Just back from Quest

We have just returned home from our first cruise on Quest. Whilst we have to agree that the crew are fabulous we are slightly disappointed with certain elements of the cruise. For the cost of the cruise was surprised that "nibbles" were never brought around with the pre dinner drinks and had to ask for nuts etc. even had to go to the bar on several occasions to request a drink. Never had this service on celebrity, Silversea or Oceania. Think Azamara need to "up their fame" if they want to compete with other lines. If the price and itinerary was acceptable would cruise Azamara again but would not be my first choice.

We have just returned home from our first cruise on Quest. Whilst we have to agree that the crew are fabulous we are slightly disappointed with certain elements of the cruise. For the cost of the cruise was surprised that "nibbles" were never brought around with the pre dinner drinks and had to ask for nuts etc. even had to go to the bar on several occasions to request a drink. Never had this service on celebrity, Silversea or Oceania. Think Azamara need to "up their fame" if they want to compete with other lines. If the price and itinerary was acceptable would cruise Azamara again but would not be my first choice.

Oh dear, Im so sorry that you were disappointed with your cruise on Quest.

We have sailed 4 times on Quest and are boarding again in 2 weeks. Azamara for us is pure luxury, and we have enjoyed every single aspect of this cruise line, so far.

Were there any other factors which caused you to be disappointed other than drinks and nibbles?

Jen

Thanks for the report!

We have just returned home from our first cruise on Quest. Whilst we have to agree that the crew are fabulous we are slightly disappointed with certain elements of the cruise. For the cost of the cruise was surprised that "nibbles" were never brought around with the pre dinner drinks and had to ask for nuts etc. even had to go to the bar on several occasions to request a drink. Never had this service on celebrity, Silversea or Oceania. Think Azamara need to "up their fame" if they want to compete with other lines. If the price and itinerary was acceptable would cruise Azamara again but would not be my first choice.

Hello Cruzadict,

I will let the Hotel Department know of your complaint. I do hope you said something to the Hotel Manager whilst on-board, thus allowing them to fix this omission? It would sadden all of us if your lasting memory of our on-board service is ruined by something that could have been fixed so easily.

So sorry you were disappointed. We are on a B2B in August and are really looking forward to it. I hope things do improve. We love Azamara and Quest is our favorite.

We mentioned it on our half way comments form so hopefully someone will take note. Can't pinpoint anything else in particular, just doesn't seem to have the finesse of our other cruises.

We are going to be back on Quest in November and we are looking forward to being pampered AGAIN. Hope the little things you mentioned are cleared up by the time we get on her.

Thanks for the report. :) :)

We have just returned home from our first cruise on Quest. Whilst we have to agree that the crew are fabulous we are slightly disappointed with certain elements of the cruise. For the cost of the cruise was surprised that "nibbles" were never brought around with the pre dinner drinks and had to ask for nuts etc. even had to go to the bar on several occasions to request a drink. Never had this service on celebrity, Silversea or Oceania. Think Azamara need to "up their fame" if they want to compete with other lines. If the price and itinerary was acceptable would cruise Azamara again but would not be my first choice.

Oh dear! how awful for you, had to get your own drinks from the bar sometimes and no pre dinner nibbles with your pre dinner drinks.

I am a little confused (never takes much) having sailed on Celebrity a few times, I remember no pre dinner nibbles or drinks for that matter, am I missing an event?

Although given the size and availability of lovely food on both sister lines, I confess that even my hubby would have problems eating nibbles (unless you mean those nut and bombay mix things ) before dinner, if he wanted to enjoy his dinner, that is. Perhaps Azamara did not want to ruin your appetite, maybe?

Anyway maybe Azamara will compensate you for the lack of nibbles although I don't ever remember getting any or requesting any on any Azamara cruise, nasty bug spreaders :)

We have never sailed Silversea or Oceania so cannot comment on their totally non self service bar service, but on our various X's we have frequently had to go to various bars for service and on two occasions were (along with all the other passengers) evicted from the nightclub at 11pm so that staff parties could take place. No problem with staff having a party, but it did say dancing from 11pm until late, both nights and everything else was closed due to the staff parties. This happened on two celebrity sailings. Never any nibbles at the bars unless requested in those rather strangely shaped perspex things (would not like to comment further on their shape) filled with honey coated teeth crackers, hope they have a dentist on board was the oft heard call lol!

Looking forward to your full report, sure it will be wonderful, although perhaps not your taste, Azamara is anything anyone who likes relaxed would want it to be, if you let it! Don't let little niggles make you think badly of what I am sure was a superb time ;)

All very odd about the nibbles, never missed them!

