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Azamara vs Seabourn


Salf777
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Hi All,

We have been sailing in the Haven on NCL and like the luxury "feel" and booking a new cruise. We found we dont go out into the main ship area because its to crowded and loud and like the personal attention we get in the Haven so we are looking at a real Luxury cruise. Based on voyages, we are between Azamara and Seabourn.

Dont know much about either so can someone please give some insight?

What does each include?

Dining options?

Dress codes?

Entertainment?

Do they have decent gym's on board?

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Azamara, Oceania, Viking Ocean are what is commonly called “Premium Plus”, or Luxury Lite. Seabourn, Silversea, Regent, Crystal, and Happag-Lloyd are the most common luxury cruise lines. You may wish to also discuss with a luxury TA.

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The four most popular luxury cruise lines are Crystal, Regent, Seabourn and Silversea . We have only sailed on Regent and Silversea but have heard good things about Seabourn and Crystal.

 

In general, the larger the ship, the more dining options. For instance, Regent's largest ship (750 passengers which is the largest luxury cruise ship) has three specialty restaurants (no cost) a main dining room, a restaurant that is buffet during the day and Italian at night and the pool grill.

 

Another generality is that the smaller the ship, the less entertainment. While they all have entertainment, it varies. Theaters on ships of 450 passengers would have a larger stage than on a larger ship. Of course, there is entertainment in the lounges.

 

Again, smaller ships have smaller gyms. The best gym we have been in is again, on Regent's largest ship, the Explorer.

 

Dress codes on Crystal, Regent and Seabourn are elegant casual (minimum of slacks and a collared shirt for men - no shorts, flip flops or jeans) except for in "formal optional" night on longer cruises. Silversea is the most formal.

 

The inclusivity also differs on the luxury lines with Regent being the most inclusive (international business class air, most excursions, etc.) Not all luxury cruise lines have included air and some charge for one or more specialty restaurants.

 

I know that you asked about Seabourn but I thought this information may be helpful as well.

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The reason Regent is thee most inclusive is because it;s the most expensive. You are paying for everything they include. Remember included does not mean free. So my suggestion is to do a cost comparison on any cruises that interest you.

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You’d probably do well on any of the luxury lines. The best part of voyaging on these ships is mingling with the other passengers, who tend to be a well-travelled and interesting bunch.

Not having to worry about drinks packages, constant announcements, up selling, or being one of 5000 passengers when you hit a port is a wonderful thing.

You are not going to get huge shows on these ships, because most of the people who travel on them go to concerts or the theatre on land.

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You’d probably do well on any of the luxury lines. The best part of voyaging on these ships is mingling with the other passengers, who tend to be a well-travelled and interesting bunch.

Not having to worry about drinks packages, constant announcements, up selling, or being one of 5000 passengers when you hit a port is a wonderful thing.

You are not going to get huge shows on these ships, because most of the people who travel on them go to concerts or the theatre on land.

 

Agree with you here. The last thing I am looking for on a ship is a show. I never go to them.

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Agree with wripro that Regent appears more expensive so you really do have to do the calculations. Because we take advantage of all that Regent offers I have found the price to be as good if not better than the other lines. We insist on business class air, do port intensive itineraries so use the shore excursions, have a few drinks every day and love the casual atmosphere and friendly passengers.

 

As Floridiana says establish your itinerary first and then do the comparisons. We love to cruise and be on a ship but it really is about the ports of call.

 

Good luck finding the cruise line and itinerary that works best for you.

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Back to Salf777's original question. And yes, Azamara is not considered a luxury line.

 

On the Seabourn ships, the evening dining options include the Main Dining Room, one specialty resto, a more informal dining room where the buffet has been converted to table service, a grill outside on deck, and room service, all at no charge. On AZ options include the main dining room, 2 specialities (steak and Mediterranean, both an upcharge), the buffet, an outdoors grill, and room service.

 

The fitness center on the AZ ships is way bigger than on Seabourn with more equipment, more classes, and more equipment availability.

 

For entertainment, both lines offer shows in the evenings. I understand that AZ is in the process of changing their show offerings, so check out the CC threads on that. Both lines have lounges with piano music. Both have discos and casinos. Everything on Seabourn tends to be more intimate, fitting with the smaller number of passengers.

 

Both lines have dress-up night, and some Seabourn passengers pull out all stops, with some women in real gowns. But I don't recall any enforcement of a dress code on either line. Both head in the country club casual direction.

 

I like both lines, for different reasons. We are booked on a long Seabourn cruise this fall.

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Thank you all so much for the insight!

We really like the ships as much as destinations.

The NCL, even though the Haven has become too much when you want to leave the Haven, your surrounded by thousands of people. We don't participate in all the games and activities or bars so while its very nice its like being stuck in your own little area and not enjoying the whole ship.

We ended up booking Azamara as it looks like a nice mix of "luxury" and not so formal.

We have decided that in all this is a vacation for us and having to put on a jacket for dinner would be an option not an obligation. Sometimes we just want to be comfortable, I get dressed enough every day for work LOL!

I think as we mature we will eventually be on the true luxury ships but from what I have seen Azamara looks like a nice mix and compromise.

We have booked the Azamara Pursuit Italy Intensive Voyage in Club World Owners Suite and like the fact that gratuities, and all that included.

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We've sailed in the Owner's Suite on the other AZ ships 3 times and it was always a special and extraordinary experience. You will be able to go to the specialty restaurants each night with no charge. Loosen your belts. You will more than likely be invited the Best of the Best dinner, a special dinner for special suite guests held in the library, a multi-course tasting menu with complementary wines and lots of ship staff in attendance. Try to sit with the Hotel Director. And your suite will be so large and comfortable, with a huge balcony, that you will be tempted to never leave. Am I envious? Oh, you'll have a butler, and he can set up a cocktail party in your suite for all of your special new friends whom you will meet on board. Or you can dine en-suite, multi-course, delivered by course by your butler.

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Thank you all so much for the insight!

We really like the ships as much as destinations.

The NCL, even though the Haven has become too much when you want to leave the Haven, your surrounded by thousands of people. We don't participate in all the games and activities or bars so while its very nice its like being stuck in your own little area and not enjoying the whole ship.

We ended up booking Azamara as it looks like a nice mix of "luxury" and not so formal.

We have decided that in all this is a vacation for us and having to put on a jacket for dinner would be an option not an obligation. Sometimes we just want to be comfortable, I get dressed enough every day for work LOL!

I think as we mature we will eventually be on the true luxury ships but from what I have seen Azamara looks like a nice mix and compromise.

We have booked the Azamara Pursuit Italy Intensive Voyage in Club World Owners Suite and like the fact that gratuities, and all that included.

Sounds good. I look forward to hearing what you think of Azamara.

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