Azamara Quest - Mediterranean Cities, October 28-November 4 2021

[dani negreanu]

12 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said:

Lofoten or bust!

 

I'm a Royal or X kind of "lass", but you'll have the Sky Princess going to Lofoten in June 11st, 2022 😉, also Ponant, Silver Seas, P&O, etc.

 

[ Princess is the only cruise line which doesn't allow us Israelis to book with an US-based travel agent, so that's my way of shunning it....]

[LT Hambone]

Norris -

 

 

Enjoying the recap thus far, looking forward to the rest!

 

Funny how our paths crossed so many times and I never realized it! Your original flight to Rome from Newark, same as ours. The restaurant you visited in Testravere? Right next to our hotel! The video you took of the sail away? I was right next to you! And of course - lunch at the winery (spoiler alert), I was at your table! Wonder where else we crossed paths?

 

Can't wait to see the rest!

[Bimmer09]

DINNER IN DISCOVERIES

For me my cruise really begins when the mooring ropes get wet. For Lady Carol it's that moment when a smiling waiter drapes a dinner napkin across her legs, be it black or white.

On the way to the restaurant we stopped at the Den which replaced the former casino and there we saw Andre at the Excursions desk to change and excursion and replace it with another which I will tell you about when we take it in Livorno(Lee-vorno)

 

Then to Discoveries and to the hostess (picture of her taken days later).

Stateroom number?

7116

Ah, Sir Norris?

I looked at Carol and said "why not?"

Yes, Sir Norris and Lady Carol.

She called a waiter over- take Sir Norris and Lady Carol to 52.

This was our waiter Sultan 

 

The center dias was empty all week as there was less than half capacity ( I was told 300 pax) however in true Azamara Style they set up every table as if diners were coming. Nice touch!

 

A happy Carol, but let down by my poor choice of Depth of Field, has just received her first lap napkin and is officially cruising!

Tonight was French Night-some dishes to highlight, as well as other choices from around the world as well as the Always Available which includes NY Strip steak and chips (French Fries), Shrimp Cocktail and more. Out of practice after two years not at sea I forgot to photograph the menus for the first couple of days. Note from my Mother always on file to explain my errors.

 

No surprise that a delicious vol-au-vent landed on my plate

 

While Carol opted for the soup, namely Leek and Pea

 

I countered her move with my Mustard Rubbed Short Ribs, my rook to King's Pawn 3

 

Carol's dee-lishus looking Singapore Noodles with shrimp

 

 

Of course wine was offered at the beginning of this fine meal and I took a complimentary red. I was sticking to my included Beverage Package. Next time The Ultimate!

 

By the way-those are NOT edible flowers on the table. They're very chewy and it took ages of flossing to get them out of my teeth.

 

Lovely dinner. It's good to be back in Discoveries!

 

Thanks to Sultan (Indonesia) and his assistant Tinj (India) for impeccable service!

 

Up to deck 9  to check the sliding windows by the smoking section. May have inadvertently smoked a cigarette but then down in the elevator to the Cabaret Room to listen for a few minutes. Good singers and band blasting away. Good energy !

But- we have to be on an excursion at 8.15 in the morning and Carol is ordering room service and the alarm is set for 5.30 a.m.

 

Norris, who has quite a vivid sunrise to show you in the morning....

 

The Quest is sailing along at a leisurely pace. The wake ushers us to gently fall asleep.

[Bimmer09]

14 minutes ago, LT Hambone said:

Norris -

 

 

Enjoying the recap thus far, looking forward to the rest!

 

Funny how our paths crossed so many times and I never realized it! Your original flight to Rome from Newark, same as ours. The restaurant you visited in Testravere? Right next to our hotel! The video you took of the sail away? I was right next to you! And of course - lunch at the winery (spoiler alert), I was at your table! Wonder where else we crossed paths?

 

Can't wait to see the rest!

 

Welcome aboard LT! So glad to see you here as I kept missing you it seems on the ship. Solar Yellow (Vaughn if I may) told me after the wine tasting in San Gimignano that you were opposite me at the table so I remember our face but after that event I believe you were on another coach. A great day out for Carol and I.