Yvonne

We have just returned home from our first cruise on Quest. Whilst we have to agree that the crew are fabulous we are slightly disappointed with certain elements of the cruise. For the cost of the cruise was surprised that "nibbles" were never brought around with the pre dinner drinks and had to ask for nuts etc. even had to go to the bar on several occasions to request a drink. Never had this service on celebrity, Silversea or Oceania. Think Azamara need to "up their fame" if they want to compete with other lines. If the price and itinerary was acceptable would cruise Azamara again but would not be my first choice.

We just returned from a B2B on the Quest and found the service great. You couldn't even turn around without having your wine glass refilled or a replacement beer. On Oceania it was difficult to get someone to take your drink order. We got "nibbles" with our drinks in the lounge after dinner.

If asked you get boring nuts in the paino bar.. I see the cheese/other plate

all the time in Discoveries.. you can get sushi from like 5 pm on in windows and sit outside and have a drink. I have ruined dinner wih my cabin food so what are you looking for???

I echo Robyn...IF we are feeling peckish and don't mind forgoing our first course wherever we are dining later, we go by Windows and pick up a little appetizer plate to enjoy with a glass of wine and the sunset. Discoveries has always had a decent and nicely presented offering of olives, goat cheese, and cashews while we waited for dinner (maybe they have discontinued that?). I usually asked them to move it. Better things to come.

So sorry that you came away feeling displeased about your trip. We are excited about our next cruise on Azamara!

Just home as well and made the dreadful mistake of getting on my scale! We did get nibbles(cubed feta, olives, nuts) with pre dinner drinks in discovery lounge. We had great beverage service in the lounges, on the pool deck, at dinner in every venue. We had a great cruise. So it does seem there may be some inconsistency in delivery, but we must have been on the right side of that every time.

I must admit that on our first cruise, if the bartender didn't put out the nibbles (and sometimes he was slow...we were usually among his first customers:)), we reminded him, until we became accustomed to the bounty that was awaiting us in the dining room. Oh, and after the first night, he anticipated our drinks order.

I knew it was sometong with the cheese.. a couple times on Quest i followed Ruby to get her strong drinks and ate cheese. that was dinner! you travel enough you skip meals or eat extra small.

leaving in 10 or 11 days- who is counting right- for the journey and frozen N.

I knew it was sometong with the cheese.. a couple times on Quest i followed Ruby to get her strong drinks and ate cheese. that was dinner! you travel enough you skip meals or eat extra small.

 

leaving in 10 or 11 days- who is counting right- for the journey and frozen N.

Ruby makes great drinks! :D

We got the nibbles a few times but not all the time but no issue for us and yes we had to order drinks at the Casino bar sometimes and sometimes we sat down and had a waiter come up to us! Little inconsistencies but always loads to eat and drink and luckily walked off any excess! :)

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We have just returned home from our first cruise on Quest. Whilst we have to agree that the crew are fabulous we are slightly disappointed with certain elements of the cruise. For the cost of the cruise was surprised that "nibbles" were never brought around with the pre dinner drinks and had to ask for nuts etc. even had to go to the bar on several occasions to request a drink. Never had this service on celebrity, Silversea or Oceania. Think Azamara need to "up their fame" if they want to compete with other lines. If the price and itinerary was acceptable would cruise Azamara again but would not be my first choice.

If it costs $2000pp more to travel on Silverseas just to get nibbles....I know which line I'd chose....:rolleyes:

We are just back from Quest and would suggest we cut the OP a little more slack as I think they were using the illustration of the lack of nibbles as an example, not a plea for more food!

I will do a full review once the washing is out of the machine, it was a good cruise, lots of positives but before reading this we had already highlighted on board and on our feedback minor inconsistencies around service at the bars and restaurants. Cannot fault the food, but service issues were a little too evident, all around inconsistencies between individual staff. Nothing earth shattering, but I can see why the OP as a new Azamara guest might have picked up on them.

We are comparing with Journey a month ago and although very good indeed I would not yet be signing up to the "Quest is best" mantra the Captain encouraged the crew to chant. We will however be happily giving Quest further opportunities in the coming year to practice what they want to preach

We are just back from Quest and would suggest we cut the OP a little more slack as I think they were using the illustration of the lack of nibbles as an example, not a plea for more food!

 

I will do a full review once the washing is out of the machine, it was a good cruise, lots of positives but before reading this we had already highlighted on board and on our feedback minor inconsistencies around service at the bars and restaurants. Cannot fault the food, but service issues were a little too evident, all around inconsistencies between individual staff. Nothing earth shattering, but I can see why the OP as a new Azamara guest might have picked up on them.

 

We are comparing with Journey a month ago and although very good indeed I would not yet be signing up to the "Quest is best" mantra the Captain encouraged the crew to chant. We will however be happily giving Quest further opportunities in the coming year to practice what they want to preach

Ann,

It is fascinating that among those of us who love Azamara we each feel an affinity to one of the ships.

