uktog

First thing they need to do if this is true is stop referring to them in all their marketing and awful phone tape when on hold

Funny you mention Shackleton- they had a special dinner last night The Ernest Shackleton dinner cost $75 per head. We did not partake, we were in PrimeC. They did try and suggest a few times we went so it hadn’t sold out. They weren’t sharing the menu - all part of the “surprise” - that may have backfired on them. Maybe others were like us having seen films involving dried rations, stale veg and starvation. Somehow I don’t associate Shackleton and dining experiences! I’m sure it was a great dinner though we were seated at the back of Prime C and unusually there was no sounds coming from Aqualina @excitedofharpenden is right about the ship’s internal capacity and whilst we are really enjoying this trip we do think about how it might have been on a ship laid out like say Viking as apart from in your room it required a lot of luck to get a seat with any view during the day. The living room chairs get “reserved” by about 8 and it doesn’t work that they’re offering 4 back to back trivia sessions from 9 am with the naturalists butting in with commentary so it’s a constant stop start sound. I have no idea why the cruise director didn’t schedule trivia in the Den but then throughout I’ve felt that schedule has paid zero attention to timings and the itinerary. That’s been a less good feature. The biggest pinch point is lunch. I’d hate to see it if the ship was full. We are 2/3 full. Yes lunch is available in the Dining Room but offset that with the patio being closed as it’s too cold for crew to work, no one eating ashore and the back veranda also closed most days it’s been chaos at times. The menu choice hasn’t included much extra and they’re always leaving empty serving dishes around so the “top up” doesn’t work smoothly. These are all little things that with better organisation and some forethought about where we are rather than “cookie cutter it’s day x we do y” would help a lot! A final niggle last night. Jakob the violinist did a jam session with Jose in the Den. It started after the end of the show - we arrived promptly- no seats, in fact no view standing. When this happened on Journey the cruise director immediately arranged that they bring out extra white night chairs. Last night nothing. Our only option was to carry drinks through to Mosaic and listen to a distant version of what sounded like a great evening. Let’s end on a positive thought. It’s a beautiful Drake Lake misty morning sunrise!

Both and orca and others. I will photo the chart at reception tomorrow. It’s been an unbelievable experience. I do not feel “cheated” at all by not stepping on land in fact I’m glad I didn’t - this was a much more manageable experience for us and no fear of falling over!

We are floating around Deception Island with mists rolling in and out. Captain is getting us very close and the whales are putting on amazing displays My photos are just on an IPhone. There are some who look down their nose (or long lenses) at us but it’s so flexible One whale popped up right by the ship. I’m sure someone captured a picture, I failed because I was looking further out Chinstrap penguins from a distance

The Chilean Navy and Airforce team (5 Air, 9 Navy) are all delightful. The station commander is an inspirational young lady Francisca (the only lady in the team). Francisca and Christo the senior navy officer at the station took a wide range of questions and handled the English language challenges so well. They talked about having only 5 litre allowance each day for a shower. Francisca looked quite emotional when at the end the captain said they’d opened up some unoccupied rooms and they could have as long a shower each as they wanted. They were ecstatic in Windows all eating large plates of green salad and fresh fruit. I wish I could speak Spanish those guests who can have been having great interactions. This and the beautiful scenery has made a special day in which we crossed 65 south. This was a day which was an example of what Azamara does really really well Good day all round

What an amazing morning - we have so many photos but here are three. These are all taken with iPhone obviously the long lense people will have even better views penguins whales and the news we are to have visitor’s boarding from the Chilean Research base. Captain has used his personal contacts to set up this exciting interaction

Good morning Antarctica- looking forward to a day full of surprises and natural beauty. Opening our curtains to this - wow. Im surprised they’ve published a programme of activities in rooms with no viewing options- I wonder how many will watch Oppenheimer this afternoon in the Cabaret when we are in one of the peak viewing areas. Sends out a weird message about destination focus imho. Whilst the speaker programme is excellent the rest including its timings feels like a standard this is a cruise to it doesn’t matter where you have to have ….. (fill in the blanks).

No this was on quest

Sailing past King George Island, our first close up view of the magnificance of icebergs and the polished surfaces. We’ve all been dashing out for pictures and guests have become less recognisable as they shroud themselves in duvet coats fleeces jumpers hats and scarves - many wearing all five!

Our first “big” one The seas have calmed and it’s so good the regular information broadcast on plans and what we are heading to see

We’ve bounced along today. The swell against us slowed our progress but by sailing further east we avoided some of the worst impact. Saw our first growlers tonight (little break offs of ice). Loved the fact the captain did a second weather update at 1830. Other captains could learn a lot about the benefits of such regular communication! Dined in Prime C tonight - pleasant but a little underwhelming- I wouldn’t have paid $49.95 pp for that. It was “fine” not “special” - a little bland and we had to send the potatoes sides back as they were cold. Let’s hope our next visit is better!

