aquafemme

Thanks for the replies. On my first Azamara trip I thought dinner in the MR was quite good (desserts/baked goods not so much - a tad bland). But the starters and entrees were very good. Happy to hear water colour class is still offered as I found that and the Bridge lessons to be very enjoyable. Sounds like RC hasn't reduced amenities on Azamara (like they have on Celebrity) and I'm glad to hear that. Sailing again on the Quest which I consider very nice in appearance, size, services, and fellow passengers.

Theme cruises would interest me if they had top notch experts lecturing and offered special or intensive excurions. I'm planning on taking a Cunard cruise just for those reasons. Also, I like dressing up for dinner.

But, No, I would wouldn't pay more for the perks described. A window, a balcony, more room - those things matter. I don't have need of a butler as I'm not in the cabin much and sitting in a partitioned shared area is just ridiculous. I like that Azamara clientele is well mannered, friendly, intelligent and egalitarian. Hope it stays that way.

Loved my first Azamara cruise and going on my 2nd on March 9 (10 day Cuba). I noticed a lot of cutbacks on my recent (Sept) Celebrity cruise and was wondering if RC has done that with Azamara as well. Will the instructed activities like water coloring and Bridge lessons still be available? Will the menus and room services still be luxurious? (On the Sept Celeb cruise instead of steak, salmon, + chicken the classics were beef stew, liver+onions, fish + chips.) What can I expect come March? I didn't find any current sample menus on the website. Please advise. Thank you.

The offerings on the discovery menu sound tempting. I would say it is a solid menu offdering variety as well as the staples (salmon, chicken, steak). More important than what is offered is the how well the menu dishes are prepared.

On my cruise in February (not Azamara Quest) I found the food to be hit and miss and all the sauces were overall dreadful. The poached eggs reeked of vinegar and there was vinegar in the hollandaise as well instead of lemon (??!!). The escargot were chewier than rubber and reeking of vinegar (again, ??!!)

If Azamara can serve me eggs benedict with a proper hollandaise sauce (there's no vinegar in hollandaise) and tender escargot in a butter garlic sauce (again no vinegar) than I will be happy dining on Azamara. Creative dinner salads and good deserts (I especially like cakes) would not be amiss either. I would also like to see more seafood options.

The most important thing is that the chef knows how to create delicious (not ridiculous) flavor combinations and is able to prepare the dish well.

Bottom line the menu for the most part looks tempting but the proof will be in the eating of the dishes.

I can't see it happening but if it did, you could have the following:

1. FDR - Formal Dining Room or the Franklin Delano Roosevelt room (Very classy and presidential in feel); and the
   
2. MDR - Main Dining Room or the Minimum Daily Requirement room (Casual to the point of, as long as you are dressed you get in).
   

Um, yes... could see that happening.

Still, works for me!

LOL :)

What sort of lectures and demonstrations do they offer on Infinity? Doing the Antartica cruise this month and am hoping for some lectures on the area and wildlife as well as climate changes there. Anyone know if this is a possibility? What kind of CelebrityLife lectures have been enjoyable and informative? Do they do any astronomy lectures since the night sky is so clear over the ocean? I've seen some listings tied in to shipboard stores which don't really interest me except for maybe the fashion show. Was just wondering what other topics they might cover.

No I wouldn't pay extra too dress up since people people don't now pay extra to dress down. But I would like it if Celebrity included a formal dining room (FDR) for the many that do like to dress for dinner and want the ambiance of a formal dining experience shared with like minded passengers. This way people who like to dress casual can eat in the MDR and those who like to dress formal can dine in the FDR.

This would both please both schools of thought on dressing for dinner when cruising.

Looks nice. 1st cruise on Infinity this month -- hope they show a movie I'd like to see. Evening time would be like a drive-in in a convertible. Nothing wrong with that. :)

Thanks for Tuscan posting menu.

Hi,

 

This will be our 4th season in South America. Hop on hop off bus is a great way to see such a large city. Ticket per day is around 27 USD per person.

