X cruiser sails Azamara to Cuba Jan 15 to 24 2019

[Sadebud]

Thanks, Norris for another FABULOUS review!!  Cuba is 90 miles off our coast, and is definitely someplace we'll be going!  Am looking very seriously at doing it on Azamara, thanks to you.  My calendar is marked for 09/10 as Norway is also on my radar!

 

Tracy

[hockeyguru32]

Stands up with rum in hand "HEAR HEAR" thank you for another stellar review Sir Norris. And yes you should be knighted on CC boards. Azamara should be giving you some compensation for all the extra revenue they will be receiving.

 

See you in September

[Witsend17]

Another brilliant review Norris. I have read them all over the years. You have made Cuba look like a wonderful place to visit. Maybe one day.....    

      

 Thanks to you and Carol for your time, notes and photographs.

 

 Looking forward to the next one, I have cruised the Fjords three times and look forward to seeing them through your eyes.

[Hockeymum51]

Thank you! Loved every word and pic. Don't want to wish my life away but roll on September! We did the Norwegian Fjords cruise on Eclipse in May 2018. It was fabulous. There's a wee dram here for you if you're ever in the area. Cheers to you both.🍷

Edited March 6, 2019 by Hockeymum51

[Shimsdan]

Norris, thank you for another wonderful review.  I have already made note of your three upcoming cruises, so I can follow your GSJ afterwards.  I did a 12 nite Silhouette cruise in May 2014 (with my cruise buddy, Carol, not to be confused with yours!) to the Adriatic & Med.  The Adriatic was so calm, it looked like glass - I remember that I was actually disappointed not to feel like I was on a ship!  Croatia was a huge surprise for me - who knew there would be palm trees in Split?  You will have a wonderful time, and I cannot wait to relive my trip through your eyes (and photos).

Laura

[DebbieMacG]

17 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

14 nights on the Journey? I can only dream of a day when I retire and have time that is my own.

9 days is our longest and we heave a sigh at people setting off to Japan, Panama Canal and most bitter for me, South America where the steaks and the Malbec come from.

Have an Azamazing cruise!

Thanks for reading this.

Hope to see you in my Silhouette one (my favorite big ship to date)

Norris

I’m still working but I get 38 days a year holiday 🙂 I can’t wait to spend 14 nights on Azamara Journey!  I’m also doing Sky Princess in November.

 

I know we both like Celebrity, Azamara and Princess, I’ve also done cruises with Cunard, have you tried them yet?

Edited March 6, 2019 by DebbieMacG

[kpark895]

Norris, thank you for sharing your adventure.  As I will probably never have the chance to take some of the wonderful cruises I read about, I have to live vicariously through all of the wonderful people who take the time and make the effort to inform and entertain us!

[Bimmer09]

On 3/5/2019 at 3:54 PM, QueenP said:

I am looking forward to your links to other reviews you have done, especially Mediterranean ones. Thanks for the morning's entertainment every day for ages! 

Hello again! Tomorrow morning (Thursday) I'll put up those links-all 13 of them dating back to August 2011, our first Princess to Alaska.

Cheers!

Norris

[Bimmer09]

On 3/5/2019 at 8:26 PM, mchell810 said:

Norris,

I need to add my thanks for this amazing description of your wonderful journey.  Your photos are amazing!  I've back read a few of your prior reviews and am looking forward to future entries in the Gentleman's Seafaring Journal.

 

I have 13 reviews or whatever they are on CC so when I publish the list tomorrow you can check off (not the Russian writer) the ones you haven't read

You'll see the photos get better as the cameras get better and I find out what the hell I'm doing.

I promise better photos from Norway as I'll be practicing a lot this summer.My food photos are the hardest ones to get right so I'll work on that aspect. I am excited to have the chance to eat in Luminae, Murano (love it!) and Lawn Club grill again.

Roll on September. We will see London again!

Norris, with thanks to you.

