Atlas Cruises and Tours Travel Blog

FREE ONBOARD SPENDING GALORE!
Up to $100 when you book Oceanview or higher

We’ll give you a pre-paid shopping spree for the ship’s boutiques, spa, bars, and more! Call 800-942-3301 for details!

See for yourself why Condé Nast Traveler readers have voted five of Celebrity’s vessels among the world’s “Top 10 Large Ships”, with the line’s Constellation, Summit, Infinity, and Millennium ranked as the top four overall.

Plus, don’t miss the brand-new Celebrity Solstice & Celebrity Equinox  featuring a manicured half-acre of lawn – the first of its kind at sea – where you can play bocce ball and croquet, practice your putting, or simply picnic!

Celebrity and Azamara Exclusive “Come Grow with Us” two-week promotion, May 4-17, 2009:

• $50 per stateroom onboard credit for any 2009 Alaska FIT booking, Oceanview or above
• $100 per stateroom onboard credit for any 2009 Europe FIT booking, Oceanview or above
• Onboard credits will automatically be applied to applicable bookings by June 1, 2009: no redemption form necessary

All offers applicable for new individual ocean view or above bookings booked & deposited between 5/4/ & 5/17/09. Onboard credit is in USD & is not redeemable for cash. One onboard credit per stateroom.

I have always been partial to small ship cruising, as the ships are small enough to sail right into the heart of the world’s remote ports, yet large enough to deliver unforgettable experiences.

We embarked at the port of Civitavecchia on the Azamara Quest for 14 glorious days of cruising the Mediterranean. We had been to many of the ports , but there’s always excitement in visiting them again and participating in different shore excursions than we had encountered in the past. I can’t say I have a favorite port, but I have always loved Barcelona and will go back again and again.

For this trip, we decided to visit the Cinque Terra while in port near Florence (Livorno). The ship stayed in port 2 nights, which gave us the opportunity to travel to the Leaning Tower of Pisa the second day. Again having extra time in ports is an added feature of small ship cruising.

The Azamara Quest is exquisitely appointed with large cabins and more than adequate closet space for 2 weeks. Your butler delivers morning coffee. The towels are extra thick, and you’ll find fresh flowers in your cabin daily.

The dress code on Azamara Cruises is “Country Club Casual”, which we all enjoyed while spending our evenings in the casual elegance of a boutique hotel. The environment sets the mood as intimately inviting, warm and friendly. The ship’s staff called us by name, which is quite an undertaking with seven hundred passengers.

Over and over again, I have had the question asked about entertainment on the small ships and things to do. We never lacked for something to do. This ship has a wonderful Fitness Center with state-of-the-art equipment. Classes in aerobics, cycling and yoga are offered complimentary. The Astral Spa offers countless body treatments and acupuncture. The ship is equipped with WI-FI and offers e-connections for the passengers that must stay connected.

Days at sea gave us the opportunity to attend seminars and lectures on the ports we were going to visit and the things we might see, as well as a range of interesting topics offered by onboard experts. The local entertainment is enlightening compared to the mega ships with the tired comedian, magician and Las Vegas Revue they always manage to play up into something better than it really is. Dancing under the stars or listening to live jazz played poolside is a relaxing way to enjoy your evening.

Each meal is a masterpiece with innovative menus from the culinary team. We had many theme dinners, as we visited ports in Italy, Spain, Tunisia , Malta and France. There is open seating throughout to give you the opportunity to share your dining experience with other guests or just enjoy a table for two. Dinners are served from 6 -9 pm, so once again, the choice is yours. The Quest also offers 2 specialty restaurants, the Aqualina, primarily seafood and Prime C for the beef lovers, each serving distinctive cuisine against the backdrop of intimate ambience. Guests receive two confirmed complimentary nights in either specialty restaurant. If you care to indulge during other nights of your cruise, dining is complimentary with seating based on availability.

Each Azamara cruise itinerary allows the experience of what the world has to offer. If I have the opportunity to sail on the Quest or her sister ship, the Journey, I will definitely be ready to do it again.

Now is a great time to book your Azamara cruise with many sailings offering ship board credits and pre-paid gratuities.

Contributed by: Cheryl Kennedy
                                       kennedy@atlastravelweb.com

Book an Azamara cruise between March 1-22, & receive up to 30% off published brochure prices on select sailings*. Plus enjoy up to $300* onboard credit per stateroom & prepaid gratuities, too.

Azamara is also offering 50% reduced deposits** all on sailings through April 2010. There’s never been a better time to sail Azamara!

Azamara Cruises just announced the schedule for booking reservations on new itineraries for 2010 and 2011.

Azamara Cruises was Voted one of the World’s Best Cruise Lines by Condé Nast Traveler - Top-Rated cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Panama Canal, Galapagos, Hawaii, Mexico, Bermuda and more - get ready for the cruise vacation of a lifetime. 

Call or email if you would like to be put on a wait list to be the first to receive the dates and rates for Azamara 2010/2011 cruises.

We took a 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruise on November 7 aboard the Crown Princess. Having just experienced the 2 day Inaugural sailing onboard the Ruby, we had high expectations for the Crown, as we had really enjoyed our experience on the Ruby.

It was easy to get around, as the ships are almost identical in lay out.  We were in an  EE ocean view cabin located right off of the Piazza area behind the art gallery. If you are booking an ocean view cabins, these are in the perfect location. I have to say it was my first time in an ocean view room, and I really miss the balcony and the extra room in the mini-suites. My husband hogs the TV, and the mini-suites have 2 tvs in the room as well as a comfortable couch, versus sitting on the bed on 1 chair provided in the ocean view cabin. Oh yes, and being on a lower deck, if seas are rough you do hear the waves hitting the side of the boat.

