Recent Review of Azamara by Gary Bembridge

[Host Jazzbeau]

Thanks to @lisiamc here is recent video review of Azamara that compares it to the old Azamara [under Royal Caribbean ownership] and to Oceania (and Windstar):

 

 

 

 

[Grandma Cruising]

Seemed to be a very fair review - basically saying no real issues, but lots of new crew still learning!

[uktog]

I think the real issue for many is everyone accepts crew might be learning but the trouble is guests were paying the price for a “non learning experience”. 

[lisiamc]

Thank you Jazzbeau, I couldn’t figure out how to insert the video! 😁

[Riocca]

Reasonable review but slightly at odds with his “live” blog from the ship, but I do think post pandemic we do need to temper our expectations in the short term.

There is a danger that having had an enforced break from cruising our memories become of perfect cruises with no service issues, a bit like childhood summers were always sunny and hot. Certainly we had more service issues on Viking in 2018 due to lack of staff training because of a new ship introduction than we had on Onwards maiden.

Lets remember even the experienced staff have had an enforced 2 year break and we all know how difficult it is to get back into the swing of things after a 2 week holiday. Add into the mix new owners and systems, new staff and last but not least covid protocols.

Service issues are frustrating but it’s good to be back traveling even with the constant changes and restrictions.

 

[uktraveller]

3 hours ago, uktog said:

I think the real issue for many is everyone accepts crew might be learning but the trouble is guests were paying the price for a “non learning experience”. 

Spot on. 

[audobon_tx]

Having recently departed Pursuit after 40 nts onboard, my take was "good old Azamara", with better food.

[cruisefam38]

audobon_tx was wonderfully concise.

             for a long winded observation:

 

There are those who want to contribute to maintaining standards of service throughout the Azamara Cruise Line by holding staff and crew to task regarding flaws and faults in the service they personally received during pandemic cruising.  These folks view that they are paying their money for an expected vacation/holiday experience and are certain they did not receive value for their money.  As veteran travelers, and experienced Azamara cruisers, they have pointed out problems and are firmly stating that these inefficiencies and inadequacies must be addressed by Azamara for them to continue as patrons of the business.  They have sounded the alarm as customers of a company in transition during uncertain times.

 

There are those who are choosing to keep on the sunny side and/or to look for the silver lining in the clouds hanging over the cruise industry when encountering issues and disappointing problems during their cruises during the past six months.  A period of time in which seemingly every cruise line has faced challenges to providing expected service during day-today operations.  In fact, as many users on this board know, one well known and highly regarded luxury line (Crystal), due to fundamental problems in their business model, could not meet the challenges they faced in this difficult and fluid business environment.  Whether staffing issues; supply chain interruptions; mechanical problems such as on the Celebrtiy Solstice, the Crown Princess, and the Carnival Freedom; economic cycles resulting in inflation; and geopolitical conflicts impacting lives in those regions with life changing and deadly import for those citizens, and impacting the travel industry planning and the customers they serve;  all of these factors are presenting a storm of challenges to all cruise lines, not the least Azamra.

 

When we cruised on the Azamra Quest in March, 2022, and did so knowing there were uncertainties, and fewer guarantees than there had been when we took a Greek Intensive cruise with Azamara in 2019.  Repeated health testing and questionnaires, potential for having the trip cancelled or interrupted due to the corona virus, port cancelations/schedule changes due to the virus, changing masking requirements, passenger alerts of some limited supplies of food and beverages while on board, alerts regarding some potential staffing issues.  At the end of that cruise, we knew we had just had a special travel experience, with excellent service first and foremost.  We looked forward to our next Azamra cruise.

 

Our next Azamara cruise was to be a Black Sea itinerary, one that has now been heavily revamped, and could still be canceled before the late August sailing.  A cruise that could be canceled due to a regional war, political issues in Turkey and/or Greece, the re-emergence of a corona virus strain that is highly contagious and virulent, a different and new contagion, staffing issues in the cruise line.  A cruise that could be cancelled or further altered by circumstances beyond my imagination.  Our eyes, ears and minds are open to the variables of the situation.  We have already pulled out a suitcase to pack an extra oversized patience; a pair of understanding and consideration that everything is changeable, and the reality is we could be quarantined in a foreign country, or our careful planning otherwise disrupted; and a big dose of optimism that we will have memorably enjoyable travel. 

 

Or we could avoid the worry and scrap it all, and instead enjoy a trip over to the North Carolina coast.

Many people would say it is a luxury to have these kind of options, and certainly luxurious to be able to do both in one summer.

[ChucktownSteve]

If it makes y'all feel better, on our recent 16 night Regent cruise, they experienced the same staffing and supply chain problems that Azamara has been having. They were still going through training issues of new crew as well.

 

[les37b]

11 minutes ago, ChucktownSteve said:

If it makes y'all feel better, on our recent 16 night Regent cruise, they experienced the same staffing and supply chain problems that Azamara has been having. They were still going through training issues of new crew as well.

