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First timer on Azamara review


katykrol
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We sailed the Quest March 10-21st and here is my review:

 

 

We recently sailed on the March 10th sailing of the Quest. We chose this ship for a couple of reasons, #1, the itinerary - 6 Caribbean ports, 4 of which were new to us and the #2 reason is that we have sailed RCCL several times and were Emerald level.

 

The ship is very nice, we knew the veranda cabin would be smaller than we had recently experienced, but while it was compact, all our things fit very nicely with room to spare.

 

We met several people that were Azamara enthusiasts, so we were looking forward to this cruise. We didn't really experience the WOW service that everyone seems to rave about. We had some awesome service and then not so great service - it seemed very hit or miss.

 

Our cabin steward falls in the awesome category, Erwin, was just wonderful. The casino bartender Inyoman was amazing as well. Knew our names every day, etc etc.

 

We had to sit on the top deck the first day since all the deck chairs were full or "saved" by 9:00 am, and we received very poor service up there. A couple of people said - "they won't come up here" and I was like why not? If the chairs are full downstairs and we are sent to Siberia, they should come up here. Well, we got a pool attendant up there and his comment to me was - "I can't keep coming up here" I couldn't believe it.

 

We did receive great service from the Windows/Patio manager, who had a meal prepared for us because we messed up on the times the buffet was open. That was wonderful.

 

We enjoyed the drink package - didn't find anything to complain about the wine, the drinks on the package, etc. While it was top shelf - it was certainly fine with us.

 

We did the like package while onboard which gave us a bit of an upgraded drink package with the unlimited internet and the shore excursions.

 

We did 2 excursions - one was AWFUL and one was great. The awful one was in Guadaloupe - the tour guide was either drunk, or just plain did not have a command of the English language because he kept repeating the same 6 phrases for a solid hour. It was excruciating. We ended up laughing about it along with our other fellow passengers, but it was definitely not worth $100. I would imagine there were complaints.

 

2nd excursion was in St Maarten - had a wonderful tour guide, funny, informative, had a wonderful beach day with lunch. 4 1/2 hour excursion for $75.00 - well worth it.

 

I wanted to love this experience. We loved the small atmosphere of the ship - while the service was hit or miss, it was really good overall. I liked the laundry facility which we used twice, the cabin was sufficient, but the huge disappointment was the food.

 

I can honestly say that the food on our many RCCL cruises was either better or just as good. The choices were limited. We had filet just ONE night on an 11 day cruise. We have sailed Oceania/Riveria twice and the food was amazing. This was average or below average. We met some new friends and ate dinner with them one night and her comment on her fish was that it looked like her hair curlers. I asked her how it was and she commented "deplorable" . She had sailed the Journey previously and she said the food was entirely different.

 

I know Oceania is supposed to have the best food at sea and from my experience it does, and I had hoped I had found my forever line with Azamara, but the sub par food is a deal breaker for me. Less

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We are returning to Quest next month after 5 or 6 wonderful cruises on the Journey so I found some of your comments very disappointing.

 

I have found the service on both ships to be exemplary and although I have had the odd disappointing dinner, have generally always enjoyed the food particularly in both the speciality restaurants. I wonder if you tried Aqualina or Prime C?

 

Must admit though if I found the food to be as unsatisfactory as you did I would have a quiet word with the Restaurant Manager and/or the Hotel Director.

 

I am sorry your first Azamara cruise didn't meet your expectations and hope that you enjoy your next cruise more whoever you choose to sail with.

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We sailed the Quest March 10-21st and here is my review:

 

after 40 plus cruises on this line you know i do not agree with all you wrote but will try to answer back.

 

We recently sailed on the March 10th sailing of the Quest. We chose this ship for a couple of reasons, #1, the itinerary - 6 Caribbean ports, 4 of which were new to us and the #2 reason is that we have sailed RCCL several times and were Emerald level.

 

The ship is very nice, we knew the veranda cabin would be smaller than we had recently experienced, but while it was compact, all our things fit very nicely with room to spare.

 

We met several people that were Azamara enthusiasts, so we were looking forward to this cruise. We didn't really experience the WOW service that everyone seems to rave about. We had some awesome service and then not so great service - it seemed very hit or miss.

 

Our cabin steward falls in the awesome category, Erwin, was just wonderful. The casino bartender Inyoman was amazing as well. Knew our names every day, etc etc.

Erwin is very good.. The batenders get moved around and i find that once they know you and your drink it is smooth sailing.

