Leonard Miron

Culinary Extravaganza: Melia Villaitana’s Superb Food and Service Delights

•August 5, 2023 • 2 Comments

How many of you read reviews or watch videos on social media about culinary disasters during package holidays? Do you remember my recent experience at Melia Durres ?(watch one of the video reports by clicking here https://youtu.be/C5eJ5cuYmGY)

The allure of all-inclusive resorts promises an endless parade of delectable delights, but for some unfortunate travellers, it quickly devolves into a gastronomic nightmare. With lacklustre ingredients, messy buffets, and indifferent staff, these culinary experiences leave much to be desired. Repetitive, overcooked, and poorly executed dishes abound, offering little solace to those seeking a memorable dining experience. Fresh and healthy options are a distant dream, as basic, crowded restaurants churn out mass-produced meals, leaving guests feeling like mere cattle. The lack of taste and uninspired plating only add to the disappointment, turning the feast into a famine of flavours.

In a world where culinary mediocrity seems to be an unfortunate norm in holiday packages and resorts, Melia Villaitana emerges as a shining exception. This luxury resort has mastered the art of transforming a simple meal into an unforgettable gastronomic journey. Their secret lies in embracing innovative and fresh ingredients, crafting inspired and reinterpreted recipes that excite the taste buds. A harmonious blend of classic and local flavours enhances every meal experience, offering a delightful melange of tastes. Impeccable service accompanies guests at any time of the day, whether indulging in the classical buffet or exploring alternative dining venues. Melia Villaitana truly proves that a remarkable culinary adventure can be the highlight of any holiday getaway.

And therefore, I decided to dedicate a special post to my gastronomic experience of those 6 days spent at Melia Villaitana.

If you are a LEVEL guest, both, breakfast and dinner are served in the BOTANIC restaurant. Nestled within the idyllic landscape of a luxurious LEVEL area, BOTANIC Restaurant stands as a culinary haven that captivates the senses and leaves guests in awe. With its spacious indoor and outdoor areas, diners can revel in the tranquillity of never feeling crowded. Indoors, an elegant and minimalistic design creates an atmosphere of sophistication and refinement. Outdoors, the terrace envelops the mesmerizing lake-shaped pool, offering breath-taking views of the resort. Under the excellent management of a warm and attentive staff, BOTANIC Restaurant blooms as the epitome of culinary pleasure and serenity combined in the sometimes overwritten “half-board formula”

Start your day off right with a delightful breakfast experience at BOTANIC restaurant which offers a diverse and mouth-watering morning culinary treats that caters to every taste.

For lovers of international classics, you’ll find scrambled eggs, sausages, and a selection of cereals to satisfy your cravings. Cheese enthusiasts will be delighted by the array of options, from renowned international brands to delightful local varieties. Indulge in the all-time Spanish favourites like tostada with grated tomato, and savour the high-quality Jamon Iberico, and flavourful chorizo. Craving something sweet? Treat yourself to churros, a beloved Spanish delicacy.

Health-conscious guests will find an array of fresh vegetables and an assortment of healthy options, including hummus, guacamole, yogurts and various dips. And for those who appreciate local specialties, the breakfast menu proudly features dishes from the Comunidad Valenciana region.

Quench your thirst with fresh juices and savour a cup of delicious coffee, making it a perfect start to your day.

A piece of advice: if you prefer a tranquil breakfast ambiance, arrive early in the morning. The breakfast service concludes at 10:30, and as most guests are Spanish, they tend to enjoy a lively family breakfast, which may become busier as the morning progresses.

Embark on a gastronomic journey at BOTANIC restaurant and savour a breakfast experience that caters to diverse tastes, featuring both international delights and cherished Spanish delicacies. I learned after the first day at Melia Villaitana that a great day begins with a sumptuous breakfast at BOTANIC.

Breakfast at BOTANIC, Melia Villaitana

The same venue stands as a true gastronomic oasis after sunset, where food enthusiasts embark on a unique culinary journey every night. This exquisite eatery has garnered an ardent following for its ever-changing variety of cold and hot dishes, ensuring that no two evenings are alike. Among the offerings, the much-beloved Paella, renowned for its rich flavours and vibrant colours, takes centre stage, while its Catalan sister, Fideua, delights those seeking a slightly different twist on the classic.

One of the highlights at Botanic is their fabulous salad bar, adorned with an abundance of fresh and wholesome produce, offering unlimited combinations for the creation of healthy and flavourful salads. For connoisseurs of Spanish cuisine, the restaurant offers a delectable selection of Valencian cold cuts, showcasing the region’s culinary heritage. For meat lovers, THE LEVEL restaurant does not disappoint. From succulent grilled or cooked fish to prime cuts of lamb, beef, pork, and juicy chicken, the menu caters to diverse tastes and preferences. The tapas section beckons with an array of delectable options, from the iconic Patatas Brava and Spanish croquettes to refreshing chilled Gazpacho or Salmorejo, perfect for hot summer evenings. As the feast reaches its grand finale, diners are enticed by the alluring dessert bar. Fresh fruits compete with mouth-watering cakes, vying for a spot-on plates eager to satisfy sweet cravings

While drinks are not included, Botanic ensures that guests have access to a meticulously curated selection of wines. White wine enthusiasts will delight in choices such as Paco & Lola, with its invigorating tones, or ETCÉTERA, boasting floral nuances and fruity touches. For those with a penchant for reds, Habla del Silencio promises a symphony of flavours, from cherry and blackberry to hints of mint, graphite, and pepper.

Dinner at BOTANIC, Melia Villaitana

Botanic Restaurant shatters the conventional image of an all-inclusive buffet, instead offering a culinary adventure filled with surprises and delights. With each evening bringing new flavours and combinations, dining at Botanic is an exceptional experience that will leave guests longing for more. So, if you seek an unforgettable night of gastronomic indulgence, let Botanic Restaurant be your compass to a world of taste and texture.

For the last several years, we’ve watched the rise of the food truck from delicious hot dog carts to taco wagons and to an all-out gourmet battle driven by the food-truck followers you see today. The variety of food trucks is never-ending as well – from ethnic to fusion cuisine, cupcakes and ice cream and everything in-between. So get ready to discover at Melia Villaitana a proper Food Van.

Located in the area of the main pool, the Food Van is culinary gem where classical snacks get a Spanish twist and a whole lot of fun! Embracing the beloved Spanish tradition of sharing -“compartir”, this lively food van serves up traditional dishes like hamburgers, tacos, and hot dogs, all infused with local produce. Fear not the fast-food stigma, for Melia Villaitana food van takes a green approach, using sustainable materials and reducing waste. With a jubilant ambiance, decent prices, and colossal portions, every visit is a fiesta! So hungry or not just pay a visit, taste the joy, and revel in the blissful unity of food and laughter.

Craving for a snack by the pool?

Melia Villaitana includes on its gastronomic map a series of very interesting alternative dining venues. A normal guest at the hotel will pay “a la carte” as those in THE LEVEL will pay only a cover charge of 17 Euros and order everything from the menus. Now, if you book one of the top suites in THE LEVEL you can switch the dinner in Botanic with any other alternative dining options paying only the drinks and having access to the entire menu.

Of course, I try all of them and, in some cases I’ve been twice.

PAPAMAMBO

Behind a majestic façade reminiscent of the spectacular Condal Palace of Cocentaina, this cosmopolitan all-day-dining experience is bathed in natural light. Serving both lunch and dinner in the evening, during the shows in Plaza Real is changing in a surprising cocktail bar.

It is a very good choice but comparing with the other two options Papamambo was my last favourite from both service and menu point of view.

I started my evening with a SPANISH POTATO SALAD (13 Euros menu price) – tender potatoes and carrots, boiled to perfection, mingle with the velvety goodness of boiled eggs. Then comes the star of the show, the tantalizing tuna tataki, seared to succulent splendour. And to unite this heavenly ensemble, a luscious coat of mayonnaise embraces every delightful ingredient. Prepare to be bewitched by this delightful medley of tastes, bringing as a starter the sun-kissed shores of Spain with every blissful bite! Olé!

Next from the starter list was PAPAMAMBO MUSSELS (14 Euros menu price) – cooked with Fennel, Garlic, and White Wine it was a real culinary masterpiece. As the ocean’s jewels, plump and brimming with essence, meet the subtle embrace of aromatic fennel and pungent garlic, a symphony of scents fills the air. Then, the alchemy of white wine simmers and infuses the molluscs, unleashing a rich, harmonious taste. This divine harmony of flavours transports diners to coastal serenity, where the sea’s bounty delights the senses. Pure indulgence!

The first choice for the main was HAMBURGUESA CON TRUFA Y FOIE (19 Euros menu price) – a symphony of indulgence, this opulent creation tantalizes taste buds like a fine gastronomic piece of art. Nestled between artisanal buns, juicy, prime beef exudes tenderness, harmonizing with the earthy allure of truffle and the buttery decadence of foie gras. Enrobed in a velvety blanket of aged cheddar, its piquancy elevates the ensemble to celestial heights. Fresh tomato slices and crisp lettuce add vibrancy, a verdant dance of colours and textures, contrasting the richness within. One divine bite is a passage to the divine, as flavours intermingle in an exquisite gastronomic ballet, leaving discerning palates spellbound.

And I couldn’t resist to try the SEA BASS LOIN (20 Euros menu price) – freshly grilled to perfection, succulent and tender, the pristine white flesh dances upon the palate, heightened by the vibrant medley of ratatouille, a harmonious marriage of garden-fresh vegetables. And to crown this culinary masterpiece, a verdant drizzle of pesto dressing, elevating the dish to new gustatory heights

Believe of not I have some space for desert, and I decided to try for the first time in my life TORRIJAS (7 Euros menu price) – a family favorite, a cross between French toast and bread pudding, it’s a simple Spanish dessert that has gotten a fair share of compliments over the years. And I fall in love with this desert: as the luscious morsels sizzle to a golden hue, they beckon with their tantalizing aroma. A divine liaison of textures and tastes unfolds as they luxuriate in the embrace of Xalot confiture, an exquisite creation of ancient flavours. To complete this symphony of indulgence, a crown of artisanal ice cream bestows a celestial touch, rendering every bite a unique experience.

The weakest link of the menu was Papamambo cheese cake version (7 Euros menu price) – the reinterpretation of the beloved cheesecake falls short of its potential. Alas, a minor misstep leaves it somewhat dry, and its flavour, though pleasant, lacks the vivacity sought. While the vanilla essence brings a delicate touch, the medlar jam struggles to invigorate the otherwise unremarkable experience.

The wine choice for Papamambo’s night was HABLA DE TI (21 Euros/bottle) – a white wine from Extremadura, this Sauvignon Blanc is a delightful white wine with a rich bouquet of asparagus, mango, and tomato leaf aromas. Its taste is incredibly fresh, leaving a lingering aftertaste of tropical fruits that excites the palate. This wine promises a memorable experience, with its well-balanced flavours and refreshing character. It is a perfect choice for those seeking a crisp and vibrant white wine with a long-lasting tropical finish.

Dinner at Papamambo, Melia Villaitana

CASA NOSTRA

Located in the spectacular Patio de los Naranjos at the Meliá Villaitana, CASA NOSTRA it was a real surprise, combining new Italian cuisine with the ancient recipes and flavours of the south, far away from any classical Italian restaurants visited until then. Inside a building that resembles an ancient Dominican convent, Casa Nostra revives ancient Sicilian recipes and gives them an exquisite modern touch. The service was absolutely impeccable, reminding me of a very expensive restaurant anywhere in the world and the ambiance was unique. No surprise that I chose this venue twice for dinner.

The first starter was an amazing CARPACCIO DI MANZO (16 Euros menu price) – exquisite slices of tender veal, artistically adorned with peppery arugula, decadent black truffle shavings, and succulent tomato jewels, come together to elevate your senses. An opulent layer of aged Parmigiano adds a delicate richness, while a zesty lemon vinaigrette imparts a harmonious symphony of flavours

Another starter, ordered in both nights at CASA NOSTRA was a gorgeous BURRATA (15 Euros menu price) – Burrata, the queen of creamy indulgence, dances harmoniously with luscious tomato confiture, a tantalizing blend of sweetness and tang. Subtle notes of golden honey delicately caress the senses, while the elusive aroma of truffles adds an enchanting earthiness. Nestled on a bed of rustic sourdough bread, this dish transports you to a realm of pure gastronomic bliss, where each bite unveils a new dimension of delectable sensations.

The second night as a starter I decided for CARPACCIO DI TONNO (14Euros menu price) – delicate slices of fresh tuna, glistening like jewels, tantalize the taste buds. Briny capers lend a delightful burst of tangy excitement, while crispy croutons provide a satisfying crunch. A drizzle of luscious olive oil ties it all together, adding richness and enhancing every nuance.

One of my favourite main course at CASA NOSTRA was BRANZINO ALLA LIVORNESE (21 Euros menu price) – captivating Sea Bass extravaganza. The dish showcases a delectable harmony of flavors and textures, with tender squid stew, succulent king prawns, and briny clams and mussels adorning the perfectly seared sea bass. A velvety tomato sauce embraces the ensemble, infusing each bite with a delightful richness, while the tangy capers add a delightful zing. Fresh basil leaves add a final touch of herbaceous elegance. Every element of this masterpiece plays its part, creating a symphony of taste that delights the palate and transports diners to the shores of gastronomic bliss.

Another favourite option was STROZZAPRETI PESTO GENOVESE (16 Euros menu price) – a dish that weaves a tale of Italian culinary excellence. The handcrafted strozzapreti pasta, lovingly twirled around velvety pesto, transports you to the lush gardens of Genoa. The fragrance of toasted pine nuts and garlic adds an aromatic allure, while the verdant basil leaves sing of freshness. A symphony of Pecorino and Parmesan cheeses creates a melodic balance, and a crown of creamy burrata crowns this gastronomic masterpiece

Of course the second night I had to try at leas one of the 13^th different pizzas and I decided for – PIZZA CASA NOSTRA (17 Euros menu price) – the signature recipe, A harmonious fusion of flavors unfolds as the creamy Mozzarella intertwines with the vibrant tomato sauce, creating a symphony of indulgence. The bold Serrano raw ham lends a tantalizing touch of saltiness, while the peppery arugula adds a delightful burst of freshness. The briny anchovies and drizzle of luscious olive oil provide the perfect finishing notes. At each bite the essence of Italian tradition and culinary finesse come together in perfect harmony

Believe or not I had desert too…actually not one but 3 in 2 different nights. I started with CARPACCIO DE PIÑA (7.50 Euros menu price) – with marinated pineapple bathing in a fiery yet balanced spicy syrup, elegantly complemented by the cool indulgence of mandarin sorbet. After that it was PANNACOTA FRUTOS ROJOS (7.50 Euros menu price) – a velvety Italian delicacy, adorned with a drizzle of vibrant red berries coulis. The creamy smoothness of the Panna Cotta beautifully contrasts with the tangy sweetness of the coulis, creating a symphony of flavours. And of course I ended one evening with the traditional TIRAMISÚ ALLA VANIGLIA (7.50 Euros menu price) – Layers of delicate ladyfingers, skilfully soaked in espresso and brandy, interlace with a velvety mascarpone cream infused with Madagascar vanilla beans, creating an exquisite balance of flavours. Each decadent bite unveils a symphony of coffee, vanilla, and creamy richness, leaving the senses enticed and enchanted. At CASA NOSTRA this iconic dessert is a sublime celebration of gastronomic elegance that transcends time.

To drink, our excellent waiter suggested a bottle of VIONTA GODELLO (19Euros/bottle) – a clean, with medium intensity, brilliant wine, lemon-yellow in the glass with flashes of green. Fruity bouquet of green apple, plums, pear and a prominence of citrus.

Dinner at Casa Nostra, Melia Villaitana

LIMA

With no doubts, Lima was my favourite alternative dining at Melia Villaitana, the perfect combination of Nikkei cuisine with Latin American influences and Spanish and Italian favourites offering in a modern but classy ambiance dishes full of flavour accompanied by signature cocktails in line with the restaurant concept. 2 nights, 2 different menus for my palate, in a sharing concept.

Chaufa Rice is a Peruvian version of Chinese fried rice – the dish is part of Chifa cuisine, created by Chinese immigrants who adapted their recipes with Peruvian ingredients. This dish is a great way to use leftover cooked rice, sauteed in a Wok pan with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, onion, egg, chives, peppers, and diced beef (beef, pork, or chicken) or shrimp.

At LIMA restaurant I tried 2 different versions of Chaufa:

CHICKEN CHAUFA (12 Euros menu price) – a flavourful dish features fragrant fried rice combined with succulent chicken, an array of fresh vegetables, and a hint of aromatic sesame. Drizzled with savory hoisin and soy sauce, this culinary masterpiece reaches new heights when crowned with a perfectly cooked egg

SHRIMP CHAUFA (14 Euros menu price) – the beautifully presented culinary masterpiece commences with fragrant rice, skilfully stir-fried to perfection, then graced with succulent shrimp that beckons with its oceanic charm. A vibrant medley of fresh vegetables adds a burst of colour and nutrition to the ensemble. As the dish takes its final form, a luscious egg embraces the creation, lending a velvety richness to every bite. Embellished with toasted sesame, and luxuriously drizzled with the divine fusion of hoisin and soy sauce, this gastronomic delight unites the essence of Peruvian cuisine with every savory mouthful

Other fabulous starters shared during my 2 nights at LIMA were

“BUFFALO” SHRIMP TEMPURA (12 Euros menu price) – Succulent shrimp, delicately coated in a feather-light tempura batter, meets the bold and tangy allure of authentic buffalo sauce. The experience reaches its crescendo as the dish harmonizes with a velvety drizzle of blue cheese

PIMIENTOS DE PADRÓN (7 Euros menu price) – exquisite flavors of these tender Padrón peppers are elevated with a delightful symphony of pistachios and the umami essence of miso.

CEVICHE LIMEÑO (12 Euros menu price) – Tender fish, bathed in the zesty embrace of “Tiger’s Milk” citrus sauce, dances on the palate. A delightful medley of sweet potato and red onion bestows an elegant touch, while crisp pop corn adds a whimsical surprise,

EMPANADA (10 Euros menu price) – a refined culinary ensemble, showcasing a meticulously crafted patty infused with succulent beef. Complemented by the exquisite nuances of criollo sauce, this gastronomic delight delivers a harmonious amalgamation of textures and flavours.

Ready to order the main(s)?

COD FISH WITH MISO (18Euros menu price) – my favourite who give you the chance to immerse your senses in the tender, succulent cod, its pearly-white flesh infused with the enchanting allure of umami-rich miso, a velvety embrace that lingers on your palate. As you indulge, witness the spring onions’ charred elegance, adding a crispy and smoky charm that harmonizes beautifully with the cod’s delectable essence.

BEEF SKIRT (18Euros menu price) – tender and succulent, the beef skirt flawlessly pairs with the crisp verdant embrace of Bok choy. A graceful drizzle of “chimichurri” sauce, infusing the dish with vibrant herbaceous notes,

CHICKEN ANTICUCHO (16Euros menu price) – succulent chicken, artfully marinated, graces the skewer alongside golden corn and roasted potato, a medley of textures that delights. The celestial notes of criolla sauce accentuate the ensemble, while fresh coriander and zesty lime dance on the tongue.

Of course I ordered deserts too…

CHOCO MISO (7 Euros menu price) – picture a velvety cloud of luscious Chocolate Pudding, drizzled gently atop the warm, buttery embrace of freshly baked Brioche, its delicate crumb a testament to culinary finesse. Nestled on this canvas of perfection, a generous scoop of Banana Ice Cream awaits, its creamy sweetness a tantalizing contrast to the gentle bitterness of crushed peanuts sprinkled artfully.

COCO LOCO (7 Euros menu price) – its creamy coconut essence embraces toasted Coconut Chips. Roasted Pineapple adds a captivating twist, its sweet and caramelized allure a perfect pairing. A golden drizzle of Honey crowns this masterpiece

CHOCOLATE SURPRISE (17 Euros menu price) – Indulge in the custom-crafted desert, for two! This shield of sumptuous dark chocolate boasts a captivating, sweet strength, concealing a symphony of flavours within its multiple layers. Break it open with a hammer to reveal a burst of rich, heavenly taste, an exquisite treat for discerning palates. Enjoy!

To drink we started of 2 of the cocktails (9.50 Euros each) served at LIMA and another bottle of Paco&Lola ( 28 Euros/bottle) – our old friend from a previous night.

LIMA restaurant, Melia Villaitana

Melia Villaitana is a culinary haven, offering a melange of choices from multiple cuisines. The menu caters to all, with healthy options to satisfy diverse tastes. Embracing tradition, classic, urban, and cosmopolitan influences, their outstanding service elevates the dining experience. The unforgettable food at Melia Villaitana beckons guests to return time and again.

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Tags: all inclusive Melia Villaitana, half board Melia Villaitana, Melia, Melia Benidorm, Melia Costa Blanca, Melia Hotels, Melia Resorts, Melia Villaitana, reastaurants Melia Villaitana, restaurants Benidorm, restaurants Costa Blanca, restaurants Melia resorts, THE LEVEL Melia Villaitana

Unveiling Melia Villaitana: Personalized Exclusivity and Beyond

•August 5, 2023 • Leave a Comment

After couple of very successful short or long stays in Alicante, couple weeks ago I started to consider a possible 6 days escape to … Benidorm.

Yes, indeed, you understand right BENIDORM.

Benidorm doesn’t have the greatest reputation amongst holidaymakers, but Melia Villaitana is a prime example of why you should withhold judgement and make the most of all the true beauty and relaxation this Spanish coastal city has to offer.

About a 10 minute drive from the centre of Benidorm on Costa Blanca you’ll find the Melia Villaitana resort. Nestled in the Spanish hills and oozing Mediterranean charm, it’s the perfect place to escape and unwind.

And here are 6 reasons why I fall in love with Melia Villaitana during my 6 days stay and why I can’t wait to go back as soon as possible.

A stunning & surprising concept

At first sight, it seems an ancient Mediterranean town. The intention of its architects, Andrés and Juan Carlos Piñeiro, was to reproduce historic buildings of the region. 6 days at Melia Villaitana will give you enough time to discover the Almudín – an old grain store dating back to the 14th century which is currently located just behind the Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken in Valencia, the Cloister of the Orange Trees in the ancient monastery of Saint Dominic (Orihuela) with an spectacular architecture located somewhere between the Renaissance and the Baroque, the dome of the famous church of Our Lady of Consolation in Altea, the Gothic palace of the Earls of Cocentaina, the municipal palace of Villena with its magnificent columns and arcades and Alzira’s town hall, a beautiful manor house evoking the Italian Renaissance. And all this in one single destination.

Therefore, they went across the region for months looking for references. They drew on its lavish historic sites and artistic heritage, on the urban planning and most emblematic buildings, on the most typical main squares and those hidden places steeped in tradition, always trying to accurately reproduce the architecture and ancestral beauty of the Mediterranean villages. The challenge was making all these mismatched and extemporaneous buildings fit together in a harmonic balance so as not to drift from picturesque to grotesque.

And the result is one of the most spectacular resorts I ever visit.

