I arrived at the City 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 visitors 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 up 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 and quick talk by our guides, were split into three groups and then started our ship tour guided by Azamara Trade Support representatives. We were shown the luxury pool deck, which had the largest pool I've seen on any cruise ship. The whole area was well laid out, with hot tubs and many 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 on the pool deck with ice-cream machines complete with a sprinkles bar!
We viewed the gym and luxury spa on deck 9 and walked through the sanctum spa, complete with saunas and treatment rooms which catered for every type of treatment and massage, with 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, serving wines, water or soft drinks plus a full drink’s menu. Meals served are late breakfast, lunch al fresco style, and dinner. Examples of meals are salads and stir fries. 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, unlimited self-service laundry with no queuing!
Then we were shown down 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 cafe (this onboard coffee corner may 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.
Leaving deck 5, we quickly visited deck 4 to see the guest relations desk before going to see an outside Cabin 4018, which had a large round picture window and deluxe furnishings along with a large bright luxury bathroom with shower.
We then started back on deck 7 and viewed cabin 7024 which was a balcony cabin with a large 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 round cabin 8088 Azamara Quest’s suite cabin which had a dining room, lounge, separate bedroom, bathroom with bath and shower and dressing room - just like a presidential suite in a hotel! - complete with wrap around balcony complete with sun loungers and double daybed on the balcony.
We went back down to the mosaic cafe again on deck 5 and were shown the huge pastry counter (like a Harrods foodhall!), 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, set into a doorway partway down a staircase, enroute to the guest relations on the deck below.
We then caught the lift up to deck 10 to see the drawing room library with 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” and then into the living room with the largest floor to ceiling windows, giving you breathtaking views as you sit down and read.
We went into “Prime C” à la carte restaurant and advised guests can also book the chef’s table for $99 a head-getting off the ship with the chef, shopping at local food markets then coming back onboard to cook and dine the food they've bought and eat at the chef's table.
We were then being taken back into the Aqualina Restaurant for a sit-down waiter service delicious four-course lunch.
After lunch, we were taken back to deck 6 to be escorted back onshore. Being lucky enough to visit this ship, I can see why guests love it so much and why they have 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 on with Azamara for 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 have to supply APIS. There’s no app to worry about downloading, 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 can enjoy a meal in the Windows Café buffet restaurant.
Once customers have travelled with Azamara Cruises, they will certainly want to re-book the next cruise while onboard – where they can gain lower deposits, onboard discounts and are still able to deal with the same travel agent when they get home as the onboard booking goes back to the original travel agents who you first booked with. 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 the range of services and activities 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 34 Degrees Heat on the pool deck!
