Just back! Our AZA-tastic 7 day France Intensive cruise aboard the Azamara Quest! September 21 - 28, 2024

[Sleep7]

 

Helloooo out there on the Azamara Board!

We have just returned.. literally just back yesterday from a 7 night Barcelona to Nice "France Intensive"  cruise on The Quest.  It's our 8th time sailing on Azamara and each one truly holds a special place in my heart as the best vacation ever.

The suitcases are unpacked.. the laundry is done.. the mail is sorted and I'm ready to write. Looking forward to telling the happy tale of our fantastic week plying the mostly smooth Mediterranean waters from Barcelona to Nice. 

Before I start.. just a note about the hair.

The bad news was in the winter I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer but the GOOD news is that it was caught very early and I am just fine now.  I went thru a rough few months of chemo and radiation and I was so excited to get back to traveling again.

I have given up a very convincing wig and many hats and just decided to cruise "au natural" as it's the easiest and most comfortable way to travel.

OK.. enough about me.  While the hair length is small.. the enjoyment of our first cruise back was truly BIG indeed

 

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Checked in and ready to go!

 

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Friday night at 7pm is usually prime time for the Sky Club at JFK.  Very pleasantly surprised there was no line.  Maybe it's because there is now a Delta One Lounge in addition to a second Sky Club in Terminal 4?🤷‍♀️

 

 

🍾CHEERS!!🍾

 

[Sleep7]

It was a beautiful late summer - early fall evening to fly.

 

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Our nonstop flight to Barcelona was leaving at 9:45pm.. maybe we shall even sleep a bit on it.😴

 

 

 

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Bags on the plane.. that's always good!👏

We had recently bought air tags and they confirmed that they were on the plane (or at least near our gate being loaded on) as well.

 

 

 

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Goodbye NY! See you in a week!

 

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As I always say I love to see the first sliver of dawn just a few hours flying time out of New York.  Europe is up and awaiting our arrival.😊

 

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We had eaten dinner in the lounge so passed on the dinner Delta was serving but did enjoy these two new breakfast items an hour before landing.

 

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Good morning and Buenos Dias Barcelona!

 

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Always the BEST to see these smiling faces when you land.

 

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We had pre-booked a bus transfer thru Azamara but instead of a bus there was a private car waiting for us.  I think we were the only people on the flight from New York as there was one that arrived earlier in the morning.  Guess it didn't make sense to send a whole bus for 2 passengers.

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Due to my treatment we had to cancel 2 cruises in the spring.  Gun shy..  I wanted to wait as long as possible to book this cruise.

By the time I felt comfortable to do so, it was only a few weeks before sailing and the only veranda cabin left was a Club Continent Suite.  We have never stayed in a suite before so it really added to the excitement of cruising again.

 

 

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It was a little before 1:00pm and there were still plenty of people waiting to check in.

 

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Got our key cards and boarded!

 

 

 

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As I always say.. this is the best moment on a cruise.  You have the entire week in front of you to enjoy!

 

 

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🙋‍♀️A little sparkling wine to accompany our safety presentation?

Sounds like a great idea!🍾

 

 

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Cabin 8070.. complete with a butler, a bottle of chilled sparkling wine and a doorbell.😊

 

 

 

Edited 16 hours ago by Sleep7

[Sleep7]

A short cabin tour..

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Lots of informative paperwork about our first day and the week ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Not done yet!😁

 

 

 

 

 

An especially nice touch was a folder with maps of all the upcoming ports.

 

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After a delicious al fresco Windows Cafe lunch I unpacked quickly and we headed out to walk around Barcelona for a bit before dinner.

 

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Even caught a parade on Las Ramblas.