Imagine a typical little town on the Levantine coast, tucked away at the foot of the mountain. The skyscrapers of Benidorm cutting out the Mediterranean Sea on the horizon. Visualize an environment where you can forget about the world. Under the powerful contrast of the blue sky and the green of its immense golf courses. Now open your eyes and enjoy this unique destination on Costa Blanca

A tour of the incredible Melia Villaitana resort, Costa Blanca

2. THE LEVEL – an unparalleled experience

The resort it has been divided into two hotels: The Level and Meliá Villaitana.

THE LEVEL at Melia Villaitana it’s your chance to treat yourself to a world of exclusivity with the Meliá premium service. A sophisticated and elegant ambience combined with the charm of a Mediterranean village give the opportunity to savour the most exclusive luxury.

Everything here is design having in mind luxury, comfort, style and, what makes this place unique, an exquisite, personalised experience.

The reception is an accurate replica of the municipal palace of Villena while the façade reproduces that of Alzira’s town hall. The main lobby, the corridors, the public spaces are full of details such as lanterns, balusters, stone pavement, palm trees and auburn tiles, emanating the purest Mediterranean essence and that unaccountable fascination for outdoor life.

Booking a room in THE LEVEL at Melia Villaitana give you access to private spaces reserved only for the most discerning and experienced guests.

Step into the lap of luxury at The Level Lounge, your exclusive hideaway within the exquisite resort. Indulge in a lavish selection of drinks and delectable snacks, available nearly round-the-clock, catering to your every craving. The attentive private reception team stands ready to cater to your every whim, ensuring every detail of your stay is flawlessly orchestrated. Relax, unwind, and savour the personalized service that elevates your experience to new heights embracing a world of opulence and convenience, all within the confines of The Level Lounge.

THE LEVEL at Melia Villaitana

THE LEVEL has 2 exceptional pools offering the chance to dive into a world of pure aquatic bliss. The first, a sprawling lake-shaped oasis, invites you to bask in its crystal-clear waters, surrounded by lush greenery that transports you to a tropical paradise. As for the second pool, heated to perfection, it promises year-round comfort. But that’s not all – Melia Villaitana banished the sunbeds hoarding, ensuring every guest enjoys their sun-soaked sanctuary without compromise. It is a great Welcome to a haven where relaxation and harmony reign, setting this place apart from neighbouring Benidorm resorts.

Sunset Terrace is a quiet spot giving every day the perfect view of the most extraordinary sunsets. Nestled amidst nature’s embrace, this haven boasts Bali beds and sun loungers, beckoning you to unwind in tranquil luxury. Immerse yourself in the soothing ambiance, as you witness sunsets painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson. Here, time slows down, and worries dissipate, leaving you with only blissful serenity.

The grounds at THE LEVEL Melia Villaitana are full of a stylish personality, changing the vibe from day to night in a spectacular manner which is surpassed only by the high standards of the service provided here.

3. THE LEVEL rooms

Maybe the most difficult moment when booking a stay at THE LEVEL Melia Villaitana is to decide which room to choose.

From Premium The Level with amazing pool views to the Junior Suite The Level with a spectacular design of a bedroom and a separate lounge, from the exclusivity and sophistication in their purest form of the Royal suite to the stunning terrace with a Bali bed and a whirlpool bathtub of the Presidential Suite The Level, each room is created to satisfy the needs of modern travellers.

My choice this time was THE LEVEL PENTHOUSE suite, expansive 100m² accommodation, a real pinnacle of luxury. With a spacious bedroom, separate living room, and a private terrace offering breath-taking vistas, you’ll relish every moment. And of course you can indulge in pure opulence as you immerse yourself in “The Ritual of Jing” bathroom amenities by Rituals® – a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation. And there’s more! Delight in the grandeur of an impressive hot tub with a glass dome, affording unparalleled views from its separate terrace. Bask in the sun’s warmth on your sun terrace, and enjoy the convenience of a free minibar, replenished daily, complimentary bookings for the alternative dining venues if you are on a half-board package plus an attentive non-intrusive daily turndown service. A royal experience awaits in this penthouse!

The PENTHOUSE suite 714 THE LEVEL, Melia Villaitana

During your stay at THE LEVEL you will experience true perfection in hospitality with exceptional housekeeping standards. Every corner of Melia Villaitana is meticulously maintained to ensure utmost cleanliness and hygiene. The personalized service caters to guest’s every need, making you feel like royalty. This is the place to embrace the charm of minimalistic elegance, where sophistication meets simplicity and to discover a harmonious blend of functionality and comfort. A stay at THE LEVEL Melia Villaitana Your is more than accommodation; it’s an unforgettable journey of indulgence and delight.

4. The golfer’s Paradise

I am not a big fan of golf…to be honest… I never touch a golf club in my entire life but a tour of the golf courses convinced me that Melia Villaitana is the place where golfers’ dreams come true amidst the sun-drenched beauty of Spain. This all-encompassing golf resort is a haven for those seeking a relaxing escape. While the resort boasts an array of first-class facilities, the real gem lies in its meticulously crafted golf courses, both masterpieces by the legendary Jack Nicklaus. The Bermuda Princess grass used on both courses ensures an unparalleled playing experience for golfers of all levels. First, we have the Poniente Golf Course, a par 62 wonder stretching 3,858 meters through a stunning valley of Mediterranean pines, offering breath-taking views of the sea and mountains. On the other hand, the Levante Golf Course, a par 72 American-style gem, stretches over 6,576 meters. Its wide fairways and exquisitely molded greens provide an extraordinary journey with awe-inspiring vistas of the Mediterranean Sea and Sierra de Finestrat.

During your stay you can take your skills to new heights with the vast practice field, short game practice areas, and Putting-Green. At Melia Villaitana, the possibilities are endless, making it a golfer’s utopia that promises an unforgettable golfing experience.

The golfer’s Paradise

5. YHI Spa – a world of unparalleled bliss

At the YHI Spa in Meliá Villaitana, an unrepeatable restorative experience awaits you. I decided one day to try some treatments and as you enter this temple of calm, you’ll feel all your senses come alive, embracing you in a state of complete relaxation, balance, and harmony. The spa’s tranquil setting offers an oasis of peace like no other, allowing you to escape the stresses of everyday life and immerse yourself in total serenity. With a plethora of treatments designed to bring out the best version of yourself, the YHI Spa promises to leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. The 1,200 m2 of pure paradise at your feet invites you to purify both your body and mind, as the warm and enveloping aroma of the health sanctuary soothes your soul.

The YHI Spa caters to all, making it accessible for guests aged 12 and above, and even offers special children’s hours for the little ones aged between 5 and 11, accompanied by adults. Whether you’re seeking physical revitalization or inner peace, this privileged environment is your ultimate wellness haven. So don’t forget when you will stay at Melia Villaitana to allow yourself to be transported to a world of tranquillity and healing at the YHI Spa, and to let your senses dance in delight.

Spa at Melia Villaitana

6. An outstanding team redefining hospitality

Since I come back home I’ve been trying to understand the secret of those perfect 6 days at Melia Villaitana. And the success is of course the result of a 24 hour daily effort of a team where everybody from housekeeping to waitress, from bartenders to activity staff, from managers to golf marshals embodies the essence of dedication, attention to detail, and passion for their craft. At Melia Villaitana the staff exudes a friendly attitude and professionalism, always going above and beyond to create outstanding experiences for guests. It is very easy to realise at every step that they take pride in acknowledging exceptional service and fostering an environment where every individual loves what they do and does what they love. Melia Villaitana has leaders, not managers, guiding the team to unparalleled heights of success. From the moment you step through the doors, you’ll be enchanted by the attentiveness and high standards that define hotel’s extraordinary team.

Melia Villaitana team

Writing this 6 reasons I realised that Melia Villaitana deserves more than 6 reason to return as soon as possible : the high quality evening entertainment with acts from pop and rock concerts to authentic flamenco shows and circus, the fun packed daily program with activities for all ages hosted with passion and energy from yoga to aqua gym and craft market, the amazing communication with the guests prior to arrival which makes your holiday starts a little bit earlier than the flight to Alicante, the permanent updated Melia app full of useful information, schedules and tips to guarantee a great day again and again and again

Evenings packed with fun at Melia Villaitana

Of course, I didn’t forget about the gastronomic adventure experienced at Melia Villaitana, but the dimension of the culinary celebration deserves a separate post here.

So, now the question is when I will go back to Melia Villaitana?

As soon as possible and I already started to search for availability and flights to Alicante.

Why?

Because I miss that world where exclusivity meets the enchanting flavours of the Mediterranean.

Because I always seek for a stay that transcends the ordinary and offers an unparalleled experience which leaves me yearning for more.

Because I miss a world of sophistication and elegance, of a select environment with exclusive services, ensuring that every moment of your stay is nothing short of extraordinary.

Because I crave for the feeling of being pampered and cared for with impeccable personalized service from the moment you arrive until your departure, making my stay an unforgettable one.

Because I want again to let my senses savour the most exclusive luxury, as I bask in the serenity and splendour that only Melia Villaitana can offer.

And of course I will be back being sure that I will captivated once again by a world of unparalleled exclusivity with a Mediterranean flavour at Melia Villaitana

A night vibe at Melia Villaitana

Posted in TRAVELER'S NOTES
Tags: Benidorm, Costa Blanca, hotels, hotels in Benidorm, hotels in Costa Blanca, luxury resorts, Melia, Melia Resorts, Melia rewards, Melia THE LEVEL, Melia Villaitana, Melia Villaitana THE LEVEL, resorts in benidorm, resorts on Costa Blanca

A LEVEL MELIA-ish EXPERIENCE IN ALBANIA

•July 24, 2023 • Leave a Comment

Finally I am back home and maybe it is time for some conclusion.

Not to many, because I am sure that all the episodes in this series gave you the right feeling about my week at Melia Durres in Albania.

Do you remember in the first episode how excited I was about my week in Melia Durres and my first visit to Albania. Watching that reaction, I still have a bitter taste.

Travelling to Tirana, Albania

First of all because Albania is far from what you can see in the travel adverts. The country has still a long way to be in line with the expectations of a modern tourism.

A country where is almost impossible to use your credit cards, a destination where is a massive difference between prices for locals and prices for tourism, even if you want to catch a taxi, a place where the basic rule of hospitality: being friendly and smile is difficult to follow, it is not, in my opinion, ready for international tourism at international standards.

Albania, in so many aspects remind me of Cuba, which taking in the account the recent communist history is not hard to understand. But for sure I will plan my next holiday in Albania maybe after I will wait another 2-3 years hoping that something will change.

The second massive disappointment was Melia Durres. I was hoping to find the same standards, high-class accommodation and services, a very strong LEVEL product like every other Melia hotel or resort I visited. And maybe more taking, in the account that Melia Durres is the newest Melia hotel, opened only in May and as every “new born” hospitality establishment their main target will be to ensure as quick as possible a return business.

But I was so wrong. The design, architecture and lay-out of Melia Durres is amazing, maybe one of the best resorts I ever visited. But the wow factor ends there.

The news that Melia will open a brand-new hotel in Durres, Albania attracted my attention at the beginning of 2023. I experienced THE LEVEL concept at both Melia resorts and hotels around the world and knowing the very high standards, the strong exclusive product, the unique combination of exclusive services and facilities designed for the most discerning travellers built a real excitement for my first holiday in Albania.

Add to all of this the obvious assumption that a brand-new hotel, only couple of weeks after the grand opening will go extra miles from all point of view to impress the first guests and create a solid return business. At least this is the general approach across the hospitality industry around the world.

Packed with all these expectations and excitement is easy to understand how big the disappointment was, when I discover the reality at Melia Durres so far not only from the Melia resorts standards but even from the promoted image of the hotel on-line and in social media.

But I was so wrong. The design, architecture and lay-out of Melia Durres is amazing, maybe one of the best resorts I ever visited. But the wow factor ends there.

The rest is a 150% failure from top to bottom: random and inconsistent service in bars and restaurant, poor quality of the food for any meals of the day, low standards of maintenance and housekeeping, dangerous and scary disregarding of international standards of food health and safety, and an incredible “can’t be bother” attitude style of the management team.

I still can’t believe that after having some goods stolen from my room, The Guests Experience Manager, refused to call the police and started his “own” investigation. And despite the fact that he has all evidence needed, included information from an application showing the precise location of what was stolen the results of his investigation was only a BS (beautiful speech) and not results. Indeed after my arrival back home I was contacted by the Guest Experience team and offered a full refund of the solen item. Thank you!

I still can’t believe that the General manager of Melia Durres, after chasing me around the hotel and finally cornered me by the pool, instead of acknowledge my feed-back, apologise or taking on board the information was just demanding to remove all videos from social media and post only “nice things”.

Melia Durres supposed to be an important step for the Spanish company who wants to ensure its presence in the most important destinations in Albania and opens the door to a new expansion, which would make the country one of Meliá’s strongholds in the Balkans and would consolidate its leadership in the Mediterranean.

To be honest, as a first impression, Meliá Durrës is a stunning hotel, with an architecture able to perfectly combine functionality and design. The architectural design has been carried out by the architect Alvaro Sans, with a perfect balance between outdoor and indoor spaces with an elegant interior design created by Room 1804 and ASAH. The spacious facilities of the Meliá Durrës are in perfect for enjoying the destination with an expected best hotel experience. With direct access to the beach right in front of the property, the hotel offers outdoor garden areas with spaces to relax under the sun, along with its swimming pool – the heart of the Meliá Dürres. In addition to the various outdoor pools, the hotel also has an indoor pool and two infinity pools located on rooftops, perfect for enjoying the spectacular sunsets overlooking the sea.

But be aware that despite the name – Melia Durres – the hotel is 37.2km from Durres, which involves a good 45 minutes’ drive. Add to this that the “helpful” front Desk who will offer you a taxi (a company which I expect has a contract with the hotel) for a “bargain” price of 40 Euros (one way). Luckily after searching the internet, I found a different company DO TAXI ( https://do-taxi-toptani.business.site ) reliable, safe and with an affordable half tariff than the one offered by the hotel. So keep in mind that if you don’t want to spend too much on taxis you are basically isolated in the middle of nowhere on the coast of Adriatic sea.

Melia Durres – an expensive toy with no user manual

At the moment of booking (I booked the holiday with British Airways Holidays – https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/flights-and-holidays/holidays ) the only available room in THE LEVEL at Melia Durres was “The Level Sea View”. Not really a “sea view” more “pool view with a peek a boo of the sea”. But the room was designed in line with all Melia standards: 36m², DreamMaker mattress, “The Ritual of Jing” bathroom amenities by Rituals®, a beautiful bathtub and separate shower and WC, in-room coffee and tea service and a nice spacious terrace looking over the swimming pool.

Unfortunately, the wow factor of the room started and ended with the design due to a lot of short-cuts decided by the hotel’s management. Far from being at the usual LEVEL standards everything associated with the room was not worth to pay for: the linen was a random mix between LEVEL and “normal” items, the bathroom amenities placed in an elegant holder fall at the opening of the hotel I think and were left laying on the shower floor, the one-touch phone never worked (great in case of an emergency), the AC packed in the middle of the night 4 out of 7 days and with no maintenance night-shift left the room at a “comfortable” temperature of 26.7C every night, the “do not disturb sign” on the door always ignored and give you the pleasure of unexpected visitors from different departments at the wrong moment, etc. Add to this the poor standards of housekeeping with a random “daily routine” created for a round room and ignoring the corners, shower, mirror and anything else that was too complicated. But at least the room was cleaner than the public toilets in the hotel!

According to their website Melia Durres offers Great dining options based around Mediterranean cuisine. My package was the all-inclusive one and I must say that was the first time in an all-inclusive holiday when I lost weight.

The market cuisine concept MERKADO was basically the buffet were everybody, depends on their package will get their breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Melia Durres promises a surprising international cuisine with Mediterranean influences in a buffet with show cooking and areas offering the best cakes, salads, fish dishes, meat, and fresh vegetables for every meal of the day.

The reality was part of the wonderful world of indigestion for every meal of the day: cheap ingredients, bad cooking, lack of healthy options, overcooked dishes, an obsession with low quality meat (mainly pork and fish cooked in cheap cooking oil or dubious sauces, an always messy presentation of the buffet (with leftovers, empty trays, food spilled and never cleaned on service surfaces).

Merkado Buffet at Melia Durres: how to lose weight … “all-inclusive”

But what was really dangerous and scarry in MERKADO was how the management was ignoring the basic rules of health and safety related to preparing and service food in public spaces. According to any regulations to avoid cross-contamination you should consider the cleanliness of staff, surfaces and utensils, storage of food, disposal of waste, raw foods should be kept separate from ready to eat foods. If they must be stored together then make sure that raw meat/fish/eggs or poultry is stored below the ready to eat foods. At Melia Durres the management never heard about these rules and MERKADO one day will be the source of major health issue in the resorts. Until then the culinary experience in Merkado was not a pleasant one.

A serious issue

Elyxir is a beautiful design space, reminding me of an elegant continental café, quit and, what a relief, excellent AC. Coffee, freshly squeezed fruit juices (from a box) and healthy snacks (aka dry cakes) are served from early in the day until late in the evening. I stopped there just to take some photos and film couple of minutes as the place not being part of the all-inclusive as always almost dead.

Casa Nostra is the Italian restaurant at Melia Durres, offering traditional Italian cuisine prepared with better quality ingredients than in the buffet. Indeed, my dinner there was very pleasant with balanced dishes and a great service in an authentic-ish atmosphere. A little bit weird how when ordering a wine from the Wine List which was missing, it was replaced with another one (Albanian and actually very good) with no price and no mention in the menu. It was charged as a “Sommelier’s choice” – Melia Durres auditor must be a magician to sort out the financial and stock mess.

Cape Nao intend to bring Mediterranean cuisine at Melia Durres with an exquisite menu including superior quality cuts of meat, fresh fish, shellfish and salads. The restaurant is quite weird being located in a corridor from which you access the swimming pool from the hotel and therefor for an elegant lunch and dinner you have included a impromptu swimwear fashion show or couple of children races. The menu is not very big, which is normally a good sign, but unfortunately the waste is huge as the waiters never remember the orders and bring random dishes or wrong dishes at your table. The service is chaotic too with too many episodes of “lost in translation” or “lost in space” moments. Whatever I order that night had a very “MERKADO style” overcooked, with a taste of cheap over-used oil and a “on the spot” interpretation of what was describe in the menu. And, once, again, the wine story from Casa Nostra was repeated, this time being charged for the wine I ordered not the one served.

Another Melia Durres bedtime story: alternative dining options

But to be honest the chance to experience those two alternative dining options are quite small as you need to book a table and the entire process is a pain in the … back: first you need to wait in line in front of a desk in the lobby where a girl with a lot of folders and a “computer says NO” attitude will tell you that everything is fully booked. And when finally, you find a table, on a Thursday, for lunch she will request a voucher. After 7 days at Melia Durres I never solve the mystery of this voucher: from where, from whom and why. Fortunately, I had the right connection, and I secured a table on 2 nights, despite the fact that the restaurants were never full. Maybe, as they are listed on the all-inclusive package, the management is trying, AGAIN, to cut corners and save money.

The bars at Melia Durres could be one of the highlights of my stay: The Sports Bar – a very dynamic place with drinks and comfort food; The Plaza Bar where signature cocktails and classic favourites were offered on the menu; The Pool Bar with it’s funny feature of a half-submerse bar, the perfect choice, in theory, to cool off both inside and out; Grap and Go – halfway towards the beach, aiming to offer American cuisine in a beach atmosphere with sea views, kind of a quick and easy option to savour a healthy proposal which surprise, surprise was never open. But once again the reality won over the website: the service in all bars was very slowly with waiters with no directions or leadership, taking the same orders twice and forgetting the same order three time. Everybody looked overworked and forced to be there which didn’t help to create a relaxing or fun ambiance. The weirdest think was the way how they made the drinks in all bars: doesn’t matter the place or the time of the day the SAME drink come in different glass, different size and different taste – sometimes very strong sometimes very weak, but NEVER the same! I was watching some of the bartenders making cocktails, never using a measure and wasting some much alcohol that I couldn’t stop thinking if anybody in the management team really know the alcohol consumption or the real cost of a … Mojito for example in this hotel. Talking about the costs, the inconsistency was present even after you order the drink: sometimes you are asked to sign a bill, sometimes you were asked the room number and sometimes the waiter just walk away. Maybe they were trying to cover the costs of the drinks in the bars with cheap food in the buffet…who knows the complicated hospitality thinking process of the managers at Melia Durres. Of course, as always, some exception made my evening in Melia Durres bars more acceptable when Daniel at the Rooftop Bar or Klaudio at the Sports Bar were in charge of my drinks.

A random and chaotic experience – bars at Melia Durres

The hotel offers a Premium Spa Welnnes Center with a small but well-equipped gym (no clean towels available or any tools of cleaning/disinfecting the equipment, but that’s a housekeeping story) and a Premium Spa. You can call it “premium” twice, because the prices for different treatment are with 50-75% more expensive than in a 5-star hotels in the centre of any European capitals. But if you want to pay between 150-175 Euros for a 50-minute massage session, no worries the booking will not be a problem.

The beach of Melia Durres is huge, not very far from the main pool and has a lot of sunbeds and umbrellas free of charge for the guests of the hotel. When I was at the hotel the entire beach was not ready yet but I am sure when everything will be done – probably at the end of the season the beach will be gorgeous with all the facility needed. My only worries were that Melia Durres hotel beach is located between 2 public beaches incredible dirty and polluted, with huge E. coli infection sources a little bit to close (dirty nappies, ad-hoc public toilets, piles of plastic rubbish and food waste) with no separation from the hotel beach or sea.

Melia Durres has a kind of Activity/Entertainment manager who’s trying hard to provide a certain type of entertainment during the day and evenings: yoga classes, aqua gym during the day and various entertainment acts during the evening. I have to admit that the musicians performing every evening in the garden were very good, I saw a folkloric show not at all bad and some interactive dancing evenings above mediocre. So, thumbs up for the activity team – not necessary Melia quality but better than the rest of the hotel.

All the time when I choose Melia chain for holiday or business, I always book a LEVEL room knowing how strong and consistent the product is all around the world. At Melia Durres “THE LEVEL” is only a word sculpted in wood on a wall, bringing together a strong hard product (rooms, infinity pool, lounge) with a very week, almost inexistent soft product (services, customer experience, facilities).

