Azamara Pursuit Amalfi & Dalmation Coasts Review

[Mrs Miggins]

Thanks for your review;  Brings back memories of being in Sorrento on the wonderful Royal Clipper (although I think it is Star Clipper in your photo).  Also been there many times on Azamara including just this April on lovely cruise on Quest from Barcelona to Ravenna. The Amalfi coast is wonderful and looking forward to your photos of the Dalmation coast.

[Baynanno1]

Thanks for your enthusiastic review, complete with great photos.

Special thanks for the video clip of David Righeschi, whose voice and personality

we have enjoyed many times on Azamara cruises. 🤩

Edited October 24, 2022 by Baynanno1

[uktog]

Lovely to hear David. I was kicking myself for forgetting I can do video as well as still photos when I got home. It’s a nice itinerary you have done. 

[Mrs Miggins]

Saw David on Viking a couple of weeks ago.  He must be very busy as his program of well known music is ideal for a wide audience and works well onboard a cruise ship.

[Jellifer]

On 10/23/2022 at 7:13 PM, Host Jazzbeau said:

I tried this on our first R-ship cruise – and discovered that I can't count to 14!!! 🤣

I kept losing count... I'm easily distracted 😁

[Jellifer]

Tonight was the ‘White Night’ party which is a spectacular deck party with live music. A huge amount of preparation must go into this – deck 9 is cleared and tables and chairs are put out. Flags and bunting are put up and a huge buffet is set up where the Patio restaurant is normally found. We went early to nab a good table and it was great to see so many people dressed in white and up for a good time. We happened to sit at a table in Elmer’s area so he looked after us with drinks and we had a great time. I’ve never seen such a feast of a buffet and it was served by some of the officers onboard. Pudding was another epic feast along with Crepes Suzette being served. There was a lovely parade by the crew along deck 10 and everyone cheered and waved their napkins in appreciation, the atmosphere was fantastic. The sunset was gorgeous too. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The famous Crepes Suzette

 

 

 

 

Captain Mikael addressing us during the White Night festivities

 

Edited October 25, 2022 by Jellifer

[Jellifer]

Cruise day 6 – sea day!

 

I just love a sea day – nowhere to be no timetable to have to stick to…. Well unless you count the Azamara sea day brunch! Held in the main restaurant from 10am – 12:30pm it is not to be missed! Lovely selection of food on offer and live music from the band, really enjoyable. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also learned about a new sport today (if you can call it that!) – Corn Hole! This was new to me and the fact I had beginners’ luck may have aided my enjoyment. The rest of the day was spent lazing somewhere reading my book (Orphans of the Storm by Celia Imrie… not the best choice to bring on a cruise!!) quizzing (we won!) and generally having a lovely relaxing time.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The show tonight was ‘A Million Dreams’ and was very good.

 

Edited October 25, 2022 by Jellifer

[uktog]

Goodness me, compared to Journey that Brunch is a real feast

[mchell810]

1 hour ago, uktog said:

Goodness me, compared to Journey that Brunch is a real feast

 

Glad to see your comment! After your report about brunch on Journey I was afraid I'd have to retract all the praises for brunch I've already given my travel buddy.  At least now I can hope the brunch will be its usual lovely experience.

 

@Jellifer -- really enjoying your travel report 😀

[andrcan]

5 hours ago, Jellifer said:

I kept losing count... I'm easily distracted 😁

Had the same concern going for my first Azamara cruise - I normally run 4 miles so that’s 56 laps? - but zeroing it after each half a mile helped as I only have to count to 7… 8 times 😂

[Jellifer]

Cruise day 7 – Kotor

 

Kotor is one of my favourite ports. The sail in is so stunning, it almost feels as if you should be in the fjords. Started off the day with some laps and then cancelled that out with breakfast in the dining room 😊

This is the first time I’d been docked in Kotor – I had always had to tender the short distance to shore. Our sister ship the Azamara Onward was in port with us and we nabbed the dock while they were out in the bay. Cruise Director Emily and Captain Mikael were pier side to wish us all a great day.Glorious weather once again and we enjoyed exploring the narrow streets of Kotor. 
 

