Quest is the Best

[emel]

Just returned from a b2b, Rome to Athens on the Quest. It was an absolutely wonderful experience. We were so impressed with the excellent quality on this ship we've booked another b2b next summer to the Baltic and Norway.

 

We consider ourselves experienced and discerning cruisers, sailing on ships from the QE2, to the ScenicTours Riverboat Emerald, and others in between. Because of the negative comments posted on this board re ACC, we were a little apprehensive, but the positive comments did alleviate our worries somewhat. Well I'd like to say the positive posters were right.

 

The ship, the service provided by the excellent staff and crew, the food and the ambience were what we were hoping for and we were not disappointed.

 

We met a lot of interesting fellow cruisers, some experienced and some novice. They all spoke highly of their experience on the Quest. Only one person had a couple of negative comments which he said were not critical issues.

 

The only issue we had was a couple of shore excursions in Venice and that was because they weren't what we expected. They were outside of the city and the time would have been better spent in town.

 

The Food and Beverage staff were outstanding. Wherever you ate or drank on the ship they were so friendly in a genuine way. They went out of their way to accommodate special request. We never had to wait very long for service or help in any area.

 

The housekeeping staff were also very friendly and efficient. Not in your face but there when you needed them. It's amazing how they tune in to the habits of the guest and get to know your schedules. The room was always freshened and clean by time we returned from breakfast and again after dinner.

 

A comment often heard was the service attitude came from the top, on board, that was Captain Carl Smith. He was visible, informative and friendly.

We had some rough weather a couple of times, especially while anchored in Sorrento, by the late afternoon of the first day the wind became so strong we had to move to Naples that evening. The next night when we left Naples and the next day at sea, were certainly exciting if you like rough weather. Throughout this experience, Captain Smith kept the passengers informed as to what was happening weather wise and what his course of action was going to be. Moving to Naples caused problems for both ACC tours and private tours the next day, plus passengers that we're still on shore when the move could not be delayed any longer. They left some staff at Sorrento to wait for and escort those passengers by bus to Naples. Arrangements were made to provide free shuttle service back to Sorrento the next day, for rearranging pickups of passengers for ship tours and assisting passengers in making changes to private tours. These actions left an impression to me of a cruise line that goes that extra mile.

 

Because of all the above, we eagerly anticipate our cruise next year. Mary Lou

[uktog]

Lovely to hear your posiivie reactions Lou. Quest seems to be even better than when I enjoyed it and I did not think that would be possible

[moseley]

Thank you for your positive blog. I can hardly wait to go on our cruise in Jan., we were on the Journey 2 yrs ago and had a wonderful time, the staff can make all the difference! Just hope we can cont. to afford this great line!

[Goldygolfer]

Thank you Mary Lou (Emel) for your excellent report. We have not sailed with Azamara before, but we are boarding the Quest in Istanbul this Saturday for three b2b cruises all the way through to Singapore. I was already excited, but you have made me even more so. Can't wait !!!

[Andy]

Hi Mary Lou !

 

Thank You for sharing your comments with us. I'm happy to hear that you had a great cruise on Quest. Welcome Home !

[MightyQuinn]

Because of the negative comments posted on this board re ACC, we were a little apprehensive, but the positive comments did alleviate our worries somewhat. Well I'd like to say the positive posters were right.

Were they right? Or did they just happen to have the same experience as you & therefore you agree with them? I don’t believe that those who post contrary opinions are wrong. That was their experience & they are entitled to report on it. After all, any review is simply an interpretation of an experience. There is no right or wrong except on matters of fact.

 

Emel, I enjoyed your comments about Quest. You obviously had a wonderful Azamara experience. I must say that we had a somewhat different experience on Journey (April/10). Some things were exactly as you described, others not so much. I posted a comprehensive review, giving both positives & negatives. While our experience was different than yours, I can assure you it was not wrong.

 

In the end, I take ALL reviews with a grain of salt. :):)

[GSPLover]

Were they right? Or did they just happen to have the same experience as you & therefore you agree with them? I don’t believe that those who post contrary opinions are wrong. That was their experience & they are entitled to report on it. After all, any review is simply an interpretation of an experience. There is no right or wrong except on matters of fact.

 

Emel, I enjoyed your comments about Quest. You obviously had a wonderful Azamara experience. I must say that we had a somewhat different experience on Journey (April/10). Some things were exactly as you described, others not so much. I posted a comprehensive review, giving both positives & negatives. While our experience was different than yours, I can assure you it was not wrong.

 

In the end, I take ALL reviews with a grain of salt. :):)

 

Not going to address who is right or wrong - too subjective.

 

We were on the Journey on the Apr 1 sailing (the day the rebranding started). We had both positives and negatives about that cruise - mostly positive.

 

We were on the Oct 2nd sailing of the Quest. The negatives that we saw in April were totally gone. The positives were enhanced multi-fold. Cannot get back on the Journey to compare.

 

Give Azamara a break. They started in April to redefine themselves and this takes time (not days but weeks, even months). I think that they have done a tremendous job and I'm certain that they will continue to improve. We're about ready to book a B2B on the Quest in Aug 2011.

[Grandma Gilly]

I am not sailing on Quest until February but was so delighted to hear your positive feedback. I have been on Journey (and loved it) but that was before the re-branding. I wonder if there will be a change of captain before I board? Captain Carl certainly seems to keep a happy ship!

[2cruisetogether]

I was on the same cruise and would certainly agree with all the comments, we are back on the Quest at the end of March and can't wait.