Mainstream =X= VS. Azmara - Need Your Help

[Pilot70D]

OK all you experienced CC'ers I need your help again.

On our last cruise the Temptress Of The Seas, our truly great TA, whispered sweet words of enticement into the War Department's (a.k.a. Mrs. B's) ears and tempted her to leave the Garden of Eden (aft CC cabin with HUGE balcony) for a full suite.

Ah, that worked like a charm. It worked so well that we booked another suite for this year's cruise on the Connie for a 14 day jaunt through the Caribbean. However after due consideration and a lot of intrepidation I decided to once again brave that Siren's Song and asked our TA 'Well, how about up-scale cruise lines? It wouldn't cost much more to go with one of them would it?".

Well, ya know snake that she is, she agreed with me and now I am in a terrible jam. She softly mentioned Azmara and how great their ships are. My question is how does the Azmara experience compare to that aboard the Millie or the Connie? We would probably not have a suite on Azmara but something that looks a whole lot like a CC cabin on =X=.

Now if y'all would please tell me I would be ever so happy. If our TA didn't so such a wonderful job I would probabaly say bad things about her. However the poor lady, like The War Department, has to put with me.

Everyone have a great St. Patty's day tomorrow (Wednesday). May you all go out and enjoy the traditional five course Irish feast on this occasion.

:D:D:D

[Cruisin_Vol_Fan]

Since I have never cruised on either line (yet!), I cannot say from personal experience. However, my parents (early 60's) are frequent cruisers and they have been on many ships and cruise lines (RCCL, Norwegian, Princess, Celebrity, Azamara, and some no longer around). Hands down their favorite is Azamara. They did the British Isles cruise about 18 months ago and they still talk about it - the details, the amazing ship, the fabulous service and crew, how much they loved the smaller ship feel, how great the food was...on and on. They are dying to go back but they are usually limited to 7-10 days due to my dad's work and that tends to knock them out of most Azamara itineraries. In October they were on RCCL and were upgraded to a nice suite and they had a great time but I swear my mom compared every detail to Azamara! They are leaving in a couple of weeks on Celebrity again (in a Sky Suite) and, while they are very excited and looking forward to getting back on X, they would love to be going on Azamara!

So I don't have any details to compare the two, but if you have the opportunity to do it and can get a good price, go for Azamara. I know it is high on my list for the future! But the Solstice will have to do this summer!

[Project_gal]

OK all you experienced CC'ers I need your help again.

 

On our last cruise the Temptress Of The Seas, our truly great TA, whispered sweet words of enticement into the War Department's (a.k.a. Mrs. B's) ears and tempted her to leave the Garden of Eden (aft CC cabin with HUGE balcony) for a full suite.

 

Ah, that worked like a charm. It worked so well that we booked another suite for this year's cruise on the Connie for a 14 day jaunt through the Caribbean. However after due consideration and a lot of intrepidation I decided to once again brave that Siren's Song and asked our TA 'Well, how about up-scale cruise lines? It wouldn't cost much more to go with one of them would it?".

 

Well, ya know snake that she is, she agreed with me and now I am in a terrible jam. She softly mentioned Azmara and how great their ships are. My question is how does the Azmara experience compare to that aboard the Millie or the Connie? We would probably not have a suite on Azmara but something that looks a whole lot like a CC cabin on =X=.

 

Now if y'all would please tell me I would be ever so happy. If our TA didn't so such a wonderful job I would probabaly say bad things about her. However the poor lady, like The War Department, has to put with me.

 

Everyone have a great St. Patty's day tomorrow (Wednesday). May you all go out and enjoy the traditional five course Irish feast on this occasion.

:D:D:D

 

Our first cruise was in a CC cabin on Constellation. Since then we have had suites [on Celebrity and Azamara - and NCL]. Our last two cruises were on Azamara Quest and Celebrity Infinity and it is hard to choose between the two for my favourite. Both were incredible experiences but that was much more to do with the personnel on board rather than the ships. We had amazing service on both ships.

 

Having put my views into perspective, let me try to answer your question. We now choose suites because we found a CC cabin on Constellation rather too cramped for comfort. There is nothing "like a CC cabin" on Azamara. Check the square footage and decide if you could manage with the smaller space.

 

Everything depends on what it important for YOU. It may be space in your stateroom/suite. If incredible service is important, you are more likely to experience that on Azamara but, as our Infinity experience demonstrates, that is not necessarily so. We do not "do" the shows but I understand that the entertainment is better on Celebrity ships as is the onboard shopping. [so, if controlling you other-half's spending is important choose Azamara!]

 

After Constellation, we sailed on Millennium. When we boarded, it was like coming home - we knew our way round immediately. Surprizingly, it was almost the same on Quest - just smaller. The layout seemed very similar [and, if it had not been for NCL Sun in between, I would have thought that all ships were alike] it just took less time to get from A to B. So, if you like to be close to everything, you will like Azamara. If you like to be able to spend time wandering round the ship, you will prefer Celebrity.

