seen from Japan
seen from Russia
seen from United States
seen from India
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United States
seen from India
seen from United Kingdom
seen from India
seen from Japan
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Belarus
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United States
seen from United States
The next big thing in travel may be smaller than you think. 🚢✨ Azamara Cruises has unveiled “The Next Big Thing Is Small™,” a new global campaign focused on intimate ships, deeper cultural experiences, and more time in destination. #AzamaraCruises #SmallShipCruising #CruiseLife #DestinationImmersion #TravelInspiration #PremiumTravel
Cruise Line Dress Codes Explained: What to Wear Onboard
Planning a cruise but unsure what to pack? Our guide, “What to Wear: Decrypting Cruise Line Dress Codes,” helps you master onboard style with confidence. From Azamara’s resort casual look to Cunard’s elegant Gala Evenings and Virgin Voyages’ no-dress-code freedom, we break down what’s permitted, what’s not, and how to prepare for special events across all major cruise lines.
Midway through your planning, understanding and decrypting cruise line dress codes becomes essential to avoid feeling out of place. You’ll learn how to balance comfort and elegance, when to dress up for formal nights, and how to stay stylish without overpacking. The article also shares practical wardrobe tips—mix-and-match outfits, layering essentials for cool evenings, poolside attire, and versatile accessories to transition smoothly from day to night.
Whether you’re sailing with Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean, MSC, or luxury lines like Silversea and Regent Seven Seas, this guide ensures you always look the part.
Ready to set sail in style? Read the full guide now and create the perfect cruise wardrobe for your dream vacation!
To know more : https://www.cruisebay.com/blog/what-to-wear-decrypting-cruise-line-dress-codes
Windows Café Casual Dining
Sunday 26th June 2022 – Amsterdam
Yesterday evening, as it was the special ‘Destination Celebration Event’ but we didn’t want to have dinner too early in the main restaurant, we decided to go to the café for ‘Casual Dining’.
As this was the first time we had tried this, we expected something along the lines of a smartened-up lunch-time self-service experience. However, there was an Italian theme last night, along with full table service.
The menu items, however, were displayed on the buffet, which was a helpful idea and it meant that each dish was prepared fresh for you, rather than from trays under warming lamps.
I chose the Antipasti Platter, Pasta Fagioli soup and Pan-seared Grouper with roast potatoes.
Everything was extremely good, although for me, two Grouper fillets proved too much and all I could face was some fruit for dessert – but I had been eating and drinking, on and off, all day……
More Canals!
Saturday 25th June 2022 – Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Azamara Quest made a noisy entrance to the North Sea Canal at 5am (!) Its locks help to protect what is today the inner harbour of a city that was once exposed to the sea.
I was thankful that we had booked a canal cruise this morning because (a) it was raining and (b) I overdid the walking yesterday in Brugge and needed something less demanding. Luckily, we didn’t have far to walk because our canal boat was just outside the cruise terminal.
From the main harbour, our 90-minute excursion did a full circuit of the city via its maze of canals.
We saw the Westerkirk and Ann Frank House on Prinsengracht, then via Herengracht to see the so-called ‘Skinny Bridge’ over the Amstel River, from which the city got its name. The ‘skinny’ name dates back to the original bridge here in 1691, which was very narrow.
The present bridge was built in 1934 and is nothing like the original but the name still sticks - and it is one of the prettiest bridges in Amsterdam.
We also saw a few ‘squiffy’ gables…..caused, we were told, not by drunken builders but by the different types of piles used by different buildings; some wooden, some concrete; some deep and some not deep enough!
Finally, we passed the Montelbaanstoren tower (1516) on the Oudeschans canal to the Maritime Museum and its replica of the sailing ship ‘Amsterdam’ which foundered off Hastings in 1749.
Throughout our excursion, our witty guide, Ellen, provided interesting facts peppered with humorous quips which kept everyone amused.
Having overdone it a bit in Brugge yesterday, my partner and full-time nurse prescribed a lazy afternoon with my feet up because this evening was our ‘Destination Celebration Evening’.
Prior to covid-19, Azamara was known for its ‘Azamazing Evenings’ on which they would lay on a special event at an exclusive venue ashore. Continuing health protocols (and reduced passenger numbers) have not allowed them to do these again yet but they are promised. In the meantime, this Dutch themed ‘Destination Event’ on board for which the ship had engaged the popular Dutch singer Glennis Grace to give a special performance in the Cabaret Lounge. Even Dutch-style drinks and cookies were distributed to maintain the theme.
Personally, living in the popular entertainment vacuum that I do, I had never heard of her but I have to say she was extremely good, as indeed were her backing singers! It was such a privilege to be in the presence of such professionals, so clearly singing from their hearts. Continuing the Dutch theme, there was the gift of a tulip on everyone’s bed this evening.
The card said that tulips are the symbol of fertility; well, I’m not sure what use that will be at my age but I’m grateful nonetheless!
Having been ‘ousted’ from our overnight berth at the main Cruise Terminal because of overbooking by the Port Authority, Azamara Quest was obliged to ‘up stumps’ at 10.30pm and move to the Skandia Ferry Terminal in the west of the city where she will remain until lunchtime tomorrow.
Apologies to Richard the Waffle-Man!
Saturday 25th June 2022
I neglected to mention yesterday that at breakfast I was doing that thing I often criticise other passengers for doing – gazing aimlessly at the buffet, trying to decide what I fancied when there, when lurking in the corner was my new best friend, Richard the Hotel Director, hands-on again, this time doing Belgian waffles.