[Bimmer09]

On 3/5/2019 at 2:31 PM, cruise47 said:

Excellent reviews and Outstanding Photos. Thanks you for sharing your reviews and cruise.

It is my pleasure.

Hope to see you in my September review!

Norris

[Bimmer09]

From the  Archives

Here are the previous Gentleman's Seafaring Journals, going backwards in time.

They are an aid to folks who have signatures turned off and save a ton of time searching.

Obviously there is no need to list this GSJ as you are currently up to your neck in it.*

 

* All reviews/GSJs come with photos and video, bread and butter and your choice of soup or salad.

 

 

 Crown Princess ABC Islands January 12 2018 E734
Photo/Video review https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2588776

8 days of eating (food porn). Also dining ashore which was not our norm. Aruba sunset cruise. Bonaire Glass boat.

 

Regal Princess New England/Canada October 14 2017 C743
Photo/Video review https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2556992

 

Lots of New York Skyline/Central Park photos. Newport mansions. Boston Harbor tour.

Bar Harbor. Canadian ports with Peggy's Cove and lobster. New camera.

 

Celebrity ReflectionWestern Caribbean January 14 2017 Sky Suite 7258

Photo/Video review http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2447364

 

South Beach segway. Art Deco buildings. First time Miami sail away. Falmouth. Ocho Rios beach. Cayman turtles. Cozumel. Lovin' Labadee. Rented upgraded camera.

 

Star Princess Sept 2016 Vancouver to Whittier D733

Photo/Video review http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2403532

 

Fine dining in the Pan Pacific, Vancouver. Misty Fjords by boat. Juneau aerial tramway. Luxury car White Pass railway.New Pro Canon lenses. Glacier Bay. College Fjord. Anchorage.

Rented $2,000 lens for best glacier pics.

 

Comparing Princess and Celebrity

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2317130

 

Comparison review using photographs, pie charts and even pie.

Ruby Princess and Celebrity Silhouette duke it out for their brands. Written 2016

 

Celebrity Silhouette January 2016 Eastern Caribbean Sky Suite 7309

Photo/Video review http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=48880163#post48880163

 

First X cruise. Sky Suite. San Juan segway tour. St Maarten. St Kitts railway.

Murano, Tuscan Grill, Lawn Club Grill, Alcoves, Luminae and Blu

 

Emerald Princess Sept 2015 Rome to Barcelona C750

Photo/Video review http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=47937585#post47937585

 

Lots of Rome photos including fantastic food. Albergo del Senato. Forum. Rome at 5 a.m Palermo. Herculaneum ruins. Remains of Costa Concordia. Florence. Uffizi. Michelangelo David. Cinque Terre. First time in Barcelona. Gaudi tour. Tapas

 

Ruby Princess Jan 2015 Eastern Caribbean D616

Photo/Video review http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2161859

 

Princess Cays. St Thomas boat tour to St John. St. Maarten. Grand Turk tour. Estonian singers and dancers on board (fantastic!)

 

Ocean Princess Sept 2014 Venice to Rome Suite 6088

Photo/video review http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2110302

 

Small ship/huge suite. Falling in love with Venice. Venice at 5 a.m photo tour.

Sail away. Malta excursion. Stunning Valletta harbor. Croatia- oysters in Mariston.

Palermo trash porn. Pompeii and Positano. First visit to Rome. Colosseum.

 

Caribbean PrincessJan 2014 Western Caribbean C749

Photo/video review www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1976282

 

Friends on board. Delayed sail away from Houston. Roatan and dolphins. Belize and mangroves air-boat. Cozumel. First of 4 visits to Houston opera. Good eats!

 

Ruby Princess Jan 2013 Eastern Caribbean C749

Photo review www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1786957

 

Aft suite on beautiful ship. Butterfly gardens. Memory foggy.

 

Diamond Princess Aug 2012 Vancouver to Whittier C757

Photo/video review www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1798138

 

Pan Pacific dinner. Favorite Princess ship. Harv n Marv whale watching. White Pass railway.

