Tony UK

Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. :D

Yes please. South Africa and Indian Ocean......soon before I get too old or I might have to go Oceana or Crystal

Hi

We are having a wonderful holiday sailing along with you each day whilst reading you posts. Fantastic job and great photos. I'll have to get one of those things to attach my camera to the verandah.

By the way did you use Michaels much. I'd like to know what they do as regards drinks, snacks and entertainment.

Looking forward to the next instalment

Tony and Angie

I have sailed Azamara and we were really exited after a number of years very satisfied with Celebrity. We are enjoying seeing the refurbishment and it all looks really good. Love the look of the carpets! Very sad that the criticisms come in already based on one or two pictures. I guess some folks don’t like change. I cannot understand the regular negative comments about 'Miami' and RCL. They are the parent group providing the funding for refurbishment. Personally I think Azamara could introduce some of the enhancements on other lines in the group.

I don’t think the refurbishment is quite enough to get me booking…yet!

There are some small things I think could be modernised / improved. The thing I agree with the OP on is that now is an excellent time to relaunch.

Coffee – On a cruiseline that Azamara aspires to be quality coffee should be available all over the ship. I know people will say go to a particular place and you can get good coffee, or buy a Nespresso but it shouldn’t be necessary.

Drinks – I realise Azamara moved to included drinks some time ago. That I guess is OK, but we upgraded to a premium package and still couldn’t get a French Martini! One of the ingredients wasn’t in the package. Of course some will suggest that when the waiter knows you they will fix it, or some carry lists in their bag of martini recipes to work out if the ingredients are included or not. Your customers shouldn’t have to do this they are on vacation after all. Follow your sister companies, have a drink package with a price limit which covers wine beer and spirits to make it easier for crew and guests. I found the martinis and mixed drinks a little uninspiring and not served with the style and panache I expected .

Wine – the wine we were served on our first day was undrinkable (for us). There have been lots of negative complaints about wine. We bought a wine package for a better choice but felt premium wine by the glass should have been included in our premium package. Again I realise many are completely satisfied and others have managed to persuade staff to bring alternatives. I am sure a redesigned package would appeal and sell well.

Other – I don’t like the way that some things sound elitist, ‘Best of the best’, or given false French names ’le club voyage’. We found it off-putting and very old fashioned. Some customers in the know seem to get better service, better wine etc. You can’t ask for something you don’t know is available. It really shouldn’t be like this. The Crew should help all of us equally.

Photos – I am intrigued by the new IT photo displays. We felt ripped off by our CD which was supposed to carry photos of our voyage to find it had photos and copies of postcards none of which were from our voyage the dates of most of them were 2 to 5 years old. Azamara should make sure that all products sold on board are of a good standard matching the standard of the cruiseline.

So overall a good start. We'll keep watching and listening and hope to sail Azamara again.

We did a similar itinerary Dubai, Mumbai, goa kerala Colombo kuala lumpur and Singapore.

We had a brilliant time. We used private guides whom I can thoroughly recommend in Mumbai, Kerala and KL. Dubai is easy on your own as is Singapore.

The key thing is to make sure you get the correct visa for India. It is essential. On our trip many people had an e visa and it wasn't acceptable at sea ports. Check with the embassy or high commission. Let them know exactly what you are dong and they will advise on what is needed at the time. It is changing frequently so I'd check around 6 months before you travel. I posted reviews here on cc and also some on Trip advisor about our Mumbai guide.

Angela

Thanks Elbon, That's good to know. I think this one was 11-00am the first day.

Angela

Of course tea is far better when it is prepared and served properly - even better made from loose tea in a pot and served in a china cup as I have it at home. Of course I don't expect that! I wasn't even commenting on the tea - Twinings teabags were a nice welcome surprise:)

My comment was on the mugs. I still think a quality cruiseline should use crockery of some quality. Clearly the cruiseline have now achieved this to the delight of guests who have posted here about them. Just as they noticed the improvement, I noticed the need for a change.

