mare s.

We will have a similar situation but arriving at Manhattan cruise terminal with a 3:45 pm flight out of JFK on a Thursday. Will we have enough time for some sightseeing after we disembark before we need to get to the airport or is it best to try to get a late disembark and go straight to the airport? Is Schwartz' luggage storage within walking distance (doesn't appear so on the map) from the cruise terminal?

Thanks!

Ditto!

I've been waiting for this announcement too. We have a lot of OBC for our January 2018 cruise and would love to spend some of it on shore excursions. Bonnie, any idea when Azamara will join Celebrity in allowing us to book on-line?

thank you for your suggestions. we have been in contact with Odyssey Tours (recommended on trip advisor) for an excursion to Poas volcano on one day and then transfer to cruise ship with stop in Sarchi on the second day. But still unsure where to stay. Looking at Hotel Presidente in the center of town, Parque del Lago on the outskirts, and Terrazas de Golf in San Antonio de Belen. All have good ratings. If we stay at Terrazas, it will not be easy to get to the city center, but there are plenty of restaurants nearby. Is it worth it to stay more centrally, given that we will be taking tours outside of the city on both days? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

we arrive at San Jose airport two days pre-cruise (leaving from Caldera) What area is best for the two nights before the cruise? Should we stay near airport, in San Jose itself, or further towards the coast? We'd like to take a day trip on our second day and perhaps another shorter trip the morning of our cruise (which departs at 5 pm) So also looking for tour operators and transportation from airport and to cruise port.

Thanks!

I'm dealing with the same issue of debating OLife excursions versus OBC (which we may have a hard time spending as we are not huge drinkers and I'm not a spa fan.) I've been told by Oceania that the "free" excursions will be available on the website in a week or so (which would make it 6 months in advance of our sailing) and, according to the website, concierge level and above can book excursions "up to 180 days" in advance. I find it irritating that excursions listed as OC or OE are already listed (although no prices) Meanwhile I've been looking at private excursions in several ports.

In the same vein as OP, I noticed that for our July 2017 cruise, shore excursions are listed for a couple of ports but not others. This is our first time on Oceania. Is it usual that excursions appear gradually or am I to assume that these will be the only excursions offered? Other cruise lines we've been on release all excursions at once.

Please correct me if I'm wrong....so if we booked under the old offer of per person, we will still get that offer? Or can we be bumped back to the fewer excursions? If the latter, perhaps the on board credit would be a better option (or did they reduce that too?)

But I don't think you'll be disappointed in anything else :D

I hope not. I'm learning a lot about Oceania on these boards. The more I know the more realistic my expectations. I am looking forward to very good food and very good service and an interesting itinerary. And those are the main reasons we cruise anyway.

We will be taking our first Oceania cruise next year. In the past few years we've been exclusively on Azamara. They have always hosted the M&G, providing wine and canapes and the CD always starts off the meeting. The hotel director is generally there and often the captain stops by to say hello. It's a nice event.

I agree with Robin and other posters. I love Azamara (and even have a cruise in 2018 booked because we couldn't resist the double upgrade and it's in our hemisphere) but if I'm going to get on a airplane and travel for 10 or 12 hours, I want to go to new places. Hence, Oceania in 2017 to Iceland. I would love Azamara to do an East Coast Canada and Eastern seaboard, but this seems always to be a charter. For those based in the U.K. or in Australia, there are options, but for us West Coast U.S. folks, not so much.

I have booked an Azamara cruise more than 10 months in advance and have received the OBC for shore excursions. I agree wholeheartedly with the previous posters about the need to tweak the booking system to enable us to plan in advance and book excursions using the OBC. It's been a while since we cruised with Azamara and I didn't realize that excursions are being canceled for lack of interest (we had that issue with an airport transfer/tour but the wonderful concierge fixed that in a hurry) To have to wait until we are on board and then hope that excursions are still available is absurd and reflects very badly on Azamara. It's almost a "bait and switch" situation....an incentive to book early but then you end up not being able to use the incentive.

Nevertheless, I have faith that Azamara will respond and fix this.

We also did the Miami to Reykjavik cruise. Greenland was indeed the "icing on the cake". There was a great bunch of Cruise Critic people on the cruise and we had an amazing time.