I had a wonderful cruise on Journey in May but am one of the proponents of the Quest is best gang.

And if you asked me why I come to this conclusion it is hard for me to articulate, particularly as I found the food on Journey a smidgin better than when I was last on Quest in October.

I am returning to Journey in November and am very happy to be doing so. Yes for indefinable reasons I prefer Quest but consider myself fortunate to have two lovely Azamara ships to choose from.

Hazel

Ann,

 

It is fascinating that among those of us who love Azamara we each feel an affinity to one of the ships.

 

I had a wonderful cruise on Journey in May but am one of the proponents of the Quest is best gang.

 

And if you asked me why I come to this conclusion it is hard for me to articulate, particularly as I found the food on Journey a smidgin better than when I was last on Quest in October.

 

I am returning to Journey in November and am very happy to be doing so. Yes for indefinable reasons I prefer Quest but consider myself fortunate to have two lovely Azamara ships to choose from.

 

Hazel

I have to agree partly with you, having just come back from the Quest there are small definable differences between the ships which add to the character of each of them. We love both ships, we have an affinity to the Journey, but largely only because in recent times we have sailed more often on that ship. Our very first cruise was on the Quest with Captain Carl and we loved it, similarly this month's cruise on the Quest with Captain Jose was excellent.

My only gripe with the Quest is the way in which they sometimes restrict access to the rear Windows deck for breakfast until 7.30am, something we have never experienced on the Journey.

PS We never had a problem with nibbles or service in The Looking Glass before dinner!

Ruby makes great drinks! :D

I have done her upcharge drinks and am done for he night wih drinks. if i am lucky i found a snack i nwondows but forget dinner. i showed up in shorts after sightseeing and left 2 hours later. will let her know on face book.

I agree with uktog to give the OP some leeway. They did after all say 'slight' disappointment. After all, everyone is entitled to their opinions and I was quite surprised to read Yvonne's (HugandPug) comments.

This is usually such a friendly forum.

I am a Quest fan, I think mainly due to sailing with Captain Carl but I haven't yet sailed with Captain Jose.

Two upcoming cruises, one on each ship!

We have just returned home from our first cruise on Quest. Whilst we have to agree that the crew are fabulous we are slightly disappointed with certain elements of the cruise. For the cost of the cruise was surprised that "nibbles" were never brought around with the pre dinner drinks and had to ask for nuts etc. even had to go to the bar on several occasions to request a drink. Never had this service on celebrity, Silversea or Oceania. Think Azamara need to "up their fame" if they want to compete with other lines. If the price and itinerary was acceptable would cruise Azamara again but would not be my first choice.

Last Quest trip I was on I felt the exact opposite. I always was asking for the bartenders/servers to stop bringing snacks (usually nuts, olives and cheese things) and drink refills as both were going to waste pre-dinner when I wanted one cocktail and no snacks.

John

Couple of weeks ago, we were in Olden on the Queen Victoria. As we approached Olden, we saw the Journey and felt nostalgic about our Christmas cruise from Rio to Buenos Aires, and our magical trip to India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka a couple of years ago. When we returned to port after an excellent excursion to the Kjenndalen Glacier, we felt like trading our boarding cards (hmmm, perhaps there's an old Azamara card in one of my handbag pockets) and jumping ship to the Journey.

We had no complaints about the service on the QV, although because of the larger passenger capacity (1900) and passenger/crew ratio, it was perhaps less personable than on the Azamara ships. After reading horror stories, food was better than we expected on the QV. However, opportunities for free nibbles were fewer (free pastries at the cafe, but you have to pay for the coffee; a delicious lunch at the pub, but you have to pay for the beer and sodas). Our itinerary (Norway and Iceland) was similar to one offered by Azamara later this summer. Entertainment was better on the QV (although Eric de Gray still holds a place on our hearts), but what really made us wish we were on the Journey was the passenger mix. Lots of Azamara fans say that it's the crew that makes the line special -- and we agree -- but we had underestimated the value of an eclectic, international passenger mix interested in interacting with fellow passengers.

Thus, OP, I'm sorry your first cruise on Azamara was not as you expected, but the congenial, not snobbish, atmosphere on board is something we missed while on the QV.

Below are two photos of the Journey in Olden. Yes, I was taking photos of ANOTHER ship in the fjords!

I think perhaps some people are taking my post out of context. I never said at any time that I went hungry or was short of food and the crew were mostly fantastic. I was simply expressing the fact that I found certain things not up to the standard we were expecting from azamara considering that it is not a cheap cruise line. I will think twice before putting any more posts on this board as some of the replies, I think, are uncalled for.

Another small gripe is the glass wear. This is equivalent to the standard you would receive in a local pub. At lunch red wine is served in exactly the same glass as white wine. When we asked if we could have the nicer wine glasses we were told that they are only used if you PURCHASE wine.