Is Onward really a 2.9?

[Solar Yellow]

I was prepared to be angry at Piaa for an unfair and overly harsh review but having read it and having been onboard Onward from July 20 - 30, 2022, I can't argue with a thing.  Piaa is 100% correct IMO.

 

It's funny, though.  I had a good time on the cruise and most of what Piaa remarks on didn't really bother me that much.  However, I got a good deal on the cruise and had tons of OBC which I'm sure positively impacted the experience.

 

So, I think people that feel the value is there won't find Onward to be a 2.9 experience.  I also did not find it to be a luxury experience but I didn't really expect it to be.  The food was only good, not great.  The premium restaurants were not worth the cost, the ship was still a little shabby in spots (but they were working on it), and I didn't bother with the entertainment. However, the itinerary was good, the crew was great, and there were no complete disasters.

[takemewithyou]

I have made the decision to book Onward.  I love Azamara and I will see for myself.  And I will be sure to report back.

Edited September 12, 2022 by takemewithyou

[Piaa]

1 hour ago, Solar Yellow said:

I was prepared to be angry at Piaa for an unfair and overly harsh review but having read it and having been onboard Onward from July 20 - 30, 2022, I can't argue with a thing.  Piaa is 100% correct IMO.

 

It's funny, though.  I had a good time on the cruise and most of what Piaa remarks on didn't really bother me that much.  However, I got a good deal on the cruise and had tons of OBC which I'm sure positively impacted the experience.

 

So, I think people that feel the value is there won't find Onward to be a 2.9 experience.  I also did not find it to be a luxury experience but I didn't really expect it to be.  The food was only good, not great.  The premium restaurants were not worth the cost, the ship was still a little shabby in spots (but they were working on it), and I didn't bother with the entertainment. However, the itinerary was good, the crew was great, and there were no complete disasters.

 

Whew 🤣

 

I agree with you - no disasters and great crew and we had a good time and shrugged off the issues for 8 days but thought them worth mentioning for others who were asking questions but we just couldn't imagine 155 onboard for our WC (especially given the food)  

 

I guess my term "luxury" was that previously I had found it to be higher than Celebrity (when they were all owned by the same company) so it was Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and then Azamara in terms of "levels" (so to speak) but after sailing on the new Celebrity earlier this year I found them to be superior and let me explain why (if anyone is wondering) ..

 

Rooms = new, clean, well appointed, spacious (but didn't like the new "non balcony/balcony) on-demand TV and faster internet which will (fingers crossed) be even faster with the upcoming addition to be the first cruise line to offer Elon Musk's Starling Internet at Sea.

Food = superior in everyday to the Onward (at least on our sailing on our ship)

Shopping = nice selection of low and high end (so you could buy more than 1 sunscreen etc)

Really nice and quiet pocket areas on the ship for relaxing

Pool = clean and comfortable

Coffee Bar = great area for relaxing and unwinding

Special Dining = OUTSTANDING Veuve Cliquet dinner (I mean fabulous food and pairings - quite memorable) and good food overall

Crowds (for those wondering) = was expecting it to feel "sardine like" but there was always space but it could have been reduced capacity although I think we were almost full.

 

We never went to shows, disco's, casino, etc as that is not our thing - we cruise for the ports, great food and usually find one bar we like (which was the martini bar on Celebrity) but do expect a clean environment with good food and when I pay what Azamara is asking, I expect better.

[Solar Yellow]

3 hours ago, Piaa said:

 

Whew 🤣

Ha!  I wouldn't have posted a response if I had thought you were unfair.  People are entitled to their opinion.  

 

But, as I was reading your review, I kept thinking yep, true to every one of your points.  Had the cruise been expensive, I would have been very disappointed.  Cabin was old and tired, bathroom tiny (which I knew), etc.  Since getting back, I've been looking for another cruise to take on Azamara and there's no way I'd pay what they want now.

 

I have a cruise in late 2023 coming up on Celebrity.  Haven't been on them in 10 years but I'm looking forward to it.  I dream of returning to Oceania but I'm solo now and just can't justify the cost no matter how much I love the O ships.

[OC Cruisers]

Just wanted to thank everyone for sharing your experiences on Onward! We’re making a decision this week on which ship to sail on in October and really appreciate this generous (and hilarious) community.