Why do so many Azamara fans also cruise with Celebrity?

We've cruised many times with Holland America and some with Princess. But our favorite is Azamara. Just wondering if Celebrity is much better than HAL? Do you cruise with them because of the reward system that both lines share? Is it the food? We're not fond of mega ships, and it does appear Celebrity doesn't have much outdoor space. True? No? We'd tempted to give them a try.

Thank you!

Caroline

We are new cruisers and have done Royal Princess in Europe ,good trip but horrible ship even in a suite ,we then switched to Celebrity Eclipse and did the Caribbean again in a suite and loved it much better service food and ambiance the difference between 3600 and 2600 was glaring we never felt crowded for space on Celebrity.

Now we are about to do HK to Singapore on the Azamara Journey so we have gone from mega to small so a whole new experience .Cruising is not our only travel style but so far Celebrity is the best.

Do you cruise with them because of the reward system that both lines share? Is it the food?

As you can see in my signature, our recent cruises have been on Celebrity. I wish I had found them sooner, as we felt that they were superior to other brands that we had tried.

Initially we chose by itinerary and price. Once I found Celebrity, I looked for their ships in regions that we wanted to visit.

However, now we have tried Azamara, they will certainly be a future option, especially as the rewards are reciprocal. Both Celebrity and Azamara cater for food intolerances ( I am Lactose Intolerant)

I was impressed with the Local dishes that were bought in markets in Honfleur and St John's Newfoundland and served on our recent TA. Not sure if this happens on Celebrity, certainly not announced as 'the voice from the bridge' did on Quest.

For us itinerary and loyalty. Tried princess once, not for us. About to go from Elite to Elite plus. Prefer the smaller ship . About to do 9, 10, 11 and 12 on Azamara by this time next year. Prefer the millinum class ship with celebrity.

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We've cruised many times with Holland America and some with Princess. But our favorite is Azamara. Just wondering if Celebrity is much better than HAL? Do you cruise with them because of the reward system that both lines share? Is it the food? We're not fond of mega ships, and it does appear Celebrity doesn't have much outdoor space. True? No? We'd tempted to give them a try.

Thank you!

Caroline

I started cruising on Celebrity, have done quite a few, but then moved onto Azamara. They are more my fit now. I'm just back from Celebrity Reflection and whilst it is a lovely ship, some of its design flaws are now more apparent. It felt crowded to me and if you like walking the track it has many people and sun loungers up there too. Most disliked by me these days though is the noise. Everywhere. Whether it's loud or quieter piped music it's hard to get away from and what should be quiet areas on the ship like the library or card room suffer because they are in the open atrium, at the base of which they hold Zumba or dance classes and the sound just travels up the "chimney". I haven't tried HAL so can't compare, but am very happy to have found Azamara.

We have cruised with HAL & Azamara. In our opinion there is no comparison - Azamara is far superior in every way.

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Cannot compare HAL and Azamara as I have no experience.

We have had a mixture of Celebrity and Azamara but in recent years it has predominantly been Azamara. Choice is driven by destination (hence last 2 Celebrity Alaska and New England) and dates (hence next cruise is Caribbean on Celebrity).

We used to like the Celebrity product and it was that which led us to Azamara. We do have concerns about our upcoming cruise. Azamara is not perfect but we are hearing about so many imperfections recently on Celebrity (our biggest concern is the noise Phil has reported about here and is mentioned a lot on the Celebrity boards). We will go with an open mind but are currently of the mind it may be our last Celebrity as in any event we are now smaller boat people.

We are going to be in a Celebrity suite with a drinks package so in many ways it will be like for like BUT the per day cost on Celebrity is far higher than it is on Azamara for an N2. That might surprise some folks

I will tell on both boards how I find the comparison when we get back in January

Cannot compare HAL and Azamara as I have no experience.

We have had a mixture of Celebrity and Azamara but in recent years it has predominantly been Azamara. Choice is driven by destination (hence last 2 Celebrity Alaska and New England) and dates (hence next cruise is Caribbean on Celebrity).

 

We used to like the Celebrity product and it was that which led us to Azamara. We do have concerns about our upcoming cruise. Azamara is not perfect but we are hearing about so many imperfections recently on Celebrity (our biggest concern is the noise Phil has reported about here and is mentioned a lot on the Celebrity boards). We will go with an open mind but are currently of the mind it may be our last Celebrity as in any event we are now smaller boat people.

