AzAmazing Evening...Traditions of Old Naples.....

Since I asked about the Three Tenors Opera which we will be doing on the first leg of our B2B, I thought I would ask about this evening too.

Has anyone experienced this evening? If so, can you tell me what it's like. I have a short description in the excursions that I've printed from the website.

Again, it's another busy day visiting Capri and Anacapri before the evening. Trying to decide if we should spend a little more time in Capri or rushing back to the ship for this event or just staying on the ship and relaxing.

A while back Azamara mailed me this really pretty catalog of the 2014 AzAmazing Evenings so I looked up yours. It actually seems similar to the one we were treated to in Malta last month except that yours is outside in a garden and ours was inside. This is the description of yours (Azamara's words, not mine):

Be entertained by singers, dancers and musicians dressed in 19th century costumes typical of “Piedigrotta,” a Neapolitan festival from medieval times. You’ll be transported back to ancient Naples as you wander this authentic-feeling village set in a lovely outdoor garden. Hear medieval music as you sample delicacies at realistic market stalls along the way. Don’t miss the famous Neapolitan pizza baked in a wood oven.

For Azamara Journey guests.

Our Malta AzAmazing Evening had market stalls too, but no one told us that they weren't just for demonstration! The items--jewelry, hand-made baskets, hand woven linens, leather goods and more were all for sale just as they would be at a "real" market. I was so sorry that I didn't bring any money with me because I had my eye on some silver rings. I'd have bought them in a heartbeat! So bring money just in case. We also had tables and tables of nibbles and cocktails, enough food to feed an army. It was well beyond hors d'oevres. It was a second dinner. So eat lightly at dinner on the ship as you'll have plenty of opportunity to stuff yourself silly at the AzAmazing Evening (if you want :p ).

Our Evening was very enjoyable. We watched the performers and mingled with other guests. I'd say it was a relaxing event, nothing high energy. I would definitely tell you to not miss it, no matter how busy your day. This particular Naples party that they're putting on for you has been held before so I would expect that they have the whole event down pat. I think you'd have a really nice time.

I certainly think they are also getting on top of any catering issues with so many pre and post event options to eat - but hey no one has ever gone hungry on Azamara before so it is never a concern for me (and if they did not feed me I would say they had my waistline's longer term interests at heart :rolleyes:

A while back Azamara mailed me this really pretty catalog of the 2014 AzAmazing Evenings so I looked up yours. It actually seems similar to the one we were treated to in Malta last month except that yours is outside in a garden and ours was inside. This is the description of yours (Azamara's words, not mine):

 

Be entertained by singers, dancers and musicians dressed in 19th century costumes typical of “Piedigrotta,” a Neapolitan festival from medieval times. You’ll be transported back to ancient Naples as you wander this authentic-feeling village set in a lovely outdoor garden. Hear medieval music as you sample delicacies at realistic market stalls along the way. Don’t miss the famous Neapolitan pizza baked in a wood oven.

 

For Azamara Journey guests.

 

Our Malta AzAmazing Evening had market stalls too, but no one told us that they weren't just for demonstration! The items--jewelry, hand-made baskets, hand woven linens, leather goods and more were all for sale just as they would be at a "real" market. I was so sorry that I didn't bring any money with me because I had my eye on some silver rings. I'd have bought them in a heartbeat! So bring money just in case. We also had tables and tables of nibbles and cocktails, enough food to feed an army. It was well beyond hors d'oevres. It was a second dinner. So eat lightly at dinner on the ship as you'll have plenty of opportunity to stuff yourself silly at the AzAmazing Evening (if you want :p ).

 

Our Evening was very enjoyable. We watched the performers and mingled with other guests. I'd say it was a relaxing event, nothing high energy. I would definitely tell you to not miss it, no matter how busy your day. This particular Naples party that they're putting on for you has been held before so I would expect that they have the whole event down pat. I think you'd have a really nice time.

Can you give me any information about the Azamazing evening in Marseille please?

Thanks. Liz.

A while back Azamara mailed me this really pretty catalog of the 2014 AzAmazing Evenings so I looked up yours. It actually seems similar to the one we were treated to in Malta last month except that yours is outside in a garden and ours was inside. This is the description of yours (Azamara's words, not mine):

 

Be entertained by singers, dancers and musicians dressed in 19th century costumes typical of “Piedigrotta,” a Neapolitan festival from medieval times. You’ll be transported back to ancient Naples as you wander this authentic-feeling village set in a lovely outdoor garden. Hear medieval music as you sample delicacies at realistic market stalls along the way. Don’t miss the famous Neapolitan pizza baked in a wood oven.

 

For Azamara Journey guests.

 

Our Malta AzAmazing Evening had market stalls too, but no one told us that they weren't just for demonstration! The items--jewelry, hand-made baskets, hand woven linens, leather goods and more were all for sale just as they would be at a "real" market. I was so sorry that I didn't bring any money with me because I had my eye on some silver rings. I'd have bought them in a heartbeat! So bring money just in case. We also had tables and tables of nibbles and cocktails, enough food to feed an army. It was well beyond hors d'oevres. It was a second dinner. So eat lightly at dinner on the ship as you'll have plenty of opportunity to stuff yourself silly at the AzAmazing Evening (if you want :p ).

