We have recently returned from two 7-day back-to-back cruises on Azamara Quest, commencing in Venice on 24 September 2011. These were our 6th & 7th cruises with Azamara Club Cruises and to our surprise qualified us as joint leading cruisers during the second week.

We have read other posts from those who opted for the pre cruise offer of an over night stay in Venice and who, due to overbooking in the anticipated hotel, were accommodated in lesser quality hotels situated well outside the city centre. They have our sympathy and hopefully Azamaras UK office will take note of their comments. Concerned that this might happen, we chose to go for the alternative option, offered by Azamara, of flying from London Heathrow at 9:40am on the day of the cruise. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the airport, we found that BA, fearing a strike at Venice airport, flew us instead to Verona. We were then transferred by bus to Venice airport, which following a 40 minute delay looking for 4 missing passengers, took almost 2 hours. We were then bussed from the airport and boarded the Quest at 4:50pm, just 10 minutes prior to boat drill. The whole journey proved very traumatic and, during which, we frequently wished that we had taken the option of the overnight stay in Venice. As the saying goes You pays your money and you takes your choice.

However once onboard, the Hotel Director Ryszard Gusmann, whom we had met on 2 previous occasions, greeted us as though we were one of the family and that is how we were made to feel throughout the whole 2 weeks. The Captain, Carl Smith, the Officers and the whole crew treated us like honoured guests. It was the first time that we had met Cruise Director Russ Grieve, who did a great job, with boundless enthusiasm and energy. Read more