Review Quest June 14 - another view

[world~citizen]

There is already an excellent review of this cruise on Cruise Critic. We would like to offer another review from perhaps a different perspecive.

 

We arrived in Athens two days early. This is a strategy we use in order to do a little sightseeing, decompress from the stress of the office and the flight, and to allow for our baggage to catch-up with us in the event of it being mishandled. Fortunately our baggage arrived with us and intact, and a hotel driver was there to greet us outside immigration/passport control.

 

The next day we wandered around Athens (one of our favourite cities), keeping to the shade, discovering treasures in the local shops and having a relaxing dinner amidst the charm of the Plaka. You can never get enough of Athens.

 

The following day we took one last walk around the city before going to the meet the ship in port via hotel transportation. Taxi drivers can present a very iffy situation for tourists in Athens. If you ask your hotel to arrange for a taxi or other transportation, you can be better assured of proper service at a fair price.

 

Upon arriving at the passenger ship terminal we were greeted by an Azamara representative and a porter. The porter took our luggage. The Azamara representative escorted us to passport control, after which we quickly registered and were on board the Quest in what was unquestionably the fastest and most efficient embarkation we have ever experienced.

 

Upon boarding, we were greeted with a glass of champagne, and we went directly to our cabin where our luggage arrived almost immediately. A buffet was presented in Windows, and after the life-boat drill we were free to explore the ship and begin our cruise.

 

The Quest is a small ship fitted for around 800 passengers. It is an elegant vessel, beautifully appointed and with good passenger flow. We were impressed with the painted glass ceilings in the (well stocked) library (Drawing Room) and reception area. The size of the public rooms seemed appropriate to the number of passengers on board. (Our information is that the ship sailed with about a hundred passengers shy of full capacity). Our veranda cabin was small but accommodated us quite well. Don’t expect a sunken bathtub in the washroom. It is small but functional. The linens, towels and bathrobes are high quality, as was the bed and flat screen TV.

 

The television system was interactive so you could keep tabs of your bill (worked well for us), could order breakfast, get shore excursion and port information and even watch TV! CNN, a channel called Orbit which we haven’t seen before but enjoyed, the History channel, a movie channel, I believe some other channels and view from the bridge etc were usually available. The cabin safe was big enough for a laptop. We had a beeper number to contact our (fantastic) Butler. The cabin was always serviced promptly.

 

Dining? Well, there are numerous options:

 

Alternative Dining Rooms: Prime C on deck 10 is a great steakhouse with fabulous food and service. Next door is Aqualina – a seafood restaurant. If you are not a seafood fan, you can enjoy a steak dinner while your seafood loving friends have their fill of fish and lobster. Service is attentive and as professional here as in Prime C. Both restaurants recommend a $5 tip per person, which is not mandatory but you will doubtless wish to improve on that. It is easier to make a reservation earlier rather than later in the cruise, so make one early. If you dine before sunset, views can be pretty spectacular from almost every table in both venues.

 

Discoveries is the main dining room. We found the food to be good but not extraordinary. It was better for breakfast. Service was fine, on both occasions when we dined there (for dinner) and on the single occasion we joined them for breakfast. We were given the option of a table for two or to join a larger group on these occasions. We never waited for a table.

 

Windows/Breeza is the buffet style restaurant which became a favourite. Stir fries and Sushi were always available in addition to the regular menu. Lunch hours were extended for tours that returned late. You could experience your dinner outside over the stern in Breeza while you enjoyed the summer evening, viewed the beautiful sunsets, watched the occasional dolphins hopping – all to the sounds of the ship sailing through the sea. This, for us, represented more a yacht-like experience rather than a cruise ship one.

 

While Windows/Breeza was our favourite restaurant and we ate most of our meals there, we did notice spotty service. Tables were not always cleared in a timely fashion, cutlery and napkins were not always set out, and serving staff suffered from obvious inexperience or poor training. We even saw two occasions where beverages were spilled on guests. At breakfast, coffee service was poor, not helped with the permanent malfunction of one of their two coffee makers, and occasional malfunctioning of the second. At the beginning of the cruise, servers presented fresh squeezed juice on the counter. Later it was behind the counter. If you didn’t know to ask or take a second look, you would assume they had run out. We know that new staff came on board mid cruise. This may account for a noticeable change in service.

