We have just completed a month on Azamara Quest, Nice to Athens via Istanbul and the Black Sea. Having been on Azamara Journey previously we knew what was offered and the itinerary appealed. Once again the genuine friendly and helpful staff and crew was a major component of our relaxing, enjoyable cruise which was as we expected and hoped it would be.
In choosing a cruise, you need to know what you want from your experience and match it with what the cruise company and ship offers. Azamara, appeals to us is largely for what it doesn’t offer, as much as what it does! If glitz, glamour, parties, climbing walls, water slides, formal nights with tuxedoes and evening gowns, big screen poolside movies, culinary courses and discos etc are for you Azamara isn’t! The ship is small with only 700 passengers meaning it can visit ports and places the big ships can't. Yes the bathrooms, particularly the shower alcove, are small and some of the decor “dated” but so what. The casino is small, bingo is there if you want it (we didn’t) as is a spa, IT facility, small gym and jogging/walking track, library, specialty shops and the like but all generally small, understated and available and not crowded or “in your face”.
The two specialty restaurants offer great food and outstanding service. The Windows buffet offers better choices, service and quality than we have experienced on other (bigger) ships. Tea, coffee, wine and other drinks are offered and brought to your table unlike some others where you have to stand in line and serve yourself (HAL take note!) Our main dining room experiences were, while somewhat rushed, good without being outstanding.
Comfortable and very adequate unless you are "large" where you might find the small shower alcove a challenge and the clinging shower curtain a nuisance