I agree. And I tend to focus on how it feels for everyone- maybe my level of emotional intelligence is off the empathy scale! Posting “live” will always attract a range of comments- long may posting and opinions continue

Let’s be sensible. I’m talking about the variation on main product. So far I can only think of things like Veal chop, Dover Sole, Goats Cheese soufflé not every sauce variation known to man. I’d just ask people to put themselves in the shoes of a first time non suite guest on Azamara. They’ve paid $99 for their one time visit to the specialty they sit down and see others all around them being fussed over with table side presentations etc and they think that looks good let’s have that - they look at the menu. They find the item is not there they ask their server and are told oh you need to come back and I can do that for you but it’s a preorder. So now they’re potentially disappointed and/or sucked in to another $99 - a bait and switch some might say pardon the pun. The ostentatious table side service of the sole doesn’t help especially when accompanied by the oohs and ahs of the recipients. Maybe it feels luxury for them but it is far less likely to for the “one night guest”.

Justin the Assistant CD did his show tonight. He really has an excellent voice though we felt the structure of his show was weak and did him no favours. Hopefully he can get mentored by someone else as he’s got tremendous potential and is a genuinely nice guy. We find the show time on the ship of 9pm a total pain. It means only early speciality dining works, if you dine at 1830 you’re kicking your heals for c an hour and if you go to the MDR at say 7.15 to work around this only the poorer middle tables are available. We will continue to work around this but it’s a bad time in our view given it’s only one show. We’ve bounced around a bit in the night. Doesn’t affect us but I think some are feeling less good. We did have fun our curtains kept sliding open but otherwise as we’d done our usual rocking boat precautions eg remove ice tongs from top of bucket to stop rattling , separate the glasses on the tray to stop chinking we had nothing other than the typical creaks in weather like this. As has been highlighted before no mid cruise feedback forms only a tiny QR code in the bottom of the Insider and no mention by the Cruise Director to highlight the code (others do that). It’s a shame because crew miss out on positive recognition mid cruise and little issues don’t get highlighted Lets see what today’s rolling sea day brings

I’ve never seen the ones from Trivia sold for $50. They are usually sold (if at all) for $30. They’re also the ones your given if your luggage goes awol. The more expensive branded T-shirts being sold on my current cruise are a superior product. My DH still wears one of the cheap ones we got at some point. It’s wearing very well but I’m always circumspect in the washing temperatures and spin speed we use and I don’t have a tumble drier.

That would certainly help but I’m sure the chef would be happier to be working off a second menu. In any event all guests should be made aware of the options for alternatives at the time of booking. The current system discriminates against new cruisers and those not in the know.

I’m not talking about minor variations I’m talking about this 24 hour pre order stuff. How do people know what their options are if there isn’t a menu? Is it to be only for those “in the know”? Sorry it needs a menu.

We went to the MDR it was meh tonight and way too hot. We heard people telling their butler at 1830 they were too tired to go to Prime C so just cancel. We should have done as you did and chanced a slot upstairs

@Mackdogmolly I thought Bertha Beach was a 4x4 trip so how on earth did they get left behind! I think most people today have had a wonderful time. Now we continue the British theme with the menu tonight!

They should publish what items are available and perhaps charge a supplement for these orders

We have had an amazing day on the Falkland Islands- and we say not one penguin except stuffed ones in the shop. We engaged Shaun Jaffray (Adventure Falklands) who has taken over Patrick Watts business. He provided a driver Dave who was a young boy during the 1982 conflict and knew so much about all the sites. It was a most wonderful day. We were off-road but in comfort for most of the time, through farmyard etc to access sites. We paid 50% more than the quick ship drive by but were out for 7 hours. I’ve tried to name all the pictures for those into the details of the conflict. For UK guests this one is a must do Downtown Stanley The Governors house where Argentine surrendered in 14 June 1982 Inside the Anglican Church You have to have a pub and a phone box The Fleet Air Arm memorial Bluff Cove The Welsh Guards Bluff Cove. Sir Tristram and Sir Galahad were lost there Grave of an unknown soldier in the Argentine cemetery Where Sir H Jones was killed (the white marked area) and his grave at San Carlos The Task force memorial San Carlos Goose Green Wreckage of an Argentine plane. Still there Mount Tumbledown area

No it’s not it’s now $49.95 pp and $125 for Chefs Table

I feel so bad dumping more work on them which is unnecessary

But my problem is now I went to pay for the excursions Azamara provided an online link for this. My cruise is in four weeks time and is fully paid for by us but the agent hasn’t yet paid Azamara- quite normal I believe. However it won’t let me pay for the excursions it wants a payment for £14k reflecting the cruise cost as well Tricky to sort out when you’re on a ship but the onboard staff are inexperienced/temporary cover

Once paid for all confirmations go to your travel agent (well they do in the UK) even though it’s a separate transaction you pay for with your credit card. I do not like this new way of operating at all