You were in the Sydney suite to my right, aft when I was recording the sailaway?  Ships that pass in the night!

I took a lot of photos everywhere I went so you may be in one or two accidentally. There's over 1,000 between my camera and my cell. Plus Carol took a lot of cell photos. All will be revealed!

Tuscany and Avignon and Barcelona had me taking a lot of eye candy scenic pictures and I hope you like the interior of La Sagrada Familia! It had been 6 years since we were last there and it has mushroomed.

Don't be a stranger and feel free to comment/opine/disagree. It's open house in my reviews.

 

Norris

[Marvy Mare]

All caught up! It wasn’t a very relaxing start to your vacation. I’m looking forward to a more leisurely journey. I loved the sunset photos and the Roman rooftops. Can’t wait to see more. 

[Bimmer09]

14 minutes ago, Marvy Mare said:

All caught up! It wasn’t a very relaxing start to your vacation. I’m looking forward to a more leisurely journey. I loved the sunset photos and the Roman rooftops. Can’t wait to see more. 

Maris! Great to see you here!

Carol just sent me some new photos today-they're from her perch on the balcony of our Rome hotel and will come along soon in a reflective moment. I have some sunrise shots coming up tomorrow and an interesting excursion in Tuscany.

Welcome aboard!

 

Norris

[Jasperdo]

15 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

 

 

Please give your dear wife my sincere regards.

It's not the best time to travel but we felt we "had to push the boat out" while we are still keen and healthy.

 

I sure will. Thanks for your concern. Pushing the boat out while you're still keen and healthy has always been our motto, too. We never waited until retirement to travel. We always felt that by then it might be too late. And since I retired almost 13 years ago now, we've accelerated our road trips and cruise. The last two years have temporarily put the breaks on our travels. If we hadn't started until now, we would have missed so much. Your Gentleman's Seafarer Journals have always been a highlight of my time on Cruise Critic.

[Baynanno1]

11 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

As I said- terrible with names. Carol tells me that Stefan our RIL driver had become Raphael by the time we got to Civitavecchia!

Good grief!

Norris, needs more Illy coffee.

Now that Carol has said it, I feel able to say that I noticed his name change when you returned to the limo at the airport with your bag.

Loving your story with all it's ups and downs. Many more ups to come in the ensuing days I'm sure.

Trish

[Bimmer09]

12 minutes ago, Baynanno1 said:

Now that Carol has said it, I feel able to say that I noticed his name change when you returned to the limo at the airport with your bag.

Loving your story with all it's ups and downs. Many more ups to come in the ensuing days I'm sure.

Trish

Trish I'd have to say that there are some great days ahead, some disappointments weather-wise  but a memorable time and an overall feeling that it was good to be in Europe again.

I think you'll enjoy Tuscany tomorrow-maybe not a part of Tuscany you normally think of.

Norris

[Baynanno1]

Just now, Bimmer09 said:

Trish I'd have to say that there are some great days ahead, some disappointments weather-wise  but a memorable time and an overall feeling that it was good to be in Europe again.

I think you'll enjoy Tuscany tomorrow-maybe not a part of Tuscany you normally think of.

Norris

Norris, you have me in suspense now! 😀

[TeaBag]

Ah Norris, you have to get back to Ireland to tone up your accent!  We haven't been there since 2010.  I lived in Enniskillen for my first 9 years and then in Dublin till we emigrated to Vancouver.

I have to say I would have been with Carol in my choice of Singapore noodles with shrimp.  Actually all the food you photographed looked amazing.

Loved your description of what to do with a ringing cell phone!  We have that in common too.  It is a war in my family that I refuse to get a cell phone.  Hate the way people get so involved in them that they are oblivious to everyone around them, blocking aisles in the store, bumping into you etc.

Bring on Tuscany!

[LC1950]

On 11/10/2021 at 12:42 PM, Bimmer09 said:

 

Grrrrhhhh, Cruise Critic will not let me post!  I've been trying for 3 days but CC keeps saying "no!"