 

Finally, the issue of food. Azamara does not have set dining in the MDR. If enjoy fixed dining giving you the opportunity to get to know people you meet each evening, this is not available on Azamara. If you enjoy formal evenings - again not available on Azamara. Otherwise, MDR food is very subjective. Personally, we are not MDR nor buffet people. The alternative dining on Constellation is [currently] a more formal experience than the two restaurants on Azamara but, IMHO, all are excellent. If you are planning your cruise after this April, Constellation will also have the Tuscan Grill which I believe will be less formal.

 

As with anything in life, you need to understand what you really want from your cruise to make the right choices. I hope that what I have said helps in that process.

 

Sue

[j!m]

we have sailed quite a bit with X mainly on their M class ships and in the last few years on the Az ships

 

its Az for us hands down, given the itinerary is what we want.

 

and do try a suite on Az you will not be disappointed!!

 

i dont know whether its the quality of staff (service) or what but Az just seems so much better to us at least.

 

for example on our last sailing we were invitied to a private dinner with the captain in a private room, just 10 of us, it was lovely.

 

in every port a senoir officer (often the captain) was at the gangway wishing us a nice day ashore, nice touch we thought.

 

was the food generally better than X?? i dont remember but it was fine for us

 

we do like the smaller ships and Az just has a way of making their suite pax feel special

 

whichever you choose

 

hava geat cruise

[Phxazzcruisers]

We have traveled on both Azamara and several of the =X= ships. We absolutely love the Solstice Class ships and they would always be our first choice. That being said, we are on Azamara again for their Iceland cruise. It will be our first time back and the first time on the "new" Azamara. Azamara is a smaller ship with less in the way of shopping and entertainment, but the last time we sailed Journey we had a great time.

[Ma Bell]

We just returned from our first Azamara cruise after many Celebrity cruises.

 

We did have a wonderful time because we were with friends; the cruise was very nice and we didn't have any major complaints. That being said, we do prefer the Celebrity ships and find that for the difference in price we would definitely choose Celebrity.

 

The accommodations on Azamara leave a lot to be desired. The balcony cabins are small and the bathrooms are almost claustrophobic. The balconies themselves are tiny and not meant for lounging. There is only room for a table and chairs.

 

There is more to do on Celebrity ships and many more venues to enjoy. Entertainment is better.

 

We found the service to be about the same. Food may be slightly better in the main dining room on Azamara, but the specialty restaurants on Celebrity are as good or better than Azamara. The buffet area on Celebrity is better.

 

If you like the casino, the Azamara casino is tiny. Shops are also very small.

 

The main attraction on Azamara is the ability to go to ports that are unreachable on larger ships.

 

As others have said, it's what's important to you that counts. We prefer having better accommodations for the money and a wider variety of things to do and venues on board. We just felt the value wasn't there.

[Pilot70D]

Thank you to all who have taken the time to respnd to my inquiry.

It is so difficult to say exactly what would make THE perfect cruise for us. We are both divers so port days are diving days. We aren't couch potatoes but we probably do spend a little more time in our cabin than the average. Did we enjoy the extra space in our suite? You bet we did. did we enjoy the extra luxury touches in the suite? Again you bet we did but not as much as the extra space.

I would have to say that the things which are most important to us are cabin comfort, food quality, ship's ambience and attitude of the crew. We also really like having a balcony and have never sailed without one.

Anyway, thank you one and all. Enjoy that five course Irish feast today!!!:D:D

[Ma Bell]

Then I would say that if you are not going to book one of the larger suites on Azamara, you'll be unhappy with the accommodations.

[Denny01]

Agree its tough to define the perfect cruise and therefore the 'perfect' cruise line (I think each one I've taken is the 'perfect' one!), but you semed to have captured and put in order your priorities - not easy.

 

I'd suggest you post with that list over at Azamara. There are a number of existing threads on comparing Azamara and Celebrity so take a look at those before you start a new one (just a suggestion) to see if they capture what you are looking for. Most/many Azamara cruisers mix them with Celebrity and have, from what I've read, a pretty unbiased opinon on comparing.

 

We've looked at Azamara, but Celebrity still meets our needs with itinerary and just love the set up. My wife isn't very big on smaller ships, but I've told her the Azamara, although 'smaller' aren't excactly tiny - we'll see. we cruised on Cruise West - loved the itinerary but the SR was an issue. But that is what that Line is for - great itinerary and you stay in the common areas much more. Just a very different experience. I was trying to post what I liked about S-Class and M-Class as a comparison, and realized I liked each for differing reasons and it would be tough to choose one over the other - just different experiences. You might find that between Azamara and Celebrity.

 

Thanks for starting this - helps us too.

 

Denny

[fernem]

Hi, everyone.

 

This is a very nice and informative thread. It really does a nice job of balancing the varying priorities we all have.

 

I haven't been on Azamara and have been on m class ships multiple times.

