royallondon

Perhaps he was using it to determine the drag factor of his head 🤔😂

In May we did an excursion to the hotel district (about 25 mins ride). Here there was a marina (did a glass bottom boat trip), with a relatively modern complex which included a swimming pool, bar and cafe. A walk around the marina brings you to the shopping area with more bars and restaurants. We were pleased we did the excursion as the hotel/marina area was a significant improvement over the facilities found at the cruise port. Still not the “idyllic” Bahamas we had imagined.

I’ve made a note of these cruises in order to ensure that we avoid them. To learn over dinner that someone’s just had a lousy day at the office isn’t something we go away on holiday to hear! Hope they haven’t hired additional call handlers to field the upsurge in bookings.

Dr H - St Patrick’s day cruise out of Lisbon. The deals offered were very competitive and included a couple of nights pre cruise stay in a good quality hotels. Price apart however, thanks to this forum I was aware of the issues being encountered booking direct and so wanted to recruit a “helping hand” just in case 🤪 The message of my posting was that from reports of agents actively avoiding Azamara bookings, many now are actively promoting them. This is an encouraging sign that Azamara are regaining the confidence of the booking agents. Hope you have a great cruise. Regards

Just lately we have received lots of Azamara deals via several online cruise specialists. This would perhaps indicate that confidence in dealing with Azamara is slowly returning to the agents. We have taken advantage of one emailed offer for March next year. We booked using a “new to us” cruise specific agent (over the phone) and can report that no frustrations (on either side) were encountered. It’s been too long since we were on an Azamara ship and can’t wait to be well looked after once again. Regards

The nicest Azamara ship would be the one I was next sailing on!

uktog, thank you for your detailed and very interesting summary. We look forward to our first Viking Ocean cruise next May and will be delighted if it affords us a similar on board experience to Azamara.

Such awful news, what are we coming to. Hope your Grandson makes a full and speedy recovery.

I’m sure that they do but unfortunately the coaches can’t always get down them 🫣

Very true, our friends in the US had to pay in full 12 months out for a booking with us next May. I suspect there would be many people shouting that Azamara are going to the wall if they asked for payment in full 12 months out. Perceptions!

We did the same itinerary as ChucktownSteve in May this year with Regent. The itinerary was excellent (though not really New England) but we were disappointed with service, the quality of included excursions and the ship itself (Navigator). There was no doubting the quality of food, comprehensive drinks offering and suite facilities (daily free laundry) but, it comes at a price. In 2018 we sailed “New England in the Fall” with Oceania (R ship same as Azamara’s). This was excellent, very port intensive, great food (lobster every day if that’s your bag) and fabulous on board experience. Indeed, we find Oceania to be a very close comparison to Azamara in their overall offering. Regards

Does that make her a “has bean”?

That’s just so sad. I can only echo your sentiments.

Ours writes well but no spell check!

Did our first Regent cruise in May and have a Viking Ocean (on the back of a lovely V river cruise this year) booked for May next year. Regent was good but not great considering the cost and didn’t match the “vibe” that we enjoy so much on Azamara.

I am totally confident that if for any reason, someone needed to use the gym showers, the staff would facilitate this on any of the 4 ships, pass or no pass.

We went on our first Regent cruise in May and were very surprised how casual and relaxed the majority of people dressed. I took a jacket (no tie) and wore it a couple of times (16 night Navigator) but in all honesty I could have left it at home. In summary, always listen to your parents! Have a great cruise. Regards

Had 2 missed ports in May on Navigator but no port fees returned.

Having read and talked to past passengers, this begs the question of what made you so accepting of the pathetically tiny showers to book your cruise?

One of the most disappointing posts I’ve read in a long time.

With the onboard experience appearing to be the only thing holding Azamara together at the moment, anything that could disrupt this would be unwise (imo).

Looks like Azamara are trying to rebuild bridges with their travel partners. Azamara announced a “Chart Your Own Course” giveaway, giving travel partners a chance to sail on a cruise of their own design, according to a press statement. To enter the competition, travel partners can book their clients on any voyages through June 30, 2024, or the 2025 World Voyage between now and July 28, 2023. The winner will be announced on July 31, 2023. “We are continually grateful for the support of our valued travel partners, and we are excited to give away a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work side by side with our expert deployment team at the Destination Immersion cruise line through the ‘Chart Your Own Course’ sweepstakes,” said Michelle Lardizabal, chief sales officer at Azamara. “Our travel partners are travel experts and cruising veterans, so we look forward to seeing the itinerary that our lucky winner helps curate.” The winner of the ‘Chart Your Own Course’ giveaway will get to collaborate with the cruise line’s Executive Leadership team at the Azamara Headquarters in Miami, Florida to plan an Azamara itinerary and an original AzAmazing Celebration. That lucky winner will be able to bring a guest on this journey of their creation. The “Chart Your Own Course” applies to new individual bookings and non-contracted group bookings created between July 5-28, 2023.

So sorry to hear of your sad news. Condolences to you and your family.

The HOHO buses can be boarded at the entrance to the V&A. From memory there are 4 routes covering all the main attractions from the wine lands, table mountain, Camps Bay etc. We found them to be very safe and a great way to see the area. Hope you have a great trip. Regards

We usually get Captain Speaking