Quick Quest Christmas Cruise Review

[Xcelsior]

Just off the Quest Christmas and Solar Eclipse cruise from Dubai to Mumbai.  It has been over 10 years since I sailed this ship (also on a Holiday sailing) and thought I would share some thoughts on my experience.  Overall, an excellent cruise with an amazing crew.  Was lucky to win an upgrade to a Club Continent Suite and I absolutely LOVED my cabin 8073.  That being said, I was originally assigned an accessible CC room on Deck 6 and I was REALLY unhappy with the condiiton that suite was in, even after steam cleaning upon my request.  To the crew's credit they jumped on it right away, but in my opinion the upkeep of that room was neglected for so long that the soft furnishings need to be completely replaced.  Also, the big problem was the height of the desk - it is way too high to sit at and be fuctional unless you are in a wheelchair.  I had to do some work on this voyage on my laptop, and the desk was not at a height I could work at.  Upon my request, guest relations moved me to Deck 8  which I very much appreciated.  I also want to say how wonderful the guest relations staff are on this ship.  An amazing team of professionals.  Another highlight for me was the Le Club Voyage Discoverer's Brunch.  Wow - what an incredible job they did on that.  I was very impressed.  White Night was also really well done and a lot of fun.  The Azamazing Evening in Oman was a bad joke, but they tried. I was impressed with their coordination and logistics to get everyone there and back so easily.

As far as food throughout the ship, the dining room was good but a bit inconsistent.  Prime C was terrible - and I mean terrible.  They could not cook a steak medium rare, and everyone was complaining about this particular restaurant.  I went twice thinking I had a bad night the first time, and the second time was far worse.  Aqualina in my opinion was absolutely no better than the main dining room.  The buffet was very good as was the Patio Grill.  I also really liked the tapas available in the Living Room.  A shame that room is so under-utilzed.  Taking the casino out may or may not have been a good idea.  The room looks nice, but nobody wants to be in that lounge as the lighting is so bright in the evenings.  Why couldn't Azamara install a dimming switch for the lights?  Felt sorry for the piano player.  No ambience in that room at night whatsoever.  They need to fix this.

Cruise Director and Assistant Cruise Director were also very good on this sailing. They also went out of their way to be welcoming to passengers who were sailing alone.  The shows and entertainment however were not to my liking and I think this cruise line has way too much trivia scheduled.  Also, really disappointed there was no music playing poolside or a live band at sailway etc.  The other thing that bothered me was that there was not a similar venue to the Martini Bar on Celebrity where you could meet fellow cruisers either before or after dinner with some lively music. Don't get me started on the DJ in the living room and how many times he played the same 8 songs over and over and over.  We could call them in order before he played them by Day 5.   For that reason alone, I think I'm headed back to Celebrity.  In my humble opinion, the Quest is the perfect size ship, and I loved the short walk to my cabin wherever I happened to be, but there just isn't enough entertainment or socializing onthis ship to make me want to go back.  I will sail Azamara again if the itinerary is good and the price is right, but I don't think it is any better than Celebrity. In fact, I think Celebrity may be better - at least for my cruise dollar.

Edited December 28, 2019 by Xcelsior

[Covepointcruiser]

At least you have discovered Azamara is not for you, enjoy Celebrity!

[Melissaghoti]

There’s far less live music on the Azamara sister ships than there was just a year or so ago when some major entertainment changes took place. I miss it too. That’s probably not something that can change quickly, but a dimmer switch shouldn’t be hard and would be a hug improvement!

Melissa

[marinaro44]

Puzzled by some of the comments here about lack of live music.  Looking at today's Quest schedule:  pianist in The Den at 6, 8:30 and 10:30; female vocal trio in The Living Room at 6, 7 and 9:15; pianist/singer in Cabaret at 8:15 and 9:30.  Huh?

[Grandma Cruising]

On the Pursuit in November on a transatlantic we had lots of live music - too much for us in some cases - for example live music round the pool - we like peace and quiet on sea days, that’s one of the things we love about Azamara.

[uktog]

Was the live music poolside lunchtime or longer?  We loved the lunchtime poolside sets on Journey they created a great atmosphere and then everyone settled back down for the afternoon without music. We thought that balance was perfect. 

[Lindy028]

Xcelsior, sorry your cruise didn’t quite live up to your expectations. We are sailing on Quest in March and our Azamazing evening is in Oman, just wondering if ours will be the same as yours. I’d appreciate some more information about where it was held and what was offered. This is to be a relaxing cruise for us after a very difficult year, we may appreciate the opportunity to just relax on board if the Azamazing evening is nothing special.