Checking the Melia Durres website, on the LEVEL page let me explain you step by step why at the hotel THE LEVEL concept got lost in translation:

“Private check-in and check-out” – maybe if you arrive on a Tuesday, at 10.30AM, every other week the private and personalised experience will happen. The Level reception is hidden in an office with frosted windows and a sign PRIVATE behind the reception. I check-in and check-out at the Front Desk trying to understand the very off attitude of the staff asking me if I want to check in (no I am here at 9.00PM just for fun with my 4 suitcases and a tired face after a 10 hours journey) or if I really want a printed copy of my bill (No charge me whatever you want I trust your establishment sooooooooooo much!). The Concierge function was reduced to a printed paper with some QR codes for overpriced taxi services or guided tours. Maybe at Melia Durres is not usual for a Concierge to provide options and let the guests to be the one choosing what fits his/her needs.
“Private pool” located next to the LEVEL Lounge was indeed a very nice place when was not full of family of children confusing the place with the nearby children pool. Here the lack of maintenance was pretty visible as the walls of the pool started to be a protective area for the local algae.
“Access to the private Lounge” – the beautifully designed Lounge was indeed the best part of THE LEVEL at Melia Durres…not perfect but closer to what LEVEL suppose to be. The breakfast was decent, with a kind of an attentive service (more focused on cleaning the tables than bringing orders) and a nice buffet which still needed a bit of attention to restocking and cleanliness. But was a breath of fresh air comparing to the gastronomic hell in Merkado offered as a start of your day at Melia Durres. The other Lounge experience was the “happy hours” offered in early evenings for the guests in LEVEL: a weird selections of drinks(whiskey, Fernet Branca, Rakia, cheap white, red wines and cava) with no mixers and no ice, some melted or dry left-overs from breakfast as snacks and plenty of dry snacks surviving day after day in the heat in very sad jars. Not exactly the place where I wanted to start my evenings.
“Rooftop pool and bar” – another fabulous addition to the LEVEL at Melia Durres at least from the location and architecture point of view. Located on the roof of the towers at the end of the 2 wings of the hotel, the two rooftops include enough sunbeds, a comfortable charming sitting area, a gorgeous infinity pool and a well-stocked bar. The access, available only for the guests in LEVEL was planned to be gained by using your room card in the elevator. But the system didn’t work and therefore, sometimes, during the morning a LEVEL hostess with a printout of the guests list will check if you belong or not there. But after the end of the shift anyone could access the space and the “adult only and LEVEL” only area was transformed after 2.00PM in an extension of the main pool. The bar had a random schedule, with opening time “sometimes in the morning” and closing around 4.30PM when the poor bartender moved to the other rooftop bar, in the other corner of the hotel. So, in case you don’t want to relocate from one rooftop to the other and follow your favourite barman forget about “admiring the breath-taking sunset with a delicious cocktail” (quote from Melia Durres website). And something else: the LEVEL rooftop bar can easily win the award for the “dirtiest toilet on the premises” as after lunch, every day the facility reminded me of a busy train station’s toilet during rush hours: never cleaned, no toilet papers or paper towels, no hand dryer, just a smell revealing the functionality of the place.

Bottom line THE LEVEL at Melia Durres is far from being a real LEVEL … it is not close enough to be LEVEL-ish. The lack of standards, care for customer experience, consistency give the feeling that the Melia’s “LEVEL know-how” is constantly ignored, adapted and re-interpretated. Based on my recent experience if Melia Durres will be the first Melia hotel and THE LEVEL at Melia Durres will be the first Level experience for sure I will never choose the brand or the product again. It’s pointless to pay 3 or 4 times more if in exchange you will get only the peacock’s attitude of a managerial team busy to create fake reviews with plenty of adjectives which will make even the best AI writer jalouse, than a real professional land efficient leadership.

The LEVEL at Melia Durres – a LEVEL-ish experience

Fortunately, I travelled enough to realise that one bad experience can’t cancel the other 1001 excellent ones.

To assess the quality of any type of services, especially in the hospitality industry a questionnaire at the end of the stay will ask to very important questions:

How likely are you to recommend us to friends or family on a scale from 0 to 10?
How likely are you to book again with us on a scale from 0 to 10?

Looking back at my Melia Durres experience I will need a new mark on the scale: “-5”.

I know that the hotel was just opened, that things are not perfect at any beginning, that people can learn and be trained, and process are perfectible, but at Melia Durres the problem lies with a very arrogant, self-sufficient, inefficient management incapable to grow and to deal with issues, ignoring the fact that feed-back from your clients is a gift, that repetitive business is the cheapest way to make profit.

Time to fly back home and some conclusions

From General Manager and Guest Experience Manager to bar and restaurants managers, at Melia Durres they live in a bubble where only the positive comments are accepting, where blaming the others is an office policy, where apologising is for lower grades and customer service recovery was not invented. The rest of the staff are working very hard, trying to do their best but without a clear leadership the failure is like a daily routine. The famous “walking the talk” dimension of modern leadership has at Melia Durres a completely opposite effect that the normal one.

I do hope that during the winter, when the hotel will be closed, Melia Durres will have a lot of maintenance done not only on the hard product but on the human factor too, especially at the top and mid management level.

And maybe in the future, if the hotel will still be part of the Melia group and still have the LEVEL product (happened before with Melia distancing itself from hotels which couldn’t keep the standards) I will try again, ready to admit all the positive changes and efforts and happy for a “Melia Durres revisited” page.

Posted in TRAVELER'S NOTES
Tags: Albania, all-inclusive holiday, Durres, holiday in Albania, holiday in Durres, Melia, Melia Durres, Melia Hotels, Melia Resorts, Melia rewards

P&O AZURA: When Benidorm meets Warner at sea

•January 26, 2025 • Leave a Comment

My first cruise P&O was a New Year 4-day voyage on Ventura, and I still remember how, by the last day, I promised myself I would never step on a P&O cruise ship again. However, I’ve always believed that everyone and everything deserves a second chance.

So, last year in November, I decided to book a second P&O cruise, determined to see if the line could offer a better experience this time around. I booked a 7-day fly-cruise on P&O Azura, sailing around the Canary Islands with a stop in Madeira. I have to admit, the price was the main driver behind my decision to give P&O a second chance. I paid £1,300 per person for a suite, with flights included, plus £382 for the Deluxe drinks package, and I received £215 back as onboard credit. When you do the math, £1,500 for a week-long cruise in a suite is an excellent deal. I opted not to use the Je2 charter flights offered by P&O and instead booked my own flights with British Airways, but that’s a story for another time.

Ultimately, the value for money was undeniable, and I was eager to see if this second cruise could offer a better experience. Now, it’s time to reflect on whether such a good deal is a strong enough reason to book a P&O cruise.

Let’s break down the key elements that define a memorable cruise experience

EMBARKATION

Embarkation is often the first impression you get when stepping on board a cruise ship, and as we all know, first impressions count. P&O’s logistics for this fly-cruise package were impressive. I received all the necessary information about flights and embarkation in advance, and the online check-in process was smooth. Everything was clearly outlined, and I was able to print my documents without any hassle.

For those using the included flights, the expected embarkation time was set for 12:00 PM, which seemed quite reasonable. However, there was an unfortunate coincidence when I arrived at the cruise terminal in Tenerife at the same time as two Jet2 charter flights from Manchester. This caused a 30-40 minute wait for security screening, but this was more of a timing issue rather than a flaw in P&O’s process.

Once past security, the rest of the embarkation was smooth and efficient. I never print my luggage tags, but they were readily available in the terminal, and plenty of porters were on hand to collect luggage and send it on board. There were also enough check-in agents to make the process quick and easy. From passing security to unlocking my cabin door, it took no more than 30-40 minutes, which is impressive

The only thing missing from an otherwise smooth embarkation was the presence of the crew to create a welcoming atmosphere. Other cruise lines make sure that during embarkation, the animation team and other crew members are stationed along the check-in process to offer a warm “welcome on board” or “happy to see you again” vibe. This not only sets a positive tone for the cruise but also makes you feel expected and excited, as if the crew is eager to make your holiday unforgettable.

Unfortunately, this approach seemed completely absent on P&O Azura. There was no one greeting passengers or even guiding us through the embarkation process. The entire atmosphere felt like a tired, routine procedure. There was no sense of excitement or energy, and the only smile I encountered that day was my own reflection in the elevator mirror. While I was still happy to be on board, the lack of crew interaction left a noticeable gap in the experience. It would have been a small touch, but one that could have made the first impression feel a lot warmer and more engaging

2. DISEMBARKATION

Disembarkation is just as important as embarkation, as it leaves the final impression of your cruise. In this area, P&O Azura almost excelled. Disembarkation details were sent to my cabin two days prior, and while the information was lengthy—almost like an Open University essay—it was thorough and, after a couple of reads, easy to understand.

One significant advantage of being part of a fly-cruise package with independent flights was the absence of long lines to leave the ship. P&O also asked passengers to place luggage outside their cabins before midnight on the night before disembarkation, which was a reasonable request compared to other cruise lines that ask for luggage by 8 PM. For those with late departures, P&O offered the option to store hand luggage safely in the Theater, so there was no need to carry around bags for the rest of the morning.

The most pleasant surprise came after leaving my cabin at 8:00 AM. I was allowed to leave and return to the ship as many times as I wanted before the final disembarkation. This flexibility allowed me to enjoy some churros con chocolate in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which was a nice touch.

However, the human element was again lacking. There were no crew members around to say goodbye or offer a personal “see you next time.” The only smiling faces were the security guards in the cruise terminal, which felt like a missed opportunity to make the end of the cruise memorable.

3. ACCOMMODATION

On board P&O Azura, there are 1,549 cabins, including 439 inside cabins, 198 outside cabins, 882 balcony cabins, 30 suites, and 18 single cabins. I booked ORCADE suite on Dominica Deck (Deck 9), cabin D-736, and I was impressed by the spaciousness of the room. The suite featured a living area with plenty of space for comfortable seating or a snack, and the bedroom which was separated by curtains, offering a sense of privacy without feeling too enclosed. The bathroom was generously sized and divided into two areas: one with a bathtub and shower, and the other with a toilet and sink. Amenities were provided by The White Company, that added a touch of luxury.

Storage space was ample, with enough room for all my belongings, and I appreciated the space under the bed for my four suitcases. The décor was a blend of brown, beige, and light wood, creating a neutral atmosphere without being an Instagram moment

The balcony, located on the corner, was quite spacious, but unfortunately, it felt cramped. It had two sun loungers, two chairs, a coffee table, and even a dining table for four. This gave the feeling that it was more of a storage space for excess furniture rather than a functional, comfortable outdoor area. To make matters worse, the balcony was covered in unsightly green webbing designed to prevent passengers from slipping. While the safety aspect was understandable, it didn’t exactly contribute to the glamorous vibe one might expect from a luxury cruise experience.

In their marketing materials, P&O promises passengers staying in suites an “adventure of a lifetime” with all the comfort and space needed to relax and explore. According to their website, suite guests should enjoy perks like daily breakfast in a premium restaurant, tea and coffee making facilities, canapés on embarkation and Celebration Nights, a White Company gift, and even butler service. However, the reality didn’t quite align with these promises. While I did have access to a comfortable and spacious suite, some of the advertised luxuries fell short

For example, the daily breakfast in the premium restaurant, The Epicurean, was a nice touch, but it didn’t quite meet the high expectations that come with staying in a suite. The coffee served was only filter coffee, which was often kept too long on the heating plate, resulting in a strange taste every morning. It certainly didn’t match the high-quality coffee you might expect at a premium venue. The breakfast menu itself was fairly limited, and there were some odd alterations to the classic dishes. One particularly disappointing example was the Californian toast, which had the original crushed avocado replaced with guacamole—an unfortunate change that really missed the mark. The service also didn’t reflect the level of exclusivity promised for suite guests. It felt more like a buffet routine, with staff going through the motions, rather than offering the refined and attentive service one would expect in an exclusive dining venue

In theory, the Orcade Suite included a butler to make your holiday effortless, offering services like unpacking and packing your cases, booking shore experiences, making dinner reservations, and more. However, the reality was far from what was promised. We saw our butler, Colin, only on the first day when he provided us with a long list of things he would not do. Ironically, many of these duties were actually listed as part of the butler’s responsibilities in the official P&O materials. I contacted Colin twice during the cruise: first, to request a printout of my dining reservation and shore excursion details, and second, to change the colour of my luggage tags. Both times, he seemed irritated and directed me to the Reception Desk for assistance, which felt far from the level of personalized service you’d expect from a suite butler. The last time I saw my butler was just before disembarkation. He came to my cabin specifically to remind me that gratuities for the butlers were not included in the suite fare. Oops! I’m afraid I forgot to leave his envelope on the bed at departure

It’s clear that P&O falls behind other cruise lines when it comes to the level of service, amenities, and add-ons for suites, especially considering the top-end prices for these cabins. While the space in the suite itself was generous, much of what was promised in terms of premium service and perks simply wasn’t delivered. The money you pay for a suite on P&O primarily goes towards more space rather than enhanced service or luxury experiences. Other cruise lines that offer suites often go above and beyond with personalized service, exclusive amenities, and attention to detail, creating an elevated experience for suite guests. Unfortunately, with P&O, the expectation of premium service seemed to be more of a formality than an actual part of the experience. The lack of consistent butler service, limited dining options, and lackluster attention to detail in many areas made it feel like the value wasn’t quite there compared to competitors. If you’re seeking a more refined and pampered suite experience, other cruise lines might offer better value for the price

4. THE SHIP

Azura, as part of the Ventura Class and a subset of the Grand-class, is designed with a modified layout that sets her apart from earlier ships of the same class. However, from the moment I laid eyes on her from the shore during embarkation, I wasn’t particularly impressed. I had previously thought that the Norwegian Epic was the ugliest ship at sea, but Azura somehow felt even more uninspiring. It resembled a council flats building from the outskirts of a big city, with little to set her apart in terms of aesthetics. The Union Jack painted on the front of the ship is the only nod to personality, a signature of P&O’s obsession with British patriotism.

The feeling of something missing continued as I explored the ship’s interior. Normally, cruise lines carefully curate a design theme to create a cohesive personality for each vessel. On Azura, however, it felt as though different designers were given free rein, leading to an inconsistent mishmash of styles. The ship seemed to have been furnished with items from stores like THE RANGE and B&Q, and there was little unifying vision across the public spaces. Faux rich fabrics and dark tones dominated much of the design, with glaring contrasts in the different venues. The Playhouse Theatre had reddish fabric seating, while “The Glass House” mixed light oak and lime greens with chocolate browns and burnt oranges. “Malabar” aggressively assaulted the senses with lime green seating, brass lights, and palm tree décor. After spending 7 days aboard Azura, I felt more like I had been on an upgraded ferry rather than a luxury cruise ship. The interior design left me confused, and while there was a 2015 refit, it didn’t feel like the ship had reached the level of sophistication or elegance I expected from a premium cruise line.

5. THE GASTRONOMY

Gastronomy is undoubtedly an essential part of the cruise experience, and after spending 7 days on board P&O Azura, I can say the food was neither the worst I’ve encountered nor the best. It was somewhere between mediocre and decent—nothing offensive, but equally, nothing particularly memorable.

In the Meridian Restaurant, the five-course menu (six courses on Gala Nights) often felt like an upgraded school dinner. The food was serviceable but lacked any real finesse or creativity.

Sindhu, which promised an elegant fusion of Indian and British cuisine with sublime flavours, unfortunately felt more like a corner Indian takeaway. The dishes were underwhelming and didn’t live up to the lofty expectations set by the restaurant’s concept.

Even The Epicurean, a venue where a sense of occasion should have been the norm, was disappointingly underwhelming. The restaurant aimed to offer classic, refined dishes, but everything was dominated by a forced sense of Britishness. For example, who would serve Lobster Thermidor with a bland salad? And when I ordered a steak to be cooked blue/rare, it arrived medium done—another sign of the kitchen’s lack of attention to detail.

The Poolside Grill, offering self-service burgers, hot dogs, chicken, chips, and salads, was on par with what you’d expect from a basic snack bar. Similarly, the Grab and Go service, offering pre-prepared food like sausage, egg, and bacon rolls or salads and sandwiches, resembled a Subway just before closing time—uninspiring and lacking in freshness.

The only real standout for me was the Poolside Pizzeria, which served freshly made pizzas, offering a refreshing break from the otherwise underwhelming dining options.

Overall, the food experience on P&O Azura left much to be desired. While it wasn’t terrible, it certainly didn’t reflect the level of culinary excellence one might expect from a premium cruise line. The dining felt routine, with few exciting or memorable dishes to elevate the experience.

6. DRINKS PACKAGE

The 4 drink packages available on board P&O Azura ranged from £14.45 per person per day for the Refresh Package to £60.50 per person per day for the Deluxe Package. As a big supporter of all-inclusive drinks packages when cruising, I had high expectations, but I ultimately regretted paying such a high price compared to other cruise lines.

The selection of spirits was particularly disappointing. The brands on offer were typically those you’d find on the bottom shelves of a supermarket—far from the premium choices you might expect for the price. Even when a particular cocktail or drink was listed on the menu, the answer from the staff was often, “We don’t have that on board.” That was frustrating and left me feeling like I wasn’t getting the value I’d hoped for.

On the plus side, The Glass House was a highlight, offering a much better selection of wines and being the closest thing to a wine connoisseur’s paradise on board. The wine choices were much better, and I could appreciate the effort put into this venue.

P&O operates a rule of a maximum of 15 drinks per day (which, in the grand scheme of things, isn’t a huge issue) and a 15-minute wait between orders. This was likely implemented to prevent passengers from sharing their package between friends, but it felt a bit restrictive. Some cocktails were good, but only if the bartender could be bothered to make them properly. It also became a bit tiresome having to ask for lime or lemon with every gin and tonic, as if that’s somehow not a standard ingredient. And despite being on a ship, nobody seemed capable of making a proper Bloody Mary—you had to mix the ingredients yourself, which defeated the purpose of having a cocktail made for you in the first place.

In summary, while the drinking package provided some variety, it didn’t feel like it offered the value or quality I expected from a premium cruise experience. The inconsistency of the drink offerings and the lack of attention to detail were noticeable drawbacks.

7. ENTERTAINMENT

P&O Azura’s entertainment offerings fall short of expectations, especially in the competitive cruise market where many lines are investing heavily in unique and high-quality performances. Unfortunately, the entertainment on board felt more like what you’d expect from a 3-star all-inclusive resort in Turkey or Spain. The “production shows” were notably amateurish, lacking both professional execution and staging, which was especially disappointing given the elegant Playhouse Theatre. Live music scattered around the ship was decent but often drowned out by the noise of the crowd and the clatter of dinner service, with no real standout performances.

The Cruise Director and animation team also failed to impress, offering uninspired, “pub-style” humor and childish routines that felt more suited for a budget holiday club than a premium cruise experience. The lack of creative themed nights and poorly executed events further highlighted the lack of imagination, with a particularly lackluster Silent Disco event that didn’t live up to its initial success. The Ballroom Dance Ball in the Atrium was the most bizarre, with two instructors seated on highchairs, looking disinterested while guiding passengers through basic steps to recorded music.

The cruise did have a few redeeming moments, with the live band Pulse and the DJ offering some relief from the otherwise uninspiring entertainment. But overall, P&O Azura’s entertainment was disappointing, failing to match the quality and creativity seen on other cruise lines. It’s clear the cruise line needs to invest more into its entertainment offerings to remain competitive.

8. THE SERVICE

The service on board P&O Azura was, unfortunately, one of the most disappointing aspects of the entire cruise experience. From embarkation to disembarkation, the staff appeared overworked, disengaged, and indifferent to providing any semblance of quality customer service. In the dining venues, bars, and even the buffet, it was rare to encounter a genuine smile or feel truly welcomed as a guest. The service was rushed in the restaurants, painfully slow in the bars, and the housekeeping department lacked attention to detail, making the service feel sloppy and unprofessional. While a few staff members stood out with their efforts, they were far too few to offset the general sense of apathy that pervaded.

P&O Azura did send out a mid-cruise online survey, but no follow-up was made, rendering the feedback process meaningless. On the ship, it was baffling to encounter a butler with no duties, a bartender who had to be asked for basic cocktail ingredients, and waitstaff who confused orders and served meals improperly, such as stretching across the table to serve a plate. These experiences might be forgivable at a local pub or fast food joint, but they’re certainly unacceptable on a cruise ship.

When I inquired about the attitude of the staff, I was told they felt there was little incentive to provide high standards, as most passengers were Brits on discounted fares with low tipping expectations. This attitude was deeply disappointing and left a lasting negative impression of the overall service on board. In such a competitive cruise market, it’s hard to understand how P&O Azura can afford to neglect customer service to this extent.

9. FELLOW PASSENGERS

The demographic of passengers on P&O Azura was heavily skewed towards Brits, which, given the cruise line’s history, wasn’t surprising. This particular cruise was marketed with discounted fares and numerous incentives like on-board credit, gratuities, and drinks packages, attracting a specific type of traveler. And it was evident everywhere on board. From the conversations by the pool—often loud and repetitive—to the “traditions” like men draping tuxedo jackets over their chairs on Gala Night, it quickly became clear that this wasn’t the refined cruise experience I expected.

The night club saw ladies dancing barefoot in circles around their handbags, while passengers proudly flaunted their oversized eyelashes and bottle tans on decks. Early risers staked their claim to sunbeds at 6:00 AM, marking them with towels and pegs, and the buffet scene was dominated by people treating serving utensils and hand sanitizers as mere decor. Add to that a karaoke star lurking in nearly every third passenger, and the picture of P&O Azura was becoming clear.

P&O’s marketing campaigns paint a glamorous, upscale image of their ships, but the reality on board felt more akin to a “glorified Butlins on the sea.” The overall atmosphere, from the crowd to the behaviour, didn’t match the refined cruise experience I had imagined. If anyone asked whether P&O Azura is just a floating Butlins, my answer would be a resounding “Yes!”

THE VERDICT

Bottom line: P&O clearly has a very specific target market. If discounted fares are your main deciding factor when choosing between a cruise, a 3-star all-inclusive resort, or a holiday caravan park, and you’re okay with the atmosphere that comes with it, you’ll likely have a great time. For some, the appeal of saying they spent a week on a cruise instead of at a Warners Hotel or a Costa Blanca resort is enough, even if the food is mediocre, the ambiance is driven by beer and loud voices, and you’re flying a low-cost charter.

For me, however, and I’m sure for many other dedicated cruisers, the experience means more than just getting a good deal. Quality should always come before quantity, and P&O Azura just didn’t meet my expectations. There are plenty of cruise lines that strike a better balance between excellent food, service, and accommodations—creating an experience that is truly memorable for the right reasons. Sadly, P&O Azura didn’t make the cut, and I won’t be choosing P&O again!

Posted in CRUISE CHRONICLES
Tags: #holiday, #travel, Canary Island cruise, cruise, cruise ship, cruises, cruising, Leonard Miron, P&O, P&O Azura, P&O Azura Canary Island cruise, P&O Azura cruise, P&O bad experience, P&O cabin, P&O cruises, travel

The hidden gem of Benalmádena, Costa del Sol

•October 12, 2024 • Leave a Comment

Costa del Sol has always been my go-to escape from the grey skies of England, and Meliá has long been my hotel brand of choice. Usually, I stick with Meliá Costa del Sol in Torremolinos, but for my recent October break, I decided to mix things up. After some online research, I landed on Ocean House Affiliated by Meliá. I didn’t have high expectations, especially given it’s an “affiliated” property, but after four nights, I was completely blown away.

The hotel exceeded every expectation—from the modern, stylish design to the seamless service. The rooms were spacious with stunning sea views, perfect for soaking in the Mediterranean vibe. The pool area was a slice of paradise, and the location, nestled in the heart of the Costa del Sol, made it a perfect base for exploration. Without a doubt, Ocean House has now earned a spot among my favourite hotels on the coast

First of all, the location of Ocean House Affiliated by Meliá is unbeatable. With easy access from Málaga Airport (a ride via Bolt, Cabify, or Uber costs no more than €20-25), the hotel sits perfectly between two of Costa del Sol’s hotspots: Torremolinos and Benalmádena. This gives you the best of both worlds—whether you’re after the lively, energetic day and night scenes of Torremolinos (a 30-minute walk to Nogalera) or the upscale vibes of Puerto Marina in Benalmádena. There’s no shortage of dining and nightlife options nearby, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops within walking distance. Supermarkets and pharmacies are conveniently located just across the street. Best of all, Ocean House is set right on the stunning La Carihuela Beach, putting you steps away from the sea. Everything you need is just minutes from your door!