 

We had to sit on the top deck the first day since all the deck chairs were full or "saved" by 9:00 am, and we received very poor service up there. A couple of people said - "they won't come up here" and I was like why not? If the chairs are full downstairs and we are sent to Siberia, they should come up here. Well, we got a pool attendant up there and his comment to me was - "I can't keep coming up here" I couldn't believe it.

 

Gee, many people love being on Dec 11. i have done cruises only on deck 11 and some only on deck 9. I tend tol find the pool busier in morning and go in afternoon. but if out by 10 I can get a chair. After 30 minutes stuff should be moved. .Did yuo get an officer to move it. Or call front desk to deal with it.

As far as help goes going up to Deck11 I see them carrying drinks up on many cruises. just order one and tell them you are up there. i find getting drinks is easier han getting the towels removed there until end of day..

 

We did receive great service from the Windows/Patio manager, who had a meal prepared for us because we messed up on the times the buffet was open. That was wonderful.

 

not tried that one.. jsut go to pool grill.

 

We enjoyed the drink package - didn't find anything to complain about the wine, the drinks on the package, etc. While it was top shelf - it was certainly fine with us.

 

We did the like package while onboard which gave us a bit of an upgraded drink package with the unlimited internet and the shore excursions.

 

 

 

We did 2 excursions - one was AWFUL and one was great. The awful one was in Guadaloupe - the tour guide was either drunk, or just plain did not have a command of the English language because he kept repeating the same 6 phrases for a solid hour. It was excruciating. We ended up laughing about it along with our other fellow passengers, but it was definitely not worth $100. I would imagine there were complaints.

 

2nd excursion was in St Maarten - had a wonderful tour guide, funny, informative, had a wonderful beach day with lunch. 4 1/2 hour excursion for $75.00 - well worth it.

 

I have put in writing a letter to the tour desk manager and had money credited to my account.. Did you try that?

 

I wanted to love this experience. We loved the small atmosphere of the ship - while the service was hit or miss, it was really good overall. I liked the laundry facility which we used twice, the cabin was sufficient, but the huge disappointment was the food.

 

as far as service goes did you expect to much or was it lackign and you needed to talk to an officer about it?

I can honestly say that the food on our many RCCL cruises was either better or just as good. The choices were limited. We had filet just ONE night on an 11 day cruise. We have sailed Oceania/Riveria twice and the food was amazing. This was average or below average. We met some new friends and ate dinner with them one night and her comment on her fish was that it looked like her hair curlers. I asked her how it was and she commented "deplorable" . She had sailed the Journey previously and she said the food was entirely different.

 

In this case i have never loved the frozen fish on ship. but have ;like plenty of ways it was cooked on Deck 10. why would a MDR have filet when it is made upstairs nightly. .plus there is steak of some kind nightly.. i do not eat steak and rarely red meat.. But never heard it was super bad. the chef who cooks it makes all the difference.. I know Tyone cooking on Deck 10 and overseeing deck 9.. I had great meals the following cruise.

Did you not enjoy the buffet at night? some themes are great. what about the patio at night.

I know Oceania is supposed to have the best food at sea and from my experience it does, and I had hoped I had found my forever line with Azamara, but the sub par food is a deal breaker for me. Less

 

your lost if you do not try once more.

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We sailed the Quest March 10-21st and here is my review:

 

We recently sailed on the March 10th sailing of the Quest. We chose this ship for a couple of reasons, #1, the itinerary - 6 Caribbean ports, 4 of which were new to us and the #2 reason is that we have sailed RCCL several times and were Emerald level.

 

The ship is very nice, we knew the veranda cabin would be smaller than we had recently experienced, but while it was compact, all our things fit very nicely with room to spare.

 

We met several people that were Azamara enthusiasts, so we were looking forward to this cruise. We didn't really experience the WOW service that everyone seems to rave about. We had some awesome service and then not so great service - it seemed very hit or miss.

 

Our cabin steward falls in the awesome category, Erwin, was just wonderful. The casino bartender Inyoman was amazing as well. Knew our names every day, etc etc.

 

We had to sit on the top deck the first day since all the deck chairs were full or "saved" by 9:00 am, and we received very poor service up there. A couple of people said - "they won't come up here" and I was like why not? If the chairs are full downstairs and we are sent to Siberia, they should come up here. Well, we got a pool attendant up there and his comment to me was - "I can't keep coming up here" I couldn't believe it.

I agree that the pool attendant should climb the stairs to the top deck when Guests are sitting up there. I'll share this with the Hotel Department. And I apologize for someone saying they couldn't keep coming up there!

