This was our third cruise with Azamara and it reconfirmed how much we like the brand (which doesn't seem any different since the change in ownership).
Our cabin was on deck 8, which was handy for the buffet restaurant, Living Room and outside decks on 9 and for the main entertainment areas/dining room on 5. No need to use the lift as the ship is small enough to easily get around. Our cabin ...
There were 591 on this cruise (ship accommodates about 675) with a crew of about 400. This is considered an upscale line and ship and it is. The ship and crew did a fine job. The food was excellent and much better than most of their competitors, but they could use some menu additions and modifications. We love azamara and love the quest and you will too. This ship was apparently overhauled about ...
We wanted to see parts of South America. We enjoyed the food and service. The excursions were pricey so we did most touring on our own in ports. In Ponte Del Este, we obtained a private driver and toured the whole area including a visit to casa Pueblo, which was amazing. We took the ship’s excursion to see Christ the Redeemer and the beaches. On the way back to the ship. The bus driver lost ...
ship - good condition but poorly laid out.
food - excellent at times and lacking at others.
service - staff all have smiles and want to please but seem to lack direction and management.
daily schedule - sadly lacking; not enough activities during the day. all port lectures mysteriously scheduled for 6:30 at night interfering with cocktails and dinner. Obvious limited budget for speakers. ...
We choose this cruise to change our ideas of a very sad event;
We love cruises and had already sailed on 3 cruises with Costa.
We wanted to start from Venice and to discover Dubrovnik and Kotor.
Too much remarks and findings to write them all :
- 1 port Zakynthos cancelled due to bad weather and replaced by Bari : no problem for us but the excursions of Bari were advanced without ...
The ship was decorated well and largely clean and comfortable.
There was little reprieve from the noise of people (there were lots of groups talking loud languages), not as much space as other cruise liners we've been on, the entertainment was loud, there was music in almost every space we went in. We often retreated to our cabin for some peace, our teenager son often in there as the teen club ...
Pros:
Loved the ports - beware though tendering at Zakynthos; unless you had a ship tour booked you could wait 3 hours plus to get off (we gave up)
But the ships tours WERE very good and would recommend.
I had the “key” package and loved the little perks (great WiFi!)
Food - excellent food in MDR and service (buffet not so good - food often tepid and dining area itself is dismal ...
Flew to Athens, Greece. Spent 3 nights sight seeing. Boarded the ship. Embarkment was easy and quick. Had a great lunch in the Windjammer buffet. Food choices were plentiful and delicious. Cabins were ready at 1pm. Luggage arrived between 2-4pm.
We were in an outside cabin with a large window. Cabin was very comfortable and steward ( Henrik) was friendly and efficient.
Main dining room ...
I loved the idea of real sailing and always wanted to see the smaller ports in the Med, so when I saw that on reposition one could travel the entire width of the Med (Turkey to Caneries), I signed up for the whole 35 days.
Even with the single supplement, the price was quite reasonable; the accommodations, food and service excellent. Sailing into the small ports was as nostalgic and ...
My wife and I have always loved the "small ship" experience, and have no need to be entertained, so this was a perfect fit for us. BUT, if you need nightly entertainment, want to dine alone at a table, don't like international crowds, (I would say 60% of the passangers NOT from the USA) or are prone to seasickness, this is NOT the cruise for you. If you remember that this is first and formost ...