Does Azamara read these?

[renny]

Does Azamara read these posts? If so, it would seem that the ship would offer - bottled water, brewed ice tea and free transport to city centers. I would be willing to trade in my "butler".

[amanda blake]

Does Azamara read these posts? If so, it would seem that the ship would offer - bottled water, brewed ice tea and free transport to city centers. I would be willing to trade in my "butler".

definitely would trade in the butler.....

hey when we did the baltic on the celebrity constellation 4 years ago, there was complementary transportation to all city centres....

[Airbalancer]

members of the crew do read it
Bottle water is over rated

[Nutrioso]

Bottled water may be overrated, but they're sure nice to take along on shore excursions. ----Penny

[Paulchili]

Does Azamara read these posts? If so, it would seem that the ship would offer - bottled water, brewed ice tea and free transport to city centers. I would be willing to trade in my "butler".

Do you really think that all it would take to provide free bottled water, ice tea and free transfers to the city center is for A to read these posts?
I think it's more a matter of simple economics - it all adds up very quickly if you multiple anything by several thousand (except a 0, of course)....

[Susan-M]

We bring a 'sports' water bottle each with us and refill them (starting at the airport, once past security). The water in the jug in the cabin worked well for refilling our bottles in the morning prior to setting off on our port days.

If you have a lot of patience, you can brew your own tea and drop some ice cubes into it ... or take it from the drink dispenser (it's pretty good mixed with lemonade.):)

While free shuttles are nice (we had them on our Celebrity cruise in '05 but not on our Azamara cruise in '08), the cost would have to be covered by all passengers on board, many of whom aren't using the shuttles as they've either booked a ship's excursion or a private tour. I think the system of 'user pays' is a little more fair to all.

[PA Blonde]

definitely would trade in the butler.....

hey when we did the baltic on the celebrity constellation 4 years ago, there was complementary transportation to all city centres....

Last year on the Constellation in the Baltics there was a fee for the shuttle ....... it's a pain!

[JennAngel9]

We also sailed on Connie in the Baltics (08) and there was a per person fee to shuttle to the city. I didn't mind the fee, but I did mind being lied to upon disembarkation about how long the walk would be if we chose not to take the shuttle-- the distance was often 1/2 to 1/3 as far as they claimed. Though to be fair to Celebrity, I should note that DH and I are in our 20s, so they may have calculated walking times based on a different demographic. ;)

[Airbalancer]

We bring a 'sports' water bottle each with us and refill them (starting at the airport, once past security). The water in the jug in the cabin worked well for refilling our bottles in the morning prior to setting off on our port days.

take it from the drink dispenser (it's pretty good mixed with lemonade.):)

.
I have to agree with everything you wrote because we do the same thing

[Redtravel]

It's very convenient just to have a shuttle to town and back for the entire time the ship is in port. The cost isn't much. It is especially nice in ports like Rouen where getting a taxi is tough. Many people took the shuttle to town, but could not get the shuttle to return. Many people had to walk back to the ship...a long walk. Keep the shuttles running continuously until it's time to sail.

[Redtravel]

I always pack my own rubber maid bottle and packets of crystal light mix. The butler kindly filled my bottle with ice and water daily. I added the crystal light. It was great, convenient, and easy. My butler was fantastic.

[Susan-M]

Last year on the Constellation in the Baltics there was a fee for the shuttle ....... it's a pain!

The cruise line has to pay to have this service provided ... it doesn't come free to them. So who should pay for it? Should it be subsidized by everyone on board?

I know this thread is about what Azamara should provide in addition to what they already are, but just to keep things in perspective, I was pretty happy that the Specialty Dining was such a deal compared to other cruises that I have been on (along with the excellent quality of food). Eating twice at the SR's saved us $100. over what we would have paid on Celebrity.

I also found that Azamara went 'above and beyond' with port information via presentations by the 'enrichment lecture' speaker, through their printed material, and with the help of local reps who came on board at the port to answer questions and provide maps etc. to those looking for last minute help with DIY touring.

[greeneg]

And, I personally have it on good authority, that Senior Officers on the ships DO read comments on these boards. They consider the feedback that they receive very carefully.

