Are the other ships getting the Atlas Bar?

[Rabo]

Raymon was creating a few cocktails for a tasting. We named one “The Raymon” 😂

[JandMinToronto]

We were on the maiden Onward voyage in May, and again on December 22nd Christmas/NY cruise. We really enjoyed the Atlas bar for as many evenings as possible prior to dinner. It became a go-to place to assemble with new-found friends.  We never ordered any of the food items (has anyone I wonder) but we tried most of the menu cocktails.  The Atlas bar was a keen determinant for us to upgrade to the Ultimate drinks package, the other being the Sommelier's Ultimate package suggestions at dinner paired with our meal.  On our feedback questionnaire we especially called out the great service by Atlas bar server Aga, who listened to a request for Puerto Rican Coquito which they didn't have (a variant of eggnog but with various alcohols in it), but then he did his research and had it ready for us as a surprise the next day!!!

 

By the way, the library was moved to the port side of the livingroom.

[Mackdogmolly]

7 minutes ago, JandMinToronto said:

Puerto Rican Coquito which they didn't have (a variant of eggnog but with various alcohols in it), but then he did his research and had it ready for us as a surprise the next day!!!

Love this! One of our daughter’s Puerto Rican partner makes this for us every Christmas!

[crzrr]

1 hour ago, JandMinToronto said:

We were on the maiden Onward voyage in May, and again on December 22nd Christmas/NY cruise. We really enjoyed the Atlas bar for as many evenings as possible prior to dinner. It became a go-to place to assemble with new-found friends.  We never ordered any of the food items (has anyone I wonder) but we tried most of the menu cocktails.  The Atlas bar was a keen determinant for us to upgrade to the Ultimate drinks package, the other being the Sommelier's Ultimate package suggestions at dinner paired with our meal.  On our feedback questionnaire we especially called out the great service by Atlas bar server Aga, who listened to a request for Puerto Rican Coquito which they didn't have (a variant of eggnog but with various alcohols in it), but then he did his research and had it ready for us as a surprise the next day!!!

 

By the way, the library was moved to the port side of the livingroom.

Totally agree with this.  Aga and Raymon were fabulous and part of the reason that we enjoyed the bar as much as we did.  I mentioned Fever Tree one night and the next night there it was - even a pink version which I had never had.  Also, the people we met there were wonderful and we made many new friends.

[uktog]

It was Veuve de Vernay in December. Even after the F and B manager intervened the bar supervisor told the staff not to serve Moët. The F and B manager went ballistic. Moet appeared but there was sleight of hand with staff pre pouring at the bar again using Veuve.   Eventually two days before the end of the cruise it was resolved by Miami management who were onboard and had seen it all. 
There certainly was a reluctance to make cocktails that weren’t on the Atlas menu. I wanted a lemon drop but it wasn’t possible then later that night Ruby made one no problem in the living room. 

[PirateWife]

On our last cruise, while waiting for Prime C to open, we visited the Atlas Bar to see what it was like. There were only two people in there at the time and we took a seat in the corner by the door to wait a few minutes. We didn't order drinks and were made to feel very unwelcome. We don't need a place like that.

[Mackdogmolly]

1 hour ago, uktog said:

there was sleight of hand with staff pre pouring at the bar again using Veuve.  

I have noticed a “slight of hand” with other drinks in the supposed Ultimate package too. To whit, bottom shelf spirits to make a cosmopolitan when I could plainly see. I didn’t comment, but still…

[takemewithyou]

1 hour ago, PirateWife said:

On our last cruise, while waiting for Prime C to open, we visited the Atlas Bar to see what it was like. There were only two people in there at the time and we took a seat in the corner by the door to wait a few minutes. We didn't order drinks and were made to feel very unwelcome. We don't need a place like that.