 

I had a cabin booked on Azamara for their fall transatlantic this year. I got a very good price. Then I read (and you could do a search on the Azamara boards and find it) the specific dimensions of their nonsuite balcony cabins and I saw pictures of their verandas. It felt way too closed in for me. There is no room on the veranda for more than two little sit up chairs and a small table. I couldn't imagine sailing across the North Atlantic out there. The cabin itself was really tiny ... 170 sq. ft., I think, however well appointed. There also seemed to be not so much to do on the ship during the day if the weather were not conducive to sitting outside in the sun.

 

I bailed and got a sky suite on this spring's Century transatlantic for the same price of the cabin.

 

I realize that I need space. Sometimes I want to retreat to my cabin and veranda. I think the sky suite with its huge veranda (loungers, full size table and chairs ... 145 sq. ft.) will allow me the relaxation I crave on a cruise. I think the service on Celebrity has been great thus far and expect the suite experience, replete with butler, will not be bad.:rolleyes:

 

I guess I am saying that to me the space in the cabin ... and the fact of more room to roam and do things onboard ... even on the smaller Century ... trumps the Azamara's perks. It seems to be best suited, as others have said, for getting into great ports ... and getting off the ship ... and being welcomed back with real class. The transatlantic was the wrong trip for me to take Azamara.

 

All that being said, I have friends who are taking the Azamara TA for the second time this Spring and absolutely loved everything about it!

 

I look forward to your thoughts on what you decide to do and why.

 

fern

[Blue Lagoon]

Thank you to all who have taken the time to respnd to my inquiry.

 

It is so difficult to say exactly what would make THE perfect cruise for us. We are both divers so port days are diving days. We aren't couch potatoes but we probably do spend a little more time in our cabin than the average. Did we enjoy the extra space in our suite? You bet we did. did we enjoy the extra luxury touches in the suite? Again you bet we did but not as much as the extra space.

 

I would have to say that the things which are most important to us are cabin comfort, food quality, ship's ambience and attitude of the crew. We also really like having a balcony and have never sailed without one.

 

Anyway, thank you one and all. Enjoy that five course Irish feast today!!!:D:D

 

 

What is a five course Irish feast? I thought beer came in a six pack?

[Pilot70D]

What is a five course Irish feast? I thought beer came in a six pack?

 

OK, are we ready?

The traditional five course Irish Feast is a four pack of Harp and a boiled potatoe.:D:D:D

In the U.S. beer does indeed come in a six pack. In Ireland Harp Lager is sold in four packs.;)

 

Everyone have a great St. Patty's Day.

[GeorgeL]

OK all you experienced CC'ers I need your help again.

On our last cruise the Temptress Of The Seas, our truly great TA, whispered sweet words of enticement into the War Department's (a.k.a. Mrs. B's) ears and tempted her to leave the Garden of Eden (aft CC cabin with HUGE balcony) for a full suite.

Ah, that worked like a charm. It worked so well that we booked another suite for this year's cruise on the Connie for a 14 day jaunt through the Caribbean. However after due consideration and a lot of intrepidation I decided to once again brave that Siren's Song and asked our TA 'Well, how about up-scale cruise lines? It wouldn't cost much more to go with one of them would it?".

Well, ya know snake that she is, she agreed with me and now I am in a terrible jam. She softly mentioned Azmara and how great their ships are. My question is how does the Azmara experience compare to that aboard the Millie or the Connie? We would probably not have a suite on Azmara but something that looks a whole lot like a CC cabin on =X=.

Now if y'all would please tell me I would be ever so happy. If our TA didn't so such a wonderful job I would probabaly say bad things about her. However the poor lady, like The War Department, has to put with me.

Everyone have a great St. Patty's day tomorrow (Wednesday). May you all go out and enjoy the traditional five course Irish feast on this occasion.

:D:D:D

 

Glad you asked!

I have cruised on Celebrity since 1993 and I love it. My most recent Celebrity cruise was on the Constellation this past fall. It was WONDERFUL. Had I tried, I could not name one thing which was not great.

Then, I was told of Azamara and it was a "premium" line, a notch better than Celebrity and how outstanding their food and service was. We booked a cruise on the Quest to SE Asia and have just recently returned. All I can say is that I will remain a faithful fan of Celebrity. You can also read my post on the Azamara board (title: Azamara cruise, NOT impressed) if you would like additional information.

Of course, most, if not all, posts you will read on this forum are opinion based and mine is no different. Still, they can be very helpful in making a decision regarding cruising.

[scf1270]

Have wondered about the difference between the lines, and there's some good info here - so, thanks!

 

But what I really want to know is: what's the story behind the nickname "The War Department"!!!!

 

Sara

[Pilot70D]

Have wondered about the difference between the lines, and there's some good info here - so, thanks!

 

But what I really want to know is: what's the story behind the nickname "The War Department"!!!!

 

Sara

 

W-E-L-L-L-L, it's because The War Department, (a.k.a. Mrs. B) is always on the warpath either about something I've done or about something she thinks I've done or about something that she thinks I am thinking of doing.;)

I try to never loose sight of the fact that The War Department is one of those intelligent young women who has excellent taste in everything but men.:D