I will be glad to share more info about the ports of call, especially BA :-)

Let me know what are you interested in:-)

 

Cheers,

 

Jelena Richardson

Jelena@skitara.com

Thanks for confirming Hop On Hop Off is good. :)

It's not younger cruisers that oppose dressing for formal nights but the recently retired. Which is probably why they keep quoting Dylan ('The times they are a changin'). Really? :rolleyes: We get dressed up to go out at night (dinner, theater, club) so we'd do that on a ship as well. :cool: Realistically, most people no longer "live" in jeans.

If you are looking for an alternative to a typical Argentine parrilla, (my new go to parrilla is El Estrebe), you could do worse than Centro Vasco Francais. http://www.guiaoleo.com.ar/restaurantes/Centro-Vasco-Frances-82. Not French or Italian, but great seafood. The shrimps ajillo and mariscos/zarzuela dishes are fab. The tortillas (espanol) are also fab. The clams ala Vasco are fab. You get the idea? (Disregard the low marks on http://www.guiaoleo.com

- I smell a rat).

The prix fix meal deal at Tomo I (about $40-45 pp) comes with 3 flights of wine and is easily priced at half or 1/3 what you would pay in No America/

Europe for the same meal.

Thanks for the suggestions -- they look good and I like the basque influence since some of my ancestors were basque. And seafood is always yummy. :)

Dinner hour does not really get underway in BA until after 9, so 1-11 is not particularly late. Palermo is the largest neighborhood in Buenos Aires. It is frequently divided into more specific areas. Most hotels are in Palermo Soho or Hollywood, both a part of the older part of Palermo (Palermo Viejo). Much of the area has been transformed but some blocks remain kind of dark and forlorn. So it kind of depends on where you are staying and dining. Cabs are plentiful in BA....if you get a bad feel for walking around in the particular area of the restaurant, ask them to phone you a cab. That way the company has a record of which cab driver picked you up, an additional safety facor. Mostly, I just grab cabs from the curb and have never had a problem other than a cabbie or two who want to take me the long way to my destination or who forget to turn on the meter and want to charge too much when we arrive (very rare, but these things do happen once in awhile).

Thanks so much for the info, That's how it is here in NYC too -- some areas are okay but have a couple of dodgy blocks.

We cruised out of Buenos Aires last February. Our hotel staff called a taxi, which delivered us to the cruise terminal. We were dropped off just outside of the check-in area.

 

Most of the South American cruise ports we visited on that B2B2B series were more industrial than generally found in either North America or Europe. But signage in the BA cruise terminal was very clear and we were quickly directed to the shuttles to our ship. While there have been some reports of slow boarding at the terminal in BA our ship was the only cruise ship in port that date so boarding was very quick.

Lucky, hope our ship is the only one in BA port when we board in Feb.

A couple of reasons.

 

First, there are those who think that having a mixture of dress styles, formal and casual, throughout the ship on formal nights, detracts from the ambiance. Some cruisers prefer a system where the code extends to all public areas with the possible exclusion of the buffet.

 

Second, there are some cruisers that are disappointed when they learn that Blu and Luminae, the more upscale dining areas, do not celebrate formal nights.

I don't blame them for being disappointed. I wish there were MORE formal nights. Cruisers that like to dress up shouldn't feel they have to limit themselves to just Formal Nights. Cocktail dresses and suits are always appropriate dinner wear in any of the cruise dining venues. The rules don't state you can't come looking extra nice --they just state you can't come looking like a slob.

I will feel perfectly fine wearing nice dresses to dinner and even cocktail dresses on non-formal nights. I think everyone who likes to dress for dinner should do so as often as they like as dressing smart is never prohibited.

You bring up a major issue I have with formal nights. As you point out, a uniformity of styles may preserve the ambiance for some cruisers. But, this preservation comes at the expense of others, the 20% who are not that impressed with ambiance, and who prefer a different style. Why should the preferences of one group override the preferences of the other?

 

A couple of points.

First, this is not a question of adhering to the rules or who can set the rules. It is a question about is it proper to impose a set of rules on one group in order to enhance the enjoyment of another group?

