What to change in the "new" Azamara?

[travelberlin]

I would suggest reduced solo rates in all cruises. Crystal cruises have this policy. I think it is 30% in all cruises. Sometimes in special offers, the solo supplement is les than 30% on Crystal.

Ivi

Edited February 22, 2021 by travelberlin

[Rabo]

17 minutes ago, donaldsc said:

I would think that the US Government would know a bit more about the differences between the Jones Act and the PVSA - https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-23?language=en_US.

 

Don,

 

I will have to concede that the US Government knows more than Royal Caribbean. I hadn't looked further than what RCG stated on their site. My apologies!

Jerry

[ECCruise]

29 minutes ago, Jim in OR said:

If they could solve the issues with the tight galley, I’d like to see the library converted to a French specialty restaurant. 

Back in the early days of Azamara's birth (probably when it was part of =X=) they had planned to turn the library into a bar.

That proposal, thankfully, was deep sixed.

I don't think we need a 3rd Specialty on a ~700 pax ship.

[Melissaghoti]

When I first started cruising with Azamara, I remember more guest entertainers. Some were wonderful, some not, but that’s a matter of taste. While all the CDs are fabulous, and I go to shows most every night, I’d still enjoy more variety in Cabaret. And bringing the dancers back would be a popular move too.

I certainly agree with Azamara offering more attractive solo rates, more often, and adding some more unusual ports ( I love Paris and an itinerary that included it brought me Azamara originally ).

 

Melissa

[tgg]

51 minutes ago, ECCruise said:

Back in the early days of Azamara's birth (probably when it was part of =X=) they had planned to turn the library into a bar.

 

There was a time when part of the library was turned into a photo studio. I don't remember how long it remained that way, but there was a huge negative reaction on this board - and the library was restored to its former glory. 

[Bloodaxe]

3 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Perhaps the added variety could be accomplished by varying the specialty restaurant menus?  Could Aqualina become a French restaurant on alternate nights?

 

 Aquarian was a French/Mediterranean style restaurant  before it went more Italian.

[Host Jazzbeau]

2 hours ago, Bloodaxe said:

 

 Aquarian was a French/Mediterranean style restaurant  before it went more Italian.

Everything old is new again! 🙂

[laurieb]

17 hours ago, ellbon said:

Somehow NCL has that market and it begins and  ends there.seven day cruise. Not sure how but been doing for years. So there is a loophole.

The ship ncl uses for the Hawaiian cruise is American flagged, with an American crew. 

[Bloodaxe]

2 hours ago, Bloodaxe said:

 

 Aquarian was a French/Mediterranean style restaurant  before it went more Italian.

Obviously that should say Aqualina, it was better then IMO.

[Host Jazzbeau]

9 minutes ago, laurieb said:

The ship ncl uses for the Hawaiian cruise is American flagged, with an American crew. 

 

...with a long story behind it, that involves a Congressional waiver to the PSVA to save taxpayers when a shipyard bankruptcy would have triggered a Federal loan guarantee on an empty hull.  NCL thought big and got Congress to exempt 3 ships for the round-Hawaii trade, then discovered they couldn't get enough US labor to staff 3 ships and ended up cutting the operation down to the one [whose staff, in my personal experience, is nowhere near Azamara standards].

 

Because of this history there is no pressure from the cruise industry to change the PSVA rules around Hawaii.  And enough people like cruises with lots of sea days that the Cali-based cruises are doing quite well.

[Host Jazzbeau]

4 minutes ago, Bloodaxe said:

Obviously that should say Aqualina, it was better then IMO.

For me, an alternating French/Italian concept would be even better.  Deeper choices in the one cuisine, and a chance to delve into the other on a different night.  But maybe if the menu was more varied there would be too many people wanting more than one chance, so capacity would be overwhelmed.  'Be careful what you wish for.' 😉

[laurieb]

I also would like to see a French restaurant, even if it is a split menu in Aqualina.  
I realize it’s very difficult to provision the ships, but it would be lovely if more regional wines were available, especially the included wines.  Spanish wines on a Spain intensive cruise, French in France.  

[Host Jazzbeau]

14 minutes ago, laurieb said:

I also would like to see a French restaurant, even if it is a split menu in Aqualina.  
I realize it’s very difficult to provision the ships, but it would be lovely if more regional wines were available, especially the included wines.  Spanish wines on a Spain intensive cruise, French in France.  

That was very difficult with RCG Miami-based provisioning, but should be easier now for an independent Azamara.  Each border-crossing day should involve wine deliveries from the host country.

[royallondon]

4 hours ago, laurieb said:
I realize it’s very difficult to provision the ships, but it would be lovely if more regional wines were available, especially the included wines.  Spanish wines on a Spain intensive cruise, French in France.  

I seem to remember in the early days of Azamara (when wine and beer was provided at lunch & dinner), this was the case. 

 

Regards

[upwarduk]

5 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

That was very difficult with RCG Miami-based provisioning, but should be easier now for an independent Azamara.  Each border-crossing day should involve wine deliveries from the host country.

BUT, Chefs would go to local markets. 
Multiple cheeses from Honfleur market and fish from St John’s.

[uktog]

25 minutes ago, upwarduk said:

BUT, Chefs would go to local markets. 
Multiple cheeses from Honfleur market and fish from St John’s.