The arrival and check-in process at Ocean House Affiliated by Meliá sets the tone for the exceptional service to come. Friendly, efficient, and packed with helpful information, the staff ensures you start your holiday on the right foot. I highly recommend downloading the Meliá App—it’s incredibly useful for online check-in and managing requests or gathering info throughout your stay. Be mindful that the official check-in time in Europe is often between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM, so if you arrive early, you might need to wait for your room. However, the reception team will do their best to have it ready early, or they’ll suggest ways to explore the hotel and relax with a drink.

As I booked a Premium room, I enjoyed the VIP check-in area, complete with cold Cava, beer, snacks, and hot drinks. The concierge, with a genuine smile, briefed me on the daily programs, hotel facilities, and dining schedules. Before I even finished my cocktail, I was personally escorted to my room. A flawless start.

Ocean House Affiliated by Meliá offers six distinct types of accommodation, all featuring the signature Meliá décor—stylish, modern, and functional, creating a subtle yet elegant atmosphere. What truly sets this hotel apart is its unique “suite concept” across all room categories. Each room is designed as an open space, providing the flexibility to enjoy it as one large area or divide it into two separate zones for added comfort and privacy, making it perfect for couples or families alike.

For those looking to elevate their holiday experience, the Premium rooms (Premium Sea View and Premium Frontal Sea View) are a must. These rooms offer spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea and Puerto Marina, combining luxury with unbeatable value for money. Choosing a Premium room comes with exclusive benefits, such as access to a private reception, an included minibar, and VIP access to the rooftop—an ideal spot for sunset cocktails. Additionally, you’ll enjoy reserved sunbeds on the beach, adding an extra layer of relaxation to your stay.

With all these perks and thoughtful touches, Ocean House ensures your stay is not just a holiday but a truly elevated experience, blending comfort, style, and top-tier service.

My stay in room 3809, a Premium Sea View room at Ocean House Affiliated by Meliá, was nothing short of spectacular. The breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and Puerto Marina made waking up every morning a true joy. The room’s design was modern, stylish, and incredibly comfortable, with thoughtful touches like plenty of storage space and the flexibility to divide the room into two separate zones, adding convenience and privacy when needed.

The bathroom featured high-end Rituals amenities, which were replenished daily, making each shower feel like a spa experience. The minibar, offering complimentary water, soft drinks, and beer, was also refreshed every morning, ensuring I never ran out of refreshments.

Housekeeping was impeccable—proactive yet unobtrusive. My room looked as pristine on the last day as it did when I first arrived. The evening turndown service was a lovely touch, and what truly stood out was the thoughtful addition of a bookmark placed on my bed each night, promoting different local points of interest. It was a small but charming detail that added a personal touch to my stay and inspired me to explore the surrounding area. A sweet idea that truly enhanced my experience!

At Ocean House Affiliated by Meliá, guests can choose from three well-established board options: bed & breakfast, half board, or full board. While an all-inclusive option isn’t available, booking a Premium room comes with a 20% discount on drinks, making prices quite reasonable—cocktails, for instance, range from €9 to €12 across the hotel’s venues.

For my short break, I opted for the half board formula, which included breakfast and dinner at the main restaurant, THE BUFFET. The dining space, overlooking the main pool and sea, is modern and functional, offering a mix of intimate two-person tables as well as larger ones for families and groups of friends. Service was consistently efficient, fast, and attentive, always delivered with a friendly smile.

The buffet’s opening hours are generous, with breakfast from 7:30 to 10:45 AM (perfect for late risers) and dinner from 6:30 to 9:30 PM. A small tip: for dinner, it’s best to avoid the last time slot (after 8:30 PM), as the buffet can start to look a bit deconstructed, with less variety and a somewhat “leftover” feel. That said, the restaurant team works proactively to maintain a high standard, ensuring a pleasant dining experience even during peak times. Overall, THE BUFFET exceeded expectations for a resort buffet setting.

The breakfast at Ocean House Affiliated by Meliá is nothing short of superb, offering a wide variety of Spanish and international breakfast options to satisfy all appetites. Whether you prefer a sweet or savory start to your day, the spread caters to every palate with an impressive selection of dishes.

For those looking to indulge in traditional Spanish cuisine, you’re in for a treat. One of the standout options is the quintessential pan con tomate—toasted bread rubbed with fresh garlic, drizzled with virgin olive oil, sea salt, and topped with ripe tomatoes. It’s simple, yet incredibly flavorful. Another highlight is the tostada, where you can choose from a variety of toppings, such as eggs, jam, marmalade, or classic salted butter. The huevos revueltos, Spanish-style scrambled eggs cooked in olive oil and sprinkled with fresh herbs, and the iconic tortilla de patata, a hearty combination of eggs, potatoes, and onions, also take center stage. And for those with a sweet tooth, don’t miss the churros con chocolate caliente, crispy fried dough served with rich, velvety hot chocolate—a truly indulgent way to start your morning.

The live cooking stations are another highlight, where you can have made-to-order omelettes or any type of egg dish. For those looking for lighter, healthier options, there’s an abundance of fresh fruit, yogurts, and cereals to choose from.

For fans of a more international breakfast, there’s no shortage of options. You’ll find the classic English breakfast, with sausages, eggs, and baked beans, alongside pancakes, cold cuts, cheeses, and more.

With such a diverse and satisfying breakfast spread, you may find little need for a lunch menu, as this meal will keep you well-fueled for a day of sun and exploration!

Dinner at Ocean House Affiliated by Meliá is another opportunity for the kitchen team to showcase their creativity, talent, and dedication to culinary excellence. Despite working within the constraints of a resort’s budget, the chefs manage to craft a culinary journey that blends traditional Spanish dishes, healthy options, fresh local ingredients, and beloved international favourites.

The meal begins with an extensive, mouthwatering salad bar and a selection of cold cuts and cheeses. But it’s the cooked dishes that truly shine, offering a rich tapestry of Spain’s culinary heritage with a global twist. The live cooking stations are a nightly highlight, where different types of meats and fish are expertly prepared, keeping the menu fresh and exciting. And let’s not forget the indulgent dessert section—a celebration of home-cooked favorites and classic global sweets that make it impossible to count calories.

Some standout dishes include the perfectly crafted empanadas (and their smaller version, empanadillas), filled with savory ingredients like tuna, grilled onions, peppers, and fried tomato. Of course, no Spanish dinner is complete without paella, and it was a star feature at Ocean House every night. Originating in Valencia, this saffron-flavored rice dish came in many forms, but my favorite was the mixed paella—a delicious combination of chorizo, mussels, and prawns.

The comforting albondigas (meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce) were a delightful treat, as was the refreshing gazpacho, made by blending raw tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, and garlic. Croquetas, crispy and creamy, paired with the finest Jamón ibérico, as well as rich dishes like huevos estrellados, margaret de pato (duck breast), solomillo (sirloin), and entrecot (rib-eye steak) added to the feast. Don’t forget the classic patatas bravas, crispy potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.

With so many dishes to enjoy, each night felt like a new gastronomic adventure, where Spanish tradition meets global innovation—all cooked and served to perfection.

The public spaces at Ocean House Affiliated by Meliá reflect the hotel’s core concept: stylish, versatile, modern, and elegant. From the Lobby to the Playa Bar, the Rooftop to the Lounge, each area transforms from day to night, playing a key role in creating the perfect holiday experience.

The Rooftop is an absolute highlight, offering stunning panoramic views and an exclusive atmosphere. Guests in Premium rooms (and over 16 years old) can enjoy a wide selection of drinks while relaxing on a sun lounger or a Balinese bed. This tranquil space is ideal for making a toast to life, day or night, in complete privacy.

The Lounge is a versatile social hub. During the day, it’s a calm retreat for pre-dinner cocktails, card games, or casual conversations. But as evening falls, it becomes the heart of the hotel’s entertainment. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, this space hosts DJ sessions, dancing, and various performances, making it the perfect place to kickstart your evening or end the night in style. The Lounge’s fresh, modern ambiance and stunning sea views complement its wide variety of cocktails, soft drinks, and juices.

Another favorite spot of mine was the Playa Bar, located between the beach and the hotel. This lively space is built around the concept of sharing—whether it’s a meter of beer, a liter of margarita, or delicious snacks, the Playa Bar invites you to enjoy the good times with friends. The casual, fun atmosphere, combined with a pool and beach access, makes it ideal for relaxed socializing.

The Pool Bar offers the perfect break from sunbathing, where ice cream or a soft drink just tastes better next to the pool, overlooking the seafront promenade, and surrounded by lush gardens. Finally, the gorgeous La Carihuela Beach is where Premium guests can enjoy reserved sun loungers and a 15% discount at Chiringuito Los Marengos, adding a touch of luxury to their beach days. Together, these spaces create an unforgettable holiday vibe

If the five swimming pools, modern gym, vibrant bars, stunning beach, and nearby bustling promenade don’t satisfy your desire for fun at Ocean House Affiliated by Meliá, you’re in for a treat! The hotel offers an impressive array of day and night entertainment, all expertly managed by a passionate and dedicated team.

During the day, activities range from traditional bingo sessions to group exercises and fun competitions, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. It’s a fantastic way to meet fellow guests and get involved in the lively atmosphere.

As the sun sets, the Playa Bar and Lounge come alive with house DJ sessions, catering to all musical tastes. Whether you prefer upbeat dance tracks or more mellow tunes, the nightly lineup is impressive. The entertainment doesn’t stop there; you can enjoy vibrant flamenco shows, entertaining celebrity impersonators, and various live music performances, all at a level that exceeds typical resort offerings.

At Ocean House, the entertainment truly enhances your holiday experience, ensuring every moment is filled with joy and excitement!

The most valuable asset of Ocean House Affiliated by Meliá is undoubtedly its exceptional team. Every member, from housekeeping to the Guest Service Manager, pool attendants to waitstaff, and the reception to the entertainment crew, consistently raises the bar for service excellence. Their passion, dedication, and professionalism shine through in every interaction, creating an inviting atmosphere filled with genuine smiles and proactive care.

This commitment to guest satisfaction is palpable, and it forms the perfect foundation for an ideal holiday experience. It’s no surprise that many online reviews highlight the staff as a key reason guests return to Ocean House time and again. The team not only meets expectations but often exceeds them, ensuring that every stay is memorable. If you’re looking for a place where you’re treated like family, Ocean House is the perfect destination for your next getaway

Choosing Ocean House Affiliated by Meliá for my last-minute getaway on the Costa del Sol turned out to be one of the best decisions I could have made. From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the hotel’s solid, elegant, and stylish hard product. The sleek design and thoughtful amenities created an inviting atmosphere that felt both luxurious and comfortable.

However, it was the friendly and professional service from the staff that truly elevated my experience. Every team member I encountered—from reception to restaurant staff—was accommodating, genuinely welcoming, and attentive to my needs, making me feel right at home. As I checked out and made my way to the airport, I found myself already daydreaming about my next visit.

Everything about Ocean House, from the stunning pools and vibrant bars to the incredible dining options and breathtaking beach access, offers countless reasons to return. Whether it’s the relaxing environment or the engaging entertainment, each moment spent here is special. If you’re seeking a place that balances elegance with warmth, look no further than Ocean House. I can’t wait to plan my next adventure back to this hidden gem on the Costa del Sol!

Posted in TRAVELER'S NOTES
Tags: #holiday, #hotel, #travel, affiliated by Melia, beach, europe, hotel, hotels, hotels in Torremolinos, hotels on Costa del Sol, Melia, Melia Hotels, Melia Resorts, Melia rewards, Ocean House affiliated by Melia, Ocean House Costa del Sol

A journey on AZAMARA JOURNEY

•October 4, 2024 • Leave a Comment

After years of contemplating another luxury cruise line, I finally chose Azamara Journey for a 7-day voyage through the Greek islands and Turkey. Having sailed with Seven Seas, Regent, and Viking, I was drawn to Azamara’s promise of small ships, extended port stays, and a casual yet elegant atmosphere. The itinerary did not disappoint, offering ample time to explore each destination, and the top-end cabin exceeded my expectations in terms of comfort and amenities.

Known for its destination-immersive philosophy, Azamara offers more than just voyages; it promises transformative experiences where each port visit transcends mere sightseeing, becoming a collection of unforgettable memories.

Azamara, a Miami-based cruise line, has been carving out its niche in the luxury cruise segment since its founding in 2007. Originally part of Royal Caribbean, Azamara began with two R-class ships, the Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey, and later expanded its fleet with the Azamara Pursuit.

For my latest adventure, I chose the Azamara Journey, a mid-sized ship that perfectly balances intimacy and space. Designed like a luxurious boutique hotel at sea, the Journey offers an environment that is intimate but never crowded, with a deck plan that caters to modern voyagers seeking both comfort and discovery. From the moment I stepped onboard, I was struck by the ship’s understated elegance, blending classic touches with contemporary flair

The Azamara Journey is a mid-sized cruise ship that perfectly encapsulates the charm of an intimate boutique hotel at sea. From the moment you step aboard, the cozy atmosphere and elegant design make a lasting impression. With a well-thought-out deck plan, the ship offers plenty of space for relaxation without ever feeling crowded, making it ideal for modern travellers seeking comfort, exclusivity, and personalized service.

The ship’s decor is a true standout, with an inviting palette of natural hues like taupe, biscuit, and fawn. These shades harmoniously blend classic and modern elements, creating a bright, sophisticated, and contemporary feel throughout. Whether you’re lounging in one of the public spaces or retiring to your stateroom, every detail contributes to a refreshed and serene ambiance.

One of the ship’s main social hubs is the Cabaret Lounge on Deck 5, a multi-use space serving as the main theater for performances and events. Though it’s a smaller venue with a low ceiling, the thoughtful design in light gold brocades, cream walls, and silver-grey carpeting prevents it from feeling enclosed. A large dance floor in the centre adds to the spacious feel, making it perfect for evening entertainment. The intimate size ensures that performances are up-close and personal, with only 450 guests in the audience.

Another delightful space is The Living Room Lounge on Deck 10, located at the ship’s front, offering passengers a cozy, stylish area for relaxation. Whether curled up on velvet sofas or lounging in birdcage-style swinging chairs, guests can enjoy the panoramic views through floor-to-ceiling windows while sipping on a complimentary cafe latte. The room’s cream carpet, resembling the swirls of a latte, adds to the soothing ambiance. Interactive “technology tables” are a unique touch, allowing guests to create and send digital postcards to friends and family directly from the lounge.

For those seeking a quieter retreat, The Drawing Room is a hidden gem. This beautifully appointed library, designed for reading and relaxation, provides a peaceful haven at any time of day. Guests can browse the collection or take advantage of the digital tabletops to send digital postcards or explore Azamara’s Inspiration Centre, where travellers can gain ideas for future voyages. The Drawing Room transforms into an elegant dining venue during the ship’s exclusive Best of the Best Dinner for Owner’s Suite guests, offering a truly luxurious culinary experience.

With all the deco in public spaces, the combination of style and functionality, Azamara Journey delivers a sophisticated yet cozy cruising experience, with stylish spaces that cater to both social and serene moments. It’s the perfect choice for discerning travellers who appreciate understated elegance and a personalized touch.

The outdoor spaces on Azamara Journey continue the ship’s theme of cozy elegance. The main pool area, located on Deck 9 midship, features a saltwater pool flanked by two freshwater hot tubs. While the pool isn’t particularly large and can get crowded on hot days, it’s more of a refreshing dip spot than a place for serious swimming. Surrounding the pool are loungers, with a mix of sun and shade, providing options for those who prefer either. Loungers typically remain available until mid-morning on sea days.

The pool deck is generally a peaceful retreat, with the ship’s solo guitarist playing light music during lunch, adding a soothing touch. For those seeking quieter spots, Deck 11’s Sun Deck offers an ideal space for reading and relaxation, where loungers are often plentiful. Additional loungers can also be found on Deck 5 along both the port and starboard sides.

For a more exclusive experience, the Sanctum Spa on Deck 9 features a private sun deck with lounge chairs, day beds, and a thalassotherapy pool. Access to this area is complimentary for top suite guests, while other passengers can purchase a day or full-cruise pass. The space offers a serene atmosphere from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., but closes early at 5 p.m. when reserved for Azamara’s events

The outdoor spaces on Azamara Journey are thoughtfully designed for relaxation, providing ample spots for both sun and shade, ensuring a tranquil environment for all guests.

THE GASTRONOMY

Dining on Azamara Journey is a true highlight, offering a culinary journey that reflects the ship’s Destination Immersion philosophy. This means the flavors of the destinations you visit are incorporated into the onboard food and drink menus, delivering a personalized and authentic taste of local cuisine.

There are five main dining venues onboard. The Windows Café and The Patio are casual, included options, while the specialty restaurants, Aqualina (Italian) and Prime C (steakhouse), provide elevated dining experiences for a cover charge (complimentary for suite guests). From the thoughtful menus to the warm ambiance, dining on Azamara Journey offers something for every taste.

Discoveries, the main dining room on Deck 5, is the culinary heart of the ship, offering a variety of nightly selections, including dishes like filet mignon with black truffle sauce, alongside local specialties. The elegant yet lively atmosphere, combined with its renewed décor, makes it a guest favourite. No reservations are required, and diners can choose between a table for two or join a larger group.

The Windows Café on Azamara Journey revitalizes the traditional cruise ship buffet experience with a fresh, local flair. Each evening, the café’s themed dinners reflect the region you’re visiting, offering a culinary exploration of local flavors. Whether it’s an Indian, Mexican, or Italian spread, the chefs also create live stations using ingredients sourced from local ports—think fresh Greek salad with local feta. The newly renovated café provides a casual, relaxed atmosphere with flexible seating options, whether you prefer a cozy meal for two or a lively dinner with friends. Fresh sushi, pasta, stir-fry, salads, and a carving station ensure a variety of daily selections. Outdoor tables offer the perfect spot to enjoy your meal with a sea breeze. Windows Café is a standout option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, combining comfort, variety, and the flavours of your destination

Prime C, located on Deck 10 aft of Azamara Journey, is a steakhouse haven for meat lovers and a top dining destination on the ship. With its elegant wood-paneled ambiance and stunning aft views, the restaurant offers a four-course dining experience featuring premium cuts of steak, lamb, and seafood, all expertly prepared. Guests rave about dishes like filet mignon au poivre, herb-coated rack of lamb, and chateaubriand for two, which are consistently rated among the best meals at sea.

The extensive menu includes starters such as tuna tartare with popcorn shrimp and the rich crab and lobster cake, while vegetarian options like the vegetable enchilada ensure there’s something for everyone. Sides like creamed spinach and Belgian endives with ham and cheese complement the entrees perfectly. Desserts, such as the key lime cheesecake and fondant au chocolat, offer a sweet finale, though the grain-nut soufflé was less impressive.

The menu stays largely consistent, but nightly specials add variety. Prime C’s sophisticated setting, combined with its succulent dishes and refined service, makes it a must-visit for anyone seeking a high-quality steakhouse experience at sea. Reservations are essential.

Aqualina, located on Deck 10 aft of Azamara Journey, is an Italian-inspired specialty restaurant offering a refined dining experience with a focus on Tuscan cuisine. With its casual yet elegant atmosphere, Aqualina serves a delectable four-course dinner featuring antipasti, soups, salads, secondi, and desserts.

Starters like beef carpaccio and the classic caprese salad with buffalo mozzarella set the tone for a sophisticated meal. A highlight is the pancetta-wrapped scallops with crispy squid and butternut squash, an exquisite combination that impresses even seasoned foodies. Soups and salads include the hearty minestrone and refreshing watermelon, tomato, and basil salad.

Main courses range from lobster tail with squid ink pasta to the flavorful garlic, lemon, and herb-crusted veal chop with arugula-pistachio pesto and maple balsamic. Each dish is prepared to perfection, embracing authentic Italian flavors. For dessert, indulgent choices include panna cotta, tiramisu, and a rich flourless chocolate torte. The sbagliato baba Neapolitan, with its chocolate-covered amaretto mousse, is another standout.

Although the menu rarely changes, nightly specials add variety, though some passengers found the Asiatic-themed specials out of place. Aqualina is open for dinner only, with reservations highly recommended. Non-suite guests pay a dining supplement, while specialty dining packages start at $85 per person.

Note that Aqualina is closed on special event nights such as White Night and the AzAmazing Evening. With its emphasis on high-quality Italian cuisine and impeccable service, Aqualina is a must-visit for lovers of Mediterranean flavors.

The Patio on Azamara Journey is a delightful al fresco, poolside dining venue offering both lunch and dinner with a perfect mix of casual elegance and high-quality food. During the day, it serves as a relaxed pool grill, ideal for a laid-back meal with ocean views and gentle sea breezes. The menu offers a satisfying selection of soups, salads, and artisan breads to start, with mains fresh off the grill such as BBQ pork ribs, grilled curried chicken kebabs, tournedos of lamb tenderloin, and bone-in beef striploin. There are also daily seafood specials, expertly grilled to perfection.

In the evening, The Patio transforms into a more refined dining space, with white linen tablecloths and flickering candles creating an inviting atmosphere. Despite its casual roots, the service is polished and attentive, making it an excellent choice for a relaxed but high-quality dining experience. The evening menu features dishes inspired by local flavors, part of Azamara’s Destination Immersion® cuisine, allowing guests to taste the essence of the regions they visit.

A fun touch is the Swirl & Top frozen yogurt station, offering a variety of flavors and toppings for a refreshing treat any time of day. Whether you’re cooling off after a swim or capping off your evening meal, it’s a delightful addition.

The Patio is open daily for lunch and most evenings for dinner (weather permitting). While reservations for dinner are recommended, they’re not essential. A must-visit for those seeking relaxed but delicious dining.

Azamara Journey caters to cruisers who enjoy a sundowner, offering a variety of inviting spots for a drink or two. The Living Room is a top choice for those seeking a relaxed atmosphere, with stunning views, comfortable seating, and a laid-back vibe, perfect for unwinding during the day. For coffee lovers, the Mosaic Café serves up speciality coffees and teas, while in the evening it transforms into a more intimate venue offering a fine selection of cognacs and ports—a lovely place to indulge in some quiet relaxation.

For something a bit livelier, Spirits Bar on Deck 5 is the perfect cocktail destination. Its stylish ambiance is enhanced by the soothing notes of live piano music, making it a favorite for those seeking a sophisticated drink spot. Personally, I found myself returning to Spirits frequently, enjoying the laid-back elegance and atmosphere, and even spending the majority of one sea day here sipping my way through the cocktail menu.

Finally, there’s Room Service on Azamara Journey, which offers the ultimate convenience. Available 24 hours a day, it’s perfect for those who want to dine in the comfort of their cabin. Breakfast can be ordered from a full menu between 6:30 am and 10:00 am, while lunch and dinner options include hearty soups, fresh salads, gourmet sandwiches, pizzas, and desserts. Whether you want breakfast in bed or a late-night snack, room service ensures that your cravings are always met.

