13th - 20th Cruise on Journey

[Susan-M]

I still feel that Royal Caribbean has VERY deep pockets, and are committed to making Azamara a success. Will I be right ? Time will tell.

 

Hi Andy :)

 

I think they are committed to the success of Azamara as well, and the positive feedback from recent cruisers is reassuring. And as for the future.... yes, anything is possible.

 

Enjoy your cruise ... I'll be looking forward to the feedback! (Does this mean that you'll get a vacation from monitoring the boards? We'll try to 'toe the line' while you are gone.;) )

[Andy]

Hi Andy :)

 

I think they are committed to the success of Azamara as well, and the positive feedback from recent cruisers is reassuring. And as for the future.... yes, anything is possible.

 

Enjoy your cruise ... I'll be looking forward to the feedback! (Does this mean that you'll get a vacation from monitoring the boards? We'll try to 'toe the line' while you are gone.;) )

 

Hi Susan !

 

Thank you for your well wishes. While I wont be around much, I have decided to try and do a "Live From Quest" each day, and post in on this thread. Look for more information on this in the next day or two.

 

The BIG problem is, that I have no idea if the internet will be working or not. If you do not hear from me by Thursday, please assume the ship is having internet problems. Let's hope all goes well, and I will try to post once every day depending on internet conditions.

 

Also, Host Karen will be looking after things while I am away, and I wanted to take a moment to thank Host Karen for her assistance.

[npb]

Oceania?????? Have been on over 30 cruises, worked with several TA, but never heard of them until this and another thread. I have since done my homework and learned about them, although I don't spend that kind of money on cruising. I would rather do 2 on X/Aza than one on O.

 

Went on X when it was "new" on advice of TA. Had never heard of them, but have been addicted ever since. We have strayed to other lines, but always return. We are trying Aza in Feb. I think you could put 10 people on a ship and have 10 different reviews. It is not a problem with the cruise line, but personal preferences. So... go with the cruise that satisfies YOUR expectations and have a wonderful time.

[greeneg]

Dale, you might want to consider revising your opinion a little; our Quest cruise in January shows only 1 1A and GTY Verandahs available. All Oceanview, Insides, and Suites are booked 75 days out. The occupancy has been hovering around that for several months at least.

 

While that may change as Sailing gets closer, I shouldn't think that the ship is going to leave Miami empty.

 

Suggest that you might want to look here to see how the company is doing:

 

http://www.rclinvestor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=103045&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1065428&highlight=

 

This update came this morning via e-mail, and hardly could be considered discouraging.

 

Do you have any experience on either Journey, Celebrity, or RCCL?

[seawise]

Azamara Journey cruise to Bermuda.

 

As the saying goes “and now for something completely different”. This cruise was different and rather special from the moment we stepped on board and greeted by friendly staff and a glass of champagne on an individual basis.

 

It was the start of a week of being pampered and enjoying the best food we have experienced in many years of cruising and becoming part of a select and very friendly family.

 

We boarded at 11.00am and informed that the Windows café was open for lunch where we proceeded to enjoy the first of many excellent meals. Widows Café provides both hot and cold buffet together with a carving station, pizzas, salads and desserts. From 18.00hrs the Windows Café becomes “Breeza” and all the tables outside and half inside were laid up for evening meals. As well as the food available during the day there is a Sushi bar and Stir Fry Station where you pick the stir fry ingredients and they are cooked before you – delicious.

 

The Ship has three different restaurants on board. The main dining room is “Discoveries”, this is a large, wood panelled room with large windows on three sides, the central eating area being raised so that you still have a view through the beautifully draped windows. This is open seating for breakfast , lunch and dinner, and on each visit we never had to wait for a table, and as with the rest of the ship the dress is smart casual. At the entrance to this restaurant is the Martini bar, another nice touch.

 

The other restaurants are Prime C, a Steak and Seafood restaurant and Aqualina, a Mediterranean influenced restaurant. Guests staying in Staterooms receive one complimentary night of dining and guests in Suites receive two complimentary nights. The food served in these restaurants is “to die for” from the Crispy popcorn shrimp, filet mignon to the chocolate fondue, to name but a few of the items from very extensive menus. To top the whole meal off, the service was outstanding from a very friendly and professional staff. THIS IS THE BEST FOOD WE HAVE EATEN ON A CRUISE SHIP !!!

 

The stateroom was of average size, beautifully finished with Plasma TV, luxury bedding, fresh cut flowers, fresh fruit, afternoon snacks, butler service and Elemis toiletries. There was complimentary use of luxury cotton robes, slippers, umbrella and binoculars. The balcony was adequate with glass top table and two comfortable metal chairs.

 

The entertainment on board included a harpist, pianist and a 5-piece singing and dancing group backed by the ships orchestra, their shows were a very talented act and up close and personal. To top it all we were entertained at the Cova café by an impromptu performance by a very talented fellow passenger on the piano who accompanied the Harpist .

