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From Monsoon To Muster: Quest March 26, 2012


MightyQuinn

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“Bravo, Bravo, Bravo. APR. Emergency Deck 1”. A nervous voice echoed through Azamara Quest shortly before 8:00 pm on Friday March 30. We were just finishing our appetizers at the French-themed buffet at Windows Café on Deck 9. Initially we paid no heed, until we saw thin wisps of white smoke wafting from the galley door on the port side. We assumed it was a kitchen fire, but the smoke quickly billowed into a dark cloud and began filling the room. So we, along with other diners, began our exit. As we crossed the threshold from Windows Café to the Pool Deck, the ship shuddered and went completely dark for a brief few seconds until the generator kicked in and emergency power came on. It was surreal seeing those little green track lights guiding our way along the corridors and into the stairwell. People were calm, but fair to say, concerned. We headed outside onto Deck 5 to be near the lifeboats, just in case. When we arrived, I glanced over the railings to the calm ocean below. Quest was dead in the water.

 

But let’s start at the beginning …

 

BACKGROUND

 

When Azamara released its 2012 itineraries, we immediately spotted this 17-night Asia voyage as a winner. After all, it had Borneo orangutans, Komodo dragons, gorgeous Bali and other exotic islands of Indonesia in a single trip! Soon after we booked, it was announced that this cruise would be a President’s Voyage, with special events, cocktail parties and surprise gifts. Could it get any better?

 

We booked early and, in a departure from our typical practice of using our preferred travel agent, we booked directly with Azamara. Contrary to the image often portrayed of shoreside staff, we dealt with excellent customer service agents who were knowledgeable and responsive. Later we added Choice Air to our booking and were able to select excellent flights on legacy carriers at a price less than we could purchase directly with the airlines. We were thrilled with the exceptional service provided by our savvy Choice Air reservation agent. And in yet another departure, we booked a pre-cruise hotel stay at The Langham Hong Kong through Azamara. We paid ever so slightly more than if we had booked direct, but we also got breakfasts and all transfers. No regrets.

 

EMBARKATION

 

On cruise day, we were transferred to Ocean Terminal at 11:00 am and after pier-side processing (for some inexplicable reason, we were not able to complete on-line check-in on the Azamara website) we were aboard Quest by 11:30 am. We were welcomed with sparkling rosé and lots of smiles. The mood was light and festive and it was obvious that Quest is a happy ship. We settled into Mosiac Café for a snack before checking into our stateroom about 2:00 pm.

 

We had a 7th floor veranda, slightly forward of mid-ships. We are part of the minority who actually prefer forward rooms, finding them convenient and comfortable. This was our 3rd time on an R class ship in a similar room, so no surprises. We were even prepared for the dinky bathroom! Our room was bright and clean, the closets were well stocked with wooden hangers, our mattress and linens were in excellent condition and the air conditioner worked perfectly! We didn’t care for the Rose amenities in the bathroom, finding them lacking in packaging and quality. Not a biggie. The only real disappointment was the hair dryer, which was a throw-back to the ‘70s with its clunky weight, long skinny nozzle and poor air-flow.

 

Our luggage arrived in short order and we were unpacked and all settled before our scheduled muster drill at 4:00 pm. It proceeded smoothly with passengers assembling at their assigned stations, either in the Cabaret Lounge or Discoveries Restaurant. Muster was uneventful until Captain Leif Karlsson announced at the end that we were heading into a monsoon. Rough seas, heavy rain and high winds were in the forecast for the next 48 hours. He cautioned us to take any seasick remedies now. For those who were unprepared, he advised them to visit the Medical Office for some pills. I liked this guy already. No pussy-footing around, no sugar-coating, no spinning. Just the facts – monsoon ahead, be prepared. His straight-forward and open manner would prove invaluable in the days to come.

