Azamara vs celebrity

[LabGuy64]

Hi,

 

For those who have sailed both lines what are the major differences? We travel in Royal or Penthouse level suites so which line gave the best experience at that level, if any have done it on both lines

[Project_gal]

We have sailed twice on Azamara in [what used to be called] a Penthouse [the largest suite on Aamara] and 10 times on Celebrity, twice in a CS, twice in a RS and 5 times in a PH [on both M-class and S-class ships].

 

On Azamara, you will be invited to the "Best of the Best" dinner [at least, that was the case up to 2011, our last Azamara cruise] and, on our second cruise, were escorted to our suite a little earlier than other guests but, other than that, I cannot recall being treated any differently to any other passenger. If you are used to cruising in a RS and PH on Celebrity, you will be aware that there are many, usually very discreet ways, that they make your cruise feel very special on Celebrity.

 

The PH suite on Azamara is, IMHO, poorly designed, bland and poorly maintained. The exact same botched repair of a wall light was still there two years after first Azamara cruise. There is so much that they could do to improve the Azamara PH by spending just a few thousand dollars - a second shower in the guest bathroom, adding a walk-in closet, a proper door between the bedroom and sitting room, some nicer furniture and redecoration.

 

Some say that the butlers are better on Azamara but we would disagree. With have had many better on Celebrity. Azamara boast that there butlers are all trained by the company that also train the butlers for Raffles Singapore. The Raffles butlers are the worst we have ever come across by a very long way!

 

The Azamara PH balconies have a wonderful aft view but, then, so do the M-class PHs. However, the balcony walls are metal rather than glass so much of the advantage over the S-class PH balconies is lost. The Azamara PH balconies are not even as large as that of the S-class balcony.

 

The Azamara PH does have a huge amount of closet space even if it is not very attractive.

 

Be aware that, if you book what used to be called the RS on Azamara, the suites are forward facing and you will find the balcony windy when in motion.

 

Having said all that, for us, it is the smaller ship that really does not suit us as much. We are not a keen as others on the overnights that Azamara majors on. The ships are completely dead those nights unless you want to join everyone else round the pool watching local dancers or the like. If you eat in the specialty restaurants on those nights, they have to drag the sommelier from the pool deck to serve your wine! Small ships are also less able to absorb large groups than the larger ships. If you are unlucky enough to have a few of these on your cruise, as we were on our second Azamara cruise, it can make for an unpleasant experience.

 

In short, IMHO, Azamara should be cruised for the destinations rather than the shipboard experience. If you do that, only choose the higher-end suites if you really want the space and not the rest of the PH experience.

[LabGuy64]

Thanks for the insight.......

[chemmo]

Read your comments with interest. We had been looking at Azamara and wondering if we were missing anything with not having tried. One of the things that had put us off was that the high end suites did not sound or look too good.

 

Now I know I am not missing anything I will stick to Celebrity!

[santrah]

Both Azamara ships are due for major refurbs, their website shows some impressive new staterooms! Perhaps ask this question on the Azamara forum too.

Only you can decide what you want from your holiday, either way you will have a good holiday!

[Gordoncruickshank]

We are doing a ship visit to the Quest tomorrow. If we get a chance to see these suites I will post after then

[excitedofharpenden]

Comparing the two lines is difficult because they are very different experiences and the importance and relevance of these differences depends upon the cruiser. I can offer you my thoughts based around the cruises I've done on each.

 

First of all the main thing that first hits you is the size of the ship. When you walk on you can easily see from one side of the ship to the other. Because of this there aren't so many venues, but it has a much cosier and inclusive feel than either Celebrity class of ship. I really dislike the Pool Deck on Celebrity, but it's a much more pleasant experience on Azamara. The new deck furniture they have there is great. Overall though the ship doesn't have the wow factor of a Celebrity vessel.

 

Food in the MDR I feel is a step up from Celebrity. Staying in a suite you have free access to the two Specialty restaurants throughout the cruise if you want to do that. I prefer Prime C to Aqualina. Aqualina now rotates its menu so on a 14 night cruise it will change half way through, but then doesn't change for another 14 nights so if you are on a b2b for example you'll have the same menu for a couple of weeks.

 

Service I have found to be superior on Azamara. Much more personal. The officers are a lot more visible around the ship and will freely engage with passengers. Not uncommon for them to come and join tables with other guests at lunchtime in the buffet. Depending upon your cruise destination the Captain and/or Exec Chef may get off the ship and do some shopping for local food. Strawberries in Norway was one. Yum!

 

Azamara is advertised as a destination immersion experience which means staying late in port to see the sights at night is important or sometimes overnight on one two or even three nights. At a number of ports, when the big cruise ships have left and onto their next port, Azamara will still be there for a few hours and the crowds will have gone. Because of their small size the ships are able to dock much closer in. This sometimes makes a big difference and I'm thinking Seville, Bordeaux, Kotor, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Venice, but there are many others.

