What's your take on the "new" cruise line Azamara?

[jakedoc]

Wondering what everyone is thinking about taking Quest and Journey out of Celebrity Cruise Lines and into a new so called "deluxe" cruiseline of Azamara. Where did they get the name from? Supposedly they will compete for the same clientel as Oceana.

[hajekfam]

I think it will be a lot easier to market each line as one is a premium mass market cruise line and the other a luxury cruiseline.

According to their website:

You may be wondering where the name Azamara comes from. Azamara is a coined term derived from the Romance languages. This includes the more obvious links to blue (az) and the sea (mar). The name was also inspired by a star, Acamar.

 

In Classical times, the star Acamar was the most southerly bright star that could be seen from the latitude of Greece. We think of Azamara Cruises as a star on the blue sea. We love the flowing name that conjures up the imagery of magnificent journeys around the world. And we look forward to sharing these voyages with our guests.

[chessbriar]

By separating the the two ships from the rest of the fleet, it will allow X to offer the higher levels of service and higher prices they want to get.

 

All in all, it's a good move. One I didn't expect for a couple years.

[mike35]

We've been avid Oceania fans since their inception. The Azamara ships appear to be clones of the three "O" ships -- size, layout, specialty restaurants, extremely limited smoking venues, very port-intensive, dress code (country club casual), etc. According to X's press release (released on 5/4), they will have even more personal amenities - butler service in all cabins, fresh fruit daily, etc. Hey - "O" is already almost 100% sold out for 2007 and over 65% for 2008; if it works, why not copy it?

 

Mike

[ocngypz]

On paper, too, it makes sense to have these two ships as their own divisional profit center.

[Randyk47]

Our reaction......we canceled our March 2008 cruise on the Quest this morning. :(

[rebeccalouise]

I wouldn't cancel the cruise. I think that it is going to be like Oceania- which is a great product. These are small intimate vessels, where people don't care about planned activities, steel drum bands and such. Our group of ten people had a wonderful time on Oceania. The older people in the group especially liked it. They had suites though! I was in a balcony stateroom and it was ok- not as large as you would think from the description. They are not 215 square feet- they are more like 170 with a 45 square foot balcony.

 

For my money, interests, etc. I will stick with Celebrity Millenium Class ships. They are perfect for me. But I do know that my father (age 70) - a seasoned cruiser loved the Regatta. So I am sure he will love Journey and Quest.

[Randyk47]

Too late....we're toast for the Quest. Don't like the restrictions as they're the same ones that kept us off Oceania. Looked like a great itinerary on a fantastic ship with a new feel and experience but not to be. Oh well....... :(

[iramack]

Randy,

 

I am wondering what prompted you to cancel?? Restrictions??

 

Steve (also in SAT)

[Bruin Steve]

That was a quick turnabout...

I guess they were tired of explaining why 14 night voyages on the Quest were going for "starting at $3200" while similar cruises on the larger Celebrity ships were starting at $1000 less...

 

Actually, it makes a lot of sense in a lot of ways...

Having recently cruised on Oceania myself, I knew there was no way they could operate cruises on those ships that resembled what folks were accustomed to on Celebrity...

 

Not a question of better or worse, just different...

 

Due to the size ad layout of the ship, number of passengers, etc., you just weren't going to have the same type of entertainment, traditional dining, children's programs or availability of off-hours food...

 

The product was going to have to be something closer to what Oceania offers (which, again, is a very good product...just different)...

 

And the prices have to be higher due to the economies of scale on the smaller ship...So, to justify the higher prices, it makes sense to add some amenities (like the full butler service) to at least create the perception of it being a more luxurious, and, therefore, higher cost cruise...

 

I just made the choice...before the name switch...to go on the Constellation in July 2008 after considering both the Quest and a couple of Oceania cruises...

 

But, both Azamara and Oceania have their attractions...including some great itineraries...and I would take either at some other time...but, for now, I'm going back to the M-Class...

 

Interestingly, they still include the new Azamara within the Celebrity Captains Club program...Do you think severing tha would have caused an uproar? I don't see anything thus far about Azamara honoring the RCCL Crown & Anchor reciprocity...

[Randyk47]

My wife and I are both smokers. Yes....we know we should quit, bad habit, but we're not there yet. We don't mind restrictions at dinner or in the casino or lounges but not being able to smoke in our cabin is just too much. We've always been very careful to only smoke in designated areas, rarely smoke on our verandahs, and have even been known to put out our cigarettes when sitting with non-smoking friends/fellow cruisers in the designated smoking areas of ships. The Azamara restrictions are just too much for us. Maybe some day but not now. We were looking forward to the cruise as the itinerary and the ship looked exciting. Really not angry about it, just disappointed but we all make choices. Celebrity/Azamara made theirs, we made ours. :(

[Blondie007]

Our reaction......we canceled our March 2008 cruise on the Quest this morning. :(

 

 

We are about to cancel too. There were three couples from all over the world, all meeting for a reunion on quest.. its all over for us too now ..We are furious these restrictions were not told to us at the time of booking.

Just looking for an alternative now.

[JORAY]

We are also canceling our bookings on both the Journey & Quest.

 

Why -- extremely limited smoking venues. -- mainly can not smoke in our suite or on the veranda.

 

Note: before we booked the two cruises we asked and were told by Celebrity area manger via our TA that where was not a change from the normal Celebrity policy. Our TA reports she will lose $60,000 in bookings because of some restrictions that are now being shown.

 

We are Elite with 30 cruise points

 

Now looking at HAL

[Blondie007]

My wife and I are both smokers. Yes....we know we should quit, bad habit, but we're not there yet. We don't mind restrictions at dinner or in the casino or lounges but not being able to smoke in our cabin is just too much. We've always been very careful to only smoke in designated areas, rarely smoke on our verandahs, and have even been known to put out our cigarettes when sitting with non-smoking friends/fellow cruisers in the designated smoking areas of ships. The Azamara restrictions are just too much for us. Maybe some day but not now. We were looking forward to the cruise as the itinerary and the ship looked exciting. Really not angry about it, just disappointed but we all make choices. Celebrity/Azamara made theirs, we made ours. :(

 

Randyk47, have you 100% been told Quest will have the be non smoking restrictions? Just curious? In UK, they didnt even know about Azamara when I called. The website says "Azarama Journey" in regards to the smoking rules, but no mention of quest. X in the Uk, our TA and I, all just came to the concusion that they are not detailing quest right now so as to wait until the reaction they get with Journey. BUT..thats no good is it? You cant just hold off until X make up their minds. We're all in the same boat as you so to speak... I am sure the non smokers on here will be thrilled to bits... but for the smokers...I guess I'd be pretty furious if I was cruising today on journey and had not been given the opportunity to make a choice prior to booking!

Four out of six of us smoke... .. this is worse than non smoking on land..at least on a land resort you can pop outside for a smoke... no way.. dont mind restrictions, and like you, we are considerate of others..but not even on your own balcony...its a no go for us anyway!

The whole issue is though..about choice..and X are simply not being clear on this issue at all and they are totally playing a game of "wait and see" and meanwhile allowing people to book without a choice!

If they want a non smoking ship..fine..no problem..just make it clear from the point of booking..they should never have taken bookings without giving people the choice.

NOT ON CELEBRITY!

[Host Walt]

For discussions about the new cruise line, please go to the Azamara forum. Thanks.