excitedofharpenden

Knowing Captain Johannes who is master I very much doubt his inexperience of the Kiel. Phil

As uktog says, don't eat too much beforehand. The other thing is to absolutely pace yourself otherwise you'll be full by the later dishes. Rijsttafel courses just keep coming and coming! Some of the dishes are quite spicy. Don't be afraid to ask the servers. They'll be proudly dressed in Indonesian outfits. Phil

I've been to Chania a few times on Azamara and to Souda once when we weren't able to tender for some reason. If it's Souda then that is what the itinerary will say (it's where the larger ships have to go). Otherwise you will tender just outside the port of Chania. It really is one of my favourite ports to visit. There is a nice museum in town and you can walk the old fort and get some good photos. There are plenty of places to eat and drink along the front. Make sure to have a Cretan cheese pie (I guess we would call it a pasty). They're very good. Phil

Have fun Betsey. Sorry I had to cancel and am not with you. Enjoy! Phil

Hi joyride and thanks for your review and also the running commentary. You seemed to really enjoy your first Azamara experience. Here's to the next one! Phil

A tip. If you ask at a bar they should be able to find you a bucket and ice to chill it. Or ring room service and they'll bring you one. Always works for me. A bottle of wine will definitely noe fit in the Onward fridge. How cold it is for a truly chilled bottle of sparkling I'm not sure. Phil

I agree Odd. I've said it before, the free nights aren't "free" and the less you have the more difficult it is to make it work to your advantage. Phil

I used to do a lot of onboard booking and was always asked "do you still use xxx travel agent?" Phil

There's no way I want to do that and make the cabin look like a Chinese laundry! Those cabins are small enough without being cluttered up by magnetic hooks and my clothes hanging up on them. Phil

I did do a reply to you, but it's been deleted. The new fridge is most definitely quite a bit larger than the old one. Below is a photo inside the old fridge. From the video I saw of Onward you can fit four cans across and three bottles. So they've either been sent the wrong fridge or have messed up the order and not thought about size. Or maybe that size isn't available any longer? Phil

Yes, you are right. See how long it's been since I was on a ship?!🤓 Phil

Of course I meant the cat 8s are 143sq ft. Too long since I last saw a ship! Haha Phil

Yes, 143 sq ft relates to the cat 6. The cat 5 are the same size as a verandah cabin. The window creates a big shelf area behind the sheer and curtain that I find useful. Fwiw I have stayed in cat 5s many times and I really like them. Good location and quiet. Just an afterthought. I'd avoid one of the new ones they've built on the starboard side of deck 4. I've stayed in one and thought it was smaller and the walls were paper thin. Phil

It's frustrating because the guy does many good new ship video reviews, but they are all heavily promoting his travel company at the beginning and end. Just have to leave it to the readers here to search YouTube for Onward ship tour. I found it very easily. Phil

I like to be organised admittedly, but I'd find it a pain too. Maybe for a week or so I could do it, but often I'm on the ship for longer than that (sometimes much longer). For a cruiseline that promotes staying onboard for a while it's a failing. No matter how well thought out that small bathroom is (which I think it is)! Phil

It’s a silly place to put the fridge. It wouldn’t be so bad of they'd put a shelf in above it because that is wasted space. It certainly cuts down on the useful hanging space though. They've just left the old hanging bar there, which adds insult to injury because it's useless. I think what has happened is they've bought new fridges that won't fit in the usual cabinetry under the desk or in the corner cupboard next to the long mirror. Hopefully enough people will mention this shortcoming because storage space is at a premium in those cabins. Phil

I think that's confusing. The op was asking about standard verandah cabins, not the "Plus" ones. I agree with mdpa. No additional perks in a Club Verandah over an inside, except more Azamara Circle points per night. Phil

I've been to Chania quite a few times on Azamara. It's one of my favourites, partly because it's so handy and easy to walk and very pretty. Easy to do on your own. A couple of photos. One from the ship with the tender boats on their way and one from the shore. Phil

From memory I think it's here. Phil

Absolutely not an issue. They are professional and want to get good reviews, regardless of whether or not they manage to upsell. Phil

Yes and that's what it's all about and the concern of the op. Why wait for the pitch if you know it's coming? Set the scene at the start so they don't even need to go there. It's never a straightforward upsell attempt either. Starts with observations and leads on to more. There is absolutely no reason you can't say something at the beginning. Simple. Not rude. Mission accomplished. Phil

If you booked direct with Azamara and were due it then it would be on your invoice. Do you still have a copy of that? Phil

I know that many of us have enjoyed the ballroom dancing of Sasha and Dima, both in the days as members of the permanent onboard cast and as guest entertainers. I see they are, after 8 years, to go their own ways. I for one will miss them terribly. I have so many good memories. They have become firm friends and I have spent a lot of time on cruises with them. I've been to see them and stayed with Sasha at her home in Kyiv in the days before this terrible war. I hope to return when this is all over. They are as delightful and professional in real life as they are on the ship. They'll be missed. Thankfully they are safe out of Ukraine, but still have family there. Finally I want to wish all Ukrainians well during this awful time. I think of you all the time and pray for a quick solution. 🇺🇦🙏 Phil

I agree with Host Jazzbeau. I too am glad there is something for everyone. With coming out of the pandemic and what has gone on I think there is real merit in cruise companies mixing it up a little bit. In addition, Azamara have had many "lifestyle" charters in the past (read clothing optional, swingers cruises) and will continue to do so because they are profitable for the line. Sex therapist shows? Why not? I'm in! Lol Phil

That's the way I do it. Just make sure to say something at the beginning and they will respect that and not try to sell you extras. I've still got a pair of (expensive) footwear inserts that I never use from one cruise where I took my eye off the ball😄 Phil