Azamara versus Oceania

[Granny DI]

When we were on the Azamara in July I remarked about lack of revenue generating items. The casino is pitiful. I love the slots and usually leave money in them when I sail other lines. I think I threw in a few quarters and went on my way. Alcohol is the biggest money maker for cruise lines and now with it being included no revenue is being generated. Azamara also needs to do something with their cabins. Shabby Chic comes to mind. We were very disappointed in them. We did get the "warm and fuzzy" feeling when we came on board...but that only goes so far. As I've said many times I choose a cruise for itinerary. We're sailing on the Quest in a few days. The itinerary is wonderful and very unique. No other line does the same itinerary. We're going back to NCL, Princess and Crystal in the next 18 months. Princess and Crystal have very unique itineraries in the Black Sea and China and I just want my husband to experience the NCL Mega ship penthouse suite which is 1/2 the price of an Azamara balcony. We won't get the warm and fuzzy feeling when we board the NCL ship but the aft penthouse suite will make up for that.

[mickieandlee]

[ Were there any discernible differences between the cruisers onboard Oceania vs. those you've met on ACC, or was it a similar demographic with comparable values?

 

We have been on Oceania twice, once on the old R-ship and last on the new Marina. Our second Azamara cruise is coming up on Jan. 29, 3013 to The Sea of Cortez.

We found the cruisers to be very much the same on both cruise lines. What we liked best about Oceania is the additional choices for dining at no additional charge. The shore excursions are much more expensive.

We are looking forward to the new all inclusive wine and alcohol policy on AZ.:)

[Willow1686]

You may wish to bear in mind that alcohol is 'more inclusive' not 'all inclusive'; named brands and all sparkling wines are excluded. They offer supplemental drinks packages but you would need to check the precise terms of those...

[excitedofharpenden]

IMO the warm and fuzzy feeling is not going to be enough -- and believe me, I understand it.

 

The reality, as I see it:

 

They have priced some regulars out of the market

 

Their itineraries are lacking and with so much time taken up by charters in high season, they are "forcing" some who might choose Azamara to look elsewhere.

 

Luxury cruisers are NOT going to opt for Azamara -- they care less about warm and fuzzy and more about the ship and the amenities. Many have moved to O's new large ships and others MAY gravitate to the Oceania R ships after the refurb.

 

The regular O cruisers like myself, who have tried Azamara and like it, may ultimately find the ships too "shabby" compared with the refurbished O R ships.

 

I would like to see a "sign" that Azamara is doing something to protect and improve its position in the market. So far, I have seen the opposite.

It's good that we all have differing opinions and outlook, but to readers here that have yet to sail on Azamara I would never describe their ships as shabby. From my observations they are very well cared for and clean, but not brand spanking new and some of the fittings are looking a bit dated. Parts of the ship are all the better for being left alone. The library being one example. Like a gentleman's club.

 

Phil

[excitedofharpenden]

Your comment reflects our assessment, although perhaps with less of the worry, and flyingshoes provided an excellent reminder that ACC exists within a larger corporate structure. In our view a structure that may provide benefits (such as transferrable loyalty awards) and limitations (how does ACC provide the ROI that the parent company expects.

 

Hi nordski, you may be right and I go through stages of worry. Perhaps I just worry too much. I think Larry P has fought Azamara's corner very well in the past and has created a cruiseline that many of us love. It worries me when I see some of the prices that are asked though and hope his arm isn't being twisted too hard from the men in suits at the top of Royal Caribbean to drive increased revenue without the necessary investment in ships. Now, the announcement that Azamara were acquiring another vessel would make me very happy.

 

Phil

[pacheco18]

It's good that we all have differing opinions and outlook, but to readers here that have yet to sail on Azamara I would never describe their ships as shabby. From my observations they are very well cared for and clean, but not brand spanking new and some of the fittings are looking a bit dated. Parts of the ship are all the better for being left alone. The library being one example. Like a gentleman's club.

 

Phil

 

You misread what I said:

 

To repeat, once the OCeania R ships are completely redone, Azamara's ships may seem shabby in comparison -- especially to veteran O cruisers who have been willing to sail both lines.

 

Granny DI did call them "Shabby chic." Not sure that's a compliment.

