We recently had the incredible opportunity to experience luxury cruising with Azamara. The itinerary was spectacular, taking us to a different, beautiful destination each day. While on the smaller side, particularly the showers, our room was immaculate and well-maintained. With warm summer weather, we particularly appreciated the daily restocks of our fridge with water bottles and sodas. We appreciated that Azamara included gratuities in the cruise fare as our room steward was great.
The ship’s buffet was well sized for the ship’s occupancy. Options included 8 to 12 hot mains, fresh fruit, hors d’oeuvre stations, fresh salads, and fantastic desserts and breads. Food variety and quality were both excellent. The dining room menu offered a variety of choices, including steak and seafood staples and great looking vegetarian options. Each night also included a specialty ethnic menu each night with dishes from a specific country.
A highlight was White Night, when the crew transformed the pool deck into a huge BBQ. It was an amazing meal and a ton of fun. The captain (who was great the entire cruise) even took a turn grilling! It was the funnest meal we’ve ever had on a ship.
All the staff were welcoming and extremely helpful. With only 700 passengers, we could easily get on and off the ship daily and the smaller ship could often dock right in cities. Overall, we loved our time aboard the Azamara Pursuit!
Highlights from Our Journey
Monte Carlo and Nice: Our adventure began in Monte Carlo with an exciting equestrian competition and a visit to the Prince of Monaco’s car collection. The following days in Nice were filled with charm as we visited hilltop towns like Eze and Peillon, enjoying their unique beauty and serene atmosphere. An e-bike tour through Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer gave us breathtaking views from roadways lined with fragrant flowering trees.
Saint Tropez and Port Grimaud: Saint Tropez greeted us with high-end shops and a vibrant market. Our walk to Port Grimaud, though hot, led us to a delightful town reminiscent of Venice. It was complete with bright colored homes along the canals and flowering trees. A refreshing water shuttle ride back and an evening on the deck for White Night were the perfect combination to finish our day.
Exploring Provence: Our time in Marseilles led us to picturesque towns like Saint Remy and Gordes. The lavender fields at Abbey de Senanque were a sight to behold, with butterflies fluttering around the deep purple blooms. Gordes’ stone architecture and Roussillon’s red rock formations and hidden old town added to the charm of our journey through Provence.
Sanary-sur-Mer and Cassis: A humorous taxi ride took us to Cassis for a private boat tour through the famous Calanques (canyons). We swam in crystal-clear waters and explored a stunning cave, making it one of the most memorable days of our trip. Walking through Cassis and Sanary-sur-Mer added to the relaxing vibe of the day.
Medieval Marvels and Barcelona: Our visit to Carcassonne was like stepping back in time. The medieval city, with its castle and church, was fascinating, though we wished for a shorter stay. The amazing Barcelona welcomed us with the awe-inspiring Sagrada Familia, the incredible Montserrat, and the vibrant La Boqueria Market. One day is not enough for all that Barcelona has to offer but we tried to fit in all we could.
Overall, the cruise was outstanding. It was a great blend of relaxed luxury and engaging exploration, making it an unforgettable experience. Each day brought new adventures and discoveries, from the enchanting hilltop towns to the crystal-clear waters of the Calanques. Our journey with Azamara through the French Riviera was nothing short of spectacular, and we can’t wait to share more about our travel adventures in our next blog post.