How does the recent Azamara compare to Celebrity?

[Host Jazzbeau]

7 minutes ago, travelberlin said:

Has the food in the Azamara main dining room improved really? Gratuities and alcohol (not premium alcohol) was already included before new owners. I have noticed the price increase since then. What is better now?

Ivi

Sorry if my choice of wording was misleading.  We are not discussing recent Azamara prices vs historical ones, but current Azamara prices vs current Celebrity.  So not price 'increase' but rather price 'difference.'  

 

[Azamara may have increased prices recently (as have many cruise lines) because they need to start making money after a decade of trying to lure passengers back with low prices – lesson learned, now the cruise lines are coming back with realistic pricing.  This was already being commented on before the ownership change.]

[GlobalMethod]

13 hours ago, travelberlin said:

Has the food in the Azamara main dining room improved really? Gratuities and alcohol (not premium alcohol) was already included before new owners. I have noticed the price increase since then. What is better now?

Ivi

I agree with Host Jazzbeau. There is quality and value in the MDR.

 

There used to be a good deal of repetition on the menu items. We usually cruise for a least two weeks and we felt we were seeing the same menu, just redone, in the second week.

 

On our last cruises in December we thought the originality, taste, and consistent quality was impressive. We check the MDR menu daily and if it is not to our liking we will do specialty dining. More often than not, we are very happy in the MDR. Also, important to us, we have found the personalities in the MDR can be more fun than in SD! ... 🙂 ... Happy Travels!

[hiccups]

We’ve sailed on both X and Azamara multiple times—Azamara for Europe and X for the Caribbean.  For us, each line hits its sweet spot in those markets based on what we’re looking for on a vacation.
 

We’ve done so many Caribbean cruises, a lot of the time we don’t even get off the ship.  There are so many independent tour operators in most ports, we’re fine with the large ships because we can do exactly what we want if we do choose to explore.  We’re value-oriented cruisers, and wouldn’t pay Azamara prices to cruise the Caribbean.  On those trips, we spend more time on the ship and so enjoy the varied entertainment, activities and venues.

 

You’ve recognized the value of the smaller ships in that they can dock at some unique ports, and with fewer passengers with any luck the town isn’t run over with tourists.  It’s much easier to quickly get off the ship.  Another advantage is the longer time in port, which expands the opportunity for private tours.  For example, in Mallorca I did a seven-hour hiking tour that would have been impossible on another cruise line because they wouldn’t have been in port that long.  I’ve also had good luck joining other cruisers on smaller private tours. I’ve taken a few Azamara tours to use OBC, but frankly, haven’t found them any better than tours on other cruise lines, which surprised me.  Th Azamazing Evening is definitely a nice perk.

 

The food on Azamara has never overly impressed me, although our last cruise on Pursuit pre-Covid was a marked improvement from our previous Azamara cruises.  I appreciate that they make an effort to get fresh ingredients in port and tailor a dish or two to the local cuisine.

 

We also haven’t experienced the “wow” service  on Azamara that others rave about.  It’s certainly good service, but for us just hasn’t been head and shoulders above other cruise lines.  Has a bartender or waiter remembered our names?  Sure, but we also have had that experience on X, Oceania and RCI.  I think we may be low maintenance and just not notice.  LOL.

 

We definitely prefer the cabins on X—we’re balcony cruisers as well.  We wouldn’t forego Azamara just because of the smaller cabins and the dreaded shower curtain, though!

 

One thing I wish Azamara would improve is its included alcohol, or lower the upgrade price for the premium package a few dollars.  Azamara’s internet price is reasonable compared to other cruise lines, and there is a loyalty discount, but IMO, with a few lines like X now including internet, Azamara should consider including it as well.

 

I seriously doubt you will be disappointed sailing with Azamara if you take a chance on it!

[cachouonacruise]

Thank-you very much Hiccups for your detailed reply. Very interesting information. I really appreciate. 

