Our flights and transfers were arranged through Azamara. They had booked us on to BA flights to Rome from Gatwick (fine).  More about the transfer to the ship later.Embarkation was quick and easy, we had lunch and were unpacked before the muster at 4.30 pm.  We were really pleased with our cabin which was a 2A grade and on the 6th floor.  There are lots of comments about the size of the cabins and/or bathrooms but we found both to be fine.  However, as we were a family with three adjacent cabins, we were disappointed that we were not able to have the balcony dividers opened.  We didn't really use our butler but he was always around if we needed him and the steward did a great job of looking after our room.Food and DrinkWe found the food to be excellent in every way, both in Discoveries and in the Windows buffet.  Some highlights in Windows - the freshly squeezed orange juice at breakfast time, lovely variety of ice creams, great salads and meats, egg ramekin dishes at breakfast, scones at tea time!Some of the items in the buffet were not hot enough and we agree with others on this website that the coffee is not good (except in the Mosaic Cafe which you have to pay for!) but that would be our only negative points.  We didn't eat in Breeza but understand from those that did that it was excellent and there was a lovely atmosphere sitting out in the warm night air under the stars.We had great food and service in Discoveries and were able to stay with the same waiter and same window table throughout the cruise.There were various special buffets including special grill food outside by the pool for 4th July celebrations, a Bavarian buffet in Windows one day and an Italian buffet on deck on the penultimate evening.We had no trouble in booking tables in Aqualina and in Prime C and they could not have been more accommodating.  We preferred the seafood dishes in Aqualina which were really excellent.  Our party would recommend the seafood starter, lobster, filet mignon, goat's cheese souffles and the dessert souffles - lovely!  The drinks with 18% charge were expensive.Officers, Staff and CrewOne of the things that made this cruise stand out above others was the service and friendly atmosphere on board.  Captain Smith led from the top with his friendly approachable manner and the Officers, particularly Heiki, the Hotel Manager, and Scott, Food & Beverages Manager, together with Sue Denning, the Cruise Director and other Officers were always around the ship and on the gangway every morning to wish us a good day in port.  From the most senior to the most junior, the staff and crew went out of their way to be helpful.  Anyone who has been on the Quest recently will remember Eri who travelled up and down in the lifts polishing the mirrors and always had a huge smile and friendly word (was there ever a wider grin!).EntertainmentWe very rarely went to any of the entertainment except we enjoyed the Cruise Director, Sue Denning's show and the guitarist Kenny Stringer was excellent when he was in the Mosaic Cafe and we enjoyed the song requests.  The Cruise Critic party was very good with plenty of drinks offered and lovely canapes.  Likewise the Captain's welcome toast which was drinks and chocolates.PortsSorrento - We had booked a private tour with Mariano of Pleasantravel, scenic drive to Positano, Amalfi and a visit to Mariano's farm and liqueur tasting. Very good indeed.Taormina - Excellent tour, this time with Sicilylife, a scenic drive to Etna and time in Taormina to visit the amphitheatre.Ravenna - We were here for 2 days when 1 would probably have been enough but we did enjoy the old town and churches full of mosaics.  Free shuttle into the town here.Venice - It was about a 20 minute walk into Venice from where the Quest docked or there was a shuttle bus which was $10.  We went along the Grand Canal by water bus in the morning and took a boat to Murano in the afternoon.  The Captain announced we were able to have an additional couple of hours in Venice the next day which meant we would leave by 2 pm but it would have been good to have spent the whole of the second day in Venice.Dubrovnik - We tendered here which meant we came right into the town which was good.Olbia - We only had an afternoon here and by the time we had docked the shops were closed for lunch so the town was very quiet and not much to see.  We had a walk around and went back to the ship.  On reflection we should have arranged a taxi ride or tour here although we sailed again by 8 pm.La Spezia and Livorno - Both days we had arranged tours with Filippo Perferi visiting towns of Cinque Terre, Florence, Pisa and really lovely rides through beautiful rolling Tuscan countryside.TransfersThis was the one area which we felt needed improving.  When we arrived at Rome Airport we were met by agents for Azamara who said we would have to wait at the airport for another flight to land before we could be transferred to the cruise ship.  The airport was crowded with no seats and despite guests asking to be taken straight to the ship, the agents refused to do this.  We landed at 11.25 and were on the ship by 2.30 so not too long I suppose but not a good first impression from Azamara.  However on arriving at the ship our impression soon changed and we would highly recommend this cruise for all the reasons above and also we felt it to be very good value for the quality and service we received.