terry&mike

Below is a brief review of our sailing on Queen Mary 2, September 20-29, 2023, 9 nights, from Hamburg to Southampton and on to New York. This was part of a 5 week trip that began in Milan, Italy at the end of August, and included a 7 night sailing on the Azamara Onward from Rome to Venice. We were in cabin 5114, which is an Interior cabin with a window overlooking the multi-story lobby. We had noticed these windows last time we sailed, and were curious to try one. We did not use the window option much, keeping it mostly closed, but I did watch the Guest Chorus perform one afternoon from the room. With the cabin being on deck 5 and in the center of the ship, there is very little movement here, well placed when the ship gets in some rough seas. The cabin was in very good condition, and we found that we had plenty of storage for our belongings. Our sailing was a special "Festival of Food & Wine" themed sailing, and had some very good speakers onboard on these topics. The entertainment onboard was quite good, especially an afternoon show from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre Company. We noticed a definate decline in service from our last sailing (August 2022). Things like repeatedly having to ask to have our water glasses refilled, pouring our own wine multiple occasions. On a formal night, I ordered filet mignon cooked medium rare, it came out as quite well done, I cut into it and it was dark brown, and showed the waiter who then showed me the little wood stick on the plate that said "medium rare". I then pointed out that even though the stick said that, the steak was obviously very well done. He took it back, and it came out 15 minutes later, and it was then medium to medium well (brown inside); I went ahead and ate it, as DH was nearly done with his main course by then. Another time, when I ordered my breakfast, then DH ordered his, I asked the waiter if I could add a bagel to my order, and was chastized for not ordering my bagel at the time I placed my order. It felt to us that the dining staff were tremendously overworked, and had lost the joy for what they were doing. The previously experienced personality and attentiveness of the dining staff were missing on this sailing. We had booked into traditional 6pm dinner seating, but when boarded had been allocated to Anytime dining. About 6 nights into the cruise we found a waiter who provided good service and was personable, and then we just kept showing up and requesting his section for the last few nights, and things improved greatly. The food was all good to very good, but we both found that many items tended to be overcooked. The lamb was almost always a good choice when on offer. We purchased the 6 bottle Captain's Collection wine package for $310.00, and found some good choices. After having sailed on Azamara 2 weeks before this sailing, the lower caliber of service on QM2 was very evident to us. We still very much enjoyed the speakers, entertainment, meals, and classic style of QM2. I don't think we will sail them for a port visiting itinerary, but when it comes to crossing the Atlantic, this will still be our "go to" ship.

