General Evaluation: Our Azamara Quest Atlantic Coast Cruise – All Issues Cruise

What an incredible cruise! Wow! On Friday night we returned dwelling after a 10-night cruise from Southampton, England to Lisbon, Portugal on the Azamara Quest. We paid for our personal cabin, however we bought an incredible charge and an improve to a balcony cabin.

General Rating: 97/100

Earlier than I get into particulars, it’s essential to grasp Azamara’s strategy. They’ve cruises for adults, which I outline as folks whose youngsters have grown. Put one other manner, your fellow passengers are probably aged 50+. Everyone seems to be energetic and in nice spirits. Azamara’s focus is on cultural immersion. Anticipate to see the city whereas onshore, have insightful shore excursions, benefit from the native delicacies and native leisure when again on the ship. They do that very effectively.

Evaluating the Cruise

Scoring is completed throughout 10 classes, every with a most of 10 factors per class. Easy sufficient.

1. Boarding and disembarking. We registered most of our particulars on-line earlier than we arrived in Southampton. We have been scheduled for our “well being verify” at 3:00 PM, but upon arriving early, we have been informed we may be a part of the road instantly. We waited about 25 minutes, however the line moved shortly. That they had a couple of dozen brokers behind the counter. The well being verify concerned them snapping an image of our Covid vaccination playing cards. No testing required. We have been then seated in sections A or B, similar to muster stations. As our group was invited onboard, the primary cease was the muster station the place we noticed a two-minute video. Quick ahead to the final day, disembarking was simple. We left a day early due to flight connections. We walked off with our baggage. An officer and a crew member rushed over, took our baggage and bought us a taxi. Rating: 10/10.
2. Well being. Azamara took this severely. Our vaccination playing cards have been checked earlier than boarding. Passengers are inspired, however not required, to put on masks. Azamara complies with guidelines in place for every port visited. In Gijon, Spain masks have been required on busses. The crew handed out masks earlier than you boarded the shuttle bus. Hand sanitizer stations are in all places. The crew is proactive in directing you to make use of them. Bottled water is handed out on the gangway when going ashore. The captain supplied a Covid replace in the course of the voyage. Rating: 10/10.
3. Ship design. The Azamara Quest is about 30,000 tons and carries 600+ passengers. Azamara explains the benefit of “a smaller ship” is the power to get into ports off limits to bigger vessels. Then again, I discovered the “movement of the ocean” extra noticeable than on bigger ships. The 18 knot cruising velocity could also be an element. I discovered the Azamara Quest had all of the facilities I’d count on from a bigger ship excluding a retractable roof over the pool and the absence of an onboard florist. Rating: 9/10.
4. Stateroom. Cruise ship staterooms in the present day are like Lego blocks. They’re considerably equivalent in dimension. We began out in an ocean view cabin, then have been upgraded to a balcony cabin. The cabins are barely smaller than we’re used to, but it surely’s not an enormous deal. When you have ever typed on a laptop computer pc after which a desktop, you understand the keyboard is barely smaller on the previous. In sensible phrases, we’re used to a closet with 4 doorways, this had three. The curtained bathe is just a little tight. Rating: 9/10.
5. Purchasing. Onboard purchasing is at all times a troublesome class since you are crusing to nice ports with nice shops – how can something compete? There are two most important outlets, the jewellery store and the overall store. The jewellery store additionally featured an additional jeweler representing his line. The overall store additionally had a piece that includes preowned Louis Vuitton and Gucci luxurious items. The outlets didn’t take up an excessive amount of area. There was no duty-free liquor part. The employees defined it’s accessible on the airport. The employees was attentive and pleasant. Rating: 9/10.
6. Meals. We primarily dined in the principle restaurant. It was open seating. You confirmed up they usually assigned a desk. If there was a wait, they handed you a discrete buzzer. The menu was divided into 4 sections: Appetizers, entrees, favorites and vacation spot particular. The meals was wonderful and introduced fantastically. The Home windows Café is their buffet restaurant. The picks and meals have been fairly good. We had lunch there nearly on daily basis. You could possibly get afternoon tea served in your cabin and savories delivered just a little later. The principle eating room was closed when the ship is in port, however you’ve loads of different choices. They’ve two specialty eating places, Aqualina and Prime C. We tried Aqualina and have been completely happy – that’s the place we had our soufflés. Rating: 10/10.
7. Drinks. They’re included. That may be a main function when crusing with Azamara. They’ve two improve tiers you may select, but it surely’s not likely essential. Their “home gins” are Tanqueray and Gordons. That’s their baseline! Wine is included too. I most well-liked the Whites and Rose over the reds. They’ve a wine record you may order from too. Rating: 10/10.
8. Leisure. They’ve a full leisure program. In addition they herald native performers when in port. The jewel within the crown is their “White Night time Get together.” Everybody is inspired to carry white clothes forward of time. The tables, linens and tableware are all white. The employees is wearing white. This was most likely the perfect celebration I’ve ever attended. It came about across the pool on the third night time. About 120 crew and officers are concerned. The music is nice. I counted about 50 folks on the dance flooring at one level. The cruise director is a gifted entertainer. Rating: 10/10.
9. Ports. This was a unique expertise for us. Ten nights at sea with just one sea day! Two ports have been in a single day stops, Bordeaux and Lisbon. As a result of the ship is smaller, it may dock in seven of the eight ports. Just one port required tendering. They’ve a wonderful shore tour program. Some may appear costly, however many passengers have onboard credit to spend. (With liquor and tipping included, there should not some ways to spend cash!)  We had a wonderful time. Rating: 10/10.
10. Workers angle. Everybody was upbeat. They’re genuinely glad to be working onboard. The employees is primarily from the Philippines, Indonesia and India. Talking English will not be an issue. They genuinely need this to be your finest trip ever. The Visitor Providers Desk (Purser’s workplace) and Concierge desk are very useful. I can’t imagine each the Chief Housekeeping Officer and a crew member carried our baggage from the gangway to the taxi after we left the ship. Rating: 10/10.

