I arrived at the Southampton’s cruise terminal on a baking hot sunny morning, to be greeted by a luxurious ship berthed alongside the terminal building!
After meeting our guides from Azamara Cruises, we were taken to get our visitor passes. After clearing security, we were scanned onboard the 5* Luxury Boutique small ship “Azamara Quest” which felt like walking into Harrods, with everything we were seeing giving us a pure luxury experience.
We then caught a lift towards the “Aqualina Restaurant” to be served tea, coffee and pastries along with choices of soft drinks and bottled water. We had breath taking views of the Solent below us.
After a short refreshment break, were split into three groups. We started our ship tour and were first shown the luxury pool deck. This is the largest pool I've seen on any cruise ship! The whole area was well laid out; with hot tubs and many of the comfortable padded sunbeds I've ever sat on!
There was even a huge patio cafe set up as a pool grill by day, and then a al fresco dining destination in the evening. It had ice-cream machines, complete with a sprinkles bar!
We viewed the gym and luxury spa on deck 9 and walked through the sanctum spa. It was complete with saunas and treatment rooms, which catered for every type of treatment and massage. There are day passes starting from $59 or an “All Voyage Spa Pass” for $150.
We stepped through the outside patio area into the “Windows Café” buffet restaurant on deck 9. It serves wines, water or soft drinks, plus a full drink’s menu. Meals served are late breakfast, lunch al fresco style, and dinner. Afternoon tea is served daily, and there are free tea, coffee and water stations to refill your drinks bottle free all day.
The only charges are for spa passes and Wi-Fi onboard. However, Azamara Cruises always gives you a variety of dining venues, 24 hour room service, beer, prosecco or wine by the glass and spirits, tips and gratuities, and unlimited self-service laundry with no queuing!
Then we went to deck 5 and stepped into the waiter service restaurant and bar – “Discoveries”. Breakfast, lunch or dinner served by your waiter to your table.
We were also shown the huge Cabaret Lounge with the theatre, which was also located on deck 5, and then we moved onto the “Mosaic café” (this onboard coffee corner may as very well become your favourite nook on the ship). With elegant and comfortable furniture, complete with the arcade of shops and “The Den” - where the future cruise desk was along with the piano bar for evening cocktails.
Next, we quickly visited deck 4 to see the guest relations desk before going to see an outside Cabin. It had a large round picture window and deluxe furnishings, along with a large bright luxury bathroom fitted with a shower.
We then started back on deck 7 and viewed a balcony cabin. This one had a larger bathroom and full patio floor to ceiling doors, stepping out to a table for two on the sheltered balcony!
When I thought I’d seen every surprise (cabin wise), we were then treated to a walk towards Azamara Quest’s suite cabin. It had a dining room, a lounge, a separate bedroom, a bathroom with both a bath and shower, and dressing room. This cabin room type had a wraparound balcony, complete with sun loungers and a double daybed. It felt like a presidential suite in a hotel!
We went back down to the Mosaic café again and were shown the huge pastry counter (which was like a Harrod’s food hall!), all included if you wanted a sweet treat with your speciality coffee. Here they serve a wide selection of teas from the Orient and it’s decorated with the most beautiful African carvings of animals and flora. It’s set into a doorway partway down a staircase, enroute to the guest relations on the deck below.
We then caught the lift to deck 10 to see the drawing room library. It has the most breathtaking, ornately hand painted ceiling I've ever seen on board a cruise ship. We were then walked through the Card Room where you can access Azamara Quest’s Wi-Fi service “In Touch”. Then we went into the living room which has the largest floor to ceiling windows, allowing you to get breathtaking views as you sit down and read.
We went into “Prime C”, à la carte restaurant. Guests can also book the Chef’s Table experience for $99, which involves departing off the ship with the chef and handpicking ingredients at local food markets. Then you come back onboard to cook what you’ve chosen and eat at the chef's table.
We were then being taken back into the Aqualina Restaurant for a sit-down waiter service delivering a delicious four-course lunch.
After lunch, we were taken back to deck 6 to be escorted back onshore. After being lucky enough to visit this ship, I can see why guests love it so much and why it has a 90% guest re-book rate. As the ships are smaller, Azamara Quest’s maximum capacity is no more than 700 guests, allowing for a more intimate travel experience.
I recommend choosing to cruise with Azamara for their hand crafted itineraries, boutique ships filled with breathtaking art, and a company who put the customer at the heart of everything they do!
Always Included:
- Variety of Dining Venues & 24 Hour room service
- Beer, wine & spirits all day and night
- Signature “AzAmazing Evenings”
- Unlimited Self-service Laundry
- Tips and Gratuities
Always Expected:
- 382 overnight and extended destination days
- Unique & iconic destinations
- No hassle, no crowds
- Warm & attentive service
Azamara Customers don't have any forms to fill out before boarding; they only must supply APIS. You don’t need to worry about downloading an app, and upon arrival, guests are greeted with a glass of fizz. Card details are taken and guest photos are taken. Then, they are escorted straight into cabins or they can enjoy a meal in the Windows Café buffet restaurant.
Once customers have travelled with Azamara Cruises, they will certainly want to re-book another cruise while onboard –if decided they can gain lower deposits, onboard discounts and are still able to deal with the same travel agent who they originally booked with as the onboard booking details go back to them. Also, solo guests are also catered for, as some departures have zero supplements for sole use.
I was only onboard for a day, but I didn't want to leave. We were looked after so well and learning about the range of services and activities that are available to guests was mind blowing! This really is a boutique, upmarket luxury cruise line with exquisite dining, large luxury cabins and exemplary first class service from the captain to officers and crew who are all there to personally welcome you onboard.
Signing off from a 34 degrees heated pool deck!