At the times we went, there were also only about 2 people, if that in there.  There was a beautiful setting Caribbean sun, but the curtains were closed.  I don’t know….it just didn’t feel very welcoming.  We looked at the menu….nothing with rum at all.  That settled it for my spouse.  I realize others may not feel that way.  But for him, it didn’t suit him at all. I would have thought there would have been at least one drink made with light rum or dark rum, but no, there was none,  a lot with gin, that I like, though.  We would not really like the video screens, either, if they were operating.  We tried out many of the seats but didn’t find it very comfortable.  It’s possibly fun to sit at the bar.  It just wasn’t for us.

[lisiamc]

40 minutes ago, takemewithyou said:

At the times we went, there were also only about 2 people, if that in there.  There was a beautiful setting Caribbean sun, but the curtains were closed.  I don’t know….it just didn’t feel very welcoming.  We looked at the menu….nothing with rum at all.  That settled it for my spouse.  I realize others may not feel that way.  But for him, it didn’t suit him at all. I would have thought there would have been at least one drink made with light rum or dark rum, but no, there was none,  a lot with gin, that I like, though.  We would not really like the video screens, either, if they were operating.  We tried out many of the seats but didn’t find it very comfortable.  It’s possibly fun to sit at the bar.  It just wasn’t for us.

The drinks on the Atlas menu don’t appeal to us, but you can also get other drinks. We normally get Hendricks and sugar-free tonic, or a glass of Champagne, not very adventurous but still delicious! I find the rum selection lacking in all the bars on Azamara. I really like a shot of Diplomatico with one ice cube as a dessert, but I haven’t been able to persuade the powers that be to stock it yet. With the political situation in Venezuela dragging downhill, I may never achieve that goal.  

Edited February 17, 2023 by lisiamc

[uktog]

7 hours ago, takemewithyou said:

At the times we went, there were also only about 2 people, if that in there.  There was a beautiful setting Caribbean sun, but the curtains were closed.  I don’t know….it just didn’t feel very welcoming.  We looked at the menu….nothing with rum at all.  That settled it for my spouse.  I realize others may not feel that way.  But for him, it didn’t suit him at all. I would have thought there would have been at least one drink made with light rum or dark rum, but no, there was none,  a lot with gin, that I like, though.  We would not really like the video screens, either, if they were operating.  We tried out many of the seats but didn’t find it very comfortable.  It’s possibly fun to sit at the bar.  It just wasn’t for us.

Agree, hated the video wall. We were told the curtains had to stay shut for “privacy reasons” so you could have been anywhere in the world and not known.  Apart from the Living Room, Azamara doesn’t have much “light” on any of the ships as windows are small and often covered by shades 

[Grandma Cruising]

5 hours ago, uktog said:

Agree, hated the video wall. We were told the curtains had to stay shut for “privacy reasons” so you could have been anywhere in the world and not known.  Apart from the Living Room, Azamara doesn’t have much “light” on any of the ships as windows are small and often covered by shades 

Windows buffet is pretty light!

[JandMinToronto]

I liked the video wall concept as it could display all kinds of things!  e.g. "artwork", photos of upcoming destinations, seasonal themes, etc.  Or just be turned off.  Here is a picture I took from the Onward maiden voyage...the fireplace might be too "big" for the room but it was brand new so they might now resize it.  Later I saw projected some generic geometric patterns but I didn't take a picture of those. I thought it was innovative.

 

Regarding seating, I remember from the maiden voyage the banquettes were a little narrow and uncomfortable, but by the Christmas/NY cruise they told us they had been working to make it more comfortable and had replaced some.

 

One night with a circle of friends all socializing, the "monkey light" behind us was a bit glaring and bright for those facing it. So I just unscrewed the lightbulb to turn it off. No problem but later the server showed me there was a light switch in the cord itself, who knew!  lol 

[uktog]

30 minutes ago, Grandma Cruising said:

Windows buffet is pretty light!

