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Just back from Quest


mare s.
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I'll be posting a more complete review in a few days when I've recovered from jet lag! (nothing like doing laundry at 3 a.m.) We were on the 11 night Islands of the Med cruise and it was wonderful. Our favorite people were on board (Russ, Phillip, Capt. Carl, and waiters John and Tayfun), food was very good, entertainment much better than our last cruise, and the itinerary wonderful. The Azamazing evening was very nice (a choral concert in the Cathedral in Palma) although it was rather warm inside the venue. The White Night party rocked (although we were too tired to really participate...it was the same day as our very long excursion to Mt. Vesuvius, Herculaneum, and Pompeii) We made a new friend in the pianist Ed (we missed Max, but Ed was a very capable substitute and a lot of fun to talk to) and with some fellow cruisers (shout out to MamaMary) Yes, there was one day (unfortunately our only sea day) when seas were very rough indeed and we felt a bit queasy by late afternoon, and we were a bit concerned about whether or not we would be able to make it in to Sorrento (fortunately the sea gods intervened and we made it!) But overall, it was another incredible Azamara experience.

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Hi Robin....not much in the way of rumors. Pretty much what we already know. We did hear that the 2018 itineraries will be "out in October."

 

mare

 

Thanks:) i am not thrilled with winter 2017 so hope 2018 better. i hate he cabins and no one ever talk about the spa or Looking Glass. I have a friend in the spa. we known each other for years. Nada. I leave mid dec for AU. YEA!

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I'll be posting a more complete review in a few days when I've recovered from jet lag! (nothing like doing laundry at 3 a.m.) We were on the 11 night Islands of the Med cruise and it was wonderful. Our favorite people were on board (Russ, Phillip, Capt. Carl, and waiters John and Tayfun), food was very good, entertainment much better than our last cruise, and the itinerary wonderful. The Azamazing evening was very nice (a choral concert in the Cathedral in Palma) although it was rather warm inside the venue. The White Night party rocked (although we were too tired to really participate...it was the same day as our very long excursion to Mt. Vesuvius, Herculaneum, and Pompeii) We made a new friend in the pianist Ed (we missed Max, but Ed was a very capable substitute and a lot of fun to talk to) and with some fellow cruisers (shout out to MamaMary) Yes, there was one day (unfortunately our only sea day) when seas were very rough indeed and we felt a bit queasy by late afternoon, and we were a bit concerned about whether or not we would be able to make it in to Sorrento (fortunately the sea gods intervened and we made it!) But overall, it was another incredible Azamara experience.

 

A Tayfun he is so good, did he learn your accent :)

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I'll be posting a more complete review in a few days when I've recovered from jet lag! (nothing like doing laundry at 3 a.m.) We were on the 11 night Islands of the Med cruise and it was wonderful. Our favorite people were on board (Russ, Phillip, Capt. Carl, and waiters John and Tayfun), food was very good, entertainment much better than our last cruise, and the itinerary wonderful. The Azamazing evening was very nice (a choral concert in the Cathedral in Palma) although it was rather warm inside the venue. The White Night party rocked (although we were too tired to really participate...it was the same day as our very long excursion to Mt. Vesuvius, Herculaneum, and Pompeii) We made a new friend in the pianist Ed (we missed Max, but Ed was a very capable substitute and a lot of fun to talk to) and with some fellow cruisers (shout out to MamaMary) Yes, there was one day (unfortunately our only sea day) when seas were very rough indeed and we felt a bit queasy by late afternoon, and we were a bit concerned about whether or not we would be able to make it in to Sorrento (fortunately the sea gods intervened and we made it!) But overall, it was another incredible Azamara experience.

 

So glad you had a good cruise particularly as there have been one or two gripes about Quest recently.

 

We will be on Journey in three weeks and our Azamazing Evening is also at the Cathedral in Palma. I am really looking forward to it.

 

Completely agree with you about Ed. he is delightful. Azamara are very fortunate to have two very engaging and talented pianists in Ed and Max.

 

Looking forward to your full review

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A Tayfun he is so good, did he learn your accent :)

 

Isn't he great?! He did invite me to join the crew when I told him on our last day that I was so sad to be leaving. I responded that I was a bit old to be toting trays! He assured me that I could find other things to do! And John is the very epitome of Azamara warmth and service. We met him on our very first cruise (Tayfun was his assistant) and it was so wonderful to see him again. He was at the specialty restaurant reservation desk in the terminal in Barcelona when we first checked in. What a lovely surprise and a terrific way to start our cruise. (I know it's against rules and I hope we don't get him in trouble, but he gave me a huge hug!) Immediately felt like we were coming home.

 

I forgot to mention Tiago, the concierge. Another example of Azamara staff going above and beyond. We had booked the Azamara disembarking excursion (half day tour of Nice with airport drop off) A couple of days before the end of the cruise we received notification that the excursion had been canceled. The Guest Relations desk said that not enough people had booked the excursion and told us the option was to use the regular transfer without tour which would have gotten us to the airport 8 hours before our flight! I was sitting in Mosaic telling our friends about this and Tiago was nearby. He immediately came over and said, "I am working on a private tour for the three couples affected...you must be one of them." Within a day he had arranged the tour, notified all three couples and issued us new tickets and luggage tags. He personally escorted us off ship and to the waiting guide. It turned out to be one of the very best tours (private or ship) that we've ever done. And the personal attention and concern shown by Tiago was incredible!