Second, t-shirts are not acceptable attire for the MDR on any occasion.

You see your numbers right? 80% following the dress code -- 20% not following it. You answered your own question. The many outweigh the few.

No one is imposing the rules on anyone. People can go eat in the buffet if their jeans and shorts mean so much to them. Its not the rules that are being imposed but rather the people who won't adhere to the dress code but still insist on eating in the MDR on formal nights who are imposing themselves.

If there are fashion police wouldn't that mean there are fashion criminals?

And if so, doesn't it follow that those squawking fashion police at others do so because they feel they are fashion criminals? As there is really no such thing as fashion police or fashion criminals isn't it all just some made up drama in the minds of those that can't admit they're quite wrong to insist on being in the MDR on Formal Nights when they're not properly dressed?

And as for the comfort issue -- all one as to do to be comfortable is to buy clothes that fit.

How safe and easy is it to get taxis in BA at night? My sister and I will be dining near our hotel one evening in palermo. Is it safe for women to walk around there at night say 10 - 11 pm? Should we call for a taxi?

All the great links and info are much appreciated. I'll look into 1880 Parillo and El Establo Downtown, thanks for the suggestions.

I thought we might have asado/parillo one night which are reasonably priced and, because of the European influences in Buenos Aires, splurge on a Italian or French meal the next night. Any feedback on L'adesso or La Bourgogne? They both look fantastic but they are a BIG splurge for us (good thing I don't drink). Any feedback on these places would be welcome as would any suggestions for a really good Italian or French restaurant in Buenos Aires. I read Mexican restaurants are few in BA but that Maria Felix was one with good food though not spicy hot like US Tex-Mex. Okay by me -- I dislike the flavor of jalapenos. Any feedback on Maria Felix?

I'd rather eat elsewhere and just see the Tango shows since we are there just a couple of days and don't want to waste a dining experience on a so-so meal. But its not solely my decision. I am so looking forward to seeing Tango. Tango Porteno is now leading the list though the show at the galleria sounds good too as I'd love to see the building and take the class (it seemed so relaxed in the pix). I see there are discounted tickets available online through Tango Tix and BsAs4U -- has anyone used these services before and are they reliable?

The suggestion of Torquato Tasso was an excellent one. Just my cup of tea. It seems like great place to go to after dinner and listen to some music. I have a feeling we'll end up there one night.

Teatro Colon -- the Feb '16 schedule isn't up yet but I hope to see a ballet there. Anyone have advice on seat selection, arrival time, or buying tickets?

The more I look into BA the more I wish I had more time there.

We did not use the HoHo bus since the Metro system is so good and it is easy to walk the city.

 

We did take a great free walking tour.

 

www.bafreetour.com/english-home

http://buenosairesfreewalks.com/?gclid=CLPj-bP_trkCFS1p7Aodel8AKQ

 

We saw the Tango Porento show and it was fabulous. We had dinner before the show as well.

 

 

Tango Porteño

Cerrito 570, El Centro (next to Teatro Colon)

Tel 011 4124-9400

Dinner: 20.30 Show: 22.15 (90 mins)

http://tangoporteno.com.ar

Tango Porteno was another show we were considering. Good to know it was Fab and you enjoyed it.

The walking tour looks good too. Thanks for including the link. Much appreciated. :)

If you don't click on "exit my reservation" each time you leave the specific reservation, you will always get the reservation being updated message if you try to look again. It's you who is in the reservation. It reverts back after 20 minutes. I have a feeling that a lot of problems people encounter are because they don't exit the reservation before looking at something else.

 

No doubt it's a website with problems but some of them are caused by us not using it correctly.

Receiving that "in use" message is not due to the user but due to the system. Proper coding doesn't work that way. Either you left or you didn't -- you should either get the last screen when reverting to the page or you should get a screen requesting you sign in. That you get a "in use" message means the system has not recognized that you left the page nor that you are the person signed into the page. Basically the system is in limbo at that point and people are getting the in use message because there is a broken communication link within the site. Actually, there are plenty of broken links on this site.

