole a 12 year old who does magic tricks. He amused me with one as we waited to go to the Azamazing Evening, I still can't work out how he did it. They set him up with a little session in Mosaic tonight and he astounded guests and staff with his slight of hand. Such a talent and so polite, it's as well he's too young for the casino, he'd bankrupt them!