Our Journey or Quest for Perfection on Pursiut Sept 12 Barcelona to Athens 2018

[procter]

OK A smart attempt at getting all the names in 1 header

 

This is my review and thoughts on this recent cruise from Barcelona to Athens.

These are my experiences and comments and as they say other person’s experiences and opinions may vary completely!!!!

 

 

Executive Summary

Nicely refurbished ship but with some snagging issues which should have been sorted out on the 3 previous voyages.

Lots of new staff who look to be being moulded into the Azamara way by Richard Grusman and Jose Ortez MDR manager as well as Captain Carl.

No problems with any staff.

Would sail on her as equal to our favourite Journey but would depend on itinerary not ship

 

Experiences

Nice flight down from NCL at the ungodly hour of 6 am but easy transfer to T3 for flight to Barcelona so had to forgo bacon sandwiches atT5 exec lounge but adequate refreshments at T3 and good flight to BCN .

Usual wait at customs but not as long as our American cousins who had up to one and a half hour wait.

This may be the Spanish revenge for the American typewelcome at Miami to aliens as we are described.

A place I refuse to fly to or from now.

Had private transfer booked via Azamara and this is when the hell that is Miami/Guatemala kicks in.

Instructions are to report to Catalonia tourist office just outside customs area.

No problem except

1: They spoke hardly any English (Not good for a tourist office) and it was impossible to get them to help by ringing taxi number for uswhich was a UK number?

2: They knew nothing of any arrangements re taxis. Refused t help but pointed us to a taxi official who wanted to charge us for a taxi ashe would not accept our voucher.

Eventually he pointed out a group of drivers lounging around one of whom had our name for pick up.

35 minutes wasted for want of correct information not being given to taxi driver as to pick up point

Decent drive to Casa Fuster hotel through approx 1,000.000Catalans who were preparing to celebrate their national day that evening.

Casa Fuster is a grand old hotel but we got Room 101 which for students of George Orwell or British TV is where your worst nightmares are concentrated.

Sold as a balcony room (not a Juliet Balcony)

To my mind a balcony room should have

1: A view

2: Chairs to sit on

3: Be clean

The view was of a 7 storey block approx 15 feet away covered in some form of wrapping.

If you craned to the right you could see the back of housing with attractive items of clothing drying.

Possibly great for a specialist in underwear but not what I expect in an alleged 5 star hotel (More later).

 

No chairs on balcony or in room that were capable of being on said balcony and anyway it was filthy.

Nice bathroom so had an early night.

Up for breakfast at approx 8.30 and decided to see if we could get our taxi any earlier than 11.30 as we would simply be waiting around.

Miami strikes again

Asked concierge to ring taxi firm but no answer and surprise surprise no emergency number on Azamara paper work.

Went for an adequate breakfast and returned to concierge to try again.

Success on second attempt and we requested to move time from 11.30 to 10.30 and was met with flat refusal so merely got one when we neededit from the hotel at 10.30.

Final indignity was when we went to check our bill to be confronted by a Barcelona room day tax of 5 Euros for an alleged 5 star hotel.

As this tax has been in since April 2017 and Azamara advertise prices as “all inclusive “ I was not best pleased at having to pay this.

Arrived at port terminal after having to redirect taxi driver as he thought MSC was the same as Azamara!!!

Cannot blame Azamara forthat!!!

This is where it starts to get better!!!

Luggage taken and booked in without any trouble.

Tea coffee etc. available.

As there were overnight flights from USA as well as early flights from UK airports there were approx 150 people waiting.

When embarkation called there was a God almighty scramble with people running!!! up escalator as well as a staircase!!!

Did they think it was going to run out of food?

 

Suggestion

Give out boarding numbers by check in time and board by samei.e 1 to 20 then 20 to 40 etc.

Got on board and dropped off hand luggage /advised we had to pick up later from drop-off point although I seem to remember that previouslyit was delivered to cabin.

Booked our Prime C dining with Willy Prime C maitre d.

Went to Windows Cafe buffet area and were greeted by one of our favourite people José Ortez who we knew as assistant waiter years ago whois now MDR head waiter.

The greeting was so effusive it attracted the attention of a group of American travel agents who were being hosted by East of America/Canada sales director and we became companions at drinking times although they obviously went on all the trips which we avoid (see later)

Went down to 7119 to meet butler Elro and his staff.