My sister and I are doing a South America/Antartica Tour in February and will be spending a few days in Buenos Aires before sailing. Looking for some feedback on places.

We'll also be doing the Hop On Hop Off city bus tour one day there and I'm hoping to get feedback from anyone who has recently done it.

Regarding Hop On Hop Off City Tour Bus:

Is one day enough to see most of the sights?

How were the headsets--was the tour information audible and clear?

How was the comfort and ease of Hop On Hop Off?

Any tips/advice about touring this way?

We still haven't decided which Tango dinner show to see. We're thinking of either "Cafe de Los Angelitos" or "Esquina Carlos Gardel". Any feedback on these dinner shows would be appreciated.

Are there any afternoon Tango shows? Best places to see some street tango?

Don Julio or La Cabrera for Asado?

Eduardo Sívori Museum -- is it a Yea or Nay?

Any info is appreciated. Thanks.

The dumbest part of this--and I've said the same thing about DCL's site--is that they are allowing a horrendously bad website to prevent potential customers from giving them money. There is no part of that that isn't stupid, in 2015.

 

I'm guessing a lot of the problem is website work contracted out to cheap third party producers.

I'd have to agree. Looks like initial bad programming combined with no updating of their programs as well as additional plug-ins being added on over time without ensuring they work throughout the database.

It is so ridiculous that they have these website problem when the issues are all fixable and hence unneccessary. Really shows a lack of consideration for the customer.

The only thing more ridiculous than their not fixing the website are individuals claiming not to have ever had a problem (or never noticed I suspect) with the website and then alluding to the problems being on the part of the web user or their computer set-up. They're kidding, right?

Particularly telling people to chill out which is very condescending considering no one is really flipping out. People come to these threads to vent their dissatisfaction with others who have experienced the same annoyances. Those suggesting people should just passively accept the bad website and problems are really beyond the pale. Why does anyone advocate dumbing things down or emplore people to accept substandard service from a business entity? Why advocate for the lowest level of performance?

I guess they don't think people deserve better.

I think people deserve the best effort possible from those they do business with.

Maybe everyone whose had a problem with the website should bypass online check-in. 2600 people showing up to check in at the ship :eek: might sway Celebrity to rectfy the problems they have with the website. :D Would also give those special few that never have a problem a taste of how annoying it is to wait and wait to get something done. :p :D

I'm sorry you misunderstood. I was replying to post directly above mine where the person said that they personally believe jeans should never be allowed in the dining room ever. I agree, they are against dress code on formal nights, but not other nights.

Thanks thought I'd miss something. :)

I love dressing up for dinner so I'm not limiting dressing up to just Formal Nights. Though I will probably reserve the full length gowns for formal evenings (then again maybe not). :D

Looking at posts in the Show Us Your Sunday Best thread inspired me to bring something floor length along with cocktail dresses.

I might even head into the salon for an updo on formal nights.

Dressing up for dinner and the show will be so much fun. I can't wait!

Perhaps Cost/Benefit shows it's not worth it?

I see nothing in your quotes from the RCL financial report that justifies it’s not worth it.

Their ships are sailing over capacity - so they need no assistance to make the booking process any better, whatever they are doing is working. They can't even handle any more passenger bookings, as they are full. Occupancy in 2014 was 105.6%, up from 104.7% in 2013.

The increase in cruisers is not due to Celebrity’s (or rather RCL) marketing practices but is due to the largest sector of the population (Baby Boomers) coming into retirement age and having the time and money to take cruises. So Celebrity/RCL receives no credit or kudos for more people cruising (they happen to be in the right business at the right time).

And yes, they certainly do need to improve their booking process and website since they require passengers check-in via the website. Their rules - their responsibility.

Onboard revenues are strong with annual growth, so no real proof that they are losing any ancillary revenue. People are managing to buy all the stuff they want to buy. Revenues are up to $8,073,855,000 for 2014 versus $7,959,894,000 in 2013.

