oddjob16

Bonnie, you're over the Ocean. Sorry you've probably heard that before.

Anyway. Have a great trip on the finest vessel that have ever sailed the seven seas.

Cabin Number 6051

Ship: Quest

Month/Year: 07/2014

Choose Again: Y

Noise an Issue: N

Balcony Size: Normal

Comments: Great location mid ship

There are 39.3701 inches to a metre all European measurement is metric so it's an idea to understand it a little before following local signposts

 

For simplicity of calculation, 8 kilometres is 5 miles

....or 109 yards per 100 meters:D

Strange how we all have our preferences isn't it?

 

I am very much in the "please do NOT bring back Jim Badger" camp. His routine was entertaining the first and second time round, but it never changed from year to year. After my second Quest Voyage I was word perfect on his whole routine! He also never played on White Night....his preference I gather. Max will play live music for hours on White Night.

 

I find Max to be very talented on both the Piano and the Guitar and his one man shows in The Looking Glass or Cabaret are excellent. Whatever song I ask him to play for me, he always obliges. He is also a genuinely nice guy. Just my opinion of course. :) I totally understand others may not have the same views.

 

I am really looking forward to hearing Max entertain us on Quest in a few weeks time.

Or should I just say: I would like the kind of entertainer that doesn't have to have it all computerized. Max is probably a very skilled player, but the sound is not for me. It is a fact that he could not, or would not, play any requests that was not in his computer. The only time I really enjoyed Max was when he played one day at the pool and jazzed it up a bit.:) As I said, it is a minor remark because all the other entertainment was top notch.

I spent 34 nights on Journey in April/May and another 26 in June/July and there was a full complement of entertainers on all including a guitarist and pianist so hopefully it's not at trend. Entertainment from what I've seen over the past few years does seem to be taken seriously. Hopefully just a blip.

 

Phil

I am glad to hear that the excellent guitar player is still on the Journey. Might be that there was supposed to be one on the Quest as well then.

Other news from Quest: Musical Director Ross Johnson is leaving for Quantum of the Seas and has a new assignment as MD for Mama Mia the Musical. I am sure he will be a great loss for Azamara, but equally sure they have found a good replacement.

Thanks for your review. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I'd have to disagree with you about the cost cutting as a general thing. Perhaps you were unlucky on your sailing, but I certainly saw no evidence of it in the entertainment on Journey. In fact I started another thread praising it and others seemed to concur.

 

Phil

All the entertainment, apart from the pianist, was first class. Just pointing out that some live acts have been taken off. If it is a trend it might cause some worry.

And yes, we had a great cruise. Still no point in looking elsewhere.

Oddjob, could you put your review in its own thread, as Little Britain has done here? That way people can read it and make comments/ask questions. It's a really good review!

OK. Just did. Thanks for the tip.:)

Posting this as recommended by Deirdre

The review::)

We have only sailed on Azamara Journey before and were looking forward to this voyage with it's sibling. We choose this cruise mainly because of the itinerary, but it was also a nice opportunity to get to know the other ship in the Azamara fleet.

Last year Azamara only docked at the San Basillio terminal in Venice and we were anticipating that for this sailing as well. We tried at an early stage to get information about which terminal to be used but this information was not available until we got our travel documents, - i.e we got confirmed San Basillio.

Four days before the cruise we had an email from Azamara changing the terminal to Marittima. This information was late and we learned that the port authorities had assigned Azamara the Marittima terminal several months before.

The embarkation: Getting on the ship was not as swift as we are used to. Maybe because of the change of terminal. The database failed several times and we were left in the queue for 45 minutes with only a couple of people ahead of us. We finally got to the gangway and was welcomed aboard with the usual glass of champagne. The Quest is basically identical to the Journey and we felt at home immediately. Noticed that there were no senior officers at the gangway, but this could have been coincidental.