[Xcelsior]

2 hours ago, marinaro44 said:

Puzzled by some of the comments here about lack of live music.  Looking at today's Quest schedule:  pianist in The Den at 6, 8:30 and 10:30; female vocal trio in The Living Room at 6, 7 and 9:15; pianist/singer in Cabaret at 8:15 and 9:30.  Huh?

Well I'm not tying to misrepresent, nor would I see any point in misrepresenting what it was like on board.  What woudl I gain from that?  Anyway, I commented that there was no live music at sailaway or poolside - there was also recorded music poolside during the day, nor was there before dinner or after dinner at one of the bars similar to Martini bar on Celebrity to liven things up a bit.  That is what I was missing and I think it would have been a bit more enjoyable if there had been. Had I been on a Caribbean cruise I would have really missed have some music at the pool even more.    The trio was quite good, but usually were playing when we were eating dinner.    The the piano player in the bright room was good, but as I said the ambience killed her act and many people commented on same.  I realize that you probably don't agree with my points, and that's okay - these are just my opinions and thoughts I'm expressing. 

[Xcelsior]

23 minutes ago, uktog said:

Was the live music poolside lunchtime or longer?  We loved the lunchtime poolside sets on Journey they created a great atmosphere and then everyone settled back down for the afternoon without music. We thought that balance was perfect. 

Sorry, the only time there was ever music played at the pool was at the White Night Party - no live music permformed or taped music played there during the day.

Edited December 29, 2019 by Xcelsior

[uktog]

That’s a shame. I too would have been disappointed by that though the host here would have been happy. Suppose it’s all down to which ambience the cruise director wants to set. 

[cruiservirginia]

Xcelsior, thanks for your review.  In cabin 8073, did you hear noise from Windows Cafe above?

[Grandma Cruising]

5 hours ago, uktog said:

Was the live music poolside lunchtime or longer?  We loved the lunchtime poolside sets on Journey they created a great atmosphere and then everyone settled back down for the afternoon without music. We thought that balance was perfect. 

Mostly lunchtime, but we found it too loud. I do appreciate that others like music & we’re probably in the minority. At least Azamara doesn’t have continuous piped music - that would drive me mad!

Edited December 29, 2019 by Host Grandma Cruising

[Grandma Cruising]

5 hours ago, Xcelsior said:

Sorry, the only time there was ever music played at the pool was at the White Night Party - no live music permformed or taped music played there during the day.

We did have lunchtime live music by the pool on sea days.

[Xcelsior]

3 minutes ago, Host Grandma Cruising said:

We did have lunchtime live music by the pool on sea days.

Not sure how I could have missed that....I was on the lounge chair all day on those days and never heard or saw a thing!  How much did I drink??

[Xcelsior]

25 minutes ago, cruiservirginia said:

Xcelsior, thanks for your review.  In cabin 8073, did you hear noise from Windows Cafe above?

Only once and it was very minor.  I loved that cabin.  I would probably switch to the one on the other side because 8073 had a tub and the other was just a shower.  I only use a shower.  I also liked that there was a partial blocked view on the balcony with the slant of the ship's structure.  Others might not like that - but I thought it was great because it gave it more privacy on the one side and also some shelter from the wind when required.

[diana11]

6 minutes ago, Host Grandma Cruising said:

Mostly lunchtime, but we found it too loud.

But nothing was as bad as the karaoke that they put on one lunchtime by the pool. It was so loud that it was unbearable especially if someone was hitting a bum note (which was often!) and we couldn’t escape it. Not even in the patio. I was left with a headache that day. This was also on the Pursuit transatlantic 

[Xcelsior]

5 hours ago, Lindy028 said:

Xcelsior, sorry your cruise didn’t quite live up to your expectations. We are sailing on Quest in March and our Azamazing evening is in Oman, just wondering if ours will be the same as yours. I’d appreciate some more information about where it was held and what was offered. This is to be a relaxing cruise for us after a very difficult year, we may appreciate the opportunity to just relax on board if the Azamazing evening is nothing special.

Please don't misunderstand, I had a GREAT cruise.  The negative things I have mentioned were minor issues.  I just think I like Celebrity a bit more.  In Oman they took us to the new Convention Centre which was about 30 to 40 minutes away.  There was a local band that played a few songs, followed by a brass band that played Christmas music.  The show was probably about 45 minutes long and then they took us back to the ship.  I wish I had just stayed on the ship.  I would not do it again.

