Azamara Quest - Mediterranean Cities, October 28-November 4 2021

[dickinson]

15 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

Yes,  indeed, a familiar name and I am glad to have you aboard. Any cruises taken or planned?

Norris

 

Only one... next October in Europe.  I am not confident that will happen (either us or Princess cancelling).

[CruiserRob]

2 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said:

Robert you sound like Odysseus! Don't fly too close to the sun! (I told you all I was terrible with names)

So much cruising in a month! The passenger loads are great for the pax, brutal for the lines but it's a start and I'm thankful for it. Panama Canal on our bucket list. Any difference between PCL and X in handling Covid?

Did you get the song title I laid at your feet? 

Norris

Norris, you mean ABBA, yes I saw that right away.

 

PCL was quite different in their handling of Covid.  Masks were required indoors everywhere unless you were eating or drinking.  Once you were seated at your table in the restaurant you could remove your mask, but most bars were "sip and cover" and the staff frequently reminded people of this.  We hung out mostly at the Wheelhouse bar because we enjoyed the duo playing there and you could remove your mask at the table.  There was no explanation about the reason for different requirements in different bars.

Celebrity on the other hand, had staff as you boarded the ship saying that "you can remove your mask as they aren't required on the ship at all".

[Bimmer09]

1 minute ago, CruiserRob said:

Norris, you mean ABBA, yes I saw that right away.

 

PCL was quite different in their handling of Covid.  Masks were required indoors everywhere unless you were eating or drinking.  Once you were seated at your table in the restaurant you could remove your mask, but most bars were "sip and cover" and the staff frequently reminded people of this.  We hung out mostly at the Wheelhouse bar because we enjoyed the duo playing there and you could remove your mask at the table.  There was no explanation about the reason for different requirements in different bars.

Celebrity on the other hand, had staff as you boarded the ship saying that "you can remove your mask as they aren't required on the ship at all".

Damn you Rob you are too good at this song lyric Malarkey! Curses. Foiled again!  

I sent you a dozen eggs in the mail.

The "sip and cover" thing makes me laugh-they announced it on our flights. I imagine that if you have Covid your first breath will introduce it into the air and every sip after that likewise. On the Quest everyone was vaccinated and wearing masks indoors but not out of course. Walking around the Med towns masks were off but we breathed the same air as Italians 2 feet away. Presumably the vaccines saved us as there were no cases during the cruise. There were 3 extra nurses onboard, members of my smoking circle and they did the tests in Civitavecchia and Barcelona. We had temperature checks before reaching Spain.

 

Any Covid tests on your cruises, before or during?

Norris

[Bimmer09]

18 hours ago, Jellifer said:

Hi Norris (if I may be so familiar?)

 

Long time lurker and admirer of your GSJs, I’ve enjoyed many over the years. I’m loving your recollections and pictures of the Quest, I was on her ‘Myanmar Mysteries’ trip Halloween 2019 and you’re bringing back some lovely memories. 
 

I thought about you back in September when I was on a U.K. Staycation cruise on the Celebrity Silhouette. Not just because of your excellent review but also as we stopped in Belfast. Really pleased to have found this review! 
 

As you were....

Myanmar Mysteries- Azamara sure gets around and now that they have twice as many ships as they had 5 years ago they'll cover more of the globe with Country Intensives.

I'm glad you liked my Silhouette reviews. She was my favorite eye-candy ship but of course she got an Edgefication which means more toss pillows on the beds and probably in the lifeboats. I am glad we added Azamara to our list of lines. Something different and unique.

 

I haven't stopped in Belfast in 18 years but I look forward to going back to visit and for the first time take a camera and capture what is only in my head from memory. I am beyond glad that cruise lines added Belfast to their schedules-the scenery  of County Antrim and County Down-the only two I have much experience of is eye-popping in an understated non-Hanging Gardens of Babylon /Krakatoa way.

The quality of the produce meats and fish is memorable even if the cuisine is not (but I love it). I hear there are some Chefs in kitchens in Belfast and not just line cooks so that aspect has changed over the many years I have been gone ( I left for good in 1974)

 

I will say unbiasedly as I am an honest kind of guy that there may be no more open and friendly folk than those in Northern Ireland.  You'll get someone's life story and an ear interested in yours if you sit beside one in a train or a bar. 

 

I say to all lurkers-thank you for reading but come out into the sun and be recognized. Your voice counts!

Welcome Jellifer!

 

Norris

[CruiserRob]

34 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said:

Any Covid tests on your cruises, before or during?

Norris, everyone had to be tested before each cruise.  On the Canal cruise PCL also tested everyone twice onboard (since it was a 15 day cruise).  Since I was cruising immediately afterward, PCL was kind enough to test me at the port when I disembarked.  Celebrity did not test anyone onboard.