Azamara Journey provides plenty of variety for drink lovers, making every moment onboard a relaxing indulgence.

THE ACCOMODATION

The Azamara Journey is a ship designed with couples in mind, offering a refined, boutique hotel experience at sea. With 355 cabins spread across five decks, 70 percent of the staterooms feature verandas, making the ship ideal for those who enjoy private outdoor space. Despite being mid-sized, the ship’s intimate layout ensures that it never feels crowded, offering travelers a relaxed, personalized atmosphere.

Cabins are divided into four main categories: inside, oceanview, balcony, and suites, with 243 of the 329 outside cabins featuring verandas. After its 2016 refurbishment, the ship now includes two exclusive Spa Suites, bringing the total number of suite options to 46. The decor throughout the cabins emphasizes neutral shades of cream, gray, and beige, offering a crisp, modern look. Only the cherry wood writing desk, closet, and bar cabinet remain from the pre-refurbishment design. Every cabin, regardless of category, is equipped with a 40- to 55-inch flat-screen TV, bedside USB chargers, a mini-bar stocked with complimentary soda and beer, and luxurious linens.

The Club Veranda cabins, of which there are 200, dominate the stateroom offerings. These 175-square-foot cabins come with a 40-square-foot balcony, providing just enough space for a couple to enjoy sea breezes and views. Veranda Plus cabins offer a bit more balcony space, with outdoor areas up to 64 square feet, while some of these cabins feature sofa beds for added flexibility. Guests will find thoughtful amenities like Egyptian cotton bed linens, bathrobes, slippers, a welcome fruit basket, and even a complimentary tote bag and umbrella for use during their cruise.

For those looking to indulge in more space and luxury, the Club Continent Suites on Deck 8 are a great option. These 266-square-foot suites come with 60-square-foot balconies, larger seating areas, and expanded storage options. Port-side suites offer bathtubs, while starboard suites feature glass-enclosed showers. TVs in these suites are upgraded to 55 inches for a more immersive viewing experience. Added luxury touches, like butler service and priority check-in, make these suites an attractive choice for those seeking an upgraded experience.

The ship’s two Spa Suites, located on Deck 9, are secluded near the ship’s spa and offer an indulgent retreat with 357 square feet of space and a 53-square-foot balcony. These suites feature oversize bathrooms with whirlpool bathtubs, separate rain showers, and walk-in closets. Piped-in spa music adds to the tranquil ambiance, creating the perfect space for ultimate relaxation.

For travelers seeking even more space, the Ocean Suites range from 440 to 501 square feet and include master bedrooms, living rooms, and expansive 233-square-foot balconies. These suites offer ample closet space, marble bathrooms with both a tub and shower, and spacious living areas with separate TVs in the bedroom and living room.

At the pinnacle of luxury are the Club World Owner’s Suites, located aft on Decks 6, 7, and 8. These 560-square-foot suites include 233-square-foot balconies, and offer all the features of the Ocean Suites, with even more exclusivity. Benefits for suite guests include butler service, priority dining in specialty restaurants, afternoon canapés, and VIP perks like spa access and a private cocktail party. Top-tier suite guests in the Ocean and World Owner’s Suites also receive complimentary Internet, $300 in onboard credit, and access to the exclusive “Best of the Best” dinner.

Azamara Journey provides a luxurious, boutique cruise experience with attention to detail in every aspect of its accommodations. From spacious suites with private balconies to thoughtful amenities and exceptional service, guests are guaranteed a voyage that balances comfort, elegance, and adventure.

For this journey, I stayed in the Club World Owner’s Suite, cabin 8088, located on Deck 8 of the Azamara Journey. Initially, I had some reservations after reading reviews online that mentioned potential noise from the Deck 9 buffet above and the risk of soot accumulating on the balcony. However, any worries quickly faded once on board. Noise from the buffet was barely audible, even during peak hours, and soot only appeared on the final morning while docking in Piraeus.

That said, if I were to highlight any minor issues—though they are hard to find—I would mention the slightly dated decor. Despite the ship’s refurbishment in 2016, the suite’s aesthetic could benefit from a modern refresh. Some areas in the living room and bathroom showed signs of wear, and the cabin lacked some of the more cutting-edge technology you might expect from a ship sailing in 2024. Nonetheless, the suite remained a luxurious and comfortable retreat throughout the voyage.

The Club World Owner’s Suite offers a generous layout with a separate living room and master bedroom, making it ideal for extended stays. A convertible sofa bed is available for extra guests, although the suite is best enjoyed by two. The spacious living area includes a 55-inch flat-screen and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open onto a large veranda, perfect for admiring the sea views. The master bedroom also features its own sliding glass doors, a 40-inch flat-screen TV, and a comfortable queen-size bed that can be converted from two lower beds.

One of the suite’s highlights is the marble master bathroom, which includes a whirlpool tub and shower. There’s also a dressing room with ample closet space and a vanity, making it easy to unpack and settle in. A guest bathroom adds an extra level of convenience for entertaining or having family onboard.

The range of amenities provided in the Club World Owner’s Suite elevates the experience further. Guests enjoy English butler service, ensuring that every detail is attended to, from priority check-in and luggage unpacking to daily afternoon canapés and in-suite dining from the restaurant menus. The suite also comes stocked with a welcome bottle of sparkling wine and a fruit basket, as well as a mini-bar with a 2 complimentary bottle of spirits of your choice.

Other perks include complimentary seating in the ship’s specialty restaurants throughout the voyage, and a generous free internet package, a helpful touch for staying connected. You can also indulge in afternoon tea service delivered directly to your suite or even book in-suite spa treatments for an extra level of relaxation.

In terms of in-room features, the suite is fully equipped with thermostat-controlled air conditioning, a writing desk, direct-dial telephone with voicemail, in-room safe, hand-held hair dryer, and complimentary umbrellas and binoculars. Guests also receive daily turndown treats, fresh-cut flowers, and a tote bag for use during excursions.

Staying in the Club World Owner’s Suite is a truly luxurious experience. While a few aspects could benefit from modernization, the comfort, space, and excellent service make it a standout option for travellers seeking both indulgence and privacy on the Azamara Journey.

ENTERTAINMENT

Azamara consistently delivers memorable experiences, from service to shore excursions, but when it comes to on-board entertainment, it falls short, particularly on the Azamara Journey. Unlike big productions on large ships, Azamara aligns with medium-sized cruise lines like Viking, offering a more subdued entertainment approach. This isn’t inherently a flaw – after all, not everyone seeks Broadway-style spectacles at sea. But downsizing should never mean compromising quality, and that’s where Azamara’s entertainment stumbles.

On the Azamara Journey, the Cruise Director and Assistant Cruise Director took on “one-man-show” duties, performing nightly in the Cabaret Lounge or The Living Room. Unfortunately, their vocal skills and stage presence were underwhelming, reminiscent of coastal resort entertainers rather than polished cruise performers. Worse still, they seemed to have missed a crucial rule in entertainment: “less is more.”

The production shows were equally lackluster – forgettable choreography, amateurish musical performances, and uninspired concepts. Even the ship’s band, which should be a staple of on-board entertainment, gave the impression they were last-minute replacements, with performances falling short of professional standards.

The entertainment disappointments extended to other venues, like The Den, where a talented mixologist’s craft was overshadowed by an overly loud musician who failed to grasp the subtleties of lounge music. Instead of enhancing the ambiance, his decibel competition drowned out conversations. Similarly, the DJ in charge of late-night dancing seemed more suited to a budget summer camp, with limited song choices and minimal energy.

As for daily activities, they were sparsely hosted, offering little to fill the time, especially during sea days. While shore excursions remained the highlight, one wonders what passengers on longer crossings with multiple sea days do to pass the time.

Azamara needs to rethink its entertainment formula, ensuring that quality matches the rest of its offerings. Hiring the right people for the right roles could transform the current mediocrity into an asset, rather than a weak link.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Azamara has long emphasized a destination-focused experience, with longer stays in port (including overnights) and the ability to dock closer to the heart of destinations due to their smaller ships. They’ve enhanced this approach with their “Cruise Global, Connect Local” philosophy, offering intimate, imaginative shore excursions that highlight each location. This philosophy includes exclusive events that took my escapade on the Azamara Journey to a whole new level, an experience unmatched by any other cruise I’ve taken.

Destination Immersion evening

Azamara Journey brought a taste of Greece on board in an unforgettable evening that blended local food and culture seamlessly. The sun deck was transformed into an authentic Greek Taverna, draped in blue and white, creating a stunning atmosphere. A Greek-themed buffet was served, offering an impressive array of traditional dishes, while live entertainment from local performers brought the sounds and spirit of Greece to life. The attention to detail was impeccable, from the tasteful table decorations to the fresh ingredients used by the chefs, who recreated Greece’s rich and ancient gastronomic identity. Greek cuisine, one of the oldest in the world, was showcased with both traditional and modern flair, taking guests on a delightful culinary journey through history. Paired with a picturesque sunset and a relaxed, festive vibe, it was a truly magical evening, capturing the essence of Greek hospitality and culture onboard Azamara Journey

AzAmazing Night

Azamara Cruises’ AzAmazing Evenings elevate cultural immersion to a whole new level, delivering unique, tailor-made experiences that reflect the spirit and nightlife of extraordinary destinations. On my recent cruise, this special event was hosted in Rhodes, at the historic Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes (Kastello). The logistics were flawless; nearly 900 passengers were smoothly transferred from the ship to the venue, setting the perfect tone for the evening. If you’re staying in a top suite, you’ll enjoy added perks like a pre-event drink on board and a private transfer, allowing early arrival to secure the best seats or enjoy a lavish open bar featuring fine spirits, local wines, and traditional drinks.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by knights who escorted us to the event’s stunning open-air venue. The atmosphere was relaxed yet elegant, with high-ranking officers mingling among guests before the evening’s entertainment—a remarkable concert by a string quartet, soprano, and tenor—began. The performance exceeded expectations, taking us on a journey from musicals to opera, and the experience felt deeply rooted in the culture of Rhodes. There were moments when I forgot I was on a voyage, so completely had I engaged with the local character.

Despite suggestions to dine beforehand, I still had time for a delicious post-event dinner at Prime C, a perk of booking a top suite. AzAmazing Evenings offer a memorable blend of culture, entertainment, and luxury that enriches your travel experience. My advice? Have fun, savor the moment, and let Azamara immerse you in the soul of each destination

White Night

Azamara Cruises has taken the once-cliché “White Night” event and transformed it into a dazzling, unforgettable experience at sea. Originally popularized by Costa and NCL, White Night has become a staple across cruise lines, often reduced to a simple formula of dancing, drinking, and wearing something white. However, Azamara’s White Night is in a class of its own, offering a lavish, highly anticipated Signature Event that feels more like the ultimate dinner party.

As the sun sets, the ship transforms. From portside to starboard, white garlands are draped across the deck, with elegantly set white tables and chairs arranged poolside. Guests are invited to don their finest all-white outfits—some embracing the glamour with sequins, feathers, and sunglasses, while others (who clearly didn’t plan ahead) show up in bathrobes and slippers, eager not to miss the fun. The night begins with an exquisite al fresco dinner, featuring an opulent buffet brimming with global cuisine. From top-quality seafood and prime meat cuts to sophisticated salads, local delicacies, and innovative side dishes, everything is paired with endless glasses of fine wines and cocktails. A special highlight? Watching the ship’s Officers barbequing and serving the guests, adding a personal touch to the evening.

The live band keeps the energy high with upbeat melodies, encouraging guests to dance under the twinkling stars. And just when you think it’s over, the after-party kicks in with more music, dancing, and drinks, creating a night that no one will soon forget. Or maybe they will, because as the saying goes, “What happens at White Night, stays at White Night.” It’s an evening of elegance, indulgence, and fun—elevated to a level only Azamara can achieve

The Best of the Best

For guests staying in Azamara’s top suites, such as the World Owner’s Suites and Club Ocean Suites, a truly exclusive dining experience awaits. Hosted by the Captain and senior officers in the elegant ambiance of the Drawing Room, this special dinner elevates the boutique luxury experience on Azamara Journey to new heights. The evening begins with an informal chat over a signature cocktail, setting a relaxed yet refined tone before guests transition into an area of unparalleled sophistication.

What follows is nothing short of a Michelin-star dining experience. The Executive Chef curates a menu that is both elegant and innovative, filled with flavors and creative twists that surprise and delight at every course. Each dish is expertly paired with fine wines by the Head Sommelier, enhancing the gastronomic journey with precision and care. The service, as expected, is flawless—attentive without being intrusive, ensuring that every detail is perfect.

The entire atmosphere exudes luxury, from the intimate setting to the perfectly timed courses, making it a memorable evening for all who attend. This dinner not only showcases the exquisite culinary talent onboard but also expands the dimension of boutique cruising, offering a truly elevated, one-of-a-kind experience on Azamara Journey.

KEY MOMENTS

Azamara sets itself apart with a suite of unique offerings. Every suite enjoys butler service, ensuring personalized care throughout the voyage. Shore excursions immerse guests in the local culture, allowing them to truly engage with each destination rather than just observe. The ship’s enrichment programs are equally impressive, offering a wide range of experiences, from culinary to photographic explorations. Combined with Azamara’s unmatched level of personal service, these offerings make for a truly exceptional and immersive travel experience

Embarkation

Embarkation on Azamara Journey is a stress-free, smooth, and elegant experience, setting a positive tone for the entire cruise. Unlike my previous experiences with Celebrity, NCL, and Viking in Piraeus, Azamara’s process was seamless from the start. Embarkation began earlier than expected, and there was no need to print luggage tags—the attentive shore staff took care of everything, quickly whisking away the luggage. A warm welcome from senior management followed, along with an efficient check-in process. After a quick terminal check-in, guests were transferred to the ship, where a second check-in, complete with champagne and a security photo, was part of the ritual. In under 30 minutes from stepping out of the taxi, I was already heading to my cabin on Deck 8. Before I could even finish my first cocktail on the Sun Deck, my luggage was delivered. Azamara’s embarkation is impressively stress-free, fast, and refined, a perfect start to the voyage

Guest Services

While Azamara Journey excels in many areas of service, the Guest Service department unfortunately falls short of expectations. I encountered a noticeable lack of attentiveness, proactivity, and courtesy when I reached out for assistance. It felt as though the team was temporarily filling in rather than providing the high standard of service Azamara is known for. In both interactions, I was surprised by their disinterest and a disregard for basic customer service principles, such as maintaining eye contact and demonstrating a problem-solving attitude. Thankfully, the rest of the crew stepped in to provide the help I needed, showcasing the exceptional service that characterizes the rest of the ship.

Crew

Azamara’s guests are drawn to the destinations, but they return for the exceptional hospitality provided by the crew. With a remarkable staff-to-guest ratio of 1.7:2, the Azamara Journey offers personal, hands-on service from the moment you step onboard until the very end of your voyage. The diverse crew hails from every corner of the globe, embodying the heart and soul of the brand. Unlike larger ships, the intimate size of Azamara Journey fosters meaningful connections between guests and staff, including officers who engage with passengers as approachable conversation partners. The captain, in particular, is known for being genuinely personable. The attentive, friendly service extends from top management to housekeeping, making you feel like part of a community. The crew remembers your name, favourite drink, and past conversations, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Azamara Journey’s crew truly has hospitality in its DNA, driven by a passionate management team that ensures every guest feels valued and at home. The service on board Azamara Journey was impeccable from the moment we stepped on board. The staff were warm, welcoming, and incredibly attentive, making us feel at home instantly. No request was too much trouble, and the attention to detail was remarkable. The bar staff quickly learned our drink preferences, and the waiters were friendly, introducing themselves, sharing where they were from, and offering insightful suggestions on wine pairings with each meal.

What stood out most was the personal touch—every time we disembarked and returned, we were greeted by name with a heartfelt “welcome home,” which added a sweet and thoughtful touch to the experience. The overall atmosphere was one of genuine happiness, with every crew member going above and beyond to ensure our stay was as special and comfortable as possible. The service truly enhanced our voyage, making it one to remember.

Butler Service

Booking one of the top suites on Azamara Journey truly elevates the cruising experience, and having a butler service was a game-changer. Our butler, Oscar, exemplified what it means to be a true butler, surpassing the services offered by cruise lines like NCL, Cunard, and Celebrity. His attention to detail was remarkable; Oscar anticipated my needs before I even had to ask, ensuring that my stay was nothing short of perfect. His positive demeanor, calm professionalism, and unwavering discretion made every interaction a delight. He navigated challenges with ease, preempting potential issues and finding effective solutions, all while maintaining a level of confidentiality that added to the experience. Having Oscar at my service for the week was a privilege, and his commitment to the art of butlery transformed my cruise into an extraordinary journey. I can’t imagine cruising without this exceptional touch of personalized service.

Shore excursion and shore access

During my cruise on Azamara Journey, I opted not to book any shore excursions, but I observed how smoothly the guests who did were able to embark and disembark at each port. They departed at convenient times, without lines or confusion, allowing for a calm and relaxed start to their explorations. If you’re planning to explore independently, I recommend timing your outings after the organized excursions depart. With Azamara’s extended hours in port, this was easy to do, and I found coming and going from the ship to be a breeze. Even during tendering, the process was efficient, thanks to Azamara’s frequent tendering service with local lifeboats. This ensured that everyone could easily access the shore and enjoy their adventures without hassle. Overall, the embarkation experience for excursions reflected Azamara’s commitment to a stress-free cruise experience.

Disembarkation

Disembarkation on Azamara Journey was as smooth and stress-free as the rest of the cruise. Detailed instructions regarding the process were provided well in advance, which, though a bit somber on a seven-day voyage, made everything clear and efficient. My butler double-checked everything to ensure a seamless departure. There were no long lines, no stress, and finding my luggage on shore was a breeze. Officers and crew supervised the process with professional smiles, making it feel effortless. The only downside was that Azamara requires luggage to be placed outside the suite by 9 p.m. the night before—quite early. I chose to carry a smaller suitcase with me, which worked out perfectly. A suggestion for improvement: clear information on the specific terminal for private transfers would be helpful. Overall, the disembarkation process was well-organized and executed, ensuring a relaxed and positive end to the trip.

“Feedback is a gift,” and I believe Azamara is eager to evolve and further solidify its position in the luxury cruise market. After my seven-day experience aboard Azamara Journey, I have a few suggestions that might be valuable for those looking to fine-tune the product and enhance the guest experience.

1. Special touches for top suite guests:

Top suite guests, who pay 10 to 15 times more per day than those in standard cabins, deserve distinctive perks that justify their investment. Competing lines like MSC, Royal Caribbean, Explora, and NCL provide extra services for high-tier cabins, such as personal escorts for dinner or shore excursions, reserved seating for onboard events like White Night and Destination Immersion, and exclusive tables at shows or production performances. Introducing similar privileges on Azamara would elevate the experience for top-tier guests, enhancing the boutique, luxury atmosphere and encouraging repeat bookings.

2. Improve logistics for special events:

Standing in long lines for buffet food during special event nights detracts from the luxury experience Azamara strives for. While the food is undeniably exquisite, the queuing felt more reminiscent of a casual summer camp than an exclusive, high-end cruise. Reworking the logistics for these occasions—perhaps incorporating a plated service or staggered seating arrangements—would eliminate the need for guests to queue, maintaining a more refined, upscale ambiance throughout the evening.

3. Embrace modern technology:

Despite Azamara’s intimate, club-like atmosphere, it’s time to bring the fleet up to speed with modern technological conveniences. The daily delivery of printed schedules and event flyers could easily be replaced by a virtual information page on the in-room TVs. Not only would this save paper, but it would also streamline information for guests, offering an eco-friendly and efficient way to keep up with daily events, menus, and shore excursion details. Guests accustomed to luxury may appreciate the tech-forward approach, aligning Azamara with 21st-century expectations.

4. Revise onboard entertainment:

While Azamara’s entertainment is intentionally low-key to suit its relaxed atmosphere, “low-key” should not translate to “low-quality.” Some of the performances felt more like amateur “wannabe” acts than the polished, sophisticated performances one would expect on a luxury cruise. Azamara should rethink its entertainment offerings, ensuring that the acts onboard meet the expectations of a discerning audience. Curated musical performances, cabaret-style shows, and culturally immersive acts that reflect the destinations visited could bring a more refined edge to the entertainment lineup.

These suggestions come from a place of genuine appreciation, as my experience on Azamara Journey was delightful overall. However, as this was my first Azamara cruise, I couldn’t help but compare it to other luxury products in the market. By incorporating some of these improvements, Azamara can strengthen its position as a leader in the boutique luxury cruise sector, further setting itself apart from the competition. Ultimately, Azamara’s charm lies in its relaxed, intimate atmosphere, but a few thoughtful enhancements could make the experience even more seamless and sophisticated for future guests.

It’s difficult to put into words the magic of my time aboard Azamara. This is truly one of those “you’ve got to experience it for yourself” moments to fully understand the appeal. As someone told me before, “Once you cruise with Azamara, you never turn back,” and now I completely get it. The value for money is exceptional, thanks to the immersive way Azamara connects you to each destination—through dining, entertainment, and proximity to port. But what truly sets them apart is the genuine service, with an almost one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio that creates a warm, personal experience. The intimate, club-like atmosphere onboard adds to the sense of laid-back luxury that Azamara is known for.

In fact, I was so impressed that I booked two more Azamara cruises as soon as I returned home. Stay tuned, because I will definitely be back on board for more unforgettable adventures!

Posted in CRUISE CHRONICLES, TRAVELER'S NOTES
Tags: #holiday, #travel, Azamara, Azamara Journey, cruise, cruise ship, cruises, cruising, Greek cruise, Leonard Miron, luxury cruise, travel

THE FORGOTTEN SPLENDOUR 11 days on MSC SPLENDIDA

•December 4, 2021 • 2 Comments

In the last couple of years I was lucky enough to travel on all new MSC ships from Meraviglia and Meraviglia-Plus class cruise ships. Therefore, for my 48^th voyage with the Italian cruise line I decided to jump back in time and return to one of my favourite Fantasia class cruise liner: MSC Splendida. And, I have to admit, without all the gimmicks of the new ships, the experience was far above all my expectations.

The Fantasia class is a class of cruise ships, operated by MSC Cruises. At present, there are four active Fantasia-class cruise ships, the lead vessel, MSC Fantasia, MSC Splendida, MSC Divina and the MSC Preziosa, which are built by STX Europe in St. Nazaire.

MSC Splendida was built in July 2009 with an investment of $550 million.

The ship was launched from the shipyard on 18 July 2008. She began her sea trials on 21 May 2009 and completed them on 27 May 2009. embarked on her maiden voyage on July 4, 2009 and returned July 11, to be officially named on July 12, 2009, in Barcelona by Sophia Loren, her godmother. Originally, she was to be named MSC Serenata, but the name was changed in May 2007 to MSC Splendida “to reflect the ship’s beauty and elegance”. The name had been changed in response to the enthusiastic reaction of Raphaela Aponte, wife of cruise line owner Gianluigi Aponte, to the designs prepared by architect De Jorio

After getting “lost” so many times on the big MSC ships, being on Splendida was like being back “home”. The ship has a really inclusive feel, with a very friendly atmosphere, offering stylish luxury and being a beautiful destination in her own right. Splendida has 14 public decks (each bearing the name of a famous Italian artist) connected by 25 lifts, with a wide range of bars and public areas and it never feels overly crowded (aside from in the main buffet at certain times of the day). There are some gorgeous public spaces, such as La Piazetta, which resembles a quaint Italian square, and the central hub of the soaring atrium, with its sweeping, glittering staircases (25,000 Euros each step!), crystal-studded piano, water feature and glass-sided lifts.

