Review of Quest sailing august 15th Istanbul to Athens

[oddjob16]

This review was first posted in FB group «Azamara Live»

Just disembarked the Quest after 11 nights from Istanbul to Athens. The experience was top notch and rest assured that the crew is getting more and more up to excellent standards . The boarding process in Istanbul was seemless and we were on board by 1:15. The itinerary was changed just a few days before to switch date of ports in Santorini and Patmos. As a result we had Santorini with a portload of 4000 instead of 11000. A change was also made for Thessaloniki to leave a few hours early to get a full day in Mykonos.

Azamara are able to do this and goes the extra mile to make it happen. Captain Johannes is always searching for ways to improve the overall experience and this is not the first time he has done this.

The officers team were very visible all through the cruise and in every aspect we felt that we were very valuable customers. We had no issues with restaurants or bars,- TBH we didn't dine in Discoveries this time as we love the Sunset Veranda or Patio when weather is warm, and we had excellent experiences in Aqualina and Prime C.

Included wines were acceptable but halfway we switched to the Ultimate Package to use the OBC. (Both Fever Three and Schweppes were available in all venues) Entertainment was very good in Cabaret and the Living Room. Jose on the piano was a bit loud for our taste this time.

We rate this cruise among our top 5 and are "very happy customers". We don't like the use of phrases like "back to old standards" and such because we know the team on board is always trying to stretch even further and evolve their product.

Some port authorities are always throwing curve balls and the onboard team is working harder than one could imagine to let us customers remain unaware of this. Captain Johannes, HD Ryszcard and CD Amanda is a great team just to mention a few of the officers.

Something "new" is that the crew will eventually rotate more than has been usual. We spoke to a few waiters and room attendants and some said that next contract would probably be on other ships. This might also be the case for the senior officers. We know Amanda will be replaced by Stephen in November and he has been on Journey for a long period.

Already looking forward to the next one.

[uktog]

Lovely review glad you had a great time. 

[KY Deb]

We will be on the Quest 10/31 for the Spanish Intensive voyage.  Thank you for the review.   Really looking forward to our trip. First time on Azamara so eagerly searching for all current info.  

[Belfastman]

49 minutes ago, oddjob16 said:

This review was first posted in FB group «Azamara Live»

Just disembarked the Quest after 11 nights from Istanbul to Athens. The experience was top notch and rest assured that the crew is getting more and more up to excellent standards . The boarding process in Istanbul was seemless and we were on board by 1:15. The itinerary was changed just a few days before to switch date of ports in Santorini and Patmos. As a result we had Santorini with a portload of 4000 instead of 11000. A change was also made for Thessaloniki to leave a few hours early to get a full day in Mykonos.

Azamara are able to do this and goes the extra mile to make it happen. Captain Johannes is always searching for ways to improve the overall experience and this is not the first time he has done this.

The officers team were very visible all through the cruise and in every aspect we felt that we were very valuable customers. We had no issues with restaurants or bars,- TBH we didn't dine in Discoveries this time as we love the Sunset Veranda or Patio when weather is warm, and we had excellent experiences in Aqualina and Prime C.

Included wines were acceptable but halfway we switched to the Ultimate Package to use the OBC. (Both Fever Three and Schweppes were available in all venues) Entertainment was very good in Cabaret and the Living Room. Jose on the piano was a bit loud for our taste this time.

We rate this cruise among our top 5 and are "very happy customers". We don't like the use of phrases like "back to old standards" and such because we know the team on board is always trying to stretch even further and evolve their product.

Some port authorities are always throwing curve balls and the onboard team is working harder than one could imagine to let us customers remain unaware of this. Captain Johannes, HD Ryszcard and CD Amanda is a great team just to mention a few of the officers.

Something "new" is that the crew will eventually rotate more than has been usual. We spoke to a few waiters and room attendants and some said that next contract would probably be on other ships. This might also be the case for the senior officers. We know Amanda will be replaced by Stephen in November and he has been on Journey for a long period.

Already looking forward to the next one.

Yes indeed senior officers will also rotate between ships from next year in particular the Captains.

