article: When it launched eight years ago, cruise company Azamara decided to make a name for itself, literally. The founders took 'aza' for 'blue' - think azure; and added 'mara', which has a hint of the maritime about it. And then, for good measure, they bolted on 'Club Cruises'. The thinking behind 'Club' was that it suggested exclusivity. The line - part of the Royal Caribbean group - has two ships in its fleet, Journey and Quest, which each carry about 680 passengers. The smaller size of the vessels means not only a more intimate on-board experience - as in TV's Cheers bar, it can become a place where everybody who serves you soon knows your name - it also means the ships can access ports off-limits to the bigger vessels. I boarded our seven-night Azamara Quest cruise from Monaco to Rome with a sense of great expectations: I anticipated a friendly ambience, great service and some interesting ports. I wasn't to be disappointed. The Azamara Club Cruises' Quest vessel carries about 680 passengers, making it a more intimate voyage . The size of the ship means it is able to access ports that are off-limits to the bigger vessels . Boarding the ship in somewhere as glitzy as Monaco immediately imbued the journey with a luxury feel. In the harbour we were surrounded on all sides by billionaires' mega-yachts. But while they and their guests were probably having to fork out vast amounts for their onboard food and drink, on the Azamara Quest we were living in the lap of complimentary luxury. You can enjoy 'standard spirits, international beers and wines at all ship bars during regular bar hours' for no extra charge - and 'gratuities' on Azamara are included in the basic cost. There is also an unfeasibly wide selection of on-board eating places - there is a Tardis-like feel to the way that something that looks small from the outside can accommodate so much on the inside. Our first stop was St Tropez, which seemed to boast even more stunning luxury yachts than Monaco. In the evening we joined a small party for a special excursion - Azamara prides itself on offering a variety of experiences throughout its cruises - to an 'elegant evening under the stars' at a favourite celeb hangout, the five-star Chateau de La Messardiere. We gathered around the handsome swimming pool to sip fine champagne and scoff sumptuous mini-pastries as we watched the sun sink into the Mediterranean. Frank boarded a seven-night Azamara Quest cruise from Monaco to Rome with high expectations . The first stop was St Tropez , which seemed to boast even more stunning luxury yachts than Monaco . It was a good time to get early impressions on the cruise from fellow passengers. Everyone was impressed at the high quality of service and facilities - especially those whose previous cruise experiences had been on 'big' ships. There were high marks for dining, service, decor, the interesting choice of excursions and the excellent value for money. 'We were worried Azamara might be too small,' said one couple. 'In fact we should have been worried by the fact that our previous trips had been on ships which were too large. We're sticking with ships this size from now on.' The days flew by. There were two ports in Corsica: Ajaccio and Porto Vecchio. Famous for its salt pans, Porto Vecchio offered another treat - the AzaMazing evening (there is one on every cruise), a large, free-of-charge party with masses of food, wine and entertainment laid on at a nearby beach that we reached in a fleet of coaches. It felt as if we were gatecrashing an exclusive private party. Famous for its salt pans, Porto Vecchio offered another treat - a large free-of-charge private party . The cruises attracted a wide spread of age groups, from people in their 30s up to their 80s. The accent was on keeping busy, whether by taking interesting excursions or attending well-thought-out lectures on board. But if you didn't want to do anything, there were always spare sunloungers and plenty of space to stretch out next to the pool. After a fine stop at Sardinia, it was on to Italy for Capri and our final stop at Amalfi. I woke early to be up on deck as the ship followed the coast road past Positano. It was so quiet that as we sailed past the small villages, you could hear bells calling people to morning Mass. Frank woke early to be up on deck as the ship followed the coast road past quiet Positano . In Amalfi we caught the local bus up to Ravello - once a favourite place with the Hollywood elite - to enjoy the stunning views along the coast, and then sauntered back down the footpath through lemon trees and sweet-smelling shade until we were back in Amalfi. Our final excursion was one that promised 'Insider Access' - a drive along the spectacular Amalfi Coast to a buffalo farm in Pontecagnano to discover how mozzarella cheese is made. A bus up to former Hollywood elite favourite Ravello is rewarded with coastal views such as this . One of the happy Asian water buffalo that provide the milk for creamy and delicious mozzarella . Azamara Club Cruises (0844 493 4016) offers an eight-night Mediterranean cruise aboard the Quest from £2,285pp including return flights from Heathrow, transfers, club balcony cabin and full board. Departing October 15, it calls at Florence and Pisa, Rome, Sorrento, Sicily, Crete, Santorini and Athens. I'm not sure what sort of picture I had in my head of the buffaloes from which the milk is taken in order to make the famous Italian cheese, but the big-horned Asian water buffaloes we met came as something of a surprise. The farm we visited was a showpiece with a big herd of cheerful animals, and after watching the manufacturing process we were whisked off to the owners' farmhouse where we were able to sample the goods in rural splendour. On our return to the ship there was time to reflect on a pleasurable week at sea. The company's name may mean 'blue sea' - for me I will always remember it as 'my blue heaven'.
highlights: Writer took Azamara Club Cruises' Quest vessel from Monaco to Rome .
  The smaller ship proves more intimate and can access more ports .
  Stops included St Tropez, Porto Vecchio, Sardinia and Amalfi .
  Drove along the Amalfi Coast to a buffalo farm in Pontecagnano .
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