uktog

Yes I think they had lost staff to Onward and also staff who had been since start up were due leave. Ryzard was still on then and was well overdue his annual leave and we felt he was burning out as a result and not getting the back up from the levels below him. Given what you say that the Patio was open in mid December with the guest numbers they had then, in many ways for the Spring guests thats even more disappointing.

The message we got on Quest when raising things with the hotel director was they needed more staff then. We felt then if reduced staff numbers meant reduced service they should have been up front about that from the start.

Worrying, if they are short staffed with less than a full complement of guests how are they going to cope as they increase capacity as I believe they plan to do in the coming months.

Whilst others have had challenges they seem to be coping better overall (from first hand experience on two other lines). I think Azamaras attempt to somehow go from 1-4 vessels working with new owners in a rapid space of time hasn’t helped their cause. Staff have a different view of work post pandemic (every organisation has that issue just now) but Azamara seems to be ploughing on believing their own rhetoric. It used to be feedback about major issues onboard were reacted to and post cruise surveys were followed up on. Our first hand experience in both cases is no they are not. Not looking for financial recompense - but feeling someone is listening and empathising with issues and a simple we need to get that better next time you’re with us would go a long long way. Currently you’re left with a “nobody cares” feeling.

I too heard from someone today, not the same person as Phil, an Azamara loyalist often top cruiser and their report was very similar to the one Phil gave. The ship shouldn’t have sailed missing equipment including key kitchen items that’s impacted on everything. They reported the ship wasn’t clean (I’ve no specifics on that). But what bothered me most was there comments about the crew and in particular the lack of effective supervision by those who could start to make things better. I reported exactly the same problems on Quest last month but thought well at least they will get it better on Onward they’ve plenty of time and executive focus there. Sadly not true it seems. Yep that hand basket (containing decent tonic linked to WiFi fit for purpose) has left the building

I believe the level of stress is not because of individual attitudes to whether they should travel or not it’s because the communication from the cruise line has been confusing, contradictory and very unclear. That’s a back office issue which is plaguing everything including wait times at the call centre. It doesn’t take rocket science or budget to sort effectively communicating one version of the truth.

Oops had a tech issue What do I consider to be a reasonable time well the answer is certainly not the length of time we are currently waiting. Like grandma I have waited two weeks up to no reply and yes I am using the right email address We all appreciate pandemic but in many organisations that excuse is now just being trotted out. If they can’t recruit staff or are still running at lower service levels they need to start being honest about it. I’ve seen some companies do that and you think more of them as a result

Ok, that one hasn’t run at all post pandemic so we’ve no benchmark but given that Ireland is fully open, I would say, if Azamara can run shuttles and they are needed they will.

Dont worry it has not worked for months no one uses it

Thats not what we wanted to hear! If they cant sort it on a new ship will they ever?

Not on Azamara UK site it’s not. It’s another area of total confusion

Shuttles are definitely back on though not every port authority allows them which is as it was pre pandemic. If you tell us the ports you’re visiting recent travellers will be able to tell you the specifics

It’s chaos, if you go on the website it’s mixed messages from end to end. One page says it’s complimentary another it’s charged for. Conflicting information when agents or guests call for answers. It needs sorting out. I think if you really want to stretch the revenue line a different case can be made between charging for tests to board and charging to go home. To board, it’s a cruiseline not country rule, it’s a cost you would not incur for a land based trip in the country so the cruiseline should pay. To go home, it’s a cost dictated by the country you are travelling to. You would have to pay it if you were on a land based trip in the country so you should pay, BUT the cruiseline should sell it to you at cost.

No unfortunately the earliest boarding is scheduled for 14:00. This is to allow the ship enough time to deep clean all the areas. We arranged a 13:00 check out free of charge from our hotel then made our way to the ship then. Our hotel would have stored our luggage had we not been able to have a later check out

I will join the humble pie serving line if you don't mind

Oops not too but no aka no difference

Interesting, not sure guests can cope with different product offerings between ships if Onward is different perks to the others

You are confusing two events. On boarding, at the time we cruised, there was a test, which we found difficult to do. You could not leave your room until you had the results of that test and corridors were being monitored. That took an average of five hours to arrive Then daily before you drink anything in the morning, again you had to provide a test. Again we found that difficult to do. Yes we were free to leave our room every morning immediately after that test. And it did spoil our cruise. Not the actual test, difficult though it was but being tested daily you were always on edge, had you picked anything up... was today your last day before sent to quarantine. That view was held by many of the cruisers we met with and is now even more regularly reported on a viking page on the book of faces. Within 10 days we did both a viking and an azamara cruise one with daily testing the other without. Both had the same levels of required mask wearing. I felt too difference in how safe I felt between the two trips. I believe, as is the case at home, learning to live with covid has to be the way forward

Thanks I also asked here.We have a cruise to Norway that might have to be pulled under cruise with confidence if the certificates are not accepted. The information is so conflicting and out of date its a nightmare

Has anyone tried to check in with a covid recovery certificate? We might have clear tests when we next board but will still be in the recovery stages

We need a spreadsheet of sources in key locations. I will add mid cruise top ups in Gibraltar and Cyprus have been easy to achieve in my experience

Norn Iron’s recollection is absolutely correct. There were also commitments made onboard but again by someone no longer with the company. Interesting on Viking there were absolutely no Club products. Schweppes Tonic and proper sparkling water.

This is a mess. I will also be in the 90 day period when boarding my next cruise. I will follow up with Azamara shortly and do a lift in shift if need be. Never thought they’d not accept the certificates- I can get into USA no bother on a recovery certificate and no test but not onto a ship boarding in my home country

No you have to pay the full advertised menu price

Fabulous band, we are usually Den people in the evening but that band totally changed our evening menu. Agree Darren is going to be a really good fit.