Azamara vs. Oceania

[azkitty]

Has anyone sailed on both and can you give a comparison with pros & cons and similarities? We enjoyed our one Oceania cruise and have another booked for next summer. Meanwhile, in Nov. we will be on our favorite cruise line, Crystal, which we love for the outstanding food and ambiance. We prefer the casualness and open dinning seating of Oceania for a summer cruise with a lot of port stops. If Azmara is similar, it may be a consideration next time.

[LHT28]

there are several thread her & on the Oceania forum with the same info

If you use the search feature you will find them

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=743598&highlight=oceania

[phillipahain]

We have sailed both and also Princess on their 3 R Class ships

 

Oceania I think is now overpriced and whilst on our 1st Oceania we raved about the service etc on our 2nd we sadly did not experience anything like the same service and received a very bad attitude over changed itinery and shortened port calls none of which were advised beforehand despite clearly being arranged long before final payment

 

Azamara has some rough edges but their entertainment beats O

Their food was better

The service not quite so swift and attentive

but the price was better

 

Princess we find for the price you pay still do an excellent job

 

Hence if you want the same small ship but not pay top dollar try Tahitian , Pacific or Royal Princess

[azkitty]

We chose the O cruise on the Nautica for next summer because of itinerary. I have not found a cruise in the Med. (Barcelona - Istanbul) that does the African coast and so many different ports: Tunisia, Malta, Cypress, 2-days each in Egypt and Haifa, etc. It's 14 days and we got the early pricing.

 

We sailed once on Princess that was enough. The food and service were terrible, not even worth the cheaper price. We would not chance it again.

 

We thought the food on the Nautica in '06 was fairly good, nothing to write home about except for the Tapas Bar, which we liked a lot. Maybe we were jaded by our recent Crystal experience. The food on Crystal is far superior with many more choices or order what you want whether on or off the menu. Crystal does not nickel & dime. Water and cold beverages are always available free and your fridg is stocked daily, daily fruit brought to your cabin as well. They also have a wonderful bistro with all types of plain & fancy coffees and teas which are free. If you are looking for just the cruise experience, Crystal is the way to go. They also have big discounted pricing for past cruisers.

 

For casino fans, Crystal's casino is large and open and well lit. Back in '05 on the Harmony, the slots were quite loose. I won $2,500 on 3 quarters after netting at least $100 each night. Back then, Caesars Palace owned and ran the casino. They don't anymore so things may have changed. The casino on the Nautica was so small, dark and dingy looking, so I never went back after 5 min. of play.

[phillipahain]

at the end of the day .........if the itinery is what you want you go for it

[CruiseIsFun]

I haven't cruised on either but I am thiking of either one for a Summer Med cruise

 

How do the two compare in terms of facility on ship, food, cabins, ports of call, and price?

[LHT28]

I have only sailed Oceania but it seems that they are very similar except for price

There are several threads on here with the question

Do a search for Oceania and you will find several

 

here is one

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=743598&highlight=oceania

[CJcruzer]

We sailed Oceania in June 2007 to the Baltic and just recently returned from Azamara to Western Med...as far as itinerary, both ships do a good job being port intensive, and docking closer to town in some cases.

 

Food was basically comparable - the staff on ship - guest relations, excursions, on Azamara were far friendlier and more helpful - this came into play at the tender ports where we had private excursions with groups of either 6, 8 or 10 people and time was of essence to get off in time --- excellent personnel skills....I mark Azamara 10 out of 10 (but don't give the same grade for calling Azamara offices)

 

I enjoyed afternoon tea on Oceania better - they do a first-rate job, Azamara has tea only on sea days (although you can have tea and cookies delivered as room service)...this is not enough of a problem to justify paying a lot more to Oceania.

 

The sushi on Oceania is nicer - at least hubby says (I don't partake)...

 

As far as bringing liquor onboard - Oceania did not question anything when we bought wines at ports (1 bottle) but Azamara's policy is only 2 bottles at time of embarking, no purchases as port may be taken to room....also I believe both lines have the same corking fee - $25.00 OUCH

 

Azamara does have fabulous fruit smoothies in the morning up at the buffet.

 

Evening entertainment is equal on both lines.....but cruising in the Europe, nightly entertainment is not of high priority to me....Azamara did have 2 fabulous singers on different nights - a tenor and soprano, and then did a third show together.

 

You can't go wrong with either one - they both offer a good product, make your choice according to itinerary or any special pricing/air inclusive specials......

[Andy]

Hi Cruise is Fun !

 

I have merged your post into a thread, where you can find some excellent information. If you have further questions, feel free to ask. Enjoy !

[Spursgirl]

Hi,

 

Just got off Azamara Quest on Oct 11 - although I haven't yet travelled Oceania, would think it would have to go some to beat Azamara. Have had two wonderful cruises with them in 2008 and can't wait to return in 2009.

 

If you like small ships, I am sure you will be very happy with either the Quest or the Journey

[2Fltravelers]

I agree 100% with CJCruzer. We were both on the 6/07 Oceania Regatta cruise of the Baltic and we were on the Azamara Quest cruise right after (we had breakfast together at our hotel in Civitavecchia).

 

We had virtually the same cabin on both cruises (7085 and 7089).The service was better on Azamara. I like them both very much but the Azamara itinerary in the Med was incredible and the price was more than 20% cheaper. I just posted a CC review if anyone is interested that includes some comparisons with Oceania. The link is

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=48567

[franu]

What, if any are the differences of Solo prices? Just got an amazing e-mail from a friend sailing on O. Thinking about it but is it out of sight solo?

Fran