Eagle watching river trip near Haines. Glacier Bay and College Fjord. Anchorage. Best waiters from Thailand. Ship tour.

 

 

Crown Princess Jan 2012 Southern Caribbean C749

Photo/Video review www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1932543

 

First aft suite (Free upgrade!) Princess Cays, Aruba. Submarine. Curacao.Slave museum, crashing waves. First time Marriott Harbor Beach hotel, Ft Lauderdale. Carol sings in Princess Pop Choir. Ship tour.

 

Coral Princess Aug 2011 Whittier to Vancouver C210

Photo/Video review www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1850609

 

First cruise with Princess.Carol's first cruise ever. Overnight in Anchorage. Hubbard Glacier. Glacier Bay.Harv n Marv whale watching. Helicopter landing on glacier. Misty Fjords floatplane tour with Island Wings. 5 days of drizzle then 2 days of 70s sun. Vancouver. Butchart Gardens.

 

It's hard to remember now, 7 years into our cruising life, exactly what we did in each port so I am glad Carol took notes and I took photos and wrote it all down on Cruise Critic-otherwise the cruises would blend together into a mush.

 

I hope you may want to read some or all of these. Every one of them was fun and interesting 

for us. I gave away a lot of prizes over the years which sadly the post office lost and poured an awful lot of cyber booze for my guests. It's been fun and there is maximum fun on the horizon! Norway next!! Yeee-haw!

(shoots firearm into the air, chandelier crashes to the floor in a cloud of dust, mustachioed piano player with slicked down hair nervously plays "O Susanna!" on the piano at a rapid tempo.)

(fade)

 

Norris

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

On 3/5/2019 at 1:23 PM, Groovybusybee said:

I’m so sorry that your review has ended Norris, I enjoyed every bit of it. Thank you.

 

Any chance of a final photo of Snowy?

 

Hope you enjoyed the opera.

 

Debbie

Thanks for reading Debbie!

Snowy tells me she will probably make a cameo in my next review.

Opera was very enjoyable.

Norris

[Bimmer09]

On 3/5/2019 at 1:58 PM, Jasperdo said:

Another excellent review, Norris. It's always a treat to follow along with you and Carol. Cuba is a place I've wanted to visit for many years. You descriptions and photos brought it to life for me. Thank you! I've already put your next cruise on my calendar. Can't wait for that one.

John

John, I believe you have appeared in all my reviews! 

If you can and are interested go to Cuba soonish and see it for yourself.

I know there are so many places one can cruise to-which is why we are getting Norway off our list. The Fjords make it unique in Europe. I'm not there for the history or the culture, just for the eye candy nature of the place. We have to see it. London is a huge bonus!

See you in September! (song title)

Norris

[villauk]

You’ll love Norway. The fjords there are different to Alaska; I always say Alaska is more about the wildlife, Norway is very tactile (you can practically touch those rock faces) and New Zealand has the panoramic fjords. All different in their own special way. Obviously, only my opinion 😉.

[QueenP]

Thanks for the links Norris! I have just finished your most recent New England one, as I was reading that as well as your Cuba one. Now I have bookmarked your Med ones to keep me going for the next while. Cheers!

[Walt fan]

And here I am, at the very end, of this witty, wonderful, wise review.  You made me laugh, smile, and enjoy this adventure.  You make me want to try Azamara one day.  They should pay you a stipend for all of your hard work and getting more people to book.  Your next Azamara booking looks beyond amazing.  My SIL went to Salt on her stop in Croatia and said it was her favorite.   Norway and the fjords not too far down the road for you - awesome. 

 

All of your hard work is much appreciated.  Cannot wait to see you and Carol again in September, I have it on my calendar! 

[pd7277]

Thanks Norris, very enjoyable again.

 

I had mentioned earlier in this thread about using a Google doc as a way of listing all you prior escapades, but you were busy at work on the latest.

 

As payment for enjoying your romps around the ocean, I have copied your list to a Google Doc, and here is the link.

