Some changes

[troywest]

Aboard Quest - sailing into Gibraltar.

 

We've noticed some changes. There seems to be more "upsell" pressure from the bar staff.

 

When we asked, we were told that there is now a point system of some sort, and the managers are pressuring the waiters to sell both premium drinks and drink and dinner packages. They're given perks for their sales.

 

The F & B department seems disconnected from whoever prints the daily programs and menus.

 

One day, the program said "French Dinner Buffet", while the actual buffet was the Middle Eastern Buffet.

 

Last evening, a menu was posted for the "American Buffet" featuring carved roast turkey.

When people arrived looking for the turkey, there was none. When several people complained, rather than bring out the turkey, they took down and replaced the posted menu.

 

Also many passengers are unhappy with the changes to the Aquilina menu (NOTE: with several days' prior notice, it is possible to order many of the popular former items).

 

Last evening, several people reported that they were sitting quietly in the casino lounge area finishing their drinks (beverage service had stopped) and they were literally tossed out - told to leave - for no apparent reason. (People frequently gather in that area even when the casino is closed).

 

Also, no more late evening snacks in the Mosaic - or anywhere on the ship. Staff answer: just order room service.

[excitedofharpenden]

I've heard from someone onboard about the upsell attempts. That is disappointing to hear and something I've never experienced before on Azamara. It would prompt an Attention to Detail card during the cruise from me if it became annoying. Odd they moved people out of the Casino Bar without explanation. No excuse, but perhaps they were having a crew party there or something? I'm assuming if they weren't serving it was pretty late?

 

Phil

Edited September 5, 2015 by excitedofharpenden

[uktog]

I am onboard and can confirm the upsell is annoying, we have already fed back on it.

Not had the bar issue, but we went to bed early last night!

[ellbon]

I've heard from someone onboard about the upsell attempts. That is disappointing to hear and something I've never experienced before on Azamara. It would prompt an Attention to Detail card during the cruise from me if it became annoying. Odd they moved people out of the Casino Bar without explanation. No excuse, but perhaps they were having a crew party there or something? I'm assuming if they weren't serving it was pretty late?

 

Phil

 

my guess as it has happend to me. if the casino is slow and they go to count the money everyone has to leave.. not even sure if the bartender if cleaning his space can stay. some legal thing.

[Rotterdam]

Sounds like every other business these days...keep cutting back to make the P&L look good...if this is the case w/ Azamara - they can kiss my....goodbye!

[wripro]

What exactly are they saying when they upsell?

 

One "no, thank you and please don't ask me again" should suffice, I would think.

[Andy]

Hi Troywest & Uktog,

 

Thanks very much for the updates. Sorry to hear about the upsell issue. I've seen this on Celebrity and on our recent Royal Caribbean sailing. My guess is, this is a directive from the top of RCCL, and it's somewhat discouraging to hear that Azamara is now doing the same. However, I also wonder (as Wripro mentioned) if a simple "No thank you" should suffice. Is that not the case ?

 

Sorry to hear about the Aqualina menu. I haven't sailed on Azamara in a few years, but I recall Aqualina being one of my favorite dining experiences. Just by looking at the new menu, it doesn't look as appealing as what we experienced on Journey and Quest. I hope that Azamara will do what they do best - and that's listening to guest feedback, and make appropriate changes.

 

Thanks again for your updates, and have a wonderful time on Quest.

[josumello]

I am onboard and can confirm the upsell is annoying, we have already fed back on it.

 

Not had the bar issue, but we went to bed early last night!

 

 

Just came back from our first Azamara cruise. It was on the Quest. The first thing we noticed was the push to upgrade drinks. However it didn't last long and we were not bothered again. Have to agree about the lack of late night snacks. I am talking 11:00pm!! Nothing. We did enjoy our cruise but not sure if the cost is justified. Probably go back to Celebrity.

[pickypicky]

We just left Quest in Stockholm mid-August. There was absolutely no up-selling. They made every effort to pour the wine that I requested from days past and my husband was always accommodated with his martini choice.

We ate in Prime C one night. It was very nice (quiet...it was the Azamazing evening). The food and service were also very nice, but no better (except for the menu choices, see below) than the MDR. We really do prefer the atmosphere of the MDR.

However, I honestly can't imagine that one couldn't enjoy Prime C for many evenings if that kind of dining is a preference...the menu is HUGE. Hearing the objection that the menu never changes is surprising...it would suit me for at least a week:)

Hoping the upselling issue isn't ship specific...we have booked our first ever cruise on Journey!

[tv24]

Any upsell is discouraging. It takes away from the illusion of a "luxury" experience. Hopefully the next step is NOT art auctions.

[Bloodaxe]

Any upsell is discouraging. It takes away from the illusion of a "luxury" experience. Hopefully the next step is NOT art auctions.

 

Unfortunately I believe they are already happening, another step backwards

[excitedofharpenden]

We just left Quest in Stockholm mid-August. There was absolutely no up-selling. They made every effort to pour the wine that I requested from days past and my husband was always accommodated with his martini choice.

