tgg

Let's not forget the first Azamara Chief Blogging Officer, Bill Leiber. He took the job in 2010 and was a fantastic resource for posters on this site. Lots of straight talk and not a lot of PR. He is missed.

When we sail on Riviera or Marina, we always choose the extra-large balcony cabins. We much prefer the extra balcony space over anything concierge offers. Study the deck plans and choose wisely. A travel agent that books lots of Oceania cruises can help you, or you can read further on this site learn more.

Cilantro tastes like soap to me. My husband loves it.

Thanks DS for taking the time to do a complete report. Sorry you'll miss Bermuda. For those of us with upcoming Onward cruises, you've answered lots of questions and helped us understand the tough stuff that Azamara is dealing with. We look forward to boarding on Dec. 12 - whether we have new balcony chairs or not.😃

What does HVP clientele mean?

My travel agent is 1,300 miles away. I've never met her in person. I found her through a recommendation of someone I met on our first cruise. She specializes in upscale travel and knows the ships well. After you get over this bump, why not talk to people on your cruise and ask for recommendations for a travel agent. Don't write Azamara off quite yet. You had a good reason for choosing this cruise. I hope you'll enjoy it - and laugh about the wait time in the future.

Thanks for taking the time to explain the difference in the business models. I have a great travel agent and her agency always has the best price I can find. But I also know that she has lots of clients and can't monitor every deal that an already-booked client may qualify for. So I make it my business to find out about available offers. Cruise Critic has always been a great source of information. As a wise person told me long ago, if you don't ask, you don't get.😃

Lovely video. I wonder if it took so long to board because she got to the pier very early.

House beverage package on Oceania perhaps?

I think you're right; it's just what is says after you bid. Good luck with your bid and enjoy your cruise.

Last time we sailed with Regent not all shore excursions were free. There were Regent Choice Shore Excursions that were available for a sometimes considerable upcharge. We also found that it was impossible to do more than one shore excursion each day because the morning excursions arrived back at the ship after the afternoon shore excursions left.

Azamara has made the process of selling upgrades opaque. They've been unwilling to discuss in any meaningful terms what influence your level in the loyalty program benefits you.

When I started this topic a few weeks ago, I was concerned that the problems highlighted by early Onward cruisers were ongoing. That concern has been allayed by recent cruisers. Thanks for taking the time to reassure those of us who have Onward cruises booked. It's nice to hear that the officer-hosted dinners are back. These have always included some excellent wines. I'm glad that there is a greater selection of books in the Living Room. It's nice to hear that they're oiling the teak railings rather than using varnish.(I know that most people won't even notice or care.😃) We look forward to being aboard in December and January.

If there are only 14 people who show up, then no need for name badges. I've been to Meet & Mingles with 40 people - and I knew who I wanted to meet based only on their screen names. When these were hosted events, people introduced themselves by their screen names, their first names, and where they were from. True, some were a bit full of themselves based on how many cruises they had taken, but most people were short and sweet. If these are now non-hosted events, I think name badges would help with a large group.

Although I think circulating is great, I would like a more organized introduction process so that I can match names with the people whose posts I've been reading for months. In years past, this was always organized by the Cruise Director.

Grandma - You got to move from an OV to a balcony for $24 per day on a 17 day cruise? WOW!

Agree - totally, completely, wholly, and then some. Time moves on and so have we.

Never hurts to have a paper copy with you.

I think people who have not sailed on Azamara don't realize that the senior officers, including the captain, are walking around the ship and talking to passengers all the time. The first time the captain approached our table at lunchtime and asked if he could join us, I was shocked. We hadn't booked a fancy suite. He just wanted to chat and find out how we were enjoying the cruise - and whether we had any feedback. This would never have happened on Oceania. Management on Azamara ships knows that you can't fix things you don't know about.

You don't have to "find" the HD. Let Guest Relations know that you would like to speak to the HD directly. If you can get this continuing problem addressed, those of us with future cruises will thank you.

I would have left too. Sometimes I think that the people running audio have grown up with earbuds in their ears for years. They have undiagnosed hearing loss from listening to too loud music and don't realize that their parents' hearing is sharper than theirs.

Thanks mwf7501 for taking the time to reassure those of us with upcoming Onward cruises that the problems highlighted during the inaugural cruise have been addressed. I look forward to our December cruise knowing that the Azamara we know and love is back.

Lots of people just wear a white tee shirt and any pair of pants they happen to bring. Who can't wear that? I guess I don't understand "not everyone can wear white"

The prompt response to survey items is the Azamara we're used to. Good to hear.

Many of us with upcoming sailings on Onward are concerned with whether issues raised by earlier passengers have been addressed. So if you've sailed on Onward in the last few month, could you comment on whether you feel things have been taken care of - or if we should be concerned. It would be great if you can be as specific as possible. Thanks.