Ithikan

I am in agreement with Ivi on this: "On the first years of including the drinks as part of the cruise price, the wines were also of a better quality of the ones offered now. There was no need to even consider a “premium “ or “ultimate” package." That is my recollection also. And, we were quite pleased with those offerings as our first cruise with Azamara was prior to included wines - we were happy cruisers with those early wines. Re. OBC, let's not forget that shore excursions are available for purchase with OBC and having looked at the list for my next cruise, Yikes! Now, there are some prices that have in many cases doubled over the identical excursions pre-Covid. We aren't looking at a large amount of OBC, ergo, we are definitely looking at private excursions for our future cruise.

The Jan. 4, 2024 cruise out of Melbourne to Auckland on Journey also features that tantalizing description on the website. I was curious and so wrote the Azamara Circle people, who responded that the Overland to Queenstown will not be included in that cruise.

The specialty coffees at Mosaic have never disappointed. Nor, the petit beignets : )

I find this an interesting comment. If by "old folks home" you are referencing senior living or assisted living communities, you might research how music therapy is happily embraced by staff. So, my vote goes to no piped in music in The Den. But then, I also enjoy libraries so to each her own : )

Absolutely nothing wrong with a visit to Tortola. We spent a delightful week at the Sugar Mill Hotel on Tortola - fabulous restaurants, beaches. Reservations at the Rum House mean dining within the 400 year stone walls of the restaurant - an unbeatable ambiance. I hope you enjoy the island!

Thank you for yet more atmospherically enticing photos of your river walks. I know nothing of Yorkshire. Well, there was once a white rose and a red rose, and all those Shakespeare plays "once more unto the breach, dear friends..." But anyway - the images you've posted here are really wonderful. Thank you.

Walmart has the Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir for $8.98/bottle. Possibly not Azamara's best advert for purchasing the Ultimate Beverage Pkg. ; )

Thank you to Grandma Cruising and takemewithyou for your replies, we do appreciate that you've shared your thoughts. Still contemplating - we've always preferred the Deck 6 verandas and are hoping to make this work for us again. (Pesky cabin spreadsheet still rejected by my laptop, but now we have the info we were looking for.)

Unhappily, I cannot access the latest spreadsheet on Journey's cabins - aka staterooms, ; ). Does anyone have thoughts on the forward deck 6 cabins, specifically 6020 and forward? We are concerned about possible noise from Cabaret on deck 5 and are hoping for particulars from those who have sailed in those cabins. The deck 6 alternatives for that cruise are portside aft and would put us, I believe, above the kitchens. Thank you in advance for any and all input!

Nice excursion, Riocca. I'd like to think the trees are triumphant on that 'monster.'

Oh, no! I highly value my Azamara pens; just two left since 2019. Hoping these are restocked before our next cruise!

Betsey, I am sending positive thoughts in the direction of your cruise... Such an appallingly late cancellation of that Florence excursion is a big deal, IMO. I am specifically hoping that the massively awesome chocolate 'Welcome Aboard' cake will be yours to savor, especially in light of those pesky airport strikes. Safe Travels and Happy Cruising!

Extending thanks both to Piaa for the detailed Onward review, and Riocca for the thoughtful response. We've the first two legs of Onward's World Cruise reserved, and are feeling some concern. CC posts and online reviews will receive our close attention over the next several months...

Well, this sale looked like a sale and smelled like a sale so I called Azamara. And for a mere 92 minute hold time, I was able to take advantage and save quite a bit of cash on our 16-Night Norway Intensive for next summer : ) Ergo, happy to report that sometimes, for some fortunate cruisers, a sale truly is a sale.

Wondering... is it possible to purchase the Chef's Table only? Also, have there been any sightings of "Rice Table?" During past cruises it has been one of our favorite Azamara dining experiences.

If you're tempted by the Connoisseur Wine pkg., I'd take a peek at the ship's stock first. (With the rumored corkage fee now at $25, I can feel the walls closing in on our beverage choices.)

Your photos are wonderful, uktog!

Disappointing. We've a New Zealand sailing coming up and nearly every port offers a vineyard tour, of sorts. I'm certain we'll still opt to enhance our onboard dining with some local vintages, but this 50% increase in corkage somewhat deflates anticipation...

See posts #22 and #40, this thread. I'd say we're rounding the turn, and it looks good for Sicily/Malta as we approach the 2024 home stretch... (I can dream.)

From your lips to God's ears...

So, you've done the research on Apothic wines, Host Jazzbeau. I thank you for your service. = ( I've only seen Apothic Red; tried it once, won't repeat. As noted by lisiamc, these blends sound horrific, especially the concoction sold as "Brew."

In so many ways, Heike has been the face of Azamara. A few years back on the morning of a B2B, I noticed our cabin crew moving with a lightness of spirit, laughing as they dealt with the bustle of a turnaround day. I commented on their happy mood and was told that the Hotel Director was switching out, and Heike was coming aboard. "You like working with her?" "Oh, yes!" "Why, does she do things differently?" "She listens! She listens to everyone. She takes care of things, and you can always talk to her." And we found it to be true; Heike seemed to be everywhere with her topknot and heels, smiling, welcoming, chatting with staff, crew, and guests. Taking care of things. Heike's work of smoothing our voyages was mostly (and appropriately) invisible. Her gift was that she made us feel heard. I wish her only good things in the future, and that at some point I'll get to sail with her again.

I'm in complete agreement re. the full face masks for snorkeling, Idtr. Too many times I've seen swimmers of all ages stagger out of the water, disoriented and confused. I feel it is much safer to use the old fashioned, mask-and-mouth-snorkel set up. And personally, I stick to the above the water, maskless thrills of boogie boarding : )

I have battled the age restrictions placed upon bicycle tours - both private tours and Azamara's - for years. At one point I enlisted the help of then CBO Bonnie, who ran interference for us. Long story short, we achieved bicycle tours while at port in Brisbane, Hvar, Russell, Guernsey, Gisborne, Napier, and Tauranga. We've another New Zealand/Australia cruise coming up and we won't repeat the ONE Azamara bike tour offering (it was wonderful, but looking for something different this time), but I am certainly disappointed that those moderately active, shore-intensive, fresh-air excursions have pretty much disappeared.

We've sailed twice to Chania with Azamara, docking once at Souda and once tendering in to the old Venetian port. The shuttle from Souda was laid on by Azamara, and featured a lively commentary from the local driver. When we arrived by tender, to be able to step right into the bustle of this ancient town was magical.