From a Journey to a Quest Sept Oct 2015

[procter]

Regular readers will know that I (Procter) had a poor cruise on Journey at Christmas /New Year from Buenos Aires to Rio but I am delighted to report having returned from 15 days on Quest from Nice to Nice via Barcelona that it was like sinking into a bath of warm chocolate (from Mosaic Cafe obviously) and the being licked clean by Phillip Herbert (Too much imagery I think).

The experience and service were everything that Azamara promises and delivers.

Transport

 

Down from NCL to LHR with 2 hours in Exec lounge for bacon sandwiches and champagne as you do.

Good flight to Nice and our 3 cases were among the first 10 off the belt.

In retrospect a great omen.

Chauffeured Mercedes van for the 2 of us to Hotel Riviera which was adequate but not good.

Spent pm walking, mini training and sitting on promenade at Nice.

Got a little shock on getting ready for dinner as looked out of window to see 2 armed army personnel not police at building opposite. It turned out to be a synagogue and after Charlie Ebdo they are taking no chances.

Next morning Saturday there were 4 personnel so maybe my wife is more dangerous than I thought as I advised her not to move curtains in case of reaction.

Taxi to port and relatively smooth embarkation although not in order of arrival which seemed odd but no issues.

Booked our speciality restaurants and onto ship to be greeted by champagne? and Phillip Herbert hotel director.

Up to Windows cafe for lunch to be greeted by various staff members who we knew from previous cruises.

Darrel, Jose, Shenappa, Mr Harry and others whose names we forget.

Nice lunch outside Windows cafe and then down to suite 7114 to be greeted by Ravin from Mauritius who we have had before.

I intend to break rest of review into sections rather than day by day.

 

Dining

 

Breakfast

We are early risers so were able to eat outdoors at Windows cafe each morning.

The streaky bacon specification must have changed since last on Journey as it is thicker than it used to be but it is now fully cooked as opposed to have some slightly uncooked portions.

Breakfast eggs are freshly cooked and have various accompaniments although the beans could have had a thicker sauce on the occasion I hankered for Old England.

They even produced their version of sausage egg McMuffin if really homesick.

The famous toaster (how many miles had it travelled )continued to produce muffins etc as well as bread for my sunny side up eggs. Marmite available also

There did appear to be fewer waiters to carry food to your table (not that we needed it).

 

Lunch

 

Again taken in Windows outdoors.

For me one of the highlights were the proper home produced soups and I took the trouble to compliment Iwan (Head chef) on their quality.

We never had a bad choice of food and Peter (Sommelier) was always able to produce our favourite Riesling although a request to some waiters sometimes produced a blank look.

I ordered the room service burger on 3 occasions and it is far better than the main grill deck option.

Desserts were the usual terrible options i.e. which to choose and the faithful ice cream cart continues to provide further temptation.

 

Afternon tea

Taken in suite with butler service and very tasty with prawns and or cheese options.The one thing that they cannot get right is scones as they were always like rock cakes but the cream and jam were very nice on the biscuits provided.

 

Dinner

 

We only dined three times in MDR and if the Golden Girls from Golders Green are reading please get in touch as we would love to sail on Quest with you again.

My ego was boosted on that occasion as I was only male with 4 females on my table.

On that occasion we were probably the ones making the noise but on the other occasions we were at the side of the restaurant and we were appalled by the noise (Old age probably).

It was also frightening to see how hard the waiters worked but great to be served by an old friend Jose from Honduras.

Most of the time we ate in Prime C and the meals we had on this cruise were the best we have ever had on Azamara and Iwan and Tyrone (Head chef speciality restaurants ) were able to provide off menu dishes including amazing halibut and sole.

Old favourites still there i.e. crab cakes and French Onion Soup.

This has been upgraded by putting three tiny profiteroles instead of the classic crouton with fully melted cheese.

Half the pleasure of this soup is the combinations of textures/tastes in the mixture of French bread, soup and grated melted cheese so not my favourite “improvement”.

Fillet steaks and Chateaubriand were perfect and always cooked as requested.

Desserts were usual fare but hardly needed even though service by Miro, Igor and Shenappa et al was faultless.

 

The Captains dinner held in the library was the best I have ever been to on Azamara and Iwan excelled himself in the choices and Peter’s wine choices were a fabulous accompaniment.

I gave thanks to the Captain and all staff but particularly Iwan and Tyrone who masterminded the show.

 

Excursions

We had only booked 1 private tour (Thanks Lois for organising 8 of us on a private tour of the Vatican).

Unfortunately the Church was closed for a bishop’s conference so we were only able to see the Sistine Chapel.

Sadly this was unpleasant experience due to the huge crowds and poor organisation but we are glad we have done it.

The quicker the “money changers are cleared from the temple” the better.

I have never seen so many souvenir stalls bric a brac etc inside the Vatican.

I felt sorry for any genuine pilgrims who may have wished for private contemplation or prayer.

I nearly broke a leg falling down some steps because a STUPID Chinese girl stopped dead in front of me in the middle of a flight of 20 steps and I fell trying to avoid her.

We also went to the Coliseum which was amazing and I wonder how many of our building will be standing in 200 years let alone 2 millennia.

Because of late nature of voyages we called on some ports when they were obviously closed. Calvi Propriano, Pallomos and even Livorno which we have enjoyed previously although our favourite waitress Shenappa found a good Chinese restaurant and spent our previous evenings tip on a 4 course meal.

Due to bad weather in Med (think Nice flooding ) we stayed an extra day in Barcelona because Captain Carl believed it was too dangerous to attempt to leave harbour and even if we did we would not be able to dock in Ibiza anyway.

