Anybody onboard currently?

[wjfan417]

4 hours ago, aliaschief said:

As of last night probably now around 120. Of the 135 several are getting off in Dubai and doing their own travel plans then rejoining in Venice. All lounges will not be open at same time but will be rotated and that will also be the case with specialty restaurants.

Haven’t heard yet how many guest are going on the safaris. Guest count could really be lower that week.

Taking a three day side trip to Angkor Wat. Will rejoin Onward in Bangkok.

Was the side trip arranged by Azamara or on your own? If on your own, did you prearrange? We go back and forth between Sydney and Melbourne on our B2B this December and January, and would like to be able to visit Uluru from Melbourne and rejoin the ship in Sydney.

[aliaschief]

Just now, wjfan417 said:

Was the side trip arranged by Azamara or on your own? If on your own, did you prearrange? We go back and forth between Sydney and Melbourne on our B2B this December and January, and would like to be able to visit Uluru from Melbourne and rejoin the ship in Sydney.

We planned the trip on our own. Though some took an Azamara excursion to Angkor Wat. Trip from Ho Chi Minh to here went without a hitch. 

[aliaschief]

An amazing sunrise and another sweltering day at Angkor Wat. 36C and humid. Guides saved us with filtered ice cold bottled water and mentholated iced wash cloths. Got up at 4:30 AM to experience sunrise. Back to Onward tomorrow in Bangkok so we can attend a  Azamazing Bangkok evening. Pics are from our day two here. Bruce

 

 

 

 

 

[Twiga]

Your photos are amazing!  So beautiful!  Thank you for sharing.

[aussie travel bird]

On 3/29/2024 at 9:34 PM, wjfan417 said:

Was the side trip arranged by Azamara or on your own? If on your own, did you prearrange? We go back and forth between Sydney and Melbourne on our B2B this December and January, and would like to be able to visit Uluru from Melbourne and rejoin the ship in Sydney.

Hello wjfan417

Being an Australian and avid azamara cruiser I noted in your post your desire to visit Uluṟu on your Australian trip. It will be Australia’s peak summer time and not at all a good time to visit Uluru. I’m not sure of your country of origin but Australians even avoid Uluru in summer.  Here’s an extract from the internet. You might want to do some more research. May or September are lovely times there.

 

• “December, January, February

  This is Australia’s summertime and is the worst time to travel to the lovely Uluru. The temperatures can be unbearable in the day, reaching low to the mid-30s majority of the time. The highest temperature recorded was a top of 45.5 Celsius degrees, which was only in the shade! Unless you are a fan of sweating like a pig, we recommend trying a different time of the year.”

[wjfan417]

45 minutes ago, aussie travel bird said:

Hello wjfan417

Being an Australian and avid azamara cruiser I noted in your post your desire to visit Uluṟu on your Australian trip. It will be Australia’s peak summer time and not at all a good time to visit Uluru. I’m not sure of your country of origin but Australians even avoid Uluru in summer.  Here’s an extract from the internet. You might want to do some more research. May or September are lovely times there.

 

• “December, January, February

  This is Australia’s summertime and is the worst time to travel to the lovely Uluru. The temperatures can be unbearable in the day, reaching low to the mid-30s majority of the time. The highest temperature recorded was a top of 45.5 Celsius degrees, which was only in the shade! Unless you are a fan of sweating like a pig, we recommend trying a different time of the year.”

Thanks-I’ve been rethinking this cruise because I doubt we’ll be back in the area again and it is something I’m really interested in seeing. We’ve been to Sidney and Melbourne before, and we’re at each of them for around 4 days each on our B2B cruises and not interested in spending that much time in those cities.

[Roel94]

Just now, wjfan417 said:

Thanks-I’ve been rethinking this cruise because I doubt we’ll be back in the area again and it is something I’m really interested in seeing. We’ve been to Sidney and Melbourne before, and we’re at each of them for around 4 days each on our B2B cruises and not interested in spending that much time in those cities.

Have done blue mts,Hunter valley,gone to,a resort on a reef to snorkel.

[mdeegooden]

13 hours ago, aliaschief said:

An amazing sunrise and another sweltering day at Angkor Wat. 36C and humid. Guides saved us with filtered ice cold bottled water and mentholated iced wash cloths. Got up at 4:30 AM to experience sunrise. Back to Onward tomorrow in Bangkok so we can attend a  Azamazing Bangkok evening. Pics are from our day two here. Bruce

 

 

 

 

 

Stunning!  WOW!  I do hope we get to experience these places someday. Your photos are so well taken!

[wjfan417]

10 hours ago, Roel94 said:

Have done blue mts,Hunter valley,gone to,a resort on a reef to snorkel.

Thanks-we’ve done all of that previously.

[Roel94]

Just now, wjfan417 said:

Thanks-we’ve done all of that previously.

