Azamara vs Oceania

 

11 of your 25 posts have been voicing your displeasure with Azamara. Point taken and maybe you should move on and enjoy your future cruises on whichever line makes you happy:)

 

Just noticed your post above. Tks for your reply It really sounds like Az is not for you so have many happy days cruising on O:)!!

 

I only have to repeat the comment of dwtlion here (maybe you missed it):

" Once again you took the bait with your AZ can do no wrong and nothing is comparable or better. Congratulations. Objective comments or differing opinions are obviously verboten in your world. Time to go cherry pick another cc review to prove your point" .

 

I completely agree.

 

By the way: I don't think you read very carefully. I don't need to move on, for I left Azamara already 2 years ago. Indeed I will enjoy other cruiseline(s) and I hope you will enjoy Azamara's chicken and melon.

Everybody happy.

Once again you took the bait with your AZ can do no wrong and nothing is comparable or better. Congratulations. Objective comments or differing opinions are obviously verboten in your world. Time to go cherry pick another cc review to prove your point.

So you've now posted twelve times since dropping your old Cruise Critic handle and assuming a new identity (interesting in itself), every one of them here on the Azamara board. And ALL of those twelve postings either piling on when someone else criticized Azamara, telling why another cruise line is superior to Azamara, or taking shots at someone posting opinions contrary to yours about Oceania. What's your game here?

I don't cherry pick, and you are both wrong and rude to keep saying so. I found two recent opinions from neutral observers--that is, from neither an Azamara nor Oceania fan--about food on Oceania and quoted them in a thread giving comparative information about Azamara and Oceania. Sorry you didn't like what those opinions had to say. I'd say opinions posted by neutrals--in this case even by regulars of a sister cruise line to Oceania--are more credible than your obviously biased opinion, and make no apology for posting them.

Maybe meant as a bit joking, but I will give a serious answer.

It's hard to say in which Oceania restaurant dinner is best. For a part a matter of tast. But where ever you go it beats Azamara easily.

For me, the Asian restaurant is a pleasant extra: it's fabulous and ofcourse completely different.

 

Fresh berries as was mentioned on this forum: Indeed the berries were always fresh, but the fruit selection was better in every way. Much more variation, so no more the 3 different types of melon which you see on other cruise ships, not only Azamara. If I would sail Azamara in the future (but I will not) I think I would start hating chicken, the most served meat on board.

In fact comparing the quality of the food is useless: Oceania is just a level higher.

 

When it's about the prize: just add up all what you have to pay for a cruise, including gratuities, drinks and maybe specialty restaurants. Then make your choice not forgetting about the quality. Should not be too difficult.

If you will not sail on Azamara again, why are you continuing to follow the Azamara forum? I think you have expressed your concerns enough and seem to have nothing new to offer since you have not cruised with them for 2 years.

And on my last Amamara cruise, I did not have chicken for dinner even once.

If you will not sail on Azamara again, why are you continuing to follow the Azamara forum? I think you have expressed your concerns enough and seem to have nothing new to offer since you have not cruised with them for 2 years.

 

QUOTE]

 

cruisemuse13

Very well said.

If you will not sail on Azamara again, why are you continuing to follow the Azamara forum? I think you have expressed your concerns enough and seem to have nothing new to offer since you have not cruised with them for 2 years.

 

And on my last Amamara cruise, I did not have chicken for dinner even once.

I agree with this - I especially can't understand the reference to chicken. I think the meat I ate most was beef- my preference. I thought each day's menu in thE MDR was well balanced with fish dish, a beef dish and a lamb or pork dish, plus a veggie option, as well as the 'regulars'. Joe-neth - please stop posting on the Az forums as you admit you no longer sail with them!!

I cruise on and enjoy both lines.

Why the constant comparisons and attempts at point scoring?

They both have their pros and cons as far as I'm concerned, but both offer great holidays.

If you've cruised both and prefer one, then stick with the one you prefer, but others will prefer the one you rejected.

We all have different priorities in our holiday requirements.

These posts comparing cruise lines generally end up reading like a playground squabble.

