Bobal

Interested to read this. We were on Jewel in September and took advantage of our D+ BOGOs to eat in Chops and Giovannis. We always then book a 3 or 5 night package but were so disappointed in both that we stuck with the MDR which was much better than many of our previous cruises.

I've twice had a butler on AZ. We're very undemanding and cringe at the thought of someone packing or unpacking our cases. One of them was very good but we had so few requests anyway and he largely left us alone and wasn't particularly proactive. I think he had some demanding guests so easy to leave us alone. I do remember that the other one had little interaction and wasn't that bothered about us. No problem as we didn't require his assistance and only realised what was lacking by how good the first one had been Sailed in MSC Yacht Club earlier this year and our butler made us realise just how good a butler can be

What is a Balcony Plus please? Is it potentially any Category of balcony with a few extras added, or is it a particular Category, so would be able to work out the rough location on a ship.

There has definitely been an issue with posting on CC from the ship WiFi. I remember several people posting on here about it in the past

As @PSULionLV has already discovered there will always be people who had no laundry issues However my experience with laundry on AZ happened on my very first cruise with them. Apart from the fact that several small underwear items had the colour totally bleached out of them, one item- a favourite camisole top - disappeared. When I reported this I was visited by a security person and a rep of guest relations who literally searched the cabin to make sure I hadn't just misplaced it 😳 I was flabbergasted and humiliated. Had it not been for the fact I had otherwise had a really good cruise and knew people who were huge AZ fans that may have been my last cruise with them. Full disclosure I have since taken a further 6 cruises with AZ and have one booked next year but if I need laundry I'll be using the self service where I have control of how my garments are treated

No buckets on Jewel last month, we asked specifically (at the Pool Bar) and were told they'd discontinued them

Just at the end of a 10 day cruise on Jewel. I can't remember the last time we cruised and didn't buy at least the 3 day package- and fully expected to this time. We decided $125 + 18% gratuity seemed a bit steep but happy to pay if we were satisfied and used our D+ BOGOs in Giovannis and Chops on day 1 and 3 to test the water. Giovannis was just meh. Maybe because we have some great local Italians restaurants at home and this fell short. Chops was really disappointing- mushroom soup without truffle oil, truffle fries with no evidence of truffle, minor cutbacks OK. But our favourite sweetcorn bacon with bbq sauce arrived as a slab of cheap belly pork with a smear of sauce. It was basically a chunk of fat with a vein of meat running through it. We weren't told that would be the substitute and when we asked the waitress she shrugged and said sometimes they can't get the ingredients 🙄 Decided not to bother with the package after that. So yes the package is overpriced and underwhelming, certainly on this ship

OP says in post #4 that she's 12

Oops just realised my post #20 said Odyssey when I meant Wonder Another thing to bear in mind is that a lot of people who sing the praises of the older smaller ships are probably a different demographic to those like yourself who, with a 12 year old, are presumably much younger and would appreciate all that the bigger ships have to offer.

We're currently on Jewel and having a good time but would make a couple of points which may be worth knowing : All the suites are under the pool deck/windjammer so you run the risk of noise early morning from sun loungers being dragged around or rolling carts stocking up the windjammer stations. Also - apart from the Concierge lounge - there are no real additional suite benefits eg dedicated pool area There is way more to do and to entertain you on Odyssey. As someone pointed out the kids pool area is really for younger kids on Jewel. With a 12 year old and a husband who's all about the ship I would definitely go for Wonder

Currently on Jewel and it's $125 for a 3-night dining plan and an 18% gratuity will be added. We've used our D+ BOGO in Giovannis and Chops so far and always buy at least the 3 night dining plan but been so underwhelmed we've decided to stick with the MDR which at least has some new menu items.

We're currently on Jewel. The 2 production shows are those mentioned in post #4. On day 1 we had a welcome aboard variety show. Day 2 is a guest entertainer Steve Rawlings (comedy juggler and tricks) Day 3 is a singer Greg London and day 4 in the theatre is the film Downton Abbey 🙄 the App shows Days 5 and 7 are the 2 production shows and there is nothing listed on the other days so far . Hopefully they'll update with something else, otherwise its pretty poor for a 10 day cruise. There's no knowing who will be on your cruise, particularly on a TA where there are few ports of call to pick up and drop off guest entertainers. I would just say that if you are expecting to be wowed by the entertainment you need to manage your expectations. There was an email address where you could ask what the guest entertainers were for a cruise - can't remember it but someone may be able to help with that

Thank you. I guess yet another thing where they're using Covid as an excuse 🙄

Are RC offering the stay onboard option for a fee for those with later flights, as they used to at Mediterranean ports?