[excitedofharpenden]

You chose to use the word shabby contained within whatever context you actually meant. I just wouldn't want readers here thinking the Azamara ships are shabby because they aren't. Not as up to date maybe, but not shabby.

 

Phil

[pacheco18]

You chose to use the word shabby contained within whatever context you actually meant. I just wouldn't want readers here thinking the Azamara ships are shabby because they aren't. Not as up to date maybe, but not shabby.

 

Phil

 

You are still misreading and now misinterpreting my post.

Let's let others read it for themselves and figure it our for themselves.

[ellbon]

Please visit cabin 8040 that neeeds new carpet and a my chair redone that has a hole in it. Both are easy to replace but has not happend yet.

the public areas look good but the cabins need updates.

[marinaro44]

Please visit cabin 8040 that neeeds new carpet and a my chair redone that has a hole in it. Both are easy to replace but has not happend yet.

the public areas look good but the cabins need updates.

 

7019 and 8064 on Quest are not in the least "shabby." We've cruised both this month.

[Granny DI]

Perhaps tired is a better word. I understand most of the "R" ships need to be refurbished. We found the public rooms on the ship in good shape.

[kiawahdon]

Having left the Quest in September, my view is "dated" as opposed to shabby. Clearly, the staterooms need new furniture, wall coverings, carpet, etc. What looked great 13 years ago, isn't viewed as equal to the competition today. In my mind there are other essential changes that must be made:

-Get rid of the space hogging large bar in Windows café.

-Create a reasonable piano lounge/bar. No TV's and slots nearby to destroy the ambiance.

It's obvious why the piano isn't in Mosaic- no bar in the room or close by. Thus management sees lost revenue.

-Update those public spaces that didn't get a good redo in the last drydock- carpet, furnishings etc.

-Update the AV in the Cabaret Lounge and Looking Glass.

-Update stateroom TV info/entertainment system.

 

I am sure there are mechanical issues that we don't know. One big unknown is whether these ships are compliant with not using "heavy" fuel oil. More and more ports are outlawing ships burning heavy fuel oil (e.g. Norway in 2015).

 

The bottom line is that AZ, or rather RCI will have to spend big bucks on the ships in the very near future. The question is: does RCI have enough free cash flow to do this AND keep their most profitable mega ships at the leading edge of that market. Get another good 5-7 years out of a 2,600++ pass. ship; or spend that amount on 1300 AZ beds. That's the core question the RCI board is / will wrestle with.

Edited November 23, 2013 by kiawahdon

[ellbon]

Having left the Quest in September, my view is "dated" as opposed to shabby. Clearly, the staterooms need new furniture, wall coverings, carpet, etc. What looked great 13 years ago, isn't viewed as equal to the competition today. In my mind there are other essential changes that must be made:

 

i spend hours in my cabin and a hole in a chair is very shabby not dated. a bad hard mark on the carpet is beyond shabby- dated is just old this can not be removed. needs replacing.

-Get rid of the space hogging large bar in Windows café.

agree-bring in more tables.

-Create a reasonable piano lounge/bar. No TV's and slots nearby to destroy the ambiance.

everyone but MIA knows that.

It's obvious why the piano isn't in Mosaic- no bar in the room or close by. Thus management sees lost revenue.

most peopel drank coffee and listend to music or the waiter went somewhere to get the vodka.. there is boooze by the coffee bar.

-Update those public spaces that didn't get a good redo in the last drydock- carpet, furnishings etc.

-Update the AV in the Cabaret Lounge and Looking Glass.

 

what is AV please??

-Update stateroom TV info/entertainment system.

bored// i never turn it on but to check my account or listen yo channel 14.

 

I am sure there are mechanical issues that we don't know. One big unknown is whether these ships are compliant with not using "heavy" fuel oil. More and more ports are outlawing ships burning heavy fuel oil (e.g. Norway in 2015).

what> Norway???

 

The bottom line is that AZ, or rather RCI will have to spend big bucks on the ships in the very near future. The question is: does RCI have enough free cash flow to do this AND keep their most profitable mega ships at the leading edge of that market. Get another good 5-7 years out of a 2,600++ pass. ship; or spend that amount on 1300 AZ beds. That's the core question the RCI board is / will wrestle with.

hate those large size ships. i have trouble now with S class.

