Great Experience Despite Protocols
Azamara Quest Cruise Review to Caribbean
15 Night Caribbean Holiday (Miami Roundtrip)
Sail date: December 23, 2021
Ship: Azamara Quest
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: 8034
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 2 years ago
Review summary
Our first Azamara cruise. Started with the worst embarkation experience we've ever had, but ended as one of the most enjoyable cruises. Top end food and service. This line does not do heavy selling/add-ons/packages when you board. Lectures/seminars on excursion locations are very education and give a good framework of a destination before visiting. Discussions entailed history, politics, culture and economics of a destination. No seminars on where to buy Tanzinite or diamonds, just discussion about the culture. Depending on location, cultural immersions are offered. Since we sailed the Caribbean, they brought a Caribbean band, dancers, and singers on-board as the evening entertainment. Very enjoyable. Entertainment every night. Each show unique over the 15 days. Outside entertainers were brought in to augment the ship's entertainment team. When not attending shows, the bar venues hosted music (live or DJ) while enjoying libations. Traditional pool deck with 2 hot tubs, shuffleboard, ping pong are available. Small jogging track and sufficient sun deck space to accommodate all the guests. Lounge chairs are large and offer great cushions. Pool bar was very busy, but never much of a wait. Staff was fast. Smaller ships make it easier to socialize and meet people. Majority of passengers were US, but UK and CAN made up about a 1/3 of the guest rolls. Many of which were repeat Azamara cruisers. Definitely a mature demographic. Not a line for kids - simply no toys for them. Noticed 1 family with 3 teens, but that was about it for the youth. Easy to get between the decks, rarely did we use the elevators as there is only 2 flights of stairs between decks. In all a very good cruise, high value (we had a package that included drinks, internet, gratuities, and some OBC), great food and service. Its kind of a throw back to 70s-80s when cruises were more inclusive (less a la carte) - and less retail shopping push. Enjoyed the included 24h full menu room service. If it were not for rona protocols, they would set up a table setting in your room or balcony prior to your meal arriving. Will definitely go back to Azamara.Embarkation
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Cabaret Lounge
Excellent entertainment every night, but its an old school night club set-up. Single story with a slightly elevated stage and dance floor. No elevating stage platforms or aerial performers. Talent is good, just not any special effects.
Pool Bar
Very fast and responsive.
The Drawing Room
The nicest on-board library we've seen. Good selection of books and a pleasant setting.
Mosaic Cafe
Good place for a specialty coffee (which is all included). Also nice selection of pastries and snacks. Only 1 barrista so waits were not uncommon. There is a waiter who will bring you an order. That was the best way to go.
Discoveries Bar
Conveniently located outside the dining room. Tables and chairs allow for cocktails before dinner.
The Patio
Very convenient place to eat when you don't want to change out of pool cloths. Table service and semi-self serve.
Prime C Specialty Dining
Mirror to Aqualina on Starboard side of deck 10 aft. Steak and seafood venue. Food very good, but servers were a littler less attentive than the Aqualina side
Windows Cafe
Very good selection. Same menu as Discovery but in a buffet offering. I thought it was too congested during peak hours. Due to social spacing, much of the seating is kept empty complicating the issue. Faster than eating at Discovery, but sometimes difficult to find seating.
Sunset Bar
Often overlooked but a good bar without lines.
Spirits
Good bar tenders. Comfortable setting.
Discoveries Restaurant
Comfortable dining room is the main dining area. Mid cruise the crew was stretched and there were long delays in service. Food very good, service good when the team was not pulled from the area.
Card Room & In Touch
Nice size with a good selection of games like chess, checkers, backgammon etc. Bridge lessons are offered. Also ample tables for card players.
Aqualina Specialty Dining
This venue seemed to have the best service. Aqualina is on the port side while Prime C is the Starboard mirror. You can order from either restaurant's menu, just the location is different. Aqualina is more of a mediterranean flare. We had 2 dinners and a Chef's Table in this venue.
Onboard Activities
Sun Deck
It worked. Lots of sun.
Guest Relations
Never had an issue getting an issue resolved. Never experienced any long lines waiting for help either.
Fitness Center
Nice for the size of the ship. Didn't get used much. Most of the time only 2 or 3 using equipment. Fitness classes were also offered. May were complimentary.
Whirlpools
I thought they were too cool.
The Sanctum Spa & Fitness Center
Nice, but pricey even with the discounts.
The Quest Shop
Not a lot of inventory, but they do carry some sundries. They really don't push anything - just there.
The Living Room
The bar we spent most evenings. Very good service staff. Entertainment every night. Live band and DJ most evenings with dancing. Karaoke one night.
Shuffleboard
Only 1. But it got use.
Pool
Small, but never crowded.
Jogging Track
13 laps yielded 1 NM. No lane markings so walkers and joggers mixed it up. Some times it was too crowded.
Entertainment
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
There is a free self service laundry on the ship. Very helpful for cruises longer than 7 days.
Ports of call
Mayreau, Grenadines Did not visit port
Basseterre, St. Kitts Did not visit port
Key West, Florida Did not visit port
Disembarkation
Traveler Photos
7 Comments
cruisellama 2 years ago