We found the entertainment in the Piazza to be a bit disappointing. It was a highlight for us on the Ruby, and there were less variety of entertainers in the Piazza area. The main shows in the Princess Theatre were good, as well as some of the comedians and singers in the Explorers Lounge.

Food was average throughout the cruise. Not bad, but not great, hence the word “average” is the only one that seems to work. Overall, we were impressed by the selection in the buffet. On seafood night for example, the buffet had chowder, king crab legs, shrimp and oysters as part of the buffet so if you were not in the mood to eat in the dining room, you still had plenty of seafood to choose from.  In the main dining rooms you can choose traditional dining or personal choice. We had the personal choice, and even during peak dining times (7 to 8 p.m.,) we never waited more than 15 minutes for a table for 2. Other dining options included an outdoor hamburger and hot dog grill, pizzeria and ice cream bar.  The pizza usually has a long line, but it is well worth the wait. You can also order a full pizza delivered to your room for $3. The International cafe in the Piazza area serves a variety of sandwiches, cold salads and freshly baked pastries. Gelato is also served here. Vines is a casual and classy wine and seafood bar with a nice selection of wines, and a great place to hang out before dinner. Cafe Caribe is a fun place to get an after dinner liquor. The Crown also has a 24-hour buffet/bistro in the Horizon Court or round-the-clock room service.

The Cigar lounge was spacious, located right off of the casino. The Casino had a good selection os slots and tables. You no longer cash out when going from one machine to the other, instead credits go onto your key card.

We tried out Sabatini’s and the Crown Grill. Sabatini’s took about 2 1/2 hours so don’t go in a rush. There were several courses involved - some better than others, but it is a unique dining experience with a wonderful view of the ocean if you arrive before sunset. The Crown Grill had excellent steaks and Brazilian lobster tails.

I personally loved the Movies Under the Stars.  New movies were shown each night. The pool chairs are covered, and blankets are provided. The smell of freshly popped popcorn fills the air, and depending on where you sit, the pizza smell is intoxicating. Waiters will bring you pizza upon request. Make sure and arrive early, as the seats do fill up. For sports buffs, football was on both Sunday and Monday nights.

The cabin was fine, however we find the bathrooms to be small compared to other ships unless you are in a min-suite or above.  Wifi worked great in the cabin and throughout the ship.

We loved the Sanctuary, and felt it is well worth the $10 for a half day to be away from the crowds. You can pick seating in the shade or in the sun. Waiters offer chilled towels, and serve water with either fresh fruit or cucumber in it for the spa feel. It is a great place to read and relax, or enjoy the designated pool and hot tub one deck down.

Service throughout the ship was good. Around the pool we noticed plenty of staff who were always attentive. We had a soda card and still receive the same service as if we were ordering alcoholic drinks.

The ports were great (Grand Turk, Princess Cays, St. Thomas and St. Maarten).

Boarding the ship as well as disembarkation were very smooth.

Overall, the Crown provides a good cruise experience. Princess offers an excellent passenger loyalty program and has some great specials available until February 28th with their balcony bonanza sale.

I have almost 200 photos of the Crown and ports of call if you would like to see them on my Flickr account.

Want to learn more about Azamara cruises in 2009? Azamara is a deluxe cruise line, and was voted one of the World’s Best Cruise Lines by Condé Nast Traveler. Europe. Asia. South America. The Caribbean. Where in the world would you like to go? With Azamara, you can travel to the far reaches of the earth and explore a myriad of ports and cities that most can only dream of. From French Polynesia to the warm waters off the islands of St. Barts, whatever your passion, let Azamara take you there in magnificent style.  Enjoy butler service, the most delectable dining on the high seas, a masterful spa, graceful accommodations, and more.

Guests who travel with Azamara Cruises are explorers, seeking experiences that are richer than those offered by most cruise lines. Many Europe and Asia itineraries will include overnight stays in cities such as Istanbul, Barcelona and Venice. The ability to reach smaller ports isn’t the only advantage of traveling on smaller ships. On both Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, 93% of staterooms enjoy ocean views, with 70% offering private verandas. You’ll also discover an intimacy not found on larger vessels, creating a relaxed atmosphere that is far more conducive to interacting with the staff, as well as fellow travelers. The advantages of smaller ships are even evident when you’re in port. Captains can navigate right into the heart of the engaging ports of call so that almost immediately after you dock, you’re free to begin explorations.

Past Azamara & Captain Club members can receive up to $300 off all stateroom categories on the following cruises, when booking Jan 1st - March 31, 2009. Call about these and other Azamara discount offers.

7 Night Europe Mediterranean     
Azamara Journey      
    Apr 25;  May 2, 9, 16, 2009

10 Night Europe Mediterranean   
Azamara Journey      
    Apr 5, 15, 2009
                                                                    
Azamara Quest            
    June 4, 2009

14 Night Europe Mediterranean   
Azamara Journey       
    May 23, 2009
                                                                   
 Azamara Quest            
    June 14, 28, 2009

12 Night Scand/Russia                     
Azamara Journey       
    June 6, 30, 2009

12 Night Caribbean                            
Azamara Journey       
    March 8, 2009

14 Night Asia                                        
Azamara Quest            
    March 14, 2009

16 Night Transatlantic                     
Azamara Journey       
    March 20, 2009

24 Night Asia                                       
Azamara Quest            
    April 7, 2009