Regarding the meet and mingle. A person on the roll call contacted Azamara in advance of our sailing to enquire, as there were only 24 of us, if our meeting would go ahead. They were told 'no even though we were only one short'. I picked up this message when we were in Dubai for a pre cruise break. This was our first Azamara so we aren't perhaps party to these little secrets. On other lines it isn't included in the daily program. I didn't spot it maybe because I wasn't expecting it to be held or maybe as it was held on the first morning after a 10pm sailing :D

Angela

Thank you all for your comments on my post. I'll respond to some below. Lots of people have capsule coffee at home....Exactly my point - nothing special, so why the upsell?

Glad to hear Journey has new mugs. Sounds like they will be changed over on Quest soon. Good I like to have the same or better than home but I guess its too much to ask for china mugs:rolleyes:

Mugs are fine. Some people complain about trivia.

Trivia? I enjoyed the trivia on board :D :D Actually I am allowed to express my point of view over big and small things. I think you'll find a balance in my review.

On a small ship I'd like to think consistency could be delivered rather than having to go to a small single venue for a decent cup. Glad to hear about the Celebrity coffee offering improving.

Bonnie, so sorry to have missed you. We only found out about the meet and mingle when we were on tour in Mumbai. I looked out for you on board but our paths didn't cross this time.Overall though in my opinion (and that is all it is!) some things need to be modernised along with the refit. Azamara cannot rely on nostalgia and regular customers who want to keep things as they are if they are to attract the next generation of cruisers. We are in our early 60s and felt it was a little like going back in time. I loved the small ship and great officers and crew but felt a slightly more modern vibe was needed in some areas.

Angie

Having returned from our Dubai to Singapore 1st sailing on Azamara, I have published my review on cruise critic. As with all cruises there was a mix of amazing and not so amazing.

Many things will hopefully be address by the refit, however imho some practices on the ship also need re-modernising if Azamara are to attract the next generation of cruisers.

Two examples I didn't mention in the review:

At breakfast in the buffet my tea was served in a large earthenware mug! It was so awful and nasty, no delicacy at all. Surely a line aiming for quality should use better than this.

I'm English and I couldn't drink the coffee which was included. I could have paid extra for better coffee but this wasn't freshly made from beans but from nespresso capsules. These are supplied nowadays in your room in many standard hotels at no extra charge. I was surprised that this was considered so special to be charged for!

Thank you all. My purpose in posting this was to try to highlight the issue. Celebrity is cruising to this destination soon and it isn't always made clear what is needed. My heart went out to those left behind on the ship whilst we were experiencing India.

Hopefully we will by posting here help to ensure our cruise critic friends make the necessary enquiries before travelling,

Angie

Keith

I think a lot of people knew they needed a visa. The major confusion was around the e-visa. It was so disappointing for them all.

Like you I always check our requirement before I confirm booking. Lots of cruise lines don't take any responsibility for visas but in this type of destination I wish they would help more!

Just returned from an Azamara cruse Dubai to Singapore. On embarkation visas for India should have been checked but somehow some with no visa and a large number (I heard over 70) with an E-visa got on board.

These people were not allowed ashore in our 1st 2 stops in India and it was only with the ships intervention to obtain a group visa for them, at an additional charge, that they were able to get off at the last stop. Actually the ship would have been in their right to deny them boarding at Dubai.

Many thought they would be ok with the e visa but this was only good for entry by the AIRPORTS specified. Some had been told by their TA that the ship would do it.

For all nationalities seek advice from your Indian consulate and embassy. Arrangements are changing all the time so don't rely on old information, check again before you apply. Get the right visa and enjoy India. I know we did!

Just returned from an Azamara cruse Dubai to Singapore. On embarkation visas for India should have been checked but somehow some with no visa and a large number (I heard over 70) with an E-visa got on board.

These people were not allowed ashore in our 1st 2 stops in India and it was only with the ships intervention to obtain a group visa for them, at an additional charge, that they were able to get off at the last stop. Actually the ship would have been in their right to deny them boarding at Dubai.

Many thought they would be ok with the e visa but this was only good for entry by the AIRPORTS specified. Some had been told by their TA that the ship would do it.