On any MSC ships, embarkation for guests in Yacht Club it is always the starting point of a long line of great memories and experiences. This time, in Barcelona a little hic-cup marked the embarkation: due to some bad weather the ship was delayed and unfortunately the staff in Barcelona Cruise Terminal didn’t have or didn’t want to give any information of an ETA. Minute after minute more and more passengers arrived at the check-in area to discover that was no ship to embark and nobody keen to give any kind of information. Fortunately for myself checking www.seascanner.com and using some leftover rum from a duty-free shopping filled in the waiting time. When finally, the ship was docked and the Yacht Club team took over the embarkation process, normal operation resumed: check-in the luggage and the cruise tickets, waiting in an elegant lounge for the results of the lateral flow tests and being escorted by one of the butlers straight to Yacht Club after skipping all security or boarding lines. Even the elevators will give you priority access when using your YC cruise cards. The efficiency of the embarkation was the first sign that I will be travelling in an excellent managed Yacht Club.

Originally, I booked for this voyage a YC1 cabin – Yacht Club Deluxe Suite but, during embarkation I heard that one of the Royal Suite was vacant and therefore I requested at the Concierge a quote for a possible upgrade. 5 minutes later the 3000 Euros for two was paid and 10 minutes later, entering Royal Suite 16007 I discovered that my luggage was already in the room. That’s what I called Yacht Club efficiency!

The Royal Suite on board MSC Splendida doesn’t have the space or the add-ons (large balcony with dining area, outdoor jacuzzi or remote-controlled curtains) found on the biggest ships. But has a charming comfy unparalleled luxury. The 36 m² room with a 16m² balcony was located on the 16^th deck (Michelangelo) has a separate living area and dining room, a large bedroom and a bathroom with bathtub and shower. The walk-in wardrobe and the generous vanity area gave plenty of space for my 5 suitcases. The only weird feature was the balcony, kind of half rounded, protected by glass screens and a “ballet barre” reducing the usable space. But, taking in the account that the room is located in front of the ship where the winds can be quite strong, make all this features if not understandable at least functional. But the general feeling was of an elegant, luxurious and generous space featuring rich brass and lavish wood-effect finishes and a easy on the eye muted colour scheme.

Part of the exquisite Yacht Club package is the 24 hours service of a butler. It was always one of the highlights of any cruises on MSC. This time the experience was elevated to a completely different level. Nurus was the quintessence of a perfect butler. His professional and attentive nature, the innate level of empathy and interpersonal skills, the pristine personal presentation add an incredible value to my experience on board MSC Splendida. Nurus tact, diplomacy and discretion were part of his daily routine and he was “there” 2 minutes before I needed him, with a kind of annoying intuitively pro-activity. It is not easy to maintain 24/7 an unbiased and prejudice-free disposition, but for Nurus was part of his genuine dedication. But maybe the biggest impact on me was Nurus and his excellent jr. Butler Rois attention to details: from the TV screen left on during the turndown service on the night when was a time change, to the perfect aligned chocolate, water and “good night” note beside the bed or the funny balloons added to my delivered laundry. While always available, Nurus and Rois were never intrusive or bothersome. Whether replacing items from my complimentary mini-bar or just choosing a different pillow from the pillow menu, they were delightful, polite and intent on doing their genuine “butlering.” Despite my protests about not having to re-tie the sash on my bathrobe that Rois neatly hangs up every morning, he happily went about his tasks.

Nothing was to much trouble and everything was perfect.

On Fantasia class ships, the restaurant dedicated to guests in Yacht Club is place in the aft of the ship, exactly in the opposite part of the vessel where the suites are. I never found this a disadvantage. More than the I do like a walk before dinner feeling the vibe of the evening or the fact that after dinner all the venues with the parties and the great cocktails are closer.

L’Olivo – the dedicated Yacht Club restaurant on MSC Splendida, creates, from the deco point of view a very Mediterranean atmosphere. The elegant room has the feel of a pavilion, with green and gold chairs, arched trellises beside the windows and draped curtains. There are plenty of tables for two, or diners can choose to sit together at larger tables. This beautiful a la carte restaurant occupies a prime position overlooking the Playa Del Sol swimming pool and aft of the ship.

In the recent years MSC stepped up their gam in the cuisine department with a more than obvious improvement in quality, presentation, and variety. I am sure that you read already my recent Yacht Club gourmet experiences on board MSC Virtuosa and MSC Seashore.

Unfortunately, on board MSC Splendida the L’Olivo restaurant was the weakest link. Almost everything, even the items in the “always available” section of the menu was just plain ugly food. You know the kind I’m talking about: Undercooked. Overcooked. Burned. Mystery meat lurking in an weird plate design. An unnamed vegetable weeping at the bottom of the crisper. The leftover cup of grayish, congealed gravy. Once again, this was my 9^th cruise with MSC in 2021 and the menu didn’t change. On Virtuosa, Grandiosa and Seashore I ordered this year from the same menu and what’s arrived on the table was a fresh, vibrant and rich. I could marinate in these all day. Pun intended.

In L’Olivo the food on the table was an “expose” of the very best of “worst food” descriptions you’ll find! Adjectives like grisly, gloppy, withered, rubbery, curdled, perfectly describe a food that, to put it kindly, is beyond its prime. Funny enough, on other MSC ships the Chef takes pride in his culinary exercise and , at least twice a cruise, coms in the dining room to collect compliments or, more important, feedback. On L’Olivo in 11 days I never meet the chef once. Maybe he was to busy to add more cm at the distance between his cooking style to the expected Yacht Club dining experience.

But the most annoying thing was a massive disjunction between the food and the service. Maitre D’ Vincenzo and his team of waiters and assistant waiters provided for every breakfast, lunch and dinner an excellent service, efficient, polite, friendly trying hard to elevate, from below the sea level the gastronomic experience. Having Vincenzo as a Maître D’, Davide as a Sommelier and Giovane as a waiter made me feel guilty that 3 or 4 times I had to escape the gastronomic torture and run to a speciality restaurant or order in my cabin one of the excellent MSC pizzas.

As an alternative dining MSC Splendida has only 2 options: a steakhouse and sushi restaurant. But both of them are not to be missed.

Sea Pavillion Hot Pot by JEREME LEUNG offers creative combinations of modern Chinese dishes and classical Chinese provincial, all signature of Chef Jereme Leung’s cuisine. Highly respected by numerous international food critics, Chef Leung is an expert in all four schools of Chinese cooking – dim sum, barbecue, wok cooking and knife work and received the prestigious Five Star Diamond Award in 2000 and 2008 from The American Academy of Hospitality Science, naming him one of the “World’s Best Chefs.” He has also appeared as the Chief Judge on MasterChef China. During her deployment in Far East MSC Splendida offered here the popular “hot pot” dining style but after the forced return in the Med the menu was readjusted to European taste including a large and delicious variety of sushi. Everything was so fresh that it was melting in my mouth! From the breezing scent of the sea, crafting patterns of good omega fats, those handmade drops of exactly-mouthful sushi rice, and when was touching my mouth, it was like melting blended to my tongue, accompanying with the taste of the blue world as such you are swimming with those fish! Sounds OTT but that was exactly my feeling. And add to all of this the superb service and realise that a dinner to Sea Pavilion it’s a must when you are on board MSC Splendida. A piece of advice: the portions are huge and don’t make the same mistake like me and order 2 x tasting menu (29 Euros/person) + another 3-4 extra dishes. You will end with a doggy bag sent to your cabin.

The other speciality restaurant on board MSC Splendida, it’s the, already famous, “Butcher’s Cut”. The only oddity was the location: the speciality restaurant took the place of the former a la carte Santa Fe Tex Mex and the giant cactuses and horse-drawn cart hardly balancing from the deco point of view the steakhouse style additions. Butcher’s Cut for dinner is great for true steak lovers. Diners can start with appetizers like a classic Caesar salad, oysters Rockefeller, foie deviled eggs or caviar. Just don’t fill up, as the steaks are the hero here. Choose from cuts like a filet mignon, ribeye or 38-ounce dry-aged tomahawk (for two) and consider a surf add-on of your choice. Desserts include New York cheesecake and lava cake and the restaurant features an extensive wine and cocktail list. No surprises here, everything was fantastic: rich, perfect slightly sweet flavour with a smooth texture bone marrow, the tender, flavourful, juicy, and cooked to perfection filet mignon and the incredibly rich & decadent lava cake. And a perfect service matched perfectly this gastronomic celebration …TWICE!

Based on my previous pleasant experience with the buffet option on Virtuosa and Seashore I tried couple of times this culinary alternative on MSC Splendida. And it was another “button badge” for the “old lady”!

Bora Bora on deck 14 is the main buffet, offering casual dining and is open 24/7 for self-service coffee, tea, water and ice, and moves from breakfast through lunch and dinner with other items in between, without a break. The buffet is conveniently located next to the Aqua Park, making it easy for passengers to pop in and out whenever they’re feeling peckish. It’s a huge space — taking up around a third of Deck 14 — and the size, and choice of food, can seem overwhelming the first time you visit. It is also fairly noisy and hectic at busy times. Many people unwittingly end up sitting in the neighbouring Pago Pago buffet as the two areas blend into each other and seem like one vast area, particularly during breakfast and lunch.

Running on from Bora Bora, the smaller Pago Pago buffet occupies a position at the aft of the ship and is the place to go to try and avoid the crowds. Open at the same times as Bora Bora, it also offers complimentary 24-hour tea, coffee water and ice along with a smaller selection of hot and cold food than the neighbouring space. There is really a free-flow of movement between the two eateries as passengers wander around looking for what takes their fancy, and many diners sit in Pago Pago if they can’t find anywhere to sit in Bora Bora. Heed the advice of the waiters and head right to the back of the ship and you will invariably find empty tables.

Although they have to rush around when the buffet is packed during the main mealtimes, members of the buffet staff are very friendly and efficient and do a great job of keeping on top of drinks orders and clearing and cleaning tables. On MSC Splendida the buffet is surprisingly good. One reason for this is the vast selection of foods required to satisfy the palates of so many different European cultures. Breakfast is a perfect example, one will find flaky croissants, fresh omelettes, juicy German sausages and English bacon. I have never experienced a buffet area where they managed to keep the food so warm, which is a significant but often under-appreciated accomplishment on any cruise ship. It’s something that the Chef in L’Olivo didn’t learn … YET!

Deck five foreword features the beautiful Strand Theater, one of the most functionally perfect production showrooms I have ever seen at sea. The floor is perfectly designed without a single pole to block the view and raked over two decks so viewing from every row is perfect. The sound is acoustically balanced with special design treatments. Avoid the balcony seats on deck seven if possible, however. Glass railings block the view and the sound system, vastly diminishing the experience.

As I am not a big fan of cruise ship shows the only time when I decided to step in Strand Theater was one afternoon when was schedule a very interesting opera recital. MSC is the only cruise line including in their entertainment schedule opera and I already saw carmen and La Traviata on board. This time the choice was interesting, maybe a little bit to “sophisticated” featuring Puccini Mascagni and Lehar instead of the expected Verdi or Strauss. But the vocal and instrumental performance was magnificent.

The Splendida offers ten different bars and lounges, each of them unique, and most situated on decks five, six and seven. There is a small atrium only three decks tall with the reception desk, shore excursions and other passenger services on the ground floor. Deck six contains one of the most beautiful public rooms on any ship, La Piazzeta. This small courtyard resembles a village square in Tuscany. There are ceramic tile benches surrounding a beautiful flowing fountain. A person can sit here and relax with a cafe mocha and gelato. You will also find the cigar lounge and the main bar in the atrium called L’Aperitivo nearby. The Royal Palms casino offers blackjack, poker, plenty of slot machines and of course roulette. You will not find craps tables which are an American pastime.

On deck seven, you will find the wine bar L’Enoteca for tasting vino by the glass along with food pairings from around the world. Also on deck seven you will find live music every night in the La Prua bar (with some interesting mixology offers) and the Purple Jazz Bar, featuring live dance music and karaoke in some nights. The Aft Lounge is another showroom in the stern with seating for hundreds of people and a large stage facility. The Sports Bar has the two-lane miniature bowling alley.

On MSC Splendida the main pools are on Deck 14, where the covered L’Equatore pool leads to the Aqua Park — the main outdoor hub. The covered pool, which has three hot tubs, is the quieter of the two. It is surrounded by tables and chairs, with loungers on the mezzanine deck overlooking the pool. On sunny days the Aqua Park is the main gathering spot and is a very lively area with piped music playing throughout the day and night, along with live music events such as themed pool parties, including the famous White Party. The main pool, which is 5ft 10in deep, is surrounded by decking, smaller splash pools, spraying fountains, water jets and two whirlpools. (Two more whirlpools are situated immediately above on Deck 15). The area nearest to the pool is surrounded by plenty of loungers, and tables and chairs are situated under a covered area at both sides of the ship. There is a smoking area in the Aqua Park. Adults in search of peace and quiet can head to Playa del Sol, a lovely area overlooking the stern of the ship on Deck 15 that few passengers seem to discover. The mosaic-tiled pool area, which has a hot tub is surrounded by loungers, tables and chairs.

On deck 14, the bow is dominated by the elegant Aurea Spa and Fitness Center. Unlike spas on many of the large ships, which are managed by external spa chains, the Aurea is run by MSC and specialises in Balinese spa treatments which offer something a little bit different from the norm. Next to the spa reception is the Aurea Spa Bar, open to anyone, which can be used as a relaxation area before and after treatments. The Jean Louis David salon, part of a well-known hairdressing chain in mainland Europe, is located at the entrance to the spa complex. It offers cutting and styling services for men and women, again using a variety of different products rather than one particular brand. The gym, carefully hidden behind the spa area, has a limited number of treadmills and Nordic machines as well as state-of-the-art progressive resistance apparatus. The panoramic views are impaired by sloping shaded screens on the outside deck, nevertheless it’s still a great spot to work out. Despite that for guests in Yacht Club will take you directly to the gym and spa area, I didn’t manage to find the right motivation to work out … in the last 10 years!

This journey was my 48^th on board MSC cruise ships, and all 48 in Yacht Club. The Yacht Club isn’t a loyalty program and it’s not just a set of suites. The Yacht Club is what MSC Cruises calls “a ship within a ship.” It’s a luxury experience that takes your cruise to the next level — and if luxury experiences are something you value as a traveller, you’ll definitely want to pay the extra cash needed to be a member of this exclusive “club.”

On newer ships the considerably large spaces in Yacht Club and the quite big number of passengers brought the risk of loosing the “exclusive” feeling of such a product. You need an excellent service with high standards – like on my voyages on Virtuosa and Seashore to avoid the feeling of “main cruising” as I experienced recently on Grandiosa.

On MSC Splendida is no space for such risk. First of all because Yacht Club due to size and configuration retained the feeling of privacy and exclusivity. Located primarily in the bow on Decks 15, 16, and 18, the Yacht Club offers suites with butler service plus a private concierge lounge; the elegant Top Sail Lounge, with wide windows facing the horizon; a private outdoor area with a pool, two whirlpools, a sundeck, and a bar. All in all, the Yacht Club is one of the most luxurious experiences at sea.

On Splendida the YC Team know how to create the feeling that you are unique and the most important on board. Imagine having your own private lounge where you are greeted by name upon entering. Or a lovely tea-time to relax and unwind after returning from a busy day spent on shore? Wouldn’t it be nice to stretch out on a deck chair that you didn’t have to “stake out” at 7am? Your private sunning and pool/whirlpool area is accessible only to Yacht Club members. Yes, this is all possible.

Top Sail Lounge – the dedicated lounge for Yacht Club passengers has one of the ship’s premier locations — at the absolute front of the ship, with panoramic views from the slanted windows. The multipurpose space is the perfect place for a quick continental breakfast in the morning or a pre-dinner drink and a cocktail in the afternoon. And at night, the live music was a perfect companion next to a great cocktail made by Rennan. The Jr. Butlers and bartenders in the lounge were absolutely amazing and, only after one day they will remember exactly your favourite drink or snack. Beatriz, Teddy, Paula, or Andressa will always remember that every morning I start my work at 6.30AM, in the lounge with my laptop and a double expresso with ice, a Coke Zero and a Bloody Mary. The only day when I decided to stay longer in bed, the panicked and ask the Concierge if I was OK.

A special Concierge service is on duty 24 hours a day in the Yacht Club, to interface with your butler and to make sure all of your needs are met in a timely manner. Joel, Patricia, Dimitri, Caroline, Vinicius and Marija are your best friend during your cruise taking away the stress of bookings on-board for spa, restaurants or excursions. And everything was smooth and stress free under the excellent leadership of the Head Butler Jean Baptiste Dominitchi. And they are excellent confidents when you need somebody to talk to at 3AM.

On the 18^th deck a private outdoor area with a pool, two whirlpools, a sundeck, and a bar are accessible only for guests in Yacht Club. I am absolutely in love with this space and to be honest I didn’t miss the huge number of sunbeds or larger pool on the bigger ships. The design of the One Pool area re-create outdoor the indoor privacy and exclusivity. Indeed, the bar and the buffet are not at the level of those on Virtuosa or Seashore due to the limited space and smaller galley, but the service was impeccable. Renan, Stavros, Reynaldo and the delightful Melissa brought outdoor the stylish service of any exclusive pool Bars on shore. And as an unforgettable memory, the alfresco pasta station with delicious everyday changeable receipt was a strong competitor L’Olivo restaurant during lunch.

Of course, after experiencing the new breath-taking, ultra tech, modern new MSC ships, I realised that for the crew on board MSC Splendida the work to “wow” guests in yacht Club was 1001 time harder. The attention to details, the passion for pampering the guests 24/7, the ability of making everybody to feel special, unique, the talent of cruise experience like no other all of this can be achieved, of course working hard but, more important having a leader who “practice what one preaches”. On any MSC Yacht Club, the YC Director has a capital role in how the game of privacy, luxury and pampering is played. And I am going back to my “far above expectations” trips on Virtuosa and Seashore and the “meh” Grandiosa one.

On MSC Splendida, Iancu Ravdan mixed a solid profession experience and a genuine passion for excellence with charisma and a very approachable “to do attitude”. From early hosur of the morning until late after midnight, from the Top Sail Lounge to the L’Olivo restaurant Iancu was “walking the talk”. Supervising, coordinating, planning but at the same time, if needed, moving sunbeds or helping the waiters, the Yacht Club Director was indubitably the architect, the mind behind the success of MSC Splendida Yacht Club.

After 48 cruises with MSC I am undoubtedly sure that the biggest asset of the cruise line is THE CREW. On MSC Splendida from the pool boys and bartenders to the officers and butlers everybody was using the brilliant basics of the cruise liner to create magic moments, devoted to the corporate slogan “Your relaxation, our dedication!”. And they managed somehow in a busy schedule, in a very difficult year for cruising industry to include each and every guest on board the wonderful MSC Family.

Those 11 days were indeed an eye opener on the unquestionably beauty and uniqueness of the MSC fantasia class ships. MSC Splendida was a brilliant reminder of the famous “Size doesn’t (always) matter. It’s all about the heart.”

And here I am with wonderful memories from my 48^th cruise with MSC and getting ready for number 49, this time on MSC Magnifica, a non-Yacht Club ship.

So stay tuned and keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep cruising!

Posted in CRUISE CHRONICLES
Tags: #msc, cruise, cruise critic, cruise ship, Iancu Ravdan, MSC, MSC cruise ship, MSC cruises, MSC Splendida, MSC Yacht Club, travel, tripadvisor

TIME TO SAY … I WANT TO STAY!

•September 29, 2021 • Leave a Comment

It’s a kind of unofficial tradition for the Capitan to play the famous Andrea Bocelli’s song “Time to say Goodbye!” at every sail away of an MSC cruise ship.

After my recent experience on board the new MSC flag-ship I was thinking to create my own version of this emotional moment: “Time to say … I want to stay!”

MSC SEASHORE is inspired by MSC Cruises’ vision for cruising in warm waters and sunny weather and mirrors the design of the Seaside Class with a wraparound promenade deck offering a choice of outside dining and relaxation areas. The name, which follows the theme of its Seaside Class predecessors MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview, has been picked to reflect a cruising experience that brings passengers “closest to the sea.” The beautiful cruise ship is a Seaside EVO-class cruise ship built for MSC Cruises at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. As of August 2021, she became the lead ship of MSC’s Seaside EVO class, a sub-class of the Seaside-class of ships built with larger dimensions. She will be joined by sister ship named MSC Seascape scheduled for delivery in November 2022

Building on the ground-breaking and pioneering design of the Seaside class of ship, aimed at bringing guests closer to the sea, MSC Seashore has been extended and enhanced with a variety of brand-new features, spaces and experiences for cruise lovers. MSC Seashore is equipped with cutting-edge technology becoming the first cruise ship in the world to feature a new air sanitation system, ‘Safe Air’, which uses UV-C lamp technology to eliminate viruses and bacteria to guarantee clean and safe air for guests and crew.

To be honest, I fall in love with Seashore on the very first moment when I stepped on board after, as always, a very smooth and stress-free embarkation procedure. The design features, public areas and venue names are inspired by the metropolitan New York City. These include an imposing three-metre-high replica of the Statue of Liberty at the heart of the casino and a newly designed expansive retail and entertainment area, aptly named Times Square. The main feature of this new area is an impressive 8.5 metre-high LED wall spanning four decks with a projection of the iconic skyline of this entertainment hub in Manhattan that can change from day to night.

With 339 metres, MSC Seashore is the longest ship in the MSC fleet and offers 13,000sqm of outdoor space. Stand-out design features include spectacular glass-floored Bridge of Sighs located at the unique vantage point on deck 16 – 22 metres above the Infinity Pool, stunning panoramic aft elevators and stylish glass-floor catwalks on either side of the ship on the waterfront promenade.

How you can’t be impressed by a floating Paradise with 19 decks (12 passenger-accessible, 11 with cabins), 11 dining venues, 19 bars and lounges, 6 swimming pools, a 2-deck “Cabaret Rouge” (aft-located), the Magrodome (sliding glass roof covering one of the swimming pools), the expanded Infinity Pool (with half-submerged concrete loungers/extends directly to the stern), 2 Infinity Whirlpools (portside and starboard Jacuzzis, with 10 seats each), a main swimming pool (with both swimming and standing water depths and connected to the Pirate Cove Aquapark), 3 catwalks (glass-floored viewing platforms), and an impressive 540m Waterfront Promenade.

Talking about embarkation in Barcelona, I must say that on Seashore the Yacht Club Team mastered an excellent experience: the check-in of the luggage, the formalities and Covid19 related protocols. Dani the Head Butler and his assistant Marcello under the discreet supervision of Rosalia, the Yacht Club Director gave to the entire embarkation an air of “welcome back home”! After a very short wait in the elegant and comfortable YC lounge in the cruise terminal for the test’s result, escorted by one of the butlers I had the chance to be amazed for the first time by the opulence, beauty and elegance of Seashore on my way to Yacht Club.

