Azamara vs SeaDream

[oliveau]

We have just done a TA with SeaDream so I thought I'd post some comparisons.

 

Cost:

SD tends to be dearer than Az, but for a TA the price we paid was similar to an Az TA with a midships deck 7 balcony.

 

Ship size:

SD 1/2 are tiny compared with the R class ships - something that was really noticeable when we docked next to Oceania Sirena. BUT there were 77 passengers (capacity is 112), with 93 crew and the ship was very easy to move about as everything is on only 5 decks. The ships are much narrower in beam so tend to roll more, but it's not unbearable. We had a deck 3 forward cabin, but found that there was very little pitching.

 

Embarkation:

Very easy with so few pax. We embarked at Malaga and there was a bag drop at the drop off point - something that was sadly lacking with our Az 2013 embarkation. Embarkation does not commence until 2.00. On board we were greeted by the Norwegian captain (he knows Captain Johannes) and by the Thai Spa girls in traditional dress who gave us a glass of champagne and escorted us to the Salon. Main reception is through from the salon where we were quickly issued with our passes. Our cabin stewardess met us and took us to our cabin, and baggage arrived shortly thereafter

 

Cabins:

Deck 2 cabins have portholes only, whereas deck 3 & 4 have windows. There are no balconies on SD, But we really didn't miss that as you actually spend all day on deck.

The cabins are about the same size as an AZ V3 stateroom. They are finished in a very attractive light oak. There is more storage than AZ, but other than that the staterooms are very similar. However, the bed and bedding are better on AZ since the SD beds are a bit smaller and there are individual quilts but no top sheet, and less cushions for daytime relaxing and TV watching.

The SD bathroom has little storage space, no clothes line, BUT a glass shower screen.

Overall it's just a win for AZ.

 

Eating:

Breakfast and lunch were served on the outside upper decks, 5&6, with dinner being served in the deck 2 restaurant (although as the weather improved there was the option to eat outside).

Although there were breakfast and lunch buffets, in practice the waiters would bring whatever you chose to the table. There was proper tea in Bodum filter pots!

There were always plenty of tables on the outside decks and you can choose to eat under cover or outside.

Dinner was open seating like AZ, but because there were so many repeat customers who formed groups it was often not easy to find a table to share and we often dined 'a deux' which some other couples chose to do anyway.

Food all round was exquisite with a wide choice.

Definitely a healthy home win for SD.

 

Drink:

All inclusive, so unlimited wine at lunch and dinner, including champagne -indeed, some had champagne for breakfast! However, the wine was not the quality of the AZ offerings.

Beer at the 4 bars was Heineken, with some other bottled beers - but who wants beer. when you an drink champagne all day?

Complimentary spirits were good quality including Glennfiddich, Courvoisier, Grand Marnier and a lovely Calvados. There really was no need to pay for top shelf drinks.

Nearly a good win for SD but AZ score a late equaliser with wine quality.

 

Deck space:

No need to fight for chairs as there are plenty of chairs on the deck 3 aft pool deck as well as decks 5&6. There are also Balinese Beds on deck 6 where one can arrange to spend the night under the stars.

AZ sun beds score well ahead of the SD ones for comfort.

 

Activities:

SD has a Spa and a gym but we used neither, although the Spa seemed to be expensive. There is an indoor golg range, and under normal Carribean/Med cruises water sorts are available off the deck 2 platform.

There were 2 very good guest speakers and a trivia quiz, which didn't quite match the intensity of Eric's!

After dinner activities revolved around the Casino (just 1 Blackjack table)' the piano bar and the deck 6 Top of the Yacht bar, although there were games such as Charades into Salon on some evenings.

Yes, we missed Eric, but were never bored in the evenings.

 

Crew and service:

On a par with AZ. Some Filipino waiters but quite a few E. Europeans - Very good, but they don't have the happy Filipino smiles!

 

Fellow pax:

Well heeled Brits and Americans, Norwegians, Belgians, Germans, Canadians and Australians.

 

Overall:

We misses Heike, Johannes, Eric, Dale and so many others, so we'll be back one day, but it's SD for next autumn's TA.

[TrulyBlonde]

I have been on both. SD in the Caribbean is the only way to go unless you have your own private yacht. It is hard to compare (80) on board SD when I was on it vs: 684 passengers. The service is top notch (true 5*)

 

I guess what I am saying is that there is no comparison and SD is the winner for me.