[Mackdogmolly]

@oddjob16, so good to hear! Love the Quest and her Captain. He’s the best. Reviews like this make me “homesick” for Azamara.

[aliaschief]

Great review. Thanks for sharing.

[Grandma Cruising]

Thanks for posting this Odd, very helpful.

[cpgrneyes]

4 hours ago, oddjob16 said:

The boarding process in Istanbul was seemless and we were on board by 1:15.

Hi @oddjob16 - We’re departing on Onward 10/14/23, and I’m interested in finding out how early you arrived at Galataport before boarding at 1:15. We’re in a suite, so I believe the boarding begins at 1:30, but I’ve read and watched where from arrival to walking on the ship can be a long hassle! Thanks.

[oddjob16]

28 minutes ago, cpgrneyes said:

Hi @oddjob16 - We’re departing on Onward 10/14/23, and I’m interested in finding out how early you arrived at Galataport before boarding at 1:15. We’re in a suite, so I believe the boarding begins at 1:30, but I’ve read and watched where from arrival to walking on the ship can be a long hassle! Thanks.

We arrived at noon and went thru some checkpoints where we got hour priority stickers. We then waited 30 minutes before we could do our check in. That done we had to wait until the passport check was ready to start. If it hadn’t been for the passport check procedure we would probably be on board a bit earlier. You can easily arrive at 12:30 and walk thru the entire procedure. It was hassle free but a few waits. 

[cpgrneyes]

3 hours ago, oddjob16 said:

We arrived at noon and went thru some checkpoints where we got hour priority stickers. We then waited 30 minutes before we could do our check in. That done we had to wait until the passport check was ready to start. If it hadn’t been for the passport check procedure we would probably be on board a bit earlier. You can easily arrive at 12:30 and walk thru the entire procedure. It was hassle free but a few waits. 

 

3 hours ago, oddjob16 said:

You can easily arrive at 12:30 and walk thru the entire procedure. It was hassle free but a few waits

Thanks for the quick response! Looking forward to being back onboard — between land trips and Covid, we haven’t sailed since 2018.

[Oslo Dutch]

Thank you for a great review and for making us aware, we can also sign up for the ultimate package during the last days of the cruise in order to spend OBC.  

 

We are usually happy with the wines offered in the cruise fare.  However, are the wines offered on the ultimate package really worth the upgrade?

 

 

[Grandma Cruising]

3 hours ago, Oslo Dutch said:

Thank you for a great review and for making us aware, we can also sign up for the ultimate package during the last days of the cruise in order to spend OBC.  

 

We are usually happy with the wines offered in the cruise fare.  However, are the wines offered on the ultimate package really worth the upgrade?

 

 

It depends what you like. There is a champagne, also Whispering Angel rose which we love.

[oddjob16]

5 hours ago, Oslo Dutch said:

Thank you for a great review and for making us aware, we can also sign up for the ultimate package during the last days of the cruise in order to spend OBC.  

 

We are usually happy with the wines offered in the cruise fare.  However, are the wines offered on the ultimate package really worth the upgrade?

 

 

That depends on your personal preferences. For us it meant indulging a bit more with mixed drinks and better wines. Try and make up your own opinion. We think its a good deal.

[Grandma Cruising]

You don’t have to decide beforehand - see what you think about the included drinks first. 

[hamrag]

5 hours ago, Grandma Cruising said:

You don’t have to decide beforehand - see what you think about the included drinks first. 

Sound advice, as always, from GC.

[miss-heli]

Great review. Thank you for finding the time to share.

 

We will be boarding the Quest in Istanbul and I have read in other posts that some taxis are not allowed into the port area and that passengers are dropped off outside and have to make their own way through a shopping complex with their luggage.

 

Did you have any problems ?

[oddjob16]

22 hours ago, miss-heli said:

Great review. Thank you for finding the time to share.

 

We will be boarding the Quest in Istanbul and I have read in other posts that some taxis are not allowed into the port area and that passengers are dropped off outside and have to make their own way through a shopping complex with their luggage.

 

Did you have any problems ?

Taxi will drop you off at the entrance of the terminal, which is also a shopping center. I believe the entrance was "D". No problem.