What are Main Differences between Azamara and Mass Market

[lc249]

hi, we're veteran cruisers on the mass market lines (predominantly royal caribbean) but lately we haven't been happy with the level of service, quality of food, etc. found on these lines and have been considering other options. I reminisce about what cruising on these lines were like 15-20 years ago (wow I just dated myself!) and are seeking that type of cruising experience again without breaking the bank. what would you say are the main differences (positive or negative) between an azamara cruise and a royal caribbean cruise for example?

 

also we have a 2 year old son who we always take on vacation with us. would you recommend an azamara cruise for a family with a young child? I'm not looking for babysitting services or even children's programs as we take our son on vacation with us so we can spend time with him but just don't want to be in an enviornment where children are unwelcome.

 

thanks in advance! :o

[Jade13]

The main difference is the size of the ship so you get to know the crew. Of course now prices are including gratuities and wine with lunch and dinner. There is no rock climbing, but you know that.

 

We were in Asia and did not see any young children. We were there during school season. I am confident that there will be more children now that the line has all of these shorter 7 day cruises which will attract families.

 

We have never been on RCCL, but from what I have heard Celebrity is a step up. We were just on Century on a 4 night mini cruise and it exceeded our expectations. HAL is another option and has been our favorite line. I am just giving two more options of cruise lines that are marketed as one step above mass market.

 

You may get better responses if you let people know exactly which itineraries you are looking at.

[Welland]

also we have a 2 year old son who we always take on vacation with us. would you recommend an azamara cruise for a family with a young child? I'm not looking for babysitting services or even children's programs as we take our son on vacation with us so we can spend time with him but just don't want to be in an environment where children are unwelcome.

 

 

We love Azamara. Wouldn't say that children are 'unwelcome' however I would suggest that Azamara is not the cruise line for travelling with children, especially young children. Although you are not interested in utiilizing children's programs or babysitting services I just want to advise you that there are none onboard which may preclude other families from travelling, hence no 'friends' for your toddler. As well, there is no children's pool. I definitely believe that Azamara is geared more to the adult population.

 

Hope that this is helpful.

 

Whatever cruise you decide on, enjoy.

[crzrr]

We have been on 3 Azamara cruises and there has not been a child on any of them. Azamara is not child friendly and I don't believe that it is their intention to be child friendly. At this time in our lives, it is one of the things that we like about Azamara.

 

We cruised extensively on Celebrity with our daughters and they always had a fabulous time. They still correspond with friends that they made on their many cruises. When we have grandchildren and take family vacations, we will go back to Celebrity so that all may enjoy their vacation.

[California Native]

Dear OP..

I will try to be as realistic as I can in my answer..

I think because you are a long term cruiser with a new family it will be easier for you to understand

1. Azamara, the small Princess ships, Oceania and Prinsendam are not set up for children of any age. There isn't a place or space.

I was on the Pacific Princess (same ship as AZ) 14 days Alaska last year..there were 7 kids onboard. Princess would host a family movie or wii night in the card room. That was it.

Those kids were between 5-12 and we the saviest travelers

I have ever met. It reminded me of me when I was cruising at that age when entertainment didn't exist.

(so, don't worry i about dating yourself, as I'm now doing it)

2. Even if there was a children program, I think your little one would be too young. (even on RCCL, I think you have to be with him)

3. One of the reasons many people pick small ships is to avoid children.

It's not that we don't love kids, but not all kids are as perfect as your little one :)

4. I'm going to assume that you will be aware that while you think your little one is adorable and you can block out any blood curling screams

the rest of can't and you would be willing to leave the show lounge, dining room etc etc. This will make a world of difference in your interations with other passengers.

5. I don't think you won't be welcome, but you know that glance or stare you get

when you board the plane and you know that these people are thinking ...oh crap I hope that kid isn't behind me..

you might see one or two of those! but if you practice #4 above, that won't last long.

Now with that said, let's think of the pro's

1.Eating in the dining room, because it is not fixed dining times, you might be able to have a

table for the 3 of you and be able to leave when needed and actually enjoy the dining room experience.

2.This might be a perfect time for you to check out small ship cruising...

as your little one gets older and hears about cruise ships with water slides, kids programs, Micky Mouse...

you will might have to head in that direction.

3. Really, who cares what other people think...

as long as you are cognizant about a couple of things

a. remove the little angel when he's about to verbally let the entire dining room that he is done with his meal

b. be careful of his roaming on his own in the buffet area..lots of people carrying trays not expecting a little one to dart past them.

c. be careful when he is toddling near older people..with both sets you never know which direction one will head and both sets are bit unsteady with balance at times.

Keeping all of this in mind....

I think you should still consider Azamara while you still have complete adult control because sooner than later your son will have a vote!

Hope this helps and I've inserted a bit of humor on what could be a touchy subject to others.

K.

[California Native]

I realized I might not have addressed the main differences aspect of your question.

I'm D+ with Royal Caribbean, I've also been sailing for 38 years since I was small child.

