NEWS SPECIAL REPORT
Agents on board Azamara Quest
Mary Dillon
The Flying Leopard Dondra Ritzenthaler’s speech on how ‘attitude is everything’ was incredible. I messaged my
son straight after to impart some of what she said. The ship has also really impressed me. To be on a ship this size and to be able to sail up a river into the centre of Seville is really special. If you were on an ocean cruise, you’d spend several hours on a bus trying to get into Seville from the coast, so the mix between ocean and river is a real bonus and a great selling point. My cabin steward, Bury, was so attentive – he came straight to introduce himself and nothing was a problem. He ironed my top in an instant! When I get home, I will do a direct email marketing campaign to all my clients who I believe will love Azamara, including the photos I’ve taken. I’ve been vlogging every day on socials so they are already interested in where I am. I’m hoping Azamara will provide me with some ‘lift and shift’ offers to promote.
Azamara Quest will undergo a $20 million refit later this year
Gaynor and Martin Speakman
Speakman’s Travel (part of Not Just Travel) The most important thing we noticed is the staff. They are so attentive and get to know you
and what you like really quickly. The food in the speciality dining restaurant, Prime C [a steakhouse] was amazing – but it was also delicious in the main dining room. For an older ship, it’s still opulent while also having a cosy feel. It just makes you feel really warm and special being on board. The shore excursion we went on was so personal. Our guide Daniel had family links and heritage to the vineyard and was really passionate about it. We didn’t feel like we were being herded around at all even though there was actually double the number of guests on our tour [because we were a bigger group] compared with the usual numbers on an Azamara shore excursion.
travelweekly.co.uk Vivian Brummitt
Holidays By Vivian (The Good Travel Agent). I knew Azamara operated boutique hotel-style ships and I had already been recommending
it to certain clients, but to experience one of its cruises myself has really opened my eyes. I don’t think it’s for everyone, but for anyone with a real focus on destination, it’s ideal. The ship has a welcoming home-from-home feel, but it’s elevated so you feel special. There aren’t too many bells and whistles; it’s just got a relaxed, chilled vibe – offering a real rest for the soul and perfect for destination immersion. And the shore excursion was phenomenal thanks to the guide – I felt totally enriched afterwards.
16 APRIL 2026 11
PICTURES: Jenna Lyn Photography; Lucy Huxley; Shutterstock/Jason Sage
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