 

We are going to be in a Celebrity suite with a drinks package so in many ways it will be like for like BUT the per day cost on Celebrity is far higher than it is on Azamara for an N2. That might surprise some folks

I will tell on both boards how I find the comparison when we get back in January

Ann,

I would suggest that a Celebrity Suite on Celebrity is not exactly like for like as an N2 or N1 on Azamara. It is a noticeably larger cabin (with the attendant larger price). I think a sky suite is a closer comparison. Last year, X added Michael's Club access to go with Luminae. In almost all promotions, a drink package is included, but even without one, you can get just about anything you want to drink in there.

The N2 cabin is listed as 266 sq feet with a 60 sq ft balcony. The M-Class Celebrity Suite is 467/85 with a formal dining area that has a table to seat 4 for dinner and a separate bedroom. The S-Class CS is 395/104 with the separate bedrooom, but no formal dining area.

We are on a 15-day cruise through the Panama Canal on the Infinity (M-Class) in 2017 in a sky suite for $355 per person per day (the offer we booked under included gratuities and $300 OBC good for anything except gratuities and casino cash). A CS would have been about $100 per person per day more, still noticeably less than Azamara for a much nicer cabin. A 17-day voyage in 2017 on the Quest in an N1 would be about $501 per person per day (priced as though we had booked it on board with our LCV discount). It would take a real deal on most cruises for AZ to come out less expensive than Celebrity. Most of our cruising experience has been on Celebrity but we prefer AZ and look first there in the hopes of finding such a deal. We booked a b2b to Australia/NZ while on board and, with the BOGOHO offer, on-board LCV discount and b2b discount (discount at that time now it's OBC), it did actually work out to be less than Celebrity. But how often is there a really good promotion on suites?

Having said all of this, we would most likely sail with Azamara if the difference between a sky suite and Azamara was within $100/day p/p for similar itineraries and would definitely do it if the difference was $50 p/p per day. Celebrity delivers a very good product but the ambiance and "personality" of the ships and crew is worth at least that much more.

Regards to you and Charles.

Ann,

 

I would suggest that a Celebrity Suite on Celebrity is not exactly like for like as an N2 or N1 on Azamara. It is a noticeably larger cabin (with the attendant larger price). I think a sky suite is a closer comparison. Last year, X added Michael's Club access to go with Luminae. In almost all promotions, a drink package is included, but even without one, you can get just about anything you want to drink in there.

 

The N2 cabin is listed as 266 sq feet with a 60 sq ft balcony. The M-Class Celebrity Suite is 467/85 with a formal dining area that has a table to seat 4 for dinner and a separate bedroom. The S-Class CS is 395/104 with the separate bedrooom, but no formal dining area.

 

We are on a 15-day cruise through the Panama Canal on the Infinity (M-Class) in 2017 in a sky suite for $355 per person per day (the offer we booked under included gratuities and $300 OBC good for anything except gratuities and casino cash). A CS would have been about $100 per person per day more, still noticeably less than Azamara for a much nicer cabin. A 17-day voyage in 2017 on the Quest in an N1 would be about $501 per person per day (priced as though we had booked it on board with our LCV discount).

 

Having said all of this, we would most likely sail with Azamara if the difference between a sky suite and Azamara was within $100/day p/p for similar itineraries and would definitely do it if the difference was $50 p/p per day. Celebrity delivers a very good product but the ambiance and "personality" of the ships and crew is worth at least that much more.

 

Regards to you and Charles.

Thanks I lost a sentence in my post as the day rate for the Sky suite would also have been higher. Personally I do not like the CS at all and prefer an N2 or N1 on Azamara with a shower, however we booked it a while ago when CS was the lowest level to get Michaels, then they changed the rules but we could not swap to SS as it was going to cost MORE by that time.

Our comparisons have to be based on the UK pricings of course where we never get as good deals on X as they do in the USA and the land based customer service is not great. Two more areas Azamara wins hands down

I came from Celebrity to AZ. I prefer the new S class cabins and the big sows .. I miss the real martini bar. But due to size of ship I might never step on one again. well, maybe a New England cruise. the chair hogs are the worse on any a ship . really can not remember the food. the perks are good but that is about it.

Thank you. Your input just confirms we're destined to cruise the smaller ships from now on. Azamara in February; Viking Oceans next December. I'm just looking for a cruise for next spring or summer. We haven't tried Oceania, so I'll check them out. Thanks again!

Ann,

 

I would suggest that a Celebrity Suite on Celebrity is not exactly like for like as an N2 or N1 on Azamara. It is a noticeably larger cabin (with the attendant larger price). I think a sky suite is a closer comparison. Last year, X added Michael's Club access to go with Luminae. In almost all promotions, a drink package is included, but even without one, you can get just about anything you want to drink in there.

 

The N2 cabin is listed as 266 sq feet with a 60 sq ft balcony. The M-Class Celebrity Suite is 467/85 with a formal dining area that has a table to seat 4 for dinner and a separate bedroom. The S-Class CS is 395/104 with the separate bedrooom, but no formal dining area.

