Amazing Azamara with F1

Jennifer Bradnam on 26 May 2011
I had just had one of the most exciting and relaxing weekends. Flying to Nice and embarking on a 4 cruise on board Azamaras' 5 star luxury ship The Journey. And what a Journey! The ship was small in comparison to the new super cruise ships, and bought you back into the personal service and luxury. Checking was smooth and unarduous, not leaving you with that exhausted feeling we often have when arriving out our destination when we have checked in and flown, transferred and re checked in. Our cabin was lovely. We had opted for an outside deluxe with balcony on deck 8, it was spacious and bright, with everything you could need supplied. A stocked mini bar with complimentary soft drinks, and spirits and wines to purchase. The ship has a main restaurant, a cafe buffet restaurant and 2 additional speciality restaurants. And the food and the service was exceptional. Wines and soft drinks, coffees are complimentary throughout meal times. There is a nightclub on board, for those who like to party into the early hours, a casino, Piano bar for something more relaxed, and quiet, and on deck entertainment in the evenings, to enjoy the warm nights outside. The staff on board were excellent. Very attentive and nothing any trouble, a ratio of almost 2 staff to each passenger. Our itinerary over the 4 nights was perfect. Setting sail on the Thursday evening we woke up the morning overlooking the harbour of Portifino, Italy. Known as one of the prettiest ports in Italy. We had a whole day to explore here, before leaving for our next destinations, St Tropez. A beautiful town on the Cote d'Azur, The streets were bustling with local painters, and street artists. Street cafes where you could sit and sample the best Moules Frites ever! Again after a full day we set sail around midnight, The last tender coming back to the ship and 23:30 so you could spend Saturday night on the town in St Tropez. We woke up Sunday morning with a buzz of excitement, the tender to shore was going to be busy today, and no laying in today! Today the ship was going to be quiet, with almost everyone disembarking to watch the highlight of any French Rivieras year, The Monaco Grand Prix. Cant say that i am an F1 Fan, but the atmosphere was electric. The weather was hot, the noise phernominal. A great great day. I think almost everyone has seen the Grand Prix on the television, but to walk on the roads that they race on and see how narrow they are, and seeing how fast they race was mind blowing. The noise of the cars reverberate around Monacos harbour. Now thats a place to be! The yachts in the Harbour, were stunning, so if your not into cars there's the boats to see that have moored in just for the race. The Azamara left Monaco to a fabulous firework display and heading back to Nice for a disembarkation and return back home, to end what has been a long weekend away that I would recommend to anyone. I travelled with My husband and a group of our friends,most had never cruises before and all are converted to the world of cruising and everything it offers. Were ready to return next year, go on give it try!