 

CC MEET AND MINGLE

 

Azamara truly values the CC community. They hosted a party on the 1st full day of the cruise that was attended by about 40+ members of CC. Some folks who planned to attend didn’t make it as they were reportedly ill from the miserable sea conditions. The monsoon had arrived! There was also a very impressive showing of key personnel on Quest. Captain Karlsson, Hotel Director Philip, Cruise Director Russ, F&B Manager Ryzsard, Guest Relations Manager Juliana, Le Club Voyage Hostess Nathalia as well as Miami-based VP, Hotel Operations, Bert Von Middendorp were all there. They expressed gratitude for the many positive comments written about Azamara on CC, but also noted that they pay attention to negative posts to see how they can do better. Ya gotta love a cruise line that listens to its customers.

 

DINING

 

We eagerly anticipated our meals on Quest, thanks in large measure to the recent positive reports here on CC. We were not disappointed. Executive Chef Fabio clearly loves his job and his cooks love working with him. Their passion and dedication shows up in their food.

 

We ate most breakfasts in Windows Café. It had the usual offerings of fruit, yoghurt, breads and rolls, smoked fish, eggs, bacon, hash browns as well as made to order omelets, waffles and pancakes. There were a variety of fresh juices and a smoothies bar that featured a daily energizer concoction. My only gripe was the limited fruit selection, which was typically melons and pineapple. There were no fresh berries, only defrosted strawberries and blueberries. But to their credit, I was thrilled to see fresh mangoes appear after our port call in Manila. Keep it up Azamara!

 

We ate most lunches at Windows Café where there was a selection of salads, deli, soup, hot and cold entrees, a carving station and pizza. Everything was tasty and at the proper temperature. There were interesting cheeses and ample dessert choices with baked goods, custards and ice cream. The nearby Pool Grill had superb burgers as well as various panini and kebabs.

 

We only ate dinner in Discoveries Restaurant twice and it was excellent both times. Menus were interesting with great choices for appetizers, soups, salads and mains. Items were well executed with distinct flavors and textures. Food presentation was creative and artful. Complimentary wines were quite acceptable and poured freely. Our other dinners were at themed buffets in Windows Café or at poolside BBQs. All were equally good.

 

In between meals, we often went to Mosiac Café for specialty coffees with sweet or savory treats. It was here that you had a very good chance to see Captain Karlsson or his officers mingling with passengers. It was our favorite spot on the ship.

 

We had reservations at both specialty restaurants, Aqualina and Prime C, but didn’t make it to either before the cruise was cancelled. We had also reserved for the Connoisseur Dinner to be held later in the cruise. We’ll always wonder what goodies we missed.

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ENRICHMENT

 

Azamara has chosen to differentiate itself as destination specialists, so it’s a reasonable expectation that they would have an excellent line-up of expert lecturers.

 

Lisa Didier was the only destination lecturer for the areas we visited. She delivered several presentations on local cultures, history and crafts of Philippines, Borneo and Indonesia. Her content knowledge was excellent, her visual aids were interesting and she did a good job of condensing the highlights. But her presentation style was very off-putting. She was loud, brash and overly familiar. It was as if she was addressing a bunch of unruly college kids who didn’t want to listen as opposed to a seasoned audience who actively chose to attend.

 

Harvey Mann was an engaging fellow whose specialty was paleontology and archaeology of Africa. He delivered a couple of sessions on the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. Not exactly on topic for our destination, but interesting nonetheless.

 

Fred Saxon was the go-to guy for the inside scoop about Hollywood. He presented a couple of sessions about famous film stars but we didn’t attend. Word was that he was very entertaining.

 

PRESIDENT’S EVENT

 

This cruise was a President’s Voyage, although Larry Pimentel was unable to be aboard for personal reasons. Miami-based VP, Hotel Operations Bert Von Middendorp and Destination Specialist, Emilio Freeman, were there as Azamara representatives. All the special events and parties that were planned for the President’s Voyage were still scheduled to occur.

 

The 1st event was a shoreside cocktail party at Fort Santiago in Manila. Following an on-deck BBQ featuring a terrific selection of Filipino and Asian specialties, we were driven to the grounds of this old fort. We had been there earlier in the day as part of our shore excursion, but it had been transformed into a delightful venue for our special event. We were greeted by local dancers and street performers, who offered little trinkets as we made our way onto the grounds. An open-air theatre had been set up with lantern-lit trees, performance stage, guest seating and various food and drink tents. Roving bartenders made sure our glasses were always full, while waiters tried to tempt us with Filipino street food. It was a real shame that most of us had eaten such a bountiful BBQ on the ship and we really couldn’t partake of the local offerings.