Room is decorated almost identically to the other ships with obvious difference of shower which was efficient but we may be old fashioned andwe prefer a good old fashioned soak.

Greeted by nice bottle of Perrier Jouet Champagne $50 retail although this may be a “Sorry” for forgetting to book a connecting flight onour last cruise.

Room is fine with fancy shower and taps etc.

This was allegedly Larry P s room on naming cruise so was surprised to have some minor snags.

1: Vanity room sink did not drain

2: 1 of veranda chairs legs was approx ¾ inch short so rocking

3: Loungers were pretty dirty and stained.

4: There were at least 14 varnish drips on white superstructure below rails.

5: Lower Owners had completely mismatched rails.

6: Patio doors had never been cleaned or painted properly.

7: Missing patio door stop

8: Drainage channel by doors was rusty and equally that area had never been attended to on refit.

I would have expected these to have been spotted on snagging but when pointed out to Agnelo Chief House keeper they were fixed within 12hours.

Outside the room was a fire hose cupboard with a massive (12 inch ) dint which had been there since refit and which only need knocking outas door was metal but not done by the time we left the ship.

I intend to split rest of review into sections rather than day by day.

 

Dining

Used Windows cafe each am and had outdoor table as weather was great each day.

Mark the “egg man” was able to make fresh eggs for us however we wanted i.e. poached fried or however.

Rest of food OK except bacon which was of the greasy translucent type where you spent time trying to get the crispiest.

After commenting and showing restaurant manager /staff what I meant it was improved for 1 day but then reverted to type again.

Lunches were fine with always 2 great soups to choose from.

Crazy on hot days but I felt they actually helped to cool you down.

Was always able to get our favourite Riesling wine after discreet requests.

Also tried the hot dogs from the Patio cafe and they must have changed suppliers as they were tastier and not as fatty as previouscruises.

Dined in Prime C most nights and were fabulously looked after by Willy, Angel, Darryl and all the other staff.

Food great as always although to my mind crab cakes and fillet steaks were smaller than previous cruises although maybe everything appears smaller nowadays

A little disappointed that they did not take the opportunity on their new ship to tickle the menu a bit.

I have yet to see the pheasant confit or swordfish ordered and I am sure that the man who sold it to Azamara got the better end of thedeal.

I have asked on all 3 ships now how many they sell and all you get is a wry smile and no answer.

I am sure the crew must be sick of it as it must be going out of date by now even though it is frozen.

Wayne/ Willy were able to fill all our requests for off menu choices such as Goats cheese Soufflé and Dover Sole from Aqualina as well assome special halibut dishes.

The Best of the Best dinner was new Executive Chef Danni s first and we have to say of our 16 cruises this was the best presented and tastiest we have ever had and Fabio and Iwan had done fabulous meals in the past.

It was a delight to look at as well as eat.

Afternoon teas

Had the afternoon snacks served in our room each pm and tasty as they were would not really miss them.

Once again the Azamara ice hockey pucks/scones were still inevidence.

How is it that nobody across all Azamara ships can make a scone that is soft inside and does not need a saw to split it?

 

Entertainment

Saw part of the magicians act and he was entertaining.

Tony Markey and his wife had a show and although good Ipreferred his Blues brothers and Danny Boy.

Amanda Poulson was great and had a standing ovation as did the new singer whose name I unfortunately forget (Sorry whoever you were).

WHITE NIGHT WAS GREAT FUN AS WE WERE WITH THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED TRAVEL AGENTS.

We had dined in Prime C earlier next to two British couples who were playing competitive crossword puzzles between mouthfuls of food

It appears that you had to answer your opponent’s clues before you could do your own.

Fascinating

We then joined the travel agents

The conga was not as long as previous cruises but good fun anyway.

The crews prayers were answered as it began to rain slightly at 10.00 so they were able to set about clearing earlier than normal.

The assorted travel agents and spouses then came back to oursuite for a final night cap.

You can get 14 people in for drinks although it was cosy!!

 

Highlight of the trip was the 4 Sopranos in Goldini theatre in Livorno.

Busses and then a 200 meter walk to theatre.

A 45 minute programme of light opera and finished with some more modern pop items.

