PirateWife

3 hours ago, newmexicoNita said:

could you answer one question: is there decent seating around the pool for those who are mobility challenged. By this I mean anywhere to sit other than the very low lounges that are hard for some to get in and out of? Thanks so much. 

There are tables and chairs pool side at the Pool Bar and at The Patio that are not low and easy to get in and out of.

Just returned from a cruise and noticed some changes from previous cruises.  Daily fruit baskets in your room are not provided unless asked for.  This is stated on a sheet of instructions given out at embarkation but, according to the customer service rep, 100% of the passengers did not read it, including me.  Laundry coupons are no longer provided.  Complimentary laundry is loaded to your account if you are an LCV member Explorer or higher.  The ship's WiFi instructions to create an account do not work on all cell phones and will require a visit to the ship's IT expert.  According to the IT expert, this is a problem with the program.

28 minutes ago, debcip said:

We are hoping to purchase a dining package on our next cruise. My husband prefers to drink beer or vodka and is not much for wine.  I assume that he would be able to get a mixed drink or beer at the Chef's Table, is this a correct assumption?  Thanks!

I laugh.  Yes, you can have a mixed drink or beer.  The only time we ate at the Chef's Table, the overseer was horribly rude because I was not drinking the wine she was pairing with the various courses.  I am allergic to white wine and do not drink a lot of red wine.  She was not going to accept that.  Finally, another diner told her to stop insisting I drink the wine.  We haven't eaten at the Chef's Table again.

8 hours ago, lucas34 said:

Hi, How could help me with tis issue: I have some pre-cruise OBC as well as later on board OBC. In case that I do not use my pre-cruise OBC for tours, can I use it on board with my on board OBC together?

I think what you are saying is that you have OBC that you have received from booking bonus and promotions.  Certainly you can combine it with your onboard OBC.  I like using the pre-cruise OBC to book excursions before sailing.

Have done several trans-oceanics cruises and they are my husband's favorites.  There are multiple trivia games--last cruise had 15 teams of 8 people each in the Progressive Trivia, lectures, demonstrations, classes--bridge, painting, and the like, music, exercise classes, tours of ship.  There are plenty of things to do.  There are no water slides, climbing walls or zip lines.

I have never known of a  Cabin Crawl on an Azamara Cruise.  Cabins are not very large and halls are not meant for large groups.  One of the funniest places to meet people is in the Self-Laundry room.  About 6 people can fit in there but there are always more that join.  While you are waiting for your washer or dryer to get done, you strike up conversations with others and have some good laughs.  It is also the place to get info about what is going on that isn't published in the daily newsletter.

3 minutes ago, Sujormik said:

I’m trying to determine whether Aza has robes and slippers in the staterooms or if we need to pack our own....when I search robes I get a million different cruise line responses.  Thanks.

There are robes and slippers in the staterooms.

21 minutes ago, minabruuke said:

Are sparkling water (any brand is fine) and iced tea available with the complimentary beverage package?  I see that the Ultimate Drink Package includes Perrier but we have no need or desire for an upgraded package and I don't need my sparkling water to be Perrier.  

 

I've been doing some searching on here and can't determine a definitive answer as it seems the upgraded packages usually get brought into the conversations so I can't determine whether the answers are in regards to the complimentary package or upgraded package.  I also find it odd that there isn't any mention of water, juice, coffee, tea (drinks I'd typically assume are included) here: https://www.azamaraclubcruises.co.uk/booked-guests/onboard-packages/complimentary-beverages  and I am sure that information is somewhere on the website but I just can't find it.   

I know you can get all the water, juice coffee, and tea you can drink.  Not sure about the sparkling water.  I don't buy the upgraded package and have never been thirsty.

I have tried for 5 years and numerous cruises to get on the mailing list.  No luck.  I just have to constantly check to see what specials and new cruises are available and any changes. Not a good system.

When we sailed on the Pursuit there was not a clock or binoculars.  The clocks that Azamara had on their ships were impossible for the average intelligence passenger to set.  I think we could get binoculars on the ship.  We were told passengers kept taking them.  White Night out on the deck is awesome but noisy.  Sorry you didn't get to experience it.

1 hour ago, bjbear said:

I'm not sure where to ask this question but I'm wondering about the average Azamara passenger.  What type of people cruise Azamara? I'm going to Antarctica in Jan, 2020 and first time on Azamara. The roll call has been almost nonexistent, with very few people and not much interaction.  I travel solo and have never had a problem on other cruise lines with meeting people but I'm wondering about the makeup of Azamara passengers.  And I'm not being critical, just curious!! 😀

 

Thanks, Sue

My husband and I have done multiple Azamara cruises and I don't think there is an average passenger.  There are those that stay in their room and come out for meals and those that join in in everything. Some are social and some stick to their small group.  Most are happy to be cruising.  We have traveled with lots of solo travelers that particularly like the community table at dinner in Discoveries.  Average age is probably 50-80 but we are seeing more young couples lately.  Roll calls are more active if someone is on the cruise that likes posting stuff but the lack of activity may be due more to not having private tour guides for Antarctica.

On ‎5‎/‎1‎/‎2019 at 10:38 AM, Ray in NH said:

As a first-timer (on Azamara), what is the latest one can disembark the ship at the end of the voyage?

We will be disembarking in Vancouver, and staying an additional night before flying home.  We would like to hang about on the ship as long as possible, since early access to our hotel cannot (will not) be assured, at this time.

Does category of stateroom come into play? Also due to many Celebrity cruises, we are Discoverer Plus status - if that matters.

 

Thank you,

 

NRayH

The last Azamara cruise we took, we were able to book an Azamara shore excursion on the day we disembarked.  Our suitcases were stored on the bus and, after a tour of places we would have not been able to go to otherwise, the bus returned to the port and we got a transportation from the port to our hotel.

