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

[Bimmer09]

I haven't forgotten the daily copies of the Insider-that's on my list but it occurred to me that some of you are not so familiar with Azamara and the ship photos I took in the last couple of days would be better put to use by being brought forward to give you a better idea of how the ship looks.  Not Brochure photos with well dressed middle-aged couples- you know he is 45, some gray at the temples, white linen pants, white shirt with blue stripes and a sweater draped around his C.E.O . shoulders.  She is a raven haired Asian (Doctor maybe) with pearls, white blouse, black pants, Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses. They look very much still in love and their Rolex watches gleam in the Caribbean sun. They are laughing at something and are carefree and really enjoying the hot stone massages on board. 

 

No most of my ship photos will have no people in them. Two reasons -(1) to better show the room and (2) as many cruise passengers are members of the witness protection program or people cheating on their spouses.

 

Norris who now has to find those photos...

 

 

[TeaBag]

Norris, you make me laugh and you make me cry!  I feel like crying when I hear that little bit of Irish lilt in your accent.  It's been too long since we've been to Ireland.  The laugh.........there's no way you're getting ahead of me in the dumpster to get the lava cakes!!  My fav dessert in Blu on Celebrity and hopefully even better on Quest when we sail in July.

Did you ever find out why the Captain waited for the late passenger?

[Bimmer09]

1 hour ago, TeaBag said:

Norris, you make me laugh and you make me cry!  I feel like crying when I hear that little bit of Irish lilt in your accent.  It's been too long since we've been to Ireland.  The laugh.........there's no way you're getting ahead of me in the dumpster to get the lava cakes!!  My fav dessert in Blu on Celebrity and hopefully even better on Quest when we sail in July.

Did you ever find out why the Captain waited for the late passenger?

Which late passenger do you mean?

Norris

[Westaussie]

So lovely to be 'travelling' with you again and to all familiar places.  Will be hard to beat your Cuba one it was so interesting with, as always, great photos.  Hope it's not too long till you're writing another one and not too long till we sail Azamara again. Vera

[Bimmer09]

Carol sent me a picture she took in the Alabaster Master's workshop

 

I see the CC software has done it again- I edited the post with the ship pictures taken before leaving Livorno because it had the pics in a random order so it ended up doing two versions of the same post.

 I have put together all my interior ship shots so that those less familiar with Azamara can get an appreciation for the decor.

The ships are very small compared with those we usually sail on (2600 pax mostly) yet there are parts of them that I seldom set foot in during a whole week!  One of the great things to love about the small ship is that if you forgot something when on deck you can be back in your room within 3 or 4 minutes. Also the service can be quite personal as staff can get to know your name and your needs.

 

You've seen the food offerings. We always clean our plates and find enough variety to make us have a hard time deciding. That's just in the dining room- there's always the temptation to hit the buffet as they have theme nights- we missed Indian Night with a menu that had me salivating. They also have French, German, Mediterranean nights in the buffet and likely more as I haven't sailed the line much.

 

Only 2 specialty restaurants but who doesn't like steaks and Italian food?

 

At the minute Az is sailing half full (or less. The Journey currently is sailing with 107 pax I heard)

I really hope sales pick-up. The line does an awful lot right on board.

 

Norris, a fan

[Bimmer09]

AZAMARA INTERIORS

I've gone ahead and pulled together some photos to show you the rooms we moved among during our week on the Quest. As I didn't photograph everything or take enough pics to give you a solid mug shot I may add some pics I took on the Azamara Journey in 2019. When I do this I'll add AJ under the shot.

I'll start with our stateroom which will be the least dazzling space you'll see....

 

 

 

 

 

 

AJ

 

The shower is a tight space for bigger folks. The curtain is fabric not plastic so should not stick to you-didn't stick to us. Reliable hot water.