After Day 1 did you find lounge chairs on the Pool Deck?

 

We did receive great service from the Windows/Patio manager, who had a meal prepared for us because we messed up on the times the buffet was open. That was wonderful. Thank you.

 

We enjoyed the drink package - didn't find anything to complain about the wine, the drinks on the package, etc. While it was top shelf - it was certainly fine with us. Thank you.

 

We did the like package while onboard which gave us a bit of an upgraded drink package with the unlimited internet and the shore excursions. Thank you.

 

We did 2 excursions - one was AWFUL and one was great. The awful one was in Guadaloupe - the tour guide was either drunk, or just plain did not have a command of the English language because he kept repeating the same 6 phrases for a solid hour. It was excruciating. We ended up laughing about it along with our other fellow passengers, but it was definitely not worth $100. I would imagine there were complaints. I agree with Ellbon's comments that you should have said something about your dissatisfaction with this tour of Guadaloupe. Our LD desk needs to know this unsatisfactory tour guide!

 

2nd excursion was in St Maarten - had a wonderful tour guide, funny, informative, had a wonderful beach day with lunch. 4 1/2 hour excursion for $75.00 - well worth it. I'm glad you liked the St Maarten tour and guide.

 

I wanted to love this experience. We loved the small atmosphere of the ship - while the service was hit or miss, it was really good overall. Thank you! I liked the laundry facility which we used twice, the cabin was sufficient, but the huge disappointment was the food.

 

I can honestly say that the food on our many RCCL cruises was either better or just as good. The choices were limited. We had filet just ONE night on an 11 day cruise. We have sailed Oceania/Riveria twice and the food was amazing. This was average or below average. We met some new friends and ate dinner with them one night and her comment on her fish was that it looked like her hair curlers. I asked her how it was and she commented "deplorable" . She had sailed the Journey previously and she said the food was entirely different.

 

I know Oceania is supposed to have the best food at sea and from my experience it does, and I had hoped I had found my forever line with Azamara, but the sub par food is a deal breaker for me. Less

 

I'm sorry you didn't like the food. I'm assuming you are referring to our main dining room? I see that Ellbon asked if you ate in either of our specialty restaurants. There is fish at Aqualina every night, and steak at the Prime C.

 

I will share your comments, though I must presume you wrote this same review on the end-of-cruise survey? If so, the ship management has already discussed the issues with the staff.

Ultimately I do hope you'll give us another chance.

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A few answers to the comments. After the poor shore excursion we did go to the desk to let them know (other people on the excursion said they were doing the same thing) and all the desk said was thank you for your feedback. The couple we were traveling with felt the same way about the food, so we completed the mid-cruise comment together specifically about the food and no one ever said anything to us. The hotel director was sitting right behind us one night at dinner and I imagine he heard our comments. We did not eat in the specialty restaurants as our new friends said they did not think it was worth the extra cost.

 

I loved so much about the experience, I was just disappointed in the food.

 

One other kinda strange thing happened. My husband and I were sitting in the hot tub having a glass of wine and a pool bar attendant told us we couldn't drink in the pool area. There were several people sitting on the edge of the pool having drinks so we asked why and he said it was a pool rule. The posted rules only mentioned food and we pointed that out along with the other guests having a drink and he said that's the rule and grabbed our glasses and moved them. We just left the hot tub without saying anything else.

 

As far as the attendant on the upper deck, we tipped him $10 when he brought us the first drink (and I was drinking water), so don't know why he acted like he did. We are very generous tippers so that was a bit upsetting.

 

I realize that everyone has different tastes and perceptions and this is just my opinion.

 

My friend and I ended up going to the pool the next day at 8 am to get a chair by the pool, but did notice the chairs freed up a bit each day, but that is typical. I wasn't complaining about not sitting by the pool just about the drink service.

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I'm not sure about Quest, but on Journey the sign says no drinks to be taken into the hot tub area. It's for the reason of safety and public health. Spilling it, dropping the glass in the water? Because you see others doing it doesn't make you right. Sorry, but I'm glad the member of staff did their job and took the drinks from you. I was on Quest two or three years ago and barman Ketut did just that and was not particularly nicely spoken to. I went over to him and said well done.

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I was on exactly the same cruise and have to say I didn't have the same experience.