We are all so lucky to be able to enjoy these wonderful holidays :)

I cruise on and enjoy both lines.

Why the constant comparisons and attempts at point scoring?

They both have their pros and cons as far as I'm concerned, but both offer great holidays.

If you've cruised both and prefer one, then stick with the one you prefer, but others will prefer the one you rejected.

We all have different priorities in our holiday requirements.

These posts comparing cruise lines generally end up reading like a playground squabble.

We are all so lucky to be able to enjoy these wonderful holidays :)

I agree.

Phil

Is the food that bad in the MDR on Oceania? It seems that it is the norm for people to want to eat in the specialty restaurants every night! Or at least, get as many reservations as possible.

Just because I order wagyu beef every time it's offered doesn't mean that the Angus beef filet mignon is terrible, does it?

If the specialty restaurant reservations are at no cost but in limited supply, why wouldn't you try to get some if you could? It's the same as those on Azamara suites eating at Prime C or Aqualina every night. Unless you mean to say that the food in Discoveries is bad as well? ;)

The recent developments on Oceania make us less eager to book an O cruise (i.e., we are not O cheerleaders) but there's really little point arguing that the food must be bad in the MDR just because everyone tries to get bookings at the specialty restaurants.

We like Az and we like O, both have their goods and bads, but we like the food on O more, even in the MDR.

If you will not sail on Azamara again, why are you continuing to follow the Azamara forum? I think you have expressed your concerns enough and seem to have nothing new to offer since you have not cruised with them for 2 years.

 

And on my last Amamara cruise, I did not have chicken for dinner even once.

Maybe they were out of chickens? :)

I agree that it was possible to escape the chickens, but then the choice was very limited. Funny that some people don't understand this without an explanation. And yes, the beef was certainly good.

If all people who don't prefer Azamara should leave here, this forum would be of no value. Only a combination of both positive and negative opinions can be interesting for new guests. They will probably not have read reviews of almost 2 years ago. Apparently you don't like critics, but isn't this site named cruise-critic? So who is the one that can better leave? :)

Indeed, my last Azamara cruise was about 2 years ago though the overall experience on the Az Quest is almost as good as on the Marina and Riviera. (definitely not the Journey, though Eric is great)

I did not leave Az because (lack) of quality, though the food on Oceania ships is much better in every way. Indeed Az has some other nice aspects, like the way they welcome you already at the gangway. Ofcourse this is just an opinion and I would never say that people who don't agree better can leave here. So happy that different opinions are tolerated at cruise critic......

However, when the head office is not honest to me, I look for an alternative which I have found. If Azamara's dishonest people would be on the ships as well, Azamara would certainly not be for me. But it's just the office.

If you are curious, just ask the CD's.

For me Az is something like a last choice now, also because the prizes have been increasing too much. I'm not interested in Azamazing events and liquors that are now included.

But you never know... maybe some day I get an offer from my TA for the Quest which I can't refuse. Then it would be nice to meet many nice crew members (who could hardly believe what happened!) on the Quest again. The people of the head office will not be on the ship, which will be great as well.

Maybe they were out of chickens? :)

I agree that it was possible to escape the chickens, but then the choice was very limited. Funny that some people don't understand this without an explanation. And yes, the beef was certainly good.

 

If all people who don't prefer Azamara should leave here, this forum would be of no value. Only a combination of both positive and negative opinions can be interesting for new guests. They will probably not have read reviews of almost 2 years ago. Apparently you don't like critics, but isn't this site named cruise-critic? So who is the one that can better leave? :)

 

Indeed, my last Azamara cruise was about 2 years ago though the overall experience on the Az Quest is almost as good as on the Marina and Riviera. (definitely not the Journey, though Eric is great)

I did not leave Az because (lack) of quality, though the food on Oceania ships is much better in every way. Indeed Az has some other nice aspects, like the way they welcome you already at the gangway. Ofcourse this is just an opinion and I would never say that people who don't agree better can leave here. So happy that different opinions are tolerated at cruise critic......

 

However, when the head office is not honest to me, I look for an alternative which I have found. If Azamara's dishonest people would be on the ships as well, Azamara would certainly not be for me. But it's just the office.

