Of the many people who do these videos, I found from watching several, you really are the best. A real person at the level of many of us. Detailing how the people doing the job on the excursion was a moment I realized you are not just puffing up the piece but actually looking at the people and things you see. Thanks for a great job on a really great company.
11 (-18months) years with Azamara. You hit most of their great points. Our first cruise BC (before children) was in 1984, HAL 7 nights in the Caribbean. We were the youngest on board, but everyone was raving about cruising. We had a good time, got off the boat, looked at each other and said, "That's nice, we've done it, don't know what the big deal is all about." Okay, fast forward to 2010. Kids are grown, close friends rave about cruising, but to me, the selling point was you get on board, unpack, and that's it until you have to leave. No packing/repacking/stopping/unpacking, etc. Back in 1957 my grandparent went on a Mediterranean cruise. We lived in Italy for many years, so, what the hell, I'll forget HAL, and find a Mediterranean cruise. Opened a travel brochure from a Big Box chain based on the upper West Coast of the US, and found lots of ships. The name "Azamara" was intriguing. My wife has never gone wrong choosing a bottle of wine with an enticing label, what could be so different with a cruise, especially when you are an expert traveler, but know nothing about boats. Rome to Istanbul ending in Athens. Hooked, line and sinker. The ambiance of Azamara is incredible. The food is wonderful. The staff greets you by name. We were remembered after two years by one of the Maitre'd-s. A side note, mention was made that they must treat their staff well. In 2012, there was an engine room fire on Quest. 2 crew members seriously hurt and airlifed to Malaysia. The ship lost all electric power for more than 24 hours, and was completely adrift until assistance arrive. The ship was met by the president of the company at the time, all hotel and travel arrangements were made in advance to get the passengers home with as little stress as possible. The ships were due for refurb , top to bottom. A decision was made to completely redo the staff quarters before the passenger area. The crew was taken care of first, and it shows. We bumped into one of the ship's performers in Saint Tropez one evening and asked about how the entertainers were treated and the regular staff. This woman just gushed with how well the Azamara crew was taken care of. It shows in the smiles and the genuine warmth. Well, if the cruising gods smile upon us, we have multiple back to backs scheduled to begin on October 9,2021, starting in Civitavecchia/Rome. It will be great to be returning to see old friends. Long winded, but I have no desire to travel with anyone other than Azamara.
Thanks for this video. Just booked my first cruise on Azamara Quest. We wanted to go to Middle East in 2022, but not only to Dubai, so after looking at many options (hotels, flights, ground transportation, etc), we "accidentally" found a great itinerary from Azamara with overnights in all destinations. This not only alleviates the stress of taking flights, check-ins/outs, packing/unpacking, but your video confirms that we made no mistake on choosing Azamara to pamper ourselves when we come back to the ship and relax after a day of discoveries.
We were so fortunate to be on one of the early Mediterranean voyages of the Journey when Azamara was just starting out. It was a wonderful experience for an amazing price as they were still getting the ‘kinks’ out. We’re not cruisers as a whole, but having cruised a bit before that trip, it was by far over and above the prior cruise experience we had. I would not hesitate to recommend Azamara to cruisers. Your video almost makes me want to sail with them again. - but we like the whole experience of travelling roads less travelled and taking time to really immerse in the culture.
5:00 The shore excursions are the main reason I’m looking into Azamara. Cruises tend to be criticized for not offering much cultural, and it doesn’t help that some people never go out in port. However, I always found cruises to be amazingly enriching! I love going on tours and learning from experts about the history and culture, and the fact that Azamara seems to offer even more enriching tours and immersive excursions that seem to benefit the local communities more is a big plus.
You forgot to mention the mosaic cafe, with coffee ,tea, pastries, open all day, and the pool bar and grill with icecream. These are included . Also the azamazing evening, a cultural experience in the city and the white night, a very special buffet with entertainment held on the pool deck in good weather , these two are also included.
Have never done an ocean cruise, but looking at options to do so. Azamara looks a premium line but at very reasonable prices. Like the idea that a smaller ship can get close into ports - akin to a river cruise experience. Thanks for a really informative video.
Azamara is also well known for running so many cruises a year with good singles supplement (extra cost you pay to get a cabin to yourself). My best friend refuses to share a hotel room or cabin with anyone. He's weird. But we got oceanview cabins on Azamara for this October for only a 28% single supplement.