Back to ship for any light buffet snacks and so to bed.

 

Trips

We do not do ships trips as we consider them an absolute ripoff.

St Tropez

Did not get off as we have been there many times.

Spent time in Thalassotherapy pool area which was strictly policed i.e. you had to give up your room card to get access pass and the oldback route via gym has been blocked off.

Maximum 2 other people in there

It appears that the “Night under the Stars” has been abandoned as the bed area has been removed and saw no publicity for itanywhere.

On previous cruises I understand that most couples had their dinner, a cuddle and then went back to their own room.

 

Monte Carlo

Got off and walked to get on the tourist train at Oceanographic Museum.

Stopped at Palace for usual tat i.e. fridge magnet and walked back through the gardens and managed to keep my wife away from the shops.

Nice afternoon on balcony.

 

Civitavecchia

Lazy day on ship

 

Livorno 2 days

Walked around Livorno for a couple of hours and then took the canal cruise for an hour for 12 Euros which was lovely. See later comments on pricing

 

 

Amalfi

One of the highlights and we spent time wandering the streets and people watching and there were plenty of people to watch.

 

Taormina

Took 25 euro taxi to this hilltop town which was buzzing with tourists even though we were the only cruise ship in town.

You can tell that there is plenty of money around here (Mafia?) as nearly every shop wasa high fashion brand Prada, Valentinoetc.

 

Nafplio

Walked around promenade area and then found the tourist train (4 Euros) which took us all round the town including back streets andpast a Lidl for any of us who were feeling homesick.

Back “Home” and started the job of packing to return home.

 

Athens

Disembarked at 8 .00 am to farewells at gangway from Tony and Richard.

Another great Azamara touch as this must always be the busiest day of any voyage.

Private transfer to airport and were able to access lounge early so has somewhere to sit as Athens is a very busy airport with 160 checkin desks and it felt like they were all being used.

Security etc far better than Barcelona.

Back to NCL via T5 and lounge.

 

 

Pros

The whole experience on board.

Staff, Food, Attentiveness, Entertainment and the general vibe as well as good passenger mix..

 

Cons

 

Miami Miami Miami Miami

 

I well know that they are not deliberately making life difficult but they are RESPONSIBLE for the problems

1: Taxi transfers

Barcelona

No emergency numbers on paperwork.

No properly organised information for pick up point at Barcelona.

Athens

Advised to be there 15 mins before pick up time so as Nervous Nellie’s we were there at 8.00am for 8.30 pickup.

Taxi turned up at 8.40 after having to chase up via phone call.

 

2: Non inclusive costs for hotel.

OK only 5 Euros but the principle is important

 

3: Excursion costs

We should be grateful that they charge so much as it obviously helps to reduce cruise fares but they are simply gouging.

20 years ago it was probably true that cruise lines may have known the ports better than travellers but with internet that is no longer true.

I also accept that there is the comfort of a guarantee of not missing the ship but to charge £100 pounds each for a bus trip to Rome or Florence or Nice on a 50 seater bus when the cost of that bus is approx. £1000 is not acceptable

Equally the cost of a 5 hour bike ride at £100

The offer of insiders tours on board to see Galley/Bridg and Engine room at $89 when there can be NO EXTRA costs to Azamara as personnel conducting these tours will be salaried is equally ridiculous.

The final gouge was the Livorno canal tour.

The “comfortably outfitted motorboat “ is as comfortable as a packed tender boat with fibreglass seats with no cushions .

It is walkable from ship i.e. no transport costs and Azamara charge $75 for a 12 Euro cruise which we took earlier in the day.

To be fair Azamara offer “a luscious Dessert at a special little spot after the cruise” but my goodness it would have to be special at approx $60.

 

 

4: Spirits bar.

It should be obvious that putting the piano at one end of this area would enable pianist to engage with his audience as currently he is facing the bar and has no ability to interact.

Additionally if piano is at one end then if you wish to have conversations with your new friends or do competitive crosswords you can simply sit at far end.

Apparently “Miami” have refused to listen to current feedback and will take no action for 6 months.

5: Menus

It is time these were “tickled”.

I think the Speciality menus are at least 2 years old.

Any operation would/should continually look to see what the least popular items i.e pheasant confit/black pudding etc. and look to change them for something new.