Excessive Factors of the Voyage

Here’s what we favored finest:

1. The white celebration. I raved about it earlier. It was among the best events we’ve got ever attended. Did I point out the conga line?
2. All-inclusive pricing. You don’t really feel surrounded by revenue facilities. Upgrading your drinks package deal, shopping for shore excursions, paying for Web, spa companies or reserving your subsequent voyage are about the one methods you may spend cash. Often, we spend about $1,000 on a seven-night voyage. On this 10-night voyage, our ultimate invoice was $185.00.
3. The ports. We’re wine followers. We have been capable of go to two well-known chateaus in Bordeaux and a well-known port home in Porto.
4. The crew and officers. They have been proactive in being useful and delivering the perfect expertise doable. At themed dinner occasions the officers have been actively cooking and serving meals.
5. The considerable extras. You possibly can get pleasure from breakfast, afternoon tea, pre-dinner canapes (savories) or dinner in your cabin! If you return to the ship, you’re greeted with chilly drinks and contemporary fruit!  At 5:00 PM they put out a diffusion of tapas in one of many lounges!

Areas for Enchancment

It will be not possible for every little thing to be good.

1. TV reception. The ship has a wide variety of free motion pictures accessible “on demand” in your cabin TV, however for some cause, in a few ports, the published channels merely disappeared. “No service.”
2. Service was really fairly good. It is advisable purchase a package deal. I believe my first package deal was 60 minutes for $19.95. Later I purchased the limitless package deal at about $20/day for the rest of the voyage.
3. Can the ship arrive earlier? In some ports, the ship docked near midday. This is likely to be as a result of tides. In a single case, it was as a result of a bridge would solely be opened at sure occasions. It will have been good to have had longer days in these nice ports.
4. Movement of the ocean. This one can’t be fastened. Possibly it’s the Bay of Biscay, however I felt queasy on two evenings, heading again to the cabin instantly after dinner. Jane, my spouse, had no issues.
5. The flight dwelling. As soon as we stepped off the gangway with our baggage, we have been “on our personal.” British Airways e-mailed us to announce our flight was cancelled. The flight to Heathrow was delayed in taking off. Altering planes at Heathrow was not a constructive expertise. Once more, not beneath Azamara’s management.

Many because of Azamara and its very succesful crew in working with me on arranging and serving to us with this glorious cruise. Because of the All Issues Cruise crew as effectively for introducing me to Azamara!

See sailings right here: Azamara Quest (cruisecompete.com), Azamara all ships

#Azamara  #AllThingsCruise

See earlier posts on this Azamara Quest cruise:

Southampton to Lisbon on Azamara Quest, Days 5, 6 and seven: Visiting Gijon, La Corona and Porto

September 11, 2022 by Bryce Sanders

Monday, September fifth:   On Monday we arrived In Gijon, Spain. This metropolis has the most important bulk supplies port in Spain. We docked close to a freighter that was both loading or unloading unfastened coal. The pile on the concrete pier was monumental!  One hillside featured the spherical tanks used to retailer pure gasoline whereas the tanks on the left hand facet have been oil tanks.   Azamara supplied shuttle busses into town of Gijon. It’s recognized for … Learn extra

Crusing Southampton to Lisbon on Azamara Quest, Days 2, 3 and 4: Visiting Chateau Lynch Bages in Paulliac