 

I had arranged private tours in both NUUK and QAQORTOQ. Both were fjord cruises and were absolutely fantastic. Both local companies were very keen to please and were delighted that we were visiting their country. In Nuuk there were a lot of whales up close. In Qaqortoq we went out to the Ice Caps and went close to a glacier.

 

Paamiut was very small and it was not possible to organise tours there. Everyone just got off and did a walk around the small town.

 

The scenic cruising as we were leaving Greenland was fabulous.

 

I also like Iceland but the two are distinctively different.

would you mind sharing the info on the private tours....they sound terrific. I've been able to find very little on line

From someone who was on board the Insignia, July 1 from Miami to Reykjavic:

 

Seas calm, with only a hint of motion on part of one day

Food as good as ever, with service to match

Condition of the public areas was top notch, constantly being cleaned

Tender port services were outstanding, organized and without any issues

Entertainment was typical for Oceania-low key, the magician/comedian (Greg Moreland) was especially good

The bridge instructor (Judy Sonen) was as good as they come

 

We stopped at 3 different ports in Greenland and enjoyed our time, but keep in mind that Greenland is a very large country with a very small population. Accordingly, infrastructure is limited. However, the history of the native people, the Inuit, is remarkable.

 

Iceland (we spent several days there post cruise) is a truly beautiful palette of waterfalls, gorges, geysers, hot springs, icebergs, and much more. Friendly people with a Danish/Norwegian orientation.

 

If you want to see if climate change is impacting our world, an open minded look at Greenland and Iceland will do the trick.

 

My judgement: the Insignia crew executed very well and Oceania delivered what it promised. The stay in Iceland? Frosting on the cake.

 

Try it, you like it!

We are going to try it next July! But I'm wondering, did Oceania offer any excursions in Greenland or was it just DIY?

Funny, you are going to Greenland as a friend just did a Regent. cruise that took him to Greenland- Iceland. I have a future cruise book on one that gives me several new ports in S America including the Amazon.

How funny, Robin. Which cruiseline are you on for Amazon? Our friends are trying out Viking Ocean. Almost booked with them, but didn't want to be away during holiday season.

Sadly, we too have "jumped ship" because of same old same old itineraries. We love Azamara and know that we'll likely not have the same on board experience with a different cruiseline. However, we travel to see new places and experience new things. So in 2017 we're off to Iceland and Greenland as part of a cruise and our friends (who often cruise with us) are off to the Amazon. Both these destinations would be perfect for a small ship such as Quest or Journey. Maybe we'll be ready for another Med cruise in a couple of years but would much rather see something new. We like to mix up our vacations...cruise sometimes and land other times. I hope that 2019 brings some real destination innovation.

Even though there are 30 new ports, by and large, the itineraries are the same old, same old. Not enough new to entice us to book 2018. What about the west coast of South America? What about the east coast of Canada/US? What about the Arctic and Greenland? Very disappointed.

My thoughts exactly. As much of an Azamara cheerleader as I am, I admit I'm looking at Oceania and Crystal for 2018, based on what they are offering for 2016.

I thought I was immune from seasickness. We've been on the Tasman Sea and the North Sea (when even our waiters became seasick) Both of these cruises were on much larger vessels than Azamara, however. We've been on the Atlantic side of South America and the Pacific side of North America on Azamara and felt fine. However, on our last Quest cruise (in the Med, no less) DH and I became quite queasy on our sea day and had to skip dinner (oh the horror!) We did have large swells (in fact, no one could venture outside) and we rather overindulged at lunch (it was dim sum day) But definitely felt ill, despite having taken Bonine. So I guess it can happen to anyone.

Just received the email and noticed that there are many longer voyages; no mention of a "world cruise" but indeed several long segments from Australia to Europe. I'm so disappointed that there are no cruises on the Eastern U.S. (I was hoping for a non charter cruise from Canada to Miami) and nothing at all for the Western U.S. There is a mention of new smaller ports but I guess we have to wait a few days for the details. I'm afraid that nothing in the itineraries as described at present is at all appealing.

yes it does, it is sent by email to guests on their return home. There is opportunity to name Crew on it.

and I did!