 

Mosaic Café on deck 5 serves specialty coffee and wonderful pastries by day and tapas from early evening. The staff there was always friendly and the coffee and food outstanding. You don’t have to buy a coffee to enjoy the delightful food offerings.

 

I would like to note that the “come any time” and no formal dressing for dinner in Discoveries and Windows was a welcome change from other cruises. At no time did we see anyone unable to be seated for dinner if they arrived late, and we didn’t have to suffer through two weeks of horrible dinner companions as can sometimes happen with fixed seating. Not having to pack all the extra clothes, jewellery, shoes, etc. was great.

 

Entertainment was spotty. We enjoyed Hyperion Knight, a pianist – we even bought his CD. When we heard the vocalist on another occasion from outside the Cabaret, we didn’t even bother to go in! The Harpist playing daily was very pleasant.

 

Stores are seldom good on ships and Quest was no exception. Sundries seemed particularly poorly stocked, no sun screen. If you need a mug or a pen though, you will be fine.

 

Other stuff:

 

It is true that there are no chocolates on the pillows at night, though petit four or something similar will be offered instead.

 

If you wanted to have a late afternoon snack delivered to your cabin, it is a simple matter of letting your butler know.

 

Some note that there is no pillow menu. We didn’t get one, nor did we wish one.

 

Some have complained of no hot water in the shower. It seems if you are among the first to get up in the morning, you may have to let the water run a bit first.

 

The bartenders in Breeza are the best.

 

Azamara is not skimping on the Cruise Critic party – full stop, period. (thanks Toni).

 

As to the cruise ship excursion vs. private excursion debate, well “you pays your money and takes your pick”. Over the years we have had both and have found it is the attitude of the tour guides and fellow passengers that are the big factor here. The guides all perform according to their ability. I would say that excursions in Santorini and Chios are not necessary. Consider the hop-on hop-off bus in Istanbul. You may want to take an excursion to such archeological sites as Ephesus (Kusadasi). I would take seriously the information on the excursion. When it says walking, climbing or strenuous, it means that people in wheelchairs or who encounter difficulty walking should not attempt these excursions – especially in the heat. As it will be so hot, if you are heat sensitive, try to avoid the full day tours and develop some strategies for staying cool in the afternoon.

 

Ordering a private car for two may be cheaper than a ship transfer to the airport on disembarkation. It all comes down to personal preference.

 

It will be hot. Really hot. Scorching. Prepare yourself accordingly. We really mean it.

 

Conclusions:

 

There was something of magic about this cruise. We met the Captain regularly as he walked about the ship and had his meals in the various restaurants. He and his officers were available and friendly. The food and service in most venues was terrific. The cruise and serving staff, for the most part, were remarkable. The ports were unusual and interesting. The ship is beautiful, spotless, and in great shape.

 

None of the above criticisms detracted from what has been one of our best cruises ever.

 

We would sail Azamara again… in a heartbeat.

 

Smooth sailing...

[Literary Lynne]

Dear World Citizen

 

You transported me to the Quest (during my lunch hour sitting at my desk in muggy London). Thank you so much for reliving your obviously excellent cruise. It was a joy to read it.

 

Lynne:)

[brian_uk]

I do not often comment on reviews but I do feel that yours was really well balanced and enjoyable to read. It reflected very much my own views last year (save for the Butler) and we are looking forward to our next in a few weeks.

 

Brian

[uktog]

World Citizen

Thanks for your great review. Soon I will be experiencing this itinerary and it is so helpful to read your port thoughts. I certainly found Quest to be a very happy and well managed ship (yes there are always those staff who are still finding their feet) and am delighted to hear it looks like we are going to enjoy a similar experience

[Skeezics]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review. Greatly appreciated. We are on the August 23 sailing....now I am getting excited. One question, just to reconfirm.....We do not need any visas for this cruise...the ship takes care of the Turkey one on board? Just want to be absolutely sure! Barb

[world~citizen]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review. Greatly appreciated. We are on the August 23 sailing....now I am getting excited. One question, just to reconfirm.....We do not need any visas for this cruise...the ship takes care of the Turkey one on board? Just want to be absolutely sure! Barb

 

I am not a US citizen and cannot speak for Turkey immigration officials. I can however refer you to the web pages of the Embassy of Turkey in the United States relevant to the question you ask:

 

http://www.washington.emb.mfa.gov.tr/ConsularServices.aspx?ID=6

 

If you are at all doubtful I recommend you call them directly at:

 

1 202 612 67 00

1 202 612 67 01

 

You can call Azamara as well, or your travel agent, but I think it is best to get your information directly from the responsible immigration officials for ultimate peace of mind.