Great video thank you. For the self laundry, do we need to bring our own soap/fabric softener or is it provided and if provided, is there a charge? (Just want to be prepared, not being cheap).
Hello! Thank you for writing. To be honest with you we have not shared on the other lines you mentioned yet. We look forward to doing so in the near future. That said, we absolutely loved Azamarra.
i can help with some of this. Oceania is a half notch up from Azamara for food and rooms. Rooms are nice on Azamara but very small. The service is good on both. We actually like the service better on Azamara than Oceania -- it's more personal. Never done Silversea or the rest you mentioned.
Oceania has really beautiful rooms with bathtubs in the bathroom. Also the food is wonderful on Oceania. Azamara is a tad less expensive so it makes sense that it’s a half notch down. Seriously thinking of booking a cruise on Azamara but worried about small bathroom.
....And then the virus came. You must have been on the last cruise before the virus changed things. Here's hoping that this will be contained sooner rather than later. May everyone stay safe and well.
just came back from persian gulf cruise with azamara....very disappointing.....quest is beautiful food is good but shore excursions very poor and customer service from head office non existent. be wary of Azamara
Of the many people who do these videos, I found from watching several, you really are the best. A real person at the level of many of us. Detailing how the people doing the job on the excursion was a moment I realized you are not just puffing up the piece but actually looking at the people and things you see.
Thanks for a great job on a really great company.
Wow, thank you! We absolutely loved our cruise with them!
11 (-18months) years with Azamara. You hit most of their great points. Our first cruise BC (before children) was in 1984, HAL 7 nights in the Caribbean. We were the youngest on board, but everyone was raving about cruising. We had a good time, got off the boat, looked at each other and said, "That's nice, we've done it, don't know what the big deal is all about." Okay, fast forward to 2010. Kids are grown, close friends rave about cruising, but to me, the selling point was you get on board, unpack, and that's it until you have to leave. No packing/repacking/stopping/unpacking, etc. Back in 1957 my grandparent went on a Mediterranean cruise. We lived in Italy for many years, so, what the hell, I'll forget HAL, and find a Mediterranean cruise. Opened a travel brochure from a Big Box chain based on the upper West Coast of the US, and found lots of ships. The name "Azamara" was intriguing. My wife has never gone wrong choosing a bottle of wine with an enticing label, what could be so different with a cruise, especially when you are an expert traveler, but know nothing about boats. Rome to Istanbul ending in Athens. Hooked, line and sinker. The ambiance of Azamara is incredible. The food is wonderful. The staff greets you by name. We were remembered after two years by one of the Maitre'd-s. A side note, mention was made that they must treat their staff well. In 2012, there was an engine room fire on Quest. 2 crew members seriously hurt and airlifed to Malaysia. The ship lost all electric power for more than 24 hours, and was completely adrift until assistance arrive. The ship was met by the president of the company at the time, all hotel and travel arrangements were made in advance to get the passengers home with as little stress as possible. The ships were due for refurb , top to bottom. A decision was made to completely redo the staff quarters before the passenger area. The crew was taken care of first, and it shows. We bumped into one of the ship's performers in Saint Tropez one evening and asked about how the entertainers were treated and the regular staff. This woman just gushed with how well the Azamara crew was taken care of. It shows in the smiles and the genuine warmth. Well, if the cruising gods smile upon us, we have multiple back to backs scheduled to begin on October 9,2021, starting in Civitavecchia/Rome. It will be great to be returning to see old friends. Long winded, but I have no desire to travel with anyone other than Azamara.
We had a similar experience. Fell in love with cruising and can't wait to go back!
Thanks for this video. Just booked my first cruise on Azamara Quest. We wanted to go to Middle East in 2022, but not only to Dubai, so after looking at many options (hotels, flights, ground transportation, etc), we "accidentally" found a great itinerary from Azamara with overnights in all destinations. This not only alleviates the stress of taking flights, check-ins/outs, packing/unpacking, but your video confirms that we made no mistake on choosing Azamara to pamper ourselves when we come back to the ship and relax after a day of discoveries.
You'll find that Azamara makes your travel experience really enjoyable and stress-free!