But it’s not a place to sit either day or evening. I should have been clear I’m not talking about eating places I’m talking about places to sit, read relax etc 

[PirateWife]

Sure the curtains were open on White Night New Years Eve. We could see people in Atlas. 

[AllisonJames]

Wow…quite a lot of conflicting info/opinions on this one! We like to try different cocktails (although I have become quite the fan of rum drinks inspired by trips to Hawaii in 2021 and 2022 so would like to see more of those…) and yes, better wines and the Atlas Cocktails definitely are playing a role in us leaning toward getting the Ultimate package on our next cruise (Journey, Scotland Intensive, 8/17/23). I remember we really enjoyed the Den on the Pursuit (were very happy to see the casino go) and then went on Journey after that before the Den had been done there and it was a bit of a let-down. So I was just thinking about Atlas and if we will get a chance to try it out and if the other ships will have it. Does anyone know when drydock are scheduled? Any upcoming?

[excitedofharpenden]

16 hours ago, AllisonJames said:

Wow…quite a lot of conflicting info/opinions on this one! We like to try different cocktails (although I have become quite the fan of rum drinks inspired by trips to Hawaii in 2021 and 2022 so would like to see more of those…) and yes, better wines and the Atlas Cocktails definitely are playing a role in us leaning toward getting the Ultimate package on our next cruise (Journey, Scotland Intensive, 8/17/23). I remember we really enjoyed the Den on the Pursuit (were very happy to see the casino go) and then went on Journey after that before the Den had been done there and it was a bit of a let-down. So I was just thinking about Atlas and if we will get a chance to try it out and if the other ships will have it. Does anyone know when drydock are scheduled? Any upcoming?

There always are when it comes to the Atlas Bar!  Some like it and some don't.  My reply to your original question was based upon what I've heard from a senior level and the reasons given made perfect sense,  Take my comments for what they are worth. I'm looking forward to trying Atlas Bar on my next Onward cruise to decide for myself. 

 

Phil 

[DCPIV]

We rather enjoyed the Atlas Bar, but it wasn't something we wanted to do every night.  I didn't keep a count, but we were probably in there around half the nights we were on board (11-nighter).  Sometimes we were in there before dinner, sometimes after, sometimes both.  We enjoyed the special menu, but we also ventured away from that (and I sometimes just wanted a neat whisky).

 

Bar seating was our favorite, but it also was very limited.  The rest of the seating varied from comfortable to awkward, and I expect different passengers would different spots comfortable or awkward.  The decor was fine, but it had a feeling like someone was trying a little too hard to be "kitschy chic." 

 

We loved the large, triptic screen at first, but it became somewhat tedious soon enough.  Like it or not, a screen with motion on it is a distraction and not always a welcome one.  We didn't much care about it after the first couple or few days.  A few days later, it became a reason for us -not- to go in there or only stay for a short time.

 

But I don't want those criticisms to overwhelm my first point.  We liked the Atlas Bar, and we want to go back sometime!

[scottie99]

Excuse my ignorance, what is different above the Atlas Bar as opposed to any of bar?

Am I reading correctly that all drinks must be paid for?

 

is it purely cocktails on offer?

[lisiamc]

12 minutes ago, scottie99 said:

Excuse my ignorance, what is different above the Atlas Bar as opposed to any of bar?

Am I reading correctly that all drinks must be paid for?

 

is it purely cocktails on offer?

The bar is in the location that is The Drawing Room on the other three ships. All of the drinks offered are part of the Ultimate package, or can be paid for one by one for those not wanting that package. There is a drinks menu that is now offered in The Den on other ships. The drinks don’t speak to me or DH, (we’re happy with G&T or Champagne) although others like them, but it’s the ambience we like. Due to the size of The Drawing Room, it’s a small, intimate venue. 
 

edited to add: they also offer food early in the evening (tapas type offerings) which are charged for, and we’ve never tried. The tapas in The Living Room are free, and fine, IMHO.

Edited February 21, 2023 by lisiamc