Live from quest

[Paulchili]

Miriam,

I couldn't agree with you more about the staff - some of the very best service and experience at sea on any line.

We too enjoyed the seafood buffet, but I would not take another Azamara cruise JUST for that :D. I would for many other reasons.

[alcpa1]

Miriam,

Thank you for your beautiful descriptions of the ship and staff. Your words are far better than mine have been as I tried to describe the "feelings" of Azamara.

I hope the remainder of your cruise goes well.

 

p.s. Has anyone ever had a sunlight day in Monte Carlo? Those beautiful old cobbled streets can get extremely slippery.

[cindilouwho]

Miriam,

Thank you for your beautiful descriptions of the ship and staff. Your words are far better than mine have been as I tried to describe the "feelings" of Azamara.

I hope the remainder of your cruise goes well.

 

p.s. Has anyone ever had a sunlight day in Monte Carlo? Those beautiful old cobbled streets can get extremely slippery.

 

We had a beautiful, sunny day in MC a couple of years ago. All the better to look at things we couldn't BEGIN to afford. Not a seat to be had at the outdoor cafes so we walked around the marina and looked at all the lovely yachts - the yacht of the King of Some Small Oil Rich country was docked across from our ship and we got up close to see it. WOW......now that is the way to travel. It was about half the size of the Journey.

[Jade13]

After some rough seas we arrived at Monte Carlo.

Our excursion to Nice and Eze went well - the bus was about 3/4 full but we only semi followed the guide so it didnt matter. Had a nice walk around the Casino area and did a bit of shopping there.

 

Highlight today and in fact the highlight of any of my 36 cruises was today's on deck buffet. People had mentioned a great seafood buffet but this went way beyond. It was a bit chilly but Nevertheless enjoyed every aspect. Live music was great. The atmosphere was wonderful. And the food just made me swoon.... unfortunately I was rather tired after a full day and couldnt enjoy it to the full.

 

Food included lamb shanks, bouillabaise, coq au vin, lamb chops, freshly steamed mussels and clams, frogs legs, oysters rockefeller, soft shell crab, whole stuffed halibut, truffled potatoes gratin and numerous, numerous other dishes. The staff were in full force doing everything to please. If it was on food alone I would certainly take another Azamara cruise just on the basis of this offering. This could just be because its the President's cruise? Regular Azamara passengers would know better.

 

The warmth of the staff on Azamara is unparalled. Staff who had served us only once for dinner would come up and ask how things were going etc. Its hard to fully express the genuiness of feeling. In comparison I found my Oceania cruise cold and clinical and though staff on the Mariner (Regent) also give one the feeling of having arrived home the warmth is certainly to a lesser degree than the Quest.

 

Miriam

 

I hope they have an outside deck buffet on Quest in April (from Dubai). I did not have any outside buffet in February on Quest. I think there might have been something while we were in Bangkok, but we ate in town not knowing about it in advance.

[xplrcrzn]

When staff are happy, passengers are happy. Maybe that's Azamara"s "secret" although it should be self-evident to every cruise line.

[Emdee]

We were away from the ship for two days visiting friends in Florence and bringing back my year's supply of olive oil. We were fortunate that the olives were pressed the same day so we were able to enjoy some Fettunta with this bright green oil fresh and fragarant. Florence was as always gorgeous. We also stocked up on white truffle butter etc.

 

The free excursion was to a castle for dinner. I didnt go so perhaps some other cc member can chime in.

 

Today was Elba and we had a lovely day with an excellent tour. Now its all the packing that has to be done.

Miriam

[Emdee]

We didnt go for any of the main shows - just not interested and too tired.

We absolutely loved Jim Badger. He was great with his semi sing alongs and quick wit. A nice late evening diversion while drinking a coffee at the Mosaic Bar.

 

A class act indeed was Class Action. PG goers will remember Siglo - this dynamic duo sing their types of songs with great talent and aplomb. Enjoyed them wherever they were.

 

A wonderful and very special evening experience at the Windows cafe ( Buffet Restaurant) was the guitarist German Vilchez. Makes the evening meal relaxed. Kudos to the Azamara management for this great idea.

 

Miriam

[Jade13]

We were away from the ship for two days visiting friends in Florence and bringing back my year's supply of olive oil. We were fortunate that the olives were pressed the same day so we were able to enjoy some Fettunta with this bright green oil fresh and fragarant. Florence was as always gorgeous. We also stocked up on white truffle butter etc.

 

The free excursion was to a castle for dinner. I didnt go so perhaps some other cc member can chime in.

 

Today was Elba and we had a lovely day with an excellent tour. Now its all the packing that has to be done.

Miriam

 

I wonder if one free excursion is something they will implement in the future? SilverSea does this.

[MightyQuinn]

Emdee – I’m enjoying your comments about Quest. If we try Azamara again, it will definitely be on that ship. With all these accolades, has Azamara replaced PG as your BFF? ;);)

[Jade13]

Emdee – I’m enjoying your comments about Quest. If we try Azamara again, it will definitely be on that ship. With all these accolades, has Azamara replaced PG as your BFF? ;);)

 

Try to go when Captain Carl will be onboard.

 

Our Quest experience was one of our top three vacations ever, and our best ship experience. Our favorite trip was Galapagos, but that was because of the location and Reptiles.

 

We liked it so much we will be back on Quest in April.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

We were away from the ship for two days visiting friends in Florence and bringing back my year's supply of olive oil. We were fortunate that the olives were pressed the same day so we were able to enjoy some Fettunta with this bright green oil fresh and fragarant. Florence was as always gorgeous. We also stocked up on white truffle butter etc.