Spent the afternoon lazing on deck 11 catching some sunshine.

 

Had a lovely dinner with some new found friends on the ship and then it was time for CD Emily’s show. She is a really talented lady with a great voice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the dock in Kotor

 

Tender point for our sister ship was just across the dock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 27, 2022 by Jellifer

[Jellifer]

Cruise Day 8 – Sibenik

 

Sibenik, Croatia was a new port to me. We docked a short walk from the town and enjoyed exploring here. Croatia has Kuna as it’s currency but Euros were widely accepted. Croatia will be joining the Euro on 1st January 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I decided to cash in my loyalty level free bag of laundry todayso squeezed as much as physically possible into the bag for Hilda to take. 

 

 

I decided to cash in my loyalty level free bag of laundry todayso squeezed as much as physically possible into the bag for Hilda to take. 

 

 

We won one of the quizzes again today. Amanda the show dancer was the host today and she was hilarious! Really funny and engaging, we all said she would make a great Cruise Director one day.

 

Great sunset from my balcony.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuna Ceviche

 

Some kind of chocolatey goodness

 

Bananas Foster

 

Edited October 27, 2022 by Jellifer

[Jellifer]

Cruise day 9 – Koper

 

Up early today for a special reason. Today for the first time ever, all 4 Azamara ships would be in port together. They met in the bay outside Koper from 6.30am and then were all docked together at the port. I was on deck before sunrise and 2 ships were already in position. The 4th pulled in formation along side us shortly after and coffee and pastries were served on deck. I believe that there were drones taking pictures of the 4 sisters and we got some pretty good views too. As well as being a first for Azamara, it was also a first for the port of Koper having 4 ships docked at once.

 

The very BEST part of today was watching the crew re-unite with friends and colleagues from the other ships. There were so many lovely reunions on the dock, it was heart warming to see and there was such a jubilant atmosphere. I believe all staff got chance to have some time off at some point during the day, so it was smiles all around.

 

We’d originally been scheduled in port at 8am I believe but we were the last of the ships to dock so they changed our arrival time to 10.30am. This late change meant that some guests with scheduled private tours had arrived too late to meet them. Ship’s tours obviously went ahead with later start times.

 

Koper had less to catch my eye than the other ports but I still enjoyed exploring here. We had to go through passport control and get a stamp here. The Daily Insider did tell everyone that passports were needed but a lot of people missed this. Some were told as they left the ship but decided to wing it without them and were duly sent back to the ship after they’d made the 5 minute walk to the port gate!

 

Tonight was the ‘Destination Celebration’ evening. What used to be an Azamazing evening when everyone was taken off the ship to experience local culture had been adapted for covid times by bringing the experience on to the ship. We had a local Slovenian Jazz band ‘Počeni Škafi’

 

According to Mr Google…. “Počeni Škafi (Cracked Pails) are the illegitimate children of New Orleans street music and French chanson, who grew up on the streets of Ljubljana without parental supervision. Although they have long devoted themselves mainly to original music with an emphasis on witty and moving lyrics in Slovenian”

 

The music was very good and some of the lyrics were amusing but the local wine served was a bit rough! I enjoyed the event but hopefully Azamazing evenings proper will be back for 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blatantly 'stole' this one from Azamara's FB page... we are second from the right!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The idilemma of which ship to get back on!

 

 

 

 

Edited October 27, 2022 by Jellifer

[Jellifer]

Cruise Day 10 – Rovinj

 

LOVED ROVINJ!!! It is a Croatian fishing port on the west coast of the Istrian Peninsula. We were at anchor, and it was a 5 minute tender ride to the town. It is a very laid-back coastal holiday place and one I’d love to come back to. It had an Italian Riviera vibe to it, lovely. 

 

My laundry was delivered by the time we got back on board, all present and correct. There is a laundry room on deck 7 that is free to use with washers, driers and irons, and detergent is provided too. Didn’t need to use it on this trip but it’s a great place to meet people usually!

 

Had the sad task of starting to pack my suitcase in the afternoon but then went to our final quizzes of the trip. Didn’t finish in a blaze of glory but had amassed quite a number of stamps which Nelson was happy to swap for some Azamara goodies up in the card room. 

