Celebrity Millennium versus Azamara Pursuit veranda prices

[zitsky]

I know this may not be a complete comparison but this is here for all the folks saying Celebrity is overpriced.  
 

I just got a quote of $17,000 for a 15 day Apr/May 2026 Japan cruise on the Azamara Pursuit veranda cabin versus $6,300.  $600/pp/pd Azamara vs $286 Celebrity.

 

Maybe someone can explain why Azamara is worth so much more for a basic cabin?  What is included on Azamara that you don’t get on Celebrity?

[Cruise Junky]

Drinks, tips but I’d think the main attraction would be the ports. Are they comparable?  With Azamara being so much smaller I would think it could get into better ports.    If not, book Millennium. Definitely not comparable itineraries 

Edited October 18 by Cruise Junky

[Tierun]

I’m guessing certainly not an apples to apples comparison. Azamara is a step above X with its port intensive itinerary and small ship experience. Most people complain about the retreat prices being higher than the prices on Azamara, with the latter being seen as a better experience.

[NMTraveller]

Maybe someone could explain why an SV on Apex is more than the Yacht Club?  Two booked cruises for me...  Both from the same port B2B

Edited October 18 by NMTraveller

[NMTraveller]

For Japan Millie is priced rather well.  Hoping they don't put E class over there ...  Waiting to see the latest prices...

Edited October 18 by NMTraveller

[ShipawayAtx]

Misposted. 

Edited October 18 by ShipawayAtx
Posted in wrong forum.

[zitsky]

Just so you know I’m waiting for a more similar Celebrity AROUND Japan cruise.  But having months ago looked at 2024/2025 I still don’t expect Aqua to be more expensive than Azamara.  Maybe SS is possibly.

 

If Azamara is not a round trip that’s a negative.  Didn’t realize that.  I personally hate having to book a multi stop flight rather than round trip.

Edited October 18 by zitsky

[chemmo]

5 hours ago, zitsky said:

Just so you know I’m waiting for a more similar Celebrity AROUND Japan cruise.  But having months ago looked at 2024/2025 I still don’t expect Aqua to be more expensive than Azamara.  Maybe SS is possibly.

 

If Azamara is not a round trip that’s a negative.  Didn’t realize that.  I personally hate having to book a multi stop flight rather than round trip.

Now I am the opposite…Starting and ending in two different cities gives you two different city breaks. Even better if it is two different countries…

[villauk]

We’ve completed the above itinerary on Millie and would love to return on one that goes all around Japan like the Az one. I presume Azamara’s sailing has been out for a while - perhaps the sailing price has increased since its initial release 🤷‍♀️? Theirs also includes drinks, gratuities and WiFi (on some sailings). Princess also have some nice itineraries worth considering. 

[Pushka]

Ots been booked out for months but our April 2025 cruise on Millie is a circumnavigation of Japan. 

[zitsky]

3 minutes ago, Pushka said:

Ots been booked out for months but our April 2025 cruise on Millie is a circumnavigation of Japan. 

 

There was a mid to late May 2025 Japan circumnavigation I was watching, hoping I could book the same in 2026.  But I do not see it on the schedule.

[Pushka]

2 hours ago, zitsky said:

 

There was a mid to late May 2025 Japan circumnavigation I was watching, hoping I could book the same in 2026.  But I do not see it on the schedule.

I recall this year there were some issues and subsequent cancellations of some of the northern ports and it wasn't really explained by celebrity other than the usual generics but some of the theories floating around were that ports no longer wanted large cruise ships and another was that it was impacting annual whale migrations.  I was waiting for our cruise next year to change, maybe that's still in the wind. 

[zitsky]

2 hours ago, Pushka said:

I recall this year there were some issues and subsequent cancellations of some of the northern ports and it wasn't really explained by celebrity other than the usual generics but some of the theories floating around were that ports no longer wanted large cruise ships and another was that it was impacting annual whale migrations.  I was waiting for our cruise next year to change, maybe that's still in the wind. 

Azamara does have the best schedule I’ve seen.  And being small ship maybe it’s better for the whales.  

