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"Luxury cruising at an affordable price" |
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Reviewed By: Wood, Doncaster on 12th Apr 2009
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| Cruise Line: Azamara Club Cruises |
Times cruised before: 10+ |
| Cruise Ship: Adventure of the Seas |
Sailed:
March,
2009 |
| Destination: Transatlantic |
Age: 65+ |
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Luxury cruising at an affordable price is what we set out to achieve and that's what we got on our 16 night transatlantic cruise starting out from Miami on the 20th. March and ending up at Barcelona on the 5th. April.
Unlike the "mega" size family ships offering all manner of gadgets and entertainment spread over miles of corridors with impersonal service the 700 passenger Azamara Journey sets out to provide adult, personal service on a ship easy to get about in well designed, luxurious fitted out cabins.
Embarkation was quick and efficient, being offered with a glass of champagne and buffet meal before entering our balcony cabin at 1.00p.m. and receiving our luggage soon afterwards. The cabin was luxuriously fitted out with soft bath robes. slippers, binoculars, flat screen T.V., safe and personal butler to explain his role. We were made to feel special everywhere we went on board, staff all saying "hello" and responding to all our needs and enquiries with a smile.
The smart casual dress code throughout the cruise suited us and provided an altogether friendly cruise experience between fellow passengers from other countries. The entire ship exuded class and when it came to food in the Windows buffet and the fine dining in the Discoveries restaurant and the two speciality restaurants you could not wish for better. We have eaten in 2 & 3 Michelin star restaurants within the U.K. which have not surpassed the range of choice, quality, presentation and enjoyment on this cruise. Every day felt like a special occasion in the dining room with staff very pleasant and well trained.
Our only complaint throughout the entire cruise was the price of drinks. The cheapest bottle of wine was $30 plus 18% service charge. Judging by the number of tables we noticed on iced water only, we were not alone and brought the matter to the Hotel Manager who assured us the matter has been brought to the attention of head office in Miami.
The chairs and sun loungers around the pool were the most comfortable we have ever used and towels to match. Daytime events to choose from included quizzes, art auctions, line dancing classes, bingo and port lectures. Evening entertainment took place in small lounges with a larger cabaret lounge providing a resident band and song and dance troop and visiting soloists including singers, comedian, magician and instrumentalists.
There was a good range of shore excursions in the Azores, Portugal and Spain. We spent the eight days at sea often in the largest and most comfortable and well laid out library we've ever been in at sea, which also provided an atmospheric place for renewal of wedding vows for some couples.
The Captain, together with his staff including the English Hotel Manager and Cruise Director made themselves visual throughout the cruise, sounding out passengers to ensure enjoyment, the latter two even shaking hands with everyone as we disembarked at Barcelona. It comes as no surprise to us that in providing our level of enjoyment "Celebrity's" Azamara Journey has already won top awards from within the cruise industry in the U.K. and U.S.A.
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| Quality of Food |  |
| Discoveries dining room,consistent top quality fine dining with extensive changing menu throughout the cruise | | Entertainment | |
| Multi instrumentalist most enjoyable amongst overall talented guest entertainers | | Shore Excursions | |
| Tour of Porta del Garda most enjoable | | Staff | |
| The Hotel Director Philip Herbert for the way he regularly toured the ship speaking to guests and how he spoke to staff which created an efficient and harmonious atmosphere throughout the ship. | | Children's Facilities | n/a |
| | Onboard Activities | |
| Yes | | Cabins | |
| Spacious, comfortable and every need provided to a luxurious standard. | | Overall Rating | |
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