24 hours later it was still a bit lumpy but alcohol is a great sleep inducer.

Daytime

 

No problems getting beds on main deck most days but we mostly used the MOST underused area of the ship the thallasotherapy pool and on all but 1 occasion we were the only people there.

On that one occasion a couple were using the Jacuzzi but as soon as we arrived they left Jacuzzi and scarpered.

Dread to think of what was going on.

Also if sun was not suitable and Captain Carl would not turn te ship around then we simply used our sun beds on our balcony.

Accommodation

Owners suite was fine with plenty storage space and usual champagne and spirits (Will address this at end of piece as a serious niggle).

Service

All areas were outstanding with waiters/bar staff/casino staff all helpful.

Only issue was service at breakfast for the more tottery among us who had to carry their own plates (A third world problem).

 

Entertainment

Saw the female Irish singer and Russes show.

What a worker that man is.

Around the ship all day and dancing his socks off on white Night.

Sadly last White Night was evening before disembarkation so was the quietet we have seen.

No upper deck tables utilised despite ship being full.

People must have been packing and it was a bit chilly and people were using rugs provided to keep warm.

Dread to think how warm you would have been at back of ship if paying restaurant idea had got the go-ahead.

 

All in all great service from Azamara crew but once again Miami try to put their oar in.

As cc members know liquor has been downgraded from Pyrah rum and others from £48 per bottle to £20.

I well know that Miami lawyers will have been all over this like a rash with the “right to change terms and conditions” but can you imagine if you ordered a Double McDonalds cheeseburger and they provide a single patty with no cheese and tried” terms and conditions can change”.

I am sure in certain states/countries this would be illegal but they rely on people not making a fuss.

By all means change conditions for new booking but NOT retrospectively after final payment.

Miami would know who had booked and could have arranged for original conditions to be honoured.

Equally Captains gift at Best of Best dinner was 3 mini bottles of Sangria with 2 glasses labelled a souvenir from Spain.

If it cost 10 euros then they paid too much.

 

A great cruise overall but once again Miami tinkers.

We were assured that “a new ship is on the way” but as it will be at least 2018 if not 2020 this is beginning to wear a little thin

[Lottie A]

Procter, so glad you enjoyed this Azamara cruise. Thank you for your review.

 

We have two days in Nice prior to our fast approaching Journey cruise and were wondering whether both Nice and Cannes have recovered from the flooding last week?

From your account it seems the weather was still warm enough to eat outdoors at Windows. My favourite place for lunch. :)

[procter]

No visible signs of flooding although ship advised that railway station had problems and some ATM had been damaged but I am sure all will be OK by your visit.

[oddjob16]

We were on the first cruise of these three and had a great time. Had dinner in all venues and quality was great, -just noticed some minuses regarding lunch buffet in Windows. I don't think the variety was as good as it used to be. Is it only me?

Great White Night in Menorca and had a fabulous private excursion in Palma. All in all I second Procter's review and it is good to see the crew working so hard to maintain the Azamara level of excellence:)

[sarakenny]

Procter - it was so nice meeting you and the Missus. I still can't believe that tourist tripping you up at the Vatican. Glad you weren't hurt! And sorry about holding up your return to the ship with the stop for gelato :)

[BBMacLaird]

Hi Procter, I've just read your cruise review over breakfast. I most assuredly remember your dissatisfaction after your previous cruise.

I'm so glad we (the ship and personnel) have won you back.

Thank you for giving us another chance.

Best rgds,

Bonnie

[Spursgirl]

Proctor,

 

Really enjoyed your comprehensive review. Thank you.

 

Am sure some of your fellow passengers were disappointed that it was not possible to get to Ibiza but an additional day in Barcelona would have been a bonus for me.

 

Is your wife called Frieda? If so, we met on a previous Quest cruise when we were both invited to dinner by Phillip Herbert. It was a great evening because after chatting to Phillip we decided to stay on the ship for the next cruise.

 

Glad you had a good time on Quest

[carfla7]

Procter

 

Your imagery at the start is assuredly worrying - though I think I will avoid the need for therapy!

Enjoyed the review and as our cruise stops in Cannes next month I should be able to comment on how she is looking.

 

I was moved to check the info on the website as we have bagged an upgrade to a CC suite (smug face) and see this about the alcohol:

 

One 375 mL bottle each of Stolichnaya Vodka, Bacardi Gold Rum, Bombay Sapphire Gin, and Johnnie Walker Red Label Scotch, plus cranberry and orange juice

 

The gin is probably the one that interests me and I am v happy with Bombay Sapphire. What were the offerings previously? Is there a marked difference?

[excitedofharpenden]

The gin is probably the one that interests me and I am v happy with Bombay Sapphire. What were the offerings previously? Is there a marked difference?

 

From memory it was Absolut vodka and Pyrat rum. The others were the same. BTW if you want an extra bottle of gin instead of say the rum or whisky ask your butler. He will swap it for you.

 

Phil

[procter]

Thanks for kind comments even if the imagery might be a little frightening (unlike Philip).

Sarah

No worries about delays as we made it and I am sure you enjoyed the Gelato.

Bonnie

Thanks for your kind comments and am most happy to give praise and hope my comments are passed on to ship for staff appraisals.

I guess no comment from the suits about liquor other than "because we can" but it does seem petty.

I was also sad to see the harp in lonely glory in Mosaic with "do not touch " on it.

It only serves to remind those regulars who so enjoyed it.

Why not put it on Ebay with "buyer collects"

[carfla7]

It does seem petty.

 

But in the meantime the idea of even more gin is likely to put the excitement levels over the top! :o

 

If I remember anything of the cruise I will try and post a review.