 

Specifically:

 

- Whilst food is subjective I have sailed many times on RC - more than any other cruise line - and really don't think there is any comparison between the two, Azamara being far superior. Having said that I don't eat a lot of steak and therefore don't judge the dining room on how often they serve filet. I would also point out that we like to try all that Azamara has to offer and to this end we dined in each of the Speciality Restaurants once, at one of the Chef's Tables at the White Night buffet and at various of the excellent themed dinner buffets, as well as two or 3 times in the MDR. We found all to be very good to excellent.

 

- We had the same great service we've always had on our previous 3 Azamara cruises. Perhaps we were looking for different things. I actually choose to spend my days on the top deck and am more than happy to pop downstairs to the bar for a drink if a server doesn't come along. I would say that on 3 out of the 4 sea days the wind was so strong that servers were really struggling with bringing trays of drinks onto the very windy top deck - perhaps that's why you didn't see many servers up there. I would say that there were servers frequently bringing up trays of water and juices each time we were up there - perhaps you didn't notice those.

 

- As for all the loungers being taken by 9, well although it was certainly busy on sea days (and I agree there was more chair hogging on this cruise than I've seen on my other Az cruises) I used to be walking deck 10 around 9am for about half an hour on most days (including sea days) and there were certainly still loungers around on the pool deck - just perhaps not in the place you would have liked to be. As someone who cruises RC and Celebrity a lot I find both those lines to be far worse for chair hogging.

 

I would agree with others who say give Azamara another chance. And if you do then please try some of the dinner buffets. I never have - and never will - eat buffet for dinner on RC or Celebrity but Azamara is a different experience, not just the food on offer but the ambience in Windows at night which bears no resemblance to the cafeteria experience on RC

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A few answers to the comments... The couple we were traveling with felt the same way about the food, so we completed the mid-cruise comment together specifically about the food and no one ever said anything to us. The hotel director was sitting right behind us one night at dinner and I imagine he heard our comments. We did not eat in the specialty restaurants as our new friends said they did not think it was worth the extra cost.

 

 

I personally find it annoying when anyone that comments negatively about the food on Azamara (or any other cruise line) is told they should try the specialty restaurants. Passengers shouldn't have to pay extra to receive a meal that doesn't disappoint them.

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I'm not sure about Quest, but on Journey the sign says no drinks to be taken into the hot tub area. It's for the reason of safety and public health. Spilling it, dropping the glass in the water? Because you see others doing it doesn't make you right. Sorry, but I'm glad the member of staff did their job and took the drinks from you. I was on Quest two or three years ago and barman Ketut did just that and was not particularly nicely spoken to. I went over to him and said well done.

 

I would agree, but only if we know if the staff member took away the drinks away from everyone in that area, not just the OP.

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Philip was the HD on that cruise.. i know if he knew or Thomaz he would of helped with the food. after as waiter going up to deck 11 i saw them do it on my last Quest cruise in March. I am sure it has to do with wind.

nothing wrong with asking if people tried the speciality places .the food and service is much better. plus steaks and filets nightly.

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I personally find it annoying when anyone that comments negatively about the food on Azamara (or any other cruise line) is told they should try the specialty restaurants. Passengers shouldn't have to pay extra to receive a meal that doesn't disappoint them.

 

I agree with you. At my last cruise on the Quest, I have also mentioned the fish dishes not being of good quality. The answer I have got was that they could not produce the best quality for so many people. I was advised to try Aqualina...

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I agree with you. At my last cruise on the Quest, I have also mentioned the fish dishes not being of good quality. The answer I have got was that they could not produce the best quality for so many people. I was advised to try Aqualina...

 

Fish is frozen -it dies make a difference. Aqualina is better but still arrived frozen.

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I am sorry the original poster had a disappointing time. It must be so hard when you've got great hopes and they are dashed. Then probably the disappointments mount cumulatively each day and more and more feels wrong.

 

I have not been on Quest for a while so cannot make comment about the food and service but others have. As we always say food is subjective.

 

However I do agree with the original posters follow up post - it's not helpful to keep talking about the speciality restaurants. The core product is the main dining room and it is here the majority of guests will have their evening dining experience each night. Therefore any replies should focus on that as Bobal has, yes there could well be better experiences in a speciality restaurant- and I do think if there is enough time on a cruise everyone should try at least one to compare their experiences- but for many reasons including personal finances and preferences guests may well want to enjoy only the baseline product they've paid for and highlight to the ship if it's not working. It seems they did in their midcruise feedback but got no feedback - that's strange but funnily enough we found feedback on Quest was not reacted to as it is on Journey on our last cruise there, but that was a year ago and we put that down to other one off circumstances.

