Having had many cruises on Azamara, most great a few not 100% we planned our return to the high seas post lockdown to be on Azamara. We went with varying expectations - could it be as good as before, might it be less good or could we strike lucky? After all not only had we been seeing the Azamara vessels laid up every time we shopped in a Glasgow shopping centre and worried about them, the cruise line had been sold so what would the new regime mean. We are so happy to report that the Azamara we knew and love is back, managing post lockdown cruising in a very sensible way and the onboard experience is better than ever if that is possible. We do not think it is that we had forgotten how good it could be, it is because they have genuinely upped their game again.

We made our own flight arrangements as Azamara were not offering flights from our airport. We flew BA and whilst its not great arriving in Athens at 2 am with the Sofitel just steps from the airport exit door it was a simple solution to some complicated flight arrangements. We had completed the Greek passenger locator forms and carried our vaccine paperwork but no one asked to see them. Next day we travelled to the port using Welcome Cars again.

Check in includes the longest 20 minutes of your life, waiting for your Covid test to come back, but then you are into a new Azamara process where you are escorted every step of the way by a member of staff who accompanies your to a video safety briefing in your muster station immediately you board then takes you to your cabin to enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. An excellent change! Read more