THE CRUISE OF A LIFETIME We are select members with Celebrity Cruise lines, and Azamara Cruises is their new approach to cruising from a more mature aspect. We sailed aboard the Azamara Quest's 12 night Western Caribbean including Panama, Costa Rica and Columbia. Azamara Quest and Journey are smaller ships with around 700 passengers, cater to a 50' and up,experienced, yet, laid back travelers. We met everyone from artists to doctors to stock brokers.

Our voyage did not originate in Miami as planned. Captain Apostolos Bouzakis had reported seas of 20-25 feet heading for Miami with Tropical Storm Noel, so he was rather astute in caring for our comfort, and turned his ship towards Tampa. Even though most of us had to board a bus in Miami from the port for the ride to Tampa, in the end it was well worth it for we had smooth sailing leaving the Gulf side of Florida. Captain Apostolos Bouzakis made a smart decision. Our boarding once reaching Tampa was over the top!!!

The welcome check-in took just a few minutes, and we walked up the covered gangplank where we were greeted by photograghers and port staff, making sure we were all ok after the bus ride. We were immediately greeting by the hotel director and other staff officials. My husband, Al, and I were handed a nice glass of cold champagne and asked for our stateroom number. Immediately a cabin attendant took our bags and led us to our rooms (that was a first in my cruising career)! I didn't want to go, because my mouth was wide open, looking at the beautiful woodwork, and wrought iron fillagre on the banisters. The carpets spotless, the artwork gorgeous! Maybe it was the interior of the Titanic??? Beautiful! Read more