Oh wow, lucky you! Is it tough to get the olive oil home?

[ralphtheavidcruiser]

I am also on this voyage, and it is great to have such access to Larry Pimentel. I have posted a series of eight interviews (video) at avidcruiser.com.

[Goldygolfer]

Only yesterday we received an email from our TA with an excellent last-minute deal for 31 days on the Quest - Istanbul to Singapore - departing Nov 20. Even though it's only 3 weeks away, we are seriously considering jumping aboard and must make a decision within 2 days. It's actually 3 cruises b2b.

 

I have spent all day reading the the Azamara threads here on CC and also the Azamara website. I'm really interested in whether one can or cannot bring alcohol on board (particularly wine and/or beer) at either embarkation and/or at any ports along the way. My reading has me totally confused on this issue - some say "yes, unlimited", some say at embrakation only and some say 2 bottles of wine only (with a $25 corkage fee).

 

Seeing that you are currently on board, I couldn't resist the temptation to get the up-to-date correct story. I would really appreciate if you could clear this up for me (and obviously others).

 

It seems as though you are having a great time. The ship sounds lovely - especially the food (emdee, you really have my mouth watering). I'm enjoying reading your "blogs". Hope it continues to go well.

 

Cheers & Greetings from Australia. :)

[Albert Ross]

I have spent all day reading the the Azamara threads here on CC and also the Azamara website. I'm really interested in whether one can or cannot bring alcohol on board (particularly wine and/or beer) at either embarkation and/or at any ports along the way. My reading has me totally confused on this issue - some say "yes, unlimited", some say at embrakation only and some say 2 bottles of wine only (with a $25 corkage fee).

 

You can now bring on as much as you want, whenever you want.

 

Azamara Club Cruises offers a great selection of international liquors, beer and fine wines aboard. Guests wishing to bring their own favorite liquor, beer or wine may do so for private consumption in their suite or stateroom. If guests wish to consume their liquor, beer, or wine in any shipboard restaurant, bar or dining venue, each bottle shall be subject to a corkage fee of $10.00. If a guest receives a bottle of wine (in their stateroom) from a family member or friend, and that bottle(s) was purchased through Azamara's Bon Voyage Gift Selection, then no corkage fee will apply, regardless where the bottle is consumed. If a guest receives a bottle from an outside vendor and/or travel professional, and the bottle was not purchased through Azamara's Bon Voyage Gift Selection, then a $10.00 corkage fee per bottle will apply if they wish to consume the wine in the dining room or any other public area. The fee will be applied to the guest's onboard account. Alcoholic beverages purchased from onboard shops will be stored by the ship and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of the sailing. Guests under the age of 21, will not have alcohol returned to them.

[tgg]

Only yesterday we received an email from our TA with an excellent last-minute deal for 31 days on the Quest - Istanbul to Singapore - departing Nov 20. Even though it's only 3 weeks away, we are seriously considering jumping aboard and must make a decision within 2 days. It's actually 3 cruises b2b.

 

Cheers & Greetings from Australia. :)

 

I've seen the prices and they're amazing. If you've got the time to take advantage of this offer, you'd have to be crazy not to. I wish we could. ;)

[Emdee]

MightyQuinn

 

When I have a moment I am going to do a recap of the good the bad the ugly and the excellent.

 

Nothing so far has replaced the PG. Azamara has its moments of brilliance and its moments fo stupidity.

 

Wendy,

 

I packed very carefully and my friends sealed and bubble wrapped each bottle. I held my breath when the bags were weighed but they were ok. They are willing to send the oil over air freight but we usually go at least every other year to the area so just bring back our supply of this green gold.

 

Cindi, we were in Monte Carlo in April prior to a cruise on the Mariner and stayed the night at a hotel overlooking the port. One of the pieces of information provided to us was the opportunity to rent a yacht with for a day for 60,000 Euro.Naturally it came with its own chef. The yachts were moored just outside our 5th floor window.

[Emdee]

Sorry I missed your post earlier.

We brought on champagne and wine in several ports. San Tropez and Cannes gave us great opportunities to try some of the champagnes not available in Canada or very reasonably priced in France. Other then an Oh you like Champagne there was no problem bringing them on board.

Azamara brand spakling was Bouvet Blanc de Blanc and quite pleasing as was the Azamara brand chardonnay ( Wente I think). Some of the reds were a bit rough but others were ok .

 

I am convinced that at this time that the last minute deals are the most reasonable. We are used to booking when the itineraries come out as with cruiselines like Regent or even RCCL that is the best time. However we booked the quest only in May when a good promotion was on.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask any questions and happy cruising!

Miriam

[Goldygolfer]

Thanks Emdee. Hope you're still having a great time and the good gets to outdo the bad and the ugly.

[bandt]

Hi Emdee

 

Enjoyed your posts on the PG board and was delighted to find your thread on Azamara.

 

We had such a great experience on the PG in May, we would value your insight in comparing the two experiences.

 

We have booked on the Panama Canal cruise in December on the Journey.

 

All the best

 

Brian & Tony

[Emdee]

Hi Brian and Tony,

 

I have done an Azamara vs Regent on the Regent board. That should give you a good comparison.

 

I really enjoyed Azamara. However, PG is the love of my life. Its the total ambiance, the ship, the service, the gauguines and most of all the most beautiful place in the world - FP.

 

Azamara has so many nice little touches that I know you will appreciate.

 

Also read the good the bad the ugly on Azamara also by me.

 

Let me know if you have any particular questions.

Miriam