Sail-off from Venice was beautiful and with the warm silky air we decided to have dinner in the Windows Café if we could get a table outside. So we did. We watched the skyline of Venice sink into the golden wake of the ship as the sun set behind us. Food was fantastic and we loved every minute of it. On the Journey we have actually never had dinner in the Windows Café, but preferred to eat in the main restaurant Discoveries or one of the two specialty restaurants Aqualina and Prime C. The food in Windows were beyond our expectations. They had an Italian Buffet that evening and it was amazing. A wide selections of pastas, steaks and a station making Risottos and Ravioli by the order plus some spectacular antipasti. We were in heaven.

So to make a long story short: We actually had lunches and dinners in Windows for the rest of the cruise. Not only for the convenience but mainly because the evenings were so beautiful and that we considered ourselves to be lucky to dine under the stars watching the sunsets from the open deck in Windows. The food was fantastic in the buffet and we said to ourselves that this must be much better than having the conventional meals in the MDR. Our choice,- this time.

We have had so many beautiful dinners in the restaurants on previous cruises and can highly recommend them all. We just never got to any of them this cruise.:-) Mind you: we tried to get a table in Aqualina and Prime C but never got further than the waiting list. Since we cruised with Journey last year they have introduced some "Dining Packages" where you can pre-book between 3 and 5 nights in the specialty restaurants and this has obviously made an impact on availability for the ad hoc reservations. You have to buy these packages when boarding and for us it meant that we never got a chance to go. We deliberately decided to NOT buy a package, since we only want one or maybe two nights in these restaurants. We got on the waiting list, but never got in. Sad to say we don't think this enhances the Azamara experience. It has always been possible to book a table in the specialty restaurants when on board on a first come first serve basis. Now the only people who can get in are the ones who decide on the first day, and they have to take three nights minimum. A move to the worse IMHO.

Well, for us it didn't matter that much, and for this cruise we were much better off in the Windows Café.

Ports:

It was a bit port intensive this year. Normally Azamara take you to a port in the morning and then you stay until late night. This time it was a bit different. We got into Zadar on the first morning with just a daytime walkabout before we moved on to Split. Zadar was a beautiful city and the old town was fantastically picturesque. The daytime sailing southwards to Split was delightful and we enjoyed it by the pool and later on from the Windows Café where we, once again had the sunset table for dinner.

Arriving Split at 9 pm there was not much to be done in the city other than have a short walk along the Riva. We had a longer sightseeing the day after and once again a fantastic city to explore by foot. We were impressed by it's beauty and history.

Later that afternoon we sailed on to Hvar where we having the Azamazing Evening. Hvar is the "rich and beautiful"-people's paradise in Croatia, -kind of like a tiny Saint Tropez. Prices are slightly higher but it is a beautiful port. We had a hike up to the fortress above Hvar and then had lunch in the port. Another beautiful place and where we definitively like to return some day. The Azamazing Evening with a cello concert by the Croatian star cellist Ana Rucner was fabulous. Even more than we anticipated. What a firework she put out. What a lady. All honours to Azamara and it's shore team for being able to give us such a performance. High class. Brava

Kotor was next and this time we were urged to get up early to watch the sailing into the fjord-like landscape leading into Kotor. This day in Kotor we were competing with 4 other ships and the port load was more than 8000 people. We had booked an excursion with Azamara and managed to get out of the city fairly easy. We had a beautiful trip to a small farm where we were treated to beautiful cured ham and cheese, all locally produced. We had entertainment and both wine and local grappa tasting. A great guide told us all about Montenegro and it's history and was a very informative and humorous element in the tour. When we got back to Kotor the tiny city was still packed with people, but we did a sightseeing with our guide and ended up with a cold beer in one of the many restaurants in the old city. Evening in Kotor seemed like it was going to rain, but as it slowly cleared up everything was set for the White Night on the pool deck.

A great White Night as always, and Cruise Director Russ Grieve brought in local dancers before he let the Azamara band play up the dance.