[Grandma Cruising]

8 minutes ago, Xcelsior said:

Not sure how I could have missed that....I was on the lounge chair all day on those days and never heard or saw a thing!  How much did I drink??

Quest must be different from the Pursuit. Ours was a transatlantic too, so that may have made a difference.

[Grandma Cruising]

3 minutes ago, diana11 said:

But nothing was as bad as the karaoke that they put on one lunchtime by the pool. It was so loud that it was unbearable especially if someone was hitting a bum note (which was often!) and we couldn’t escape it. Not even in the patio. I was left with a headache that day. This was also on the Pursuit transatlantic 

Yes, I agree - a couple of reasonable singers, but as for the others - oh dear!

[uktog]

1 hour ago, diana11 said:

But nothing was as bad as the karaoke that they put on one lunchtime by the pool. It was so loud that it was unbearable especially if someone was hitting a bum note (which was often!) and we couldn’t escape it. Not even in the patio. I was left with a headache that day. This was also on the Pursuit transatlantic 

Oh dear I would have hated that. The poolside music I enjoy is provided by the onboard professionals. What a ridiculously tacky idea to do karaoke poolside on a “luxury” line. 

[nordski]

3 hours ago, uktog said:

Oh dear I would have hated that. The poolside music I enjoy is provided by the onboard professionals. What a ridiculously tacky idea to do karaoke poolside on a “luxury” line. 

“Tacky” might be the correct term. However, perhaps on Azamara it is viewed  differently, both by participants and audience, than on a mass cruise line. A sense of irony comes to mind.

 

It does appear that some people were willing to “give it a go”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[2fromTO]

On board the Journey right now.  We have had live music by the pool every sea day and at sail alway.  Also, live music in the Living Room every sea day at 5:00 pm.  No big show productions, but then again, this is a smaller ship.  Totally different experience than on a larger ship such as Celebrity.

 

The food has been fantastic in Discoveries, Prime C and Aqualina.  My husband likes his steak “blue” and it has been cooked perfectly every time he has ordered it.  Christmas dinner was great and the dessert buffet was “over the top”.  Service and food is some of the best I have had at sea (Regent, Oceania, SilverSea, Celebrity). 

 

So far, we have loved our holiday cruise!

[ellbon]

This whole review is just weird to me. I was on for two months. There was sail away music several times..live! There was live music pool side for lunch in BBQ days but not daily. 

 

Marico..DJ.. played his themed music posted daily then played whatever you wanted nightly. I like 60's, others like Latin. So not sure of your problems as you need to ask.

 

the Den was busy on the nights I was there. The then piano player had his followers. The space is bright but never to bright.

 

trivia..thank God..not a huge player but beats none at all like the line I am on now. 

[Xcelsior]

On 12/31/2019 at 8:21 AM, ellbon said:

This whole review is just weird to me. I was on for two months. There was sail away music several times..live! There was live music pool side for lunch in BBQ days but not daily. 

 

Marico..DJ.. played his themed music posted daily then played whatever you wanted nightly. I like 60's, others like Latin. So not sure of your problems as you need to ask.

 

the Den was busy on the nights I was there. The then piano player had his followers. The space is bright but never to bright.

 

trivia..thank God..not a huge player but beats none at all like the line I am on now. 

I don't understand why you are questioning the accuracy of my comments.  Why would I fabricate or spread misinformation?  I see no benefit to me in doing that, and that seems to be what you are implying.  I'm glad this was not your experience, but it was definitely mine.  Didn't ruin my vacation, and it was all minor stuff, but I think it would have been a better experience if they paid attention to these things.  Cruise on.

[marinaro44]

3 hours ago, Xcelsior said:

I don't understand why you are questioning the accuracy of my comments.  Why would I fabricate or spread misinformation?  I see no benefit to me in doing that, and that seems to be what you are implying.  I'm glad this was not your experience, but it was definitely mine.  Didn't ruin my vacation, and it was all minor stuff, but I think it would have been a better experience if they paid attention to these things.  Cruise on.

I agree with ellbon, and I was on for the Christmas cruise and still on for Africa.  Should also say that Aqualina has been excellent throughout both cruises.  There are plenty of neighborhood restaurants in the Boston area for everything anyone might want  "parmigiana."  I don't need Aqualina to have that for me.