We ate in Prime C one night. It was very nice (quiet...it was the Azamazing evening). The food and service were also very nice, but no better (except for the menu choices, see below) than the MDR. We really do prefer the atmosphere of the MDR.

However, I honestly can't imagine that one couldn't enjoy Prime C for many evenings if that kind of dining is a preference...the menu is HUGE. Hearing the objection that the menu never changes is surprising...it would suit me for at least a week:)

Hoping the upselling issue isn't ship specific...we have booked our first ever cruise on Journey!

It's funny. I agree with you about the MDR and really enjoy the food and atmosphere. There is choice to be had in the Specialties, but a couple of times I became rather uninspired by the food and it was when I was eating in the Specialties most evenings. My preferred now is to mix it up. MDR, Specialties, buffet for one or two of the theme nights, deck food on White Night. For me that offers a very good choice with a "special" evening in either Prime C or Aqualina. We ate in Aqualina in August and I loved the food there. Perhaps doing it once or twice a cruise was the answer.

 

Phil

[fallingsnow]

Any upsell is discouraging. It takes away from the illusion of a "luxury" experience. Hopefully the next step is NOT art auctions.

 

I completely agree! This is one of our MAJOR gripes with RCCL and Celebrity.

[Andy]

I completely agree! This is one of our MAJOR gripes with RCCL and Celebrity.

 

Hi Fallingsnow,

 

We have no interest in art auctions, and I'm not defending any of the brands for offering them. However, it's fairly apparent that art auctions make the cruise lines a ton of money, and profits are the name of the game. For that reason, I do not expect them to go away anytime soon.

 

Besides, there's plenty to enjoy onboard the beautiful Azamara ships, and we can easily pass on activities that do not interest us. That's one of the many wonderful things about cruising - customizing the cruise to what works best for your enjoyment ! Just my .02 cents.

Edited September 6, 2015 by Host Andy

[tv24]

Unfortunately I believe they are already happening, another step backwards

 

:eek: OMG! I hope I don't run into one on our upcoming AZ crossing. If so, I might show up to heckle the auctioneer. On a ship as small as AZ, it might be hard to get away from the annoying noise from the auction.

[scapel]

I completely agree! This is one of our MAJOR gripes with RCCL and Celebrity.

 

Walk by and take pictures of the art to make it interesting.

[workingtocruise-59]

:eek: OMG! I hope I don't run into one on our upcoming AZ crossing. If so, I might show up to heckle the auctioneer. On a ship as small as AZ, it might be hard to get away from the annoying noise from the auction.

 

Avoiding the auctions is easy. They are held in the Cabaret lounge and, unless you attend, you won't be bothered by any annoying noise.

Avoiding the "art" is not quite so easy as it is displayed on the walls around Mosaic and on easels in Looking Glass.

Edited September 7, 2015 by workingtocruise-59

[excitedofharpenden]

I've also heard the art auctions take place in Looking Glass. I think it depends upon venue usage at the time. I went up one day, saw all the pictures and heard the spiel and walked out again. As Andy says they obviously make money from them and so they will probably continue for as long as they do. Most of the time though and apart from Looking Glass or seeing the paintings being moved around the ship it's pretty innocuous. I don't come back thinking "gawd, that art auction stuff spoiled my cruise".

 

Phil

[fallingsnow]

Just to clarify, and support the OP's point...it wasn't so much the art auctions that I personally was objecting to. It's the constant hawking of goods and services (i.e., trying to upsell every time you order a drink). The reason we pay more to be on Azamara is the ambiance. Specifically, what we perceive as luxury/upscale. And a constant barrage of pressure to "Spend more! Spend more!" is just not in keeping with that theme, in our opinion.

[marinaro44]

This must be a recent phenomenon as we saw none of it on our British Open cruise in July.

[welshfamily]

None on the Journey in August.

We really liked this.

[Spursgirl]

It seems strange that guests on Quest are commenting about this while those on Journey are not being bothered by upselling.

 

One of the things Larry P usually mentions is that Azamara doesn't nickel and dime its passengers. Hope things aren't changing.

[pickypicky]

It seems strange that guests on Quest are commenting about this while those on Journey are not being bothered by upselling.

 

One of the things Larry P usually mentions is that Azamara doesn't nickel and dime its passengers. Hope things aren't changing.

 

See my post #9.

[Spursgirl]

See my post #9.

 

Glad you didn't experience this on your recent cruise but the OP is on board now and his comments have been validated by UKtog who is also on Quest at the moment.

 

As it happens friends of mine are also on this sailing which ends tomorrow. I will ask them what their thoughts are on their return

[nordski]

I suppose the real issue is whether the up sell pressure is corporate-driven by RCI, as Andy thinks possible, or whether this is an isolated over exuberance by a particular crew or its managers.

 

We, of course, hope it's the latter, and that the concerns expressed by cruisers such as UKtog will lead to its cessation.