New Survey

[Riocca]

Just received and completed a new survey from Azamara, much more professional than previous efforts. Took over 20 minutes to complete so it covered a lot of areas, many questions about river cruises and ship size so took it that it is part of expansion planning.

[MNgardens]

I received it too.  Thanks for the info on how long it takes to fill out.  I will set aside some time for it later today.

[Mackdogmolly]

I thought it would never end! 🥴

[nordski]

44 minutes ago, Mackdogmolly said:

I thought it would never end! 🥴

 
That comment made me laugh out loud!

 

It was a lengthy process for sure, and they weren’t kidding about the 20 minute time frame.

 

Like Riocca, in its content I thought it was more professional than previous surveys and encouraged us to think about what we really value in this new context created by Covid.

 

There was also some humour in that it did ask if I used a travel agent on “high street”.

 

Fortunately, my experience on this board helped me understand what this means in the UK. Otherwise that phrase might have led me to think in rather different terms. 😄

[Mackdogmolly]

16 minutes ago, nordski said:

 

There was also some humour in that it did ask if I used a travel agent on “high street”.

I got a charge out of that too!

[Gardyloo2]

I was halfway through filling it out, or at least I think I was halfway, and the survey site crashed. This was a much more interesting survey than most cruise surveys.

[SailingSteve77]

Yes, it was a well thought out survey and hopefully it will give Azamara a lot of data to help them plan ahead for the future.  I was hoping for questions about having an annual world cruise someday, but it was not there.

 

Cheers!

[BrendaJ]

I was hoping they would ask about things on board that would make their ships more appealing (ie. things we might hope to see in a new build).   I’ve got lots of ideas for them, as far as cabins and shower curtains go.  😆

[excitedofharpenden]

Well I did the survey. I have to say it took me a lot longer than 20 minutes to complete. Mainly because 2018-2019 was a busy two years. It was thorough questioning. 

 

Phil 

[excitedofharpenden]

11 hours ago, BrendaJ said:

I was hoping they would ask about things on board that would make their ships more appealing (ie. things we might hope to see in a new build).   I’ve got lots of ideas for them, as far as cabins and shower curtains go.  😆

Given that we are still in the midst of a pandemic, Azamara ownership has recently changed and the whole future of cruising is less certain than a year or so ago I don't think these questions are really relevant for the moment. Shower curtains are low down on the priority list for Azamara. They've never been a priority for me, but boy they get some air time on here!

 

Phil 

Edited August 6, 2021 by excitedofharpenden

[Riocca]

7 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

Well I did the survey. I have to say it took me a lot longer than 20 minutes to complete. Mainly because 2018-2019 was a busy two years. It was thorough questioning. 

 

Phil 

Luckily I keep a couple spreadsheet of cruises, ports and costs etc. which helped, otherwise it would have taxed the old grey matter a bit. Did avoid the intrusive questions as I don’t like being categorised by financial information, there was one question towards the end where you had to rank a top 5 that required you to contradict yourself as there weren’t enough options. Otherwise thought it was a good survey and was happy to spend time doing it.

Edited August 6, 2021 by Riocca

[Wacktle]

It took me longer than 20 minutes too. I thought the questions about whether I would go on a river cruise with a long list of companies funny, as most of them don't do river cruises. The question about the reasons for doing a river cruise also made me smile as it suggested that an ocean cruise would have been an alternative; I'd love to see an ocean cruise ship sail down the Rhine !!  It was very difficult to rank some of the items. Anyhow, it was good to be asked.

[acruisergirl]

Longest 20 minutes of my life.😅

[ECCruise]

5 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

G Shower curtains are low down on the priority list for Azamara. They've never been a priority for me, but boy they get some air time on here!

 

Phil 

I was one that years ago I said "wouldn't it be nice if there was a glass door there instead of the curtain."

Then we sailed Oceania Insignia, where glass doors replaced the curtain.  

Couldn't wait to get back to the curtains on Quest a month later.  The standard cabin bathrooms are just too small (and can't be altered) to change.

[laurieb]

Wish I would have received it!

