Entertainment changes again

[uktog]

The activities staff are still onboard looking after activities and they are also on the ship excursions.

 

Tonight we had an Australian comedian/magician onboard. He was excellent. The entertainers that have been coming on and off are strictly entertainers.....no activities.

 

 

 

Thanks

I wonder if that model will continue. It sounds promising so long as appropriate entertainment also continues in Spirits and the Living Room each evening after March.

If I may a second question, who provided the music at White Nights?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[nonrev1]

Lottie,

I will ask again tomorrow. I did ask and the answer was there would be live music. I will try to get more details. This is the first cruise where I have seen so many people utilizing the spaces on Deck 5 whether it be Mosaic or Spirits. I am sure some of it has been weather related (very windy and lots of waves). But, the areas have been crowded and it would be nice if there was more live music in both areas. I don’t think a string quartet like :othey have on Oceania is the answer....maybe something a little more lively depending on the time of day. One thing that has changed is that they created a cruise sales desk area on deck 5. I understand the thought process of that decision but I just don’t think it is in the right place on Deck 5. The hours have to be limited due to noise and events. I think on the Pursuit the plan is to have the sales desks in the casino space.

[Riocca]

If my memory serves me right when we were on Adonia in 2012 the future cruise sales desk was in the extra shop space on deck 5, so if Azamara really want to move the sales desk to a more visible area on deck 5 surely that would be more appropriate.

Personally I see no problem with the current area on deck 4 and certainly wouldn’t want to see the sales desk in a bar area that would totally wrong.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[nonrev1]

Your memory is correct. I loved the pub......a huge area with loads of comfortable seating and no casino. The location they chose in the Journey is as soon as you walk through the hallway from the shops. They still have the desks on 4 but there is scheduled coverage on 5. I think the plan is to move it full time up to 5. It is awkward if you want to meet with a sales associate as there are people sitting on the chairs and couches just to the side of you. They chose that location because everyone passes through there and Deck 5 is the heart of the ship but I think there needs to be a bit more privacy.

[Riocca]

Your memory is correct. I loved the pub......a huge area with loads of comfortable seating and no casino. The location they chose in the Journey is as soon as you walk through the hallway from the shops. They still have the desks on 4 but there is scheduled coverage on 5. I think the plan is to move it full time up to 5. It is awkward if you want to meet with a sales associate as there are people sitting on the chairs and couches just to the side of you. They chose that location because everyone passes through there and Deck 5 is the heart of the ship but I think there needs to be a bit more privacy.

 

 

 

Totally agree, I understand that they may want the sales desk to be more visible but the last thing I want is an audience when I’m negotiating the purchase of a cruise.

All the recent moves with this and LCV discounts indicates they are desperate to increase onboard sales, hopefully it won’t lead to a bombardment of onboard sales material.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[nonrev1]

We have been bombarded by both onboard sales and spa sales material daily. Funny because to be more “green” they no longer offer drinking straws. You have to ask for them. However, we are receiving future cruise sales papers and spa sales papers every day.

[excitedofharpenden]

We have been bombarded by both onboard sales and spa sales material daily. Funny because to be more “green” they no longer offer drinking straws. You have to ask for them. However, we are receiving future cruise sales papers and spa sales papers every day.

From my experience the receipt of spa sales material is nothing new. It sounds like there is more pushing of onboard sales than I've seen. Does this tell a story? It probably does.

 

Phil

[nonrev1]

I agree that I like this format as long as live music continues in the evening. I have really enjoyed the local talent and hope this is what we will see more of on future cruises. I arrived late to the White Night Party but when I did, the party was hopping and the dance floor was full. The Azamara band was playing and Tony and his team were singing.

[uktog]

Thanks again.

If the team is being reduced as I believe it is I hope some of the guest entertainers can augment the remaining number on White Nights as it is because of the range of the orchestra and the talents of the resident singers that it is hopping with a full dance floor most cruises.

[MNgardens]

I have liked it when there has been local/country specific talent on board. Based off my own experiences I believe the cruise directors or booking agents will need to provide some oversight for content and cultural pitfalls.

 

It has been a couple of years so I am a little hazy on the details. We were on the Australia and New Zealand cruise and they brought in local singers. The soprano was lovely.

 

The man's style was inspired by Elvis in his classic years. His finale was a mash up of The Battle Hymn of the Republic with I think Dixie. It came across poorly. The handful of African Americans in the audience were visibly unhappy. I thought he couldn't have known the confederacy and Jim Crow baggage the song has. The overall effect of his arrangement was very much glorifying the south.

 

I ended up going back down to the showroom to find the entertainer. He was talking with the soprano trying to figure out why he had touched a nerve. He was horrified to learn of the baggage Dixie had. To him it was just a song about olden times. He immediately set to brainstorming how to change his finale.

 

I didn't talk to the cruise director about it since I had talked to the singer. This could have been prevented with a review of the set list. Instead there was the risk of having passengers feel like they have to deal with racism on their expensive vacation.

 

In Venice on our overnight Azamara arranged a special poolside concert with the wonder tenor mentioned above. That was really a special event in addition to our Azamazing Evening.