 

We were invited to explore the historic fort at our leisure and then return for a special performance of song and dance by volunteer tourism staff. They were fantastic! This was followed by some thank-you speeches by Azamara officers and presentations to them by the Philippine Tourism Board. It was obvious that the tourism staff were very happy to have Quest make this maiden call on Manila. The evening ended with a superb fireworks display over Fort Santiago. Truly magical.

 

There was another special event planned for our overnight stay in Bali. It was to be a Balinese Deck Party and Marketplace Celebration. I’m sure it would have been equally well done.

 

Another tangible benefit of this being a President’s Voyage was an offer of double savings on any future cruise booked on-board. We fully intended to purchase an open passage certificate for a future cruise but, in all the commotion, we missed our opportunity.

 

EXCURSIONS – LAND DISCOVERIES

 

We are independent travelers who usually arrange our own tours, but Azamara was very competitive in this part of the world. We pre-booked shore excursions in every port and benefited from the advance 50% discount. When we arrived in our stateroom, there was an envelope with all our shorex tickets. Some tour times had changed since we booked on-line, but everything else was in order.

 

With the cruise being canceled so early in the voyage, we only got to take an excursion in Philippines. We selected Flavors and Treasures of Manila, which was a general overview of principal sites, followed by a culinary demo and lunch at a well-known Manila restaurant. It was OK but nothing special. It was typical of what you’d expect on any cruise line, albeit with a slightly smaller group size.

 

Azamara generously offered a complimentary excursion to all passengers during our unexpected stay in Sandakan, Malaysia. We had previously booked Primates of Borneo and were very happy that we’d get the opportunity to see these rare creatures. Traveling in small groups with an expert guide, we visited an orangutan sanctuary and were rewarded with a sighting of a mother orangutan with an infant. We also visited a rehab centre for proboscis monkeys that are endemic to Borneo. Overall a great excursion.

 

It’s difficult to pass judgment on Azamara on the basis of such a limited sample of their Land Discoveries. We enjoyed them but I must say that tour choices in each port were fairly limited and quite predictable. I think Azamara can develop many more unique excursions that give passengers a more personal and up-market experience. They need to differentiate their offerings and move them to a different level if they truly want to be recognized as destination specialists. I had the opportunity to meet their new Destination Specialist, Emilio Freeman. He has a remarkable background in creating interesting experiences for discerning cruise guests and I’m sure he’ll make a very positive difference at Azamara.

 

ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES

 

Quest had an interesting line-up of entertainers and we got a sneak peek at many of them during the Welcome Aboard Variety Show. There were vocalists, pianists and a multi-instrumentalist, as well as an Azamara production cast. This was a talented and energetic group of singers and dancers who were to stage several theme shows. CD Russ seemed very proud to have them as part of the entertainment team and promised exciting performances. Sadly, we only got to see the cast once and they were indeed excellent.

 

We enjoyed going to Mosiac Café after dinner to hear the Cabaret Entertainer. It was always a fun time. There was live music throughout the ship in several venues, as well as late night action in the Looking Glass with a resident DJ.

 

There were the usual shipboard activities, including trivia, arts & crafts, ping pong, bridge and golf putting. There was a cooking demo with Executive Chef Fabio, afternoon tea and wine-tasting sessions. There was also a full range of complimentary fitness classes and wellness seminars.

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MUSTER

 

Now back to where we started with “Bravo. Bravo. Bravo” …

 

After smoke began filling Windows Café on Deck 9, we made our way down the dimly-lit staircase to Deck 5. I noticed that the doors leading to corridors on Deck 7 and Deck 8 were closed, presumably a safety precaution. There was no panic and people moved silently and quickly. When we arrived outside on Deck 5, other passengers had already gathered. Everybody wondered what was happening.

 

At about 8:20 pm, Captain Karlsson made an announcement that there was a fire in the engine room. It was under control but there was still considerable smoke that crews were battling. He said we were in no danger, but asked us to report to our muster stations as a precaution. He also announced that he would soon be sounding the general emergency alarm. I really appreciated his announcement. By giving us advance warning, he reduced the fear and anxiety that may have occurred had we heard the 7-short and 1-long horn blast without any context.