Edited October 19 by zitsky

[Miaminice]

On 10/18/2024 at 2:28 AM, Cruise Junky said:

Are they comparable?

 While these two itineraries are not the same, the Azamara ports are not special. They are also visited on other Celebrity itineraries - and HAL/Princess as well.

 

@zitsky

 

Azamara has always been more expensive. And yes, they offer an ambiance which is a bit more exclusive. But it’s certainly not worth the difference.

 

We have done Japan two times on Millennium and one time on HAL. While looking at an alternative for our fourth trip, we compared the itineraries and ships of different lines and eventually booked Millennium again for May 2025.
 

Millennium is nicely refurbished, offers a good itinerary and she’s the right size for the trip.
 

For a first time Japan visit I would choose Millenniums itinerary over the other one. Unless it’s during cherry blossom season. Then Hakodate and Aomori are beautiful.

 

Some of the ports like Nigata, Akita and even Sakaiminato require a certain affection for Japan. Otherwise they are not very special.

 

Millennium‘s itinerary really offers a fabulous essence of Japan for first timers - which can be extended on follow up trips 😉

[zitsky]

1 hour ago, Miaminice said:

 While these two itineraries are not the same, the Azamara ports are not special. They are also visited on other Celebrity itineraries - and HAL/Princess as well.

 

@zitsky

 

Azamara has always been more expensive. And yes, they offer an ambiance which is a bit more exclusive. But it’s certainly not worth the difference.

 

We have done Japan two times on Millennium and one time on HAL. While looking at an alternative for our fourth trip, we compared the itineraries and ships of different lines and eventually booked Millennium again for May 2025.
 

Millennium is nicely refurbished, offers a good itinerary and she’s the right size for the trip.
 

For a first time Japan visit I would choose Millenniums itinerary over the other one. Unless it’s during cherry blossom season. Then Hakodate and Aomori are beautiful.

 

Some of the ports like Nigata, Akita and even Sakaiminato require a certain affection for Japan. Otherwise they are not very special.

 

Millennium‘s itinerary really offers a fabulous essence of Japan for first timers - which can be extended on follow up trips 😉

Thanks for that @Miaminice.  Were you saying some of the Millie stops are not that interesting?  I don’t have schedule in front of me.

[RichYak]

On 10/18/2024 at 1:21 AM, zitsky said:

I know this may not be a complete comparison but this is here for all the folks saying Celebrity is overpriced.  
 

I just got a quote of $17,000 for a 15 day Apr/May 2026 Japan cruise on the Azamara Pursuit veranda cabin versus $6,300.  $600/pp/pd Azamara vs $286 Celebrity.

 

Maybe someone can explain why Azamara is worth so much more for a basic cabin?  What is included on Azamara that you don’t get on Celebrity?

Why would you compare Azamara to a mass market cruise line? Passenger count on Azamara is probably 30% of even Celebrity’s smallest ships. 

[zitsky]

45 minutes ago, RichYak said:

Why would you compare Azamara to a mass market cruise line? Passenger count on Azamara is probably 30% of even Celebrity’s smallest ships. 

 

Maybe because I like having choices???  I actually think that Azamara quote is lower than it should be.  Because I went back and was getting some different numbers.  I compared because I keep hearing LUXURY IS CHEAPER!!!  LOLZ.   So I thought, I don't know, maybe I should actually get quotes from the luxury lines and others to "prove" they are cheaper than Celebrity?

[RichYak]

13 minutes ago, zitsky said:

 

Maybe because I like having choices???  I actually think that Azamara quote is lower than it should be.  Because I went back and was getting some different numbers.  I compared because I keep hearing LUXURY IS CHEAPER!!!  LOLZ.   So I thought, I don't know, maybe I should actually get quotes from the luxury lines and others to "prove" they are cheaper than Celebrity?

I’ll re-phrase my question. Why are you trying to prove or dis-prove a claim that no one is making? Nobody says premium or luxury lines are cheaper than non-Retreat class on Celebrity. 

[zitsky]

15 minutes ago, RichYak said:

I’ll re-phrase my question. Why are you trying to prove or dis-prove a claim that no one is making? Nobody says premium or luxury lines are cheaper than non-Retreat class on Celebrity. 