If you are curious, just ask the CD's.

For me Az is something like a last choice now, also because the prizes have been increasing too much. I'm not interested in Azamazing events and liquors that are now included.

 

But you never know... maybe some day I get an offer from my TA for the Quest which I can't refuse. Then it would be nice to meet many nice crew members (who could hardly believe what happened!) on the Quest again. The people of the head office will not be on the ship, which will be great as well.

Hey Joe-Neth- Are you from the Netherlands? You and I must have too much time on our hands as my wife says, if we continue to bat this ball back and forth.

Out of the 47 cruises I have been on I have only jumped ship once in Veracruz, Mexico. You don't get money back and you don't want any, you just want off the ship.

My friend and I were on a Silversea cruise and he jumped ship in Valdez after we had gotten off in Anchorage. He still had 9 more Silversea cruises booked. Boy, did Silversea get that problem straightened out fast. It was just a mis-communication as many things are, but he left the ship and flew home out of Valdez, Alaska, not an easy thing to do on the spur of the moment.

Interesting, JoeNeth, that you say the crew on the Quest couldn't believe how things are going! Well Azamara must be doing something right as they have the one of the lowest staff turnovers. Staff rarely leave them to go on other lines. All the staff I asked said they loved working for Az and would not want to work for other company, that's officers and crew alike.

I really can't agree about menu choices in the MDR. There was lots of choice and different meats on both the cruises I have been on - one on the Journey and one on the Quest - 2014 and 2013. Got another two booked, both on Quest in 2015 and 2016, and I can't wait to get aboard.

Interesting, JoeNeth, that you say the crew on the Quest couldn't believe how things are going! Well Azamara must be doing something right as they have the one of the lowest staff turnovers. Staff rarely leave them to go on other lines. All the staff I asked said they loved working for Az and would not want to work for other company, that's officers and crew alike.

I really can't agree about menu choices in the MDR. There was lots of choice and different meats on both the cruises I have been on - one on the Journey and one on the Quest - 2014 and 2013. Got another two booked, both on Quest in 2015 and 2016, and I can't wait to get aboard.

Can't remember eating chicken at all on our 14-day Quest cruise this past July. That objection is what's known as a red herring.

Hey Joe-Neth- Are you from the Netherlands? You and I must have too much time on our hands as my wife says, if we continue to bat this ball back and forth.

Out of the 47 cruises I have been on I have only jumped ship once in Veracruz, Mexico. You don't get money back and you don't want any, you just want off the ship.

My friend and I were on a Silversea cruise and he jumped ship in Valdez after we had gotten off in Anchorage. He still had 9 more Silversea cruises booked. Boy, did Silversea get that problem straightened out fast. It was just a mis-communication as many things are, but he left the ship and flew home out of Valdez, Alaska, not an easy thing to do on the spur of the moment.

You are smart!

We have done a few cruises with Oceania and really like it, but now we have found a cruise with Azamara which suits us well, both in terms of time and price.

 

What differences can one expect between the two?

 

/P

There is absolutely NO CONTEST! Oceania every time! We were frankly quite, no very! disappointed with Azamara. The food on Oceania is the main factor. The choice, the quality and the variety. Our Stateroom/Suite was pretty much identical with excellent service on both. We enjoyed the Azamazing Evening on Journey but the rest of the entertainment was dreadful!

Go but with much lower expectations!

Just because I order wagyu beef every time it's offered doesn't mean that the Angus beef filet mignon is terrible, does it?

 

If the specialty restaurant reservations are at no cost but in limited supply, why wouldn't you try to get some if you could? It's the same as those on Azamara suites eating at Prime C or Aqualina every night. Unless you mean to say that the food in Discoveries is bad as well? ;)

 

The recent developments on Oceania make us less eager to book an O cruise (i.e., we are not O cheerleaders) but there's really little point arguing that the food must be bad in the MDR just because everyone tries to get bookings at the specialty restaurants.

 

We like Az and we like O, both have their goods and bads, but we like the food on O more, even in the MDR.

