Coach Tom

On 6/16/2023 at 12:20 PM, basor said:

So they do not offer cruise only either.....and their included beverage package is the same as Simply More included beverage package.  Trying to understand the options for a smaller cruise experience.  Any TA that is offering a rebate after sailing on Azanara offers the same for Oceania (at least in my experience).,,,so the difference is no shore excursions and paying for specialty restaurants

Folks, anyone called Azamara lately?? Their service went right to the bottom.Hold times of 1-2 hours, or hangups.After an hour on hold I got a message "please call back tomorrow when we will be in" !! Not kidding -- go look at the cruise critic forum for their world cruise, many, many complaints. I used to be an Azamara fan!

I have sailed once with each cruise line--Marina and Journey. Based on my limited experience, I found the two lines comparable but different in these respects:

 

--Oceania has better food. In this category, it is not even close.

 

--The Marina, which is a fairly new ship, is superior in all respects to the older Journey. And I happen to like the size of the Marina more.

 

--With regard to officer interaction, don't expect any on Oceania. You will not meet anyone like Heike on Oceania.

 

--I actually enjoyed the entertainment more on Azamara. Eric hands-down was better than the CD we had on Oceania. It seemed to me that Azamara works harder to ensure its patrons have a great time.

 

--My biggest criticism of Oceania is the time in some ports. Here, Azamara is a big winner.

I've done (6) Azamara and (2) Oceania and I'd vote Azamara. Free wine and well drinks is a huge difference to me, Oceania seems to "nickel and dime" you to death! Food is a wash. I think service is better on Az as well.

Coach Tom

Just finished 39 days on Regatta and took 2 cases aboard in Miami. I summarized the wine options (I also took pics of the 7 bottle wine list and the full wine menu). If interested in the summary and/or pics email me at

xsoccer1 at yahoo dot com

Coach Tom

Ruth,

Thanks for your valuable posts. I am visiting Haifa/Jerusalem and am doing most of my itinerary on my own. I need to get from Jerusalem to

Ashdod (ship leaves at 11PM) on a Friday, and since transportation can

be tricky later on Friday I wonder what are the options and how late should we try to leave Jerusalem (to get to Ashdod 7-8PM)?

Thanks!