Below is a review of our sailing on the Onward, September 3-10, 2023, Rome to Venice. Sorry this is a bit late, but we have just returned home; our sailing was part of a longer 5 week trip. We started in Milan for a few days, took the train up to Lake Como area, and then took the train to Rome 2 days before boarding, and met up with some friends. On the morning of the sailing we used the wonderful RomeCabs to head out to the ship. We dropped our luggage with the ship at 11:30am, and went for a walk and lunch in Civitavecchia. We returned at 1:30pm and boarded directly with no lines. Our ports were Rome, Sorrento, Amalfi, sea day, Kotor Montenegro, Dubrovnik Croatia, Sibenik Croatia, ending in Venice. I had previously visited all of these destinations with the exception of Sibenik, but liked them all enough for another visit. We were traveling with 2 other couples, and as an agent, I had handled their bookings. Before sailing, there were quite a few issues of errors on all our accounts that had to be fixed, resulting in many hours and lots of frustration on my part. My clients were mostly unaware of the issues, as I did not want them to doubt the product as they were all new to Azamara. I had brought along all the documentation, and after boarding we went directly to the service desk to ensure that all was straight on the accounts onboard. There were a couple of issues that needed some sorting, but it all worked out okay (not going to say perfect, but good enough). I do recommend having the documentation with you. A lady being assisted next to us at the counter did not have her documentation and she was in disagreement as to what OBC her booking should have, when asked for her documentation she did not have it and became very frustrated. DH and I stopped by the first bar that had no guests, which happened to be Mosaic Cafe', to upgrade to the Ultimate drink package. It was upgraded on an iPad type device, and when given the device to sign the amount was for the full amount (no loyalty discount), I was told the loyalty discount would come off later, and it did. There were buttons across the bottom to add an optional gratuity in the amounts of 0, 15%, 18%, 20%. I clicked 0, and signed. Bartender then filled out another order for my husband's drink upgrade and presented it to him, and pointed out the tip buttons at the bottom and "explained" to my husband, "if you'd like to add gratuity", to which my husband clicked 0 and signed. No worries on this, and feel free to tip if you like, but I mention it as in the past I was not presented with an option to tip on upgrading a drink package. The Ultimate drink package covered us in everything we were interested in - nicer wines including Whispering Angel, Atlas Bar, hubby's Scotch. There was one inconsistency which made no sense, in regards to port. On night 1, we both ordered a port after dinner and were served it with no issues. On night 3, DH ordered a port (about $12) and was told it was not covered on the Ultimate drinks package, he then asked for the port that would be covered on the drinks package and was told there was no port that was covered on the package. I pointed out that there is an $8 port on the menu, and surely that should be covered on the Ultimate package, and was told no, it was not. I asked for the Sommelier, so that I could double check this info, and hubby was then served the port "as a gift". We never were able to check on if this info was correct or not, and never ordered the port again as there were plenty of options to keep us happy without a hassle. All of the food was good to very good, and the filet mignon that was on the menu one night in the main dining room was excellent. The crew were outstanding, being very friendly and helpful in every venue. We had Verandah cabin 7044, and it was serviced beautifully by Francisco. There were 567 passengers onboard for this sailing, with 323 being from the U.S. The captain was Captain Carl, and he was a good communicator and personable. We took 2 ship tours, to use up our OBC. One was called "Capri and Positano on Your Own", and was supposed to depart from our port of Sorrento, but we were ported in Amalfi instead due to high winds - this gave us 2 days in the port of Amalfi, which everyone enjoyed. Once we arrived on the dock for the tour, all of the ferries to Capri were cancelled (due to the high winds), and the tour morphed into a walking tour of Amalfi and Positano, with a 50% refund (or you had the option to fully cancel and get 100% refund). It was a nice tour, and we were glad we stayed with it. The second tour was in Sibenik, Croatia, as was "Primosten & Village Experience", which we thoroughly enjoyed, and found it very well done. We still had time after the tour to wander all over beautiful Sibenik. Our Azamazing Evening was in Kotor, Montenegro, and was "Mystical Tales at Synchro Porto Montenegro". We were taken off the ship to the marina, given a glass of local sparkling wine, and presented with an evening of local musicians. It was delightful, and everyone seemed to enjoy it. Here is what we did in the other ports, separate from Azamara, in case someone is looking for ideas: Rome - something I refer to as "dinner with Barbara", but is actually called "When in Rome, a glamorous occasion dinner party" bookable through Eatwith.com. I've done this before about 10 years ago, and wanted to bring my friends. Its a fun night of many courses of home cooking and drinks, in a local's apartment in Trastevere. Amalfi - "Classic Lemon Tour" visits a lemon farm in Amalfi town, walkable from the dock in about 20 minutes, bookable at amalfilemonexperience.it Kotor, Montenegro - hiked the "Ladder of Kotor", great hike up the mountain behind Kotor town on a lot of switchback paths, stop for a refreshment at a home along the way. Easy to do on your own, path starts just near old town. Dubrovnik - we spent some time strolling the streets of old town with our friends, then they went to "walk the walls" which is the most popular thing to do here. We had done this in the past, so we took a long stroll out of old town, heading off into the newer resort areas, and along the sea. Interesting tidbit, when DH and I walked the walls of Dubrovnik several years ago, it cost about $5 per person -- it now costs $35 per person to do so. Upon debarking, we used the ship's transfer from Chioggia to the Venice Airport, for $29.85 per person, and were there in plenty of time to make a 11:15am flight from Venice to Bari, Italy. After parting with Azamara, we spent a week touring the Puglia region of Italy, and then made our way back over to Naples where we were able to get to Capri this time. We next flew from Naples to Hamburg and had a couple of days in this enjoyable city, and then boarded the Queen Mary 2 and sailed 9 days Hamburg-Southampton-New York. After being so recently on Azamara, and then boarding QM2, it was very obvious to us that the service on QM2 was not nearly as attentive and pampering as Azamara.

Ouch, that is a disapointing way to end a sailing for sure. We were on this sailing, but we did Fast Track and self-disembarked at 7:05am (it was scheduled for 7:15a-7:45a, but when we got to Deck 3 at 7:05a it had already been going for some time), so we missed all of this luggage fiasco.

No. The $310 charge for the 6 bottle Captain’s package came on our account as $310 flat rate.

I will mention that we had the Aruma Malbec one night, and although it was good, we would not consider it great or memorable.

I’ve toured with Xuan on multiple occasions, in both Hoi An and HCMC. Hands down, one of the best guides (and all-around good people) I’ve ever met.

Onboard QM2 now, we purchased the Captain’s Collection package of 6 bottles for $310. I will post the lists below, but the photos are not great. We loved the Berton Vineyards Cab Sav Reserve, and also The Footbolt red was very good. Last night we had a Sancerre rose’ wine, which was enjoyable.

I can confirm from Onward September 3 sailing that you can use OBC to purchase an Experience More package once you are onboard the ship. Currently, you cannot use OBC to purchase Experience More packages before you board, you must use a credit card; as far as I know, this has always been the case.

We were there last summer with Azamara overnight. Walked all over on both sides of the river, and also went back out after dinner for a nice walk around and people watching. Very nice city.

We had the same chairs and table on Onward Sept 3-10. We did have cushions for the chairs.

If you have the time, please provide an update on your docking time. Our latest email from Cunard has you docking at 2:00pm. We are boarding this afternoon, so will be checking out of our hotel and storing our luggage, and heading out to the Planten un Blomen park.