 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D9lM64PLGpfGZcd8lirSL9ps3I4QB0__-mYm7AhkgUI/edit?usp=sharing

 

Please send me an email to pd7277 at aol dot com.   I need to add your email address for you to have rights to edit.  Thanks again!

[mchell810]

8 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

From the  Archives

Here are the previous Gentleman's Seafaring Journals, going backwards in time.

They are an aid to folks who have signatures turned off and save a ton of time searching.

Obviously there is no need to list this GSJ as you are currently up to your neck in it.*

 

Thanks for the links!

[Bimmer09]

On 3/4/2019 at 1:34 AM, upwarduk said:

 

Will be interested in Split arrangements, docking or tendering? When we were there on Eclipse in 2010 we tendered and were given tender ticket #35. It took us 3 hours to get off.

Obviously Persuit is a smaller ship, but there was only a ‘jetty’ in Split, so unless it has been extended I imagine you will be tendering. However, you will have the advantage of being on a smaller ship.

I have since learnt that it is advisable to take a ship's excursion in tender ports, as they are taken off the ship first.

Sorry it's taken me so long to respond.

As it will be our first time in Split we will definitely be taking a ship's excursion so if tendering will get ashore early. 3 hours waiting for a tender would drive me bananas.

We have a long time to research all the ports we haven't been to on this cruise.

My thanks for reading along all this time!

Norris

[Bimmer09]

7 hours ago, villauk said:

You’ll love Norway. The fjords there are different to Alaska; I always say Alaska is more about the wildlife, Norway is very tactile (you can practically touch those rock faces) and New Zealand has the panoramic fjords. All different in their own special way. Obviously, only my opinion 😉.

I am sure we will both love Norway for it's scenic beauty. It arrived on our bucket list after reading a review  by Miaminice (Oliver) on his website after he dropped a link in CC. We would much rather see the Fjords than a Baltic Capitals cruise. I am not one for the gilded palaces and ostrich-necked crowds of St Petersburg. Norway will be one and done I imagine as there are so many other places we need to get to.

New Zealand is way out there in our future. Australia too.

Norris

[Bimmer09]

4 hours ago, Walt fan said:

And here I am, at the very end, of this witty, wonderful, wise review.  You made me laugh, smile, and enjoy this adventure.  You make me want to try Azamara one day.  They should pay you a stipend for all of your hard work and getting more people to book.  Your next Azamara booking looks beyond amazing.  My SIL went to Salt on her stop in Croatia and said it was her favorite.   Norway and the fjords not too far down the road for you - awesome. 

 

All of your hard work is much appreciated.  Cannot wait to see you and Carol again in September, I have it on my calendar! 

 

I have time now to respond to all who thanked me for this GSJ but I owe thanks to all who responded or just read as it kept me writing to a schedule.

Azamara could have been a "one and done" but they made a good first impression and kept on going. Although an aft balcony cabin on Az is the price of an aft suite on Princess, Azamara have some varied and interesting itineraries and county-intensive is one of their strengths.

Small ship cruising is very relaxing.

The next Az booking just fit our available time and Rome and Venice as anchors will give us the Italian fix we so crave. We still talk about Rome over 3 years later. With Venice it is over 4 years.

So -overdue! Then those Adriatic countries, if they all have a flavor of Croatia, then we are thrilled. Meantime we have 2 more great cruises lined up so can focus on each as they come up.

Thanks for following along on so many of my reviews/reports/things/GSJs!

Norris

[upwarduk]

10 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

As it will be our first time in Split we will definitely be taking a ship's excursion so if tendering will get ashore early. 3 hours waiting for a tender would drive me bananas.

Me too, I’ve no patience once we are docked, I want to be on my way.

In fact when we went to Hawaii in March 2012 on Celebrity Century, I was so concerned that I would hold up passengers on a private tour that we had arranged via our Roll Call that I voiced my fears and one of the organisers spoke to the Activities manager and she had us meeting in the theatre and we were allowed off once the tours were on their way. Of course Century was a smaller ship in comparison to Eclipse.