[Granny DI]

We were on the Oasis a month before we sailed on Azamara. Our cabin on the Oasis was a Central Park view which means an inside with a window. Cabin was much nicer than our Azamara balcony. Food on a mega ship is what you would expect..mediocre to poor. Entertainment on the Oasis was outstanding. I liked the Oasis better than I thought but it was really too big for us. We cruised with our grandchildren so we had a great time!

[ddcruiser]

If you are a member of a certain big box store and book through them, there is always quite a deal on AZ, not on Oceania. ddcruiser

[Joe-Neth]

My experience with Oceania:

Great dinners and very bad ones occur.

Azamara more stable.

Friendliness was something unknown at our 3 Oceania cruises.

Unfortunately Azamara is going the same way this year.

 

Oceania has always been lying about missed ports.

Not before I showed them my picture of their broken anchor, they admitted that they lost part of it.

This happened 2 times! at 2 different ships!

Not the bad weather (it was not bad at all) but the lost anchor was the real reason to skip a port!

I made 3 Oceania Cruises. Always at least 1 port was skipped.

 

My experience with Azamara:

The quality of everything is decreasing and the prizes are higher.

After 12 cruises a simple email of mine (after I got incorrect information, to say it friendly) is not answered by them.

I will not retrun anymore before I get their reply!

Unfortunately it is a dishonest non communicating company

[marinaro44]

My experience with Azamara:

The quality of everything is decreasing and the prizes are higher.

After 12 cruises a simple email of mine (after I got incorrect information, to say it friendly) is not answered by them.

I will not retrun anymore before I get their reply!

Unfortunately it is a dishonest non communicating company

Just back from 24 days on Quest. Quality was as top notch as ever. Crew and senior officers (Captain Carl, Hotel Director Richard, F&B Manager Jonathan, Bar Manager Paul) friendly, outgoing, and engaged as always.

 

We keep hearing wild charges from you about "dishonesty" but have seen nothing to support this defamatory accusation.

[pacheco18]

My experience with Oceania:

Great dinners and very bad ones occur.

Azamara more stable.

Friendliness was something unknown at our 3 Oceania cruises.

Unfortunately Azamara is going the same way this year.

 

Oceania has always been lying about missed ports.

Not before I showed them my picture of their broken anchor, they admitted that they lost part of it.

This happened 2 times! at 2 different ships!

Not the bad weather (it was not bad at all) but the lost anchor was the real reason to skip a port!

I made 3 Oceania Cruises. Always at least 1 port was skipped.

 

My experience with Azamara:

The quality of everything is decreasing and the prizes are higher.

After 12 cruises a simple email of mine (after I got incorrect information, to say it friendly) is not answered by them.

I will not retrun anymore before I get their reply!

Unfortunately it is a dishonest non communicating company

 

Personally, I find your post hard to believe -- about both Oceania and Azamara.

You should definitely try other lines. You seem not to be a good fit for either and no sense spending money on cruise lines that you do not think are trustworthy.

Edited December 1, 2013 by pacheco18

[Neilio]

This Joe-Neth is posting the same exact message on multiple threads.....take with a pound if salt.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[ellbon]

This Joe-Neth is posting the same exact message on multiple threads.....take with a pound if salt.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

i never have seen his name on the boards..

[Sanatee]

This Joe-Neth is posting the same exact message on multiple threads.....take with a pound if salt.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

...or use the Ignore option!

[pacheco18]

...or use the Ignore option!

 

Plus 1

 

He has a total of FIVE posts on Cruise Critic

All are extremely negative.

He is obviously someone to be completely ignored.

[wangeling gal]

I, like many others, are very curious as to what Azamara has done so dishonestly, to cause Jo-Neth to post the same post 5 times on the boards.

 

But I take from this that they are so frustrated at the lack of an answer from Azamara, that they are hoping that by posting this many times, they are going to guilt/shame/scare Azamara into answering them.

 

As has been repeated so often on CC, the shoreside communication, website difficulties and strange management decisions, can be very discouraging, and can and will, put people off cruising with Azamara, which is a shame as most of us know once aboard the Journey or Quest, the experience is fabulous.