 

Also, enjoy your upcoming cruise.:)

 

Smooth sailing to you.

[tgg]

US citizens DO NOT need visas for this cruise.

[greeneg]

Nice review. Your comments are similar to mine on our May 16 Best of Italy sailing; it is good to see consistency from one sailing to the next.

 

Can't wait until our next Azamara Cruise.

[Andy]

Hi World Citizen !

 

Thank you for your excellent review, and I'm happy to hear you had a great time on Azamara Quest. Welcome Home !

[world~citizen]

Nice review. Your comments are similar to mine on our May 16 Best of Italy sailing; it is good to see consistency from one sailing to the next.

 

Can't wait until our next Azamara Cruise.

 

The consistently favourable reviews are very encouraging.

 

From beginning to end this was an unusual cruise.

 

I have never seen the Heimlich manoeuvre used to save a life before.

 

I can tell you that on the last night of the cruise, our captain truly was a hero when he performed the Heimlich manoeuvre on a chocking/gagging passenger.

 

We were in Windows cafe when my wife looked at the poor fellow and exclaimed "Oh dear" - the Captain snapped around to see what was alarming her, instantly dropped his food plate, ran to the distressed passenger and cleared his obstructed airway with what appeared to be expert application of that lifesaving manoeuvre.

 

He had dinner with the gentleman and his wife after medical personal evaluated the fellow.

 

The Captain's weather forecasts may have been rubbish, but on that night, he was a true hero!

[world~citizen]

double post

[tgg]

The Captain's weather forecasts may have been rubbish . . .

 

Sometimes rubbish is good;). The forecast had been for rain, rain, rain, and we had sun, sun, sun. The weather for this cruise was perfect.

[Jancruz]

I too enjoyed the well balanced report..it just confirms what I have kniwn for quite a while that Azamara is getting better and better..We leave for Rome 4 weeks from today..for the "Best of Italy" I cant wait to see all my new friends again!!

Jancruz1

[greeneg]

Jan, I hope that you have as wonderful a time as we did.

 

Ed

[Jancruz]

Jan, I hope that you have as wonderful a time as we did.

 

Ed

 

I am sure we will..:-) we have never had a bad cruise and I have read everything you have written so we are following you pretty closely..

Jancruz1

[MVPinBoynton]

Thanks for the informative well written review. I am looking forward to our first Azamara cruise in February.

[piscean]

Well with all these good reviews , and how true, Azamara will be so popular it could get difficult to get a cabin!!

We so enjoyed our cruise in May and are really looking forward to our next in October.

Oh and looking at another next year.

Keep it up Azamara. :)

[world~citizen]

Thanks for the informative well written review. I am looking forward to our first Azamara cruise in February.

 

We are looking at an Asia cruise in February on Quest also!

[MVPinBoynton]

We are looking at an Asia cruise in February on Quest also!

 

We are on the Feb 20 itinerary. Come join our roll call. We have a nice group already.

[world~citizen]

We are on the Feb 20 itinerary. Come join our roll call. We have a nice group already.

 

Glad to hear it...its between 2 itineraries now. I will drop-in though (since you invited) to go over some logistical stuff. It will be a great cruise.

[MVPinBoynton]

Glad to hear it...its between 2 itineraries now. I will drop-in though (since you invited) to go over some logistical stuff. It will be a great cruise.

 

It is a tough decision if you are comparing the two SE Asia itineraries. The stop in Cambodia just seemed to be a nothing stop unless we wanted to fly to Angkor Wat for the day. But it would be nice to do. Good luck on making a decision.

[world~citizen]

It is a tough decision if you are comparing the two SE Asia itineraries. The stop in Cambodia just seemed to be a nothing stop unless we wanted to fly to Angkor Wat for the day. But it would be nice to do. Good luck on making a decision.

 

I think Quest would be a great ship for cruising Asia. One thing of note: as it is a small vessel, and Windows Cafe is likewise small, if it is at all cold outside and you are in the restaurant, you can really feel the cool breeze - even a crossbreeze if forward and aft doors open at the same time.

 

On this itinerary I think no problem, but I would think twice before sailing on her to Alaska or similar.

 

Smooth sailing...