If I haven't said it before, again, make sure you download the Azamara app before sailing.  The Pursuit used this and in the future the two other ships will be using the app to show passengers their onboard charges, scheduled activities, restaurant menus, and much more.  It doesn't show how many minutes are left on your wi-fi account. This was only available by going to Customer Service when the IT person was available. It doesn't allow you to book activities. You can use it without using wi-fi minutes but this is not clear in the info available. This means everyone walks around with their cell phone or tablet on--often while walking around and not looking where they are going.  I was told that there are problems with the app by the IT expert.

49 minutes ago, Stelvio69 said:

We had to pick a boarding time for our March 1st cruise on Journey  as well but arrived one hour earlier and this was no problem. We had our boarding  passes within 3 minutes.

Thank you.  That was the info I needed.

24 minutes ago, Ray in NH said:

 

Haven't checked for our June cruise, yet.  Perhaps this is another step toward "homogenizing" procedures for all the Royal Caribbean Cruise products?

 

NRayH

I like the personal touch that Azamara has been known for not the "one size fits all" approach.

14 minutes ago, Host Grandma Cruising said:

I know that people that use the new app said that’s how it was for them, but the app only works with the Pursuit at the moment.

The cruise is on the Pursuit. Check-in times of 2-2:30, 2:30-3, and 3-3:30 are the only ones offered.  Check-in starts at 1 pm. I like to check in early.  Azamara has not communicated this change.

I have now found that Azamara is requiring boarding passes and selecting a boarding time.  I checked-in for the cruise a month ago and these two items were not there.  Something new?

Azamara will mail you nice sticky luggage tags about a month before your cruise. Received mine last week for a cruise in March. Have never seen a place to order them.

I cancelled an onboard booking to rebook at a savings of $3,000 when a special came out.  I lost some OBC and a visit to the spa but well worth the change.  I never thought to ask about keeping the booking onboard benefits.  No additional deposit was required.

My husband describes Azamara as the cruise line my mother would have if she had a cruise line.  It is home.  We are getting ready for our 6th cruise with Azamara, have a 7th one booked, and an 8th planned.  We know we will be safe.  We have dealt with a hurricane, a typhoon, some passengers choosing to eat street food and get sick, and traveling through pirate frequented waters.  These have been some of the most memorable cruises.  Nothing like having one of the entertainers sing to you while you are getting food or sitting on the back patio eating by tea lights and wondering what you are eating.  Most memorable experience--White Night on a the cruise from Athens to Dubai. Our traveling companion was celebrating her birthday that day and as a surprise for her Heike set us up at a table right at the front and arranged for a birthday cake for her.  Better than my mother.

After buying foreign currency several times through the local bank, I found that a)currency is much cheaper through ATMs at airports or banks at your destination and b)most businesses would rather you pay with a credit card than currency. Get a credit card that doesn't charge for foreign transactions.

We have done both private and Azamara cruise tours. Although the ship cruises are more expensive than private tours, they have, with a few exceptions, been very good. After 5 Azamara cruises we have done a lot of ship sponsored tours. We also start every cruise with a lot of OBC. Now that I can use my OBC to book tours before cruising, I will book as far ahead as possible. I can always change my mind and cancel a tour and book another.

Ate once at Chef's Table and it was not a good experience because the crew member taking care of the meal and wine did not want to accept I was not drinking a lot of wine. We frequently have dinner at The Patio because we like the out of doors experience, it is more informal than the MDR,the service is always excellent, the food is often prepared right there, and one can go into buffet for more selections. The MDR is always good but more formal. And, sometimes the service is very slow. Have not eaten at any of the specialty restaurants because enjoy variety available at other restaurants.

2 hours ago, marinaro44 said:

Check in is done on the pier in Miami and most embarkation ports.  Typically starts close to 11.  Boarding usually starts 11:30 or thereabouts.  Have not seen a real "rush."  Book specialty restaurants when you board if it's not available on the pier.

4 hours ago, DandDM said:

Could someone speak to the boarding process on Azamara?  Have questions such as:

When do they start checking folks in?

What time does boarding usually start?

Because the ship is so small, thinking the crowds might not be bad, but is there a 'rush' time to avoid?

Read on a review about checking in on the ship; is that how it happens all the time or just in some ports?  (we are boarding in Miami)

Anything else about boarding that would be different from the mainstream lines?

 

Thanks!

I find checking in with Azamara very easy but have not gone through Miami before. This is what I do:

1. Do the online pre-boarding check in and print a copy of the sheet that shows how you will pay for any extras.  Take that with you--not in your luggage.

2. Put your Azamara luggage tag on luggage you do not need to keep with you.  Luggage tags can be printed online, supplied by your TA and/or sent to you by Azamara.

3. When arriving at port you can leave luggage you have tagged at place designated.  It will be delivered to your room within a couple of hours.  Enter check-in facility.

4. Even though there is a published time when boarding will start, my experience has been that it starts earlier which is convenient for those checking out of a hotel.

5. We always arrive early because we love the ship, want to explore, check out the lunch buffet, etc.

6. Check-in is always easy and pleasant.  Give them your filled out sheet with payment info, they take your picture, and you get your room key.  Go through the scanner and board the ship.  The longest is has taken is 20 minutes.

7. Your carry-on bag can be left (usually on Deck 4 at a check-in desk) while you eat lunch or explore and picked up later when you go to your room.

1 hour ago, cruzsnooze said:

It has been 9 years since I was on an Azamara cruise and things sure are different. Can someone tell me if what are the complimentary bathroom amenities. I want to know if I need to pack conditioner. 

There are complimentary bathroom amenities--shampoo, conditioner, soap.  No need to bring your own.