We are boarding in Hamburg today. Just received an email from Cunard saying problems at port delay docking time until 2:00pm, and requesting us to show up 4 hours later than our originally assigned boarding time.

There are people that do this all the time. Many folks don’t like to fly, and do this very thing. For example, sail US to Southampton, spend a few weeks around Europe, sail back from Southampton to US. You will be booking it as 2 different sailings, not as a round trip sailing, as you have open weeks between. We board in Hamburg to sail to New York tomorrow (Sept 20), then will fly home to Florida. Originally, we were also booked to sail US to Southampton in late August (around August 20, I think), but had to attend an event in the US, so cancelled our sailing and flew over August 28.

Currently on Onward sailing in to Kotor, Montenegro, three women at breakfast buffet and aft deck in robes and slippers. I don’t need people to be fancy, but I do prefer people to be dressed.

I boarded Onward on September 3. I received that email 2 days before boarding. I tried to access my account and add it, but was unable to access account because I was too close to sailing. I was already in Europe at the time, so didn’t want to try to reach Azamara via phone. Once onboard, I asked about it, and was told (as I expected) that it needs to be purchased in advance to qualify for that sale price. No worries, we still upgraded and received a loyalty discount; not as much, but what we were expecting. So, if you want it, do it in advance.

Boarded Onward yesterday, tote bag on bed.

Yesterday, we received a similar email for our April 2025 sailing on Oceania Nautica, cancelling Myanmar. The new itinerary is a very good one, so it works for us.

The dates make sense if you consider they are written in the more European tradition of day/month/year.

So one on our roll call just posted an update on the Brazil visa for US citizens requirement being postponed until 10 January 2024 - very good news! https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/embaixada-camberra/English/consular-section/visas/visit-visa

I think you should look at a tour company such as Gate 1 Travel, and look at some of their land tours in Kenya & Tanzania, or in Botswana. They are a solid middle of the road company, offering very good value, with stays in comfortable accomodations, and accompanied by professional tour guides.

Just finished checking it out - what a wonderful resource! Excellent. Lots of good content, and helpful tips. To the OP on this thread, once you book your cruise or land safari, Chantal's site has some excellent information and packing tips you'll want to check out.

Oh wow, I forgot that packing link was still around. I should probably take it down, as I imagine its outdated - it was done pre-Covid. I think our travel styles must be very similar to yours. We often do pre and post travel around cruises as well, and like some of the same travel companies as you. I usually start with a single booking of a tour or cruise a long way off, and then just keep adding to it until I get a trip I really like. For example, we depart Monday and fly to Milan, and Lake Como. Then train down to Rome to meet some friends for a couple of days, and then we'll all board Azamara Onward and sail Rome to Venice. Mike and I will then fly down to Bari, Italy where we will join a Gate 1 tour of the Puglia region. After that, we will fly to Hamburg, and board the Queen Mary 2, and sail a 9 night transatlantic that brings us back to the U.S. Like you, we had to pack for everything from an 8 mile hike to full formalwear for QM2. And no, we did not make it in our carry on size only luggage for this trip! We each have a 30" rolling duffle style bag on this journey. Our trip we depart on in late February will also be a packing challenge, as we'll be gone 9.5 weeks. We'll start in Rwanda, go gorilla and chimp trekking in Uganda, then join a safari tour in Kenya and Tanzania. Fly to Zanzibar for a few beach days. Then up to Antalya, Turkey for a 2 week stay in an Airbnb we've rented. Next, we'll fly on to Krakow, Poland, and make our way through several towns in Poland via train, ending over in Berlin. Another flight to Amsterdam, where we'll join some friends, and then do a bike and barge trip through the Netherlands for tulip time. Home at the end of April. I want the minimum luggage possible, as it's lots of train travel, but we may need a range of items for the differing activities; my brain is working on it. Happy travels to you - I love your amazing plans and your embracing of great journeys!

I agree with Chantal above, that safari and touring by land is also the better option for the best in game viewing experiences. We have traveled in the past by land to Botswana (great game viewing), Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa (more for the wine than the wildlife). We are headed in Feb/March 2024 by land to Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania for more wildlife viewing and safari (and then like Chantal, on to Zanzibar, and other locations). But as you asked about the possibilities of game viewing as day visits from cruise ship ports, and mentioned it may be a good "compromise" for you, I responded to that question as it does provide an option for you and your husband to get a bit of safari, while staying on a ship, as well as see some other destinations. You mentioned NCL, but you may also want to look at some other lines as well. We are booked on an April 2025 Singapore to Cape Town itinerary on Oceania Nautica that has wildlife/game viewing options in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, South African ports, etc. Lots to consider.

Yes, you can do one day game drives from several cruise ports in South Africa. If you look for sailing itineraries that visit the ports of Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Durban, Richards Bay, Port Elizabeth, those will give you some options for day safari touring. Your ship will have excursions, or you can book private excursions.

Answered you on the river cruise board.