TheSkipper

I remember those Jenn. Had one gathering dust for years until we gave it to our Son. Now they hang their clothes on it. They got a new thing for exercise. It is called "a baby."

Gym? They have gyms aboard ships?? Well I'll be darned!

Jenn, It's on the menu every night on Azamara, no special order required. I think Roe had it about five or six times.

I'm already looking at the return transatlantic in early December. 15 days, including air, prepaid gratuities and a $750 on board credit for $2,199 pp. Barcelona to Miami. Azamara ran a full page ad in today's Las Vegas Review Journal. It's their 1st Anniversary sale.

Joey, you are so right!! BTW a nautical mile is 1.15 land miles or 6,080 feet which equals 1,852 meters. And still I could not win at Trivia aboard the Quest.

Sure have, and it works within reason.

Joey, And for the first time on a cruise ship they had slippers which fit my size 12 feet!! Princess always has them and Roe gets two pair because they are way too little for me. In the pics I've seen of David, he looks like a big guy and I'm sure he would like the slippers for the same reason. But Jackie, it was more than that like have fresh ground and brewed espresso anytime you wanted it. Even had the tiny European cups for it. Watching the oranges be squeezed for your OJ and getting a tall, ice tea sized glass of it. No plastic anything at the buffet, china, glass and the real things everywhere. More than that the attitude of every single crew member, many of which we got to know. I expected with the dine anytime thing to get less caring service and that was simply not the case. All the waiters went out of their way to be pleasant and offer superior service. The first time we went to "High Tea", I was turned away by a very nice young lady because I was wearing shorts. She asked me very nicely if I would run down to the stateroom and change, which I did. Every time we saw her again she remembered our names. Our "Butler" wrote down our names the first time we met him and asked how we preferred to be addressed. But that evening he had memorized our names and used them every time we saw him. On the Guest Relations there was always a huge crystal bowl filled with Granny Apples, not that I ever saw anyone take one, but they were there for us. The candy in the stateroom was not the foil wrapped stuff, but candy made on the ship that day, and it was all great!! The best fudge I've ever had on one night. The typical hamburger and hot dog grill on deck also served onion rings, hot soups, skewered meats and veggie and stir fry. There was also a salad bar and drink bar right there so you did not have to run somewhere else. I think you have the idea now.

