By
Cherie Rowlands |
Azamara Quest left drydock on 16 November following a ship-wide revamp during eight days in the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain.
The first of Azamara Cruises’ twin ships to be refurbished, the public spaces received new carpets and upholstery in a fresh colour scheme, while the hull of the 694-passenger Quest has been painted in a navy blue unique to the line, that the shipyard has named ‘Azamara blue’.
Suites and staterooms have new mattresses and upgraded verandah furniture and the outer decks a resurfaced pool and new sun loungers, while the spa and fitness centre has gained a new steam room, showers, and state-of-the-art cardio equipment.
Known for its longer stays and more overnights in port to offer upmarket travellers options for night touring, Azamara Cruises is set to break away from its category with newly refreshed ships that will be sailing to destinations larger ships are unable to reach.
Quest began a 13-night Madeira and Canary Islands voyage on 16 November, which will be followed by a four-night Spanish and North Africa voyage that starts on 28 November. The ship will embark on a 16-night, trans-Atlantic voyage to Rio de Janeiro for its South America season, on 2 December.
Sister ship Azamara Journey is scheduled to enter drydock for refit at the Sembawang Shipyard in Singapore on January 2013, before departing on a 13-night Indonesia round trip from Singapore as part of an Asia season.