Azamara, Why No Casino?!

[Georgia_Peaches]

I often sail Celebrity or RCL but was considering a more intimate experience with a port intensive line like sister company, Azamara.  But in my ship research I have learned that casinos have been, or are scheduled to be removed on Azamara ships.  While I certainly don't cruise for the casino alone, I do love to visit during the evening after a nice dinner and a day of sight seeing.  For all you casino enthusiasts out there, did you miss this venue when you sailed with Azamara, or did you just skip this line altogether in favor of one that has its casinos in tact?

 

PS.  I'm not sure if this issue is a "dead horse" on this board as it's my first visit.  Searches on the topic only garnered a few hits so please forgive me if this is redundant.

Edited July 22, 2019 by Georgia_Peaches
typo

[Werangels]

I think this was the most recent.....

 

 

[Grandma Cruising]

Overall I think there are more posts from those who prefer the new layout on Pursuit & Journey than from those who prefer the casino.

[laurieb]

Our experience is that with late nights and overnight stays on a port intensive cruise, the casino is closed most of the time.  I’ve also noticed, since there are no longer dealers and only electronic gaming now, that very few people visit the casino.  My husband would visit the casino before it was changed over, on the odd evening it was open, but isn’t at all interested in the electronic gaming that’s offered now.  

[Redtravel]

There are many cruise lines that have ditched casinos. Guessing that it wasn’t profitable.  

[marinaro44]

I suspect the added oceanview staterooms on deck 4 that necessitated moving shore excursions and future cruise sales elsewhere are much more lucrative than the casino.  And The Den that resulted from the shifts has become very popular as a music and other activities venue.

[donaldsc]

I have been on several cruises on Azamara ships which did have the casinos.  They tended to be deserted for the limited times that they are open.  They clearly are not making much money considering the space that it takes.

 

DON

[Werangels]

For me a casino needs to have atmosphere and for that it needs to be busy and have croupiers.  It’s fun to play at a full table and adds to the competitiveness.  That will never happen on such a small ship.  Slot machines - no thank you.

[excitedofharpenden]

6 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

PS.  I'm not sure if this issue is a "dead horse" on this board as it's my first visit.  Searches on the topic only garnered a few hits so please forgive me if this is redundant.

Yes, the horse left the starting line, jumped a couple of fences, got tired and has been well and truly beaten. 😉. Azamara have proved that beyond doubt the loss of the casino and arrival of The Den is much preferred by the majority of guests. So if a casino is important to some then best not to sail Azamara.

 

Phil 

[Georgia_Peaches]

2 hours ago, Redtravel said:

There are many cruise lines that have ditched casinos. Guessing that it wasn’t profitable.  

Thank you for the response.  Until my recent research on Azamara, I was not aware of any lines that have removed casinos.  They must be the smaller, more luxury lines of which I have not yet traveled.

[Georgia_Peaches]

1 hour ago, excitedofharpenden said:

Yes, the horse left the starting line, jumped a couple of fences, got tired and has been well and truly beaten. 😉. Azamara have proved that beyond doubt the loss of the casino and arrival of The Den is much preferred by the majority of guests. So if a casino is important to some then best not to sail Azamara.

 

Phil 

Thank you, Phil.  I had a feeling that was the case.  As usual, I'm a day late and a dollar short.  😊

[Georgia_Peaches]

Thank you everyone for taking time to respond.  Seems like this smaller line may not be for me after all.  

Happy cruising!

[Jimmycruiser]

We sail next week on Journey and several posters indicated the casino has been replaced by the Den. Is this true on Journey that has not gone to retrofit yet?

[Rabo]

We were just on the Journey in Norway.  Slots and digital tables are there.  Mostly empty during our 16 nights!

[uktog]

22 minutes ago, Jimmycruiser said:

We sail next week on Journey and several posters indicated the casino has been replaced by the Den. Is this true on Journey that has not gone to retrofit yet?

Journey still has electronic tables no dealers 

[excitedofharpenden]

1 hour ago, Jimmycruiser said:

We sail next week on Journey and several posters indicated the casino has been replaced by the Den. Is this true on Journey that has not gone to retrofit yet?