 

Final dinner with Elmer and Ramel, and Jorge took some photos of us all, but not without taking a selfie first! 

 

Last show was ‘His Song: the Music’ an Elton John special. Lots of fun and costume changes, it was a giggle.

Then the bit everyone dreads at the end of a cruise – having to put suitcases out for collection by 11pm.

Beautiful view to wake up to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banana Beignets

 

Bread & Butter pudding

 

Edited October 27, 2022 by Jellifer

[Jellifer]

Cruise day 11 – Homeward bound

 

We docked early in Ravenna and had clearance to disembark just before 7am. We walked off the ship, scanned our cards for the last time and walked down the gangway with a sad face. At the end of the Gangway was Captain Mikael and his team, wishing us a safe journey and thanking us for putting our trust in them… nice touch!

 

Our bags were waiting for us in the empty terminal, and we walked out. Time from leaving cabins to leaving the terminal was less than 10 minutes. We had a pre-booked private transfer booked to take us to Bologna airport at 7.30 and our driver was early and waiting for us. 50 mins later we were dropped at the airport and had a short wait before the British Airways check in desk opened at 8.30am. Our flight was on time at 11.45 am and we landed at heathrow at 1pm local time.

 

All in all it was a fabulous trip. The staff were all amazing, so friendly and could not do enough to help us. In terms of covid, we didn’t have to have any tests at all (very different to my other 3 cruises post-covid) and it didn’t impact our trip at all. Masks were not required for guests or staff and I did not hear of any cases.

 

I have 2 more land based trips this year - better start cruise planning for 2023….

 

Thanks for reading if you got this far! Happy to answer any questions 😀

[KY Deb]

Thank you for taking us along on your amazing trip.   We are booked on our first Azamara cruise 10/2023 Spain, but just seeing the menus and hearing about the staff and events just gets the anticipation going!  

[kimberlydrzymala]

Really enjoyed your review and your photos. We are doing our first Azamara cruise in May and reading your review made me even more excited! Thanks so much for sharing and taking the time to do this.

[Grandma Cruising]

Thank you so much for your very informative review.

[uktog]

Thanks for your detailed review.
 

Interesting in Koper we had the same group as you onboard after you (but no wine rough or otherwise Journeys budgets didn’t stretch that far😀).
 

The drones were being run from Journey. We saw the team and part of the top deck was roped off for them but I think all guests still could get the shots they wanted no problem.
 

I think it was a shame Azamara didn’t give all the guests a postcard photo of one of the drone shots to recognise their involvement in the day. It was so lovely as you say seeing the crew interact but the four ships meet was primarily a marketing activity unlike previous meets (yes realise mass event mixing wasn’t probably an option but to completely ignore it for guests other than pastries at dawn was a little disappointing) 

[betsey]

Agreed what UKTog said. To move or cancel everyone's shore excursions for the day and to not commemorate the occasion was a complete fail by Azamara Corporate. My husband already noted it on the electronic survey. This could have been a big deal, but instead it was a ho-hum and an inconvenience. 

 

[cavaaller]

While searching for reviews of the "Lucca on your own" excursion I came upon your fabulous review @Jellifer. Thank you very much, you visited many of the ports that will be on our next cruise so this is a real treasure.

 

 

[Jellifer]

52 minutes ago, cavaaller said:

While searching for reviews of the "Lucca on your own" excursion I came upon your fabulous review @Jellifer. Thank you very much, you visited many of the ports that will be on our next cruise so this is a real treasure.

 

 

Pleasure! Let me know if I can help with any questions 🙂

[cavaaller]

18 minutes ago, Jellifer said:

Pleasure! Let me know if I can help with any questions 🙂

so kind of you to offer that... 😄  ...I do have a question indeed:
Do you remember, where your drop off point/meeting point in Lucca was? I found this map:

 

it would be a real help to know, if you were left in the center, at a parking space or rather at the foot of the town wall???

 

thank you again!

[beatnix]

We did Lucca on your own last summer. The bus stopped near Porta Maria and the guide accompanied us till Plaza San Frediano.

[cavaaller]

thank you @beatnix 😀

that helps a lot!