Sailing on a smaller ship it will remind of you of traditional cruising.

While your days will be full with activities to choose from, it will have a sophisticated country club atmosphere...versus water slides, loud music all the time.

RCCL has become bigger is better, it reminds me of ROCCOCO on speed.

Azamara will be a more dignified Renaissance era.

Hope this helps

K.

[lc249]

thanks everyone for the balanced advice. and while I appreciate everyone trying to state things delicately, there's really no need as this is not a touchy subject for me at all! :) I am well aware that while I love my child and think everything he does is adorable, not everyone will necessarily feel that way. I think we will decide to accept a bit less than luxury for awhile and stick with the mass market lines so as long as we want to travel together with our son for his benefit -- certainly he will enjoy water slides and shrek characters much more than he would appreciate foie gras and caviar :rolleyes:

 

I still can't help but mourn the good ole days of cruising though which ironically was when I was a young kid myself tagging along with my parents! I remember cruising to be a much more elegant experience... which I appreciated even when I was 9 ;) wish that there was a cruise line that's family friendly AND still be able to uphold the standards of food and service found on the luxury lines but maybe family-friendly and luxury is an oxymoron these days?

[os2wiz]

hi, we're veteran cruisers on the mass market lines (predominantly royal caribbean) but lately we haven't been happy with the level of service, quality of food, etc. found on these lines and have been considering other options. I reminisce about what cruising on these lines were like 15-20 years ago (wow I just dated myself!) and are seeking that type of cruising experience again without breaking the bank. what would you say are the main differences (positive or negative) between an azamara cruise and a royal caribbean cruise for example?

 

also we have a 2 year old son who we always take on vacation with us. would you recommend an azamara cruise for a family with a young child? I'm not looking for babysitting services or even children's programs as we take our son on vacation with us so we can spend time with him but just don't want to be in an enviornment where children are unwelcome.

 

thanks in advance! :o

If your main complaints are food quality and service, Celebrity CruiLines , part of RCI, is definitely a big step above RCI , Carnival, and NCL . I have found Celebrities' food of excellent quality and their service to be exceptional. Good luck.

[Jade13]

thanks everyone for the balanced advice. and while I appreciate everyone trying to state things delicately, there's really no need as this is not a touchy subject for me at all! :) I am well aware that while I love my child and think everything he does is adorable, not everyone will necessarily feel that way. I think we will decide to accept a bit less than luxury for awhile and stick with the mass market lines so as long as we want to travel together with our son for his benefit -- certainly he will enjoy water slides and shrek characters much more than he would appreciate foie gras and caviar :rolleyes:

 

I still can't help but mourn the good ole days of cruising though which ironically was when I was a young kid myself tagging along with my parents! I remember cruising to be a much more elegant experience... which I appreciated even when I was 9 ;) wish that there was a cruise line that's family friendly AND still be able to uphold the standards of food and service found on the luxury lines but maybe family-friendly and luxury is an oxymoron these days?

 

Try HAL. They have all of the traditions including some formal nights, Royal Dutch Tea and the wrap around promenade deck with teak loungers. I think your child is too young but their Club HAL is very popular.

[crzrr]

I think that you would find Celebrity to be a great fit for you. It's a wonderful way to have an upscale family vacation. We loved dressing up for dinner together and the kids loved the chance to have fun with other children.

[Redtravel]

There's something out there for everyone who likes to cruise. Small and casual, no formal nights, no assigned tables, no children or very few has alot of appeal to many cruisers. If you don't crave constant entertainment, it may be good for you. Big and classy, lots of activities, formal nights, and a reserved dining table, great kids activities, and exciting nightlife has its own appeal. I enjoy both. I am flexible. Azamara and Celebrity are very similar in service and food. Azamara includes water, wine, soft drinks, specialty coffee, self laundry,and prepaid gratuities. Although Celebrity doesn't include these things, they are available for purchase. Celebrity can be cheaper..economies of scale help them. On a smaller ship, they have to charge more to provide services. It's your decision. There is no one right or wrong choice. Often price, destination, and dates make the final decision easy. Get out there and enjoy your cruise.

[lc249]

thanks, i think celebrity might actually be a good option for us.... am going to look into it! :D

 

regarding HAL, i've heard that the ships are not as nice as some of the newer ones on other lines and that's held me back from cruising with them in the past. is there any truth to that?

[Jade13]

thanks, i think celebrity might actually be a good option for us.... am going to look into it! :D

 

regarding HAL, i've heard that the ships are not as nice as some of the newer ones on other lines and that's held me back from cruising with them in the past. is there any truth to that?

 

HAL has always been our favorite cruise line. We have been on Celebrity twice but both times on Century which is an older ship but in great condition. The first time is was OK, great value but our least favorite cruise. The second time, earlier this year, they exceeded our expectations. If you like new ships try the Eurodam or Nieuw Amsterdam. You can ask questions on the HAL board. I have not been on the Celebrity Solstice class ships. I know they have grass up top. HAL has tradition, wrap around promenade deck and the best art collection that I have seen at sea. You don't have to be "Elite" like on Celebrity. HAL invites everyone to Royal Dutch Tea and sometimes they also have an Indonesian tea.