[B17]

I too love the Celebrity brand  - itsa by far my favourite and having sailed with Azamara, it took me two or three days to adjust to the Azamara concept.  Its different, I would say more personal, more laid back and easy going but with lovely extra touches that make you feel good.  Once you understand it, embrace it and if you are a bit of a traditionist (old style cruising) you will love it.

[Grandma Cruising]

2 minutes ago, B17 said:

I too love the Celebrity brand  - itsa by far my favourite and having sailed with Azamara, it took me two or three days to adjust to the Azamara concept.  Its different, I would say more personal, more laid back and easy going but with lovely extra touches that make you feel good.  Once you understand it, embrace it and if you are a bit of a traditionist (old style cruising) you will love it.

Depends on what you mean by ‘old style cruising’ - to me that would include formal dinners. Azamara certainly don’t offer that type of formality - no dinner jackets/tuxedos, very few ‘posh frocks’. Just smart casual.

[B17]

Haha, yes traditional as in no wave rider, no rock climbing, no glitz, no glam, no way out entertainment.  Just one band, one entertainer, old style crew shows, quizzes etc

Although I know I have seen shorts and t Shirts in the evening on Azamara and it is like I say very laid back, But sorry yes I still dress up although the bling stays at home!

[Mackdogmolly]

7 minutes ago, B17 said:

Although I know I have seen shorts and t Shirts in the evening on Azamara an

Pretty sure not in the main dining room. I like to dress up a bit too, but leave the evening gowns at home 😂

[TeaBag]

Loving all this info about Azamara.  Thank you everyone.  We have sailed exclusively with Celebrity, some 30 odd cruises, since 2005, although our first cruise with them was 1994.  We are really looking forward to Quest, Norway. in July.  Just working on the airfares.

[travelberlin]

I have always enjoyed Azamara because of the small ship experience and because of the interaction with officers. Specially on the Journey and on the Quest it was a pleasure to be onboard. Small ports, late nights in ports, and the azamazing evening were always welcomed. Without trying to diminish the work of the entertainers, I did not find the entertainment onboard besonders appealing. 
On the mean time some officers who contributed to the Azamara experience are not with Azamara anymore. For example, Captain Jose, Cruise Director Russ, next cruise consultant Joao and others. I hope I will be able to sail with Azamara this year after two years of pause because of COVID and be able to meet the new people who are contributing to make Azamara special. 
Ivi

[ECCruise]

As Celebrity put more and more emphasis on the E(dge) class ships, we put more and more emphasis on not sailing with them.

They still tout the "refined elegance" kinda feel but they've become way too hokey for us (and we've sailed with them more than 35 times).  Magic Carpet up and down the side of the ship?  Loud Miami techno music in the Martini Bar?  "Eden?"  Infinite veranda that is neither infinite nor a veranda?

Thanks but no thanks.  We still will consider them on an M or S class if the itinerary/price is right, but Azamara is still our choice.

[BrendaJ]

There have been many worthy responses in this thread so I won’t repeat the same things.

 

We have sailed on Celebrity for many years (Elite+) and really enjoy their ships.   They are bright and beautiful with unique artwork and a large variety of activities (although the free activities seem to have dwindled, along with the activity staff).   Over the years, Celebrity has found more and more ways to increase onboard revenue, making me long for the old days when all the activities in the daily newsletter were free.  I’ve enjoyed the food and service on Celebrity for many years, and on the odd time we sail in a suite, the dining and service are fabulous - better than Azamara in my opinion, particularly if you enjoy unique, innovative fare.  

 

Azamara is a completely different environment, and if you are happy to have cocktails with new friends, and enjoy a quiet atmosphere, you may enjoy Azamara.  It’s a very friendly environment, where you run into the same people over and over, and therefore, meet others much more easily.   You never have to wait long to get a drink, compared to Celebrity.   If you enjoy a variety of shopping opportunities, a casino, lots of glitz and glamour, you may not enjoy Azamara, where the focus is on ports and destinations.   Azamara’s excursions are often more expensive, and the variety may be limited as the ports aren’t as well-known sometimes.

