What would five days on Azamara Journey behold?

This was the question running through my mind as we travelled from a cold rainy Manchester to a slightly warmer rainy Pisa.

We were about to embark on a 5 day sailing from Pisa to Barcelona whilst docking in Nice when the Formula 1 was on Monaco!

My first thoughts on the ship was how pretty she looked docked as close as can be to the cruise port entrance. Once onboard we were welcomed by what I can only describe as the friendliest staff at sea; or maybe in all of hospitality.

As we set sail for Porto Venere we began to sample the extensive included cocktail list and I settled on a Caribbean Sunset being my favourite. After a fantastic meal in Discoveries we thoroughly enjoyed the evening entertainment.

Our day in Corsica began docked in the centre of the town square and within walking distance of the vibrant local markets. We took a walk through the markets and around the coast in search of a beach to have a restful day; this didn't quite happen as we ended up settling in a local bar and restaurant. We continued walking the old town and taking some breathtaking pictures before arriving back on board to spend time on the upper deck overlooking the beautiful square and coastline. 

Arriving in Nice the anticipation was in the air as we would be attending the Monaco Formula 1 today; again Azamara Journey was docked centrally to the city and only a brisk 15 minute walk from the train station to Monaco. What a brilliant day we had! The noise of the roaring engines, atmosphere of the fanzone and again some brilliant food and drink! 

All 4 Azamara ships are on the smaller size in terms of ocean cruising; with the largest capacity of a ship being 702 guests. This lends themselves perfectly into getting right into the centre of a destination rather than docking on the ‘fringes’. Leaving a ship right into the destination gives in its self a sense of exclusivity that you don’t have to wrestle the queues and cramped transfers of the bigger ships that simply can’t dock where Azamara can. In both Corsica and Nice we were a brisk 2 minute stroll to being in the beating heart of the destinations. We were the benefactors of this in all of our ports of call and really makes a difference in how your holiday can flow; taking the stress and in most cases heat out of the equation when travel time to local excursions and sight seeing opportunities is so easily done! 

Overall I was absolutely blown away by Azamara and would recommend them to new cruisers and the most avid cruises. I will be onboard again soon! 

Head to our website for more information on Azamara Cruises!