[disneyfan1313]

While I would believe that the senior officers read these boards, most of the decisions that we would like to be made (ice tea, ports, etc.) are not things that can be changed on a local level. RCCL corporate would have to make those decisions and I don't think any of those changes would be made without some heavy duty number crunching!

[Host Andy]

And, I personally have it on good authority, that Senior Officers on the ships DO read comments on these boards. They consider the feedback that they receive very carefully.

Hi Ed !

I agree. I feel that Azamara (both onboard, and shoreside) are working very hard to provide the best possible Cruise experience, and that passenger feedback is very important to them.

[Airbalancer]

presentations by the 'enrichment lecture' speaker

They had enrichment lecturers :eek:

Something else I missed, I was to busy to do any of activities on the ship:D except for laying by the pool and eating

[JennAngel9]

Can anybody comment on the enrichment lecture speakers on Azamara? I will be very excited if they are not just port shopping salespeople. :)

[Jancruz]

Can anybody comment on the enrichment lecture speakers on Azamara? I will be very excited if they are not just port shopping salespeople. :)

For which cruise..each cruise has different speakers..
Jamcruz1

[alidor]

As the saying goes "the devil is in the details." Sometimes it's the little details which can make a difference. There are lots of mass cruise lines out there. To truly distinquish oneself, it's the small details that stand out. We have never been on Azamara but have scheduled a trip for January. The last thing I want is a Royal Caribbean experience. I hope that cruise style has not impacted Azamara.

[critterchick]

As the saying goes "the devil is in the details." Sometimes it's the little details which can make a difference. There are lots of mass cruise lines out there. To truly distinquish oneself, it's the small details that stand out. We have never been on Azamara but have scheduled a trip for January. The last thing I want is a Royal Caribbean experience. I hope that cruise style has not impacted Azamara.

Remember that Royal Caribbean came first and Azamara is only two years old. Having said that, I don't think you will see the hand of RCI laying too heavily on your cruise experience.

The good news is that the enrichment lectures have nothing to do with shopping. I don't think there's bad news.:)

[JennAngel9]

For which cruise..each cruise has different speakers..
Jamcruz1

We will be sailing around the west coast of europe from Copenhagen to Barcelona-- I am hoping the fact that we are taking an unusual route won't decrease the quality of our speakers.

[greeneg]

Actually, the enrichment speaker on our May 16th Italian Cruise was excellent. He spoke on the history of the various ports/cities that we were visiting and gave very useful background.

[nevernever]

Similarly, the chap that we had on the Quest trip from Hong Kong to Singapore in January this year was excellent, and received rave revues from many of the passengers. He provided similar information to that mentioned by Ed above.

Nevernever

[Susan-M]

Actually, the enrichment speaker on our May 16th Italian Cruise was excellent.

Similarly, the chap that we had on the Quest trip from Hong Kong to Singapore in January this year was excellent....

Just curious if it was Jonathan Fleming? He was the Enrichment Lecturer on our Ancient Empires cruise ... and we were impressed!

[nevernever]

Yes, it was Jonathan. Seems as if he and his wife, who acts as his IT assistant, must be spending most of their time at sea.

Nevernever

[greeneg]

I want to say that our guy was Dr. Thomas Boardman, but am not totally certain; my memory for names isn't what it once was.

[joelmomma]

We are travelling next month on the Quest's Mediterranean tour. We only have one sea day out of 15! How does the Quest handle the lectures when you are out all day? Do they tape them so we can watch later in our cabin on the TV, or will they be scheduled at night (possibly conflicting with our dinners)? Any help with these questions, or with possible insight as to who the lecturer(s) might be would be greatly appreciated.

[Airbalancer]

We did a 7 day Mediterranean tour with on sea day
There was no time to go to any lectures( besides the daily I get from the wife:D) it was a fun busy 24/7
would go back in a flash

[uktog]

On the Asia trip , Jonathon Flemings talks also appeared on the ship tv - I used to listen to them as I was getting ready in the evening and that set me up for the coming days they were so informative

[greeneg]

That's correct. they do re-broadcast the lectures on the stateroom TV.

