Day 2 – At Sea

Day 2 of my Asian Odyssey was a sea day as we transited from Tokyo to Osaka. This is the way all cruises should start, a nice relaxing day at sea after what can be a chaotic day of embarkation. For me today was purely familiarising myself with Azamara Quest and dinner in Windows Cafe, the ship’s buffet restaurant.

Azamara, Azamara Quest,  2023 Asian Odyssey, Kyoto, Kyoto Japan

Package Issues – the saga continues

My package issues had still not been resolved. One of the pool deck bar staff, Mark, rang Guest Relations to help sort things out. He must have been on the phone for 30 mins. At least it meant I could use the Ultimate Booze Package benefits. In my opinion this is worth the extra cash if you like a couple of cocktails and / or better beer and wine options.

If you purchase one of the various upgrade packages it could include the Ultimate Beverage Package. The package I purchased was the Experience More for Solo Travellers, this is only available for cruises of 8 nights or more and cost USD799, apparently worth USD1,114. It includes:
— $350 Shore Excursions Onboard Credit
— Unlimited WiFi for one device
— Ultimate Beverage Package for one
— $150 Onboard Spa credit
— Three bags of laundry during the voyage
— Chef’s Table or Three Table Tour

The only benefit I did not use was the Spa Credit. Apparently my hair is not long enough to be considered for signature hair treatment. What ever that is.

Ultimate Beverage Package

The Ultimate Beverage Package adds more options to the standard and premium drinks packages, basically one shelf below the top shelf.

SPIRITS
VodkaBelvedere, Chopin, Ciroc, Grey Goose, Hangar One, Tito’s
GinAviation, Hendrick’s, Tanqueray No. Ten, Plymouth
RumAtlantico Reserve, Bacardi 8, Bacardi Black, Kraken Black Spiced, Miami Club, Pyrat XO
CachacaLeblon
TequilaDon Julio Blanco, Patron Silver, Avión Silver, Patron Reposado, Avión Reposado
Blended Scotch WhiskyChivas Regal 12 Years, Johnnie Walker Black Label
Single Malt Scotch WhiskyGlenfiddich Select Cask, The Glenlivet The Master, Destiller’s Reserve, Highland Park Aged 12 Years, The Balvenie Triple Cask 12 Years, Laphroaig 10 Years, The Macallan Select Oak
BourbonBulleit, Maker’s Mark
Tennessee WhiskeyJack, Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack
Rye WhiskeyRittenhouse Rye 100 Proof, Bulleit Rye
Irish WhiskeyJameson Irish Whiskey
Canadian WhiskyCrown Royal
CognacHennessy VS, Courvoisier VSOP
BrandyCardenal Mendoza
PiscoInca Gold, Porton Mosto Verde, Acholado
LiqueursB & B, Baileys Irish Cream, Bénédictine, Chambord, Cointreau, Drambuie, Fernet Branca, Galliano, Godiva, Grand Marnier, St-Germain, Pama Pomegranate, Kahlúa, Linie Aquavit
Wine by the Glass
Champagne & SparklingNicolas Feuilatte, Brut, Chouilly (France), Santa Elvira, Prosecco, Extra Dy, Treviso (Italy), Domaine Chandon, Brut, Classic (California)
White WineWairau River, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough (New Zealand), The Seeker, Chardonnay (California), Bertani Velante, Pinot Grigio, Venezie Giulia (Italy), Selbach “Fish Label”, Riesling Kabinett, Mosel (Germany), Gérard Bertrand Réserve Spéciale, Viognier, Pays d’Oc (France)
Rosé WineBeringer, White Zinfandel (California), Caves D’Esclans “Whispering Angel”, Rosé, Côtes de Provence (France)
Red WinePenley Estate “Phoenix”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra (Australia), Matanzas Creek Winery, Merlot, Sonoma County (California), Sokol Blosser, Delinea 300, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley (Oregon), Callia Alta, Malbec, San Juan (Argentina), Poggio Tempesta, Chianti DOCG, Toscana (Italy)
Porto
PortoFonseca, Late Bottled Vintage, Sandeman, Ruby
Water
BottledEvian 11oz., Perrier 11oz.

Dinner

Tonight I decided to try Windows Cafe on Deck 9. This restaurant has a very similar layout Sette Mari onboard Regent Ships, what is better is the Sunset Bar which is on the open deck that over looks the stern. Unfortunately, whilst the food is good, it is not as good a quality as what is served on a Regent Ship.

Tonight was Asian Night

Azamara, Azamara Quest,  2023 Asian Odyssey, Kyoto, Kyoto Japan

Windows Cafe is a buffet restaurant, which is also different to Sette Mari at dinner time.

Starter (for me)

Sushi and Sashimi, it good, not great. I did like the Dragon

Main Course

Azamara, Azamara Quest,  2023 Asian Odyssey, Kyoto, Kyoto Japan

Did not really plate this for a photo… I had Rendang, Kung Pao Chicken, Peking Duck and dumplings they well all good, the Chili paste was nice and spicy.

Wine

Time to get more value out of my Ultimate Beverage Package, I hope

Azamara, Azamara Quest,  2023 Asian Odyssey, Kyoto, Kyoto Japan
Azamara, Azamara Quest,  2023 Asian Odyssey, Kyoto, Kyoto Japan

2021 Weingut Gruber Röschitz – Grüner Veltliner, Weinviertel, Niederösterreich, Austria

Appearance:Light gold
Nose:A pleasant array of lime, lychee and herb aromas
Palate:Refreshing with a slight spritz and lychee flavours
Finish:Medium in length.
Oz’s Rating:3 out of 5
A good choice for dishes with a bit of spice.

2018 Azamara wine by Zonin, Italy, 100% Merlot

Appearance:Deep red
Nose:Subtle combination of pepper, blackberry with a hint mocha and spice aromas
Palate:Light to medium body, with soft tannins
Finish:Medium length with a residual sweetness
Oz’s Rating:3 out of 5
Not bad for a house wine
Azamara, Azamara Quest,  2023 Asian Odyssey, Kyoto, Kyoto Japan
Azamara, Azamara Quest,  2023 Asian Odyssey, Kyoto, Kyoto Japan

2018 The Burn, Borne of Fire, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Appearance:Medium deep crimson
Nose:Mixture of capsicum, blackberry and subtle cherry aromas
Palate:Medium bodied with dry firm tannins
Finish:Short to medium with a hint of heat
Oz’s Rating:2.5 out 5
Had hoped for more from this, hopefully it was just a bad bottle

Day 2

The first full day at sea was a relaxing one. Tomorrow we arrive in Osaka where I am going to catch the train to Kyoto to go on a private tour of Kyoto that I arranged prior to sailing.

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