[Baynanno1]

Perhaps someone who did one cruise a year might be able to complete this survey in 20 minutes (with all the required information at their fingertips).

 

2019 was our busiest cruising year ever with four overseas trips for three single cruises and three B2B2B for a total of 87 cruising nights (I think that's what it added up to).

The previous year we had 86 cruising nights, but over three trips.

And then there were the past 4 years questions . . .

 

It took me over an hour and a half!

Sure I could have just clicked any box without giving the 1 to 5 placings any consideration, but then what's the point of doing the survey if not putting in the best you can recollect or check back on. Wouldn't have had any hope without my records!

 

The most comprehensive survey I have ever done. Hope we get some feedback!

[Wheelhouse]

My response to the request for three words that come to mind when you think of Azamara

 

1. itinerary

2. friendly

3. shower curtain

 

 

[Ithikan]

Thank you to all of you who completed the survey.  I'm certain my responses would have aligned with others, had I been invited to participate ; )

 As Baynanno1 mentions,  hopefully there will be feedback from the 'new' Azamara.

[excitedofharpenden]

9 minutes ago, Ithikan said:

Thank you to all of you who completed the survey.  I'm certain my responses would have aligned with others, had I been invited to participate ; )

 As Baynanno1 mentions,  hopefully there will be feedback from the 'new' Azamara.

It was actually very person specific and I'm sure they had a huge variety of answers. 

 

Phil 

[Host Jazzbeau]

I took it last night and agree with the comments above.  Being somewhat OCD I did have all the info necessary so it wasn't that difficult, especially since 2019 wasn't a huge travel year [wait 'til next year!].

 

I found the questions about River Cruising interesting.  There has been a rumor that the entire Crystal River operation is for sale.  The reviews of Crystal River have been very good – and just as Sycamore has money in the bank, Genting is hurting for cash.  Could Azamara be about to inherit a 4-5 ship river fleet?

[Riocca]

22 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

I took it last night and agree with the comments above.  Being somewhat OCD I did have all the info necessary so it wasn't that difficult, especially since 2019 wasn't a huge travel year [wait 'til next year!].

 

I found the questions about River Cruising interesting.  There has been a rumor that the entire Crystal River operation is for sale.  The reviews of Crystal River have been very good – and just as Sycamore has money in the bank, Genting is hurting for cash.  Could Azamara be about to inherit a 4-5 ship river fleet?

That would be an interesting addition to Azamara, Sycamore seems to be prepared to spend the cash to build the brand. Looking at the dry dock work on Quest there’s a lot more going on than the quick coat of paint RC used to do. 

[Mackdogmolly]

6 minutes ago, Riocca said:

That would be an interesting addition to Azamara, Sycamore seems to be prepared to spend the cash to build the brand. Looking at the dry dock work on Quest there’s a lot more going on than the quick coat of paint RC used to do. 

Can you expand on that, @Riocca? What work is being done?

[Riocca]

34 minutes ago, Mackdogmolly said:

Can you expand on that, @Riocca? What work is being done?

There’s a lot of work being done on the hull taking it back to bare metal in places, Quests last dry dock was scheduled for 7 days and in that time the new cabins on deck 4 had to be added as well as swapping the casino for The Den. This dry dock is supposed to be two weeks so there’s more time to get things finished properly. Here’s a few pictures from Facebook:

 

[uktog]

I suspect the objectives of a post lay up dry dock are very different from a between cruises dry dock. Even more the case when the structures were laid up in such cold climate with temperature extremes 

[AJCM]

Having done two river cruises (and finding we much prefer ocean cruises) I don’t think the survey sought to ask whether we prefer one over the other and the reasons why; which I thought was a deficiency in the survey, given their interest in river cruising.

 

It was lengthy but it did prompt some consideration about cruising matters and preferences and seemed to be a much better survey than the previous Celebrity/FC surveys they thrust on us.

 

The financial wealth questions are just a waste. I will not answer them. If we’re prepared to pay Azamara prices to cruise they should just accept that. With their non-suite cabins they’re never going to be a top end line, so why even ask?