excitedofharpenden

I'm really confused. The new Azamara ship is Onward. Beyond is the new Celebrity ship. Phil

From memory it was $99 per person or $180 for a couples pass regardless of cruise length. Phil

John, I remain unconvinced, but am happy to be proven wrong and will gladly eat humble pie. I really do feel that sometimes those on the ship will tell you what you want to hear because you are in front of them! Phil

I hope they are actually listening and not doing a "Royal Club" on us! 😉 Phil

I had an email yesterday from Azamara trying to flog me internet packages for my upcoming b2b cruises. Thing is as part of my Azamara Circle Loyalty tier I get free unlimited internet anyway. They can't make the excuse they didn't know my tier as it's clearly and proudly stated at the foot of the email. It made me question whether the perk had been removed, but on checking with a friend who is the same tier, it hasn't. A waste of time and not a very good demonstration of appreciation by Azamara. Get the simple stuff right! Phil

Wonder if they've had a rethink? Is it Heike as HD? I hope you and Rose are having a great cruise. Phil

Yes, it's been promise after promise and whilst it is nice that onboard management appear to be listening it's the same story. They obviously aren't or don't have the ears of the office because nothing gets done and the Royal keeps coming back like a (excuse the phrase) turd that won't flush. The mixers certainly don't go with a premium or ultimate drink package. They can restrict the use of the better mixers to those on the packages if they want. At least we can all make a choice of whether it's worth the upgrade. They might sell more packages because of it. Perhaps that should be an idea and might get their attention. Phil

I think this is a very good point. Phil

IF Azamara ships had big balconies then maybe some big comfy recliners, but they don't. What works for me is a pillow behind my head trapped between the back of it and the patio door and my feet on the balcony railing. Works a treat. If you are in a big suite with a larger balcony then of course you have a lounger too. Never thought of shipping them! Phil

You couldn't make it up! Phil

There is a very active roll call for the 2024 World Cruise on Onward. A few are stressing there about the comfort of the balcony furniture and talking of shipping their own out for the cruise. For goodness sake! Best of luck to the crew trying to handle the entitlement of some. Phil

You and Carol enjoy your cruise and looking forward to your reports 👍 Phil

That is not what a future cruise sales person should be about. Reluctant and making it difficult. Not surprised you were turned off. I would be too and would have walked. Fortunately on the whole I haven't had that experience, but haven't used booking onboard for a while. Phil

Perhaps they were referring to when it was last renovated by the previous owners. The whole ship has been redone for Azamara. Cabins, public spaces, the lot. Phil

There was a poster on the Celebrity board who wrote a book of his cruise adventures encouraged to do so by others on there entitled "What time is the midnight buffet?". Sadly Chesterh passed away three or four years ago and wrote about his final struggle on the X board too. Poignant. https://www.waterstones.com/book/what-time-is-the-midnight-buffet/chesterh/9780595863273 Phil

Nice to see that this ship has the large awning at the Pool Bar like Pursuit. It does really make a difference. I think I'm right in saying that Journey has no awning and Quest is very small and in the heat of the day and with the sun out it can get unbearableat the bar. Phil

Thanks Chris for the photos and information. Much appreciated. Just an observation. I'm very surprised at the lack of forward planning. Prices for snacks in Atlas yet to be established? Don't know what is happening with Best of the Best? They've had ages to sort these details out. It's all a bit "make it up as we go along". Unless they know and aren't willing to share the big secret. A bit strange. Phil

To be honest I think you may be right! Style over substance. I have very rarely seen anyone in them. I tried, but not comfy, even when hung up. Phil

I've seen an early photo of the Atlas Bar and can't say I'm very impressed. Not a comfortable place to sit. There seem to be a line of bar stools at an oval desk similar to the one in The Living Room (which is totally underused and a waste of space in my view). I couldn't see anything in the way of lounge type seating. I'm not getting good feelings about Atlas, but time will tell and more pictures show. Phil

I'll be very interested to see a few aspect photos of the Atlas Bar. Phil

From my experience the Cruise Critic gatherings have always been scheduled for around sailaway and yes, the daily newsletter was the place it's detailed. They have always been well attended by officers and hosted by the CD. Covid has played its part. For a while there were no meet and mingles at all. Phil

Personally I'd avoid one of the forward CO cabins on a ta. I've been in one of the aft CWs on a westbound and it was fine, even when it was rough and also in one of them on other occasions when the sea has been choppy. No issue, but YMMV. The hull does seem to absorb the motion. At the front and if it's rough the water crashes against the side of the hull. Brutal. Phil

What do you mean "at better times and with officer attendance"? Phil

If you look at my first photo the piers are all next to each other. The Azamara ship on the left is at the South pier. The other one is at the East pier. The empty one on the other side is the North pier. Phil

Have you stayed there before Laurie? I have a couple of times and really like it. The second picture is from my room on the morning of the cruise. The first was another time when Journey and Quest were in Barcelona at the same time and friends got a shot from the helicopter trip they took.😎. Phil