There was no way he was going to accept my feeble excuse that “the British don’t do waffles for breakfast” and after all, we were in Belgium. However, my heart sank as he piled fruit on top of a waffle and then proceeded to pour chocolate over the top! I must admit though, that it tasted extremely good and while I apologise to Richard for not mentioning his waffle-making skills in my post yesterday, Richard, please don’t do it again – my belts are already on the last notch as it is!
It’s All the Seine to Me
Thursday 23rd June 2022 – Honfleur, France.
The medieval towns of Harfleur and Honfleur stand either side of the Seine estuary, linked by the enormous 2,808ft span of the Normandy Bridge (opened in 1995).
With the recession of the sea and the silting-up of the estuary over the years, both towns have found themselves farther from the sea than intended but while Harfleur on the right (north) bank has been overshadowed by the much bigger port of Le Havre, Honfleur still survives in its own right, albeit connected by a short canal, on the left (south) bank of the river Seine.
Today we took a gentle walking tour of this quaint town to see some of its quirky, half-timbered houses, curious little passageways, its pretty fishing harbour and the famous wooden Church of St Catherine of Alexandria with its stand-alone spired bell-tower.
The weather was a bit grey and overcast, so the photos perhaps don’t do the town justice, which is a pity because it is very pleasant and easily walkable.
The town is not only the birthplace of the Impressionist Movement (Monet studied here under Eugene Boudin) but it is also the birthplace of composer Eric Satie and the famous French explorer Champlain, who helped colonise much of French Canada including Quebec. He is commemorated on the recently restored 17th century City Gate, called ‘La Lieutenance’ at the entrance to the inner harbour.
Our tour concluded with a visit to a genteel ‘Salon de The’ for locally-sourced apple juice (this is also Calvados country, after all) with waffles and tea or hot chocolate.
Back on board and the sun came out in the afternoon. There may have been a time when I would have walked back into town to take all the photos again in the sunshine but sadly, those days are long gone!
For dinner tonight, we were back in the main Discoveries Restaurant where in addition to the Escargots (a popular favourite) I chose the Fillet of Sole Romesco which, while it looked like it had been on the pass a bit too long, tasted pretty good.
However, my choice of the ‘Trio of Financiers’ for dessert proved quite the opposite; it looked amazing in its Strawberry, Chocolate and Orange colours but the taste(s) were disappointing. A case of ‘style over substance’ you might say.
After a nightcap with the lovely Rob Hart on piano in the Den, it was a calm sea and a 10pm sunset en-route to Zeebrugge tomorrow morning.
White Night & the Shop Dummy
Wednesday 22nd June 2022 – St Peter Port, Guernsey
Tonight was the famed ‘White Night Party’, much publicised and for which Azamara is well-known. Everyone wears white; or at least something white.
I was supposed to have packed a new pair of white jeans but forgot them; don’t even ask how I managed that but I did. However, it so happened that, not only did they have some white trousers in the shop on board but I also had a load of unused on-board credit because one of my shore excursions had been cancelled.
However, they only had size XL on sale and even after all the food I’ve eaten, I am pleased to say I’m not size XL. But it was eagle-eyed Angie who spotted that the dummy in the shop was wearing size S.
It was quite comical seeing the two obliging shop assistants wrestling with the dummy to strip him of his trousers in the middle of the shop in broad daylight but no, I didn’t add to the farce by trying them on then and there. However, surprisingly enough, they fitted me and I bought them! The shop assistant was surprised; I can’t imagine why…..
The crew goes to such lengths to prepare the main pool deck for this party on every cruise and everyone is invested in its success. My crepes suzette were served to me by my new best friend, Richard the Hotel Director - and I’m sure they tasted even better than usual!
There was lots to eat, loads to drink ( yours truly ended up drinking 5 glasses of mulled wine – well it was a bit chilly outdoors when the sun went down! ) and there was the usual ‘party party’ entertainment until the ship weighed anchor at sunset and sailed away. A brilliant end to a brilliant day!
Glorious Guernsey
Wednesday 22nd June 2022 – St Peter Port, Guernsey
After last night’s extremely satisfying dinner, I was thankful of another relaxing morning to recover!
We arrived off St Peter Port and dropped anchor around 10.30am in glorious sunshine and at last we were able to enjoy our balcony, as the tenders were run out for passengers to go ashore.
Having been frustrated by the H&S ‘elfs’ previously, it had been over 35 years since I last stepped ashore from Vistafjord here in 1985, so a lot was riding on this visit being a successful one. And it was, thank goodness!
Angie did a tour themed on the book ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’ while Andrew & I did a tour themed on the German Occupation.
As it turned out, both proved an effective form of ‘whistle-stop tour’ of the whole island, its amazing beaches and coastline.
We stopped to see the Napoleonic Loop-holed Towers at L’Ancresse Bay in the north, then at Fort Hommet on the north-west coast.
We saw the Range-finder Tower and walked through the Gun trenches at Pleinmont Point in the west before finishing up at La Valette Military Museum in St Peter Port from where there was a nice view of the seawater bathing pools and Fort Cornett, with Azamara Quest at anchor off the town.
We even saw some Guernsey Cows!
It was a great tour conducted with ‘entertaining drive’ by our cockney driver.
Azamara Quest remained at anchor for the evening ‘White Night Party’, a tradition of Azamara for which they are justly proud and famed. (See the next post)