 

So off to muster we go. The landings and corridors of Deck 5 soon became crowded as we made our way to our respective stations. There was a general sense of immediacy but no panic. Crew were available to assist those who weren’t sure where they needed to go. I was so grateful to be on small ship with manageable numbers.

 

We quickly made our way to Muster Station A located in Cabaret Lounge forward. Crew were stationed at the entrance and took roll call of passengers as we entered. We sat towards the front as instructed and watched as the room filled. Most passengers had been in public rooms when the emergency call went out, so few had life-vests with them. There was no opportunity to go to our staterooms and retrieve them. While we were in muster, stewards went door-to-door to each passenger room and collected life-vests. I saw an enormous pile of them outside on Deck 5, but I’m not sure if these came from the staterooms or were the extras that are always available.

 

We were in muster for almost 3 hours, during which time Captain Karlsson made announcements about every 30-40 minutes. He reported fairly early on that the fire was out but crews were still dealing with considerable smoke. He told us there was damage to the electrical system and it affected basic essentials such as A/C, lights and water. He described that crew were busy trying to cool down the power plant before anything else could happen. Sometimes he had no news to report but made an announcement anyway. This was very much appreciated and helped instill confidence that we were in good hands.

 

Our time in muster was as comfortable as it could be, thanks to the hard-working crew and well-behaved passengers. Staff and crew circulated through the room, offering water and soft drinks. They guided passengers to public toilets, until they became unusable. They answered questions and offered assurances. They were upbeat and well prepared. With only a single exception, passengers were calm. A man who was not fluent in English became somewhat agitated but was quickly subdued when other passengers were able to translate info for him.

 

Apparently passengers in Muster Station B didn’t fare as well. They couldn’t assemble in Discoveries Restaurant because of smoke in the aft part of the ship. So they mustered in the Casino, a much smaller space with insufficient seating. Obviously it was necessary to gather there, even though it was less than adequate for a large group under trying circumstances. But again, reports are that staff and crew did an admirable job in attending to passenger needs.

 

About 9:30 pm, CD Russ came over the loudspeaker and asked several crew members to report immediately to the Front Desk. Initially, he called about 20 crew numbers. He made several follow-up announcements, each time asking for fewer and fewer crew to report. And then he was down to a single name and number. We now know that this crew member was seriously injured in the incident. We later learned that he was trapped in a smoke-filled aft elevator for upwards of 3 hours. The good news is that he has since received appropriate medical care and is recovering well.

 

At about 11:15 pm, Captain Karlsson announced that things were sufficiently under control that he was stepping down measures and we could return to our staterooms. Crew were brilliant in organizing the exit in an orderly fashion, according to our stateroom deck. They guided us to our floors using glow sticks and flashlights. Our room was pitch dark, so we propped open the door to avail of emergency corridor lighting until we could retrieve our own flashlight. Of course, it was still in the suitcase under the bed!

 

Captain Karlsson made a final announcement at about 11:45 pm, noting that things were under control and it was safe for us to sleep. Yet again, he said just what we needed to hear. But before we went to bed, I gathered clothes and put them nearby, just in case we had to evacuate quickly. We slept with our balcony door open but the night air was very still and the room was very hot.

 

We were awakened at 6:45 am by lights and sounds from our TV. Power was back! At 8:00 am, Captain Karlsson confirmed that crews had restored power to engine #1 which gave basic essentials, but still no propulsion, no A/C, no hot water and no food preparation facilities.

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ADRIFT AT SEA

 

Quest was adrift in the Sulu Sea off the coast of Philippines for much of Saturday, March 31 while crew worked to restore propulsion to the engines. Captain Karlsson made numerous announcements, be it to update us on progress, to thank us for our continued patience or to tell us not to be alarmed by the military plane that was circling overhead, who were there for our safety. Who knew that these waters weren’t friendly?

 

Once propulsion was restored about 7:30 pm, we began to make our way to the nearest port in Sandakan, Malaysia. We traveled at 3-6 knots per hour for the next 24+ hours, under the watchful eye of the Philippines Coast Guard.

