X cruiser sails Azamara to Cuba Jan 15 to 24 2019

[excitedofharpenden]

Have you or are you going to submit a condensed review to the “Reviews” section of Cruise Critic?

 

Phil

[scubacruiserx2]

23 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said:

Joe (and Pat) thanks for stopping by and dropping the link which I have bookmarked for my leisure reading which will take place on Wednesday as I am off work then.

Those South American itineraries are so appealing but the length will mean they are a few years away until we can take extended vacations. Nine days on the Journey was our longest cruise yet.

Cheers!

Norris

 

It great seeing your photos and getting your viewpoint of my old hometown . I did make a career working in Miami until I retired .

 

 

 

This Rescue unit ( The guys in blue ) would transport anyone sick or injured to the hospital from the Port of Miami or any of the cruise ships there . Some by air , some by land and some by sea .

[vulcan1971]

Hi Norris,

 

I found your thread this morning when logging on to CruiseCritic. I'm a newbie to reading or "experiencing your reviews, but the title of your thread is what caught my eye... I have an interest in what X cruisers think when sailing other cruise lines, I'm curious about Azamara, I love photography, and I am excited to hear about travel to Cuba.  Travel to Cuba is on my bucket list, but so are many other types of trips.  I very much like your style to share a lot and say a little.  The stories to date have been informative and kept me reading.  I'm very much looking forward to more.

[NemoCrownie]

2 hours ago, p0240 said:

Made it across!   Your dinner bill converted to $Aust, - had put it on my list of Norris recommendations but I think I would be divorced or overboard or had my drink card taken away if I asked to go there!  But then again if Norris said it's good then trust him! 

Cant wait to read the rest 

Pat

 

 

 

We went there last February because of a previous Norris review. My husband balked at the prices but acquiesced under pressure - happy wife, happy life.  He doesn't love crab like I do but admitted the stone crab was amazing and the experience is nothing like eating king crab.  It is a must try if you like shell fish and Joe's is as reasonable as you will find; they actually provide the stone crab to most of the other restaurant's, if I recall correctly.

[uktog]

1 hour ago, excitedofharpenden said:

Have you or are you going to submit a condensed review to the “Reviews” section of Cruise Critic?

 

Phil

A summary would also be really useful on the Azamara boards for those who are thinking of trying the brand but haven't got the time to wade through this thread - assuming its going to get very long over the coming days

[CruzinNoony]

Norris, Yay!!  I found you!  Looking forward to reading all about your adventures.  Amazing cat tree!!  Our Emily would love to have that in our house.  Meredith

[Deck Chair Queen]

3 hours ago, p0240 said:

Made it across!   Your dinner bill converted to $Aust, - had put it on my list of Norris recommendations but I think I would be divorced or overboard or had my drink card taken away if I asked to go there!  But then again if Norris said it's good then trust him! 

Cant wait to read the rest 

Pat

 

 

 

Carol (aka Deck Chair Queen) here. One does not have to spend this much at Joe’s but stone crab is among my favorite foods and alas it is market priced, which is currently astronomical because of supply constraints. But who knows when I might be back there? I am always amused at how few people at Joe's are actually eating stone crab even when the prices are more reasonable. It’s a lot of work and very messy to eat but my is it tasty! And fun to make into hand puppets. 

[awhfy]

Ah, a Norris review...looking at Azamara to Cuba for a bucket list adventure. I’ll continue to enjoy your review. Thank you for sharing!

[hockeyguru32]

Norris if you're going to be a shrimping boat captain I'll be your first mate we'll split everything right down the middle 50/50. Hmmmm seems familiar quote lol. I am locked loaded sitting on the barrel with top shelf rum in hand. I'm here for the long haul as I can never get enough of your reviews. Can't wait until you and Carol retire, and oh what shenanigan's we might see.

[QueenP]

I'm over from the Azamara boards and reading with interest! Looking forward to seeing what you thought of Az.

Penny

[rdsqrl]

Hi, Norris and Carol.   I see we're off to a good start with the food porn; yum!  And you got a photo of the building where my cousin owns a condo.  She lives a stone's throw from Joe's (sorry; couldn't resist) and yet we've never been.  Must rectify on next visit.   How was the key lime pie?

 

Looking forward to the ship and to Cuba.