Chefs often arranged provisions to be brought onboard- although they sometimes went to markets they often set things up via the port agent in advance so that all the relevant paperwork was completed. Wine was certainly brought onboard in Southern France and served at White Night.  It’s a balance as I’ve also heard of times when supplies expected weren’t available or were in much smaller quantities than ordered (our strawberries in Norway were an example). Certainly the last 18 months or so when we were cruising, and Carol Cabezas was COO there was a lot more local provisioning being done balanced with also having the guaranteed regular supplies. 

[excitedofharpenden]

I'm sure they will continue the local food provisioning where possible. It's a nice touch and keeps a good rapport with the local economy. I remember that Sanary Sur Mare was delighted to see Journey because they bought a lot of fish. I also remember going out with the chef to the local Chania market to shop, with the same result. 

 

Going out to purchase some local food for the evening for the chef to cook with is quite a bit different to buying wines. There is no way of knowing the quality of the wine bought. You could end up with bottles that nobody likes. Not to mention the storage and provisioning issues. Aside from the fact that there is no limit to how much wine you can bring on (within reason and having regard to its storage) so if you really want some local wine then nothing to stop you buying what you really like yourself. 

 

Phil 

[Bloodaxe]

6 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

For me, an alternating French/Italian concept would be even better.  Deeper choices in the one cuisine, and a chance to delve into the other on a different night.  But maybe if the menu was more varied there would be too many people wanting more than one chance, so capacity would be overwhelmed.  'Be careful what you wish for.' 😉

You are the one doing the wishing, I was just telling you the way it once was, many things were better in the earlier days but again that is just my opinion.

[uktog]

24 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

I'm sure they will continue the local food provisioning where possible. It's a nice touch and keeps a good rapport with the local economy. I remember that Sanary Sur Mare was delighted to see Journey because they bought a lot of fish. I also remember going out with the chef to the local Chania market to shop, with the same result. 

 

Going out to purchase some local food for the evening for the chef to cook with is quite a bit different to buying wines. There is no way of knowing the quality of the wine bought. You could end up with bottles that nobody likes. Not to mention the storage and provisioning issues. Aside from the fact that there is no limit to how much wine you can bring on (within reason and having regard to its storage) so if you really want some local wine then nothing to stop you buying what you really like yourself. 

 

Phil 

A follow up to the Sanary story.  I’m not sure which cruise you were on but on one of our last cruises in 2019 we stopped there and arrangements had been made in advance to buy fish.  All the local fishermen made a group effort to go out and catch fish the night before.  It was a port we had chosen just to walk around and everyone in the town was SO welcoming and saying thank you. The fishermen evidently made a months wages in a night.  They kept saying you must come to the pier at 5 (it was a tender port). Early afternoon Captain Johannes announced that he’d heard from the pilot the locals wanted to say thank you so if we wanted to go back ashore it might be fun.  Come 5pm as the day tours were all coming back, the locals had set up an impromptu party on the pier and closed the surrounding roads!  The local band was playing, complete with the gendarme in uniform on the horn, wine, cheeses and home baking was being served and it was such a “destination immersion”. 
They get very few ships each year and even fewer who buy the amount Azamara did.  It was such a lovely happy hour ashore and you felt Azamara had lifelong friends in Sanaray 

[Bloodaxe]

14 hours ago, MNgardens said:

I would be first in line to take a cruise that would go to smaller, less known Greek Islands. They could choose either Santorini or Mykonos and then fill the cruise with the stops that the mega shops don't go to. I found only two itineraries that go to Paros. I looked up the island and it looks charming. Why isn't it in steady rotation? Let's take advantage of the smaller size of the ships and do something unique.

 

Many years ago Azamara called at the Greek Island of Chois, they closed off the road and we docked right in the center of the town, not seen that on a itinerary since.

On the same cruise we also called at some less frequented ports in Turkey.

[uktog]

Some pictures from that day in Sanaray. The gendarmes were still to arrive at that time!  

[excitedofharpenden]

I'd certainly like them to continue the theme of removing the casino on Journey and replacing it with The Den as per the other ships as I missed this area a lot last cruise. Along with the relocation of Shorex and LCV desks. Hopefully ship four will do this too. 

 

Phil 

[ECCruise]

10 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

I'd certainly like them to continue the theme of removing the casino on Journey and replacing it with The Den as per the other ships as I missed this area a lot last cruise. Along with the relocation of Shorex and LCV desks. Hopefully ship four will do this too. 

 

Phil 

Totally agree, Phil.

Hopefully they will make the change on Journey before our sailing in May, 2022.  Would so prefer the Den there.

[docruth]

I’m wondering what the options are for passengers already booked on future AZ cruises

 

I’d personally like the option as to whether I’d like to keep my booking with the new owner, or cancel 

 

I’m ready to give the new owners a chance, but I don’t want to cruise outside the RCL family now

 

Just have to wait and see.

[ECCruise]

44 minutes ago, docruth said:

I’m wondering what the options are for passengers already booked on future AZ cruises

 

I’d personally like the option as to whether I’d like to keep my booking with the new owner, or cancel 

 

I’m ready to give the new owners a chance, but I don’t want to cruise outside the RCL family now

 

Just have to wait and see.

I don't see why you wouldn't be able to cancel if you like right up to final just as now.

 

I would not expect them (subject to any "Cruise with Confidence" program) allow you to cancel after final without penalty.