 

Just want to say "G'day" Norris and Carol and I'm very much enjoying your trip report.  Hopefully 6th attempt will go.  Well, here's hoping.

[LC1950]

By jingo it worked.  So good to read you are onboard and fed and watered.

[Bimmer09]

GOOD MORNING,GOOD MORNING,GOOD....

I was up with the lark (may have flown onto the balcony)at 5.30 when Carol's alarm went off. I never wake to an alarm-always 5 minutes or so before it rings thanks to a "Spider sense". Carol gets the room and I shove off up to deck 9. Windows buffet where the room is already perfectly laid out, the tables dressed with everything a dinner will need.

There's just a young crew member. She asks what would I like? Just coffee. Not espresso nor cappuccino. She grabs a paper cup (I'm taking it on deck) and presses the Black Coffee button on the mighty WWF machine, which whirrs into action. I add my own cream and sugar, top with a lid and walk to the smoking section where you could always find me. A dry morning, little wind. Quiet and peaceful.

 

The camera is always with me. It's about 5lbs in weight. Usually on cruises I carry all my lenses in a shoulder bag but it weighs 18 lbs that way and since we were in Rome I took to carrying just one lens around to lessen the theft possibilities. Rome not a good place to set down a bag with expensive lenses and switch 2 out. I wore a money belt in Rome too.

 

There are seats for 23 people in smoking but there will seldom be more than 8 this trip.

There were 24 seats on the Journey, and maybe here too but my favorite seat with a higher than my ankles table is gone and I depended on it for my computer so I could work on my photos. Rats! 

 

Carol has breakfast coming from Room Service around 6.30. We had a Verizon plan for calls and texts in Europe so she texted when it came promptly at the start of the 30 minute window. 

 

The night before, on leaving Civitavecchia, Captain Carl Smith (British, from the Isle of Man which you should run through Google Images) talked of a "sexy maneuver" when we  dock in Livorno. I could feel the ship turning on its axis to enter the berth in reverse. (something all the ships have to do in this basin as it's a bit on the narrow side.) So I stepped out onto our balcony....

 

 

 

 

 Back to deck 10

 

Nice sunrise and we are docked in a favorite port for eye-candy shipping!

 

We're ready and waiting to go to the Cabaret Lounge to meet up for our excursion in Tuscany

 

[Bimmer09]

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

Carol had come up with a great excursion (on paper). She surprised me as it involved bouncing around in a 4 X 4 in a quarry. But it wasn't just any quarry-it was the Carrara Marble quarry. In Tuscany. Just over an hour by coach, North of Livorno. In Tuscany.

 

A group of 9 was a great manageable  number. We walked off the ship onto the dock.

Ooh chilly! Still it's only 8.30. Small super-modern bus. Our guide is Cincia and the driver Phillipo. I have a window seat and the camera ready but you all know the folly of trying to get a sharp photo from a reflective bus window-you see your shot, lift the camera to your eye and click the shutter and suddenly a tree shoots into the frame looking as if it is going 120 mph.

 

Cincia is relieved to have a tour once more. It is her first Azamara tour since March 2020 when the world stopped still. She is a great talker (that helps if you want a life as a tour guide) . Very passionate about Livorno and Tuscany. Livorno is a major port and is humming with activity. It is also home to hundreds of pleasure boats (think Ft Lauderdale) and has canals to sail on. The industrial city soon gives way to Tuscan countryside-not the hilly lands of the movies but flatter along the coast.

 

The highway is a smooth thing of beauty, staying near the coast but without a view of it. The only disconcerting thing I notice is that there is no shoulder to pull onto in case of an emergency. Hmm. But at least there aren't the fallen hazards that line our Chicago highways- burst tires, bumpers, engine parts, litter oh and more litter.

 

As we eat up the miles there is a long mountain range and even from a distance you can see areas of white high up. That's where we are going. We pass through the town of Carrara where the highway features many marble processing businesses. Overhead gantries move giant slabs to be cut and polished and packed and shipped to most industrialized countries. Arab countries pay heavily for the more are white marble which is maybe 1% of that found. They use it for giant floors art. The more common gray will be in your kitchen  flooring and counter tops and of course bathrooms at home and in hotels . Carrara is a marble processing town.