On Seashore decks are named after iconic lighthouses around the globe: Torre de Hercules Lighthouse (La Coruna Spain) – world’s oldest, Ocean Cay Lighthouse (MSC’s private island Ocean Cay, Bahamas), Santa Marta Lighthouse (Cascais, Portugal), Start Point Lighthouse (Devon England), Bell Rock Lighthouse (Angus Scotland) or Lanterna di Genova Lighthouse (Genoa Italy) to name just some of them. And by the way, similar to buildings in the U.S. without a thirteenth floor, there is no Deck 17 on MSC ships because Italians consider the number 17 to be unlucky.

The MSC Seashore cruise ship deck plan shows 2270 staterooms for 4560 passengers (max capacity is 5877) served by 1648 crew-staff (818 crew cabins). The cruise ship features new cabins designed to suit all your needs during your holiday and if you decide to cruise with the flag-ship of MSC you can choose from 11 different types of cabins and suites with balconies including the coveted aft suits, 50 terraced suites with extended balconies and 32 different suites with outdoor private whirlpools. If you want to get to know an unparalleled accommodation experience you must try the 2 new opulent Owner’s Suites at the largest and most luxurious MSC Yacht Club. Of course, if you are lucky enough to find one available!

My choice for this voyage was the incredible Royal Suite (16043) located on the 16^th Deck – Boston Light Lighthouse. With approx. 62 sqm., the Royal Suite has a separate living area and dining room, a spacious balcony (33 sqm.) with its own private whirlpool bath and dining table, a walk-in generous wardrobe and bathroom with large shower, vanity area with hairdryer. With an Interactive TV, telephone, WIFI connection included a Bar setup, refrigerator and espresso coffee machine everything was designed to create the ambiance for a perfect holiday.

The team assisting me during this cruise was the perfect example for the unparalleled experience offered by MSC in their exclusive concept “ship within the ship” – the Yacht Club. Pradeep (Butler) and Putu (Assistant Butler) mastered a perfect service day and night. Proactive, intuitive with a graceful attention to details and an impressive care, both of them proved once again that the biggest asset of any MSC ships is the crew on-board

And if you want to expand your luxurious experience in the Royal Suite you must try once to have lunch on your balcony. I chose a sea day and despite the breeze Paolo, Marcello Alessandro and Pradeep under the impeccable supervision of Dani, managed to create a memorable moment.

This cruise marked my 46^th voyage with MSC, and I can say that I am in love with their product “YACHT CLUB”. Seashore’s MSC Yacht Club is currently the fleet’s largest (total area 2973 m2). The all-inclusive Suite complex (ship-within-a-ship concept) accommodates the highest paying passengers (YC cabin categories only). It spreads over 4 decks and features a 3-deck high Onyx Wall (back-lit), Swarovski crystal-covered staircases, Top Sail Lounge (bar lounge with live music, gourmet canapes, complimentary beverages), exclusive Yacht Club restaurant (offering breakfast-lunch-dinner, premium wine list, daily-changed a la carte menu), and “One Pool” – a poolside bar and grill. The private sundeck and pool area were expanded to 1950 m2, with a bigger swimming pool and a panoramic Jacuzzi (8-seats, with individual controlled jets). The complex houses 131 Suites plus 2 Owners Suites (new category cabins sized 98 m2) with larger terraces (outdoor hot tub, glass wall, dining and sundeck areas).

The TOP SAIL LOUNGE is the perfect place for a drink before or after dinner. And, as a smoker, I love the outdoor space, placed in front of the lounge protected by the wind with glass panels and adding a touch of versatility with a sunny space in the day and an elegant and discreet atmospheric lightening in the evening. The ideal spot to watch the sunset. The gourmet canapes and signature cocktails were served with grace by a very attentive team of butlers, who learned in no time your favourite drink. In the afternoon and evening the TOP SAIL LOUNGE was a perfect venue to spend some time before discovering the rest of the ship having live music in the background. Maybe that was the only weakest link here: sometimes the music was a little bit too loud transforming a decent lounge conversation in a tiring shouting. While Edo Bordignon – a fantastic pianist and excellent vocalist was able to adapt his ambitus to the mood of the audience, balancing very professional between lounge and dance music, the other act in the lounge, Trio Swing, were extremely talented but confusing background music with a concert. Loud doesn’t mean always better!

The sun deck dedicated to the Yacht Club on MSC Seashore it’s impressive with 1950 m2, a bigger swimming pool than on other ships and a panoramic Jacuzzi (8-seats, with individual controlled jets). The “One Pool – bar and grill” offers daily the option for an alfresco breakfast and lunch. The menus are different than in the Yacht Club Restaurant with fresh grilled meat and fish, freshly made pasta and a mouth-watering salad bar. Despite the laid back atmosphere, the team here follow the same service standards like anywhere else in Yacht Club and the constant presence of the Head Waiters Giovanni and Alex is a guarantee that even by the pool the touch of luxury and exclusivity are present any time of the day. Add to all of this the amazing cocktails and the charismatic personalised service offered by Arnold and you will have the perfect image of a great day by the pool.

The only downsides of the “One Pool” area are the size (a bigger number of guests can dilute the exclusivity of the product, and not all the time Yacht Club is lucky enough to have the Seashore A team lead by Rosalia Scaldafferi providing a personalised service to 300+ guests) and the weird, designed cabanas which look more like an exposed cage than a discreet and elegant retreat due to the lack of privacy and reduced space around.

The Yacht Club has its own restaurant on all MSC ships. On board MSC Seashore the YC Restaurant is the perfect definition for an elevated gastronomic experience embellished with an exquisite service. I have to admit that I was more attracted by the breakfast and lunch on the sundeck but every dinner taken in the Yacht Club Restaurant was a unique experience. The elegant style of Maître D’s Giovanni and Rafaelle ( any top restaurants around the world will be grateful to have them)the knowledgeable Sommelier Alessandro (for him each bottle of wine has a story which needed to be shared) and the attentive, classy and gracious service of my waiter Paulo was a perfect match for the delicious food. Indeed, sometimes the Kitchen still needs to work a little bit on presentation but overall, 5 stars for the food and service in Yacht Club Restaurant. By the way in a 7 days cruise you will have 2 themed night: a gala dinner (with the “eternal” lobster, but I will suggest you to go for the Rossini) and a Mediterranean Night with a interesting approach of Med dishes ( and don’t miss the bouillabaisse). Twice Giovanni Gargiulo, the charming and professional Head waiter, after surprised us with his secret pasta dishes in ONE POOL, spoiled in YC Restaurant our palates with a live cooking of Crêpes Suzette and Cherries Jubilee – a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips, but who cares, you are in holiday!

Despite the fact that Seashore’s “MSC Yacht Club” is currently the fleet’s largest (total area 2973 m2), spreading over 4 decks, the feeling of luxury, exclusivity is kept intact due to the professionalism of the Yacht Club Director Rosalia Scaldaferri. With grace and style, bringing the modern managerial style in line with MSC values, with a charming presence every moments of the day and in any location around Yacht Club, Rosalia brilliantly leads a team of professional butlers, assistant butlers, waiters, stewards, and bar staff which successfully write every cruise the successful story of MSC Yacht Club.

A step behind Rosalia but always a step ahead any guest’s wishes, desires, requests or needs, the Head Butler, Dani Agung Sri Prasetyo brings to the team years of experience, passion, dedication and a elegant managerial style being the perfect example for what we normally call: “walk the talk”. No surprise that the Yacht Club team present now on board of MSC Seashore is the most successful one, always THE TEAM opening MSC new ships.

Maybe the only bit which didn’t fit or match the general brilliance of the Seashore’s “MSC Yacht Club” was the Concierge. With an attitude which reminded me of a 2 stars motel on a motorway, they always seemed to be “busy” always looking at the computer’s screens avoiding any eye contact with the passing passengers. With an annoying, sometimes, communication skills, considering the high standards just a line in the written SOP, they were keen to give you the information … the wrong ones. Most of the time I had the feeling that they were paid to sabotage the efforts of the rest of the teams. The Concierge was the only place where the Yacht Club’s sprit was hard to be detected. Couple of times I ask the Concierge to pass a message to my Butler, but the message never reach him creating embarrassing situations. Other times wrong information regarding the Covid19 tests on-board and the shore excursion booking process created issues which can be avoided in a very simple way: “doing your job properly and being accountable”. But from Seashore Concierge point of view was always somebody else fault. And blaming your team with a smile is not the MSC way!

Weird enough but in 7 days I didn’t have time to explore and take the advantage of all attractions and venues on board. I barely had time to enjoy the main pool – Long Island Pool on deck 18 which has two different depths so you can choose to swim or simply stand and hang-out in the water, gravitating around a 360-degree water fountain island in the centre or relaxing in the new lounge space within the pool. Whilst this ship is designed for warmer weather, the Jungle Pool features a larger magrodome that can be closed to create an indoor pool area when needed. This popular area has been enlarged and now includes an additional deck over and around the space, providing new areas for guests to sit and relax. It is just a short walk to the newly located buffet on deck 16 for a lunchtime snack – perfect for families who enjoy spending time by the pool. And of course the stunning Infinity pool with half-submerged concrete loungers/extends directly to the stern and the 2Infinity Whirlpools (portside and starboard Jacuzzis, with 10 seats each). The only question mark related to the design is that the pools on board seems to be a little bit to small for a ship operated in warm waters at full capacity.

Opening the doors to the MSC Aurea Spa is like entering another world. This universe of wellbeing, fitness and self-care is a must-see for anyone wishing to pamper themselves. MSC Seashore boasts 21 treatment rooms, including two couple’s treatment rooms, as well as a Medi Spa Centre, and an exclusive outdoor area to relax in the sunshine. For those in search for a new look is good to know that beauty salon, nail boutique and barber are completely redesigned. Of course during my voyage, due to the increased Health & Safety measures in order to grant a safe cruise for all guests, , some of the experiences were closed: Steam Rooms, Heat Baths Whirlpools, Ice & Snow Experiences. The Saunas, Salt Relax Room, Harmonic Relax Rooms, Experience Showers, Heated Loungers were open during my cruise.

A voyage with MSC Seashore brings you the leisure time and the facilities to maintain and build your fitness thanks to a wide choice of Sports Facilities and a state-of-the art Gym with fabulous sea views. You can admire the panorama, burn off calories and keep in shape. Whether you prefer to train alone, love a workout in company or live to compete, you’ll find just what you need. To be honest I didn’t try to find the Gym for myself, only for research purposes. Bad boy!

Providing a cruise experience that suits all of the family, MSC’s Seashore boasts popular, free of charge kid’s clubs. Babies and toddlers are well looked after in the Baby club, while 3-11 year olds can have fun taking part in different activities including LEGO, arts and crafts and cooking at the Mini and Junior clubs. Meanwhile, with two clubs for 12-17 year olds, teenagers can spend some time away from their parents making friends and enjoying the fantastic facilities on offer to them, including dance parties, a cinema room and games consoles. With 703 m2 of dedicated kids’ space, the largest in the fleet, and re-designed rooms, the kids’ area on board MSC Seashore offers an unmatched experience. From the décor, design colours, and themes of the areas, the MSC Seashore’s Kids Club will give all children a chance to reach for the stars, thanks to a futuristic new theme, dedicated to space and planetary exploration. Every cruise includes a special and unmissable event: the “LEGO® Experience On Board“. An entire day dedicated to LEGO® bricks & activities for the whole family to enjoy. With 98 hours of live entertainment for the whole family per cruise, there is always something new and exciting for both parents and children to enjoy their time together!

The only area accessible for an old overweight man like me was the fabulous Pirates Cove Aquapark which features an impressive range of fun exciting activities for the whole family including adventure trails, treasure hunts, a galleon for kids and much more. The Kraken’s tentacles wrap around the adventure trail on its way to the Long Island Pool. Enhanced by virtual reality, MSC Seashore offers one of the largest and most interactive water attractions at sea.

With 18 bars and lounges, including twelve indoor and six outdoor venues, five specialty restaurants and four main dining restaurants – a gastronomic adventure with globally inspired menus await guests on board MSC Seashore. The ship has been fully redesigned to include even more options for eating and drinking with new bars and restaurants as well as outdoor venues and seating to bring the guests’ connection to the sea to new heights.

The ship has four main dining restaurants, including a dedicated restaurant for Aurea guests, serving first-class Mediterranean and international specialties in stylish surroundings. In all these venues menus change daily with exquisite dishes created for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For more casual dining, the Marketplace Buffet has also been redesigned to give guests a real marketplace feeling with three distinct areas, each with a different design and ambience: Il Mercato, La Piazza and La Trattoria. In addition to its indoor seats, the buffet now features a new outdoor aft dining area as part of the Sky Bar, which offers comfortable lounge seating as the perfect spot for a cocktail with the ultimate sea view. After talking with Naga Dasari, the F&B Director on board MSC Seashore I realize that creating something for every palate and preference, providing a diverse array of outstanding international culinary experiences and high class services is more than a goal, it is a reality on board Seashore.

MSC Seashore’s Chef’s Court is home to the ship’s five specialty restaurants, situated in a new location on Deck 8 closer to the sea. Offering both new concepts and signature favourites, each venue serves a mouth-watering menu of international flavours. The ship’s signature steakhouse, Butcher’s Cut, will offer al fresco dining along the iconic waterfront promenade. Even with a guide as the famous and experienced Corporate Chef Luca Cesarini a final decision is hard to make.

Kaito Sushi Bar for the first time in the fleet, includes a sushi conveyor belt for guests to select dishes, with fresh sushi, sashimi, tempura and more. This popular venue offers deliciously authentic Asian cuisine prepared in front of guests with the highest quality ingredients.

Butcher’s Cut the signature American-style steakhouse serves select Linz heritage angus beef, gold standard in high-end angus beef thanks to the best genetics in breed. The menu includes a range of prime cuts for all appetites, paired with their favorite New World wines or cocktails. The new al fresco dining area allows guests the full MSC Seashore experience, with fresh air and sea views.

The first in the Seaside generation and the second in the fleet, HOLA Tacos & Cantina which feature the Latin American and Mexican-inspired cuisine in family style dining. Guests can enjoy a number of street food specialties and choose from an extensive list of tequilas and mescals, all combined in a fun, interactive setting

Ocean Cay is a chic seafood restaurant which serve Mediterranean-style fish and seafood dishes made with fresh ingredients, all complemented by an extensive wine list.

Kaito Teppanyaki brings an interactive and engaging experience, guests will delight in the tastes and spectacle of this venue, with eight grills, becoming the largest teppanyaki restaurant on any MSC Cruises ship. In this combined entertainment and dining experience, chefs cook with flair on an open grill with sizzling ingredients coming together to form delectable dishes.

And if the final bill at the end of the cruise is a threat for you don’t forget that on-line before boarding MSC Seashore or on-board you can benefit from the special offers of different dining packages

4 DISTINCT EXPERIENCES THE FINEST FOUR – which includes: Ocean Cay, Teppanyaki restaurant, Butchers Cut and Hola! Tacos & Cantina
3 DISTINCT EXPERIENCES TRILOGY – which includes: Ocean Cay, Butchers Cut and Hola! Tacos & Cantina
TWO DINING EXPERIENCES DUO – which includes: Teppanyaki restaurant and Butchers Cut

Or the unique experience of BUTCHER’S CUT CHEF TABLE with your own Chef and your

Among MSC Seashore’s many new features, there are numerous bars and lounges for guests to enjoy a drink, a light bite or take in some of the ship’s 16+ daily hours of entertainment. As Alyn Tocu, the Bar Operations Manager warned me from the very beginning is hard to decide where to have your next drink on-board: maybe in the The Wine Cellar, a brand-new concept, which includes a spectacular, walk-through wine cellar and oenological tasting experience or in the Sky Bar for panoramic sea views, a rooftop bar, ideal stop for cocktails or maybe in Horizon Bar situated on deck 19, and offering comfortable outdoor lounge seating. Of course, you can choose The Sports Bar decked out with sports memorabilia, which features a new billiard room or maybe the Chef’s Court Cocktail Bar located in the new Chef’s Court area at heart of the ship, the ideal venue to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail in stylish surroundings. Hard to chose between The Uptown Lounge and Brooklyn Café both kind of a piano lounge and bar, featuring live music and cocktails for those looking to wind down after dinner. Add to all of those MSC Aurea Bar where Aurea guests will also delight in the Top 19 Solarium’s stylish, which includes an outdoor lounge area and bar to complete a relaxing day in the sun.

But my all-time favourite was the Champagne Bar, a cosy bar for true connoisseurs, perfect for lively conversations and making new friends. The charming and elegant service of Danjela Dishi and the entire team made me return almost every night in that glamorous corner of the ship

From French retro-chic to sleek contemporary, the entertainment venues on MSC Seashore immerse guests in a series of different universes, filled with the latest technology for fantastically fun experiences. The options are endless, from the main theatre or the new aft lounge, the high-tech disco and the larger than ever casino through to the sports bars – there’s something for every member type of traveller.

MSC Seashore plays host to 4 new and original full-scale theatrical productions, with three performances each night of the cruise in the Madison Theatre: Belle Epoque, Coast to Coast, Meravigiloso Amor and Magic Woods. Unfortunately, on this voyage I didn’t find the physical time to stop in the theatre and watch any of this production but that’s a promise for the next time

I was more interested in the new concept launched on board MSC Seashore from the entertainment point of view. Le Cabaret Rouge inspired by French cabaret lounges of the 1920s, features original shows, a true feast for the eyes, with acrobats, dancers, singers and musicians all rolled into one breath-taking spectacle. With 400 seats, this multi-functional space flows seamlessly from cocktail hour with live music to an all-out dance party as the evening develops. I had the chance to watch an magic “Paris Spectacular with Toulouse-Lautrec” , the inspiring “Woman in Art” and the dynamic “Modern Collection”, all very different but all exceptional.

Live music is at home on board MSC Seashore with a lot of venues hosting great musical live acts with Trio La Brava, Rudy or Thiago in the Atrium, Trio Swing and Edo in Yacht Club Lounge or Miguel & Jazz Band in the Brooklyn Café. And of course, the parties. The charismatic Entertainment Manager Francesco Pulpo had a difficult task to adapt the already famous MSC parties to the new protocols imposed by the “safe bubble” concept. But his experience and his ingenuity transformed a possible handicap in a big advantage by moving parties from the Atrium to the Long Island Pool where the fantastic weather guaranteed a enormous success. In a week cruise you can expect 3 themed party: Flower Glory, Tropical and of course, the MSC signature party White Party

Of course, shopping must be part of anyone cruise schedule. On MSC Seashore you can find a wide selection of the best boutiques at sea stocked with all your favourite premium brands, so you can enjoy the best shopping experience during your cruise. All the hops are open all day and until late at night when at sea. And you can’t disembark before visiting the amazing MSC Logo Shop where you can infuse your cruise with gifts that spark magical memories of your voyage across the waves! Navigate the MSC Logo Shop for everything from gadgets to books and novelty gifts! You’ll also find MSC’s very own DOREMI Mascot. And in all the shops and boutiques on-board you can benefit from the expert guidance of the fabulous staff lead my the Shop manager Mircea Petru always ready to help to find something for the special people in your life, whatever their age and taste! And the best kept secret: on MSC ships you will get the lowest tax and duty-free prices applicable in accordance with local legislation.

Being home now and taking a step back looking at all photos and videos from this one-week journey on board MSC Seashore I can’t stop thinking how much professionalism, dedication, passion, forward thinking is needed to transform a 339m long ship, with 2270 staterooms, 5877 passengers and 1648 crew in such a formidable success. From an outsider replacing the flat “another cruise” with everlasting memories seems to be “mission impossible”. Not for the Hotel Director Neven Zdunic and his Deputy Adriano Palomba who not only know how to lead an excellent team towards success at every step of guest’s journey but know how the create magic touches on the Seashore’s brilliant basics.

MSC Seashore is a beautiful futuristic ship, extended and enhanced with a variety of brand-new features, spaces and experiences, aimed at bringing guests closer to the sea. But all these goals will never be reality without the amazing crew of this fantastic cruise ship. From the Pool Stewards to the officers and managers, from the Yacht Club Director to the butlers and bar staff everybody breath the same strong essence: “MSC is a family company with a family spirit!”. And to be honest, because of them, because of MSC crew I manage to cruise 8 times in Annus Horribilis 2020/2021 and 46 times in the last 7 years.

Reading all this very long 8 pages maybe you understand why, in the last day, the disembarkation day I wanted to sing loud, as loud as possible on the gangway my own version of Bocelli’s song “Time to say…I WANT TO STAY!”. But unfortunately for me, fortunately for my fellow passengers my voice wasn’t in the same place as my heart.

And the only solution was to fly back home, run to my computer and do the obvious and expected: I booked another cruise on board MSC Seashore and I am embarking next week.

That’s the risk when the ports of call stop being the destination! That’s the joy when the ship and staff on board are the destination!

Thank you MSC Seashore and see you soon!

Posted in TALKING TO MYSELF
Tags: cruise, cruise critic, cruise experience, MSC, MSC cruise ship, MSC cruises, MSC Seashore, MSC Yacht Club, tripadvsior

INCA UN RTO (rejected take-off) LA TAROM

•January 31, 2021 • 3 Comments

“Noi suntem călătoriile noastre.

La TAROM, credem că fiecare călătorie ne modelează dezvoltarea personală, şi având acest lucru în minte, misiunea noastră este de a-i inspira pe oameni să îşi deschidă aripile.” (https://www.tarom.ro/misiune-viziune-valori)

Citeam zilele trecute o pagina de pe site-ul companiei TAROM – compania aeriana nationala, zambind amar la doua dintre paragrafele gasite acolo

“… fără o permanentă atenţie acordată detaliilor şi perfecţiunii, nu poate exista distincţie.” si “ Suntem oneşti cu pasagerii noştri, cărora dorim să le arătăm în fiecare zi că oferirea unor servicii deosebite se poate face numai cu stil” (https://www.tarom.ro/misiune-viziune-valori)

De ce zambeam? Si de ce zambeam amar?

Pentru ca ultima experienta avuta cu TAROM nu numai ca, contrazice misiunea, viziunea si valorile declamate cu strigat de marketing pe pagina oficiala a companiei aeriene, dar pentru ca la fiecare pas facut in recenta mea calatorie cu un bilet TAROM in buzunar am avut senzatia ca linia aeriana nationala incearca sa faca exact pe dos!

Dar sa o luam cu inceputul.

In timpul ultimei mele calatorii in Romania, o situatie neprevazuta a facut necesara deplasarea de urgenta la Madrid. Mi-am luat un bilet TAROM la clasa Business numai dus, Bucuresti – Madrid cu TAROM RO0145 la pretul “promotional” de 540 de euro. Ma puteti banui de snobism, dar in ultimii 15 ani am ales ca intotdeauna sa calatoresc la clasa Business sau First si asta pentru ca am considerat intotdeauna calatoria la fel de importanta ca si destinatia, iar confortul, spatial privat, serviciile la sol si la bord au justificat intotdeauna decizia mea de a plati preturi “premium”.