The balcony table is nice and large but really needed a steam clean

A 2 person housekeeping team is fast and efficient in keeping your room looking like this twice a day. Gratuities are included in your ticket. This is a Verandah Plus room (because it is aft with a deep balcony) Includes 120 minute free internet. There are a range of spiffy spacious suites onboard.

Norris

[macsford]

Norris, as always your GSJ brightens the day. Maybe more than ever as it is another sign of the return to a life we have all missed.

Rome and Tuscany pictures are great and evoke happy memories . I may have to switch on some suitable background music while reading ! 

Sandra

[Bimmer09]

We didn't spend a lot of non sleeping/bathing time in the cabin . Although I don't use it there is a nice little coffee bar on deck 5....

MOSIAC CAFE

One of my smoking compadres-Darco from Serbia, bellies up to the bar. They do not serve Illy coffee (Carol has a short story)

 

AJ

 

 

Relax with your coffee here on Quest

Across the hallway filling out the aft area of the ship is Discoveries Restaurant-the MDR. We'll go there next for a look-see.

[dani negreanu]

14 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

No most of my ship photos will have no people in them. ....  many cruise passengers are members of the witness protection program or people cheating on their spouses.

 

😁😁 Oy vey 😉 😉

[Laganlady02]

Mosaic cafe is one of our favourite places on the ship. I hope there is another voyage in your plans perhaps on Pursuit where at Mosaic cafe you will see a replica sculpture of the Beacon of Hope, fondly known as Nuala with the Hula. This was given to Azamara Pursuit by the Port of Belfast at the end of her refit there in 2018.

[Bimmer09]

DISCOVERIES

Only one host at the stand now. There were two on AJ

 

The first time in Discoveries on Journey we had to wait for a table (700 pax). No worry-there is a bar in the room so you can wait in comfort

AJ

AJ

 

Also in pre-Covid times the a la Carte breakfast menu was supported by a breakfast buffet. Here's the made to order omelette man and in the distance tables of buffet food where I could get the hot goodies for my Full English breakfast to supplement my steak and eggs. Hopefully this comes back when Covid is less of a threat. The food offerings on our Cuba cruise included 2 sea-day brunches, one of which was an authentic German feast complete with the ship's band playing Biergarten music- It was like dining in Munich! Az is unfortunately greatly restricted today. To see them free and at their best is a thing of beauty!

AJ

 

 

We somehow missed the Chocolate Buffet on the Journey. It included every chocolate dessert imaginable and a few chocolate fountains including a white chocolate one!

[Bimmer09]

1 hour ago, Laganlady02 said:

Mosaic cafe is one of our favourite places on the ship. I hope there is another voyage in your plans perhaps on Pursuit where at Mosaic cafe you will see a replica sculpture of the Beacon of Hope, fondly known as Nuala with the Hula. This was given to Azamara Pursuit by the Port of Belfast at the end of her refit there in 2018.

Oh there's no doubt we will sail Az again and there's no doubt that I will visit Mosaic at some point. I don't spend any time at Princess' amazing 24 hour International Cafe either.

I was very pleased that Azamara had the Pursuit work done in Belfast. Belfast docks were my Disneyworld from age 5, visiting and sailing on my dad's cargo ship.  Harland and Wolff offered me a job when I was 16.

Norris, Seafaring Gentleman

[Bimmer09]

 

 

 

That was day 1 boarding in Civitavecchia. I heard the pianist Maryfer as I walked through the Den. Very good pianist!

 

[Bimmer09]

Ok, I've pushed the boat out on the Interior photos and the daily Insiders so now I can get us to Nice....

It was rough seas getting here  but no motion when we woke and looked out onto the balcony. We made the harbor!

NICE!

 

Its raining! (il pleur!)

 

A drab dreary morning. Steady drizzle so it might clear up later. 

 

Some folks still enjoyed the hot tubs of course. I stayed up on deck keeping a weather eye open

 

 

The French streets tempted me. I could almost smell the croissants.

