How does Azamara compare to Crystal?

[donizetti]

Just wondering if anyone here has been on both and what their views were

[Tillylovesseabourn]

I will be able to tell you in another months time. However, I know that Azamara is considered to be a preium line alongside Oceania and Crystal, Seabourn, Silversea, Regent,Sea Dream etc are considered luxury lines. So, i would expect there to be differences in the minutiae of things. I have always been curious so will report back on my findings.

[Riocca]

We have booked Crystal for January 2018 as Azamara didn't have any itineraries that appealed to us and will be interested in your experiences on Crystal.

[tv24]

Been on Crystal twice (once in 2015) and on AZ four times (2015 & 2016). The Crystal ships are larger (1,000 pax) and can support more activities of a higher caliber. Crystal's enrichment program may be the best on the seas, while AZ's is sort of meh. Crystal's food is better in all venues than the comparable venues on AZ. Crystal's inclusive beverage service is way more inclusive. Service on Crystal is of the luxury cruise line category while AZ's is just plain very good. But here is why we love AZ and will continue to cruise AZ, while I doubt if we will return to Crystal for many years: AZ's passengers are super-friendly and social, no snobbery, and are more youthful and active. Crystal caters to a very, very, very, very, very mature age group and we found it almost impossible to make any friends on board. It was very unfriendly and downright weird. And generally one pays a lot more for the Crystal luxury experience than the AZ almost-luxury experience.

Edited May 20, 2016 by tv24

[MightyQuinn]

... Crystal caters to a very, very, very, very, very mature age group and we found it almost impossible to make any friends on board. It was very unfriendly and downright weird...

Crystal has been on our radar for a while but we've always hesitated, as we thought the demographic was just as you described. Then we attended a cruise presentation by Crystal hosted by a local TA and we learned that the "average" passenger was well travelled, active, mid-50s to mid-60s. Well that sounds like us! Maybe it was a sales pitch and I'm sure many Crystal passengers don't fit that profile, but it was enough to have us reconsider. So we're taking a short and close-to-home "test" cruise on Crystal in 3 weeks to experience the product first-hand for ourselves.

[florisdekort]

I have been very loyal to Azamara (and will continue to sail them) but with only two ships the itineraries have become too repetitive to my liking. I cruised Seabourn for the first time in 2015 and greatly enjoyed it. Cabins, food, service, etc. are all a step up from Azamara although you also pay a lot more. That said, crew- and especially officer engagement is a lot warmer on Azamara. The passengers are friendlier too.

 

I've booked my first cruise on Crystal for 2017, the North West passage from Vancouver to New York over the top of North America. I booked it solely for the unique itinerary and if Azamara would have had more ships and sailed this route I would undoubtedly sailed with them. But alas.

 

Floris

[pvkatmom]

I have been very loyal to Azamara (and will continue to sail them) but with only two ships the itineraries have become too repetitive to my liking. I cruised Seabourn for the first time in 2015 and greatly enjoyed it. Cabins, food, service, etc. are all a step up from Azamara although you also pay a lot more. That said, crew- and especially officer engagement is a lot warmer on Azamara. The passengers are friendlier too.

 

I've booked my first cruise on Crystal for 2017, the North West passage from Vancouver to New York over the top of North America. I booked it solely for the unique itinerary and if Azamara would have had more ships and sailed this route I would undoubtedly sailed with them. But alas.

 

Floris

 

Like Floris, we are largely itinerary driven. We cruised Seabourn May 2015-- their 10 day itinerary (Venice-Athens) was actually cheaper than the Croatia itinerary I wanted on AZ. We loved Seabourn as much as we love Azamara-- these are probably the two lines we will look at for future voyages -- as we've decided we like smaller ships-- but not too small, we don't like Silverseas ( I admit its been a loooong time since we were on that line, but the reviews don't seem that great).

In fact, we are on AZ Journey in Dec 2016 for Singapore, Indonesia, Bali cruise. We did the Azamara Rio Christmas/New Year's trip 2014/2015-- GREAT, it is what made us love this line-- friendly crew and pax, very nice food, no crowding. Cruised Crystal, too, but as it was quite awhile ago, not fair to compare. But for us, AZ's longer times in port and overnights are wonderful-- neither of the other lines seems to really have this yet.