 

Being so much smaller as a ship the standard cabins and balconies are not as big as Celebrity. It's unfair to compare Azamara's largest cabin with a PH on Celebrity because it's less than half the size. Probably better to pitch it against a Royal Suite in terms of size. I've been lucky to stay in a Club World Ocean Suite a few times. The balconies are bigger and more usable than an RS on Celebrity. They hold a Best of the Best Dinner in the Library for the big suites and VIPS attended by for of the officers and it's a lovely evening.

 

A correction of Project Gal as she hasn't been on Azamara for over four years. They updated the large suites on Azamara in October last year with new furnishings and carpets. They look much better now, but are work in progress. When the ships dry dock early next year the bathrooms in them will be completely ripped out and redone and other updates within the cabin. Here's a link with details. More information on staterooms and suites to come next week we are told, but the other main thing in the large suites will be the improved electricals and sound in the room.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2015/06/03/azamara-cruise-ship-makeover/28356869/

 

I love both lines and cruise on Celebrity and Azamara. As I said they are very different, but I've had my most memorable cruise experiences on Azamara. I first cruised with trepidation on them in September 2011 and I'll be on number 17 later this month.

 

Hopefully you'll get some replies here, but it may be a good idea to post on the Azamara board too, for some alternative perspectives.

 

Phil

[excitedofharpenden]

If you wanted some pics of the cabin I've put some here:

 

http://s1325.photobucket.com/user/excitedofharpenden/library/Azamara%20Cabins?sort=2&page=1

 

Phil

[excitedofharpenden]

Read your comments with interest. We had been looking at Azamara and wondering if we were missing anything with not having tried. One of the things that had put us off was that the high end suites did not sound or look too good.

 

Now I know I am not missing anything I will stick to Celebrity!

You read one comment on this thread about the big suites and make up your mind based on that? Very odd.

 

Phil

[uktog]

I have to disagree with the comment regarding the butlers. I can name two excellent butlers on Celebrity unfortunately I can also name three shockers including two Head Butlers who looked after us in RS as head butler on Summit and Silhouette. I believe both are still in post on S class ships. The change of butlers on Celebrity is constant, on Azamara it has been the same guys for three years and that shows in terms of their interactions with guests. Never had a bad one there.

 

I have never had a sommelier issue and for us, the delights of being slightly later back each night as no 5pm sail away, leisurely drink and meal is worth a LOT! No staff faffing on who's to be charged for what, all staff concentrate on service and because a layer of two of management is missing you never hear anyone say, I'll have to ask my supervisor, manager whatever..and these are words you do hear even in RS on X

 

Bear in mind, ships are getting a lovely refurb very soon so what you see now is not what you will get next year!

 

One current perk, granted its for all suites, is the private front sun deck. Another is priority often better transport to the AzamazingEvening, better seats etc

 

Azamara makes everyone special, yes suites even more so, but they perhaps don't go OTT for top suite guests, if that matters for you then Azamara is not the line for you!

Edited July 10, 2015 by uktog

[excitedofharpenden]

 

Azamara makes everyone special, yes suites even more so, but they perhaps don't go OTT for top suite guests, if that matters for you then Azamara is not the line for you!

 

I think that is a very good point. I've always had great butlers too, but then I'm not high maintenance.

 

Phil

Edited July 10, 2015 by excitedofharpenden

[hcat]

Have been thinking about Azamara for awhile...the website is very easy and informative....

 

.we are a bit concerned about ship size....esp if bad weather crops up...hoping to see one of the ships in port so we can get a better idea...

 

seems smaller and half number of pax than Mercury...which will always be our fav ship...even if she did dip quite a bit in a storm once heading back to Fla....

[Merriem]

The ships on Azamara are the same size as the smaller ones on Oceania. We spent 10 days in a Vista Suite. Lovely suite with and extra half bath. The size of the ship was fine. I think rough weather has a lot of movement regardless of the size of the ship. I will say there was not much going on, but the food was excellent.

[Bobal]

Azamara makes everyone special, yes suites even more so, but they perhaps don't go OTT for top suite guests, if that matters for you then Azamara is not the line for you!

 

I have read this thread with interest but wasn't going to comment until I saw this sentence. I have sailed on X 6 times and on Azamara once (and many many times on Royal Caribbean) but none of them in a large suite hence my reluctance to chime in.

 

Nevertheless I think the above sentence sums up my perspective on Azamara - everyone is made to feel special, we didn't notice any sense of entitlement from fellow-guests or special treatment of individuals as everyone was made to feel just as important.

 

I think this may be the nub for some - they really do have to have that extra edge when sailing in a big suite and perhaps don't get that so much on Azamara.

Edited July 10, 2015 by Bobal

[Grandma Gilly]

We are going back to X after 7 Azamara cruises and this was purely itinerary-lead.

I'm so worried that I will hate being on such a large and impersonal ship.

[RocketMan275]

Azamara does not do formal nights only resort casual.

[Ma Bell]

My most memorable experiences have to do with the people with whom I spend my time, nextt come the staff and crew and last the physical property.

[need2cruisesoon]

If you like an intimate atmosphere then AZ will be perfect for you.

