Page 026-027 Afloat 13/08/2013 18:27 Page 2
SEPTEMBER 2013 PAGE 27
AFLOAT
Amazara ex Hibernia T
he old cliché had it that cruises were for the blue-rinse brigade, elderly aunts and rich spinsters. That went out with blue rinses (and rich spinsters) but the new cliché about cruising is that it’s for the young-at-heart and families, not just ‘old fogeys’. Neither cliché is actually true because it makes no more sense to generalise about cruising than it does about any other kind of holiday. There are as many cruise companies as the market dictates – which means every niche market is catered for. The new generation of Royal Caribbean mega-cruisers tends to attract family cruisers who want to surf, mountain-climb and golf on board. Nothing wrong with that. People who like the idea of swooping between decks in a glass lift and having a shopping mall on board to browse through. Royal Caribbean’s sister cruise line, however, Azamara, goes for a different customer. You could call them older, but I prefer to think of them as more experienced.
P
eople who don’t like nasty surprises when they go on holiday. People who like to know that, if it’s hot outside, they can choose to be cool (without noisy air-conditioners) and, if it’s freezing, they will be toasty warm. People who like to know when they leave home that their holiday will be spent somewhere that will be safe, spot-
Gerry O’Hare accompanies Azaquest to his native Belfast
Azamara Club cruise hotel director Philip Herbert with the Azamara Quest on its first visit to Belfast. the guides here are just two Azamara cruise pool in Caribbean heat, all the while and then there are the Azamazing ships – the Quest and the Journey gazing from the deck towards the Pigeon evenings – special nights out with unforgettable shows and experiences. – and both are smaller, sleeker and more House and Dublin Port. The ship has all the accoutrements of A few examples: a “Dolce Vita” party manageable than the modern leviathans of her sister company, Royal Caribbean. a luxury cruise liner with a casino, cock- at the Villa Durazzo on the Monaco to It means their itineraries can be more tail lounges, theatre for evening enter- Vatican cruise, a “Three Tenors” concert varied (smaller ships need smaller tainment, a spa, a gym, a disco, a library on the Tuscany to Monaco cruise, a Sunso you don’t have to haul books away set Party on the Venice/Rome cruise. ports). If you want to ask yourself one ques- with you, an internet room (wifi avail- And you can bet your bottom dollar they will all be organised to the last detail. tion about whether this is the right able in all staterooms) and shopping. There is casual dining also if you want Service is what cruising is also all choice for you (or your clients) ask yourself this. When you’re sitting around the to snack/buffet in your shorts and t-shirt about. Your stateroom will be serviced pool with a cocktail, do you want to lis- and the main dining hall is half-way be- by one attendant and an assistant with a ten to a rendition of “Build Me Up But- tween the more upmarket fine dining cosy duvet, Egyptian cotton bathrobes tercup” or the sound of waves lapping and the casual option (there’s also the and slippers, 24-hour room service, a Pool Grill for pizza, hot-dogs and burg- daily news-on-board bulletin, compliagainst the ship? If “Buttercup” is your bag, maybe ers and the Mosaic Café for coffees and mentary shoe-shining, fresh-cut flowers and packing and unpacking of your suitAzamara isn’t for you. But if a blissfully pastries). cases. deep and clean towel placed on your No need to tell you that just about any f it offends you that you are asked sun-lounger and a waiter buzzing quietly not to wear tank tops, baseball caps, itinerary you can think of is catered-for. about offering to bring you more cockbathing suits or jeans in the dining A seven-night Tuscany to Provence voytails (in peace) is – then look no further. room or speciality restaurants, and not to age this autumn starts at £849 while a he ship has a variety of deck wander about in bare feet, this may not seven-night Baltic/Scandinavia and Rusplans to suit most purses and two be the cruise for you (although evening sia starts at £1,700 and a seven-night Vatican to Athens (Acropolis) starts at fine speciality restaurants, as a dress is never required). As you might imagine, the on-shore just £749. group of travel agents, tour operators and travel journalists experienced at the excursions are led by experienced tour height of the July heat-wave this summer, as the Azamara Quest sailed from WHAT’S NOT Dublin to Belfast. WHAT’S HOT There is the ‘Aqualina’ (inspired by ■ Absolutely wonderfully-comfort■ One day, someone will figure out the coastal cuisines of Italy, Greece, able sun loungers on deck – I tried how to get people onto a ship without France, Spain, and northern Africa) and them! queuing. the ‘Prime C’, a more North American■ No sense of being in a crowded ■ Please more itineraries taking in inspired restaurant serving beef and place or of people rushing about. Irish ports so we can avoid the flight fresh seafood with floor-to-ceiling ocean ■ Choice of whether to dine in a cabefore cruising. views. sual or more upmarket restaurant. ■ That dreadful sinking feeling when It was quite an experience to watch ■ Smiles everywhere on board – from you realise your cruise is at an end and people in swimming costumes around both fellow-travellers and staff you have to face real life again.
T
I
T Gerry O’Hare checks the view lessly clean and friendly – as well as exciting, exotic and intellectually stimulating (if they choose it to be). And people who like the relaxation that only knowing that your every bite and sip are paid for brings before you leave home – so no worries about ‘daily budgeting’ or anything so uncouth or indelicate …