 

I truly hope that the shoreside team get their act together, and start communicating with their customers, and fix the problems, before more posts like this have an effect on their bottom line and we lose such a wonderful cruising experience.

 

All those cruising soon, may you have a wonderful time!!

Edited December 3, 2013 by wangeling gal
added words

[rodan]

Having sailed on both twice for 14 day cruises on the R-ships I can offer the following observations:

 

MDR-I would give it to Oceania as I found more variety and better food.

Special Dining-Oceania and its free with no cover charge-Azamara was a $5 charge when I sailed but those days are over.

Casual dining-a tie except for the outdoor dining during the day is Oceania hands down-why -great variety including lobster and filet mignon sandwiches and also Kobe burgers.

Entertainment-a draw at most but I did feel the special guest entertainers on Azamara were better.

Staff- I give that to Azamara-a much warmer feeling.

Ship conditions-Overall I give it to Oceania and that is before the $50 million overhaul. I last sailed on the Quest in 2010 and sailed on the Nautica in 2013.

Guests-To me the same mix of people maybe a bit more affluent on Oceania.

Itineraries-Edge-Azamara-longer port stays and now more overnights.

 

 

Conclusion-I prefer Oceania especially on price and Azamara has gotten too expensive and that is due to their free wine and liquor program. For people who do not drink or drink occasionally (a little wine with one's meal) this is a turnoff. That is one reason I will never cruise on an all-inclusive-why pay for things you will not need or use? I would prefer to take more sailings and forego amenities that I do not need or care for.

 

When I compare price Oceania wins hands down and that is too bad because I do like Azamara. I am also a loyal Celebrity cruiser. If Azamara wants to grow they should rethink their pricing and perhaps build a couple of new ships at around 50-60,000 tons and 1200 passengers. They would lure a lot more of their base (Celebrity and RCL cruisers) in addition to other cruisers that want a more upscale experience and smaller ships without paying a fortune(albeit a small one).

 

Just my thoughts,

Rodan

[riandei]

Having sailed on both twice for 14 day cruises on the R-ships I can offer the following observations:

 

MDR-I would give it to Oceania as I found more variety and better food.

Special Dining-Oceania and its free with no cover charge-Azamara was a $5 charge when I sailed but those days are over.

Casual dining-a tie except for the outdoor dining during the day is Oceania hands down-why -great variety including lobster and filet mignon sandwiches and also Kobe burgers.

Entertainment-a draw at most but I did feel the special guest entertainers on Azamara were better.

Staff- I give that to Azamara-a much warmer feeling.

Ship conditions-Overall I give it to Oceania and that is before the $50 million overhaul. I last sailed on the Quest in 2010 and sailed on the Nautica in 2013.

Guests-To me the same mix of people maybe a bit more affluent on Oceania.

Itineraries-Edge-Azamara-longer port stays and now more overnights.

 

 

Conclusion-I prefer Oceania especially on price and Azamara has gotten too expensive and that is due to their free wine and liquor program. For people who do not drink or drink occasionally (a little wine with one's meal) this is a turnoff. That is one reason I will never cruise on an all-inclusive-why pay for things you will not need or use? I would prefer to take more sailings and forego amenities that I do not need or care for.

 

When I compare price Oceania wins hands down and that is too bad because I do like Azamara. I am also a loyal Celebrity cruiser. If Azamara wants to grow they should rethink their pricing and perhaps build a couple of new ships at around 50-60,000 tons and 1200 passengers. They would lure a lot more of their base (Celebrity and RCL cruisers) in addition to other cruisers that want a more upscale experience and smaller ships without paying a fortune(albeit a small one).

 

Just my thoughts,

Rodan

 

Thanks for posting your thoughts....we are loyal celeb customers and are trying azamara in may. We purchased under the BUY AN INSIDE GET A BALCONY promo...so i felt our price was reasonable....but i have no prior azamara experience to compare it to. We do enjoy a few cocktails at night but would have no problem paying for them. Im hoping that this brand can grow. We are not unhappy with celebrity....just looking for something new.

 

I will try to remember to post back after our may cruise