Mi s-a parut putin ciudat ca, in afara “eficientei” celor 4 email-uri primite de la TAROM pentru o singura rezervare (“booking invoice”, “e-ticket”, “payment confirmation” si “technical.assistance”) nu a mai existat nici o alta informatie legata de zborul meu la Madrid. Toate celalalte companii aeriene cu care am zburat, pastreaza o legatura constanta cu pasagerul, oferind informatii la zi legate de zbor, conditii de calatorie, check-in si asa mai departe: British Airways/Iberia – 4 e-mailuri inainte de zbor + 4 SMS-uri, Lufthansa – 2 emailuri + 4 SMS-uri, KLM/Air France ceva similar, cat despre liniile aeriene americane sau Emirates ce sa mai vorbim … Dar mi-am spus ca asa o fi moda la TAROM desi compania a solicitat 1001 de informatii legate de mine ca pasager: adresa de e-mail, numar de telefon, contact de urgenta, …, numai numarul meu de la pantof nu-l au in baza lor de date!

Si mai ciudat a fost cand, cu 24 de ore inainte de zbor, am incercat sa fac check-in on line – o modalitate recomandata si preferata de toate liniile aeriene din lume, inclusive low-cost,mai ales in conditiile actuale de calatorie cand se promoveaza distantarea sociala si minimalizarea contactului intre pasageri si personalul de la sol. Dupa vreo 3-4 incercari esuate si mesaje ca rezervarea mea nu exista in sistem m-am decis sa contactez telefonic TAROM.

Nu are rost sa va spun cat timp am stat la telefon ascultand melodii de care nu auzisem si mesajul “…telefonul Dv. este important pentru noi, va rugam sa asteptati pana cand primul operator va fi disponibil”. Pana la urma am reusit sa aud in telefon o voce umana care mi-a confirmat ca rezervarea mea exista, ca mi s-a alocat locul 1A in clasa Business, ca biletul este OK, ca si zborul, si ca imposibilitatea de a face check-in online este legata de restrictiile impuse de Covid19.

Asa ca dimineata, putin dupa ora 6 eram pe aeroport, cu 2 bagaje de cala si unul de mana (toate respectand greutatea admisa) si cu un PCR negativ in buzunar. Naiv cum sunt, abia asteptam sa gust experienta unui zbor cu TAROM si asta pentru ca ultima data cand am zburat cu ei a fost acum 5-6 ani.

M-a asezat cuminte la coada de Sky Priority, acolo unde se facea check-iul pentru toate zborurile TAROM in acea dimineata, la clasa Business. Ajuns la ghiseu am fost intampinat de zambetul “dulce” al agentei de serviciu care mi-a dat o senzatie similara linsului unei lamai la ora 5 dimineata dupa o noapte de betie crunta

“ – Aici este pentru business. Ai bilet la business?” – a sunat prima intrebare “amicala” aruncata din spatele ochelarilor.

I-am explicat calm doamnei cu atitudine de ajutor de ospatar pe Litoralul anilor ’80 ca zbor la Madrid si, ca da, am bilet la clasa Business. Dupa o privire mustind de amabilitate, doamna a verificat in calculator si a replicat taios

“- Nu ai rezervare si in plus nici nu exista busines pe Madrid!”

Cand am incercat sa gasesc in telefon confirmarea rezervarii, doamna, care nu numai ca a fentat cursurile de customer service dupa angajare dar cred ca nu a stat pe acasa in primii 7 ani de viata, mi-a strigat ca nu are timp de discutii si ca daca vreau sa ma plang sa o fac la biroul de ticketing.

Noroc ca ajunsesm in aeroport destul de devreme, deci aveam timp sa ma mut dintr-un colt al aerogarii in celalalt cu arme si bagaje si, evident fara caruciorul obisnuit, care era “protejat” de angajati ai aeroprtului care ti-l puneau la dispozitie cu amabilitate pentru o suma modica.

La biroul de ticketing am avut sansa de a intalni pe cineva care chiar dorea sa ma ajute si asta cu o neasteptata amabilitate. Rezervarea a fost gasita “ratacita” undeva in sistem si mi s-a explicat civilizat ca TAROM a decis schimbarea tipului de aeronava eliminand din configuratie clasa Business. Din explicatiile primite am inteles ca schimbarea tiplui de aeronava a fost facuta din motive operationale, TAROM urmarind sa include in zborul respectiv si pasagerii de pe cursa anterioara anulata (din cauza zapezii care a inchis pentru cateva zile aeroportul din Madrid)

Schimbarea a fost facuta anuland complet nu numai clasa bussines dar si rezervarea mea din manifestul de zbor si de aceea nu apaream pe lista de check-in. Solutia oferita la biroul de ticketing a fost fie mutarea pe urmatoare cursa care avea clasa de bussines (peste 3 zile) fie zborul in clasa economic si rambursarea diferentei de pret.

Cum pentru mine prezenta la Madrid era obligatorie in ziua in care facusem rezervarea, singura solutie a fost schimbarea biletului la clasa economic. Decizia a fost facuta tinand cont ca zborul urmator era duminica ceea ce anula testul PCR pe care-l detineam si nu oferea fizic suficient timp pentru efectuarea unui nou test, iar in plus ar fi fost cam greu sa fac niste rezervari pentru 2 nopti intr-un hotel si transferuri la ora 6.45 dimineata.

La ticketing mi s-a spus ca diferenta de pret va fi calculate luand in consideratie tariful full fair pentru un bilet la clasa economic cumparat in aeroport la momentul respectiv, ceea ce inseamna, potrivit informatiilor primite ceva in jur de 30 de euro. Si daca imi aduc bine aminte, la cumpararea biletului pretul zborului la clasa economic era de 90 si ceva de euro si la clasa business 535 de euro.

Cu coada intre picioare, presat de timp si impingand valizele (asta da, moment de TikTok) m-am reintors la biroul de check-in unde acelasi agent a continuat sa aplice viziunea TAROM, va aduceti aminte, sper: “dorim să le arătăm în fiecare zi că oferirea unor servicii deosebite se poate face numai cu stil” (https://www.tarom.ro/misiune-viziune-valori).

Mai intai a tipat la mine ca nu am dreptul sa folosesc biroul de check-in Sky Priority pentru ca am bilet la clasa economic. Apoi, dupa 3 serii elegante de ochi dati peste cap mi-a spus … de fapt strigat … ca la economic am dreptul numai la un bagaj de cala si nu doua si ca nu-i problema ei ce fac cu al doilea, daca nu vreau sa platesc tariful de extra-bagaj. Dupa o noua serie de ochi dati peste cap a accepta “asa ca o favoare” sa imi inregistreze bagajele.

Surprinzator, sau poate nu, in tot timpul discutiei doamna cu voce percutanta a uita sa imi ofere varianta printata a drepturilor pasagerilor in cazul unor probleme la calatoria cu avionul, asa cum reglementeaza Uniunea Europeana si cum se procedeaza in toate aeroporturile mai mult sau mai putin civilizate din lume (https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_ro.htm) . Cand am intrebat-o de aceste drepturi mi-a raspuns clar si, inca o data, amabil “Urmatorul!”

Pana la urma m-am urcat in avion … Nu este cazul sa va spun ca alegerea clasei Bussines pentru zborul meu la Madrid nu a fost dictata numai de confort sau de modul obisnuit in care calatoresc dar, mai ales, de auto-protectia in conditiile nivelului ridicat al infectiei Covid19. Asa cum nu este cazul sa va spun sau sa va arat filmari si fotografii din timpul zborului (asta pentru a respecta anonimatul pasagerilor si echipajului de bord) pentru a demonstra cum, contrar anunturilor facute de echipajului de bord, toate masurile de protectie au fost ignorate: masti sub barbie, culoarul aeronavei folosit ca zona de dezmortire a picioarelor, cozi interminabile la cele doua toalete disponibile pentru un avion cu 180+ pasageri si aproape 4 ore de zbor.

Iar aventurile cu TAROM nu s-au terminat aici. Am incercat sa contactez compania in legatura cu drepturile mele ca pasager “declasat” (conform legislatiei EU): e-mailuri, telefoane, mesaje toate respectand reglementarile stipulate de “Drepturile pasagerului aerian” (https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_ro.htm) si urmarind pas cu pas procedurile mentionate (https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_ro.htm#upgradeAndDowngrade)

La orice companie serioasa din lume, cu exceptia TAROM, evident, atunci cand trimiti un e-mail primesti imediat un raspuns generat automat de confirmare a receptionarii mesajului trimis. TAROM-ul a stat la “sol” intr-o ceata totala…mai mult decat atat in mod normal pana la rezolvarea problemei orice companie serioasa are un “follow up” informand clientul asupra evolutiei analizei solicitarii respective. TAROM-ul este inca in ceata

Dupa mai multe incercari nereusite am reusit sa stabilesc un fel de “comunicare” pe chat-ul asociat paginii de Facebook. Raspunsul a fost genial “Buna ziua, va rugam sa transmiteti mesajul dvs. catre customer.service@tarom.ro. Multumim. Raspunsul il primiti in 45 de zile minim. Nu pe loc”

Nu trebuie sa ai un doctorat in relatii cu publicul ca sa stii ca intotdeauna o abordare “pozitiva” este intotdeauna calea de urmat. Ceva gen “Raspunsul il primiti in 45 de zile MAXIMUM”. La Tarom grija si respectful fata de pasageri se reduce la “Raspunsul il primiti in 45 de zile minim. Nu pe loc!” Chiar nimeni dintre cei cu putere de decizie in TAROM nu realizeaza ridicolul situatiei si nu se gandeste sa faca putina curatenie in gradina proprie?

Evident ca nu am primit nici un raspuns de la TAROM. Asa cum evident o sa continui demersurile pentru un raspuns legal.

Raman totusi niste intrebari la care, naivul de mine, sper ca TAROM sa raspunda:

Cum este posibil ca in 2021, facand parte dintr-o alianta aeriana respectabila ca SkyTeam TAROM sa nu utilizeze nici un canal de comunicare cu pasagerii inaintea zborului, mai ales in situatii speciale? Inexistenta oricarei forme de comunicare legate de schimbarea clasei de zbor, tipului de aeronava inaintea sosirii la aeroport, a facut imposibila luarea unei decizii personale legate efectuarea sau nu a zborului la Madrid. Este ca si cum intr-o cafenea dupa ce am comandat un cappuccino mi s-ar servi un ceai de tei cu explicatia: e cald, e lichid si e in ceasca, care-i problema?
Cum este posibil ca in 2021, facand parte dintr-o alianta aeriana respectabila ca SkyTeam, TAROM sa nu aiba un sistem de feed-back bine pus la punct, cu exceptia unei adrese de e-mail la care oricum nu raspunde nimeni. Justificarea ca e companie de stat, si la stat orice merge, nu tine, mai ales in conditiile in care TAROM nu sta pe roze nici financiar, nici ca volum de pasageri si nici ca pozitie in clasamentul liniilor aeriene europene si internationale ( https://www.airlineratings.com/ratings/tarom/ sau https://skytraxratings.com/airlines/tarom-rating#:~:text=TAROM%20is%20Certified%20as%20a%203%2DStar%20Airline%20for%20the,cabin%20staff%20and%20ground%20staff)
Cum se poate explica comportamentul mai mult decat reprobabil al agentului de check-in, care in cele doua interactiuni m-a pus intr-o pozitie extrem de umilitoare, inacceptabila pentru un pasager in general, si un pasager al clasei bussines in particular. Si asta in conditiile in care , in intreaga lume, sub presiunea Covid19, companiile aeriene incearca sa-si retina si extinda baza de clienti, mai ales pe cei care platesc preturi “premium”. Si pana la urma urmei regulile bazale ale “customer service” ar trebui sa fie cunoscute si respectate fara exceptie, in situatii normale sau exceptionale.
Cum este posibil ca, in conditiile in care Romania ca membru al UE si TAROM ca membru al SkyTeam care au semnat reglementarile in vigoare legate de drepturile pasagerilor, compania aeriana nationala sa nu puna la dispozitie informatii legate de aceste drepturi ( https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/RO/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32004R0261&from=EN)
Care este pozitia TAROM referitor la lipsa avantajelor care justifica pretul unui bilet bussines: confort, acces in lounge, serviciu la bord, prioritate la imbarcare si debarcare in cazul zborului Bucuresti-Madrid?
Care este pozitia TAROM referitoare la lipsa oricarui raspuns la solicitarea compensatiilor materiale si morale (conforme standardelor unei companii aeriene nationala si în temeiul Regulamentului (CE) nr. 261/2004) legate de experienta extrem de neplacuta a zborului Bucuresti – Madrid cu TAROM

Sa fiu sincer, ma indoiesc ca TAROM va actiona ca o companie onesta, de incredere si moderna adoptand o pozitie pro-activa si orientata spre satisfacerea pasagerului asa cum o fac celalalte linii aeriene. Si e pacat pentru ca personalul de bord (piloti si insotitori de bord) sunt la cu totul alt nivel in ceea ce priveste profesionalismul, customer service si atasamentul fata de culorile sub care zboara.

Nu mai este un secret pentru nimeni ca de multi ani, la TAROM deciziile politice si relatiile de familie sunt mai importante decat indicatiile turnului de control. Asa cum nu mai este un secret pentru nimeni ca situatia financiara a companiei si imaginea in lumea celor care calatoresc cu avionul trece de o buna perioada de timp prin turbulente majore.

Poate ca a veni vremea unei “degivrari” serioase la TAROM intr-o incercare reala de a readuce rândunica în zbor (logo-ul companiei inca din 1954) la locul cuvenit unei companii aeriene nationala.

Inainte de a fi profitabil TAROM trebuie sa isi recastige credibilitatea! In ochii pasagerilor nationali si internationali, angajatilor si specialistilor.

Cat despre mine, probabil ca singura solutie va fi sa urmez calea legala (https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_ro.htm#upgradeAndDowngrade)

Si, evident, pe viitor c sa nu mai cred ca misiunea TAROM “este de a-i inspira pe oameni să îşi deschidă aripile” (https://www.tarom.ro/misiune-viziune-valori)

Poate doar buzunarele …

Posted in COME FLY WITH ME
Tags: Aeroport Otopeni, air travel, airlinequality, Andrei-Gabriel Benghea Malaies, avion, calatorie cu avionul, companie aeriana, customer service, George Florin Rotaru, Mihaita URSU, romanian airline, Romanian flag carrier, Romanian national Airline, SkyTeam, SkyTrax, TAROM, travel, zbor

THE BITTER TASTE OF AN EXPECTED DIVORCE

•October 9, 2020 • Leave a Comment

For many years I was a big fan of Norwegian Cruise Line, booking an average of 4-5 cruises a year, choosing THE HAVEN or the ship and not necessary the itinerary being an unconditional supporter of both hard and soft products sailing under the brand of NCL and manage to reach the Platinum Plus level of their Latitude Loyalty Program not very far of the top tier of Ambassador.

Suddenly 2-3 years ago a massive drop in quality of the service and a dramatic change of the target market made me to move away from NCL for a while. This year in February I decided to give it another try, hoping that I will rediscover my old, beloved NCL and travelled with them around South America.

It was a cruise which created memories more because the itinerary than the on-board experience but at the end of the day every cloud has a silver lining! And therefore, I decided to book once again with them, in April 2020 a 7-day Greek isles round-cruise from Athens visiting Santorini,

Mykonos and Rhodes on an SG cabin. And I decided to pay extra for Premium Plus Beverage Package Upgrade, Unlimited Premium Wifi Package Upgrade and an additional 3 Meal Specialty Dining Package. A total bill of £5,183.64, fully paid on 19^th of February 2020.

Of course, Covid-19 messed up the cruise industry and my trip on Norwegian Spirt was cancelled.

I was very impressed with the speed and efficiency of NCL to react to the crisis and support loyal customer. At the same time with cancellation an incredible offer landed in my email:

“A future cruise credit in the amount of GBP 2,623.98 has been issued to your account. To reflect our appreciation for your business, we will also provide you a BONUS credit of 25% in the amount of GBP 656.00. (…)

These future credits are valid for one year from the issue date and applicable to all published sailings through December 31, 2022. (…)

As a special thank you for choosing Norwegian, and for a limited time only, we are pleased to offer you an additional 20% DISCOUNT on any sailing from July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2022 when you book by April 14th, 2020.

The future cruise credit, 25% BONUS and 20% DISCOUNT are combinable on our current Free at Sea promotion”

A real WOW which made me think that NCL are strong in their business and they do care about their customer. And the WOW was doubled when I contacted the Call Centre to inquire about the FCC and options available. Friendly and efficient the agent made me (to be honest didn’t need to much effort for that) to re-book for January 2021 a 9-day cruise on Norwegian Spirit from Lisbon to Barcelona visiting Spain, Canary Islands & Maderia this time on an SB cabin. And once again I decided to pay extra for Premium Plus Beverage Package Upgrade, Unlimited Premium Wifi Package Upgrade and an additional 6 Meal Specialty Dining Package. This time using the previous FCC and some extra cash for the difference in price the final bill included the discount and the FCC was £5,410.30 for a cabin valued at £7,920.36.

Great deal and a win-win situation: I was happy to book a cruise in a nice cabin for a great itinerary and NCL secured future business respecting my loyalty as a Platinum Plus member. Later I contact the Call Centre again paying for some extra add-ons for my cruise.

Of course I read about the major financial troubles of NCL ( https://www.forbes.com/sites/sergeiklebnikov/2020/05/06/norwegian-cruise-line-raises-over-2-billion-after-warning-of-possible-bankruptcy/#a8e5f432b871, https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/norwegian-cruise-line-has-enough-cash-for-18-months-of-no-revenue-ceo-3, https://seekingalpha.com/article/4357115-slow-recovery-for-cruise-lines-norwegian-in-distress ) but I considered all this news as malicious rumours trusting the respect of Norwegian Cruise Line for its loyal customers.

Flights and hotels booked, cruise paid in full on 22^nd of September so the only thing left to do was to pack and start dreaming of my trip on board Norwegian Spirit. And to cope to almost daily phone calls from my “Personal Cruise Concierge” who was trying to upsell me add-ons already booked and paid despite the fact that I was explaining him that maybe will save time for all of us if he will check my profile first. No results so I started to look at his weekly phone-calls as an annoying routine.

But that was the end of the “happy love story” with NCL.

Overnight a major change in T&C occurred. To be honest I don’t remember to receive an official e-mail from NCL about that, as a Latitudes member or just as a future passenger with a cruise booked. Believe me I check at least 3 times my inbox, even the spam and my account with NCl. Nothing!

Couple day ago, I received an email informing me about the cancellation of my cruise in January 2021.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact communities around the globe, we have made the decision to suspend all voyages with embarkation dates through November 30, 2020 as well as all voyages onboard Norwegian Star, Dawn and Spirit with embarkation dates through March 30, 2021. We are very sorry for any inconvenience these changes may have caused.”

Not at very happy moment as you can imagine but at the end of the day Covid-19 messes up our lives more than we expected.

As the options regarding my FCC weren’t very clear from the letter, I decided to contact the Call Centre.

“For those reservations paid via a previously issued Future Cruise Credit (FCC), 100% of the FCC used will be re-applied to the Latitudes account. No further action is required; the FCC will be automatically added to the account. As we are sure you share our disappointment. Therefore, in addition to the 100% refund or return of your FCC, all guests will receive a 10% OFF discount on their next future cruise with us, combinable with all available promotions at the time of booking. The 10% off discount will be automatically added to the guest’s Latitudes account and will be available as of Wednesday, October 7, 2020. This discount can be used for up to one year from date of issue and can be applied towards any of our currently published sailings from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022.”

The conversation with the Call Centre was full of surprises … unpleasant surprises! During 15 minutes (away from any customer service manners) I was “informed” that:

The previous 25% bonus applied to the value of the original cruise was erased and replaced with a 10% bonus
All the add-ons will be included in the new FCC
I am not entitled to a refund in cash for the original value of the first cruise booked with cash and not FCC.

“The original FCC amount will be returned to the guests’ profile. If an affected booking has a previously applied FCC (as a result of a previous suspended sailing), the enhanced value future cruise credit will not be applicable. Bookings under this circumstance are not eligible for a cash refund and will receive the original value of the FCC back to the guests’ profile. Note FCCs have no cash value and cannot be redeemed for cash. Please be advised that at no time will an FCC be redeemable for cash, including but not limited to situations of possible future cruise suspensions, displacements, cancellations or if the FCC exceeds the time in which it must be used.”

In similar situation other cruise lines (MSC and Cunard for example which whom I experience the same cancellation issue) and airlines (British Airways and Air France for example) offers their customer 2 options: accept an FCC/voucher for future trip (trying to have the cashflow necessary for survival) or give a full refund (not easy to obtain but not impossible either after long phone calls and emails exchange)

While I do understand the decision of Norwegian Cruise Line to get rid of the 25% and replaced with a 10% (taking the decision to retain customers under the pressure of desperation by overpromise and underdeliver is never a good idea anyway) I can’t understand the new T&C which doesn’t allow me to get my money back, paid in cash for the first cruise.

Let’s do some maths

First cancelled cruise: £ 5183.64

Second cancelled cruise: £ 7,920.36 (after applying the FCC and the discount £ 5410.30)

Amount paid by me initially: £ 5183.64

Amount received due NCL “generosity”: £ 2510.06

Cash amount paid as a difference by me: £226.66

According to the “new” T&C explained by the agent during the painful phone conversation the only cash refund I’m entitled to is £226.66

Of course, NCL can take back their “generous” bonus of £ 2510.06, are they money (virtual money) giving to kook future bookings and ensure the much-needed cash flow.

What I don’t understand is why now, when I lost the trust in NCL way to conduct business and treat loyal customers I can’t get back my £ 5183.64 and invest this amount in a cruise line which, I believe, are more transparent, with a future and a respect for those keeping the ships at sea!

Of course, for the legal point of view all this numbers are right, NCL for sure got an army of excellent lawyers to cover any potential legal complaints. And at the end of the day when you buy a cruise you accept “the rules of the game”. I am totally fine with that.

The moral aspect of the entire story is something different. In May – June when “no sailing” crisis started to look more damaging than the initial thoughts, the campaign “rebook don’t cancel” created to support the cruise industry was at its peak. I wrote about that, I re-posted and re-twitted every message from cruise lines of bloggers, including NCL, being a stronger believer that the re-bookings and the FCC will keep the ships float, the industry carry on, our favourite type of holiday to have a future. Was not an option, it was a “duty” to re-book my NCL cruise because I trusted the company. And their answer was amazing!

Now, after the success of first MSC sailings and the Royal announcing some test cruises before the end of the year, Norwegian Cruise Line forgot about the loyal supporters and placed profit before customer satisfaction and customer retention.

Of course, next year I will book a cruise with Norwegian cruise Line, just because I want to use my FCC and don’t lose £5000 but I will operate a change in my plans too. Instead of my 5 cruises planned (from 10 in 2021) to sail with NCL will be only one, and MSC and Cunard are strong options for the replacement.

I can feel the bitter taste of an expected divorce but, at the end of the day, it is not my job to explain NCL the well-known rule of customer service: “it’s cheaper to have a return business that to gain new customers” and that their new approach of FCC is just a false economy/profit.

It is time for me to follow your commercial motto: “Feel free to cruise your way!”

Posted in CRUISE CHRONICLES
Tags: cruise, cruise cancellation, cruise during pandemic, FCC, future cruise credit, NCL, Norwegian Cruise Line, re-booking a cruise