 

 

On the 2 legs of my Silversea South American trip in Jan, the 600 pax ship had 220 and then 120 on board and had a full compliment of staff which isnt far short of 1-1 anyway. (It was a crazy trip - we were outnumbered 2-1!)

 

The problem I have with my Azamara cruise is they are continuing to sell it and almost full, with a staff shortage. Some of the se issues are in their hands and ignoring them to chase the $$$$

[suewheldon]

June 4 Onward. No issues with service. Great crew. 389 passengers. 

[Lookyboy]

12 hours ago, Grandma Cruising said:

Seemed to be a very fair review - basically saying no real issues, but lots of new crew still learning!

Where can we read this review?  Or is it only a video?

[lisiamc]

45 minutes ago, Lookyboy said:

Where can we read this review?  Or is it only a video?

I’ve only seen a video. I don’t think there’s a print version.

[laurieb]

2 hours ago, les37b said:

 

On the 2 legs of my Silversea South American trip in Jan, the 600 pax ship had 220 and then 120 on board and had a full compliment of staff which isnt far short of 1-1 anyway. (It was a crazy trip - we were outnumbered 2-1!)

 

The problem I have with my Azamara cruise is they are continuing to sell it and almost full, with a staff shortage. Some of the se issues are in their hands and ignoring them to chase the $$$$

Do you know how many passengers "full" is on your cruise?  Up until now there have been less than all staterooms available to be booked.

[laurieb]

8 hours ago, cruisefam38 said:

audobon_tx was wonderfully concise.

             for a long winded observation:

 

There are those who want to contribute to maintaining standards of service throughout the Azamara Cruise Line by holding staff and crew to task regarding flaws and faults in the service they personally received during pandemic cruising.  These folks view that they are paying their money for an expected vacation/holiday experience and are certain they did not receive value for their money.  As veteran travelers, and experienced Azamara cruisers, they have pointed out problems and are firmly stating that these inefficiencies and inadequacies must be addressed by Azamara for them to continue as patrons of the business.  They have sounded the alarm as customers of a company in transition during uncertain times.

 

 

There are those who are choosing to keep on the sunny side and/or to look for the silver lining in the clouds hanging over the cruise industry when encountering issues and disappointing problems during their cruises during the past six months.  A period of time in which seemingly every cruise line has faced challenges to providing expected service during day-today operations.  In fact, as many users on this board know, one well known and highly regarded luxury line (Crystal), due to fundamental problems in their business model, could not meet the challenges they faced in this difficult and fluid business environment.  Whether staffing issues; supply chain interruptions; mechanical problems such as on the Celebrtiy Solstice, the Crown Princess, and the Carnival Freedom; economic cycles resulting in inflation; and geopolitical conflicts impacting lives in those regions with life changing and deadly import for those citizens, and impacting the travel industry planning and the customers they serve;  all of these factors are presenting a storm of challenges to all cruise lines, not the least Azamra.

 

 

When we cruised on the Azamra Quest in March, 2022, and did so knowing there were uncertainties, and fewer guarantees than there had been when we took a Greek Intensive cruise with Azamara in 2019.  Repeated health testing and questionnaires, potential for having the trip cancelled or interrupted due to the corona virus, port cancelations/schedule changes due to the virus, changing masking requirements, passenger alerts of some limited supplies of food and beverages while on board, alerts regarding some potential staffing issues.  At the end of that cruise, we knew we had just had a special travel experience, with excellent service first and foremost.  We looked forward to our next Azamra cruise.

 

 

Our next Azamara cruise was to be a Black Sea itinerary, one that has now been heavily revamped, and could still be canceled before the late August sailing.  A cruise that could be canceled due to a regional war, political issues in Turkey and/or Greece, the re-emergence of a corona virus strain that is highly contagious and virulent, a different and new contagion, staffing issues in the cruise line.  A cruise that could be cancelled or further altered by circumstances beyond my imagination.  Our eyes, ears and minds are open to the variables of the situation.  We have already pulled out a suitcase to pack an extra oversized patience; a pair of understanding and consideration that everything is changeable, and the reality is we could be quarantined in a foreign country, or our careful planning otherwise disrupted; and a big dose of optimism that we will have memorably enjoyable travel. 

 

 

Or we could avoid the worry and scrap it all, and instead enjoy a trip over to the North Carolina coast.

Many people would say it is a luxury to have these kind of options, and certainly luxurious to be able to do both in one summer.

So well said!!  Thank you for this

 

[les37b]

24 minutes ago, laurieb said:

Do you know how many passengers "full" is on your cruise?  Up until now there have been less than all staterooms available to be booked.