 

We climb up from the town-the coach, certainly not me and of course I can't resist the urge to try for a moving photo. I'll limit my fails to a couple so you can imagine my excitement as we leave the town down behind us.

 

 

Those trees are going 120 mph so I'll wait until we have stopped. The coach can only go so far and we are now at that point. Restroom break for 15 minutes followed by choosing a hard hat that fits.

 

We are going with our guide and two Land Rover drivers as there is a max of 7 people per vehicle. 

 

 

"Look Ma! I'm on top of the Worl..er, um, Land Rover!"

 

 

 

Trucks carry up to 35 tons of marble (sometimes that's one piece!) From 3,000 feet + to sea level

 

The gift shop

More- but much higher up and the sun is shining and it's in the mid 60s F. Nice!

Edited November 11, 2021 by Bimmer09
spelling

[Bimmer09]

I WANNA TAKE YOU HIGHER (BOOM SHAKA-LAKA)

The back of the Land Rover  is reached by a high skinny step that introduces you to a low-ceilinged metal box with thinly padded vinyl seats. The roof is 1 inch above your head when wearing a hard hat but the average bounce distance on the gravel and dirt roads is (calculating with a slide rule) 2 inches. The hard hat isn't to protect you from falling blocks of marble (picture one of those cartoons where Bugs drops a giant anvil on someone far beneath)-it's to save you from Range Rovers.

 

There are hairpin bends-like a squished circular staircase and the angle is so steep and the edge of the road so close that it should be a ride at Six Flags Great Adventure thrill park.  There would have been no injuries had we slid off the road- just a long tumble to our collective doom. But we trust the driver who has a reason to go home alive tonight.

 

It's a long climb to 3,000 and I'm glad when it comes to a stop, a few yards from a rustic old house that was featured in the opening sequence of the Bond movie "Quantum of Solace".

 

There was a good view from up there...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the top, way below the summit we had an expert tell us about the whole process of mining the marble. No surprise that the marble was discovered by the Romans (show-offs, what couldn't they do?)

It used to take them 4 to 5 months to extract a block (and it wasn't 35 tons!) using wood as a wedge and then soaking it so it would expand and slowly fracture the marble.  It would then be loaded on to a combination of rolling trees and oxen to be transported to that harbor you can see in the distance. (Always click the photos for better detail) No dynamite to blast rock into roads-there were 3 dynamite explosions while we stood and talked. He showed us a small section of the industrial diamond-studded belt that is used with gallons of high pressure water to cut the blocks into manageable sizes. The water is filtered and then recycled. The biggest size is what fits on the big trucks that shuttle back and forth during the work shift. The trucks are all European brands such as Mercedes, Iveco and Man.

 

There was plenty of question and answer time and I had the most questions as folks were somewhat reticent. I was interested in the cutting but also the whole process that takes place down in the factories in Carrara where the marble is turned from raw stone to something gleaming and beautiful and fetches a high price throughout the world. There were just 3 peaks here where Carrara Marble is found. The only such place in the World. Leases are granted every 29 years. The company that cut the top off that peak in picture #2 were not invited back."Oops, my bad" didn't cut it.

 

The work stops for the weekend-we were here Friday hence the trucks passing us and the explosions.

If it rains work stops as its too dangerous for the drivers. Ditto if it is too hot.

 

We have to go back down the dusty slalom. There we are going to be treated to a snack. A meal featuring lard (aged in barrels) as a highlight (or not if you are Carol). I cleaned my plate

The meal was served with a glass of red wine

 

More soon-today we have errands

Norris

 

[LT Hambone]

16 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

You were in the Sydney suite to my right, aft when I was recording the sailaway?

 

Ahhh - nope. I was up on deck 11, guess it wasn't you then who was next to me recording!

