Cruise connoisseur Emma G sailed the Mediterranean with Azamara

Panache Cruises connoisseur Emma Godfrey was recently invited aboard Azamara Quest as it set sail from Venice to Istanbul via the Greek islands and incandescent Croatia. A beautiful sailing on board a beautiful ship in the height of Mediterranean summer; as you can expect she wants to tell you all about it.

I was recently lucky enough to sail on my first Azamara cruise on Quest, sailing from Venice to Istanbul, visiting the beautiful Greek Islands and Croatia. The cruise was even better than I ever could have imagined! Quest is a beautiful ship with everything you need on board. Plenty of dining options, varied entertainment every evening, a lovely pool area and sun deck- where I spent most of my afternoons!

The staff on board cannot do enough for you. Whatever you need, there is always someone to help, whether that be a drink at the bar, room service, laundry or anything else. Nothing is too much trouble and always done with a smile! They make you feel so welcome and at ease. 

Dining

Whilst on board I had to try the beautiful specialty restaurants: Prime C and Aqualina. Both were absolutely incredible, try them both… just make sure you save some room for the delicious desserts!

The main dining room, Discoveries, always had a great selection and plenty of courses. The menu changed daily with new exciting dishes available. Meanwhile, Windows Café is buffet-style dining and was probably my favourite place to eat! Each night was a different theme; from Mexican night, Indian, Thai, and Mediterranean, there was always so much to choose from and the food was absolutely delicious!

During the day, my favourite place for lunch was The Patio, serving burgers, paninis, salad and my personal favourite: Nachos! There was also a frozen yoghurt station where you could help yourself to various flavours, and all the different toppings you could imagine. It was certainly a lovely way to cool off after a day in the Mediterranean sun.

Mosaic Café is a cosy area for coffee and light bites such as sandwiches and biscuits. 

All in all, Prepare to overindulge with Azamara. I certainly didn’t go hungry!

Entertainment

The onboard entertainment was fantastic. I spent each night in the Cabaret Lounge where there was something different going on every evening. From ‘A Night at the Opera’ to ‘Brit Rock Night’ as well as local dancers on board when we were docked in Istanbul; there is something for everyone.

After the cabaret show finishes, you can head up to The Living Room, where the resident band play every evening before the resident DJ takes over for those that want to party the night away! For those that prefer something more relaxed, The Den was a popular spot for a cocktail whilst listening to the resident pianist.

White Night was by far my favourite night on board. It was a great way to bring the whole ship together for a great night of food, music and dancing, all held on the pool deck with amazing views of the sunset! The AzAmazing evening was also an incredible experience, taking place in Dubrovnik! We were taken to an outdoor theatre, escorted by drummers, we all got a picture with the captain, and then watched local dancers perform.

It was great to experience the local culture!

Excursions

Initially I hadn't planned to book any excursions and instead thought I would just do my own thing. I soon changed my mind! The days I didn’t have any excursions planned, I found myself wandering aimlessly trying to find transport and points of interest myself. It wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped. I would highly recommend booking excursions and definitely through Azamara rather than independently. Everything just runs so smoothly as everything is arranged for you.

There are plenty of excursions to choose from at each port, so again, there is always something for everyone. One of my favourite excursions was to Krka National Park in Zadar, exploring the beautiful scenery and amazing waterfalls! I have never seen anything like it before – just breathtaking. Another firm favourite was walking the walls of Dubrovnik- which is especially interesting for us Game of Thrones fans. I felt like I had gone back in time to King's Landing!

Another fascinating excursion was the trip to Ephesus, strolling through the ancient city where paved streets wind past squares, baths and monumental ruins. So much history, all told by our excellent tour guide. 

To conclude, I would absolutely recommend an Azamara cruise, and I hope it won’t be my last. It was one of the best experiences and I really didn’t want to come home. I have definitely caught the cruise bug now!

Azamara stands as a beacon of exceptional travel experiences, inviting explorers to venture beyond the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary. With its unwavering commitment to immersive journeys, personalised service and a deep appreciation for the world's diverse cultures, Azamara has redefined luxury cruising.

From intimate ports of call to enriching onboard activities, every aspect of the Azamara experience has been meticulously designed to spark wanderlust and foster a sense of connection to the global tapestry of destinations.

If you want to experience Azamara's premium luxury,

call a dedicated Panache Cruises connoisseur on 0161 513 8200.