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Questing for Perfection |
| Reviewed By: Ida and Neil Down, Southampton on 24th Jun 2008 |
| Cruise Line: Azamara Cruises |
Times cruised before: 10+ |
| Cruise Ship: Azamara Quest |
Sailed:
June,
2008 |
| Destination: Mediterranean |
Age: 65+ |
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Azamara Quest.
This ship is one of the acquired “R Ships” and Celebrity have refurbished it but have managed not to lose any of the charm. The market they seem to be aiming at is that currently occupied by Regent and Oceania and to a certain degree Silversea and in our opinion they have slotted in extremely well.
To describe it as a “Manor House at Sea” might seem far fetched but somehow that fits the bill. There is no doubt that this kind of cruise will not suit everyone and if you like the action-packed, haven’t got time to do it all, air filled with exciting announcements and razz-a-tazz atmosphere then you might not take to this kind of ship. If, however, you prefer to be charmingly greeted and treated with a quiet decorum, not disturbed if you want to be quiet, given some of the best food afloat and served in a superbly efficient way then you should consider these two ships, the Azamara Quest and Journey.
The embarkation process was a stroll in the park, with under seven hundred passengers it was never crowded or rushed. After this we were surprised with an invitation to use one of the speciality restaurants that evening, admittedly that was only offered to “Select” and “Elite” Club Members but it was a nice touch. You are normally given two nights without charge in these restaurants and the embarkation night was an extra one. Easy access to the ship was accompanied by a glass of Champagne with no rush to swallow it quickly or to take it with you as happens on some other ships and then a lunch in the self-service cafeteria style restaurant with an superb selection to choose from.
The cabins on this style ship of ship, as we knew from previous experience, are not the largest you come across although I must say that I would willingly have accepted a foot less in the cabin area if the shower could have been enlarged by a similar amount, I hate it when the shower curtain decides it knows you well enough to get over-friendly, we would also have liked to have had a little more space on which to place things like folders, books and oddments, some extra space was used up by an inordinate amount of pillows mainly, I think, to show that you are travelling in style and the balconies are smallish but as I say we knew all of this.
One of the blessings of this company policy is that smoking is restricted to two small areas. I questioned several of the smokers and all but one said that they did not mind this imposition but for the non-smokers Azamara’s attitude was positively applauded and the difference quite remarkable.
The main restaurant is open sitting and there was never a problem about getting a table. The attention was top class and the food was so much better than that served on Celebrity’s ships. There is a little vibration because the restaurant is in the stern section but it was never obtrusive let alone annoying as, for instance, it can be on Oriana. Wine and drinks were a little expensive and the 18% gratuity added was, in our and many others, opinion over the top. The speciality restaurants have menus that would suit a very high class restaurant and the service that went with it was immaculate. We just preferred “Prime C” but “Aqualina” was equally good with an impressive menu.
The “Cabaret” Lounge which also doubles the theatre and cinema is fine, sight lines are not as good as some other ships and the seats could be changed when they do a refurbishment for something slightly more comfortable and “Windows” Lounge, top and forward give wonderful views but is sadly underused. They could learn a lesson from the Garden Lounge that was on Caronia which was vastly superior. The Coffee lounge which was used for some events would have been better kept for coffee drinking and the activities which took place there moved to “Windows”.
Whilst we are on activities we liked the Cruise Director, Kevin, very much, he had a great personality and a smile to match and a very good voice and he was admirably suited to the ambiance and style of the ship with his quieter but assertive manner. The Activities Director, Alan was also a really good guy although he is just departing for some leave and his place is to be taken by Cher who many will know from Constellation is great fun to be around and also has such a winning personality.
Our cruise was a port a day cruise with only two exceptions, the third and the penultimate days at sea, so very little activity went on during the day and because the days were hot and trips, whether DIY or ship’s excursions, tended to be lengthy. Relaxing in the evening was mainly in the restaurant where conversation flowed well because you could join different people each night if you (and they) wished and then watch the entertainment which although not as good as some ships was extremely pleasant. I must admit that we did not attend one or two of the more typically boring shows which Americans seem to love like “The Newly-Wed Show” etc. but the extra musicians onboard were a treat to sit and listen to.
What would we change? Probably not the status name given to the Room Attendants of “Butler”. Azamara are trying to make the ship more upmarket and this is one of their touches, along with freshly squeezed orange juice, great coffee, (abysmal Bigalows tea) and waiters who are very well dressed and know their stuff. We would definitely change the 18% add on to drinks as previously mentioned and we would allow the great thalasotherapy pool in front of the Spa to be used free of charge, it is currently under-used and has a huge levy placed on it should you wish to use it. I think I would also have more of a partition between the Slot Machines and the TV area. Apart from that ….nothing
A first rate ship and a first rate cruise and we will be going back on either Quest or Journey again without a doubt
Ida and Neil Down
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| Quality of Food |  |
| Wherever and whenever we ate the food was excellent, we couldn't fault it | | Entertainment |  |
| The least enjoyable were probably the ones we didn't see | | Shore Excursions |  |
| In the main we did our own thing and found this very easy and enjoyable. The one ship's shore excursion had some incorrect descriptions and as this was the first time they had run it they apologised and gave us a rebate | | Staff | |
| It would be impossible to single someone out as they were all so good and so willing to please | | Children's Facilities | n/a |
| | Onboard Activities | |
| There was a choice but very little time to take them up | | Cabins | |
| Small but comfortable and extremely clean | | Overall Rating | |
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