A Beginner's Guide to Azamara--Quest Christmas Voyage 2013

[dln929]

I'm a little overwhelmed by the compliments (but I like them :D).

 

I forgot to mention one notable thing. Clothing. You can see from my signature line that we've pretty well kept ourselves to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. We like them very much. Because we predominantly take cruise vacations these days, Rob has a tux and I have lots of fancy dresses and gowns. We both enjoy dressing up. Rob's office has gone "office casual" so his days of suits and ties are over. I've given up the office long ago so I live casual. Ergo, dressing up on vacation is not a chore for us but a pleasure.

 

This was our first time on a ship that said "tuxedos not required." One part of me rejoiced and the other part of me mourned. Would I get the chance to wear my pretty dresses? What if I fell in love with Azamara and my entire cruise wardrobe went to waste? As with many things I wondered about with Azamara, this too turned out to have a happy ending. While gowns and tuxes most certainly are not required, it does not mean that dressing well isn't. I was over the moon to see that the overwhelming majority of people DID dress up for dinner, even if they were dining at the Sunset Bar. Not formal night fancy, of course, but it was quite obvious that when most people turned up for dinner, you could tell that they'd showered that evening and put on fresh clothes. People were casually and comfortably dressed and well dressed at the same time. It's a funny thing. When you allow people to use their own best judgment about what's appropriate attire for the setting in which they choose to put themselves in, they don't disappoint. It was kind of liberating.

[Lottie A]

Deirdre, thank you so much for such an interesting and comprehensive review of my favourite ship. It seems that you "get" the Azamara difference too. I have just returned yesterday from a short Cunard cruise on the magnificent Queen Elizabeth....a very impressive Art Deco beauty......but it wasn't Quest!

 

Captain Jose does sound like he has fitted in very well on Quest. I think he will be the Master for our June cruise.....however it is well known that I am a Captain Carl fan, so he has big shoes to fill.... but it seems from all the comments that Captain Jose may be a keeper. :)

 

Once again, thanks for your great review and pics and what a wonderful idea to dedicate it to our dear Bill, a true gentleman who is sadly missed by all of us here.

[kikki21]

Great review - thank you for giving us more of the Quest flavour - I am sailing on her for the first time in June and can't wait already! :)

[autumn lass]

Thank you again Deidre for a lovely comprehensive review. As a result of reading it we today booked an April cruise on Quest having decided we couldn't wait until our already booked September one. I think we will be with our favourite Captain Carl but hopefully we might meet Captain Jose in September.

 

Hilary

[dln929]

Thank you for the feedback and Hilary, I like the way you think. :D

 

I've been going over in my head what the one thing was that made me enjoy this cruise more than any other we've been on. In a nutshell, I'd have to say that when one is on an Azamara ship (and I'm expecting that it will be the same every time) there's a feeling of being a guest. Not a paying customer. You pay the same for both, obviously, but would it be contradictory to say that being a guest is a feeling that money can't buy?

[Spursgirl]

Thank you for the feedback and Hilary, I like the way you think. :D

 

I've been going over in my head what the one thing was that made me enjoy this cruise more than any other we've been on. In a nutshell, I'd have to say that when one is on an Azamara ship (and I'm expecting that it will be the same every time) there's a feeling of being a guest. Not a paying customer. You pay the same for both, obviously, but would it be contradictory to say that being a guest is a feeling that money can't buy?

 

Deirdre,

 

It's great that you feel like this after just one Azamara cruise.

 

Having been fortunate enough to have sailed on Quest many times, I now feel like part of the Azamara family.

 

Think you will too in time.

[excitedofharpenden]

 

I've been going over in my head what the one thing was that made me enjoy this cruise more than any other we've been on. In a nutshell, I'd have to say that when one is on an Azamara ship (and I'm expecting that it will be the same every time) there's a feeling of being a guest. Not a paying customer. You pay the same for both, obviously, but would it be contradictory to say that being a guest is a feeling that money can't buy?

Deirdre, I think that's it in a nutshell for me too and when you see the "welcome home" sign it really does strike a bell. You are going to be beside yourself waiting for May!

 

Phil

[dln929]

Spursgirl, I had the gut feeling that we would "get" it and it gives me great pleasure to report that the "get" was gotten. ;)

 

However! I don't want to over-hype the experience. There's not the big wow factor that hits you on other, newer, larger ships. You don't walk onto the ship and say "OMG. Blown away." You might even be a little underwhelmed at first. The key, I think, is just to let an Azamara voyage happen to you. Lean back, relax, enjoy, and let it unfold in its own gentle way. That's when the magic happens, and before you know it you're having a wonderful time and you find yourself thinking "This is the real McCoy".