 

 

 

I am a Francophile, unashamedly. Anything French, count me in, especially French Fries. 

My favorite pastry is either a crisp Napoleon or a Profiterole or a Chocolate Eclair.

I can speak some French with a good pronunciation. During my O Level exams in High School my examiner (my French teacher) said to me -"Don't get carried away" as I was laying on a Maurice Chevalier accent and gesticulating with shrugged shoulders. I was one step away from the black beret and the string of onions around my neck. We had a laugh (and I passed)

 

[Bimmer09]

I see from Carol's experience with her iPad that my pics don't open up that big. She reminded me that I am seeing them on my 24 inch monitor LOL! No wonder they are massive (but bigger would be better). Maybe some of you are reading this on a phone which wouldn't give you the impact I am hoping for.

 

But as long as you are reading (and commenting) I am happy. I have 7 days left to tell you about. 

Nice 2

Marseille 1

Barcelona 3

Dublin 1

 

Hang on in there!

Norris

[peyroutous]

I’ll pleur…he’s crying ! …….bonne choix en patisserie thought😎

Cordialement G.

[mchell810]

The pictures do open up nicely -- on my laptop any way.  Enjoying the journey and looking forward to the rest of your trip.

[LT Hambone]

Norris -

 

 

Since you weren't able to visit Saint Paul de Vence on your first day in Nice (very sorry that happened, hoping you got there on your second day), here's what you missed seeing -

 

 

 

Was a very wet day visiting the French Alps, but the weather produced amazing sights along the way -

 

 

 

@helen haywood - Since you seem to enjoy foreign kitties, here's a resident from the village of Luceram who followed us around -

 

 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

21 minutes ago, peyroutous said:

I’ll pleur…he’s crying ! …….bonne choix en patisserie thought😎

Cordialement G.

I'l fait mauvais temps!! (the weather was inclement)

LOL! 

Norris

 

[Bimmer09]

LUNCH AT THE PATIO

Carol and I met up for lunch at the Patio via text. I had the Bratwurst which was just the ticket or would have really been had the roll been more toasted and the Brat buried in sauerkraut. Note to Az-buy a big industrial size jar for my next sailing-no half measures!

 

Carol had the blackened grouper without the kiss-of-death Focaccia bread and some Onion Rings. That's a little black bean salsa and some coleslaw accompaniment.

 

Carol enjoys her Patio lunch. I see the blond head of CC member LaurieB in the distance. A much-sailed Azamarian.

 

Its been determined I shall go ashore come rain or shine and carry my parapluie to stay dry.

[Fairgarth]

Enjoyed your lovely photos of Volterra and San Gimigiano, Norris, brought back memories.  Did you climb the tower in San Jimmy?  I like to climb any tower that is open to the public for two reasons:  to get a great view and nice photos and also to know that I still can.

 

La promenade des Anglais en Nice - ce n'est pas pour les Irlandais, peut-etre?

[Baynanno1]

J'espère que votre parapluie a également gardé votre appareil photo au sec !

 

I also did French right through senior school and followed up with some adult ed. later in life.

I have been able to get directions when I became lost on a river cruise, so was pretty pleased with that.

 

Looking forward to the rest of your saga. 🙂

[peyroutous]

Les Irlandais sont toujours les bienvenus en France🇮🇪.

[Bimmer09]

25 minutes ago, peyroutous said:

Les Irlandais sont toujours les bienvenus en France🇮🇪.

Merci beaucoup!

Norris, who plays Parisian cafe music on Youtube when drinking espresso.

 

[Bimmer09]

1 hour ago, Baynanno1 said:

J'espère que votre parapluie a également gardé votre appareil photo au sec !

 

I also did French right through senior school and followed up with some adult ed. later in life.

I have been able to get directions when I became lost on a river cruise, so was pretty pleased with that.

 

Looking forward to the rest of your saga. 🙂

Vraiment! The camera must be kept dry, indeed.

Norris