Have you gone to,Barossa for wine.

i have been in several places  more than once. Hard to guess where to send people.

[aliaschief]

Last night on the Onward we were bussed to Bangkok’s huge outdoor Cultural Museum Ancient City greeted with Thai Canapés and drinks. Watched five different cultural dance acts including Thai Boxing. Each of our chairs were decorated. We then enjoyed fireworks and couples/singles we’re offered an alighted wish basket made our wish and put the arrangement afloat. There was a steady breeze that made for comfortable evening weather wise.

It was an AzAmazing Evening and it felt like most of the guest participated.

We left Bangkok this morning enjoying a day on the Coral sea. Tonight we all have the choice of dining under the stars. It’s Tuk Tuk Dinner Night. Will they have a real Tuk Tuk?

 

 

 

[aliaschief]

What a beautiful setting and the food has been fantastic. Nice breeze, light lanterns swaying in the wind.

 

Doesn’t get much better then this.

 

 

Edited April 2 by aliaschief

[Grandma Cruising]

The Azamazing evening we had in Bangkok at the Ancient City was our favourite - magical.

[aliaschief]

Today we visited Koh Samui a popular island beach resort off the coast of Thailand. Known for its beautiful beaches and Big Buddha. A short tender port of call as we arrived at 8:00 and left at two.Tomorrow is a day at sea then we will overnight in Singapore and start our next segment.

Last night’s dinner was a huge success and tonight it’s back to more fine dining at the Chef’s Asian Table dinner.

 

[aliaschief]

Last night’s Chef’s Asian Table on Onward.

 

 

[takemewithyou]

1 hour ago, aliaschief said:

Last night’s Chef’s Asian Table on Onward.

 

 

I would love to try that menu!

Thank you so much for enlightening this thread with all your posts! 

[uktog]

Currently on Journey we’ve 680 guests from 30 nationalities- the ship has quite a buzz! 

[uktog]

Heads up from Journey- not yet sure the reason why, breakfast in discoveries is now a full buffet not a la carte. Maybe it’s because the ship is absolutely full 

[aliaschief]

Sabang, Indonesia today. Another hot and sultry day. Toured through the market. After the beef market I chose to fast on this next to last day of Ramadan.

We were scheduled for a hands on cooking class which turned out to be more of a demo. Sail at 5:30 and have two sea days before our next port in Sri Lanka.

 

[Bloodaxe]

11 hours ago, uktog said:

Heads up from Journey- not yet sure the reason why, breakfast in discoveries is now a full buffet not a la carte. Maybe it’s because the ship is absolutely full 

 

Would not be happy with that, been on full ships many times and always enjoyed our breakfast in Discoveries, seems like another step in the wrong direction.

[Mackdogmolly]

1 hour ago, Bloodaxe said:

 

Would not be happy with that, been on full ships many times and always enjoyed our breakfast in Discoveries, seems like another step in the wrong direction.

It could also be a staffing issue?

[takemewithyou]

42 minutes ago, Mackdogmolly said:

It could also be a staffing issue?

That’s what I am wondering.
 I am sure @uktog will seek out the reasoning behind this change.

[aussie travel bird]

18 hours ago, uktog said:

Heads up from Journey- not yet sure the reason why, breakfast in discoveries is now a full buffet not a la carte. Maybe it’s because the ship is absolutely full 

Yes it was introduced last cruise because the ship was full, the weather was cold and windows wasn't coping with the crowds.  We walked away from Windows a few times and then had room service and mosiac. It was port intensive but whilst a good solution at the time I sure home it returns to a full service menu for breakfast in discoveries. 

[uktog]

Interesting- Discoveries is empty and there’s no issues in Windows even though it’s too cold for outside this cruise. 
There used to be an option of buffet plus a la carte in Discoveries last year. That would be a far better option if adjustments were needed. Like many some days I like to be served and room service isn’t quite delivered as it used to be (no call ahead tray just left for you to set it out). We only use room service if our order is coffee and pastries (where of course mosaic is also an option)

 

I think the staffing is the correct answer given that on previous full ships they could do the served menu and buffet in discoveries. Probably running on lower headcount these days 

Edited April 9 by uktog

[tango9]

8 hours ago, Bloodaxe said:

 

Would not be happy with that, been on full ships many times and always enjoyed our breakfast in Discoveries, seems like another step in the wrong direction.

Was just on Journey in Japan.  Also a full ship. People complained that Windows was a madhouse for breakfast as people wanted to get off for early shore excursions each day. No where to sit and service was slow. This is why they decided to  have buffet in Discoveries - to give people another choice for a quicker breakfast before shore excursion and not  have a problem in Windows where one could hardly move around. The buffet in Discoveries seemed to have less variety but was a more calm place to eat