karolm Posted January 8, 2008 #1 Share Posted January 8, 2008 :) Azamara Quest 14 days This was our first cruise with Celebrity. Have cruised 6 times previously with Holland America, Princess, Carnival X2, NCL, and RCCL. Yes, we are cruise sluts. We booked cruise and air thru the Azamara cruise line. I found out by chance that custom air was complimentary on our cruise. When I called the custom cruise air department they did not know there was no charge. After consulting with another dept they told me that I was right. Got non-stop flights departing Chicago to Miami and Acapulco to Chicago. Flew out of Chicago at 6am nonstop to Miami. After a short wait a shuttle bus took us to the dock. Smoothest embarkation we have had. A glass of champagne in hand we were in our cabin 6090 by 12:30pm. My husband is a history buff and has wanted to cruise the Panama Canal for years. This was one of those trips in a lifetime for him. Booked a sunset veranda. DH wanted that cabin going thru the locks and the view was spectacular. The balcony was 60 feet, with a large table and a half overhang that was always in the shade and protected from the rain. Perfect balcony. Bigger than some balcony cabins and smaller than others we have been in. been The only disadvantage that I found with aft veranda was the vibration when the ship was going fast. Ship Quite beautiful, smaller than we have been on previously, and easy to get around. Casino the right size for this ship with great blackjack rules and $5 minimum tables. We bought the spa pass which we used daily. The spa area was on 9 forward with saltwater heated sauna and a large seating area. DH and I don't have a good knee between us and the spa kept us going. The most people I saw at any one time in the area were six. It cost $175/couple for the 14 days and was well worth the money for us. Nice quiet area to relax, nap and read. Dining Best food we have ever had on a cruise ship. 2 top choices were New England Clam Chowder and the short ribs of beef. Ate at the Prime C one time and found the food to be no better than the main dining room Discoveries. Service in the dining room was superb. We ate at different times and in different areas of the dining room. Never had to wait more than 5 minutes to be seated. The menu had so much to offer we never asked for anything different or extra. Anyway, that is not our style. Our dining time was always fine. We did eat at the buffet a few times and it was excellent. We had room service for breakfast most mornings cause we had the large table on the balcony. Steak and eggs, excellent smoked salmon with hard boiled eggs, capers, and onions, and great poached eggs. Everything the proper temperature consistently. Ports Port Antonio, Jamaica We could not dock at Port Antonio due to weather conditions. That was disappointing as we had a group tour arranged by Laura from cruise critic with Marva Shaw. Okay that was an AOG. Santa Marta, Columbia We were going to stay on the ship for this port due to all the negative reviews. We already had been at sea for 3 days so thought we would try a ship excursion. Because of the inaccurate description at the shore excursion talk by Luke Bergado, shore excursions manager, we chose Taste of Tayrona Park. We went down to the desk and I personally asked Luke if this excursion would be appropriate for my DH and I due to our knee problems. He told us not in the least strenuous. Well, after getting to the park in a bus escorted by armed militia we were all told by the guide to follow him. Up and down hill, passing many groups of armed militia, thru mud, up 132 rock stairs all uneven, but whose counting?) and even one jump about 3 feet down and we arrived at the beach. One knee was swollen for a week. When we got back to the ship it took me 4 days to get an appointment with Luke to talk about the discrepancies. For the first 10 minutes he told me my husband had talked to him all about the bad experience. NOT. I felt like I was dealing with a used car salesman. After another 6 days I finally made an appointment with Heike Cramer the Hotel Director. Finally some satisfaction with a refund and being told not to tell anyone. Sorry but be very aware the shore excursion talks are not likely to be very accurate. Cartagena, Columbia Went on a city tour with Tesorotours. Arranged privately with cruise critic and Laura and Marv. Really nice tour and fun group with Nancy and Mike. Puerto Limon I had arranged a private tour with Oscar Brown and had a group of 7. We did a combination tour of the aerial tram at Forest Atlantic Park and the Tortuguero Canal tour. The Oscar Brown tour we did was a combination tour of Aerial Tram and Tortuguero Canal. It took maybe an hour and a half to get to the Aerial Tram. The canal trip was supposed to be for one hour. For the sake of time we cut it back to 45min. Here's what we saw: Birds, Iguanas and Sloths. The return traffic was really really bad