For all nationalities seek advice from your Indian consulate and embassy. Arrangements are changing all the time so don't rely on old information, check again before you apply. Get the right visa and enjoy India. I know we did!

Just returned from an Azamara cruse Dubai to Singapore. On embarkation visas for India should have been checked but somehow some with no visa and a large number (I heard over 70) with an E-visa got on board.

These people were not allowed ashore in our 1st 2 stops in India and it was only with the ships intervention to obtain a group visa for them, at an additional charge, that they were able to get off at the last stop. Actually the ship would have been in their right to deny them boarding at Dubai.

Many thought they would be ok with the e visa but this was only good for entry by the AIRPORTS specified. Some had been told by their TA that the ship would do it.

For all nationalities seek advice from your Indian consulate and embassy. Arrangements are changing all the time so don't rely on old information, check again before you apply. Get the right visa and enjoy India. I know we did!

Thanks very much Phil.

Negotiated loan of Bluetooth speaker from daughter for our trip.

Set off on Saturday for our first Azamara. Cant wait!!!

Can anyone tell me if the CD / DVD player have a usb connection which allows me connect my ipod to play music?

If not is there a selection of music CDs and movies?

Thanks very much

I ordered our tags weeks ago but nothing, so I ordered the luggage tag holder things on amazon - someone kindly placed a link on this board for some. They were £10 for 8 tags and arrived in 2-3 days.

I managed to print off the Azamara tags and assembled them in the holders ready to go for Nov 3rd.

Thanks everyone for your helpful advice and links.

Angie

Thanks Bonnie!

It is as it is and I'll just have a g&t instead.

Appreciate you trying to help out.

Bonnie

Yes this is what I saw. I also saw this on the site

'Our new beverage packages are very well priced. Here's why: the value of a complimentary drink is taken into consideration in pricing for higher-end brands, so you pay just a slight up-charge.'

So if I have the liquor package by paying an up-charge for it, I can have drinks delivered by room service. OK!

If I have a liquor package and choose to have a glass of wine from the complimentary list (as there is no wine on the liquor lists) can I get that room service?

It would seem very strange if I had a liquor package and could order a more expensive drink room service but not a less expensive glass of wine.

Bonnie

Sorry if I wasn't being very clear. That's probably why I didn't get answers!!

My question stems from the FAQ section on beverage packages

If I purchase a package can I have drinks delivered to my stateroom?

If you have purchased a beverage package, you can order a drink through room service. However, our select complimentary spirits, beer and wine are not available through room service.

Does this mean that if you have purchased a drink package you can order any drink (including complimentary ones) or just the drinks in your package? I understand that if you don't have a drink package you cant have complimentary drinks delivered.

Bonnie

Lots of people have looked at my post 'room service drinks' but no-one has been able to give me an answer and it was suggested I ask you. Can you find out for me?

Thanks

Thanks for your reply. I was beginning to think I had asked something obvious to everyone else. I'll flag to Bonnie and hope she can help

I hope you can help out on yet another drink package query!

I understand that complimentary drinks are available at bars but not on room service.

We are looking at getting a drinks package for both of us as we are partial to Bombay Sapphire and the beer selection. The website indicates that with the package you can also have your drinks room service. If we fancy a glass of the complimentary wine or a complimentary cocktail can we have this room service if we have a drink package?

Hoping someone can help

Wow, this must be so disappointing for you. I hope it doesn't cast a shadow on your cruise. I guess this is the downside of this. At least for other upgrades no-one knows they are being considered so there is no disappointment. By the way which sailing was this for? We have our hat in the ring but don't think they are up to our sailing yet!

Yes the ETV is cheaper and easier BUT right now it is only available for UK passport holders who enter at specified airports. I checked with the embassy and it is not available if we arrive at a cruise port.

I guess it is watch this space and as with all visas check because arrangements change all the time.

I think it was around £85 but adding on all the various charges for almost everything it came to around £116. Still much cheaper doing it yourself as the charges for visa companies are at least £60 in addition to your visa charges and you still have to fill in a form of around the same length as doing it yourself!