 

 

[Bimmer09]

8 hours ago, uktog said:

A summary would also be really useful on the Azamara boards for those who are thinking of trying the brand but haven't got the time to wade through this thread - assuming its going to get very long over the coming days

uktog, there will be a summary-that's what the Epilogue section will have. Putting one up now would be like saying "the butler did it" to the crowd waiting to access the theater. Those who don't want to "wade" through this can always come back in 5 weeks or so and read the Epilogue. I think that those who are thinking of trying Azamara will get a clearer picture of the brand experience by reading it all as it unfolds and seeing the photos. As a reader of reviews when someone says "we didn't like the food" and then move on I want to know "what was wrong with the food?"

I plan to give a full account of my experience on board and show photos from Cuba that haven't been seen on the Az board or maybe any CC board. I hope you will read every page to come and find benefit.

 

It is being written chronologically so I won't say  much about Azamara until I am in Terminal J which should happen tomorrow. It only takes readers a few minutes a day to read what I write (it can take me hours to prep the photos/videos for each post) and I hope from the detailed way I write that current non-Azamara cruisers will form a fair impression of what booking Az gets you.

Thanks for the comment!

Norris

[p0240]

5 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said:

uktog, there will be a summary-that's what the Epilogue section will have. Putting one up now would be like saying "the butler did it" to the crowd waiting to access the theater. Those who don't want to "wade" through this can always come back in 5 weeks or so and read the Epilogue. I think that those who are thinking of trying Azamara will get a clearer picture of the brand experience by reading it all as it unfolds and seeing the photos. As a reader of reviews when someone says "we didn't like the food" and then move on I want to know "what was wrong with the food?"

I plan to give a full account of my experience on board and show photos from Cuba that haven't been seen on the Az board or maybe any CC board. I hope you will read every page to come and find benefit.

 

It is being written chronologically so I won't say  much about Azamara until I am in Terminal J which should happen tomorrow. It only takes readers a few minutes a day to read what I write (it can take me hours to prep the photos/videos for each post) and I hope from the detailed way I write that current non-Azamara cruisers will form a fair impression of what booking Az gets you.

Thanks for the comment!

Norris

With Norris reviews, it is not so much about the destination, but the journey he takes, across the ship, ports, food, people and places, the valuable travelling hints he gives, and his wonderful delivery.  Believe me it is worth the time taken to read.

Pat 

[Bimmer09]

11 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

Have you or are you going to submit a condensed review to the “Reviews” section of Cruise Critic?

 

Phil

Hi Phil, no I don't do reviews in the Members Section. I do read it from time to time but I am a "photo/video" reviewer and prefer the boards. I love to take photos and foreign places and ships are my two favorite topics. My father was a ship's Captain so I have been on ships since I was very young. I also worked for Royal Caribbean and did 44 cruises with them.

 

I'm also not fond of "condensed". I like to write as much as most folks like to talk. I have a long attention span (which comes in handy as I like long Wagner operas) and hope my readers do too. A condensed review could be as short as "we loved it!". If I feel that way I will detail why and with photos/videos/pie charts and even pie.

 

I hope this clarifies and thanks for the question, Phil!
Norris

 

[Silkroad]

Norris, I’m looking forward to another of your wonderful reviews. Since we share a special fondness for Silhouette, I am especially interested in your opinion of Azamara. I hope you and Carol have had a lovely cruise. Cheers! Michelle 

Edited January 28, 2019 by Silkroad

[Bimmer09]

2 hours ago, p0240 said:

With Norris reviews, it is not so much about the destination, but the journey he takes, across the ship, ports, food, people and places, the valuable travelling hints he gives, and his wonderful delivery.  Believe me it is worth the time taken to read.

Pat 

Pat, thank you for the validation and the very kind words.

I have just watched the video I shot in Cuba and with the pics I can promise you something worth reading.

I am surprised at what I managed to capture on the camcorder/cameras.

Norris

[mevs904]

Norris, I can’t tell you how much we value your reviews and the thought, depth, wit, and artistry that you put into them.  I’ve migrated over from the Princess forum to hear about your and Carol’s wonderful adventure and am enjoying every installment.  Every day it’s a treat to look forward to.

     I must say that you inspired us to book a future cruise on the Crown and we were reading your Regal New England review with interest as we will be on her Baltic/St. Petersburg cruise this August.  With this review of Cuba and Azamara I feel more inspiration coming on.  I hope that we will be able to meet you and Carol on some future cruise. 