Dubrovnik was our next stop. This is a port where you are better off tendering into port than being docked in the cruise harbor which is more than 7 km outside of town. Azamara ran buses every half hour, so really no big deal, but if you get on the bus at the "wrong time" it will take you 45 minutes to get there. Next time we would prefer tendering. The stop in Dubrovnik was also a short one. Sail-off was at 15:00 and little time to do anything else than just see the old city and rush back to the ship.

Last stop Venice. We arrived in the morning and had another wonderful day in Venice. We have done the major sights before and just walked around in areas where there are fewer tourists,- had a lovely lunch and walked some more. Off course our preferred table at the back of Windows Café was available and we had a fantastic last night in the best spot in Venice, - high above the city with magnificent view and a quiet restaurant.

Crew:

Well what can I say. We are used to the very best crew on the seven seas aboard the Journey. Russ, the Cruise Director, told us that we probably would think the same after a week on the Quest. "Your first love will always be your true love", he said smiling. And he was right. We did find some differences in the crews, but almost same quality on the Quest as on the Journey. First of all we had a fantastic captain in Jose Vilarinho. He is a smiling and open personality and easy to like. Russ is the very best of all CDs we have had. Just half an inch above the rest , -he he he.

Entertainement was great. We enjoyed all of the shows and the fantastic ensemble. We have seen most of them before with other castings, but that is OK.

Piano player: Honestly, we are not enjoying the location and the way they do it nowadays. I am sure the piano players, both on Journey and Quest, are good players, but when they bring all the music in a tiny laptop and put the vocals on with a sharp echo it is too much. Our player got a request from a fellow passenger, but couldn't play it as he didn't have it in his computer. I miss Jim Badger.

We missed the "welcome home" on the gangway( security crew was not as friendly as we are used to) and the presence of senior officers when getting off the ship. Just minor things. The crew in the pool bar can also learn a thing or two from their colleagues on the Journey about customer satisfaction. We had some mishaps there.

The drinks, - the so called all-inclusive, are difficult to administer. There are some drink packages that works for some but are a waste of money for most people.

The drinks package we had on our first cruise, before the so-called all-inclusive was introduced was much easier to relate to. We did buy it then and would do it again if Azamara changed back to the old drinks packages.

Product in total: Azamara has done some changes since we sailed with them the first time in 2011.

They have gotten rid of the harpist playing in the Discoveries lounge, the band that used to play on the deck at sail offs and during some afternoons, - the guitar player that replaced the band is gone, -they have occupied the Mosaic café with art auctions, - the dinner venues are more difficult to get in to, - in short all are , in one way or the other are in the "cost-cutting" segment.

Next year Azamara is chartering their ships, or mostly the Quest, to other agents and many of the weeks are unavailable. This is clearly also a way for Azamara to make money. We love Azamara and the experience on board both ships. It will be interesting to see how they will develop their product in the future. If they continue the cost-cutting on board we will soon have no band and no entertainement, just a couple of DJs and maybe a singer. The crews are still Azamaras greatest assets. We still love to come on board and we will still book new voyages, but we are worried for the future........

Then I have done my "duty". My review is posted.:)

http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=259166

Most times the Tonic (both standard and diet)on Azamara is the unpalatable 'Royal Club' brand.

It does depend where in the world the ships are, and the subsequent supply chain.

Unpalatable, what a lovely description. 89ø9ø9ø9øf3gvbec

You don't? Then read these postings from earlier this thread:

I stand corrected. :)

There just appear to be a vocal very few here who have expressed concern that they might not have access any time they'd like, and that, in my opinion, is an utterly unrealistic expectation.

 

If Azamara at some point decides to have a private restaurant for suite guests only, a la NCL's Haven, they are free to do so, and should advertise it that way so there is no misunderstanding. But, as of July 22, 2014, the specialty restaurants are open to everyone on a first-come, first-reserved basis. If someone objects to that, there's always NCL.;)

Marinaro: I don't interpret any of these "very few" as wanting access any time they like.

The first come first serve has always worked well, but doesn't seem to be working well now.

