Our azamazing baltic cruise 7/22/16

[graciekelli]

We then made our way to Herrods to get in all my souvineer shopping. Just so you all know Bobby loathes shopping. So my plan was to send him down to the food area. I figured he could pick out something to snack on and I could pick him up in an hour. I went directly to the Herrods gifts floor and then went through and got all the things on my list. They have so many nice things here.

 

 

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[graciekelli]

 

 

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[graciekelli]

We ended our visit to Herrods with a couple of cups of coffee... Yum!

 

 

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[graciekelli]

After Herrods we went back to our hotel for a nap and to get ready for our last evening in London. Tonight we had planned an evening trip on the London Eye. I pre-purchased the London Eye experience. I thought it was totally worth the extra cost. It was 32 pounds per person. We had an 8:00 pm scheduled time but arrived at the eye at 7:00 pm. We checked in at the front desk and they directed us up to the eye bar. Very nice. Seemed like it was private but I don't think it was. We were treated to 2 glasses of champagne. And we ordered one extra whole we waited. This experience came with a guide. The guide picked us up at the eye bar and she escorted us directly to our waiting cab. Again no lines no hassles. It was wonderful.

 

 

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[graciekelli]

Final thoughts. I am so happy we decided to add on to our cruise vacation. One of the reasons we selected this trip was the port of departure. How could we not take advantage on all that London had to offer and she did not disappoint. We loved our visit to this fabulous city. I hope we will be blessed enough to return one day.

 

 

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[graciekelli]

Tomorrow begins our travel from London to Southampton to begin day onboard the azamara quest.

 

 

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[santrah]

Great report, thank you/ Great photos but many upside down!

Edited September 12, 2016 by santrah
Spelling error

[Spursgirl]

Have loved your posts giving your impressions of the city where I live.

 

Have learnt something too. Had no idea there was a Beefeater Gin tour. Going to investigate it. Thanks.

[graciekelli]

Great report, thank you/ Great photos but many upside down!

 

 

So sorry about the pictures. I have been struggling with attaching them throughout this review. It is not easy.

 

 

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[graciekelli]

Have loved your posts giving your impressions of the city where I live.

 

 

 

Have learnt something too. Had no idea there was a Beefeater Gin tour. Going to investigate it. Thanks.

 

 

Hi spursgirl. Thank you for your kind words. We truly loved your great city. Everyone was so nice to us.

 

 

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[MissyMom]

After visiting the Abbey we went over to the Churchill War Rooms, . . . They had rooms all set up like it was at the time.

 

No. It IS the actual war rooms. When the war was declared over, the workers just left so the maps, etc are as they were that last minute of the war.

[graciekelli]

No. It IS the actual war rooms. When the war was declared over, the workers just left so the maps, etc are as they were that last minute of the war.

 

 

Yes, you are correct. I should have been more clear. They are the actual war rooms. Most of the items were left in the rooms by the military right after the war ended. I just meant that they re-set the rooms as they would have looked when being used - like with the mannequins all dressed like soldiers and workers.

[graciekelli]

I had purchased tickets to Southampton using the National Express. This was the one of two times we used a taxi while in England. Our bus left at 9:30 a.m. and we were to arrive in Southampton at 11:45 a.m. I think our one way tickets cost $26 pounds for the both of us. It was a comfortable bus ride over since it was more than half empty. When we got to the bus terminal in Southampton, we walked to the front of the terminal and for the second time took a taxi to the port. Our taxi left us out at the front. A porter took our bags. We walked to the desk and checked in and walked onto the ship. There were no lines and it was the easiest, nicest boarding process we have ever experienced. Of course we walked in and were pleasantly greeted by Azamara staff with a lovely glass of champagne. We took our champagne and made our way to the windows cafe.

 

First Impressions:

 

Boarding: As I said it was the best, easiest and quickest we have ever experienced. A+

 

Welcome aboard: First impressions hit the mark. Staff that greeted us were clearly there for one thing to welcome us aboard and answer questions from arriving guests. All attention was on us. A+

 

Windows Cafe: We easily found a seat. It was not crowded at all. A waiter came to the table and asked us if we would like a glass of wine and offered us the days choices. We both ordered white (which we both liked). We got up and made our lunch selections from the buffet. Which we both enjoyed. And the waiter returned often and refilled our glasses throughout our meal. This too was the best boarding day lunch we have ever had. So calm and enjoyable. Not crowded. No fighting for a table. The food was good and the included wine was good.A

 

Next up....first impressions of our Club Continental Suite... Here's a hint:D

[newcruisermom]

I am enjoying your detailed review...we were on the same cruise!

[graciekelli]

I am enjoying your detailed review...we were on the same cruise!

 

 

Neat! I hope you enjoyed your trip as much as we did. I will be reporting on all aspects that we participated in. More to come in the next few days.

 

 

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[easyboy]

Nice review. Following.

[TigerLady]

Looking forward to the rest of your review..

[T&T]

Hi Kelli! This is fantastic! We were also on that cruise and it's going to be wonderful to relive what was an amazing trip. Looking forward to every post.

 

And hey newcruisermom - Troy and I (Todd) were on the St. Petersburg tour with you, your DH and MIL.

[Debitoo]

Thanks for the review Kelli. Looking forward to the rest!

[Grandma Gilly]

Really enjoying your posts. Like Spursgirl, I too live in London and had no idea about the Beafeater tour. I hope you enjoy Azamara as much as London. They are both fantastic.

[graciekelli]

After lunch bobby and I made our way to our room. Oh did I tell you? We got an upgrade call. Oh yes. About 3 weeks before the cruise we were called and I was offered a choice of a couple of club continental suites. I chose the one that had a bath tub. This was not the best choice. If you are tall the bath tub is a problem. I am 5'10 and barely had ceiling clearance. Bobby 6'3 dad not make it. Not only too tall for the ceiling but also the shower head.

This number outside the door is also the place you put cards about do not disturb

 

 

 

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[graciekelli]

So regarding the upgrade... Here is another place I used my crown and anchor status. This allowed me to be at the discoverer level and that allowed me to sign up for at $398 upgrade to the next room level. We had originally booked a balcony stateroom so if offered we would get a club continental suite. As a suite guest you also get more internet minutes... A lot more. You also get unlimited dining in the specialty restaurants for free. We took advantage of the specialty restaurants 3 of our nights.

Here we are in aqualina with our favorite waiter, tiefun.

 

 

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[graciekelli]

So we lived our room here are a few other pictures.

Beautiful balcony.

Robes and slippers

A nice bar set up. So let me elaborate on this. All the hard liquor and mixers and sodas and water are included. What is not included is the beer and wine. In the cabinet under the liquor is a mini fridge where the beers and white wine are located. The red of course is on top next to the spirits. So I read a lot about being able to ask your butler to change out the spirits -say to all one type. Like gin. We don't really drink any other spirits. Our butler said "no." He couldn't do that. So we only had the use of one small bottle. For our room. I was a little disappointed since this was a 12 day cruise.

 

 

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[graciekelli]

Here is the inside of our fridge.

 

 

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[graciekelli]

Also in our room was this "included" bottle of champagne. Fresh flowers and fresh fruit. These are very lovely touches. This makes you feel very special. I really appreciated these little things that all cost extra on RCCL.

 

By the way fresh fruit was bright daily. Our butler served afternoon tea everyday (we did not partake, ummm hello, we're American). We did horsderves. Our butler came by everyday at 5:00ish with a tray of hot horderves and 2 glasses of red wine. Again. Super nice. A luxury that makes everything feel oh so soecial.

And "no" bobby is not pointing at my boob. He is showing you my "sail away" shirt.

 

 

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