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Amazing Azamara |
| Reviewed By: HIGGINS, ROLLESTON ON DOVE on 26th Nov 2008 |
| Cruise Line: Azamara Cruises |
Times cruised before: 10+ |
| Cruise Ship: Azamara Journey |
Sailed:
October,
2008 |
| Destination: Mediterranean |
Age: 65+ |
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A civilised and warm welcome awaited us at the dockside as we joined Azamara Journey in Barcelona, and a welcome glass of champagne was proffered as we stepped aboard to be shown to our well appointed, elegant cabin.
Throughout the ship, there was comfort, understated elegance, and some of the best service we have ever experienced. Nothing was ever too much trouble, all the on-board crew and staff seemed to have had training in making passengers feel at home. All staff smiled and spoke, from plumber and cleaner to the captain, and the reception staff went out of their way to assist independent -minded travellers such as ourselvews who did not want to join ship excursions, a complete contrast to other cruise lines!
The food and service, no matter where one ate, were wonderful , with superb ingredients, faultless service and immaculate presentation. We thought the small extra service charge added to the speciality restaurants was well worth it, as it proved to be fine dining at its best. Room service was some of the best we have had, with a full breakfast served piping hot and on time, and the evening canapes were never just "bits on toast" but properly prepared delectable bites.
In the evening, there was low-key music played in the comfortable bars, and a wide variety of entertainment in the theatre from slick production show to comic or magician to keep everyone entertained, and for night owls, a great dance band played in the top of the ship disco.
Our only gripe is the mandatory gratuity added daily to the bill, but after experiencing such high-level service we felt it was well justified, as they assured that it is distributed to all crew.
We will certainly be cruising with this line again, as they offered a very high quality cruise.
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| Quality of Food |  |
| Both the main dining room, where dining was free-style, and the delightful speciality restaurant Aqualina which had superb seafood. | | Entertainment | |
| the laid back comics were sharp and funny, adding topical material . | | Shore Excursions | |
| We preferre to explore independently, but wer helped with bus and train information at each port. Dubrovnik and Split were particularly enjoyable, Rome was easily reached by train, but exhausting, and to have 2 days in venice was a joy, making full use of the water bus pass. | | Staff | |
| The restaurant Manager was superb at his job, fitting in restaurant reservations for everyone, and accommodating every whim | | Children's Facilities | n/a |
| | Onboard Activities | |
| there were the usual deck games available, daily quizzes, dancing and get-togethers, and ample,decent sun loungers to relax in with a book from the very well stocked library. | | Cabins | |
| Elegant, well laid out, with great comfort and quality Frette bedding, robes and towels. Superb full-size Elemis toiletries were provided in the bijou bathroom. | | Overall Rating | |
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