September 3, 2022 by Bryce Sanders

Wednesday, August thirty first: Our second day, the primary full day and our one sea day. Up and groggy at 7:00 AM. Fortunately the cabin steward known as earlier than arriving with our breakfast so we no less than had lined up. The espresso is great they usually serve Tiptree jam. Life doesn’t get significantly better. Now we have a balcony on deck 7 overlooking the bow. That is fairly cool. We requested the ship to ship somebody to indicate us how … Learn extra

Crusing Southampton, England to Lisbon, Portugal on Azamara Quest

August 31, 2022 by Bryce Sanders

Southampton, boarding the Azamara Quest – Tuesday, August 30, 2022 Arrival As we speak we joined the Azamara Quest in Southampton, England. As a reader, your main curiosity is the shipboard expertise. I’ll skip over the main points of attending to the ship from London. All of it went easily. The Azamara Quest was docked on the Metropolis Pier. (Southampton has a couple of pier.). The taxi driver knew the place it was. Though Azamara talks about their ships being smaller, it’s … Learn extra

Packing for a Heatwave, Headed to Spain on Azamara Quest Cruise

August 23, 2022 by Bryce Sanders

Spain, right here we come!  In a number of days we will probably be crusing on the Azamara Quest on their 10-night Wine and Tradition cruise from Southampton to Lisbon. Seven ports, all throughout a heatwave. How ought to I pack? Once I write, I often consult with Jane and myself as a pair. Sure, we’re touring collectively as a unit. As a man, I perceive what males put on. Ladies’s clothes remains to be a thriller to me. On this article … Learn extra

Analysis Issues: Preplanning for our Azamara Quest Cruise

August 23, 2022 by Bryce Sanders

We will probably be going to sea in a number of days!  We can’t wait!  Jane and I will probably be crusing on the Azamara Quest from Southampton to Lisbon. We’re followers of transatlantic voyages on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 as a result of we really feel the ship is the vacation spot and the holiday. The Azamara Quest will go to seven ports in ten days. Just one sea day!  We will probably be seeing loads of locations we’ve got by no means visited earlier than and may … Learn extra

Our Itinerary-Azamara Quest, Southampton, England to Lisbon, Portugal

1. Southampton, England. We fly into London a day or so early. Hopefully there will probably be no flight cancellations or rail strikes. We take the Underground into London.

• Marriott Kensington Lodge. It’s situated about two blocks from the Gloucester Highway Underground station on the Piccadilly Line, which runs from the airport. It’s resort that’s moderately priced. They’ve a Concierge Lounge, a Marriott Bonvoy perk.
• Pont de La Tour. We plan to have dinner with mates at our favourite restaurant. It overlooks Tower Bridge, because the identify implies. They’ve worth fastened menu along with a la carte choices.
• Nationwide Categorical. We are going to take the bus from Victoria Coach Station to Southampton on Monday morning. The fare is about $7.50.

2. Bordeaux, France. Now we have an in a single day in Bordeaux so every little thing doesn’t want to suit into sooner or later. Bordeaux is a metropolis well-known for the wine of the identical identify. Essentially the most well-known chateaus within the area are simply exterior town. I’m a wine snob. There are 8,500+ wine producing chateaus in Bordeaux. For my part, solely 87 matter, the chateaus within the authentic classification of 1855.

• Go to chateaus. The ship has a 5 hour tour, Medoc Discovery. You go to Chateau Beychevelle and Chateau Kirwan. Sure, they’re on the 1855 record!  Price is about $180pp. It will likely be value each penny. At this second it’s bought out, however we are going to be a part of the ready record upon boarding the ship. We’re contacting the key chateaus straight as out backup plan.
• Cite du Vin Wine Museum. It’s comparatively new and purported to be spectacular. Tickets are 21 Euro every. That’s good for a few hours.
• Lunch at a sidewalk café or nice restaurant. Buddies within the wine commerce suggest Les Noialles or Chapon Fin. We are able to guide reservations on-line.
• Meals to find. Bordeaux is legendary for Bordeaux wines. The cheeses are most likely quite a few too.

3. Jean de Luz, France. We’re close to or near Basque Nation, however we’re additionally near Biarritz, the legendary resort city made well-known by Empress Eugenie, the spouse of Napoleon III. Queen Victoria favored the place too. It’s the kind of place the tremendous rich of the 1800’s visited and Hercule Poirot or Sherlock Holmes would go to whereas fixing a case. The ship has a 3+ hour tour, priced at $99 however we would discover on our personal if we are able to get there simply. St Jean de Luz appears fairly small. The inhabitants is about 14,000. There appears to be one most important avenue operating from one facet of city to the opposite. (I’m positive there are different streets.) I believe I learn there’s a frisbee throwing contest, however not after we are there.

