This past November my husband and I sailed on the Azamara Quest from Dubai to Singapore on a voyage entitled “Spices, Tea & Rubber Trees”. We like to select destinations that are new to us and this fit the bill perfectly, as did the title. An element I might have added to the title is “Elephant.” Well-dressed elephants greeted us in almost every port along the route, but more about that in another post.
Embarkation Day
We embarked from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, through one of the cleanest and newest cruise terminals I’ve seen.
Once onboard the Azamara Quest, flutes of champagne with floating raspberries were ubiquitous, as were milling guests too excited to go to their suites and staterooms.
Upon entering stateroom VX8019, we found another bottle of bubbly awaiting us, along with welcome aboard cards, an invitation to the Cruise Critic Meet & Mingle party and an invitation to a private VIP tour of the bridge with Captain José Vilarinho.
I attended the Cruise Critic Meet & Mingle party located in the Looking Glass Lounge, where I sat with a couple, Mike and Dee. Both are avid Cruise Critic readers who confessed to never posting. This seems to be more common than one would believe. After accepting yet another glass of bubbly, I introduced myself as Azamara’s Chief Blogging Officer and what a warm welcome I received. Dee told me she loves my blogs. That is heartwarming. Thank you, Dee, as you read this back home at your Northern Australia ranch.
Sea Day
We enjoyed a three-day stretch of sea days as we cruised towards the first port-of-call: Mumbai, India. The seas were as calm as glass, and the weather was perfect with sunny blue skies and star-filled nights. The pool deck was the place to be and yet there were plenty of chaise lounges and chairs available for those that want them.
One afternoon we toured the bridge with Captain José and a few officers. Later, I actually went to the gym! I told myself I would and I’m proud of myself for not reading (or napping) all afternoon. The treadmills are top-of-the-line, each with an unblocked view of the ocean, the horizon and bird life. Two miles passed quickly.
Captain Jose explaining how stabilizers work.
In the evening, we enjoyed a fabulous Vietnamese buffet in the Windows Café. We loved the quality and variety of the cuisine, and the ability to dine outside in the warm evening air. Days at sea are the main reason I enjoy cruising.