Very enjoyable

We travelled last year with Azamara and greatly enjoyed the smaller ship feel, comfort and convenience. This cruise, from Cairns to Singapore offered us the chance to see some things on our ‘to do’ list, especially Komodo and Borobudur. Embarkation in Cairns was efficient and since Quest and Journey are almost identical, it was very easy to settle in. We enjoyed a quick look at Thursday Island which is otherwise quite difficult to visit.

Our only real disappointment in the whole trip was the docking location in Darwin. Instead of being at the cruise ship dock, we were more than 30 minutes away, each way, by the provided shuttle bus, at the spectacularly unscenic and inconvenient bulk container terminal. We had 3 things planned for Darwin but saw only one of them because of the docking location. Do visit the RFDS where you get not only the RFDS story but also an amazing virtual reality experience of the bombing of Darwin. The Azamazing Darryl Braithwaite concert was great but also meant 12 buses doing a one hour trip and the inevitable waiting.

Food was excellent again in terms of variety and freshness. We mostly used the Windows buffet for breakfast and lunch because we could choose salads and fruit. Dinner was mostly in Discoveries but we did have 2 meals in Prime C and one in Aqualina.

We had remarkably flat seas and hot weather for the whole 2 weeks and everything was well-organised. The staff continue to be gems and a very important part of the Azamara experience.

The docking location in Singapore, at Harbourfront, is far better than the main cruise terminal. It’s very close to an MRT station, a very large shopping centre ( Vivocity) and Sentosa Island.

Shore excursions

On Thursday Island and Komodo we did the ship excursions because they were tender ports and it was easier. On Thursday Island it was hot and the fort is at the top of a hill so it’s quite a long way to walk. The cemetery is even further and I don’t think you would have seen both in the time if walking.

On Komodo you were not allowed to leave the ship if you did not have a shore excursion ticket or proof of another tour. A safety issue.

In Bali we booked a car and driver through Tours by Locals. Ketut Arwan was great and very happy to meet our needs. Highly recommended

Same thing, same company for Borobudur with excellent guide, Gregorius Gagat and a very skillfull driver too. It was a long trip on crowded hilly roads and we were so pleased not to be on one of the ship’s 6 buses.

In both cases the car and driver option was as cheap or cheaper than the ship bus shore excursions.