 

Yes, I do look at both Aqua Class and Retreat pricing across Celebrity and similar lines.  **IMHO** that is useful to me even if it is not useful to you. 

 

I do look at price of Aqua for a 11 day Japan cruise on Celebrity, about $10,300.  I also look at MSC Yacht Club, similar to Retreat at $12,000.  I am looking at what I can get for a certain price point.  I have no interest in spending $30/40/50K on a "luxury" line.  Maybe you are, not me.  I am certainly interested in spending $15K on a Retreat like experience on another line.

[Miaminice]

2 hours ago, zitsky said:

Thanks for that @Miaminice.  Were you saying some of the Millie stops are not that interesting?  I don’t have schedule in front of me.

on the contrary! Looking at the two posted itineraries - and I think the upper one is Millennium - I would recommend that one for a first time visit.

It includes the highlights and easy to visit ports.

 

The lower itinerary has some ports which I would describe as ports for Japan connoisseurs, but not for first timers.

[zitsky]

26 minutes ago, Miaminice said:

on the contrary! Looking at the two posted itineraries - and I think the upper one is Millennium - I would recommend that one for a first time visit.

It includes the highlights and easy to visit ports.

 

The lower itinerary has some ports which I would describe as ports for Japan connoisseurs, but not for first timers.

Thanks.   I’ll keep Millennium on my list.  

[RichYak]

2 hours ago, zitsky said:

I do look at both Aqua Class and Retreat pricing across Celebrity and similar lines.  **IMHO** that is useful to me even if it is not useful to you.

The only part of your post that is not useful to me is your baseless claim that people are saying that luxury/premium lines are less expensive than regular veranda cabins on a mass market cruise line.
 

That seemed to me to be the premise of this thread. Perhaps I misunderstood you. In general, I do find your comments easy to misconstrue. 
 

That aside, it is, of course, useful to compare pricing across (and within) lines to find the value that works best for your cruising preference. I hope you finally find the right Japan cruise for you. 

[Miaminice]

15 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Thanks.   I’ll keep Millennium on my list.  

For our upcoming 4th cruise to Japan we compared different options but eventually booked Millennium again. She’s the right size for Japan and we think they did a fabulous job refreshing her. 
 

I think you know our reviews. You can find more info there.

[zitsky]

1 hour ago, RichYak said:

The only part of your post that is not useful to me is your baseless claim that people are saying that luxury/premium lines are less expensive than regular veranda cabins on a mass market cruise line.
 

That seemed to me to be the premise of this thread. Perhaps I misunderstood you. In general, I do find your comments easy to misconstrue. 
 

That aside, it is, of course, useful to compare pricing across (and within) lines to find the value that works best for your cruising preference. I hope you finally find the right Japan cruise for you. 

Folks in this forum claim that luxury lines are cheaper than Celebrity RETREAT.  

 

I have yet to see much detail of that claim.  Cabin 123 on Regent cost this and cabin 345 on Celebrity cost that.  I haven’t seen a lot of specifics, just some claims.  And my job is not to be useful to you or convince you.  It’s to convince myself.

 

If you know a luxury line that charges less than $20,000 for a suite for two pax for a 14 day cruise, then I’m listening.  
 

Please let me know what part of this post you’ve “misconstrued” so that I can correct your misperceptions.

Edited October 19 by zitsky

[C4HCG]

1 hour ago, RichYak said:

The only part of your post that is not useful to me is your baseless claim that people are saying that luxury/premium lines are less expensive than regular veranda cabins on a mass market cruise line.
 

That seemed to me to be the premise of this thread. Perhaps I misunderstood you. In general, I do find your comments easy to misconstrue. 
 

That aside, it is, of course, useful to compare pricing across (and within) lines to find the value that works best for your cruising preference. I hope you finally find the right Japan cruise for you. 

Is being a mass market cruise line a bad thing? Not sure why it would be, if I was selling a product I would hope it had a mass market. And I know you are having a dig at celebrity claiming to be premium / luxury but who really cares. If they feel they get value for money that’s the one and only thing that matters.