 

But cheerleaders please drop the references to specialties especially if you never eat in the MDR - It's like telling the guy who just got the bad burger from BK or McDs he should have gone to the Gourmet Burger Company. Not everyone is in suites, we should all remember that!

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- We had the same great service we've always had on our previous 3 Azamara cruises. Perhaps we were looking for different things. I actually choose to spend my days on the top deck and am more than happy to pop downstairs to the bar for a drink if a server doesn't come along. I would say that on 3 out of the 4 sea days the wind was so strong that servers were really struggling with bringing trays of drinks onto the very windy top deck - perhaps that's why you didn't see many servers up there. I would say that there were servers frequently bringing up trays of water and juices each time we were up there - perhaps you didn't notice those.

 

I've spent time up on deck 11 and that has always been my experience too. I think you are being very fair with regard bringing drinks up there. I don't think it's reasonable to expect the bar servers to be up there all the time. It's a remote sun bathing area two flights up from the bar. A lot of people go up for some quiet rather than having bar service. As you say it can get windy up there too.

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Always reluctant to enter discussions about food as it's so subjective, we are not great foodies but like good ingredients cooked well for us Azamara delivers this better than Celebrity or RC.

However we have often looked at the menu in the MDR and thought that there was nothing we would enjoy, that's not a problem with the food it's just us. But we have never had a problem getting something modified to suit, staff always go the extra mile to help.

As regards Deck 11 it's our favourite sun bathing position and would agree that it can be difficult getting service up there sometimes. Usually a word with whoever is in charge of the pool bar will fix it, however if it's too windy service up there will be suspended on safety grounds.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

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I would agree, but only if we know if the staff member took away the drinks away from everyone in that area, not just the OP.

And of course we don't know exactly where the others were sat or where their drinks were because we weren't there, but my original comment stands. The signs are clear and the reasons for public health are too. I wouldn't be too chuffed if I got into a hot tub where wine or beer had been accidentally and quietly spilled in the water. Just because others were doing similar (if they were) doesn't make it right. If there were people in the other hot tub doing the same thing then I'd talk to the member of staff concerned in a nice way and get it sorted. Easy!

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A good two years ago or more they tried to set up a mini bar up thee. one person. some table with ice and and umbrella.. it was not working due to wind. was told never again.. it was nice in one way but not everything was up thee. yet I have seen bar servers carrying water up there.

in march I saw a server go up more than once. .it was windy and i was down on 9..

 

what they need mop=re of is someone checking on towels blowing away thanks to peopll who do ont pick up or replace the towels..

 

maybe a water bin for water.. If i leave the area for a drink i try to go down and up with in 30 minutes.

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We were on this cruise and, as always, had a wonderful cruise. The food, both MDR and the speciality dining rooms was good to excellent. We sunbathe on deck 11 where it is quieter and always were offered drinks through the day and, yes, there were some really windy conditions. One sea day we could not find beds and an officer saw our confusion and immediately had two sunbeds located from somewhere and set up for us just where we needed them...great service. We had one or two tiny things which affected our cruise and the quietest word with Philip saw them addressed and rectified. Whilst chatting to our server one lunch time whilst she was pouring our drinks the couple sitting behind us snapped their fingers loudly for her attention......some people are rude and determined to find a grievance. Azamara every time for us .

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I would agree, but only if we know if the staff member took away the drinks away from everyone in that area, not just the OP.

 

It may well be that the other guests with drinks weren't in the hot tub, just sitting at the edge of the pool. Drinks near the pool (in plastic not glass) I don't believe are a problem...

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It may well be that the other guests with drinks weren't in the hot tub, just sitting at the edge of the pool. Drinks near the pool (in plastic not glass) I don't believe are a problem...

 

And that fits with OP's description of the event in post #5:

My husband and I were sitting in the hot tub having a glass of wine and a pool bar attendant told us we couldn't drink in the pool area. There were several people sitting on the edge of the pool having drinks so we asked why...

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I've spent time up on deck 11 and that has always been my experience too. I think you are being very fair with regard bringing drinks up there. I don't think it's reasonable to expect the bar servers to be up there all the time. It's a remote sun bathing area two flights up from the bar. A lot of people go up for some quiet rather than having bar service. As you say it can get windy up there too.

 

Maybe they should have a sign "No bar serves on deck 11" While we did enjoy our cruise on Azamara. We did the cruise for the itinerary not the ship. We like Celebrity ships with 2000 to 3000 passengers. We will most likely do Azamara when we want to visit Bangkok.

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