• Michelin highlights seven eating places within the city. None get stars, however all are really useful. Often they’ve lunch menus which are three programs and worth fastened. I’m positive we are going to discover one thing.
• St. Jean de Luz is likely to be small, however there’s a hypermarket close by. Carrefour often has an incredible wine choice.
• Market Day. Fortuitously we will probably be in port on market day. Visiting an outside market in France is at all times a deal with.
• Apparently, the prepare from St. Jean de Luz to Biarritz takes ten minutes. Exploring this resort is an choice.
• Meals to find. Basque cheese is native to the realm. The French wine area Irouleguy is close by.

4. Bilbao, Spain. I’m assured Bilbao has heaps going for it, however the Guggenheim Museum is the star attraction for us. Tickets are 16 Euro for adults, 8 Euro for seniors. Age has its privileges. I’m assuming discovering place for tapas shouldn’t be troublesome.

• Guggenheim Museum – If we’ve got come this far, we should test it out.
• Trams – Bilbao is claimed to have the perfect mass transit system in Spain. I’m assuming we are able to journey trams and get view of town.
• Hop on, hop off bus. Apparently Bilbao has a number of competing corporations.
• El Corte Ingles – Spain’s main division retailer chain has a location on Grand By way of. (The place else would you set it?) Along with a meals corridor and nice wine division, the chain often has a self-service restaurant and, relying on the situation, a linen tablecloth restaurant. Rioja wines at all times style higher there!
• Meals to find. The Rioja wine area is close by. It’s most likely the wine of alternative in Bilbao. We’re nonetheless within the Basque area, on the Spanish facet of the border. We are going to search for Basque sheep’s milk cheese.

5. Gijon, Spain. Here’s a metropolis we have no idea a lot about. It’s the 15^thlargest metropolis in Spain. Maritime industries and the navy are a significant a part of town’s heritage. Cimadevilla, the outdated fisherman’s quarter, is the oldest part of city. I assume we are going to head there, stroll and discover.

• Gijon has seven eating places acknowledged by Michelin. Auga is the one meriting a Michelin star. They appear to have a six course tasting menu priced at about 60 Euro.
• Roman settlement. The oldest a part of city additionally has a Roman settlement, probably the oldest in Spain. We are able to verify that out.
• Sure, they’ve a department of El Corte Ingles. Consider it as Spain’s model of Macy’s.
• Yacht membership. It’s additionally situated within the fisherman’s quarter. I ponder if they’ll allow us to in.
• Meals to find. Can it’s true there are 50 cheeses within the space? Penamellera is one instance. We love wine, however cider is standard on this space.

6. La Coruna, Spain. That is the place you discover the Church, Santiago de Compostela, the vacation spot for the pilgrims who do the stroll of St. James, the Camino de Santiago. The full journey is 500 miles. Seeing the Church will probably be nice. We are going to probably discover one other spot for tapas.

• Santiago de Compostela. There are numerous causes to go to this Church. One is the enormous censer, a 5 foot lengthy, 180 pound incense burner swung from ropes and pulleys. It’s the most important on this planet.
• Sure, our favourite Spanish retail chain has a location close to the Church. It’s our backup plan for lunch.
• Michelin acknowledges 16 eating places in La Coruna. One deserves a star, Arbore da Viera. It seems like probably the most affordable of their tasting menus is 60 Euro.
• Meals to find. Native chesses embody Arzua-Ulloa and Queso Telita. Wine must be from the Galacia area.

7. Porto, Portugal. We’re wine followers. We’re port collectors. We are going to wish to go to one of many historic port lodges, like Grahams. You should buy vacationer passes to incorporate the prepare, boat and a go to to a port lodge. Lunch will slot in there someplace. Porto has some Michelin starred eating places.

• Port lodge. We’re wine collectors. We all know a bit about port. Ideally, we wish to get into the perfect port lodge doable and take the tour with the perfect tasting. We understand this can come at a price.
• Having fun with the vacationer move. If we are able to tour by rising a bus and a ship, we are going to give it a attempt.
• Hop on, hop off bus. The yellow bus prices 18 Euro. That’s one other touring choice.
• Meals to find. Terrincho and Transmontano goat cheese are two to find. Though town is legendary for port, the area producing Vinho Verde is close by.

8. Lisbon, Portugal. Lisbon we’ve got visited a number of occasions beforehand. Our #1 exercise will probably be taking the prepare to Cascais, a seashore city a brief journey exterior town. The final time we visited, the prepare reminded us of classic NYC subway automobiles. On that journey, we exited the prepare, walked into city and requested two cops the place we may discover an outside restaurant serving platters of chilly seafood. They laughed, informed us which approach to stroll and stated we might see a number of! We did and had a splendid afternoon we nonetheless speak about in the present day. It was the primary and solely time we’ve got tried barnacles!