Azamara Quest April 12th through April 26, 2008 (Fourteen Days) Miami to Rome Master: Captain Anastassos Lekkas Staff Captain: Jason Ikiades Cruise Director: Kevin Bielmeier Hotel Director: Niyazi Korkmaz Outside Stateroom #4055, Deck 4, Aft. This was our 52nd cruise overall, and our 1st cruise with Azamara Cruise Lines. We were accompanied by the Cruise Crazies Mascot – “Ms. Crazie.” This was the second time this year she has sailed with us. For this cruise the air transportation and local transfers were part of the cruise package. We flew U.S. Airways into Ft. Lauderdale airport where we were met by a Celebrity Cruise representative who escorted us to our ground transport van for the trip to the Wyndam Hotel at Miami Airport. Trip was about 35 minutes in duration. We had a fantastic room with a beautiful view of the golf course. In all, a very upscale hotel experience. We enjoyed an excellent dinner that night in the hotel Our bus departed the hotel for the cruise ship at 11:00 AM. The trip to the port took about 20 minutes and was uneventful. Baggage transfer from bus to ship was handled by Azamara, so there was no need for us to deal with the porters. Boarding process was quick, easy and painless in what appeared to be a new terminal building, at least I do not recall it from previous embarkations in Miami. We were welcomed aboard with a glass of champagne. Within a few moments the announcement was made that staterooms were ready for occupancy. Our stateroom just off the lobby area on Deck 4 was very easy to find and we loved the location. It was a typical size stateroom. The elegant woodwork and cabinets were a very classy touch as were the bed linins which had the Azamara name embroidered on them. We loved the flat screen TV as well. I soon discovered that there were two 110 volt electrical outlets on the dresser, One more that usual. Important for keeping those electronics charged. We found plenty of storage space and hangers for our two week cruise. Room was equipped with binoculars, umbrella and of course robes and slippers. Fresh flowers were present both in the stateroom and bathroom and were replace throughout the voyage. The bathroom was quite small, but worked out fine as long as we both did not try and be in there at the same time. We then went up to Deck 9 to the Windows Cafe for some lunch. The array of offerings was quite impressive and we knew our cruise was off to a good start. The ever-popular, mandatory Lifeboat Drill took place at 4:15 PM just before sailing out of Miami. Never much fun, but this one was less painless than most and well organized. Our luggage had arrived at our stateroom when we returned from Lifeboat Drill so we unpacked and skipped the Sailaway Party on deck. You may be wondering where the name Azamara come from. Azamara is a coined name derived from the Romance languages. This includes the more obvious links to blue (az) and the sea (mar). The name they told us was also inspired by a star, Acamar. We dined the first evening in the Discoveries Dining Room, which is always open seating between the hours of 6:00 and 9:30 PM. You may however, request the size table you prefer. On this first night we requested a table for two. We decided against going to the Welcome Aboard Presentation in favor of sitting in the Mosaic Lounge and listening to the harp player/singer, Jacqueline Dolan from the U.K. For the next six delightful days we were at sea, crossing the Atlantic. Will not bore you with day to day details, except to say the weather was perfect and so was every aspect of our Azamara adventure. The days were filled with all of the typical shipboard activities. I don’t think we ever lacked for something fun to do or experience. We found the food aboard the Azamara to be the best we have experienced on all of our cruises!! Service was outstanding to superb throughout the ship. The Windows Cafe featured a bar where fresh squeezed juices were prepared while you waited. They also made “Smoothies” on request. There was an Espresso machine that ground the coffee beans and prepared coffee 24/7. In addition to there were eqqs and omelets made to order, there was a special area to order waffles, pancakes and French toast made while you wait. During lunch they had a sandwich preparation bar where you sandwich made to your specifications. A daily sushi bar was also featured and of course a carving station. By far the best buffet we have seen aboard ship. The shows in the Cabaret Lounge were excellent. There were five singers/dancers aboard and they presented three production shows during the voyage. Never had a problem getting a good seat and there was no need to arrive very early as we have found on many ships. The guest performers were all very good. Cruise Director Kevin Bielmeier was by far the BEST we have ever sailed with. We enjoyed a dinner with him and his wife Josie on our second night out of Miami and they are both very special people. He is a Broadway style singer and she is a professional dancer. Their two young daughters were also aboard for this sailing. Here I have to mention the Azamara Orchestra led by Dan Hodge. They did a magnificent job throughout our trip. I particularly enjoyed their salute to Glen Miller. There are three gift shops on board the Quest so shoppers will have lots of mostly high-end selections. We did a little browsing but that was it. We attended all the Art Auctions conducted by British American Auctions of London and Florida. We won the Art Trivia contest and received a very nice piece of framed art by Lucille Radd. We enjoyed getting to know the Auctioneer Jacinta from Australia. One observation, I think Azamara overdoes the marketing of their “Butlers.” Your Butler was nothing more or less than your Room Stewart in a tux. I think some folks we talked with thought they were going to have a personal Butler to draw their bath, press their things, etc. I received an email for Azamara today and they are still touting the Butlers. Our fellow passengers seemed to all be very experienced travelers, many having made several transatlantic voyages and several that we met had made multiple world cruises. This made for very interesting trivia games. Our regular trivia partners have been on two world cruises and countless others. They were sailing in the Royal Suite where we joined them on several occasions. We look forward to sailing with them again. Ports of Call: Miami, Fl, Ponta Delgada, Azores; Malaga, Spain; Mahon, Menorca, Spain; Bonifacio, Corsica; Rome (Civitavecchia) Italy. Forgive this long review, but the Azamara Quest in a very special ship and it is my desire to share as much as I can about her and her fantastic crew. Questions? Simply ask.

Always for international travel and for domestic when we are going to area where we do not normally or routinely go. We are in Albuquerque, Phoenix, Sedona, San Diego, etc. every year so don't bother, but when we fly to NYC we do notify them.

On the most recent cruise, Roe could check daily via the TV set in the stateroom, and she did. But then she checks all our bank accounts, brokerage accounts, IRA's etc. daily when she is at home. Went on line once aboard the ship to check all our accounts. Yes, we do notify our credit card companies when we are traveling overseas.