so we just made it back in time to walk up the gangway at 3:44pm. (We were supposed to be on board at 3:45pm.) Too stressful. Oscar should have known that we should only do one tour as the aerial tram was too far. Cannot recommend him as a tour guide. Panama Canal We stayed on our balcony most of the day going thru the locks. It rained a bit, was quite warm so we had our bathing suits on and sat in the rain. Great experience. It would have been nice if there had been something on TV with a naturalist talking about the canal. When we were in Alaska they had all the naturalists broadcasting about the glaciers on tv besides being on the upper deck. Puerto Caldera Took the ships excursion to the Macaw Sanctuary which was quite enjoyable. San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua Private tour of Granada and Isletas with cruise critic group. Very nice tour and enjoyable day. Huatulco, Mexico Took cab at dock for city tour and shopping. Nice city and day. Entertainment In the evening the shows were usually acceptable, some not, some exceptional. There usually was really nothing after the regular shows. I expected the lack of entertainment on the smaller ship. The big problem I thought was the TV. Lack of movies, menus, it was just basic CNN and TCM. or pay per view movies for $10-$12. ??? We disembarked in Acapulco and took the ship excursion city tour. Saw the cliff divers and great shopping. Finished my Christmas shopping and a few birthdays also. Dropped of at the airport about 1pm for our 4pm flight. No line, suitcases were thoroughly searched. No charge at AA for our overweight luggage only tags placed saying heavy. On our last Pursuits (the daily program) we were informed there would be a $25 departure tax/person at the airport. We were not charged. Home by 9pm. Tired but happy. We had a great cruise. Service was exceptional. So were all the friends we met.. and will keep. Hi Marv, Laura, Nancy, Mike and many more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted January 8, 2008 #2 Share Posted January 8, 2008 Hi Karolm ! Thank you for the excellent review, and welcome home. I am glad you had a great cruise on Quest ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Napi's Mom Posted January 8, 2008 #3 Share Posted January 8, 2008 Carol Much better review than mine, more to the point, but as you know from our time together I digress from the point at the least little nudge. Mike says he can never follow my mind (might not be worth trying). We really enjoyed our time with you guys...something about the midwestern mentality??? But Laura (oh yes a displaced midwesterner) and Marv were also a lot of fun. (I remember those poor English ladies, whom we really found delightful, being at a loss on the Grenada tour, when we kind of went off the deep end after so much time on that awful road and we just started laughing over nothing ) Ah yes Vacation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMKohler Posted January 8, 2008 #4 Share Posted January 8, 2008 Carol, Thank you so much from your informative review:) . Actually, thank ALL of you from the December 8th cruise. An interesting point -- it seems you were informed about the departure tax/fee by Azamara before departing (regardless of whether you were actually charged or not) the ship. Therefore, we should be prepared to bring $50 cash in case we are charged that fee:eek: . Also, I have heard about two differnet terminals. I believe Quest was supposed to leave from Terminal J, but sometimes that is changed. Does anyone tell you this in advance? Thank you. Lucy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karolm Posted January 8, 2008 Author #5 Share Posted January 8, 2008 "Also, I have heard about two differnet terminals. I believe Quest was supposed to leave from Terminal J, but sometimes that is changed. Does anyone tell you this in advance?" I looked thru the booklet (the cruise ticket contract) they sent and there was no mention of which terminal it departs from. We had the cruise shuttle from the airport to the terminal. I was oblivious to everything except getting on that ship. I do remember the building was very small. Maybe someone else knows? Carol M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susiesan Posted January 8, 2008 #6 Share Posted January 8, 2008 Carol, Also, I have heard about two differnet terminals. I believe Quest was supposed to leave from Terminal J, but sometimes that is changed. Does anyone tell you this in advance? Thank you. Lucy Lucy: Just have your cab driver look for the little ship sandwiched in between the behemoths.! Susie : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newly retired Posted January 8, 2008 #7 Share Posted January 8, 2008 Hi Karolm Great to hear you had a wonderful trip. We are going through the canal on the Feb 2nd cruise and will be in the same cabin as you, my cousin and her husband are in the next sv cabin 6093. Hope