 

  

On 11/10/2021 at 8:33 AM, Bimmer09 said:

The folks who had planned to meet up in a group to hire a van to visit Cinque Terre etc were out of luck. I think they got their deposits back. Hope no out of pocket.

 

Can confirm - we all received a full refund, nothing out of pocket. Good tour company to work with, hope their fortunes improve in the new year.

 

  

On 11/10/2021 at 8:33 AM, Bimmer09 said:

There's a point when you crest a hill when you come off the highway at Civitavecchia and you see the harbor from on high. I laughed. There was the tiny Quest docked in

front of Harmony of the Seas. What a size differential!

 

Too funny - we had the same reaction when we crested the hill!

 

  

On 11/8/2021 at 12:43 PM, Bimmer09 said:

Red wine in a plastic cup-hmm?

 

Can confirm - had you been on the 25 Oct flight, your red wine would have been in a proper glass. Also, where is your ice cream? Or was that only offered on the 25 Oct flight? 😛

 

 

[Jasperdo]

I really enjoyed your sailaway video from Civitavecchia. Leaning up against the rail during an arrival or departure from any port is my happy place. I never get tired of it. 

[Fairgarth]

22 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

WE ARE SAILING

 

 

Very nice movie, brought back happy memories, thank you.  You held the camera steady and let the subject move, bless you!  Too many movies these days are unwatchable due to excessive 'hosepiping'.

Edited November 11, 2021 by Fairgarth
spelling

[Mackdogmolly]

12 hours ago, TeaBag said:

Ah Norris, you have to get back to Ireland to tone up your accent!  We haven't been there since 2010.  I lived in Enniskillen for my first 9 years and then in Dublin till we emigrated to Vancouver.

I have to say I would have been with Carol in my choice of Singapore noodles with shrimp.  Actually all the food you photographed looked amazing.

Loved your description of what to do with a ringing cell phone!  We have that in common too.  It is a war in my family that I refuse to get a cell phone.  Hate the way people get so involved in them that they are oblivious to everyone around them, blocking aisles in the store, bumping into you etc.

Bring on Tuscany!

My DH has on old (dumb) flip phone and he’s sticking to it!

[lola2013]

On 11/8/2021 at 8:48 AM, Bimmer09 said:

While relaxing, waiting for our flight from Chicago to Newark (no direct flights to Rome from Chicago!) I began getting texts from United....

Your flight to Newark at 11 a.m has been canceled. Please rebook another flight.

Reason being O'Hare couldn't use some runways due to 40 mph winds and it was impacting incoming and outgoing flights. Our "equipment" was coming from Orlando but was still sitting there.

As we were in the United Club we went to the desk to get help rebooking. There was a line of course.

 

We still had 7 hours or so before our Rome flight took to the sky (best place to fly in my opinion).

We were offered a flight going to Cleveland, with enough time to catch a Cleveland to Newark flight.

"We'll take it!"

 

Back to the Club for more snacks and to relax. More people were taking refuge there as their flights were delayed.

 

Another text came in....Your 11 a.m flight to Cleveland is now delayed. it will now depart at 2.30 p.m. The plane was still in Boston.

 

We were given a new flight- 12.53 direct to Newark. Hooray!! Now we could relax!! It was going from the B gates and not the C where we were-that's the one with the colored lights and Rhapsody in Blue playing non-stop. We made the long trek againn.

 

Carol on the march.

Now relaxing in a packed United Club near our gate.

A text from United- Your flight to Newark is delayed and now leaves at 3.40 p.m.

It would arrive after our Rome plane took to the skies. 

 

"They may delay your Rome flight as there will be many people arriving late- 9 alone from Chicago" said the desk clerk. 

Our luggage had now been rerouted for a third time. It was going  to meet us in Rome.

 

We arrived in Newark almost an hour after our flight left. It's a vast airport. Packed and noisy.

We went to the United Customer Service desk. There were two agents and a long line. We were so exhausted we passed on through. We had been in an airport already for 7 hours plus a 2 hour flight.