 

Mid-day on Saturday, March 31 we received a letter from Captain Karlsson which advised that damage caused by the fire meant that the rest of our voyage was cancelled. A follow-up letter on Sunday, April 1 provided compensation info and various options for our remaining time in Asia. Azamara offered passengers a full refund for the current cruise and air, a future cruise certificate for 100% of the fare paid for the cancelled voyage, as well as 4 options for continuing our vacation in Asia. While nobody wanted this outcome, Azamara was generous and timely in reaching out to passengers with viable alternatives to make things better.

 

Meanwhile, life on-board was an adventure. There was no hot water and no food preparation facilities, so meals were basic. Breakfast was fruits, cereal, breads and yoghurt while lunches were sandwiches and salads. Executive Chef Fabio was very proud to declare that he had 4 sandwich choices – ham & cheese, cheese & ham, ham or cheese. It was a hoot. Meals were served on paper plates or aluminum pie tins with plastic utensils. Wine was poured freely into paper cups. It reminded me of camp or college, only with better wine! Dinners were poolside BBQs of chicken, pork and seafood with an array of cold salads. Not bad at all.

 

But the real treat was the caring attitude and good humor of the serving staff. They were fun, cheerful and ever so helpful. We were in this together and we all made the best of it. We couldn’t have asked to be stranded with a finer bunch.

 

During the days, most passengers sought relief from the unrelenting heat by staying on outside decks or in breezeways of the ship. We read, slept and lazed away the time. There was an open bar and free phone calls/internet for passengers who needed to make travel arrangements. Most shipboard activities were canceled or curtailed, although some special activities were offered on Sunday, April 1. I wonder how many showed up for Fly Fishing with CD Russ or Swimsuit Modeling with Hotel Director Philip or Weight Watchers Seminar with F&B Manager Ryzsard? LOL.

 

SAFE ARRIVAL

 

Quest arrived into Sandakan, Malaysia, escorted by tugs, about 9:30 pm on Sunday, April 1. The immediate priority was getting medical care for the seriously injured crew member. An ambulance met the ship and he was transported to hospital.

 

About 11:30 pm, passengers began disembarkation. We were mid-way through the list and left the ship shortly after midnite. There were many officers and staff at the gangway to bid us farewell as we exited - Captain Karlsson, Hotel Director Philip, Cruise Director Russ, Destination Specialist Emilio, as well as shorex staff and members of the Azamara production cast. I will never forget passing that line and saying good-bye to those who stepped up and delivered when we needed them most.

 

We were accommodated in the best available local hotels in Sandakan for 2 nights and then flown by charter to Brunei and onward to Singapore, which was to be the final destination of our ill-fated cruise. When we arrived at the airport in Sandakan, we were surprised to see President Larry Pimentel, who had traveled to Borneo to meet all the displaced passengers. He boarded our bus, and in a voice tinged with emotion, expressed his regrets at our canceled voyage. Now that’s customer commitment! Hotel Director Philip and CD Russ were also there, schlepping luggage and helping where needed.

 

We decided to stay in Singapore for the rest of our vacation, while other passengers chose to go to Bali, or Kuala Lumpur or other places in Asia. Azamara arranged our stay at Fairmont Singapore, a luxury property in the centre of the city, for another 9 nights. They hosted a couple of cocktail parties for us, at which Rick Welch, Manager, Worldwide Port Operations for RCCL, gave updates and additional info. Azamara also provided a fully staffed hospitality desk, a war-room with a hotline to Miami for making travel changes and daily written updates on the status of the ship and injured crew member. We couldn’t have been treated better.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

 

We didn’t get to see Komodo dragons or the Borobodur temple or the beaches of Bali. Hopefully there will be another time. But we had an equally valuable experience. We got the rare opportunity to witness first-hand how Azamara handled an emergency at sea. It was a case study in how to do things right. We are so very grateful to Captain Karlsson, his officers, staff and crew for everything they did, individually and collectively, to keep us safe and as comfortable as possible. We are also thankful to President Larry Pimentel and the corporate team at Azamara/RCCL, who stepped up to address passenger needs in a timely fashion. It’s no wonder that media reports of the incident have been accurate and full of praise for how things were handled.