you can answer a question for me, I have heard that some of the balcony rooms have doors leading to the next balcony and was wondering if #6090 and #6093 were like this. We are hoping they are so we can share one big area. Thanks again for the great review. Gail, Thorold, Ontario Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karolm Posted January 8, 2008 Author #8 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I don't remember any door and I don't think the partition opens. With all the wonderful hours we spent on the balcony I cannot tell you for sure. As I had said there is a vibration in 6090 when the ship is going faster. Bring duct tape as the safe rattles. The first night 2 people worked on it for over an hour. Finally it didn't make any noise and when they were half-way down the hall it started up again. Thank goodness I had tape with me and had to retape it every day. A few years ago when I joined this forum there had been a list of survivor items to bring on a cruise. I keep mine all in one bag ready to go. Multiplug extension cord, duct tape, notepad, bungee cords, and spray wrinkle release. The hair dryer in the desk if great. I'm really fussy about that. The elemis toiletries were great and didn't even use by own shampoo. Have a wonderful cruise, Carol M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted January 9, 2008 #9 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Hi KarolmGreat to hear you had a wonderful trip. We are going through the canal on the Feb 2nd cruise and will be in the same cabin as you, my cousin and her husband are in the next sv cabin 6093. Hope you can answer a question for me, I have heard that some of the balcony rooms have doors leading to the next balcony and was wondering if #6090 and #6093 were like this. We are hoping they are so we can share one big area. Thanks again for the great review. Gail, Thorold, Ontario Hi Gail ! I answered part of this question, in the new thread you started. Please check there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMLLEL Posted January 9, 2008 #10 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Thanks so much for the review. I was wondering if anyone got any shots for typhoid or hepatitis (or anything else) before they took the Panama cruise? Are any vaccinations required? RMLLEL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Napi's Mom Posted January 9, 2008 #11 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Thanks so much for the review. I was wondering if anyone got any shots for typhoid or hepatitis (or anything else) before they took the Panama cruise? Are any vaccinations required? RMLLEL Our clinic has a travel Dr & Nurse to advise about shots etc. We were advised to have both those last year for Turkey and Egypt, so they were up to date. They advised also Yellow fever...If entering Colombia (Brazil requires them for all entering the country) Perhaps we're over cautious, but we did get them. Many didn't. We didn't get sick from the shots at all. The other advice was a very good, high in Deet insect repellant.Malaria mosquitos in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and Canal Zone. No protection against malaria but to keep the bugs away from you. We saw few mosquitos however. Many on Cruise did not have the Yellow fever shot:) Nothing protects from the dread Noro either:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMLLEL Posted January 9, 2008 #12 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Thanks. I think I'll ask my doctor what she thinks. I would feel safer getting the shots. I always bring cipro when we travel now in case we get the noro. RMLLEL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Napi's Mom Posted January 9, 2008 #13 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Thanks. I think I'll ask my doctor what she thinks. I would feel safer getting the shots. I always bring cipro when we travel now in case we get the noro.RMLLEL Same Dr advised us to take this new anti Biotic that ONLY works in the Gastro tract and has none of the side effects that Cipro does, you know the lowering of effectiveness from repeated use etc. It's aimed right at those nasty Noro viruses. Name is XIFAXAN. Check into it with your DR if interested.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotChoppedLiver Posted January 9, 2008 #14 Share Posted January 9, 2008 "Also, I have heard about two differnet terminals. I believe Quest was supposed to leave from Terminal J, but sometimes that is changed. Does anyone tell you this in advance?" Hi Lucy, Here's how we found the ship: After visiting the Azamara website so many times, when we got to the terminal I recognized the Azamara logo on the stack. When you see a ship that is much smaller than the others look up at the logo, it's probably Quest. Laura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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