 

It's been quoted as 630 on my cruise which I'm aware is less than the official max capacity - (which I doubt ever happens), but cruises with 300 on board have said service has been poor due to staff levels, so it's pretty safe to say doubling the guest count isn't going to improve things 

 

 

[marinaro44]

4 minutes ago, les37b said:

 

It's been quoted as 630 on my cruise which I'm aware is less than the official max capacity - (which I doubt ever happens), but cruises with 300 on board have said service has been poor due to staff levels, so it's pretty safe to say doubling the guest count isn't going to improve things 

 

 

And others, as in posting #11 above, say "no issues with service."  Or did you miss that, Les.

[Lookyboy]

1 hour ago, lisiamc said:

I’ve only seen a video. I don’t think there’s a print version.

Thanks for replying. ... I will watch the video. 😁

[AJCM]

The video review confirmed to me that, all things considered, the experience is much the same as pre-covid. Good!

 

New staff will improve over time as they gain experience. Every job I ever had was very difficult at first; so patience and understanding is required if you choose to have a great experience. They’ve had to spread their experiences staff thinly when Purauit arrived and this is undoubtedly exacerbated with a fourth ship. So, yes, it’ll take time and international stability to get staffing back to the consistently high standard of a few years ago. If the wrong meal gets delivered you can always send it back. Even so, the reviewer was happy with the food quality and range. Big tick to Prime C, Aquilina and he was also happy with Discoveries.

 

The entertainment was criticised but remember this area was progressively diminished  by previous owners/management. They got rid of the harpists; cut back the live band size; didn’t renew production shows; cut back on fly in entertainers. Really, it has been mediocre for some years now. No casino was mentioned in passing, as an apparent criticism. I and many others think the Den is an improvement. The Library is still there on three ships and guest all have the opportunity to express their view when on board.

 

No Azamazing off ship, for obvious reasons but it’s supposed to resume in Nov. White Night is still very enjoyable and port shuttles are still provided. He gave a big wrap to itineraries and docking locations; key advantages with the old Azamara.

 

As I say, it’s pretty much the same offering as pre-covid. September on Pursuit can’t come soon enough.

[takemewithyou]

I disagree about the entertainment being marginal.  In Dec., I went to every show and I loved them!  There were shows by ACD and CD and entertainers brought all the way to the Caribbean from Europe and they were all excellent!  I was very impressed that after the pandemic and with smaller amounts of passengers onboard, they still invested in the entertainment.  Compare that with our April cruise on Viking and the entertainment in Azamara was miles better!!   Viking brought in no guest entertainers!  
 

I went on Azamara when they first changed to the horrible short skits and some other things in 2018 and reported on it live.   Now THAT was bad!  Fortunately, they received everyone’s reviews and reconsidered and reversed course.

[harbourside]

In the video Gary Bembridge states that On Demand Movies are included.

Is this new, I always thought there was a charge.

In researching Azamara, two things I did not like was, no dark rum included in the included spirits, and a charge for On demand movies which I though should be included at this price point.

The cruise I will be booking has an included upgraded drink package, so no problem there, and I probably would not watch many movies, which when I researched was approx $18 NZ .

 

 

[takemewithyou]

14 minutes ago, harbourside said:

In the video Gary Bembridge states that On Demand Movies are included.

Is this new, I always thought there was a charge.

In researching Azamara, two things I did not like was, no dark rum included in the included spirits, and a charge for On demand movies which I though should be included at this price point.

The cruise I will be booking has an included upgraded drink package, so no problem there, and I probably would not watch many movies, which when I researched was approx $18 NZ .

 

 

My DH would agree with you about the lack of dark rum included.  
I like a good dark and stormy, too!  

What is wrong with these people that they never have a good dark rum?  😄.

In my opinion there is no good rum unless it is dark!  Lol.

Edited June 6, 2022 by takemewithyou

[laurieb]

You can always bring a bottle or two with you, or pick some up in port.   I too wish in room entertainment was better, but so little time spent watching tv it doesn’t really matter.  

[les37b]

5 hours ago, marinaro44 said:

And others, as in posting #11 above, say "no issues with service."  Or did you miss that, Les.

 

It's well documented there are issues with crew numbers being below the levels they should be. The post you refer is from someone 1 day into their cruise and maybe a little premature to say that is a guide for all to embrace. Not quite sure why you think it is!

 

Do you have a reference post to compare with near full capacity of guests, because that cruise is just over half full, which will stretch the demands on the workforce and for obvious reasons.  I've raised it as a concern and justifiable. Would be interesting to know the passenger count on Gary's cruise.

[uktraveller]

People are happy to take comfort from reading positive experiences and dismiss the negative ones. 
We have just disembarked Journey’s first cruise back. 620 guests, crew at 65%.  No table service in the bars, 45 min wait for a table in Discoveries because not all tables being used. 
The following cruise will have 180 guests and the extra 65 crew members who joined at Kusadasi just before the end of our cruise. They will have a completely different, hopefully much better,  experience than we did. And will no doubt report back that everything on the Journey is just like “Azamara of old”. 
 

Despite going in with realistic expectations we came away disappointed.