Is there a way of knowing what the main dining room/buffet theme menus will be in advance once we board so specialities can be booked on nights which are less appealing. And if we book specialities for a particular night and then find there is something we want elsewhere (eg Indian buffet) is there plenty of flexibility to switch nights?

We've done Chef's Table many times on quite a few different ships and my hubby has never worn a jacket, or even a tie. Just a smart shirt and trousers (not shorts) will be fine. It is definitely not a formal wear occasion, although people do tend to dress nicely.

Yes, that was my question too.

We've done several TAs, but only east to west. If you are looking for calmer seas I would recommend looking at a more southerly route - one which travels via the Canary Islands and drops down there pretty quickly. Our worst weather was when we left Spain and travelled directly across without sailing further south. The weather, and the seas, were nowhere near as good as friends who were travelling at the same time on a 'parallel' but more southerly route. I would not do a northerly route on a TA if weather and seas are a consideration

What happens in the lift stays in the lift 😉.....as long as there's no-one else in there with you 😊

If one of a couple fancies one of the innovative cocktails but the other is happy with something from the included menu can I assume they can bring their included drink to enjoy with the person drinking the cocktail and won't be 'barred' for bringing in a drink😊

I've had the pleasure of experiencing one of these dinners and it was truly special but I have to agree somewhat that the choice of name could be better. Whilst I wouldn't call it offensive I did feel a bit uncomfortable with the name. I'm sure Azamara's intentions mean to refer to the food but I felt it does hint at the participants and smack of elitism IMHO

In which case you were both lucky or had good timing. We have boarded many times in Barcelona and they often have a table set up on the ship to 'catch' those bringing on extra bottles and I've seen many bottles confiscated

Agree. We did some wonderful 12 nighters on Radiance class ships - East Med with call into Kotor and West Med with overnight in Venice. We would definitely have booked again but they moved them to Vision class which we have no interest in. And even they are now gone. Same old same old now in the Med, we have one more cruise booked with RC (only as a result of past cancellations) and nothing planned.

Just a few observations from someone who has done all the ports, some of them several times. Re the 3 ports you are unsure of hlperez in post #2 gives great advice. I would add that in Genoa a nice addition would be the catch the funicular from the centre of town (easy to find) for a cheap and fun ride above the town which gives a great view over the port. There is a cafe at the top of the ride. In Marseille the petit train is a fun and informative ride and you can hop off at the cathedral at the top and spend some time there. There is a public bus from just outside the port but it would be less hassle to jump in a cab since there are 4 of you, or take a ship shuttle if it is an option. Portofino is a tender port and the tender will drop you right in the centre of a really pretty town. It's very easy to do on your own, walk up to the castle at the top and make sure to call in the cemetery on the way up. It's a picture-perfect town - but very expensive!! I assume you will port in Villefranche (for Nice). There is a small beach right on the harbour front. It's not pretty but a good place to dip your toes in the water. Otherwise trains are really efficient and cheap and if you haven't been there a train trip to Monaco is really good and close. As for your plans pre-cruise only you can decide what you want to see but (even though I live less than half an hour's train ride away) I never tire of London - so much to see and do and lots of free stuff too. I agree that one day in Barcelona isn't enough. Despite being one of the cities I have visited most in the world it's another one I never tire of and always find something different to do. I would spend less time in Paris rather than Barcelona - but that's my preference and you may feel a pressing need to do Paris. As far as travelling from London to Paris, I would opt for Eurostar. Flight prices are cheap between European cities but once you start to add baggage they can really rack up. As far as I remember there are no limits on number of bags on Eurostar, just weight limits. It's also SO easy to board in the centre of London and without long check-in times. None of the London airports are actually in London so by the the time you have added on travel to the airport and built in a couple of hours check in time, you could be in Paris. It looks like a really good itinerary and one which will introduce your kids to some amazing places.

Dubai is not in Saudi