This may all be true but you omit the fact that Infinity has three times as many passengers as Quest/Journey and for many of us that makes it unattractive at any price, regardless of stateroom square footage. You pay more to be on a ship with fewer passengers.

This may all be true but you omit the fact that Infinity has three times as many passengers as Quest/Journey and for many of us that makes it unattractive at any price, regardless of stateroom square footage. You pay more to be on a ship with fewer passengers.

No argument from me on that. But it also has more than twice the common area so the crowding is not as bad as people may think. It certainly isn't what those who have never sailed on them are afraid it might be.

It is a good experience for many people but way different from Azamara. Just as Azamara is quite a bit different than Crystal. Each line has its fans and detractors. I enjoy our Celebrity cruises as well as the Azamara ones. I accept that they are different and enjoy them for what each one offers.

This may all be true but you omit the fact that Infinity has three times as many passengers as Quest/Journey and for many of us that makes it unattractive at any price, regardless of stateroom square footage. You pay more to be on a ship with fewer passengers.

Yes you definitely pay more to be on a ship with fewer passengers -- but I question whether than necessarily ensures a better experience. Last year we sailed on Constellation in a Celebrity Suite, and on Azamara Quest in a regular veranda cabin. We paid less for the CS because pricing in the Med was so soft, but even if the two had been the same price we would have valued the two cruises as equal. Azamara has many strengths, but cabin size (and especially bathroom size, and shower size) and public spaces and entertainment are not Azamara's forte. Celebrity Suites on M-class ships are wonderful large spaces with separate bedrooms, large bathrooms with tubs, and enormous living rooms with a full dining room table -- and those windows! Also Michael's Club and Luminae restaurant are the equal of anything on Azamara. Plus the entertainment is significantly better because with more passengers they have a bigger budget -- more choices, a larger group of singers/dancers/stage band. The itinerary may have had something to do with the utilization of public spaces (Constellation in the Med in May vs. Quest in Norway in August), but we found the public spaces on Quest much more crowded than on Constellation. So I wouldn't rule out Celebrity just because the statistics say it has more passengers -- we were never really aware of that. Instead, I would happily sail either line if the itinerary appeals.

Yes you definitely pay more to be on a ship with fewer passengers -- but I question whether than necessarily ensures a better experience.

You missed the two points.

1. Bob278's price comparison based solely on stateroom size does not take into account the fact that cruising with fewer passengers will cost more. It's a false comparison to consider only stateroom size.

2. "Many of us" want no part of being on a ship with 2000-6000 other passengers--regardless of entertainment or size of public areas or anything else. The pool deck is too vast a sea of bodies. The buffet resembles the monkey cage at the zoo. Lines for tenders are too long. Theaters have no intimacy. You may never see the same fellow passenger twice. You pay more to avoid all of this by being on a small ship.

But if to others these considerations don't affect whether they are having a "better experience," that's OK, too.

You missed the two points.

 

1. Bob278's price comparison based solely on stateroom size does not take into account the fact that cruising with fewer passengers will cost more. It's a false comparison to consider only stateroom size.

 

2. "Many of us" want no part of being on a ship with 2000-6000 other passengers--regardless of entertainment or size of public areas or anything else. The pool deck is too vast a sea of bodies. The buffet resembles the monkey cage at the zoo. Lines for tenders are too long. Theaters have no intimacy. You may never see the same fellow passenger twice. You pay more to avoid all of this by being on a small ship.

 

But if to others these considerations don't affect whether they are having a "better experience," that's OK, too.

+1! Where's the "Like" button?

You missed the two points.

 

1. Bob278's price comparison based solely on stateroom size does not take into account the fact that cruising with fewer passengers will cost more. It's a false comparison to consider only stateroom size.

 

2. "Many of us" want no part of being on a ship with 2000-6000 other passengers--regardless of entertainment or size of public areas or anything else. The pool deck is too vast a sea of bodies. The buffet resembles the monkey cage at the zoo. Lines for tenders are too long. Theaters have no intimacy. You may never see the same fellow passenger twice. You pay more to avoid all of this by being on a small ship.

 

But if to others these considerations don't affect whether they are having a "better experience," that's OK, too.

Have sailed with Azamara many years ago but we are huge Celebrity fans and love the S class ships don't really do the Buffet but do find the ships very user friendly.

After many years are going back to Azamara mainly because of the itinery and I really hope we meet like minded people who just want to have a nice cruise, and to be honest a buffet is a buffet.