 

We have full confidence in Azamara and look forward to sailing with them again. In fact, we are currently scouring their 2013 itineraries to find a cruise to another exotic destination. Wherever that may be, I’m sure we’ll love where they take us!

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Thank you for your fantastic well written postings of first hand experience of what it was really like to be on board. From what you write, the onboard staff had clearly thought not only about what they needed to stay to you, but also when and how and that makes all the difference.

 

Hope you are able to enjoy an Azamara cruise very soon and that you get to see the dragons, the temples and the beaches one day before long

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Thank you so much for that very detailed account of your adventure Mighty Quinn. The way the Quest crew and management handled this emergency must be an example to all cruiselines on "how to get it right in an emergency".

 

The good humour and sense of "we are all in this together" demonstrated by the passengers and crew on Quest shone through in your very well written account of those trying days after the fire.

 

It's also so great to know that the injured crew member is recovering now.

 

We were due to be on the Spice Route cruise after yours - which of course was cancelled. I will be on Quest again in September and I can't wait.

 

I just hope that Quest is all repaired and back to her beautiful best now.....and that Larry P is planning a very special thank you for the "best crew at sea".......because they certainly deserve it.

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I was just directed here by a link a friend sent in an e-mail.

Thank you so much for posting your excellent report of the incident. We were aboard an HAL ship when your event occured and we worried how all were doing.

What an impressive job Azamara did.

Thank you for sharing all this information.

Kudos to the Captain and Crew of Quest.

 

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Thank you so much for your long posting, we are boarding on the Quest on the 8th of May and after reading your comment, I am feeling very secure to go on this first cruise ever. English is not my first language but I really can appreciate someone who writes so well. Thanks again.;)

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MightyQuinn,

 

Thank you for the first hand account of experience onboard Quest. We just arrived into NYC this morning onboard Veendam from South America. We knew what happened, but just catching up on the details today (no free internet for past passengers like on Azamara).

 

It is not surprising how well the crew handled the fire emergency. The onboard officers and crew are what sets Azamara apart.

 

Glad to hear everyone is well. We plan to be back onboard next year.

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Dear Mighty Quinn -

I'm awed with admiration and great respect not only for your superb reporting in your splendid narrative, "From Monsoon to Muster: Quest March 26, 2012" but also, with very high regard for your character, temperament and mind-set as you experienced each of these unexpected moments unfolding in an emergency situation.

Your impressions and comments in your report about the manner in which Captain Karlsson, his officers, staff and crew conducted themselves throughout the challenge and your appreciation that President Larry Pimentel was there along with the fact his corporate team addressed your needs in a timely manner, will never be forgotten. But more importantly, your "story" is a valuable contribution that will be treasured and codified into the annals of Azamara Club Cruises' corporate culture accomplishments.

Larry had mentioned to me that he had an opportunity to meet you there and I'm sure that when I alert him and our executive team to visit your impressions of that most unfortunate situation, they will realize, having read your words, they have truly fulfilled their duties and responsibilities.

We appreciate your time and effort in creating this report and value your loyalty.

Gratefully,

Bill Leiber

_____________________

Chief Blogging Officer*

Azamara Club Cruises

(*CBO is an authorized and compensated representative of ACC)

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Thanks, MightyQuinn for your account. It reinforces our loyalty to Azamara and her staff and crew. How good to know that in the unlikely event of an emergency, we will be well cared for, and also that fellow passengers handled the situation well.

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Thanks Mighty Quinn for your report which I have printed as back-up to my own notes, yours being far more detailed.

 

Hope we do meet again on the much requested "reunion cruise", it was such a great and unusual itinerary.

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Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed account of your experience.

We were very fortunate to be on the Christmas/ New Years sailing of the Quest and did get to see the Komodo dragons, Borobodur and Bali. I hope you get the opportunity to return there sometime soon.

I had to smile when I read the onboard activities included a Weight watchers seminar by Ryzsard the F&B manager, hilarious, just goes to show the good humour of the staff when faced with a challenging situation.

