Azamara Quest

Azamara Quest is an R-class cruise ship that entered service for Azamara Cruises on 24 October 2007. She was built in 2000 for Renaissance Cruises as R Seven. Following the collapse of Renaissance Cruises in 2001 she was laid up for two years, until chartered to the Germany-based Delphin Seereisen as Delphin Renaissance.

Azamara Quest as seen in Split, on 29 September 2013
History
Malta
Name
  • 2000–2003: R Seven
  • 2003–2006: Delphin Renaissance
  • 2006–2007: Blue Moon
  • 2007-present: Azamara Quest
Owner
Operator
  • 2000–2001: Renaissance Cruises
  • 2003–2006: Delphin Seereisen
  • 2006–2007: Pullmantur Cruises
  • 2007-present: Azamara Cruises
Port of registry
Ordered1997
BuilderChantiers de l'Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire, France
Yard numberY31
Laid down1999
Launched23 May 2000
Completed2000
Acquired28 September 2000
Maiden voyage2000
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Class and typeR-class cruise ship
Tonnage30,277 GT[3]
Length181.00 m (593 ft 10 in)
Beam25.46 m (83 ft 6 in)
Draft5.95 metres
Depth5.95 m (20 ft)[3]
Decks11 (9 passenger decks)[4]
Installed power4 × 4,650 kW (6,240 hp) Wärtsilä Vasa 12V32
Propulsion
  • Diesel-electric; 2 × 6,750 kW (9,050 hp) GEC Alstom electric motors,
  • Two shafts; fixed pitch propellers
Speed18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph)
Capacity686 passengers[5]
Crew408[6]

In 2006 she was sold to the Spain-based Pullmantur Cruises and renamed Blue Moon. She sailed for Pullmantur until 2007 when she was transferred to Azamara Cruises.

The Azamara Quest carries about 710 passengers (double occupancy) plus 410 crew members (1:2 staff to guest ratio). Her first season was in the Caribbean. Due to her small size, she is able to call at some of the lesser-visited ports such as St. Barts and Guadeloupe.

Sisterships: Azamara Journey, Azamara Pursuit, MS Insignia, MS Sirena, MS Regatta, MS Nautica, Pacific Princess.

Service history

2012 fire

In March 2012 the ship suffered a fire in one of the engine rooms[7] which temporarily disabled the ship, carrying 1,001 passengers and crew in waters south of the Philippines.

Five crew were injured in the fire, which broke out on 30 March 2012 at 8:19pm EDT, a day after the ship left Manila for Sandakan, Malaysia. It was limited to the engine room and "quickly contained", according to Azamara. None of the passengers were injured.

Many guests praised the efforts of the crew and the entertainment department for keeping spirits high immediately following the harrowing experience.[8]

2016 Marlborough Sounds Collision

On 27 January 2016 the Azamara Quest was heading to the port of Picton, New Zealand. Whilst entering the Tory Channel (which leads through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton) the ship made its turn too late, turned too slowly and hit Wheki Rock.[9] The hull and propeller sustained minor damage and the ship was able to continue to Picton. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission report found that the accident was caused by a miscommunication between the Captain and the Pilot.[10]

Effects of the worldwide pandemic

In 2020, due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, sailings were suspended, on various dates in the various regions, by all cruise lines. As of 12 January 2021, a report indicated that Azamara was suspending all sailings "through April 30".[11] From June 2020 until 26 July 2021, Azamara Quest was berthed in Glasgow's King George V Dock along with two of her sister ships Azamara Journey and Azamara Pursuit while cruise sailing was suspended.[12][13]

In 2015, the Azamara Journey and the Azamara Quest were the ships used by television presenter and biologist Nigel Marven for his UKTV documentary and travel program Cruise Ship Adventures with Nigel Marven. The program highlighted wildlife areas at popular cruise destinations.[14]

  • As Delphin Renaissance in Kiel in Delphin Seereisen colours
    As Delphin Renaissance in Kiel in Delphin Seereisen colours
  • Azamara Quest in her previous livery, as seen off the coast of Santorini in July 2008
    Azamara Quest in her previous livery, as seen off the coast of Santorini in July 2008
  • Azamara Quest departing Split, 13 November 2011
    Azamara Quest departing Split, 13 November 2011
  • Azamara Quest at Southampton in 2013
    Azamara Quest at Southampton in 2013
  • Azamara Quest 2018 in the Mediterranean
    Azamara Quest 2018 in the Mediterranean

References
  1. Asklander, Micke. "M/S R Seven (2000)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  2. Sebastian, Dave (19 January 2021). "Royal Caribbean to Sell Azamara Luxury Cruise Line for $201 Million". Wall Street Journal.
  3. "Azamara Quest (33494)". DNV Vessel Register. DNV. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  4. "Azamara Cruises: Azamara Quest (Deck plans)". Archived from the original on 9 December 2009. Retrieved 22 June 2009.
  5. "Our Ships". 11 November 2014.
  6. Azamara Quest® Ship Facts Archived 2 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  7. "BBC News - Fire disables Azamara cruise ship near Philippines". Bbc.co.uk. 17 January 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  8. "Parties Continued on Asia Cruise Ship After Fire". CBS News. 2 April 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  9. "MO-2016-202 | TAIC". www.taic.org.nz. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  10. "Poor pilot training blamed for cruise ship accident". RNZ. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  11. "Royal Caribbean Extends Suspension of Cruising Through April". Cruise Industry News. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  12. "Captain of cruise ship docked in Glasgow during covid says leaving city 'pulled at heart strings'". GlasgowLive. 23 August 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  13. McKenzie, Lewis (26 July 2021). "Cruise ship docked since June 2020 sets sail on the Clyde". STV News. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  14. "Reasons To Cruise Blog - Cruising Tips For First Timers". Reasons To Cruise.
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