We were so fortunate to be on one of the early Mediterranean voyages of the Journey when Azamara was just starting out. It was a wonderful experience for an amazing price as they were still getting the ‘kinks’ out. We’re not cruisers as a whole, but having cruised a bit before that trip, it was by far over and above the prior cruise experience we had. I would not hesitate to recommend Azamara to cruisers. Your video almost makes me want to sail with them again. - but we like the whole experience of travelling roads less travelled and taking time to really immerse in the culture.
Hi PJ! We also really enjoyed our cruise with them. I would do it again in a heartbeat!
5:00 The shore excursions are the main reason I’m looking into Azamara. Cruises tend to be criticized for not offering much cultural, and it doesn’t help that some people never go out in port. However, I always found cruises to be amazingly enriching! I love going on tours and learning from experts about the history and culture, and the fact that Azamara seems to offer even more enriching tours and immersive excursions that seem to benefit the local communities more is a big plus.
Then you'll definitely love Azamara as we did!
You forgot to mention the mosaic cafe, with coffee ,tea, pastries, open all day, and the pool bar and grill with icecream. These are included . Also the azamazing evening, a cultural experience in the city and the white night, a very special buffet with entertainment held on the pool deck in good weather , these two are also included.
There are certainly a lot of great included features on these Azamara cruises!
Have never done an ocean cruise, but looking at options to do so. Azamara looks a premium line but at very reasonable prices. Like the idea that a smaller ship can get close into ports - akin to a river cruise experience. Thanks for a really informative video.
You are so welcome! We loved sailing with Azamara.
I agree with you, Azamara is excellent!
We LOVED our cruise with them. So comfortable and so well cared for. It was AZAMAZING! We will definitely sail with them again soon!
Got the point. Agree completely.
Thank you Karsten!
Thank you!
You're welcome Linda!
Azamara is also well known for running so many cruises a year with good singles supplement (extra cost you pay to get a cabin to yourself). My best friend refuses to share a hotel room or cabin with anyone. He's weird. But we got oceanview cabins on Azamara for this October for only a 28% single supplement.
WOW That is amazing! They must be rolling out the deals! We loved our cruise on Azamara!
LOVE this teasing video
I am so glad you liked it! That was a cruise to always remember.
Great video thank you. For the self laundry, do we need to bring our own soap/fabric softener or is it provided and if provided, is there a charge? (Just want to be prepared, not being cheap).
Hi Liz, Gosh the was awhile ago. As I recall they have some. I don't recall if we purchased it or if it came gratis.
Soap is provided at no cost. There is an iron and board in the laundry room. I didn't see fabric softener.
How would you compare Azamara to Oceania or the traditional luxury cruise lines like Crystal, Silversea, and Regent?
Hello! Thank you for writing. To be honest with you we have not shared on the other lines you mentioned yet. We look forward to doing so in the near future. That said, we absolutely loved Azamarra.
i can help with some of this. Oceania is a half notch up from Azamara for food and rooms. Rooms are nice on Azamara but very small. The service is good on both. We actually like the service better on Azamara than Oceania -- it's more personal.
Never done Silversea or the rest you mentioned.
Oceania has really beautiful rooms with bathtubs in the bathroom. Also the food is wonderful on Oceania. Azamara is a tad less expensive so it makes sense that it’s a half notch down. Seriously thinking of booking a cruise on Azamara but worried about small bathroom.
Chalk and cheese. Azamara is a budget cruise line. The rooms on Azamara are 1/2 the size to Silversea.
@@lesonline2268 MSC and Carnival are budget cruise lines. Azamara plays in the luxury boutique space as do Oceania and Viking.
Aren't the gratuities included also?
Yes they are included in the cruise price.
Love from kerala
Thank you! Sending our best thoughts to you!
muito topo esse navio e boa comida
Sim!
Tnks maim u no frget me ur still fan
OK!
....And then the virus came. You must have been on the last cruise before the virus changed things. Here's hoping that this will be contained sooner rather than later. May everyone stay safe and well.
Hear hear! We went in September so pretty close. It was so lovely. I sure hope it returns to normal soon!
just came back from persian gulf cruise with azamara....very disappointing.....quest is beautiful food is good but shore excursions very poor and customer service from head office non existent. be wary of Azamara
Wow! We went before the pandemic and I hope they have not gone downhill
Miam how r u
All good!