[tv24]

Crystal has been on our radar for a while but we've always hesitated, as we thought the demographic was just as you described. Then we attended a cruise presentation by Crystal hosted by a local TA and we learned that the "average" passenger was well travelled, active, mid-50s to mid-60s. Well that sounds like us! Maybe it was a sales pitch and I'm sure many Crystal passengers don't fit that profile, but it was enough to have us reconsider. So we're taking a short and close-to-home "test" cruise on Crystal in 3 weeks to experience the product first-hand for ourselves.

 

A test drive makes a lot of sense, and I'm all for it! In fact we are thinking of doing the same thing on Oceania, a short trip to see if it's our cup of tea. I'm sure you will find lots of things about Crystal to love as we did.

[Lottie A]

Donizetti, I have only cruised once on Crystal, but many times on Azamara. It is not really comparing apples with apples as Crystal ships are bigger and of course, have the luxury label, but I will do my best to state my personal opinion.

 

Like others, I thought the enrichment programme and guest speakers were excellent and I have to confess that I barely notice them on Azamara. Our Penthouse suite on Crystal was just gorgeous, rather similar in decor to the new reimagined Azamara ships and with a huge balcony. Standard balcony cabins are about the same on both cruiselines.

Food was great on Crystal, but with many rich sauces and cooked in butter. I really liked the Tastes Restaurant, but I do prefer Azamara speciality restaurants....food is good on both ships, but the relaxed ambience on Azamara is more to my liking. I really liked The Cove Bar and of course, there is a proper theatre on Crystal but in my opinion, the entertainment, although low key, is better on Azamara. The three AZ cruise directors Russ, Tony and Eric are very talented entertainers in their own right and really do interact with the guests onboard. Not so much the case on Crystal. There is nothing to compare with White Night on Azamara either. The age demographic on my Crystal cruise must have been predominantly in their 70's/80's and there were only about 10 people in the Pulse Disco at night. At least the dance floor wasn't crowded! The Azamara late night disco can be lively at night with some very good DJ's. I like to dance.

 

There are formal nights on Crystal but not on Azamara. I quite like dressing up, as does my partner, but you might not want to wear an evening dress or tux. If so, then Azamara is the cruise line for you. It's kind of country club casual.

Entertainment....the Casino on Crystal is much better than Azamara's poor offering. I do hope they have upgraded the really old fashioned slot machines during the reimagine process. However, with Azamara's long stays in ports and overnighters the casino is not open that often. Azamara has great piano entertainment, Max and Ed are great to listen to and don't mind you chatting during their sets. The pianist on Crystal was very talented but played mostly classical music and trad jazz. I felt I had to be quiet and sit and listen without talking. Anyone who knows me will tell you that's practically impossible for me!

 

The thing that I did particularly notice was that the passengers, who were certainly in the older demographic, had an attitude of entitlement. They were not always polite to the crew....or other passengers. I actually saw one man click his fingers at a waiter and say "here". :eek: Also the first thing they wanted to know was "what is your job"? It was as if they wanted to pigeonhole your social standing. You won't find that on Azamara....just pleasant, well travelled and cultured people who are friendly and willing to chat about anything. However we did meet some lovely people on Crystal....including Spanish Royal Family members who were so charming and relaxed....you would never have known. We spent a lot of time with them and never realised until the Captain addressed them by title at dinner.

 

The crew were very helpful on Crystal and the service was great, but the officers did not interact with the passengers much at all. We missed that ....on Azamara it's the thing that sets them apart from other cruise lines. We did get invited to the Captain's Table but I have to say that although very pleasant, he was no Captain Carl or Captain Johannes, with their easy manners and welcoming hospitality.

To sum up, would we cruise Crystal again? Yes, in a heartbeat if the itinerary and price appeals. Would I prefer it over a similar Azamara cruise? No, I would choose Azamara every time. You can always buy a luxury experience, but the feeling of welcome and genuine happiness to see you back on Azamara cannot be bought. It's the crew that make Azamara special and that wins for me every time.

