Southampton, boarding the Azamara Quest – Tuesday, August 30, 2022 Arrival Today we joined the Azamara Quest in Southampton, England. As a reader, your primary interest is the shipboard experience. I’ll skip over the details of getting to the ship from London. It all went smoothly. The Azamara Quest was docked at the City Pier. (Southampton has more than one pier.). The taxi driver knew where it was. Although Azamara talks about their ships being smaller, it’s …
Spain, here we come! In a few days we will be sailing on the Azamara Quest on their 10-night Wine and Culture cruise from Southampton to Lisbon. Seven ports, all during a heatwave. How should I pack? When I write, I usually refer to Jane and myself as a couple. Yes, we are traveling together as a unit. As a guy, I understand what men wear. Women’s clothing is still a mystery to me. In this article …
We will be going to sea in a few days! We cannot wait! Jane and I will be sailing on the Azamara Quest from Southampton to Lisbon. We are fans of transatlantic voyages on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 because we feel the ship is the destination and the vacation. The Azamara Quest will visit seven ports in ten days. Only one sea day! We will be seeing plenty of places we have never visited before and might …
Many people take short cruises. According to CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), 40% of cruises are seven days and 38% are shorter. It’s unlikely you will need a haircut or laundry services until you get home. Some people take longer cruises. Others want to be pampered. What types of personal services can you expect to find on your cruise ship? Haircuts. Many people like getting dressed up for formal evenings, a tradition aboard many ships. Some people …
We are in the middle of summer. According to the Farmer’s Alamac, the “Dog Days of Summer are July 3rd to August 11th, the hottest days. If you aren’t on vacation, you should be. Let’s look at why taking a cruise in the next week or two might be a sensible idea. Not all reasons work for all people, but a few should work for everyone. It’s hot. We have been seeing record temperatures across the US. …
Most of us look forward to port stops on cruises. We love the ship, but get “cabin fever” after a while. We want to wiggle out toes in the sand. We get tired of the shops onboard and want more variety. Many ports around the world are dependent on tourism. What are some Do’s and Don’ts? Do: Walk purposefully. You brought along a map. Trace out your route ahead of time. The people who live here go …
We celebrated our 40th Wedding anniversary over the weekend of July 15 to 17. It took three months’ worth of planning to pull all the pieces together. My original plan was to fly to Europe and sail back. Because of airport chaos and Covid (plus traveling friends getting sick), I decided something closer to home would be more prudent. Sticking to the cruising theme, this might be an ideal way to start or end your cruise if …
You love cruises. You like fly and drive vacations too. You love your friends. They hear you rave about your unforgettable travel adventures. One day an idea comes up: “Why don’t you travel with us next time?” This has the potential for a great positive bonding experience or a great disaster. Let’s look at why a cruise is the best and “safest” choice from the relationship standpoint. Costs are known up front. When you book a cruise, …
Air travel makes the news every day. The news often leads off with stories about flight delays and spending time in crowded airports. Is this the ideal time to book a cruise and take advantage of sailing soon fares? It’s easy to make the case the answer is yes. Here’s why: Home port cruising means no airline flights. If you are a US resident and live on the East, West or Gulf coasts, there is likely a …
For anyone with mobility or walking issues, is a cruise the right vacation for you? There are different levels of mobility issues and different types of vacation possibilities. It is easy to make the case taking a cruise is the best vacation option available, especially if there is a home port nearby. Let us look at 10 reasons supporting this case: Cruise lines are welcoming for an aging clientele. Cruises come in all lengths. World cruises can …
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