[LT Hambone]

57 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said:

I am beyond glad that cruise lines added Belfast to their schedules-the

 

We will be in Belfast next August on the Emerald Princess, and have a day trip scheduled to the Gobins Cliff Walk. Wife and I were in Belfast a few years ago for a day trip, did a Black Cab tour (awesome, but intense, tour), Giants Causeway, and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Also saw the Titantic museum, but did not visit. Looking forward to returning to NI!

[norn iron]

22 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

DINNER IN DISCOVERIES

Tonight's World Cuisine is Indonesian

 

We both started with the Soto Ayam-chicken, ginger and lemongrass soup

 

Carol followed with a mixed greens salad

 

and I had the escargot/snails

 

we both enjoyed the Daging Rendang-beef in ginger and lemongrass with Nasi Putih which is steamed Jasmine Rice

 

and we both had the Sarang Semut for dessert-Caramel Cake and Cocos Cream with coconut flakes

 

Another very interesting and satisfying dinner from the Discoveries galley! Kudos team. Alex was our waiter again.

The Beef Rendang was wonderful.

[norn iron]

22 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

NORTHERN IRELAND IN THE HOUSE?

I notice Belfastman and Laganlady02 "thumbing up" some of my posts and of course my niece Treacle Scone (her married name) has just joined us. All we need is CC member and Az sailor Norn Iron to join and we have a 5 a side football (soccer) team!

 

Welcome all of you who know what an Ulster Fry and a Pastie Supper are.

Feel free to comment or ask questions if you haven't already.

 

"'Bout ye?"

Norris from Portavogie

 

I have been following. We have just returned home from Quest, having boarded in Barcelona when you disembarked. I was hoping you would have dropped into the Eurostars Grand Marina to say hello🙋‍♀️

 

Not sure bout the footie team, the ball is the wrong shape for me😜

We spent Saturday afternoon in an Irish bar in Lisbon watching NZ come a cropper in the Aviva Stadium. Ngawhira Fleet took bit o'banter as the resident Kiwi on board

Edited November 17, 2021 by norn iron
update

[Laganlady02]

It wasn't the shape of the ball I was worried about - it was my high heels!

[Bimmer09]

2 hours ago, norn iron said:

I have been following. We have just returned home from Quest, having boarded in Barcelona when you disembarked. I was hoping you would have dropped into the Eurostars Grand Marina to say hello🙋‍♀️

 

Not sure bout the footie team, the ball is the wrong shape for me😜

We spent Saturday afternoon in an Irish bar in Lisbon watching NZ come a cropper in the Aviva Stadium. Ngawhira Fleet took bit o'banter as the resident Kiwi on board

Welcome aboard Sir!

I played rugby in High School in Newtownards and scored a few wickets I might add (but I won't).

I used to watch rugby on TV until Eddie Waring stopped doing commentary. LOL!

You did Barthelona to Lithbon. Hope to see Portugal some day from the deck of an Az ship.

Cheers!

Norris

[Bimmer09]

3 hours ago, LT Hambone said:

 

We will be in Belfast next August on the Emerald Princess, and have a day trip scheduled to the Gobins Cliff Walk. Wife and I were in Belfast a few years ago for a day trip, did a Black Cab tour (awesome, but intense, tour), Giants Causeway, and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Also saw the Titantic museum, but did not visit. Looking forward to returning to NI!

I've seen the Causeway several times but non of those others. I'm glad there is plenty to interest you!

Don't forget some fish and chips-there's a pub/restaurant at the Causeway that is good for lunch.

Guinness the perfect pairing.

Norris

[LT Hambone]

5 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said:

Guinness the perfect pairing.

 

And for some good reason, the Guinness in Ireland tastes so much better than Guinness we have in the States. Especially when it's a fresh pint!

 

Now - no more distractions! Can we please, please return to the cruise? What happened in Mareille ?!?!?!?!?

[Medeba]

Am enjoying your blog very much, Norris.  Keep up the good work!

[Bimmer09]

So its already November 2 and today is Marseille which for us means a tour to Avignon and then a wine tasting in a place called Chateauneuf du Pape.

 

My usual routine is alarm goes off 5.30. 6a.m I have got my coffee and am the sole occupant of the smoking section on deck 9 (pic taken in Nice)

 

The Buffet sets up a coffee and tea station by 7 a.m. That's typically sunrise time this cruise. I have a list;  1 sunrise 2 breakfast buffet 3 temperature check 4 tour muster

SUNRISE OVER MARSEILLE

 

 

 

 

Breakfast

 

I have plans to eat lunch in Avignon so no need to stuff my face now

 

Up to the Living Room for temperature check

 

in the Living Room my temperature is normal as is Carol's.Good to go!

