calling all Oceania and Azamara cruisers

[auntiemjo]

I would love some advice from those of you who also have recently traveled with NCL. We are bringing my sister and her 4 teenage and tween kids to Bermuda on Dawn out of Boston in August, our 31st cruise, first with NCL and the family's first ever. Apples and oranges I know but any tips on dining or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks so much

[Lancer1568]

We have cruised once on the Azamara Journey among several other cruises on other lines. We have been on NCL three times within the past year and we actually like NCL better than Azamara primarily because of better entertainment and more varied dining choices. The specialty dining on NCL is varied and good. Entertainment is excellent. Enjoy.

[dolita22]

My DH sailed the Azamara Journey in the Med for work in 2011 and enjoyed it. It was his first cruise. His second cruise was with my family on the NCL Epic and he thoroughly enjoyed NCL, moreso than Azamara, but the Epic was huge compared to the Journey - so not necessarily and apples-to-apples comparison.

 

We sailed RCCL last year for our honeymoon, and between the three lines, NCL has been his (and is my) favorite. For us, it's all about Freestyle dining, relaxed and casual atmosphere, and entertainment. We've only dined in complimentary venues on NCL and rarely have we had a bad meal. I like to wear sundresses, but my DH is more of a khakis and polos guy, and we like that dining on NCL is casual (although they do have a Dress Up or Not night) - no having to bring dressy clothes along when limited on suitcase weights (we have to fly to ports).

 

Hope that helps some. Have fun on the Dawn! My parents have sailed twice and really like the ship.

[chloemonkey]

I would love some advice from those of you who also have recently traveled with NCL. We are bringing my sister and her 4 teenage and tween kids to Bermuda on Dawn out of Boston in August, our 31st cruise, first with NCL and the family's first ever. Apples and oranges I know but any tips on dining or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks so much

 

This IS really comparing "apples to oranges" as the lines as well as the ships in question are SO different! We have not sailed on the Journey for a bit over a year....but LOVED it! But that having been said, it was a MUCH older crowd....very well traveled group....and the itinerary was in Europe so the overnights and longer time in ports was great.

 

The food on the Journey was wonderful and we kept remarking that it was better than the food on both regular dining rooms AND specialty restaurants on the mass lines (we have done RCL, Princess, Carnival and TONS of times on NCL)

 

We would love to sail ANY ship on Azamara again....but the simplicity of NCL, the "closer" ports of embarkation AND the great deals that we get from the casino department at NCL keep us coming back to them for more and more! I think we did 4 last year with NCL and 2 this year...with another one booked for October.

 

So.....the decor on the Journey was sedate - lovely but more like an older Ritz Carlton....NCL is a bit more "colorful" but always enjoy seeing what they choose to use in terms of art, upholstery, wall coverings, etc.

 

The crew on the Journey were great....but I would say MOST of the passengers were repeat guests...and many already KNEW the staff. That seems to be the "norm" on Azamara. Whereas the crew on the NCL staffs are just so nice and upbeat and willing to do anything to make your trip memorable and enjoyable...whether or not they "remember" you from past voyages.

 

Cost for NCL makes it easier to take two or more cruises over Azamara....but the longer times in ports does make for a more thorough visit to each port. Shore excursions on Azamara are slanted towards the experienced traveler....we are happy to just get off of the ship and take either a ship sponsored shore excursion or on our own to the beach! Did I mention that I LOVE beaches? So for more historical ports, I would def choose Azamara....for the Caribbean cruises....I love NCL.....also for Mexico I would go with NCL....along with Bahamas, Bermuda, etc...for the most part.

 

The free alcohol/drinks on Azamara are a nice touch...but now there are so many UBP on NCL this is prob a mute point. People on the Azamara ships tend to dress up a bit more....on NCL it is up to you how you choose to dress.....

 

Ok...now that I have rambled on for so long....hope that I gave you some info that you can use in making your decisions! We LOVED Azamara the times that we have been on their ships but also LOVE NCL and have more times spent with NCL at this point. You will probably have a great time on either.....as many have said on these boards...it is ALL what you make of your trip!

[Granny DI]

We've sailed on the Regatta, twice on Azamara Quest and twice on NCL Breakaway in an aft Haven Suite. There is no comparison between the suite on Azamara and the Haven. We sailed in a balcony on the Regatta. We will never sail on Azamara again...too small, too old and too much money. Our next cruises are on the Oosterdam, Breakaway and Pride of America.

[hypercafe]

I would love some advice from those of you who also have recently traveled with NCL. We are bringing my sister and her 4 teenage and tween kids to Bermuda on Dawn out of Boston in August, our 31st cruise, first with NCL and the family's first ever. Apples and oranges I know but any tips on dining or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks so much

 

We have sailed Oceania on the larger ships and lots on the Dawn when she was in NYC. Never on AZ as the ships are to small for us. The dawn is a great ship although it was sad when they added all those suites. There is lots to do both day and night, Food in MDR,s and Buffet is good while the specialty restaurants are excellent, as good as Oceania. Ship has a happy decor that for me speaks "Let the fun begin" I think all age groups will like it, young adults would probably be bored on Oceania. Have a great trip.

[Merriem]

We were on the Regatta in November for 10 days. This was our second Oceania cruise. It was very boring. The MDR had excellent food, and we were not empressed with the speciality restaurants. It was not a very friendly ship, and being in a Vista suite we were supposed to have some extra perks that just did not happen.

 

We are going on the Breakaway in the Haven, and are looking forward to it. I will add that we are early 70's. But felt we were the youngest of the bunch on Oceania

 

It was very much a stuffy country club atmosphere.