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Isn't he great?! He did invite me to join the crew when I told him on our last day that I was so sad to be leaving. I responded that I was a bit old to be toting trays! He assured me that I could find other things to do! And John is the very epitome of Azamara warmth and service. We met him on our very first cruise (Tayfun was his assistant) and it was so wonderful to see him again. He was at the specialty restaurant reservation desk in the terminal in Barcelona when we first checked in. What a lovely surprise and a terrific way to start our cruise. (I know it's against rules and I hope we don't get him in trouble, but he gave me a huge hug!) Immediately felt like we were coming home.

 

I do not think it is against the rules as i have been hugged by crew in the past.

 

I forgot to mention Tiago, the concierge. Another example of Azamara staff going above and beyond. We had booked the Azamara disembarking excursion (half day tour of Nice with airport drop off) A couple of days before the end of the cruise we received notification that the excursion had been canceled. The Guest Relations desk said that not enough people had booked the excursion and told us the option was to use the regular transfer without tour which would have gotten us to the airport 8 hours before our flight! I was sitting in Mosaic telling our friends about this and Tiago was nearby. He immediately came over and said, "I am working on a private tour for the three couples affected...you must be one of them." Within a day he had arranged the tour, notified all three couples and issued us new tickets and luggage tags. He personally escorted us off ship and to the waiting guide. It turned out to be one of the very best tours (private or ship) that we've ever done. And the personal attention and concern shown by Tiago was incredible!

 

i will let him know but never to late to send in a nice statement about him to MIA.

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Hi Mare,

 

Thank you for sharing your insights with us, and I'm so pleased that you had another wonderful Azamara cruise.

 

I agree with the our members, that if anyone went above and beyond, an email to Azamara HQ or Le Club Voyage would be a great idea ! I'm sure it's no surprise, but I totally agree that Azamara's Officers and Crew are the heart and soul of the wonderful Azamara experience, and it's always nice when they get the recognition they so deserve !

 

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. We look forward to your review. Welcome home !

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So glad you enjoyed your cruise on my favourite ship mare.

 

I was interested that you found the Palma cathedral warm on the Azamazing evening. We have the same venue on Journey in November and I was thinking we might have to wrap up for it, as such a large church could be cold in the evening.

 

We have always loved Max but isn't Ed lovely too? On Quest last year Hazel and I really enjoyed his interactive music quizzes in the evening and a lot of us spent hours singing along with him and guessing the band or name of the song. It's so nice to have two really different and excellent pianists in both Max and Ed.

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Yes we discovered Ed on our last Quest cruise, not only did we love his music but also his friendliness. Met him in town twice and it was Ed who recognised us and sent us in the direction of a great eatery

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"I was interested that you found the Palma cathedral warm on the Azamazing evening. We have the same venue on Journey in November and I was thinking we might have to wrap up for it, as such a large church could be cold in the evening. "

 

It was a very warm day in Palma! With all the doors closed it was quite stuffy in there. I think you will be wise to take a wrap on a November evening (unless there is a heat wave going on!) Some people didn't care for the music, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. My only complaint was that our particular guide (each bus had a guide who led a mini tour of the cathedral and its grounds before and after the concert) spent a bit too much time talking beforehand and then rushed us into the cathedral itself so we didn't have time to see a couple of things outside (don't want to give too much away....there were a couple of rather nice things going on) A tiny bit of "herding" I could have done without.

 

As for "hugging", I know that crew and passengers alike are encouraged to "fist-bump" to avoid spreading the dreaded Noro. I attempted to do so with John but he gave me a big hug instead! And thanks all for the suggestions to email Miami. I certainly will do so.

Edited by mare s.
adding a thought
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Hi Mare,

 

Thank you for sharing your insights with us, and I'm so pleased that you had another wonderful Azamara cruise.

 

I agree with the our members, that if anyone went above and beyond, an email to Azamara HQ or Le Club Voyage would be a great idea ! I'm sure it's no surprise, but I totally agree that Azamara's Officers and Crew are the heart and soul of the wonderful Azamara experience, and it's always nice when they get the recognition they so deserve !

 

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. We look forward to your review. Welcome home !

 

Does Azamara not have a guest satisfaction survey?:confused: Not that an extra mention ever hurts, but I should think there would be a place on there to recognize the crew.

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Does Azamara not have a guest satisfaction survey?:confused: Not that an extra mention ever hurts, but I should think there would be a place on there to recognize the crew.

 

yes it does, it is sent by email to guests on their return home. There is opportunity to name Crew on it.

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I forgot to mention Tiago, the concierge. Another example of Azamara staff going above and beyond. We had booked the Azamara disembarking excursion (half day tour of Nice with airport drop off) A couple of days before the end of the cruise we received notification that the excursion had been canceled. The Guest Relations desk said that not enough people had booked the excursion and told us the option was to use the regular transfer without tour which would have gotten us to the airport 8 hours before our flight! I was sitting in Mosaic telling our friends about this and Tiago was nearby. He immediately came over and said, "I am working on a private tour for the three couples affected...you must be one of them." Within a day he had arranged the tour, notified all three couples and issued us new tickets and luggage tags. He personally escorted us off ship and to the waiting guide. It turned out to be one of the very best tours (private or ship) that we've ever done. And the personal attention and concern shown by Tiago was incredible!

Mentioned to Tiago today that you had posted this and he immediately remembered you and was very grateful. He is very special and epitomizes Azamara's service ethic.

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