Later in 2020 it will be gone on Journey. For now slots and electronic gaming tables. No croupiers. 

 

Phil 

[Worldsurfer]

I have to say that the removal of the casino was one of the factors that weighed into our decision to try Azamara on this cruise. We aren't against the idea, per se, just delighted to have what looks like another attractive place to spend time, which makes quite a difference on a smaller cruise ship. 

[donaldsc]

20 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Thank you everyone for taking time to respond.  Seems like this smaller line may not be for me after all.  

Happy cruising!

 

You would actually cancel or skip a cruise because it does not have a casino??  Take your cruise and then fly to Las Vegas after the cruise.  We have lots of casinos here.  Also, I suspect that there must be a local Indian owned casino close to where you live.

 

DON

[sunlover33]

We have booked a future cruise on Journey , not knowing the casino had gone, it’s always itinerary first for us but may look for another cruise company in future, as we will miss playing the tables after dinner, and not sure how on earth we will manage to pay our bill at the end of the cruise now we cannot win!! lol 😂 It’s a great shame as Azamara really suited us otherwise, but hey ho on to new horizons . 

[Georgia_Peaches]

2 hours ago, donaldsc said:

 

You would actually cancel or skip a cruise because it does not have a casino??  Take your cruise and then fly to Las Vegas after the cruise.  We have lots of casinos here.  Also, I suspect that there must be a local Indian owned casino close to where you live.

 

DON

Well I was only in the Azamara research phase, so nothing has been cancelled.  But, yes to skipping.  For us, along with wonderful ports of call and meeting new people, spending time in the casino is part of the cruising experience.  Land casinos aren't the same...although I DO love Vegas.

[sunlover33]

22 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

Later in 2020 it will be gone on Journey. For now slots and electronic gaming tables. No croupiers. 

The worst of both worlds  IMO. 

[Tom47]

We  rarely spend time in the casino and don't miss it.

 

[Lottie A]

Currently on Pursuit and I have to say The Den is packed out every night. You have to be there early to get a seat to hear Vasi, the lady pianist and singer perform. She is very good. The seats are a lot more comfortable than on Quest and Journey too. It is now a lively and fun space during the day and the night. 

 

Personally speaking, I did like to donate a few dollars to the Casino in the past but it wasn't a priority for me. I like The Den concept very much and don't miss the Casino at all. 

[uktog]

12 minutes ago, Lottie A said:

Currently on Pursuit and I have to say The Den is packed out every night. You have to be there early to get a seat to hear Vasi, the lady pianist and singer perform. She is very good. The seats are a lot more comfortable than on Quest and Journey too. It is now a lively and fun space during the day and the night. 

 

Personally speaking, I did like to donate a few dollars to the Casino in the past but it wasn't a priority for me. I like The Den concept very much and don't miss the Casino at all. 

Glad you like the Den.  It became a huge favourite of ours which on reflection will have been a big contributory factor to why we did not enjoy a cruise on Pursuit.  That voyage there was no entertainment available for other reasons and the one thing about the Den is it does need a good quality entertainer.  When they get it right it’s just a fantastic place. It needs entertainers who are great at keeping the atmosphere going. Gemma who was on Journey albeit competing with a dormant casino was an example of a great piano bar player. She expects to go to Quest after the vacation  she has just started and will do a fabulous job I am sure. 

[excitedofharpenden]

2 hours ago, Lottie A said:

Currently on Pursuit and I have to say The Den is packed out every night. You have to be there early to get a seat to hear Vasi, the lady pianist and singer perform. She is very good. The seats are a lot more comfortable than on Quest and Journey too. It is now a lively and fun space during the day and the night. 

 

Personally speaking, I did like to donate a few dollars to the Casino in the past but it wasn't a priority for me. I like The Den concept very much and don't miss the Casino at all. 

Glad you like it. Thought you would. Way better, isn't it?  If there was one disadvantage on the Azamara ships it was that they didn't cope well if the weather's poor with space for guests inside. The Den gives another option now. 

 

Phil