Our last cruise was full and the second day into the cruise we put ourselves on the waiting list for any of the specialty restaurants. We never got in. When they sell packages with at least three pre-booked nights it will influence the rest of the passengers,-including suite guests.

IMHO Azamara has "fiddled" with a concept that actually did work well, and now it doesn't anymore.

I agree. it was a very nice cruise but, as you said, a bit port intensive as we would have prefered to stay longer in each port. The usual "morning to evening" stay was only done in Kotor and Venice.

Dubrovnik was too short, I second that, but then again,- they managed to put in a fabulous itinerary for a seven days cruise. Next time we will be looking for a 10 day cruise or just do a B2B. I mean: "Who wants to leave after seven days." lol.

The crew was new to us as we have only sailed on Journey. Russ, the excellent Cruise director, said that I would probably be a Journey fan also after the cruise, because, as he put it, the first love will always be your preferred one. I agree with Russ, but we did also love the Quest. Fantastic Captain Jose and fabulous crew. We had some minor remarks about a few things that we did put in the feedback form we were sent by mail but no big issues. We mentioned the drink packages (again) and the new top floor dining packages. Nothing to do with Quest, this is the same for Journey.

It is going to be interesting to see where Azamara is moving in the future. We have seen some changes since we cruised with them for the first time in 2011. All of them seems to be in the "cutting costs"-segment and the product has gotten slightly less attractive during the years.

Les, you write it so wonderfully. I agree with everything so far. We didn't go ashore in Split, but had a blast of entertainement just sitting on the veranda listeining to the music from the Riva in Split. Hvar was fantastic and the consert with Ana Rucner was spectacular. She is Croatia's sweetheart and one of the most popular artist in this region. She performs worldwide and Azamara has done a great job getting her to perform for us.:)

We also noticed people leaving before the end of the concert, but my first thought was that they were trying to get a head start back to the tenders. I was upset by this and I could see on Ana's face that she was a bit confused as people started moving out before she had finished. We try to teach our kids good manners, but some elders sure would benefit from a refresher course in basic behaviour.:(

I second your experience of the Mosaic Cafe as an evening Buffet. We have normally dined in Discoveries and the speciality restaurants, but this time we found it difficult to pass on Windows as we had such fantastic evenings in the open air , either when sailing and the sun was setting in the ship's wake, or when docked and enjoying beautiful views of Venice. The food in Mosaic was way past our expectations and we were flabbergasted by the delicious and delicate dishes. Just fantastic.:D I told Fabio and he was very thankful, and made sure our comments got back to the kitchen staff.:D

No need to get all excited with this. Procter made a valid point. A packed Aqualina or Prime C often results in very busy evenings for the staff. He says they are slightly undermanned, and I agree. The result being a slightly poorer dining experience than necessary.

The packages is bad news for everybody, -not only for suite guests.

First of all: Our ideal cruise would include one or maybe two evenings in the speciality restaurants. Now we can't even get one, if you don't get on the waiting list when embarking,that is.

We did have the Chefs Table once and we where quite happy with it, but on a one week cruise I would not do it again. Why? Takes too long time.

We like to have dinner under the stars in Windows cafe and we love the food in Discoveries.

Once in a while I like to go to Aqualina, -but I prefer to drop it now that it is so much hassle with it.

Never seen drunk people there, but if someone has, it doesn't surprise me at all.

Thanks, Les. Great writing. I'll fill in where I can.

From my experience it does seem to depend upon venue and indeed the bar server. We'd have evening drinks in Looking Glass on Journey and always had nibbles, whether it was a small jar of nuts/dried snacks or the Feta, olives and peanut selection (bar server Dale was always quick to put them out). This has also been my experience at the Discovery Lounge. Not so much at the Sunset or Pool Bars. If there has been any gastro-intestinal illness this has affected the dishing out of nibbles too.

 

Phil

I had a wonderful cruise on Quest last week, but can confirm OP's remarks are correct. The difference from our last cruise on the Journey was noticeable. The pool bar crew seemed to lack that little last touch in every aspect. Not that the service was bad, but it didn't have that little extra.

