Two of the great attractions of an Azamara Club Cruises are its exotic itineraries and late departures/overnights in various ports which give you more time to explore?even if you are back onboard for dinner.  Proboscis Monkey
Lubak Bay, Borneo, Malaysia But to me the more interesting thing is the interplay between guests visiting clearly underdeveloped ports and their expectations as to what the tours are going to be like. And this is where the concept of being a ?traveler? (Azamara Club Cruises? target market) and being a fare-centric ?cruiser? less interested in the itinerary, but getting "value for money" really comes into play.   And while Azamara Club Cruises provides good value for a premium cruise experience I am finding the "travelers" who are generally paying more are extremely satisfied while, ironically, the "value for money" folks look for things to complain about...in part because they want to "cruise" rather than "travel".
Honestly, it does become tiresome when some folks learn who I am and believe I am the great repository for all of their complaints (legitimate and curious), which I politely listen to and then, subtly, try to give a different perspective to consider.  As you read this article I would ask you to look at the photographs and decide if sometimes the imperfect opportunities visiting remote areas are worthy of tolerance and forgiveness or not.
Sandakan, Borneo, MalaysiaRealty Check No. 1 The Azamara Quest is visiting some pretty remote ports and despite all the National Geographic shows you my watch, the fact is that you probably should be watching Globe Trekker or Anthony Bourdain to have a more realistic understanding of what you will encounter.  Additionally, you demand things to be developed to American/British standards and tastes and be sorely disappointed or you can feel honor and excitement to be on the cutting edge of newly developing tourist markets.
Our Honda Bay, Philippines boat was not up to Western standards...
and you literally had to walk the plank...but the "captain" was excellent
and made sure we were safeFor example, in Puerto Princesa, Philippines I chose the Honda Bay Island Hopping & Snorkeling tour.  It says, for example, ?hop onto a boat?, well that was quite optimistic, though accurate.  Actually we hopped into the water and then up a rickety plank onto a wooden outrigger ?boat? of dubious seaworthiness (life jackets mandatory!) and then headed out to our first island, Luli Island.  And then?the winds picked up, the seas got a bit rough and the currents were looking a bit difficult.  (That?s where the italics at the end of the ship?s description come in, ?Note:  such water activities could be subject to adverse sea conditions such as high winds, waves and sea currents? though not mentioning the small bamboo outrigger with a put-put motor.)
Cowrie Island, PhilippinesWhen we ...