Have sailed with Azamara many years ago but we are huge Celebrity fans and love the S class ships don't really do the Buffet but do find the ships very user friendly.

After many years are going back to Azamara mainly because of the itinery and I really hope we meet like minded people who just want to have a nice cruise, and to be honest a buffet is a buffet.

My favourite saying for buffet on large ships, is 'Smash and Grab', I don't enjoy them either, except for Azamara Quest and Journey.:)

You missed the two points.

 

1. Bob278's price comparison based solely on stateroom size does not take into account the fact that cruising with fewer passengers will cost more. It's a false comparison to consider only stateroom size.

 

2. "Many of us" want no part of being on a ship with 2000-6000 other passengers--regardless of entertainment or size of public areas or anything else. The pool deck is too vast a sea of bodies. The buffet resembles the monkey cage at the zoo. Lines for tenders are too long. Theaters have no intimacy. You may never see the same fellow passenger twice. You pay more to avoid all of this by being on a small ship.

 

But if to others these considerations don't affect whether they are having a "better experience," that's OK, too.

+1! Where's the "Like" button?

I guess I just don't share your refined tastes -- I like all four classes of ship [M-, S-, R-, and X-] equally, for different reasons. BTW, kind of shifty rhetorical device to try to tar Celebrity with 6000 passengers when their largest ship only holds 3,046...

 

2. "Many of us" want no part of being on a ship with 2000-6000 other passengers--regardless of entertainment or size of public areas or anything else. The pool deck is too vast a sea of bodies. The buffet resembles the monkey cage at the zoo. Lines for tenders are too long. Theaters have no intimacy. You may never see the same fellow passenger twice. You pay more to avoid all of this by being on a small ship.

Sure, a monkey cage..LOL

But it also has more than twice the common area so the crowding is not as bad as people may think.

Bob,

There may be more space in common areas on Azamara now that Park West are no longer on their ships.

While I prefer Azamara, have also had great cruises on Celebrity. However although I think the S class ships are beautiful, I avoid the buffet. The food is fine but it's a bit too much of a bun fight for me.

It wouldn't stop me from sailing on Celebrity though if the price and itinerary were attractive.

While I prefer Azamara, have also had great cruises on Celebrity. However although I think the S class ships are beautiful, I avoid the buffet. The food is fine but it's a bit too much of a bun fight for me.

 

It wouldn't stop me from sailing on Celebrity though if the price and itinerary were attractive.

Totally agree with your assessments.

The only time that Windows Cafe ever felt like its counterpart on a Celebrity ship was on the final day of our last cruise as, for some reason, everyone decided to eat at the earliest opportunity.

In our view, Oceanview on a Millenium ship is even worse than on the "S" class, with odd traffic patterns and the ambience of a college cafeteria albeit with better food.

Perhaps "Sosticizing" those ships added just too many passengers for that area. And, in fairness, it is our major criticism. There are other attractions of sailing on Celebrity.

Many beautiful Cruises with Azamara, great affection for the Staff and Crew and now wonderful memories. Azamara administration let us down badly causing us to reconsider our Cruising choices. Sadly I set about trying to

re create that Azamara experience on Celebrity.

Celebrity Aqua Class the comfy cabin combined with smaller dining room Blue Restaurant , it's five star dining and great service pleased us. Plus aquiring Elite Plus loyalty perks hit the spot. My DH calls Celebrity the sweet spot.

It is about value for money for the Cruising experience. Connie and Millie our favourites. We appreciate each level of Cruise we do ,more or less stars probably less guests a little more. Our small ship experience we still partake and Celebrity allows us an extra cruise in between.

Azamara, we never say never to a return Cruise. We still have fond feelings for Philip Herbert, Capt Smith, Russ Greaves, Ryzard, Heike etc.

Many beautiful Cruises with Azamara, great affection for the Staff and Crew and now wonderful memories. Azamara administration let us down badly causing us to reconsider our Cruising choices. Sadly I set about trying to

re create that Azamara experience on Celebrity.

Celebrity Aqua Class the comfy cabin combined with smaller dining room Blue Restaurant , it's five star dining and great service pleased us. Plus aquiring Elite Plus loyalty perks hit the spot. My DH calls Celebrity the sweet spot.

It is about value for money for the Cruising experience. Connie and Millie our favourites. We appreciate each level of Cruise we do ,more or less stars probably less guests a little more. Our small ship experience we still partake and Celebrity allows us an extra cruise in between.

Azamara, we never say never to a return Cruise. We still have fond feelings for Philip Herbert, Capt Smith, Russ Greaves, Ryzard, Heike etc.

I hope you'll give us another chance, koalapanda. We'd love to win back your loyalty!

And everyone you mention is still onboard...waiting for you ;)