My choice at breakfast would be kedgeree but I am sure Bonnie, Azamara blogging officer could come up with a poll.

I would like to see smaller laid out trays of food at breakfast as there is nothing that looks less attractive than a 12 inch tray of half served scrambled egg or 18 fried eggs looking at you.

 

6: Dress standards

I realise that this is very subjective but I can recognise the difference between “smart casual “and “scruffy”.

Ship staff were not empowered to refuse people access to areas based on their clothing as Miami had stated they could only “advise” notrefuse.

Unless there is some enforcement we will soon have backward facing baseball caps in main dining areas at night.

I remember being refused access to a “brunch” a few yearsago on Journey because I had a pair of goodshorts on. (Not swimming trunks).

How times have changed.

7: Guest relations

I went to try to speak to Richard (hotel director) twice andwas advised “not in his office” but no attempt to page him.

3rd time of asking I asked the female receptionist if he would leavemessage for convenient time to talk/meet him.

No message left so obviously the message from GuestRelations was never passed on as we saw him on leaving ship and he made noapologies for being unable to contact us.

It was not a complaint so no reason to avoid us.

 

 

Final disclaimer.

These are my opinions and experiences and other people's opinions may vary.

Edited September 29, 2018 by procter

[Host Jazzbeau]

Just as you have come to recognize that ship's tours offer no benefit for a well-informed traveler, we have found that ship's transfers are overpriced and not as flexible as arranging a private transfer. [both of these sentiments are valid across all cruise lines, ocean and river, IME]

[portofrome]

Thank you for the review!

[Tondakea]

Enjoy your writing style - from Topic heading to the review itself.

[Bimmer09]

Thanks for an illuminating read!

Norris

[BBMacLaird]

Hello Procter,

Thank you for the very comprehensive cruise review.

Of all your pros and cons I’m most surprised that you requested to speak with our Hotel Director but, as you say, the message was not relayed. I apologize sincerely. And I do wish your pre-cruise experience had been flawless. That is no way to start a vacation.

I had to look up the meaning of kedgeree. Now I’m not sure if you’re pulling my leg with this being your breakfast of choice, and yet...I would think you could have special ordered it with a day or two advance request. Given our international culinary staff, someone would know how to make it.

We very much appreciate your years of loyalty. And your comments and insights are much appreciated as well.

[uktog]

A version of kedgeree was offered for breakfast in the new main dining room eggs menu they were testing last year. It took a little too long to arrive so may not have lasted the experiment

 

Oh and I order pheasant every cruise ..... I’ve also enjoyed the swordfish. It’s a welcome break from lamb and steak.. I hope they are retained

 

 

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[Bloodaxe]

A version of kedgeree was offered for breakfast in the new main dining room eggs menu they were testing last year. It took a little too long to arrive so may not have lasted the experiment

 

Oh and I order pheasant every cruise ..... I’ve also enjoyed the swordfish. It’s a welcome break from lamb and steak.. I hope they are retained

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

We also enjoy the Pheasant in Prime C and hope that they keep it and the Swordfish on the menu.

[audobon_tx]

Aboard Pursuit now having boarded in miserable weather in Athens yesterday. Some differences from recent Journey voyages: no interactive TV in rooms, although the programming is better; no bedside alarm clocks in rooms; no gelato chiller in Windows necessitating hard frozen gelato; no waffle station (pre-made only) in Windows; no dry cereal dispensers in Windows. Most will not notice the changes nor care but I prefer Journey in those areas. No e-table games/slots in Den (thank goodness). More later.

 

 

 

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[audobon_tx]

Update: the infamous shower curtain seems heavier weight or stiffer so it tends to stay vertical; new showerhead seems to be higher flow and I prefer it to sister ships, wide does not. More later.

 

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[QueenP]

Keep posting please! I am following with interest...

 

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[Lioncub]

Any sign of sun lounger cushions? [emoji881]

 

 

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[Thelma600]

If not, can you ask what’s up?

[audobon_tx]

Missed Spetses due to weather. Nearing Mykonos. Rough seas but calming. Haven't seen an officer yet but I skipped the welcome toast last night. No announcements of any type over PA, unlike Journey. Speaking of Journey it appears it is waiting out weather or something as it is docked in Marseilles unexpectedly. Ps. No longer cushions, will ask.