 

Rome was off the menu for today. The agent in Chicago had booked us for the following day incase the flight didn't wait, which it didn't. We thanked her for her foresight. I sent emails to our hotel in Rome and to Rome in Limo telling them not to waste their time coming to FCO in the morning.

 

Carol booked us into the Mariott Hotel which is within the airport. We had dinner there-burgers and fries from their small menu and got an early night.

 

The Saga continues.....

Norris

 

 

 

 

 

WOW...JUST WOW!!!

First off, so glad that you were able to cruise again.  I am looking forward to following your adventure.  Thanks for posting on the Celebrity board that you could be found here.

Next...my friends and I flew United on 10/25 with a 7am departure to Las Vegas..apparently we were lucky to get out.  As soon as I turned on my phone in Vegas, it started to ping with texts and email notifications about the horrible weather.  Fortunately, by 9a Vegas time, we were safely on the ground.  So sorry to hear about your weather experience!

I'm really looking forward to this review since my friend and I were due to do the Celebrity Reflection TA which would have departed Rome on 10/22.  I'll be sailing vicariously with you on this journey.

Can't wait for the rest.....

Susan (in Schaumburg)

[Bimmer09]

3 hours ago, Fairgarth said:

 

Very nice movie, brought back happy memories, thank you.  You held the camera steady and let the subject move, bless you!  Too many movies these days are unwatchable due to excessive 'hosepiping'.

I have seen so many "cabin tour" videos on cruise ships where the camera movements (hose piping) follow the swiveling head of the operator who didn't stop for a moment to think how they would shoot the room. I abandon the movie when this happens. A camcorder is something I seldom use now as I am too busy working a heavy, complex camera (which is the brain exercise I wanted to have as I approach 70 years. If there is a moving subject (sailaway) then the camera is held steady while the scenery moves.

It was a thrill for me to see that many great ships on either side as the smallest ship (Quest) sailed away.

 

I'm glad you have an understanding eye.

Welcome aboard. I have much to show you.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

3 hours ago, lola2013 said:

WOW...JUST WOW!!!

First off, so glad that you were able to cruise again.  I am looking forward to following your adventure.  Thanks for posting on the Celebrity board that you could be found here.

Next...my friends and I flew United on 10/25 with a 7am departure to Las Vegas..apparently we were lucky to get out.  As soon as I turned on my phone in Vegas, it started to ping with texts and email notifications about the horrible weather.  Fortunately, by 9a Vegas time, we were safely on the ground.  So sorry to hear about your weather experience!

I'm really looking forward to this review since my friend and I were due to do the Celebrity Reflection TA which would have departed Rome on 10/22.  I'll be sailing vicariously with you on this journey.

Can't wait for the rest.....

Susan (in Schaumburg)

 

Susan, great to see you here!

I haven't put a link on the X Board (yet) but need one as I had so many regular readers in my 3 reviews there. Maybe you're thinking of the Princess Board? I usually end up with 110-130 people following which makes for a very lively thread but this is just my 5th day on a much quieter board and long reviews aren't an established thing here.

 

Yes October 25 th was a wild day at the airport.

Norris

[lola2013]

1 minute ago, Bimmer09 said:

 

Susan, great to see you here!

I haven't put a link on the X Board (yet) but need one as I had so many regular readers in my 3 reviews there. Maybe you're thinking of the Princess Board? I usually end up with 110-130 people following which makes for a very lively thread but this is just my 5th day on a much quieter board and long reviews aren't an established thing here.

 

Yes October 25 th was a wild day at the airport.

Norris

You're right...must have been Princess...oops!  It's been a few years since I sailed on Princess, but I still check in periodically.

Susan

[Kauai Kid]

On 11/9/2021 at 5:42 PM, Bimmer09 said:

On the way to our room after dinner we saw a notice to warn us that the G20 summit was beginning in the morning with the arrival of the Nation's staff and warned of increased Politzia and Carabinieri (Heavily armed police) and traffic issues (besides narrow streets). We thought it wise to leave the hotel an hour earlier, especially if we had to stop at the airport.

 

Norris

I’m enjoying your journal. Looking forward to the rest of the adventure.

mark