Jim in OR Posted October 10, 2019 #1 Share Posted October 10, 2019 If I were in charge of the way space is used on the Azamara ships, I’d consider turning the lightly used drawing room into a French specialty restaurant. I get that the seating capacity would be limited when compared with the other two, but it seems like several tables could be fit into the space and it could be a charming dining venue. Of course, there would need to be black out dates for special events like the “best of the best” but I do think it would be doable. Any other king/queen wannabes that would make changes to the current space usage? Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excitedofharpenden Posted October 10, 2019 #2 Share Posted October 10, 2019 Not really. I think that perhaps you misjudge just how much the Drawing Room is used each cruise. Aside from special dinners there it is used for such things as vow renewals and weddings, religious services and the like. Aside from being a reading space with comfy chairs and (depending upon the ship) a piano for extra entertainment apace, I think it’s pretty well used as an extra venue. I can’t think of anywhere that makes me think “oh, they should do this”. Phil 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinaro44 Posted October 10, 2019 #3 Share Posted October 10, 2019 13 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said: Not really. I think that perhaps you misjudge just how much the Drawing Room is used each cruise. Aside from special dinners there it is used for such things as vow renewals and weddings, religious services and the like. Aside from being a reading space with comfy chairs and (depending upon the ship) a piano for extra entertainment apace, I think it’s pretty well used as an extra venue. I can’t think of anywhere that makes me think “oh, they should do this”. Phil Where would they prepare the exquisite French cuisine? The small galley on deck 10 is already fully used preparing meals for the existing two specialty restaurants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurieb Posted October 10, 2019 #4 Share Posted October 10, 2019 I would love a French restaurant! Maybe a change in menu one or two nights at one of the specialties 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted October 11, 2019 #5 Share Posted October 11, 2019 6 hours ago, laurieb said: I would love a French restaurant! Maybe a change in menu one or two nights at one of the specialties. Aqualina used to have more of a French theme before it went mainly Italian, we liked it better then. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Cruising Posted October 11, 2019 #6 Share Posted October 11, 2019 The only change I would make is the one already made/being made - taking away the casino and making more sitting space. I’ve very rarely seen anyone actually using either the slots or the tables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare uktog Posted October 11, 2019 #7 Share Posted October 11, 2019 There is a French chefs table and often a French themed buffet. It’s hard to meet all tastes and between the buffet, the extensive variety in the main dining room and the other venues I’d say Azamara do pretty well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excitedofharpenden Posted October 11, 2019 #8 Share Posted October 11, 2019 2 hours ago, Bloodaxe said: Aqualina used to have more of a French theme before it went mainly Italian, we liked it better then. Food of course is subjective, but I prefer Aqualina now to what it used to be. I can find many more menu items that I like. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted October 11, 2019 #9 Share Posted October 11, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, excitedofharpenden said: Food of course is subjective, but I prefer Aqualina now to what it used to be. I can find many more menu items that I like. Phil That's obviously very true everyone will have their favorites, in the very early days (even before your Azamara experience), Aqualina on Journey had a excellent French Chef. The Chef and Rhysard would carry out cooking demonstrations in the Speciality Restaurants on sea days. That's what sticks in my memory has the best of times on Azamara.. Edited October 11, 2019 by Bloodaxe 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBMacLaird Posted October 12, 2019 #10 Share Posted October 12, 2019 I love this conversation. While I doubt it is feasible or desirable to repurpose the Drawing Room into a specialty restaurant the question makes me wonder if it couldn’t be occasionally used as a “pop-up” specialty venue. It IS such a beautiful venue at night. I also love this conversation, started by Jim in OR (thank you Jim!), a new voice on the forum with just 19 posts, because it reflects what I’d call Pride of Ownership. I often think about my own house in the same way...”maybe we should redo our front porch to make it prettier” or “why don’t we repurpose the guest bedroom into a sewing room.” People don’t think that way unless they are invested and want to make the space better in the long run...which means you all plan to return. 🥰 Thank you for making Azamara ‘your’ cruise line. Your suggestions are always welcome. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrtmlt Posted October 13, 2019 #11 Share Posted October 13, 2019 How about a cigar Bar? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowglobe Posted October 13, 2019 #12 Share Posted October 13, 2019 A gelateria! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Cruising Posted October 13, 2019 #13 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Yes, you’re right - being able to have gelato any time - or even for longer than just meal times - would be great. I know the frozen yogurt is available, but it’s just not the same! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mj_holiday Posted October 13, 2019 #14 Share Posted October 13, 2019 We have done one cruise on the Journey, another Azamara booked. When on the Journey, I was surprised by how empty the library was the couple times we went to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excitedofharpenden Posted October 13, 2019 #15 Share Posted October 13, 2019 1 hour ago, mj_holiday said: We have done one cruise on the Journey, another Azamara booked. When on the Journey, I was surprised by how empty the library was the couple times we went to it. I think that’s part of the appeal though. Factor in the preparation that would be required by the crew to turn it into an official eating venue and how many times it’s used throughout a cruise for special functions and it’s a bad idea in my view. Phil 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ithikan Posted October 13, 2019 #16 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Yes, the library can be empty, but never for very long... I visited once quite, quite early one morning - having a need to consult the enormous atlas about all the tiny islands we were passing - and just after opening that tome to get started I was joined by a security officer. Very nice, we exchanged greetings, but I was simultaneously both impressed and taken aback at how quickly staff responded to activity in this always quiet venue. i love the library and hope it remains in its current form. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare travelberlin Posted October 13, 2019 #17 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Since we are all dreaming, I would love to have a Japanese Restaurant.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werangels Posted October 13, 2019 #18 Share Posted October 13, 2019 I like the idea of pop-up bistros and would like to see these on the pool deck on hot weather cruises. Italian port - Italian food, Greek port - Greek food, Arabian port , etc. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now