 

One caveat. Maybe a bit of it for us was that we sailed on Christmas week and everyone is predisposed to be in a good mood and the ship is decorated with all the holiday trimmings, but maybe not...I will see for myself in May when we're on the Journey.

 

Phil--I am excited about going on the Journey! Just think, a whole new ship of artwork to explore, ladies' rooms and laundry to photograph, and new crew and captain to meet! ;) Sailing the Aegean in May on the Journey will be quite the thing.

 

Discoverer

 

It dawned on me that I didn't mention Le Club Voyage. Thanks to the reciprocal nature of Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Azamara, Rob and I came onto the Quest at Discoverer level. A simple phone call to Azamara before we left had us all set up in Le Club Voyage. Same number as our Captain's Club number but different password to access our account. Easy.

 

We didn't take advantage of all the perks but the ones we did were very useful. We had one bag of laundry done for free (though you should note it's per stateroom, not person).

 

We had more internet minutes than you could shake a stick at. We couldn't use them all up. We went upstairs to the computer room to send e-mails (and post on Cruise Critic :)), but other people used their own IPads and other devices in their cabins. One of our Roll Call friends said she liked being able to Skype home to her children in the cabin, more private.

 

We were treated to a lovely brunch at Aquilina one morning. The ship's officers served us a feast! Russ, our Cruise Director, made me a waffle that was so pretty that everyone at our table said "Deirdre, are you going to eat that thing or are you just going to stare at it?" It had strawberries and whipped cream and it actually tasted every bit as good as it looked.

 

I didn't take advantage of the 20% savings at the Spa this time but the next cruise will correct the omission. Trust me.

[Freckles49]

What a super review!

But no surprise as it reflects your enthusiasm and exuberance.

I know this because we were lucky enough to meet you both on this cruise. It was so special for me to read it, having been to each and every place, bumping into the two of you here and there!

Enjoy your cruise with Library Lady, soooo jealous.

I look forward to reading the next review from the pair of you.

Jen and Pete

[dln929]

What a super review!

But no surprise as it reflects your enthusiasm and exuberance.

I know this because we were lucky enough to meet you both on this cruise. It was so special for me to read it, having been to each and every place, bumping into the two of you here and there!

Enjoy your cruise with Library Lady, soooo jealous.

I look forward to reading the next review from the pair of you.

Jen and Pete

 

Jen! I'm glad we met you and Pete, too. Maybe we'll run into each other on future cruises. You never know. :D Sandi--aka Librarylady19--has promised that her report for the Journey May 12th cruise will feature lots of food and drink. Something you know my report was dramatically short of. Maybe by the next cruise I will have figured out how to use my camera properly... We do plan on eating at Prime C, which surely will offer plenty of opportunity for food porn, at least going by what's offered on the menu!

[Nick_C]

Hi Deidre, loved reading your excellent review. Just to add a couple of points. The bottled water in the cabin, and the soft drinks (on the top shelf of the fridge) are complimentary and replaced daily. (Free bottled water was also available at the gangway or tender dock when going ashore.)

 

Although there are "wines of the day", you can ask for any of the wines from the complimentary list. Once we tried the South African Pinotage, we stuck to it. However, we didn't see a wine list anywhere on board, so for future reference, I would recommend printing it off before you go!

http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/plan-your-voyage/onboard-packages/complimentary-beverages

 

We found our breakfast menus in the room service directory. The steak and eggs were excellent, and room service seemed to be the only place where you can have steak for breakfast every day. (However, after trying room service and the MDR, we decided that windows offered the best breakfast experience.)

 

We also had a V3 guarantee, and were in 6009, close to the front of the ship. I normally enjoy rough weather, but after 48 hours of being tossed around I was seasick for the first time in my life, and missed dinner on Sunday night. We were also woken by the anchor being dropped in the mornings. I know we were unlucky with the weather, and I've never had a problem with a guarantee cabin before, but if I go on any of the R class ships again I will choose a midships cabin. I was on Ocean Princess a few years ago, in a cabin on deck 6 just above the bar at the entrance to the MDR. This was a great location, and much less movement. We had friends on that cruise in a forward facing cabin, and the balcony was unusable when the ship was at sea, another reason why I would avoid a guarantee again on this class of ship.

[jameybano]

Thanks for writing another great review!

After the winter we are having, the Caribbean sounds like heaven!

[KazLoudspeaker]

Great review Deidre,

m husband and I are booked for our first trip on the Quest in November 2014, and are so looking forward to it. Your easy spoken narrative and delightful photos are just what I was after and agree that Azamara need to look at you for some PR!