"I was interested that you found the Palma cathedral warm on the Azamazing evening. We have the same venue on Journey in November and I was thinking we might have to wrap up for it, as such a large church could be cold in the evening. "

It was a very warm day in Palma! With all the doors closed it was quite stuffy in there. I think you will be wise to take a wrap on a November evening (unless there is a heat wave going on!) Some people didn't care for the music, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. My only complaint was that our particular guide (each bus had a guide who led a mini tour of the cathedral and its grounds before and after the concert) spent a bit too much time talking beforehand and then rushed us into the cathedral itself so we didn't have time to see a couple of things outside (don't want to give too much away....there were a couple of rather nice things going on) A tiny bit of "herding" I could have done without.

As for "hugging", I know that crew and passengers alike are encouraged to "fist-bump" to avoid spreading the dreaded Noro. I attempted to do so with John but he gave me a big hug instead! And thanks all for the suggestions to email Miami. I certainly will do so.

I have to add my praise for RomeinLimo. We just returned from a Med cruise and, based on recommendations here, we booked three tours with RomeinLimo. Our guide for Amalfi and for Sorrento too (Mt. Vesuvius, Herculaneum, Pompeii) was Allessandro and he was amazing. So much fun to be with, so informative, so accommodating. Our guide in Livorno (to San Gimignano and Volterra) was Elizabeth....delightful and gave us the. best. recommendation. for lunch in San Gimignano....pizza and Bolognese to die for! She also added a little side tour to see where Andrea Bocelli gives his annual outdoor concert and a little drive by his family's estate. Jany, in the office, was so easy to deal with and so prompt in returning emails and answering questions. You really can't go wrong with this company.

A Tayfun he is so good, did he learn your accent :)

Isn't he great?! He did invite me to join the crew when I told him on our last day that I was so sad to be leaving. I responded that I was a bit old to be toting trays! He assured me that I could find other things to do! And John is the very epitome of Azamara warmth and service. We met him on our very first cruise (Tayfun was his assistant) and it was so wonderful to see him again. He was at the specialty restaurant reservation desk in the terminal in Barcelona when we first checked in. What a lovely surprise and a terrific way to start our cruise. (I know it's against rules and I hope we don't get him in trouble, but he gave me a huge hug!) Immediately felt like we were coming home.

I forgot to mention Tiago, the concierge. Another example of Azamara staff going above and beyond. We had booked the Azamara disembarking excursion (half day tour of Nice with airport drop off) A couple of days before the end of the cruise we received notification that the excursion had been canceled. The Guest Relations desk said that not enough people had booked the excursion and told us the option was to use the regular transfer without tour which would have gotten us to the airport 8 hours before our flight! I was sitting in Mosaic telling our friends about this and Tiago was nearby. He immediately came over and said, "I am working on a private tour for the three couples affected...you must be one of them." Within a day he had arranged the tour, notified all three couples and issued us new tickets and luggage tags. He personally escorted us off ship and to the waiting guide. It turned out to be one of the very best tours (private or ship) that we've ever done. And the personal attention and concern shown by Tiago was incredible!

Hi Robin....not much in the way of rumors. Pretty much what we already know. We did hear that the 2018 itineraries will be "out in October."

mare

I'll be posting a more complete review in a few days when I've recovered from jet lag! (nothing like doing laundry at 3 a.m.) We were on the 11 night Islands of the Med cruise and it was wonderful. Our favorite people were on board (Russ, Phillip, Capt. Carl, and waiters John and Tayfun), food was very good, entertainment much better than our last cruise, and the itinerary wonderful. The Azamazing evening was very nice (a choral concert in the Cathedral in Palma) although it was rather warm inside the venue. The White Night party rocked (although we were too tired to really participate...it was the same day as our very long excursion to Mt. Vesuvius, Herculaneum, and Pompeii) We made a new friend in the pianist Ed (we missed Max, but Ed was a very capable substitute and a lot of fun to talk to) and with some fellow cruisers (shout out to MamaMary) Yes, there was one day (unfortunately our only sea day) when seas were very rough indeed and we felt a bit queasy by late afternoon, and we were a bit concerned about whether or not we would be able to make it in to Sorrento (fortunately the sea gods intervened and we made it!) But overall, it was another incredible Azamara experience.