[perfect match]

Norris, if you're taking attendance, you can mark me as present. You're only on page 4, so I'm not that late. I do not have a tardy excuse note, but I think I can get one if you really need it. 😹

 

So far, I've only looked at the pictures outlining your itinerary. I'm going back to the beginning to start reading right now! I can't wait to hear about all of the adventures you and Carol have been enjoying! 

[perfect match]

OK, I'm all caught up. Norris, you can keep writing now. . I'm all settled in and ready to follow along. I'm not going anywhere until the end of April, so I have plenty of time. Carry on! 

[uktog]

It is not my place to ask you to change how you are approaching this or your style which works for some. I was only trying to extend the value of the efforts of your review to those who will not have time or interest to wade through all your wanderings and avenues you explore even the cul de sacs 😀

 

Of course I did not expect the summary to be written at this stage merely suggested one be placed on the Azamara board in due course. 

 

I also agree with Phil that if you want to reach new cruisers who are researching the reviews are where a summary would really help others who may also never sail with Celebrity. 

 

Whilst there will be people here who love your style there will be others who don’t have the time to work through everything yet want to understand what a very short trip to Cuba might give them. 

 

Take this in the spirit of constructive feedback as all authors, journal writers and epilogue constructors receive and shape their future efforts by. 

[excitedofharpenden]

7 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

Hi Phil, no I don't do reviews in the Members Section. I do read it from time to time but I am a "photo/video" reviewer and prefer the boards. I love to take photos and foreign places and ships are my two favorite topics. My father was a ship's Captain so I have been on ships since I was very young. I also worked for Royal Caribbean and did 44 cruises with them.

 

I'm also not fond of "condensed". I like to write as much as most folks like to talk. I have a long attention span (which comes in handy as I like long Wagner operas) and hope my readers do too. A condensed review could be as short as "we loved it!". If I feel that way I will detail why and with photos/videos/pie charts and even pie.

 

I hope this clarifies and thanks for the question, Phil!
Norris

 

That’s a pity.  Your indulgence in writing this review will get lost in the pages of the Celebrity board.  A formal one will be a permanent record that will be useful to more people. 

 

I hope you enjoyed your cruise on Azamara.

 

Phil

[hockeyguru32]

3 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

That’s a pity.  Your indulgence in writing this review will get lost in the pages of the Celebrity board.  A formal one will be a permanent record that will be useful to more people. 

 

I hope you enjoyed your cruise on Azamara.

 

Phil

SO not true Phil I have never sailed RCCL Celebrity or Azamara but have sailed MSC NCL and CCL and I found Norris no problem at all when he was on the Princess boards writing an Alaska review. As he stated before he will get more attention on X pages more than he will on the A pages even though A is first in the Alphabet X will mark the spot and get more attention because of more people. Who knows maybe he will have X people sail on A and that should be a bonus for A. Just sit back relax and enjoy the master at his work, I have read every single review he has done and I want more even when the curtains have closed and everyone has gone home. Reminds me of the Ferris Bueller ending.

 

HockeyGuru32 patiently waiting for more with rum in hand.

Edited January 28, 2019 by hockeyguru32

[Sharkette76]

Count me in as another avid reader of all Norris reviews! This is my morning indulgence while I sip that first cup of coffee. Thanks so much Norris for sharing your thoughts and wonderful pictures. Can’t wait for more!

[mrsgoggins]

And I’m another who considers a Norris review at least equal to a good novel - entertaining and informative with some killer photos to boot.  Definitely to be savoured.

 

My thanks to you and Carol for making the time.  I am still hoping to say hello on one of your early mornings on the September Fjords cruise (there is a slight possibility we may need to change to a different date).

 

Moira

[excitedofharpenden]

51 minutes ago, hockeyguru32 said:

SO not true Phil I have never sailed RCCL Celebrity or Azamara but have sailed MSC NCL and CCL and I found Norris no problem at all when he was on the Princess boards writing an Alaska review. As he stated before he will get more attention on X pages more than he will on the A pages even though A is first in the Alphabet X will mark the spot and get more attention because of more people. Who knows maybe he will have X people sail on A and that should be a bonus for A. Just sit back relax and enjoy the master at his work, I have read every single review he has done and I want more even when the curtains have closed and everyone has gone home. Reminds me of the Ferris Bueller ending.

 

HockeyGuru32 patiently waiting for more with rum in hand.

Please read what I wrote again.  I have nothing against writing a review on this board.  All I said was this thread and all the posts will soon be history.  A formal review is something that can be referred to in the future and is therefore much more useful to this community.

 

Phil