 

Our Evening was very enjoyable. We watched the performers and mingled with other guests. I'd say it was a relaxing event, nothing high energy. I would definitely tell you to not miss it, no matter how busy your day. This particular Naples party that they're putting on for you has been held before so I would expect that they have the whole event down pat. I think you'd have a really nice time.

Thank you...I did have that same explanation on the information I had printed but was hoping someone who actually experienced it would chime in as well.

Interesting about the market....I'll keep that in mind.:)

We had this Azamazing evening in Sorrento in early May. We were disappointed. Our deck was not called until very late, even though we had a balcony cabin on deck 6. As a result, there were no good seats available and the event was well under way by the time we arrived.

Yes, the transport was handled very well but it was dark by the time we arrived in the garden. The 'stage' area was on a level, so entertainment was impossible to see unless you arrived early and/or stood up for some time which incidentally blocked the view for others.

Because a Piedigrotta was advertised, I had expected a song competition. Not so. A few songs were sung but not very well. The pizza dough tossing was OK but went on for a long time and became tedious. Some entertainers wandered around but didn't venture near our table.

Oh, and I had to queue a long time for the loo!

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We had this Azamazing evening in Sorrento in early May. We were disappointed. Our deck was not called until very late, even though we had a balcony cabin on deck 6. As a result, there were no good seats available and the event was well under way by the time we arrived.

 

Yes, the transport was handled very well but it was dark by the time we arrived in the garden. The 'stage' area was on a level, so entertainment was impossible to see unless you arrived early and/or stood up for some time which incidentally blocked the view for others.

 

Because a Piedigrotta was advertised, I had expected a song competition. Not so. A few songs were sung but not very well. The pizza dough tossing was OK but went on for a long time and became tedious. Some entertainers wandered around but didn't venture near our table.

 

Oh, and I had to queue a long time for the loo!

 

 

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Thank you....it's nice to hear from someone that actually experienced the event. I may end up cancelling this one...I think I'd much stay in Sorrento longer that day, since we're doing a DIY there. We've been there twice and I've yet to see everything in Sorrento. This may be a good day to visit the hotel that overlooks the water...have forgotten the name of it but I've read this is a favorite that people like to stop and have a drink.

I'm also quite short so if someone stands in front of me, I won't see a thing. And I certainly don't feel like standing for a long time after walking around Sorrento all day.

By the way....how was the pizza? Naples is supposedly home of the pizza pie.

Of all the vendors there that night, was there really anything worth seeing that you can't find in other places?

I wasn't aware that there were any vendors. We didn't take money with us. Don't think anything was for sale.

The pizza pieces were OK. Not special. Lots of people drank lots of Prosecco, beer and Limoncello. As we are not heavy drinkers I suspect that may be why we enjoyed it less than they did.

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We were on the same cruise as Cinnamon and would echo her comments, from the description we imagined a cross between Tivoli and a German market experience. However we found it all a bit formal with all the seating laid out, it was a bit dependant on how social your table was, and ours wasn't!

We also were on 6 deck and found the transfer ship to event OK despite there being quite a swell making the tender operation tricky, when we arrived most table already had some occupants and we felt like we were intruding. Although we were fairly close to the "stage" area we only had a limited view as people crowded around it.

Food was OK mainly pizza of varying types but the idea was to fill your plate and take it back to the table rather than "graze" taking smaller samples which would have been our preference. As regards drinks, we were given a glass of Prosecco on entering and there was wine on the tables but that seemed to be the property of those already on the table who resented sharing we did manage to get another bottle but it was not flowing like it is on the ship. We are not beer drinkers but did notice that there were self serve beer taps available, as for the limoncello there was plenty on offer but being late into the event they stopped serving by the time we had finished our food.

As regards toilet facilities there were long queues as signage was confusing, there were two sets of toilets one in the hotel building and one in the gardens, even if you were by the path to the hotel the signage took you away from it to the facilities in the gardens. We used the hotel toilets that were spotlessly clean and virtually empty.

You were told that you would return to the ship in deck order as well so you would have to wait to be called, however there was a continual shuttle service back to the tenders all evening. We left early and had an easy ride back to the ship.

Sorry if this sounds a bit negative, the setting was stunning, all the events were there if not quite as described and you could wander around but we were surprised to find all the tables formally laid out which seemed to constrict the evening.

Thank you for all the feedback regarding the Naples evening. From ship to ship, how long was the evening?

Regarding spending more time in Capri, I would say, after reading the above, to stay in Capri a little longer. It will be crowded during the day with day trippers, but then becomes a beautiful, magical place as evening falls and the locals come out.

And get out of the main part of Capri. There's a wonderful path around the island (quite a great walk, but with lots of hills and stairs) offering amazing views. And there's some much nicer restaurants and cafes off the tourist track.

Riocca is spot on with the observations.