 

Can't wait to be back on Journey in a few weeks. :)

 

Whichever cruise line you choose, I hope you have a wonderful time.

[Tillylovesseabourn]

I was not overly thrilled with crystal. I thought every bar was smoky, and the main dining room food to be distinctly average. The Nobu restaurant was fantastic and the italian Prego was also very good. I was not blown away by the buffet offerings at lunch time either, but they did a beautiful salmon fillet dish al fresco by the pool.

 

An older demographic, apart from some conference people and alot of japanese travellers too.

 

I did like the fact that people made more effort to dress up on crystal and it reminded me of the original Seabourn, which i loved.

 

The crew members were absent to the passengers, and apart from one couple who were Seabourners and trying crystal for the first time, we didnt speak to anyone. It was unfriendly and there were lots of people on a conference who were noisy and ignorant, and crystal did nothing about them.

 

The upshot for us, and the couple we met up with, was that it was good to try it but we wouldnt be going back in a hurry. Compared to the lines we were used to it just didnt cut it for me.

[Tillylovesseabourn]

To add, i think crystal languishes at the bottom of my cruise list being only just ahead of Silversea and the dreadful ponant.

I would have to be paid to go on another SS or Ponant cruise!

[florisdekort]

Tilly, having learned a lot from your many posts on the Seabourn forum ahead of my first Seabourn cruise last year, I really look forward to reading your thoughts on Azamara when you return!

[Tillylovesseabourn]

Floris, thankyou, i will definately post back. I am really looking forward to trying it. I have my suite booking confirmed and am ready to go!

[Hoyaheel]

I've booked my first cruise on Crystal for 2017, the North West passage from Vancouver to New York over the top of North America. I booked it solely for the unique itinerary

 

We just received the flyer in the mail yesterday featuring that itinerary and were drooling!! It's a little too long (and undoubtedly too expensive) for us at the moment, but I'm really looking forward to hearing how it is! (my husband says he'd just be out on the balcony the entire time - probably true!:D)

[Host Jazzbeau]

A test drive makes a lot of sense, and I'm all for it! In fact we are thinking of doing the same thing on Oceania, a short trip to see if it's our cup of tea. I'm sure you will find lots of things about Crystal to love as we did.

 

From reading a wide variety of the boards on Cruise Critic, one common refrain is that the short cruises are NOT a good introduction to the ambience and service of any cruise line. The crew never has a chance to get into a rhythm or to be become really familiar with the passengers, so the atmosphere is always a little more chaotic and less welcoming that the line is "known" for.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

From reading a wide variety of the boards on Cruise Critic, one common refrain is that the short cruises are NOT a good introduction to the ambience and service of any cruise line. The crew never has a chance to get into a rhythm or to be become really familiar with the passengers, so the atmosphere is always a little more chaotic and less welcoming that the line is "known" for.

 

Well that's a strange thing to say, imho. If I can't take a 7-day cruise to find out if I like a line, what the heck am I going to do? Here I am going to do my first Azamara cruise in the fall, and so it will be a waste because I won't have time to appreciate it?

[excitedofharpenden]

Well that's a strange thing to say, imho. If I can't take a 7-day cruise to find out if I like a line, what the heck am I going to do? Here I am going to do my first Azamara cruise in the fall, and so it will be a waste because I won't have time to appreciate it?

 

You will be fine on a week's cruise. It will give you a good flavour. My first Azamara cruise was a week and it was plenty of time to decide. If it was a three day Caribbean trip then maybe not, but 7 days on Azamara is ample to sample the product. I think I'm right in saying Host Jazzbeau hasn't been on an Azamara ship yet. I wish some would refrain from making baseless comments on here that panic others. Fear not!

 

Phil

[Host Jazzbeau]

Well that's a strange thing to say, imho. If I can't take a 7-day cruise to find out if I like a line, what the heck am I going to do? Here I am going to do my first Azamara cruise in the fall, and so it will be a waste because I won't have time to appreciate it?