 

This sounds nice to me. From HAL's website. You should ask more questions on the HAL board. We love HAL and now Azamara too.

 

"Explore ms Nieuw Amsterdam -

 

Delivering in 2010, the 86,000-ton Nieuw Amsterdam will be built at Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard and its interior design and art collection will reflect the glamor and history of New York City, formerly called Nieuw Amsterdam.

 

Nieuw Amsterdam, joins the recently launched Eurodam to further define and expand the Holland America Line premium brand with new concepts such as the innovative pan-Asian Tamarind restaurant and Silk Den lounge surrounded by panoramic views overlooking the ocean expanse and the Lido pool. Other additions are an Explorer's Lounge Bar, a premium wine-tasting lounge, an elegant luxury jewelry boutique, new atrium bar area, enhanced and reconfigured The Showroom at Sea, and a new photographic and imaging center.

 

The ship will continue several much-admired Holland America Line features, including outside-view, glass elevators at midship; the Explorations Cafe -- a cyber-coffee house powered by The New York Times; the Pinnacle Grill and Pinnacle Bar; the innovative Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine, where culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and intimate classes in a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchens; an expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon with thermal suites and hydro-pool, the largest gymnasium ever built for Holland America Line; and a youth facility that includes the teens-only Loft. In addition the ship will feature the family-style Canaletto's Italian restaurant.

 

Nieuw Amsterdam will feature 11 guest decks and staterooms will spotlight all the Signature of Excellence premium amenities. Also featured are innovative spa staterooms with additional spa amenities.

 

The first Nieuw Amsterdam was launched in 1906 and used both a full set of sails and steam engines. She was 17,149 tons and carried 2,886 passengers, 2,200 of them in third class. She sailed in regular service through World War I and then through to 1932.

 

The famed Nieuw Amsterdam II joined the fleet in 1938 as the company's flagship. The silhouette of this ship can still be seen today behind Henry Hudson's Half Moon in the company's logo. At 36,287 tons, "the Darling of the Dutch," as she was known, was decorated in great style and was launched by Her Majesty Queen Wilhemina of the Netherlands. Nieuw Amsterdam II served proudly in World War II completing 44 war time voyages carrying nearly 400,000 passengers (mostly troops). Following the war, she was rebuilt and, as the queen of Holland America Line's "spotless fleet," hosted countless well-known figures among her guests, including Katherine Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Spencer Tracey and Albert Schweitzer.

 

"Nieuw Amsterdam III was launched in 1983 as one of the most elegant ships of her time. At 33,900 tons, Nieuw Amsterdam III sailed in Alaska in the summers and in the Caribbean in the winters.

 

With innovative design and guest offerings, Nieuw Amsterdam IV will continue the proud tradition of her name and continue to evolve of Holland America Line's sophisticated mid-sized ships."

[Grandma Rambo]

I think that you would find Celebrity to be a great fit for you. It's a wonderful way to have an upscale family vacation. We loved dressing up for dinner together and the kids loved the chance to have fun with other children.

 

I agree about Celebrity. Try the new Solstice class. I think you might be very happy, as will your little one. A bit of both worlds. We just came back from Azamara Best of Italy. There was a little girl about four and a little boy about two (we saw him only twice). She like the attention she got from crew and passengers. We saw her just about everywhere on ship, even late at night in the lounge on the top deck with the piano singer. She seemed pretty happy most of the time, but was kind of quiet at the end of the two weeks.

 

We found HAL to be wonderful, but only if you like heavy smoke almost everywhere you turn. Even the piano lounge was unwelcome to us because it was right outside the casino where smoking is allowed. Until they change their policy, we won't go near them. By the way, Celebrity and Azamara have only a couple of places where smoking is allowed.

 

We love Celebrity, but Azamara turned out to be the perfect fit for us. Happy cruising.

[maryann ns]

On our cruise last November with Azamara there were several very young children. I don't know where they spent their time, but I hardly ever saw them and was never bothered by them. So if your child is happy and relatively quiet with you he would not be a great problem. The flexible dining really helps. You can eat at the buffet or by the pool as well as the dining rooms.

[Jade13]

 

We found HAL to be wonderful, but only if you like heavy smoke almost everywhere you turn. Even the piano lounge was unwelcome to us because it was right outside the casino where smoking is allowed. Until they change their policy, we won't go near them. By the way, Celebrity and Azamara have only a couple of places where smoking is allowed.

 

Well, that is the only potential problem on HAL. We hate smoke and have not yet had a problem. We will be on Maasdam in August. If it is a problem we probably won't be back or at least until they change their policy. I know they are toying with the idea because they keep sending out surveys. However, right now their ships are mostly sailing full (all of my cruises have been sold out).