 

The Spa is comprehensive for its size and includes a Thalassotherapy pool on deck forward of the spa, a great place to go and relax whilst having an uninterrupted view forward, the changing rooms include a Turkish bath steam room and Tropical showers.

 

Lounges include the “Looking Glass lounge” at the top forward end of the ship with panoramic views. To the aft of deck 10 are the speciality restaurants and Michaels club consisting of a library and Piano Room. Between the two is the jogging track.

 

Down one deck there is eConnections computer room and the Gym and to the aft past the pool area is the Windows café.

 

The next three decks consist of guest staterooms and suites and then deck 5 has the Cabaret Lounge to the rear of which is the small Casino and Photo Shop. Aft are the shops, Journey and Indulences that overlook the two deck Atrium and the Cova Café where delightful nibbles are available, yes I know eating again! The rear of this deck is taken up with “Discoveries Restaurant and the Martini Bar.

 

On deck 4 in the Atrium area are Guest Relations, Shore excursions and Boutique C, forward of which are oceanview cabins and the medical facility.

 

So how would I sum up this ship. This is a Deluxe vessel with outstanding food, friendly and a personalised service creating an intimate exclusive onboard experience that fills a niche in the cruise market. We were fortunate to meet the Staff Captain Carl Smith, the first British Captain to sail with Celebrity and who takes over as Master of Azamara Journey at the end of this month.

 

As I said at the beginning this is something completely different and an experience to be repeated.

 

Word has it that if these Azamara ships are successful then Celebrity / Royal Caribbean could be looking at expanding the fleet with new tonnage!

 

Chris and Yvonne

[rkeate0804]

Thank you thank you thank you for such a nice and complete review...am so glad you had a great cruise and it makes me even more excited about getting on the boat this sat, kathie:cool:

[dabear]

Seawise: I am curious. You said that the food was the best of any ship. Have you tried Oceania? We loved O and are giving A a try in a few months and are encouraged by the improved marks from their inagual cruises.

[seawise]

Hi Dabear,

 

I have tried Oceania some time ago, however I must say that one persons taste may not reflect others, I have been on cruises where I have read reports after and would not have believed I was on the same ship!

 

Regards

 

Chris

[Jancruz]

When RCI took them on???? You need to get your facts correct!!!

 

To set the record straight RCI offered to buy Oceania and were turned down outright by them. Several months later Oceania announces two new builds + an investor deal with Apollo to finance those new ships. In the meantime RCI obtained Pullmantur and their two R class ships as a knee jerk reaction to being rebuffed by Oceania in an attempt to compete with them with similar ships. We've all seen how this decision without a clear plan in advance has put egg on their face so far.

 

If you still want to consider this as RCI taking them on then you would have to give all of the the first rounds to Oceania with Azamara staggering against the ropes right now. Not wishful thinking whatsoever by Oceania fans - just pure fact.

 

It might take a few months for a brand new cruise line to establish itself (Oceania for example was selling out after 5 months). But Azamara is really not a brand new line. Azamara has all the resources of RCI behind them, had the added benefit of fully booked cruises (thanks to Zenith fans) for the initial six months, yet have failed to sell their upcoming cruises or establish their brand as being successful. Maybe as Jan has suggested Azamara should focus on selling to a different market as it it fairly obvious that the Celebrity customer base they are only trying to pull from has not embraced this endeavour and so far has shown very little interest.

 

Dale, Jr. You are absolutely correct..and No one has said anything about Azamara ships being sold..especially not to Oceania as Im sure RCI and Celebrity are still angry the sale fell through..

I hope Azamara is a big success as it will be wonderful to have to almost identical options to sell..but the truth is only time will tell..more people need to try the small ships..

Jan

*****

[Susan-M]

No one has said anything about Azamara ships being sold...

 

Jan, thank you for answering my question regarding your earlier comment about Celebrity keeping these two ships. I thought I had missed some news and am glad to hear that all is well so far. :)

 

 

I hope Azamara is a big success as it will be wonderful to have to almost identical options to sell..but the truth is only time will tell..more people need to try the small ships..

 

 

I agree, our first cruise was on Cunard's Caronia(<700 passengers) and we thought that the ship was a perfect size (until we went on Xpedition and realized that 90 passengers is even better.)

 

It's encouraging to read the good reports that are coming back from Journey cruisers (and hopefully soon from Quest cruisers). I hope that Azamara matches the success of Oceania. As you say, it will be great for you to have more options to sell and great for us to have more options to choose from.

[Jancruz]

Absolutely Susan..I am hearing that each day that goes by things are getting better and if we all keep trying Azamara that will certainly make sure they sail full!!

In fact I cant wait to go again..

Jan

*****