Thanks again, from a Newbie,

Karyn

[dln929]

Thank you everyone for both compliments and comments. It makes me happy that you've gotten something out of my report. Here's the link to the trip report Ari (YOW) did for this same voyager. He's an incredibly talented photographer so you're all in for a treat. If his photos don't make you want to check out all the Azamara West Indies sailings I don't know what will! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1972889

[MJonTravel]

What a wonderful review! Really enjoying this. Looking more forward than ever to trying Azamara.

[melody hounddog]

Wonderful review! Now I am dying to try Azamara!

[Eloise4Ever]

Deirdre, thank you for this wonderful review which was a deciding factor in my decision to try Azamara for the first time. Would you be kind enough to tell me whether the hair dryer is in the bathroom or bedroom and whether it is powerful or not?

 

Many thanks,

[Texed]

BTW, did anyone on the December 28, 2013 sailing get an apology about the Azamazing evening that was changed from St. Barts?

Edited February 15, 2014 by Texed

[beachseeker]

BTW, did anyone on the December 28, 2013 sailing get an apology about the Azamazing evening that was changed from St. Barts?

 

Ed, we did as well as Lynn and Jay.

[dln929]

Deirdre, thank you for this wonderful review which was a deciding factor in my decision to try Azamara for the first time. Would you be kind enough to tell me whether the hair dryer is in the bathroom or bedroom and whether it is powerful or not?

 

Many thanks,

 

Good decision Eloise! I honestly don't know how anyone could not enjoy an Azamara cruise. We're on another this May and I can tell you I am counting down the days. I'm of the mindset that there's no such thing as a bad cruise, but there is such a thing as a favorite cruise. Azamara's mine. And yes, I know I have only one so far but I haven't a doubt that the next ones will also land in the favorite category. Just a hunch. ;)

 

About the hair dryers. I have short hair and therefore no need of a hairdryer but I think I saw one in the top drawer of the desk? Also, I don't believe there's an outlet in the bathroom so you'd have to dry your hair in the cabin itself.

 

If you'd like to see some more photos/review of Azamara, you may want to look at the Preisman's blog. It's a few years old now but a lot of the things remain the same. Their photos are very sharp! http://www.thepreismans.com/seasia_quest.htm

[Texed]

Ed, we did as well as Lynn and Jay.

 

Thanks for responding. That was very classy of Azamara. :)

[midwestchick]

Deirdre, thank you for this wonderful review which was a deciding factor in my decision to try Azamara for the first time. Would you be kind enough to tell me whether the hair dryer is in the bathroom or bedroom and whether it is powerful or not?

 

Many thanks,

 

Not meaning to hijack Deirdre's thread but since she did not use the dryer, I can answer that. There is a hair dryer in the drawer of the small area (dressing table type area) with the stool. I found the dryer to be very adequate but I had a problem with my hands, my brush and trying to hold the button down constantly. I need both hands...one to fluff and one to brush while drying. Our cabin attendant brought me a new one that you didn't have to hold the button in on.

That area with the stool was my personal make up and hair area and the drawers worked perfectly for my make up, hair products and small travel mirror, although there is a larger built in mirror.

[Eloise4Ever]

 

About the hair dryers. I have short hair and therefore no need of a hairdryer but I think I saw one in the top drawer of the desk? Also, I don't believe there's an outlet in the bathroom so you'd have to dry your hair in the cabin itself.

 

If you'd like to see some more photos/review of Azamara, you may want to look at the Preisman's blog. It's a few years old now but a lot of the things remain the same. Their photos are very sharp! http://www.thepreismans.com/seasia_quest.htm

 

Thanks again Deirdre, both for the hairdryer info and the link to the Preismans review - you are so helpful :). I have enjoyed previous reviews by the Preismans but hadn't seen this one. The Quest looks amazing in their photos. I did notice a dreaded (by me!) hose-type hairdryer in the bathroom but Azamara have obviously replaced them since 2010.

 

Eloise

Edited February 15, 2014 by Eloise4Ever
Spelling

[wangeling gal]

There were 2 hairdryers on the Journey last April. One in the draw of the dressing table, and the other on the wall in the bathroom.

Unfortunately I didn't discover the one in the draw, until the night before disembarkation, when checking all nooks and crannies to make sure nothing had been left behind:rolleyes:

Still the best holiday I've ever had!!!:D

Edited February 16, 2014 by wangeling gal

[koalapanda]

quintessential

ˌkwɪntɪˈsɛnʃ(ə)l/

adjective

adjective: quintessential

1.

representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.

Thank you Deidre for wonderful review.You absolutely captured the atmosphere, elegance and joy that it is to sail with the Azamara Quest team.

 

I see Russ's red dress is holding up well and the twinkle in his eye is always there for everyone. Philip & Ryzard as always made sure you were totally indulged.

 

We will be back on Quest later in 2014.