 

I think Azamara is going to have to find a way to distinguish themselves more from the mainstream lines like Celebrity if they want to continue to charge more.   Their cabins (with the dreaded shower curtain) can’t compare to the cabins on Celebrity’s newest ships.  A difference that attracted a lot of people to premium lines was the inclusive nature..   The free buses into town and free fitness classes are still appreciated, but now that Celebrity and other large lines are including gratuities and beverages and internet (Azamara’s slow internet is still not included), Azamara may need to find a way to stand out, especially for people who are happy visiting the common ports that larger ships can access.

 

I do enjoy both lines, but I think Azamara is best for those who like quiet socializing and exploring unusual ports, and don’t need a large variety of dining and entertainment options.   If the ports were the same, and there were several sea days, I’d probably choose Celebrity.   However, Azamara’s ports are much more interesting, and that is why we currently have 6 bookings with Azamara, and only 1 with Celebrity.  When the day comes when we cruise for relaxing on a ship instead of the ports, we will probably go back to Celebrity more often.

[hiccups]

On 3/22/2022 at 3:19 PM, Mackdogmolly said:

Pretty sure not in the main dining room. I like to dress up a bit too, but leave the evening gowns at home 😂

On our first Azamara cruise, I was surprised to see a couple young men in their teens and 20s in the MDR in shorts and ball caps.  That was a British Open cruise and seemed to have more families.  Glad it was the only one that I recall that happening.  Personally I’m less offended by nice shorts and a polo shirt than baseball caps in the dining room—it’s my quirk 😃

[Mackdogmolly]

52 minutes ago, hiccups said:

On our first Azamara cruise, I was surprised to see a couple young men in their teens and 20s in the MDR in shorts and ball caps.  That was a British Open cruise and seemed to have more families.  Glad it was the only one that I recall that happening.  Personally I’m less offended by nice shorts and a polo shirt than baseball caps in the dining room—it’s my quirk 😃

It’s been my experience that shorts are ok at breakfast and lunch but not at dinner 

[laurieb]

On 3/22/2022 at 2:23 PM, travelberlin said:

I have always enjoyed Azamara because of the small ship experience and because of the interaction with officers. Specially on the Journey and on the Quest it was a pleasure to be onboard. Small ports, late nights in ports, and the azamazing evening were always welcomed. Without trying to diminish the work of the entertainers, I did not find the entertainment onboard besonders appealing. 
On the mean time some officers who contributed to the Azamara experience are not with Azamara anymore. For example, Captain Jose, Cruise Director Russ, next cruise consultant Joao and others. I hope I will be able to sail with Azamara this year after two years of pause because of COVID and be able to meet the new people who are contributing to make Azamara special. 
Ivi

The new people are just as wonderful as those no longer with Azamara 😊

[hiccups]

On 3/25/2022 at 11:01 AM, Mackdogmolly said:

It’s been my experience that shorts are ok at breakfast and lunch but not at dinner 

I know.  This was dinner, which is why I was surprised.

[Mackdogmolly]

14 hours ago, hiccups said:

I know.  This was dinner, which is why I was surprised.

Hmmm. Not sure I like this if it is truly a change in policy 

[marinaro44]

Why would you think this is a policy change?  We don't even know when this one rare sighting happened.  There likely hasn't been an Azamara British Open cruise for three years.

[hiccups]

3 hours ago, Mackdogmolly said:

Hmmm. Not sure I like this if it is truly a change in policy 

Oh, it wasn’t a policy change—this was in 2017.  It was about 8:30 at night and the kids came and joined a group of adults.  I guess the host didn’t want to turn them away since the parents were already seated.

 

When we left, I mentioned I didn’t think ball caps were allowed in the dining room.

Edited March 27, 2022 by hiccups