The figures show an increase but do not indicate what the increase is from. That increase could be merely from raising their prices as opposed to an increase in customer spending. Ancillary revenue often has the highest profit margin percentage. Aside from the fact that cruises would lose a great deal of appeal without offering good dining, shopping, gambling, and excursions these activities are not there merely for the passengers delight—they are there because they increase revenue.

Stock price hit another all-time high again this week on more than 1 day. So I'm not going to question their business model at all. If it ain't broke, don't fix it (pun intended).

And yet the stock went down again this morning.

FYI, RCL carries a high percentage of variable rate debt so once the Federal government starts increasing those interest rates the base rate on all that debt will increase quarterly as well. So enjoy the recent less that 2% profit per share while you can (Oops that was loss this morning wasn’t it? Sorry. )

Perhaps the price drop was due to a few shareholders anticipating the Feds increasing the interest rate and so they sold.

Yes, I have to agree, you of all people probably shouldn’t question their business model. You fail to recognize that people here are talking about their dissatisfaction with the aspect of the company that has the most interaction with the public (a.k.a. clientele and potential clientele). The only one who is going to dismiss this problem is you because you’re so happy with your pennies per share profits. That would be okay if you were the only customer but you’re not.

Something is broke which is why this thread exists.

The website, although a lovely thing to have, has to be thought of in a dollars and sense perspective. To spend money on it, and get no returns from the enhancements, makes little sense. Let's spend a million dollars on an overhaul of the website, reprogramming it all, updating all the text, hiring better qualified staff and ongoing maintenance staff, so we can not book any more passengers since we have no cabins to fit them into. Makes no business sense.

Uh, speaking of making no sense...

Being in business and not wanting to improve the customer’s experience is very flawed thinking. You can’t count solely on increasing prices as a long term business strategy (might price your customers right into the arms of your competition) – and you need customers to be in business. Service oriented businesses (which RCL is) grow through customer loyalty, repeat business, and good word of mouth. This is not my opinion but a known fact.

The website is a necessity not a “lovely thing”. It is most people’s initial acquaintance with the cruise line. And there is truth in that it is easier to make a good first impression than to try and undo a bad first impression.

Not having enough cabins is a false statement because in order to fill all the cabins cruise lines continuously reduce prices with a long lead in towards the sail date until by the end cabins (albeit not the choicest ones) are sold at for pennies on the dollar compared to initial rates. If supply truly exceeded demand there would be no need to do this.

Since there is already an ongoing effort to fill cabins they may as well be smart about it and “overhaul the website, reprogram it all, update all the text, hire better qualified staff and ongoing maintenance staff”. Obviously, you are aware these things need to be done but deny it because you’re afraid it will cut into your profits. Maybe the cost could be offset by eliminating shareholder benefits.

And as the issues have been around for many years now, there is no proof it's driving business away either, in fact, to look at the trends, the crappy website seems to be filling ships.

 

All it seems to do is push away people who easily get frustrated, and who wants stop spend a week on a ship full of those kinds of people anyway?

You’re missing the boat here (pun intended).

The “crappy website” as you call it (I said it ‘wasn’t totally bad but could be a whole lot better’) is a website doing business and shouldn’t want to push away potential customers for ANY reason.

And that the issues have been around for years doesn’t make them acceptable.

What do you care who you sail with as long its putting money in the company coffers? For in this thread, you have made it very clear that to you - profit is king.

The cheese stands alone.

You take a very proprietary tone when discussing Celebrity/RCL but are very dismissive and inconsiderate towards the company’s customer base. You know, those people who put the profit in your pocket and are also your fellow passengers.

Thankfully, you’re just a shareholder and don’t speak for the company.

Still you’re a person and entitled to your opinion.

As am I.

I think a poorly run website, bad/unknowledgeable customer service and inflated pricing on ancillary services actually turns away people that don’t want to deal with a lowest common denominator mentality business.

Whether or not you think they belong or not is irrelevant. Celebrity says they belong and they get the final say.

 

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I must have missed something. I didn't see jeans mentioned anywhere. I only see were Celebrity says smart casual and above : Pants.

Well, we can all agree Celebrity gets final say.