 

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[audobon_tx]

Met Captain Toledo at breakfast. Approachable and friendly. DW conversed with him in Spanish and English. Update: there are a few rooms held for contractors personnel so things are being worked. Ship left Harland and Wolfe with a punch list that is being worked. Having been in a related industry for many years I can testify that this is normal as long as the project can operate reliably and safely. Niceties bring up the rear but are worked as operating realities permit.

 

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[Lioncub]

Thanks for checking re cushions. Journey is indeed in Marseille. I suspect they maybe sheltering from the Mistral that is currently blowing. Windy App is showing an avaerage of 30+knot winds and 4m waves. I suspect they may have had a rough night of it! 🤮

 

 

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[Trend]

Thank you for great info but some disappointments as I can not lie on those hard cots without cushions.

We also as a couple love to shade ourselves on the bed style cot at the front suite only access area.

My husband will be very disappointed as he looked forward to that when at sea.

[Thelma600]

My husband will also be disappointed as his favourite spot was that bed up front. We also found the loungers in the spa area less comfortable than those around the pool. Without cushions on the pool deck that may not be the case. What types of loungers/cushions are on the spa deck?

[Biker19]

 

One of the most illustrious names in British shipbuilding looks set to disappear with the filing for insolvency of Belfast’s Harland and Wolff Tuesday. Accountancy firm BDO has been appointed administrator.

 

Under Norwegian parent company Fred Olsen Energy the shipyard has been carrying out mainly marine engineering projects such as oil rig refurbishment and work on wind turbines of late, employing a workforce of around 130 persons.

 

£50m refurb of Azamara Pursuit

The last ship the yard built was a ferry for the Ministry of Defence in 2003, while last year it carried out a £50m refurbishment of the cruise ship Azamara Pursuit. Outfitting specialist MJM Group managed the refit – the first time that Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., owner of the Azamara brand, had chosen a UK shipyard for such a project.

 

All a far cry from the yard’s glory days back in the early 20^th century when it was the world’s leading builder of ocean liners – including the ill-fated Titanic, constructed at the yard between 1909 and 1911. At its height Harland and Wolff employed more than 30,000 workers.

 

https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/featured/harland-and-wolff-declares-bankruptcy/

[norn iron]

43 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

 

Sad but true.

[uktog]

Such a shame after doing such a great job on Pursuit.

History sadly counts for nothing these days

 

[Belfastman]

There has been a suggestion that MJM are trying to buy Harland and Wolff perhaps through the administrator but do not want the current workforce.

[Grandma Cruising]

Procter, thanks for your review. Your overall experience sounds like the good, the bad & the downright ugly! I’m glad to hear that by & large your experience on Pursuit was good.

A couple of observations: - 

Aqualina’s menu was changed recently. https://www.azamara.co.uk/sites/default/files/pdfs/aqualina_2019_april_2.0.pdf

We had the new menu on Journey last month  - I wonder if they’re still using the old one on a Pursuit  (no Dover Sole on it now).

 

If you’d prefer smaller food containers at breakfast, have you tried Discoveries. As well as offering a menu of served dishes, they also have a buffet with most of the same items as Windows, including the egg cook. We tried it for the first time this year and loved it. Very peaceful and quiet.

[Bloodaxe]

6 minutes ago, Host Grandma Cruising said:

Procter, thanks for your review. Your overall experience sounds like the good, the bad & the downright ugly! I’m glad to hear that by & large your experience on Pursuit was good.

A couple of observations: - 

Aqualina’s menu was changed recently. https://www.azamara.co.uk/sites/default/files/pdfs/aqualina_2019_april_2.0.pdf

We had the new menu on Journey last month  - I wonder if they’re still using the old one on a Pursuit  (no Dover Sole on it now).

 

If you’d prefer smaller food containers at breakfast, have you tried Discoveries. As well as offering a menu of served dishes, they also have a buffet with most of the same items as Windows, including the egg cook. We tried it for the first time this year and loved it. Very peaceful and quiet.

 

The new Aqualina menu has been on Pursuit for some time, we had it in early June but much prefer the old one.

This is a old thread bumped back up to mention Harland and Wolffs problems.

Edited August 6, 2019 by Bloodaxe

[excitedofharpenden]

This thread is nearly a year old. 

 

Phil