Riocca

We are currently on Onward so are speaking from experience, the Atlas bar is a great place for a pre and after dinner drink and adds to the experience if you’re in the specialty restaurants. I would ask how many people sit and read in the library the evening? During the day the Atlas bar is open for those looking for a quiet space. As regards the library space I’ve not seen it mentioned that there’s shelving both sides of the Living Room. One side currently has some books the other a few games but there’s plenty of space to build up the library as guests leave unwanted books, I remember Pursuits library was quite empty on the maiden. Tin hat on but we will be keen to see the Atlas bar added to all the ships.

It’s a new system onboard, I used it yesterday before we sailed into Kotor and it was worth better than I’ve had on the other ships. Unfortunately once into Kotor it apparently crashed and was still out this morning. Currently in Dubrovnik I’m using the local 4G running at 220Mbps so not too bothered. Its a maiden we’re the willing Guinea pigs I’m sure it’s all going to be fine.

Not trying to make excuses and a 90 minute wait on the phone is unacceptable but not unusual in these times either. I think we may all need a little patience over the next few months as Azamara replace the current Royal Caribbean system with their own. We are currently on Azamara Onward and it’s the first ship totally devoid of any Royal Caribbean influence. The onboard operating system is new and staff had initial reservations but from a customer perspective it’s working well. However there are obviously back office problems as they can only manually transfer information from the old RC system to Azamara’s new system which is going to be a slow process this is obviously going to increase the workload of customer service. Management onboard are very aware of this and decisions are being made to avoid inconvenience to customers even if at Azamara’s expense.

Nothing in a CC suite yet.

For anyone going on Onward it’s the first ship running Azamara’s own system so I wouldn’t bother printing a boarding pass as it’s on the Royal Caribbean system. Only thing copied over from the RC online check in is the picture everything else was being done at check in.

There aren’t many pictures about the whole ship it’s more European minimalist with decorative highlights. I’ll ask if there are any pictures coming, although we will be relying on the ships wi-fi for a couple of days so won’t be using it too much as it’s so slow.

Safe in our room is a good size and will take a normal laptop, there’s also a power supply in the safe for charging devices whilst locked away.

Here are a couple of pictures of the back & side will try and get some more later.

No, but a full range of drinks in the Ultimate package are stocked and can be purchased at the same price as other bars, the Signature cocktails are an addition that’s only available in the Atlas bar.

Think the Royal Club is an eye off the ball thing, F&B genuinely thought it was Schweppes onboard but I think quite a few things came over from Journey. HO staff left today and they’ve been loading supplies all day so hopefully things will normalise. We are being very well looked after and we’re used to the difficulties of a maiden voyage especially after such an extensive refurb, less worried about the future of Azamara than I was before.

Phil, Elizabeth is HD and it’s very much her product, very clear this ship is the new Azamara.

Phil, I think we are in a state of flux, the change from the old RC system to the one Azamara will be introducing is well underway. Onward is using the new system and there’s the expected teething problems, everything is being sorted as things occur and I am sure in the end the new system will be good. There’s going to be difficulties as there always are but we’ve met with some of the senior management and they are really are listening and are appreciative of customers loyalty.

Check in staff were from the port handling company not Azamara, ours seemed more interested in the vaccination certificate and hardly checked the test certificate. However it could be very different in other port locations.

Just been talking to the Guest Relations Manager, balcony furniture is due to arrive today if it does they’re going to get it out over the next couple of days. Currently they’re using what they have available, we’ve got a table probably designated to the Patio and they have the white night table on the Patio. Be nice to see what the balcony furniture actually looks like before we leave Onward.

Onward is awaiting hairdryers all the pax on the maiden had an email advising of this about a week before the cruise. We are in Civitavechia today and a lot of deliveries are due, so far we’ve watched 3 large lorries being unloaded, but no idea what was in them, anticipation is part of the excitement of a maiden.

No news on the hairdryers as yet, Insider says self service laundry is open 8am to 10pm. There are cloth laundry bags available only without the Azamara logo, good news is they’re larger than the usual bags.

Deck floor is completely finished it’s just some woodwork and that’s virtually done now.

5pm until shut.

It’s the colour pallet and fixtures and fittings some areas feel like a new build not a 23 year old ship. The pictures of film stars are gone in Prime C and the dark wood panelling has modern grey inserts, Aqualina is light bright with modern fittings. The pool deck framework around the windows is in a graphite grey colour highlighting the view outside.

Spoke to Elizabeth about it yesterday and she’s going to come back to us, there is a hidden supply of Schweppes that the staff in the Atlas bar acquired for us. We did suggest replacing Coke with Royal Club cola and see what the reaction was I think the point was accepted.

Everything is operational on the pool deck but they are still working on the final touches like hand rails and the cladding around the posts. Sun loungers are different from the other ships we spent yesterday around the pool and found them very comfortable, didn’t hear any complaints from others either.

Tin hat on, I agree it’s a really nice place for drink and with so many people having the Premium package included upgrading to Ultimate it’s being well used. All the Signature cocktails are included on the Ultimate package but can be purchased by those without they are all the same price I think it’s $17.95 but I’ll check it tonight. The food is $6.50 per item and everybody pays but I’ve not seen anyone try it yet. Elizabeth said the ceiling is supposed to replicate well traveled luggage, to me it looks like painted marble effect, it’s something that’s going to divide opinions but promote conversation.

On a sour note Royal Club tonic is everywhere, will be having a serious discussion with F&B when appropriate. We have upgraded to the Ultimate package and you might as well mix Hendricks with bleach as Royal club🤬

The balcony furniture is ok.

Thanks Phil, lots of familiar faces onboard, passengers and crew. Naming ceremony was very impressive and most importantly the bottle broke.