Edited July 10, 2015 by need2cruisesoon

[J.E.C]

I have read this thread with interest but wasn't going to comment until I saw this sentence. I have sailed on X 6 times and on Azamara once (and many many times on Royal Caribbean) but none of them in a large suite hence my reluctance to chime in.

 

Nevertheless I think the above sentence sums up my perspective on Azamara - everyone is made to feel special, we didn't notice any sense of entitlement from fellow-guests or special treatment of individuals as everyone was made to feel just as important.

 

I think this may be the nub for some - they really do have to have that extra edge when sailing in a big suite and perhaps don't get that so much on Azamara.

 

I have to agree - Azamara makes everyone feel special and the senior officers are so visible and friendly. Yes you get that on X but they can't get to know you as they can on Azamara and engage in friendly chat and banter. The staff seem less hurried and have that time and willingness to engage.

 

Don't get me wrong we also love X and have never had the pleasure of a suite. For us it is destination that is important and these are the two cruise lines we favour.

[hcat]

I have read this thread with interest but wasn't going to comment until I saw this sentence. I have sailed on X 6 times and on Azamara once (and many many times on Royal Caribbean) but none of them in a large suite hence my reluctance to chime in.

 

Nevertheless I think the above sentence sums up my perspective on Azamara - everyone is made to feel special, we didn't notice any sense of entitlement from fellow-guests or special treatment of individuals as everyone was made to feel just as important.

 

I think this may be the nub for some - they really do have to have that extra edge when sailing in a big suite and perhaps don't get that so much on Azamara.

 

Celebrity used to be like that....everyone was treated like a Celebrity...until they built bigger ships and apparently decided they could not possibly dote on all of us anymore! We are happy in AQ class but felt more pampered on Cunard.....even though on a much bigger ship in a regular cabin..

 

.I do not care that Celeb suite guests get certain perks for a higher fare, but every customer should matter equally....you never know when they might book the big suite. Seems Azamara is a good choice......but are the ships too small?..

Edited July 10, 2015 by hcat

[Lois R]

We are going back to X after 7 Azamara cruises and this was purely itinerary-lead.

I'm so worried that I will hate being on such a large and impersonal ship.

 

Please don't take this the wrong way, but if you are preparing to

"hate being on such a large ship"...then you will probably not enjoy

yourself......why not go with an open mind and maybe you will

end up enjoying yourself?

[Loracpin2]

I'm so happy to read all these positive Azamara comments, especailly from Phil. After 21 Celebrity cruises, we're taking our first cruise on the Quest next August. I've been on the Azamara boards a few times since we've booked but, they are no ways as active as Celebrity's. Luckily Phil is a major contributor there.

 

We've wanted to try Azamara but was always hesitant because of the size of the ship. I kept on thinking, this is even smaller the the Horizon, can I handle it? Then I found this fnatastic itinerary, and the decision was madefor us. We booked a balcony cabin. At first I was very concerned, unitl I finally realized the were the same size as a regular balcony cabin on the M class ships. Since we enjoyed and survived many cruises in those cabins before we moved up to concierge class and then got spoiled with AQ on the Solstice class, I figured we could manage once again in a smaller cabin especially after I saw the pictures of the schedule renovations.

[uktog]

Just thinking, if the Azamara top suite is good enough for Sir Roger Moore, it's good enough for us!

 

Re ships movement, I find no difference between the two, if anything our worst two were on Celebrity, but weather conditions can get you anywhere

 

What does help is how Azamara captains tell you honestly - one Captain has a phrase about "popping a pill if you need one". What's great is they also say I'd take it about X, I expect we might have swell, waves whatever around Y and hope to be clear of it by Z. So those prone to issues really have all the info to help them manage things. Don't hear that so much if at all on other lines. They also have baskets of sugared ginger at reception and basic pills on a help yourself basis

[uktog]

We are going back to X after 7 Azamara cruises and this was purely itinerary-lead.

I'm so worried that I will hate being on such a large and impersonal ship.

 

I know what you mean. We have done two itinerary driven Celebrity cruises in the last year (New England and Alaska) and before the first, we felt the same. Yes it is a larger ship and you have to avoid noticing the negatives (yes you will say it's not like this on Azamara) however concentrate on enjoying the destinations you are cruising for and you may be pleasantly surprised - for example not sure what type of room you are having but it could be Luminae, bigger range of speciality restaurants, better shower. Or you prefer a type of show or swimming pool, we each are different!...)

 

For us, destination and dates drive our choice, and if either can do it then yes, the choice will be Azamara but we are still giving some of the kids inheritance to Celebrity.

[alcpa1]

Once onboard one of the Azamara fleet you quickly forget the issue of SIZE. The itineraries and ambiance top everything.

After 40+ cruises we have learned to appreciate almost each sailing. We've done, and will do, the same itinerary over and over again as a floating vacation but Azamara cruises are definitely itinerary driven. For us the overnights are wonderful. One port not mentioned is St. Petersburg. Three nights docked within sight of The Hermitage beats anything Celebrity can offer - and, we are devoted Celebrity cruisers.

We look forward to the newly furnished ships and are waiting for the 2017 itineraries.