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Hi MightyQuinn,

 

Thanks for your outstanding reports. They are greatly appreciated. You truly seem like someone who will always turn lemons into lemonade. I hope we will meet on a future Azamara Cruise. I'd love to have Dinner with you !

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Hope we do meet again on the much requested "reunion cruise", it was such a great and unusual itinerary.

 

We hope they do this cruise again in 2014. We thought it was the best itinerary this year but we had already booked Veendam in South America when this itinerary came out. We would love to cruise from Hong Kong to the Philippines and Komodo Islands. We have reptile pets but have only seen the Komodos in zoos.

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Thanks for all the nice comments. Words are insufficient to describe just how wonderfully the entire Quest team handled the situation. You just had to be there! They deserve all the props.

 

We're also hoping that this itinerary will be repeated in 2014. Many of us on the cancelled voyage expressed interest in a reunion cruise, so perhaps Azamara will consider it. Or maybe it could be offered as a CC cruise - wasn't there talk of something like that a while ago?

 

In the meantime, we're looking at other Azamara cruises for our FCC, since it must be used by April 2013. That poses a slight problem for us, since we already have 3 cruises booked between now and then. So we'll have to (reluctantly) cancel something in order to use it. But we'll make it work!

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Kudos on such a well written and totally accurate recap of our "adventure"! Sorry that I've never met you but do look forward to meeting you on a future Azamara cruise.

 

I've listed this cruise as a 1/3 cruise in our history. We have always enjoyed Azamara and it just keeps getting better. We have a hole in the first half of next year and are looking at what will help fill it in.

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Thank you for a very informative and extensive report. One important practical question though:

 

You wrote “They guided passengers to public toilets, until they became unusable.“ What happened then? You cannot just turn off the bodily functions. Especially since Azamara "pour wine freely".

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Thank you MightQuinn for a very interesting and factual report. The Azamara Quest crew and the Azamara passengers handled it just how how I would expect them to. Congratulations to both crew and passengers.

 

It's my favourite ship and I can't wait for the opportunity to get back onboard.

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Thank you for a very informative and extensive report. One important practical question though:

 

You wrote “They guided passengers to public toilets, until they became unusable.“ What happened then? You cannot just turn off the bodily functions. Especially since Azamara "pour wine freely".

While we were mustered, passengers were taken to nearby public toilets, but since the flushing mechanism went out with the power, they quickly became unusable. I estimate that happened about mid-way through our 3 hours. As far as I know, people were then escorted to their own bathrooms. When power was restored the following morning, everybody was relieved! ;);)

 

Just to clarify - wine was poured freely during lunch and dinner, but there was NO alcohol given during muster. Staff offered bottled water and soft drinks only.

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Great review and thank you for sharing! It's good to know the officers and crew did a great job facing unexpected and difficult circumstances.

 

I am now looking forward to my Quest cruise more than ever. :)

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Thanks for all the nice comments. Words are insufficient to describe just how wonderfully the entire Quest team handled the situation. You just had to be there! They deserve all the props.

 

We're also hoping that this itinerary will be repeated in 2014. Many of us on the cancelled voyage expressed interest in a reunion cruise, so perhaps Azamara will consider it. Or maybe it could be offered as a CC cruise - wasn't there talk of something like that a while ago?

 

In the meantime, we're looking at other Azamara cruises for our FCC, since it must be used by April 2013. That poses a slight problem for us, since we already have 3 cruises booked between now and then. So we'll have to (reluctantly) cancel something in order to use it. But we'll make it work!

Hello Mighty Quinn -

 

Interestingly, the possibly of repeating the same 17-night itinerary from Hong Kong to Singapore in 2014 has already been discussed on another thread. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1617510

 

In fact, I'm awaiting word whether this notion that began as a result of the March 26th Quest experience, will become an actual reality. You'll also notice a discussion concerning the differences that seem to exist among global markets about the time-limit on the FCC. Once I'm briefed on the outcome of the discussion on both topics, I will report back to all concerned on a separate thread.

 

Thanks for today's "Practical Matters" update and your bright sense of humor!

 

Regards,

 

Bill Leiber

___________________

Chief Blogging Officer*

Azamara Club Cruises

(*CBO is an authorized and compensated representative of ACC)

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