In late 2012 we arranged a 2 day repositioning cruise from Amsterdam to Southampton, just so that we reached Elite in time for our next cruise. 🤣

[MisterMet]

23 hours ago, mchell810 said:

 

Thanks for the links!

Norris,

 

 I thoroughly enjoyed "being" with you and Carol on the "Journey" through Cuba and the Bahamas.  I was especially interested in your take on Azamara itself, knowing your affections for Princess and Celebrity.  Your thoughts on the smaller ship were interesting as well, as I know how much you like the Solstice and Grand class ships.  I gather you and Carol wouldn't have booked B2B if you didn't feel comfortable or in any way felt that Azamara wasn't worth the $$.  

 

Pam and I have a week in the Western Caribbean 7/27/19 booked on the Equinox and have 11 nights booked again on the Equinox through the Southern Caribbean 9/14/20 to Antigua, St. Croix, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas.  However, we have been looking to Europe for 2020 as well and may flip our booking over there.  We were looking at 10 nights on the Constellation from Rome to Venice through the Greek Islands, but somehow the itinerary got switched to the Edge at twice the price.  I've been following many reviews on the Edge on CC and just don't know if I'm sold on it yet.  I also thought the prices might have gone down a bit for the 2020 bookings, but not yet. Hopefully we can come to some consensus, but I guess that's part of the fun of being into cruising though.  Research is almost as fun as the cruising itself.

 

Thank you again for entertaining us all with your wonderful GSJ.  While I'm lucky to live in paradise and don't really need to dream of warmer climates to help me through cold winter nights, I do need to dream of when my "season" is over, I get to  relax a bit, enjoy my time on the ship and have someone pamper me for a change. 

 

Regards to Carol and Keep on Keepin' On,

 

Trip

[Bimmer09]

On 3/2/2019 at 10:24 PM, lola2013 said:

Sorrento is really all about atmosphere for me.  I love to just wander up and down the side streets.  My last visit there was part of a tour from Naples and included Pompeii and Capri (sigh).  I’ll be spending an entire day there in May (RCCL cruise), coming down from Rome via train and hydrofoil.  I believe it will be my fifth time in this beautiful city and I love it every time,

Kotor was a Celebrity ship’s excursion up a mountain that included twenty-some hairpin turns and was amazing.  I remember several stops as we climbed to the top...just gorgeous looking down at the ship!

Enjoy!

Susan

Susan, we tendered into Sorrento in September 2014, got on a bus and headed to Pompeii without setting foot in the city. As we drove through waiters were setting up tables in the sun and shade and I so wanted just to sit at one of those cafes with an espresso to start my day or to have a leisurely lunch. Stolling backstreets is my middle name. The big sights have to be seen but I just love those "unseen places" for taking photos of the normal everyday Italy.

We don't need to see Pompeii nor Herculaneum again so soon. We will research excursions when they are posted...

Kotor same thing but I do want to see it from on high. Is Capri worth a visit for us?

We're not shoppers but we like lunch outdoors in a scenic setting which I imagine Capri truly has at every turn.

Which Royal ship are you sailing?

Thanks, as always for your input!

Norris

[Bimmer09]

On 3/3/2019 at 3:41 AM, villauk said:

You willl absolutely love Kotor. Get the camera ready for the photos as you arrive along the fjord. Walk up to the top of the fort and you will further your photo collection. It’s not for the faint hearted, however, well worth the exertion. We completed it in the early morning as the sun can be fierce during the summer months. At the bottom, you will be well rewarded with a local brew and a fabulous medieval city 👍. 

 

Sorrento is also a wonderful place, but not as cute as Positano. 

Hi and thanks for the thumbs up on Kotor which I love the look of from Youtube. Eye candy!

I won't make it all the way up to the fort (have seen people puffing and  panting) but will go high enough to get a good shot or two of the ship.

Nice to have you along on this report!

Are you an Aston Villa supporter by any chance? (screen name)

Norris