 

"Short" cruises in the general CC terminology means 3-4 days. Sorry for the confusion. I forget that most people don't read all the CC boards.

Edited May 21, 2016 by Host Jazzbeau

[excitedofharpenden]

"Short" cruises in the general CC terminology means 3-4 days. Sorry for the confusion. I forget that most people don't read all the CC boards.

 

Aside from the Monaco Grand Prix Azamara don't do any "short" cruises.

 

Phil

[workingtocruise-59]

Aside from the Monaco Grand Prix Azamara don't do any "short" cruises.

 

Phil

 

Usually they don't but exceptionally they do. We were on the "cancelled drydock Quest" last September/October for ( I think) a 3/8/4 day b2b2b.

We explained to many people we met onboard that we thought it would be difficult to fully understand and appreciate the uniqueness of the Azamara experience in three or four days ( though we believe that some did).

We agree that a seven day cruise would provide plenty of opportunity and to try the "product" and to form an opinion.

[workingtocruise-59]

And, exceptionally, Journey has a three night Rome to Rome "Weekend Getaway Voyage" this August.

[TrulyBlonde]

Aside from the Monaco Grand Prix Azamara don't do any "short" cruises.

 

Phil

 

True. I have cruised on AZ twice. 1st time was wonderful, 2nd time was nice too, but wear and tear on the ship and cabin were not to our standards. I cancelled another AZ cruise based on these issues. I stated I would NEVER cruise on AZ again unless they upgraded their interior space. Never say Never. Issue resolved, and I do have a cruise booked on them for Spring 2017 with a fabulous itinerary.

 

The itineraries are why I chose to cruise with AZ the 1st time and now will return. My 1st was possibly 7 to 10 days, as are most. Wendy the Wanderer will be just fine and get a good feel for the ship and what it has to offer. She also likes PG and it was one of my favorite cruises. I have seen her post often on other Boards and have a feeling for her likes and dislikes. I think we are similar, she likes Regent and I like Oceania. Both offer small ships such as AZ, so I personally think she will be just fine.

 

Lottie A is my CC friend and she also seems to enjoy what I like. She is the reason I am giving AZ a try again. We both like wine ;-) I am just teasing, but I like her attitude and trust her judgement.

 

AZ is not a luxury cruise line by any means, but it does tick off most of the boxes, just like Oceania. Wendy, I hope you enjoy your 7 day cruise ;-)

[Lottie A]

Quote Portofino.

Lottie A is my CC friend and she also seems to enjoy what I like. She is the reason I am giving AZ a try again. We both like wine ;-) I am just teasing, but I like her attitude and trust her judgement.

 

I am blushing now! But thanks for that Portofino and I also value your judgement ...which is one of the reasons I am trying Oceania again, as I know you enjoy your cruises with them so much. Will be drinking a glass of red for you on my Nautica cruise in lovely Portofino in October! :)

 

Hope you enjoy your AZ cruise as well. I know it is a way off yet but please let us know how it goes....and as I said before...you never know, I might be joining you for a glass of wine at the CC meeting! :)

Edited May 21, 2016 by Lottie A

[Host Jazzbeau]

Aside from the Monaco Grand Prix Azamara don't do any "short" cruises.

 

Phil

 

To be technical, the post I was replying to was about taking a "test drive" via a "short cruise" on Crystal -- not Azamara. But you are probably correct that Crystal doesn't do <7 day cruises either. In any case, I have sailed Crystal, will be sailing in a Celebrity Suite in a few days, and will be sailing my first Azamara cruise in a few months -- at which point I don't expect to hear any more carping about people who haven't sailed the product having opinions!

[lahlah57]

Have been on AZ and Crystal both in the past 4 years and I feel that rude and snooty as well as welcoming and friendly are on both lines. AZ is not luxury but Crystal is. Food exceeds....enrichment exceeds and crew exceeds on Crystal.

This does not mean I would not go AZ again because I enjoyed them too but Crystal had more distinctive memories connected to it. The details of Crystal stand out in my head more vividly!