[JennAngel9]

That all sounds great! Thanks for the info everyone! Also, sorry for the inadvertent thread-jacking.

[joelmomma]

Thanks for the info. I'll keep an eye on the tv listings.

[cruise47]

Does Azamara read these posts? If so, it would seem that the ship would offer - bottled water, brewed ice tea and free transport to city centers. I would be willing to trade in my "butler".

Yes! Someone from Azamara does review the #1 Cruise website in the United States.

[greeneg]

Not only do they read Cruise Critic ( on both of the ships and in Miami as well) but if you write a letter, either complimenting some one or something, or to discuss a problem, it will be read and you will get a response.

Azamara and Celebrity both are very much aware of their customers and want to know what they like and don't.

[Howlin Walker]

Hi all,

Marshall Stern and I will be Enrichment Speakers for the Quest July 12th sailing. We worked a Celebrity transaltlantic crossing this past spring, but this is our first Azamara cruise.

The lines usually do have speakers talking about the ports/areas being visiting, but Marshall and I are more on the fun side of these lectures. We usually teach workshops on improv comedy (we've been teaching/performing improv for nearly twenty years for groups and schools all over the US and Europe, including Second City) and what we call "Zenprov" which covers more spiritual topics like mediation, finding peace, stillness and silence, being present, etc.

Hope to see you on a cruise!
Nancy

[Our Passport Stamps]

Bottle water is over rated

while that MIGHT seem to be the case and until April 24th of this year when I contracted

SEVERE food poisioning.. I would of agreed with you and thought I'll just pick it up in port.

it turns out Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria much of their bottled water has MAGENSIUM added for your health benefits...thats in size 2 font by the way on the bottle in a language/alphabet you probably don't know (Greek, Cyrillic)

The magensium is in a heavy dosage compared to what you find here in the states

I know AZ goes to these countries.

MAGESIUM is a LAXATIVE

So, yeah I would be more than happy to have bottled water that I got from the ship and was able to have translated by a crew member before I drank it..

Do you really want to start your day with MAGNESIUM before you go out on a bus..

and THEN have to deal with Turkish Toilets?

So, to wrap it up..24 days land traveling with food poisioning from eating A LOT of now suspected unpasteurized yogurt for the 1st 4 days, drinking magnesium filled water until day 20 and having to use Turkish toilets 90% of time.

oh, and just to add the icing on the cake...but you as a cruiser wouldnt have to deal with this..since you can see the ship doctor

in Bulgaria.there was very little English spoken and everything in Cyrillic, I showed the pharmacist my "just in case Cipro botte" that was empty to refill.

she hands the Bulgarian Cipro to me and
says no blackmarket maybe.

so when we returned from this trip on May 8th I was still sick for another month.

and that my friends is how we came up with our cruise with AZ next year...

Exotic, sophisiticated, unpack once, I can enjoy my meals, pack food off the ship in EVERY port and have medical care if ever needed.

http://ourpassportstamps.com/Our_2010_Adventure.html

[Wendy The Wanderer]

We bring a 'sports' water bottle each with us and refill them (starting at the airport, once past security). The water in the jug in the cabin worked well for refilling our bottles in the morning prior to setting off on our port days.


There is a change in the wind with regards to bottled water. Perhaps all cruiselines should give everybody a reusable sports bottle on boarding, and just provide stations where they can be refilled, including somewhere close to the gangway. If this wouldn't work for hygiene reasons, then have a system where you can turn in your reusable bottle and get a new one, whenever you need it. Disposable plastic water bottles are becoming anathema in many places.

As for the shuttles, I'm spoiled by a cruiseline which does this--they should be free, period.

[Airbalancer]

Where2next, my referance to bottle water is to deal more with water in NA or having bottle water instead on tap water on the ship
Sorry to hear of your problem

[Aerocruiser]

They handed out large bottles of mineral water on at least two excursions on our Mediterranean cruise, and we received free tickets for a bottle at some leather store in another; being our first cruise with Azamara, is this a new thing?



Regardless, I'm sure Azamara is indeed watching and reading Cruise Critic!