I'm sure gonna try to make it Jackie and Joey. Right now Roe does not want to even hear the word "Cruise." I'll lay low in the weeds until she gets this reunion junk settled. By then she should be in "cruise withdrawal" and I'll pounce. A friend of mine who did several group cruises with us once said: "An Internet group cruise is meeting old friends for the first time." Think about it. We all "know" each other, but most of us have never met. Yet.

Thanks Joey, I forgot the viewing instruction, duh!! Yes, the linens were great. They seemed to have all the little touches including a "Pillow Menu" for you select your favorite type of pillow. And of course the linen hand towels in the Men's Rooms that you like on Celebrity. Because of your review of the Grand Princess, I found myself looking for the little extra touches that I probably would have missed otherwise. I'll try and cover as many of them as I can in my review. For instance the fruit bowl was filled twice a day and tell David there were lots of bananas. See, I do read your posts.

Here is a short sideshow of some of Ms. Crazie's adventures aboard the Azamara Quest on her first Transatlantic Cruise. Click on picture above to view sideshow. Enjoy.

Joey, Roe and I are a "Maybe" for the group cruise. Right now she is so hung up on the planning for a class reunion next spring back in New Jersey that I can't get her to focus on anything. Our whole life seems to hinge around what date they pick for this reunion! We will cruise in the Spring from NJ area to somewhere on some cruise line, but until I get that nailed down and we have decided how long that cruise will be and what is going to cost us, we cannot commit to the Cruisecrazies Group Cruise. My feeling now is that we will make it, but will have to wait and see.

Debbie, We too also fly into Ft. Lauderdale almost all the time. Azamara booked our hotel and they still flew us into Ft. Lauderdale and provided us a transfer to the Wyndam, Miami Airport. So there is little doubt it was cheaper for them as well. We did US Air this time, but usually do Southwest when we book it.

Joey: Here is a photo of the Wyndam Hotel, Miami Airport: And, here is the lobby full of cruisers:

Yes, we read it before retiring for the night and then check it again before breakfast. Rarely carry it with us.

Jackie, Glad you enjoyed it!! It was the highlight of our cruise as well. I'm always a little reluctant to encourage anyone to do anything for fear that it will not work out as well for them as it did for us. Your problems aboard Carnival are a good case in point. Our last two Carnival cruises were great, so you never know. That being said, I think Cave Tubing is a "must do" for anyone with a port call in Belize.

I'm sure the cost for the shuttle was built into our package. A voucher was provided for us in our docs. So, I don't think I'd call it free. However, I'll bet JohnG could negotiate this with Celebrity.

The picture is just because we were in the right place at the right time. We had just been seated for dinner in the Aqualina specialty restaurant when the final moments of the rescue unfolded right in front of the window where we sitting. Had my camera sitting on the table when I looked up and saw what you are now seeing in the photo. I got several shots before the chopper raced back toward the Azores Islands. Last report on the ladie's condition came from our Cruise Director in a private conversation. He also told me her daughter and son-in-law had flown to Portugal from the Azores to be with her. This is the second time we have seen and photographed a rescue at sea. Last time was aboard an RCI ship out of San Diego. On the first full day at sea the ship turned back toward San Diego to meet a Coast Guard chopper who airlifted a male heart attack victim. I also have the greatest admiration for the men and women who devote themselves to safety at sea. God bless them all.

Below is one of my photos of a daring rescue from on board the Azamara Quest. Chopper lifted female stroke victim following a 500 mile trip from Azores to the ship. They made the same trip the night before, but due to choppy seas were unable to complete the rescue at that time. Last report we had was that she was "stable" in hospital in Portugal where she was sent via jet after the chopper landed in the Azores.

Celebrity does offer one from this hotel to their ships as does Carnival and of course Azamara.

Hey Joey, Just got an email concerning the Azamara Journey westbound transatlantic on Dec. 2, 2008. Barcelona to Miami. $2,199 will cover cruise in outside stateroom, air fare, transfers, pre-paid gratuities and a $750 stateroom credit. Can't beat that with a stick!!

We just stayed at the Wyndam, Miami Airport prior to our cruise a couple of weeks ago. Fantastic, but probably pricey.

For the first time in years we have no future cruises booked. Roe has a big school reunion coming up in New Jersey and everything is kind of on hold until a firm date is set. I keep telling her I'm not flying all the way to the East Coast without going on a cruise! So, once we have a date, I'll check what is sailing from the NY/NJ area before or after the "Big Event."