We had no idea though that there were toilets inside the hotel. We were ushered from the coach along a path that avoided the hotel and we didn't see a way there.

I agree that seats around large tables were not conducive to socialising unless you were able to go with your own friendship group which was not possible as we had to travel there only when called for deck 6.

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There was a place to get topped up with Prosecco but like everything else, you had to be in the know. There was no information about anything or how to get the best out of the evening.

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I agree that seats around large tables were not conducive to socialising unless you were able to go with your own friendship group which was not possible as we had to travel there only when called for deck 6.

We did not find out until afterwards that if you wanted to go with friends who were on another deck (our friends were on the same deck) you could go ashore as a group with either deck group.

I think information was the key and just on this occasion Quest managed to match shoreside for the quality of the information.

We are on Quest next year and the AzAmazing evening is in Muscat Oman, we have done a similar sounding evening in Dubai (not with a cruise line) which was fantastic so we are hopeful that will be better. Although there were many who said they enjoyed the evening in Sorrento, we just felt it could have been so much better.

I really appreciate the information and not taking them as negative but informative.

This may be a good day to visit the hotel that overlooks the water...have forgotten the name of it but I've read this is a favorite that people like to stop and have a drink.

Midwestchick......the hotel in Sorrento is The Excelsior Victoria. The entrance is on the main square, Piazza Tasso and you walk through the gardens and then through the main part of the hotel to the terrace at the back. It has a wonderful terrace with amazing views over the Bay and your ship. It's a lovely place to relax for an hour and the Prosecco and nibbles are great! :)

Don't panic if you see the ship move though....I thought Quest was leaving two hours early once and had a panicky moment....but Captain Carl was just repositioning the ship because of the currents in the bay!

This may be a good day to visit the hotel that overlooks the water...have forgotten the name of it but I've read this is a favorite that people like to stop and have a drink.

 

Midwestchick......the hotel in Sorrento is The Excelsior Victoria. The entrance is on the main square, Piazza Tasso and you walk through the gardens and then through the main part of the hotel to the terrace at the back. It has a wonderful terrace with amazing views over the Bay and your ship. It's a lovely place to relax for an hour and the Prosecco and nibbles are great! :)

 

Don't panic if you see the ship move though....I thought Quest was leaving two hours early once and had a panicky moment....but Captain Carl was just repositioning the ship because of the currents in the bay!

Thank you, Lottie...that's the place I was thinking of. :) I know it has been talked about on here.

Well, if the ship moved, I would wonder since we are overnight in Sorrento.;) That means we can stay out as long as we want. :D I'll have to check and see how long either the buses or taxis operate to take us back down to the tender area...surely not walking down.

Thank you, Lottie...that's the place I was thinking of. :) I know it has been talked about on here.

Well, if the ship moved, I would wonder since we are overnight in Sorrento.;) That means we can stay out as long as we want. :D I'll have to check and see how long either the buses or taxis operate to take us back down to the tender area...surely not walking down.

The Excelsior Victoria has a lift that goes through the rock directly to the Marina and it is then a 2 minute walk to the tenders. As long as you have bought drinks they are happy for you to use it. It saves a very long downhill walk.

The Excelsior Victoria has a lift that goes through the rock directly to the Marina and it is then a 2 minute walk to the tenders. As long as you have bought drinks they are happy for you to use it. It saves a very long downhill walk.

That's wonderful....might be the perfect place to watch the sunset and have a drink. Thanks for letting me know.

That's wonderful....might be the perfect place to watch the sunset and have a drink. Thanks for letting me know.

You are very welcome. I just wish I could be there as well! Have a wonderful cruise. :)

You are very welcome. I just wish I could be there as well! Have a wonderful cruise. :)

Wish you could too. I'll be sure to toast you.;)

We love Sorrento and I'm hoping to visit a favorite shop there so I can purchase one more Pinocchio. :D This shop is very close to the area where you can look down onto the road and walk down.

We will be attending the Amazing Evening in Sorrento in September.

Does anyone know if we can stay in Sorrento without going back to the ship to get the transportation and just get the transport back to the ship after the festival is over?

We would Iike it stay in town and eat dinner and not have to waste time going back to the ship, only to come back.

Thanks for any information .

We had this for our azamazing evening in June; you won't have any issues catching the shuttle back to the port after the very fun festival. I can't imagine there being an issue just going to the festival from town, but you may want to get inform the ship so that you can get a shuttle number for the ride to the festival

There was quite s bit of food served there along with drinks; wish we would have known beforehand. We of course ate dinner before going and we're too full to enjoy what was there

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I seem to remember that the venue (a garden at the Hilton I believe), was a fair drive up out of the centre of town. I could be mis-remembering distances, but it certainly would be a cab ride if you were going there on your own, unless you perhaps are very energetic walkers or know some public transportation options.

We enjoyed this event, although it rained, and many of us sat under umbrellas. The entertainment was hokey but fun, some of the food very enjoyable, other food rather pedestrian. Overall it was pleasant and would have been more so if the weather had been better.