[combine]

Thanks again.

If the team is being reduced as I believe it is I hope some of the guest entertainers can augment the remaining number on White Nights as it is because of the range of the orchestra and the talents of the resident singers that it is hopping with a full dance floor most cruises.

 

On the Quest recently, the guest acoustic violinist Doug Cameron played on stage for White Night and he was a great addition to the evening. As well as his Cabaret lounge appearance he also did an excellent one off session in the Living Room a few days later with the ships musicians. Certainly got our monies worth out of him!

[uktog]

On the Quest recently, the guest acoustic violinist Doug Cameron played on stage for White Night and he was a great addition to the evening. As well as his Cabaret lounge appearance he also did an excellent one off session in the Living Room a few days later with the ships musicians. Certainly got our monies worth out of him!

 

Doug is wonderful, he used to be an Azamara regular and also does a lot on Celebrity. He is very personable and will be a good fit if he is the kind of musician who will do extended voyages with Azamara

[uktog]

From my experience the receipt of spa sales material is nothing new. It sounds like there is more pushing of onboard sales than I've seen. Does this tell a story? It probably does.

 

Phil

 

I think though the level is much higher than it was a year ago. I was also finding automated voice mails left from the spa on my last two cruises which were annoying.

[excitedofharpenden]

I think though the level is much higher than it was a year ago. I was also finding automated voice mails left from the spa on my last two cruises which were annoying.

Really? They must think I'm a lost cause:confused:

 

Phil

[florisdekort]

Doug is wonderful, he used to be an Azamara regular and also does a lot on Celebrity. He is very personable and will be a good fit if he is the kind of musician who will do extended voyages with Azamara

 

 

I agree although the first time I saw him was on X in 2003 so if he’s Azamara’s new / re-invented entertainment they’re 15 years behind the curve...

[workingtocruise-59]

Thanks for the update.

Are the local entertainers also looking after activities or are the activity staff still onboard?

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Would you know whether the Activity Managers ( Lee & Matt ... we haven't met any others recently) are part of the "future of entertainment" on Azamara?

When we first cruised with Azamara in 2008 there was more of a team of activities personnel but now there just seems to be Lee/Matt and maybe the DJ... or, perhaps, we have missed someone?

[Lottie A]

I know Lee will be finishing on Azamara after the World Voyage and I am presuming that it will be about the same for Matt. It is not a secret as Lee has posted it on his FB page.

 

I will miss him and his Geordie sense of humour very much.

[LuAnn]

I know Lee will be finishing on Azamara after the World Voyage and I am presuming that it will be about the same for Matt. It is not a secret as Lee has posted it on his FB page.

 

I will miss him and his Geordie sense of humour very much.

 

So there are no more Assistant CDs?? LuAnn

[Lottie A]

So there are no more Assistant CDs?? LuAnn

 

It doesn't appear so LuAnn. ☹️

 

Dana, the bandmaster on Quest has also gone.

[ellbon]

Lee has made it very clear he is gone. As I saw him this summer onJR he had no clue then.

 

Seem the AX was dropped this fall.

 

Outside the bridge onky CD and HD is left plus Ian and a few others.

 

Wonder if they fired any in deck 4?

 

Matt never on Facebook anymore

[uktog]

Lee has made it very clear he is gone. As I saw him this summer onJR he had no clue then.

 

 

 

Seem the AX was dropped this fall.

 

 

 

Outside the bridge onky CD and HD is left plus Ian and a few others.

 

 

 

Wonder if they fired any in deck 4?

 

 

 

Matt never on Facebook anymore

 

 

 

Bonnie

Posts like this are the reason why Azamara should have had their announcement out before now so anything to expedite it would be so welcome otherwise the rumour mill will be out of control.

 

Why would Deck 4 be affected? Why are we talking about the hotel directors the change unless I am mistaken is entertainment- no one was dismissed, just contracts were not renewed. As I have said before I’m sorry for those affected. They are talented people whom I’m sure will be sought after elsewhere.

 

Please can we get the story soon before people think no one is left!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Lottie A]

As far as I am aware it is only the entertainment staff that are affected by the changes.

 

Bonnie did say to expect a full announcement about these changes in January, but it doesn't seem to have appeared. It would be helpful.

 

I wonder who will be running the Trivia which I love and although personally I never play it, also the Bingo? Will there be anyone doing dance lessons onboard now the wonderful dancers have gone? Sasha used to do a jewellery making class which I enjoyed. What about White Night entertainment? How will that work with no core group of singers? Exactly what will be the music in Spirits Bar at night? Will it be video's playing, canned Muzak or members of the smaller band?

 

There are lots of questions and we would all appreciate some answers from Azamara.

[davwen81]

Great questions we’d all like answers for soon !!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[takemewithyou]

We are hearing that the “new” entertainment starts this Thursday on the next voyage on Quest, yet no official announcement.....why?

Edited February 5, 2018 by takemewithyou

[Bootman4U]

It would be interesting to know exactly where some of the posters are "hearing" these things from as they ask why there has been no official announcement. Could that be because the sources of these bits of information aren't reliable? Just asking, that's all.