[Bimmer09]

DEDICATED TO MY GOOD FRIEND JASPERDO

 

John has appeared in all 17 of the epics I have written on CC and like me isn't just interested in getting from A to B, he's keen to know what joins the two. Road signs, traffic, shop windows, mountains is our jam. So buckle up for some sketchy photos taken on the fly from a big yellow coach as we head from Marseille docks to Avignon.

 

I'll use the camcorder for the bus in future to avoid the traffic blurs. I'll next be on a coach in May 2023 when I hope y'all can join me again.

 

So, On The Road Again when I return...

Norris

 

[CruiserRob]

58 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said:

On The Road Again

Willie Nelson

I'm looking forward to your Chateauneuf du Pape (easy for you to say) pictures.  We did a tour their 3 or 4 years ago during a Southern France river cruise.

 

Robert 

[mchell810]

I, too, am eagerly awaiting information on your tasting at Chateauneuf du Pape.  It is on my list of wine regions to visit so I will be sure to open a bottle of something nice to drink while I read along (but unfortunately not C du P since I haven't any in the house now.)  History and wine are my 2 greatest interests so I often my plan trips accordingly. 🥂

Edited November 17, 2021 by mchell810

[Jasperdo]

On 11/12/2021 at 6:30 PM, Bimmer09 said:

Bus-this is for you Jasperdo!

 

This put a smile on my face. You know exactly what I like! I've been off of CC for a few days. My wife's out of the hospital now and doing good. So I'm catching up on your Gentleman's Journal. A vacation through your eyes is just what I need right now!

[Bimmer09]

Sitting on the dock of the bay, the bus pulls slowly away. Camille our guide and Crystal our lady driver.

30 souls onboard. Sunny morning.

AIDA VITA

 

NORWEGIAN PEARL

having work done

 

soon after passing through the dock gates we were approaching the motorway

 

 

and after a merge up to speed

 

the highway cut through the massive rocks

[Baynanno1]

18 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said:

Sitting on the dock of the bay, the bus pulls slowly away. Camille our guide and Crystal our lady driver.

30 souls onboard. Sunny morning.

AIDA VITA

 

NORWEGIAN PEARL

having work done

 

soon after passing through the dock gates we were approaching the motorway

 

 

and after a merge up to speed

 

the highway cut through the massive rocks

Otis Redding . . . spiralling into oblivion . . . did the recording foretell the fatal plane crash a few days after recording "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay?" First posthumous single to reach #1 on the Billboard Charts.

[Bimmer09]

After a half hour or so we passed through a turnpike on the other side of which was a rest area with shops including a patisserie-so French. It was only a 15 minute bathroom stop.

solar panels on the turnstiles roof. If you've got sun use it!

 

The bus is parked and watched by Crystal who is having a smoke 

 

the excellent coffee machine outside the men's room

 

the bright, clean well-stocked shop

 

 

I didn't have time for a coffee and a visit to the Patisserie. I didn't have time to use all the exercise machines in the well-kept grounds. There were things for kids to play on as well. We have been touring around Germany and Austria since 2003 and are aware how amazing ALL the rest stops are there.

In the midwest USA we pull off the highways at the T.A brand where there will be a Popeyes and a Subway, a crowded dimly lit shop and some neglected toilets that need a refurb. Europe can show us the way as they are ahead of us. I recall Chicago getting rid of their individual parking meters in favor of the single point machine and a ticket-that was 8 years after I was using the new systems in 2006 in Berlin. If you are ever driving through Germany and see a rest stop with a restaurant/shop called AXXE-stop! They have a great hot food buffet. I am drooling over the memory. Also-superior coffee which is not a strong suit in the USA.  I will always pass a Starbucks in Europe-you can do way better.

[Bimmer09]

Let the sun shine! Let the sun shine in!

 

 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

After an hour since leaving the docks we are taking the exit for Avignon. Hooray!

The beauty parlor's filled with sailors-the circus is in town

 

The yellow bus reflection

 

Gas at 8 Euro or $9.50 a gallon, more than double the U.S. price

 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

 

 

 

 

 

The bus parks. Those road signs make me want to rent a car and visit Nimes (birthplace of denim) and Arles for its Roman Amphitheater . Van Gogh and the Gipsy Kings! 

[Jasperdo]

3 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

DEDICATED TO MY GOOD FRIEND JASPERDO

 

John has appeared in all 17 of the epics I have written on CC and like me isn't just interested in getting from A to B, he's keen to know what joins the two. Road signs, traffic, shop windows, mountains is our jam. So buckle up for some sketchy photos taken on the fly from a big yellow coach as we head from Marseille docks to Avignon.

 

Norris, you're making me blush. I'm all caught up now and looking forward to your road photos up to Avignon. We spent a day in Avignon back in 2007 during our 2 week road trip around France. Arles was our base for Provence. A wonderful, historic town. Put it on your list if you haven't been there yet.

Edited November 17, 2021 by Jasperdo