Dancing and other activities on Journey

[Carnevale]

We are considering an itinerary we like on Journey but before we book we would really appreciate input on the activities on this ship.  We sailed Azamara a number of years ago and haven’t been back as we were bored onboard and, in particular, were disappointed that there were almost no opportunities for ballroom dancing even though we asked the CD if it might be added.

 

 We hope a few fellow members of cruise critic will give us an idea of what we should expect onboard Journey by way of activities overall (excluding fitness related activities as we never engage in them) and especially information on whether there’s ballroom dancing and, if there, how often and where it is offered onboard Journey.

 

Many thanks!

[Host Jazzbeau]

Ballroom dancing was a real strength of Crystal. Never Azamara. Maybe the ‘new’ Crystal will bring it back, but I wouldn’t expect it on Azamara. 

[Carnevale]

2 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Ballroom dancing was a real strength of Crystal. Never Azamara. Maybe the ‘new’ Crystal will bring it back, but I wouldn’t expect it on Azamara. 

Thx.  That was our experience but we were hoping it might have changed.  I hadn’t heard of the new Crystal so will have to explore that as we really enjoyed great dance time on the old Crystal.  

[beatnix]

We are ballroom dancers and did 4 cruises with Azamara this year.

To travel with Azamara we really enjoy, but not for dancing. It depends on the live band at Living Room, if they are able to play dance music.

With latin dancing it is a bit easier, but I remember we had some Viennese Waltz (because some blues or rock songs are 3/4) and a very few Slowfox and English Waltz.

In summer on Journey where more guests intersted in ballroom dancing, so I spoke to the CD and he arranged that Azamara Band play about half an hour, before the shows started, dance music at Cabaret Lounge, which was really nice.

 

[Gardendog]

We also dance and have been on 3 Azamara cruises post pandemic. We danced every night of every cruise! The house band plays in the living room most nights starting at 6 and we always found songs where we could dance. They often play again later, after the show.

l’ve learned that it’s very helpful to suggest a song (in the dance style you want to dance) instead of saying “play a waltz”. They were very willing to accommodate, especially during cocktail hour as it is not very busy.

 

We danced foxtrot, waltz, swing, rhumba, cha cha, mambo, bachata, and some line dances. Some of these are of course considered Latin dances, but just to give you an example of the music that was played. We never asked for a tango by name, and didn’t hear anything that we could tango to.
 

There is no “line of dance” (unless you are the only ones out there) of course and the floor is small, but for people who like to dance, there are plenty of opportunities.

 

There are no dance hosts, and no dance teachers on the cruise as we have had in the past, so probably not as formal as it might have been on old Crystal (we never went on Crystal), but still enjoyable.

 

 

 

[Carnevale]

Many thanks for all the replies!  Sounds like we might have a few opportunities and that we should talk to the CD early on (even though that strategy didn’t work last time).  
 

Some mentioned an area called the Living Room.  Does that space exist on Insignia or might there be a similar space with a different name?

[takemewithyou]

40 minutes ago, Carnevale said:

Many thanks for all the replies!  Sounds like we might have a few opportunities and that we should talk to the CD early on (even though that strategy didn’t work last time).  
 

Some mentioned an area called the Living Room.  Does that space exist on Insignia or might there be a similar space with a different name?

Insignia?  That’s Oceania.  
On Journey, which it looks like you are may be considering based on a previous post, yes,there in the Living room.  It’s on deck 10 in the bow. There is a small dance floor and that’s where the band plays for dancing around dinner time and beyond.

Edited November 22, 2022 by takemewithyou

[Carnevale]

Sorry for the confusion!  I have looked at too many cruise offers but you are right….Journey is what we are considering.