We asked the bartender for some peanuts and got the "wrong" answer, as he told us that there was not any peanuts,- the ship was emty for peanuts. I met Jonathan, the Food and beveraage Manager shorly after, and asked him: " Have you really run out of peanuts??" He looked at me and thought I was pulling his leg. He imediately wanted the whole story and got it. One minute later he returned to my table with a jar of peanuts and said: "I have to go and sack someone", - I don't know if he was ironic or boiling mad:cool:

Just back from Quest and note they now have Dining Packages - which effectively mean that the specialty restaurants are booked out by lunch on Day 1!! They do represent very good value IMO.

 

3 Table Tour - $60pp

1 night at Aqualina; 1 night at Prime C and 3rd night at either

 

4 Table Tour - $80pp

2 nights at Aqualina; 2 nights at Prime C

 

Chefs Table Plus 2 - $115pp

1 night at Aqualina; 1 night at Prime C; 1 night at Chefs Table

 

Chefs Table Plus 4 - $155pp

2 nights at Aqualina; 2 nights at Prime C; 1 night at Chefs Table

 

Chefs Table Tour $255pp

3 nights at Chefs Table.

Thanks, Les. Great cruise and so nice to meet you.

The value of these packages are very good. We have done all venues on previous cruises and recomend them wholeheartedly. This time we saw the packages and got a litlle dissapointed as it made it so much more difficult to get just one night at speciality reataurants, and we were just not able to get one. Well,- for us it didn't matter, we had beautiful dinners in the Windows Cafe and can say that we had the best places in the "house" as we sat outside by the raillings enjoying the silky air and the sun setting in the wake.

The food. OMG the food! (I sound like an american) We had so much good food. I told Fabio that we were impressed and that this time they had really surpassed themselves. I know the buffet can be a bit tricky and that some people prefer to be served at a table from a menu, but we have never had so good food on Azamara before. Fabio alternates between Quest and Journey, but as he said, it is the crew in the kitchen that actually puts the food on your plate.:)

The only dock is in the town of Rhodos. Pier is just outside the gates of the old town. :) Rhodos is beautiful and the old town is great, but also a bit of a tourist trap. Don't let that put you down. Great places to see and great places to eat. Just have a great time. You will love it:)

This post is about the wines and I compiled some reviews from the net about all the wines that are on the complimentary wine list. Hope it makes wine decisions easier.:):p:pJust have a look at the first post and there is a file to view or download

Thank you so much with the outpouring of comments on this thread regarding the Azamara experience and your accolades for our onboard teams.

I've shared your comments here with the executive members on the Azamara shoreside and onboard.

I also want to share with you an opportunity for you post your experiences by creating your own lasting AzAmazing Memory with us. On our Share Stories page you can create a storybook about your Azamara cruise experience with your own images or you can create you own video My Azamovie to share with your friends on your social media.

Great initiative, Bonnie. We will also put some great moments in here. Wonder why nobody thought of this before.:)

Great post, Ann. See you in Venice in three weeks. New Captain on board.:)

Like:)

Beware of the Istanbul port directions which is not correct. You might have the right address in your travel documents, but the Azamara web site is completely wrong.

Bonnie, have a look at the port directions in general. I have no clue as to ports globally, but from my own experience the directions are often misleading. The Venice port directions can be excused as it is not easy for Azamara to know which port will be allocated by the port authorities. Have a look at Istanbul. I pointed out last year that port directions for Istanbul were severely incorrect. The written directions for Istanbul has not been changed and is still giving a route to the city of Pendik, a mere 30 km outside Istanbul. The map has changed and is now pointing out: The Istanbul Port Hotel. :eek::eek:

Still a long way from the cruise port in Istanbul.(Karakoy). If anyone tries to make their own way to the port in Istanbul based on Azamaras directions they will miss their departure. Fix it!:confused: