Latest news with #WhiteNight
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Forbes
Azamara Quest: Cruise Ship Review
Azamara Quest With just over 700 guests and 400 uber-attentive crew, Azamara Quest serves as your chic, boutique 'floating home' while exploring the mighty Seven Seas—from the sparkling shores of South Africa to the sun-kissed Caribbean. Small enough to access lesser-known ports around the world, you won't find skydiving simulators, robot bartenders, or 10-story waterslides. Instead, you'll immerse yourself into a relaxed, country club vibe—think cozy library lounges, boutique shops, sexy cocktail bars, expert-led talks, and a large crowd-gathering pool guarded by twin whirlpools, where mixologists waltz from behind the Pool Grill with platters of champagne. Up on deck, you'll also join the famous once-a-cruise 'White Night'—a celebration under the stars, where you'll sit at white-clothed tables, admiring your fellow passengers dressed head-to-toe in white, as the crew parade around with flags of the world, chefs prepare fine global cuisine, and traditional performers step aboard for blood-pumping shows. Club Ocean Suite You'll find 352 staterooms onboard Quest, from Interior Staterooms to World Owner's Suites—while its Ocean Suites are rich and jazzy, set across 734 square feet, boasting a sweeping wraparound balcony with twin sun loungers and al fresco furniture. Spill into your spacious suite, and you'll find a cozy nook with a comfy sofa and plump armchairs (with a bottle of champagne waiting on your arrival) and a little dining table—perfect for hosting intimate dinner parties. Plus, a fully-stocked minibar with soft drinks, tonics, and premium beers—as well as four complimentary liter bottles of spirits (of your choice) from Gordon's London Dry Gin to Johnnie Walker Red Label scotch whisky. A sliding door reveals a master bedroom with a floor-to-ceiling wardrobe, a writing desk, and a wingback queen-sized bed (adorned with nightly turndown treats) gazing out of a giant porthole as you sail by crimson sunsets. While its rich marble ensuite is virtually the size of a stateroom itself—with a deep soaking tub, a walk-in rainfall shower, and a nifty sliding door—cutting the bathroom in half—perfect for offering a private guest bathroom when hosting sunset soirees or champagne receptions. Club Ocean Suite Staying in an Ocean Suite, you'll also be allocated your own personal butler. They'll serve you daily afternoon tea on your balcony as you snuggle up in fluffy Terry bathrobes—grazing on delicate finger sandwiches, decadent cakes, and fresh scones—and replenish your minibar with your favorite tipples. While 24-hour room service, shoe shine service, one free bag of laundry service per suite (every 7 days)—and complimentary wifi, specialty dining, and access to the Thalassotherapy pool and spa deck, complete a weighty list of suite-level perks. Sunset Veranda Surf through seven restaurants, cafes, and lounges onboard Quest—starting your mornings at Windows Cafe, bright and elegant, known for its panoramic views and expansive buffet breakfast (plus an outdoor Sunset Bar at the back of Quest) serving global cuisine—while sometimes highlighting ingredients from your sailing's ports of call. Or, simply opt for a butler-served breakfast on your sun-kissed balcony, for the more discreet traveler. At night, you'll want to make the most of Aqualina and Prime C—two specialty restaurants onboard Quest. The cuisine is certainly nothing subpar in the main restaurant, Discoveries, but choosing the specialty route makes for a more serene, intimate atmosphere. It is offered complimentary all voyage long for suite guests—feasting on gourmet Italian delights in Aqualina and some of the finest steaks at sea at Prime C. Aqualina Restaurant Prime C Afterward, you can head to Cabaret Lounge, a cabaret-style theater serving up musical revues, comedians, and classical solo performers—or catch a live band and nightly disco in The Living Room (also housing the Card Room for bridge lovers) and retire to The Drawing Room for a whiskey or two as a pianist tickles the ivories. Thalassotherapy Pool Wellness junkies will also adore the Azamara Spa—complete with its private Sanctum Terrace with a bubbling salt water bath and powerful massage jets. Here, you can opt for Elemis volcanic stone and seaweed massages, BIOTEC 'Firm-a-Lift' facials, manicures, teeth whitening, and even acupuncture. But if you want to stay active during your voyage, join group classes like al fresco yoga, pilates, cycling, and core workouts—or make use of the ocean-view Fitness Center, with personal trainers and a dedicated Body Sculpt Boot Camp. Azamara Quest If you're looking for a way to explore destinations more in-depth, among a group of well-traveled guests, with more time in ports (and even overnight stays), but without compromising on luxury—Azamara is the cruise line for you. Destination immersion goes far beyond its well-curated excursions—with its renowned 'AzAmazing Evenings' (held once per voyage) offering an intimate slice of local culture. Imagine attending a glittering concert in South Africa—where you'll gawp at Xhosa Warriors, Nguni stick-fighting, and graceful Grass Maidens as you hear the pulsating beat of the djembe drums and songs of the marimba players—and you're thinking in the right direction. Onboard, personal service is at the heart of the boutique cruise line—and you'll be surprised by just how quickly the crew will learn your name and remember your favorite aperitif—serving it to you, before you even order. You won't find any kids clubs or teen hangouts—but as the teens creep into their mid-20s, it becomes the perfect multi-gen holiday as millennials and their grandparents share a life-changing experience—and share a cosmopolitan or two in between. Join Azamara Quest's 10-night Mediterranean Cruise, departing on 12th May 2026, calling at Venice, Koper, Zadar, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Catania, Amalfi, Sorrento, Bastia (Corsica) and Nice, from $3,603 per guest (excluding flights). Book now at
The Star
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Tse composes for Lee in unexpected music team-up
MALAYSIAN singer Gin Lee unexpectedly got Hong Kong superstar Nicholas Tse to compose her latest track White Night, Sin Chew Daily reported. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she wrote: 'This collaboration left me with no regrets.' 'I just wanted to work with him whether in writing a song or shooting a film. I'd be happy to collaborate in any way. I just wanted to give it a try,' she said. Lee, 38, said Tse did his homework before composing the song. He reviewed her past works to understand her voice, singing style and musical preferences. She acknowledged that the track was 'one of the hardest I've ever sung.' Lee, whose real name is Jeanie Lee, launched her music career in 2010 after making waves in the reality singing competition The Voice 2. In recent years, she has been pursuing her career in Hong Kong where she is now signed under Emperor Entertainment Group, the same label as Tse. > Kwong Wah Yit Poh reported that a 29-year-old man was caught taking nude selfies at the Great East Gate, a historical landmark in Tainan, Taiwan. After his arrest, the man, known only as Chang, said that he had done it as 'a personal hobby.' He posted the images online, which were discovered by police who were monitoring online activities. A special police unit arrested Chang at his residence in Anping District. The mobile phone used in the act was also seized. According to the authorities, Chang appeared to be mentally stable during the arrest. After their questioning, he was charged with public indecency. The above article is compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with this ' >'sign, it denotes a separate news item.
Sydney Morning Herald
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
See the rapper with 62 million streams perform in Melbourne
Rapper Faris Shafi, one of South Asia's biggest artists, is coming to Melbourne for the first time to perform in a free concert at Fed Square. Dubbed the 'uncensored voice of Pakistan', Shafi's work includes Blockbuster, a viral track streamed 62 million times on YouTube last year. The song provided the inspiration for the Fed Square show which takes its name, to be held as part of the Rising festival in June. It's a coup for Melbourne's winter arts festival – a melding of White Night and the Melbourne Festival – now in its fifth year, to attract such huge artists from the subcontinent. As well as Shafi, the lineup for Blockbuster includes Annural Khalid, Spotify Pakistan's most-streamed female artist of 2024, and brother duo Zain Zohaib, known for Thagyan, as headliners. Also on the bill is Sherry Khatak, lead vocalist of the Pakistani alternative rock band, Karakoram. Producer, composer and musician Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan, professionally known as Xulfi, will also appear. Having started his musical career on what he calls a 'toy piano', he felt connected to it and went on to learn piano, then guitar, drums and later became a composer and a producer. Speaking on the phone from Lahore, the 45-year-old says Pakistan has a diverse soundscape. Music schools and options for learning music were not common when he was growing up and, as a result, 'you have to hustle your way through it'.
The Age
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
See the rapper with 62 million streams perform in Melbourne
Rapper Faris Shafi, one of South Asia's biggest artists, is coming to Melbourne for the first time to perform in a free concert at Fed Square. Dubbed the 'uncensored voice of Pakistan', Shafi's work includes Blockbuster, a viral track streamed 62 million times on YouTube last year. The song provided the inspiration for the Fed Square show which takes its name, to be held as part of the Rising festival in June. It's a coup for Melbourne's winter arts festival – a melding of White Night and the Melbourne Festival – now in its fifth year, to attract such huge artists from the subcontinent. As well as Shafi, the lineup for Blockbuster includes Annural Khalid, Spotify Pakistan's most-streamed female artist of 2024, and brother duo Zain Zohaib, known for Thagyan, as headliners. Also on the bill is Sherry Khatak, lead vocalist of the Pakistani alternative rock band, Karakoram. Producer, composer and musician Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan, professionally known as Xulfi, will also appear. Having started his musical career on what he calls a 'toy piano', he felt connected to it and went on to learn piano, then guitar, drums and later became a composer and a producer. Speaking on the phone from Lahore, the 45-year-old says Pakistan has a diverse soundscape. Music schools and options for learning music were not common when he was growing up and, as a result, 'you have to hustle your way through it'.