We were in a Suite on the Journey in July and found it almost impossible to get reservations in Aqualina and Prime C. The cynic in me thinks that first choice was given to passengers who had to pay extra rather than those of us who had already paid for the privilege! We managed one in each and on both occasions there were empty tables! We didn't rate either very highly and actually preferred the ambience of the MDR.

We were in a Suite on the Journey in July and found it almost impossible to get reservations in Aqualina and Prime C. The cynic in me thinks that first choice was given to passengers who had to pay extra rather than those of us who had already paid for the privilege! We managed one in each and on both occasions there were empty tables! We didn't rate either very highly and actually preferred the ambience of the MDR.

It's quite interesting to hear different peoples take on food. Having sailed on both lines I feel I can add my 'two-pence'.

We are fortunate enough to travel in suites on Azamara and penthouse grade on Oceania. We have never had a problem getting a reservation in Prime C or Aqualina and eat in one or the other on alternate nights as we enjoy the food in there so much. However on Oceania we had our allocated one evening in each speciality restaurant and, although good, that was it - no extra nights.

I really disliked the food in the MDR on Oceania so, apart from the speciality restaurants, ate in the buffet at night.

As for entertainment, none of the ships can offer the same as the large ones but Oceania was dead at night. It was like the Marie Celeste after 10.30pm. On Azamara there were always people around in the bars, especially the Casino Bar.

There are always going to be people who love and hate the same food. Best thing to do is try for oneself and then decide.

Of course I would sail on Oceania again but will always look at Azamara as my first choice.

I remember being on a Seabourn cruise and commenting on the lack of choice in the MDR. Beef every day!!! It's a hard life.

Have sailed on both suite and non-suite accomodations and have never had a problem, other than a specific time, in getting reservations. If in a suite tell your butler what you want. If not, or the butler can't satisfy your requirements, go meet with the Maitre'd for the specialty restaurants. This has always worked for me, as long as you can be alitle flexible.

They intentionally don't fill the restaurant since that would diminish the service.

Have sailed on both suite and non-suite accomodations and have never had a problem, other than a specific time, in getting reservations. If in a suite tell your butler what you want. If not, or the butler can't satisfy your requirements, go meet with the Maitre'd for the specialty restaurants. This has always worked for me, as long as you can be alitle flexibl

 

They intentionally don't fill the restaurant since that would diminish the service.

Ok maybe we weren't pushy enough!! Our butler DID arrange one booking and the other one we did ourselves through the Maitre'd as he happened to be in the Buffet Restaurant at breakfast time.

Some friends we met asked us to join them on another night and we were told Aqualina was full. They sat on their own on a table for 6 and told us that again there were empty tables. Maybe it was just a bit strange on this particular sailing.

I don't have a horse in this race - but you'd have to pay me to sail with Oceania again. Perhaps after they've learned how to poach an egg, cook a meat to a proper temperature or not argue with a passenger when the passenger asks for all the ingredients to be included as listed on the menu. It would also be great if they could not put their food through several freeze/thaw cycles and then keep it around long enough for freezer burn to take over.

Have sailed on both suite and non-suite accomodations and have never had a problem, other than a specific time, in getting reservations. If in a suite tell your butler what you want. If not, or the butler can't satisfy your requirements, go meet with the Maitre'd for the specialty restaurants. This has always worked for me, as long as you can be alitle flexible.

 

They intentionally don't fill the restaurant since that would diminish the service.

Looks like you may be a little partial to Azamara.

We like both Oceania and Azamara and only have sailed on those two lines. Husband loves the Riviera experience but we are itinerary-driven so are returning next August to Quest for its great Norway itinerary. I look forward to seeing the results of the refurbishment which I believe has been sorely needed. Better food on Oceania versus great personal interaction with officers and crew on Azamara. Better entertainment on Riviera but wonderful White Nights party on Azamara; more port shuttles offered by Azamara. The included alcoholic beverages on our last Quest cruise was a positive in some ways but led to some unfortunate behavior by others as well so we will see next summer. Both lines offer the passenger size and quality of experience we enjoy.