Cruising the Côte d’Azur on board Azamara Quest
By John Coles, October 2023.
In 2023 more than 30 million people chose a cruising holiday. It was a boom year for the cruise industry. New ships were launched, voyages created to novel destinations and innovative services designed to appeal to a wider market. There is always a lively debate about enthusiasts’ favourite cruises.
In November, I was invited by Azamara to participate in a “seminar at sea”, designed to give selected travel agents a chance to experience and learn first-hand for a few days on a Mediterranean cruise aboard Azamara Quest.
Azamara Quest is one of four similar ships, described as boutique hotels at sea, with accommodation for just 700 guests. Each ship has seven restaurants, cafes and bars; a cabaret lounge; a swimming pool, gym and spa. I really liked the relaxed friendly service and the intimate “club-like” atmosphere on board. I soon found my perfect hangout; the deck bar at the stern of the ship, where I could chat with other guests and enjoy sweeping views over the superyachts in Monaco harbour.
I was excited to visit Monaco, one of those quirky places which is truly unique in the world. With a land area of less than one square mile, the Principality of Monaco is the second smallest sovereign nation, it has the shortest coastline of any country, and with almost 40,000 residents it is the most densely populated.
Monaco is built around Hercules Harbour, home to hundreds of yachts. To the west of the harbour on a hilly peninsular is the palace of Prince Albert II, the head of state. To the east is the district of Monte Carlo, a business district and home to the famous casino. The city, a mix of elegant older mansions and modern apartment blocks, is squeezed into a narrow strip of land between the Mediterranean Sea and the hills of France. The buildings cling precariously to the hillside, reached by a network of narrow winding roads, staircases and elevators. It was fun to explore the backstreets which evoked memories of Hong Kong, where the skyscrapers of Central, Wan Chai and Mid-Levels are similarly squeezed between Victoria Harbour and the Peak.
Azamara focuses on the destination, matching Kew Bridge Travel’s ethos of inspiring journeys. The ships are large enough to cross oceans, but small enough to sail up rivers and dock in conveniently located ports. In Monaco and Marseille, we docked near the city centre and I was free to disembark the ship and take a walk around the city.
Voyages in the Mediterranean and Caribbean feature extended stays in port, late night departures and overnight stays, allowing guest to choose guided tours of personal interest, or simply explore ashore at their leisure. This is a convenient way to discover and experience popular destinations.
Azamara sails to all seven continents. Voyages typically depart from one port and arrive in another. We at Kew Bridge Travel can add pre- and post-cruise land travel to create a bespoke tour itinerary to explore anywhere in the world from Australia or Japan to South America. Longer ocean voyages offer the chance to discover some of the world’s most remote places, including St Helena and Pitcairn Island.
Prices vary from cruise to cruise, but as an indication, a comfortable balcony cabin would be around £300 per person per day (twin share). This compares favourably with other holidays, bearing in mind Azamara offers a considerable amount of inclusive on-board service, food, drinks, entertainment and tips. Spa treatments and escorted shore excursions are an additional charge. To encourage solo travellers, many cruises have a low (or even no) single supplement.
