What's With Azamara

[hensghan]

Went by our TA this afternoon to final pay our HAL May '09 Alaska cruise and asked him what he thought would be the very best bang for our buck these days, considering the economy and future cruises. He immediately said "Azamara," a cruise line I had never even heard of. I came home, my wife and I looked at the brochure, and we liked a Jan '10 Panama Canal cruise that Azamara offered. So I went on-line to try to get an idea about pricing only to find that all the cabins we would be most interested in were already sold out. Almost a year in advance! What is Azamara doing that the other lines aren't? What is their secret? Why haven't I even heard of them before? Have I been living under a rock or is Azamara still relatively a secret?

[cruiseyguy]

They're the "Avis" of the small ship premium lines--they try harder (and price very aggressively).

[JJPacer]

Azamara is part of Celebrity Cruise Line. There are 2 ships. The Journey and the Quest. Both ships were part of the the Renassaissance Cruise line, that went bankrupt a few years ago. Their ships were sold off. Princess bought some. Celebrity did too, and set up Azamara Cruises. These ships are smaller, approx. 700 px per ship. They are suited better to do smaller islands, and the 'off the beaten path' type itineraries. We wouldn't have know about this line either, if we hadn't sailed on Celebrity.

 

It wouldn't hurt to call your TA or Azamara and ask about cabins you are interested in. My experience with online booking is they sometimes list the less desirable cabins, and do not list the more desireable ones, even though they may be available. I hope you find the cabin you want and take the cruise your interested in.

 

We took a cruise on the Thitian Princess which is a sister ship of the Azamara ships. We enjoyed it. I'm sure you will too.

[tgg]

You didn't say what category you're interested in. However the only ones that appear sold out on the Azamara site are Penthouses, and the two lowest level insides (categories 11 and 12). If you want an inside, why not book a category 10 and waitlist for an 11 or 12. The difference in price appears insignificant.

[dabear]

wow: can't agree with the above poster. We've been on most of the mass market lines and have cruised 3 r class ships. Azamara is trying to copy Oceania and they are doing a great job. Great food and service (restaurant not hotel quality) and entertainment is adequate. The biggest difference is whether you want a large or small ship. Other than the 1st few shake down cruises when A switched Galaxy customer s to A (and they were not the targeted market and there is little children's activities on A) , A has been gettng high marks.

[nevernever]

Whilst Azamara is not perfect (what cruise line is?), the overwhelming majority of cruise critics who have sailed on Quest or Journey have offered very positive reviews. Everyone is entitled to their point of view, but I suggest that newbies be guided by the majority and not by the occasional person who chooses to push a very critical agenda.

 

Nevernever

[critterchick]

Your TA should keep checking the cabin inventory for you - often a cabin is being held for a week or so and is then relinquished back into inventory. He can waitlist you, too.

 

Our PC cruise on Journey did not sell out until the bitter end, if it even did then. Thanks to some aggressive price reductions we ended up saving $2400 over what we first booked the cruise for.

 

I had a lovely time, but don't think Azamara is a 5-star line, as they advertise themselves. I think that on an itinerary with 9 sea days, the issues were magnified - on a cruise-intensive trip I would be more forgiving, or more probably wouldn't even notice some of the things that I did. Most of them were minor, but at some point even the minor things add up.

 

You can see some recent reviews (including my own) of Journey in the Reviews section of Cruise Critic. Click on "Reviews" all the way on top and navigate your way there.

[capecodder2]

Hensghan, I would just like to add a couple of things since you mentioned you had sailed on HAL. We love the small ships with port intensive cruises - the ship, for us, is a way to get from point A to point B, don't care about shows, casino, bingo, etc. If you like all the activities, shows and entertainment, casino, bingo, shops, etc., the larger ships provide, you will not get that on these smaller ships. Low-key entertainment, smallish casino, most folks seem to be up early, out all day (or on the few sea days, relax), nice dinner, and go to bed relatively early. Your expectations are important to whether or not you will enjoy any ship. Please understand the differences so that you will not be disappointed. Happy cruisin'.

[critterchick]

Hensghan, I would just like to add a couple of things since you mentioned you had sailed on HAL. We love the small ships with port intensive cruises - the ship, for us, is a way to get from point A to point B, don't care about shows, casino, bingo, etc. If you like all the activities, shows and entertainment, casino, bingo, shops, etc., the larger ships provide, you will not get that on these smaller ships. Low-key entertainment, smallish casino, most folks seem to be up early, out all day (or on the few sea days, relax), nice dinner, and go to bed relatively early. Your expectations are important to whether or not you will enjoy any ship. Please understand the differences so that you will not be disappointed. Happy cruisin'.

 

Good points. The Panama Canal crossing is an anomaly for Azamara - only 7 ports in 16 nights, and most of those ports were quite ordinary. For me, the PC transit was the highlight and made the trip worthwhile, but if I do it again, I'll pick a ship that offers more ballroom and Latin dancing opportunities, probably a Royal Caribbean RAdiance class. I will miss the specialty restaurants, though. They were sublime.:)

 

On the Quest, with only 2 sea days in 14, I expect that my cabin will be a place to change and sleep, with the occasional cocktail on the balcony. The rest of the ship will be a place to eat, dance if I have any surplus energy and nap on those days when I don't.:D

[Andy]

Hi Everyone !

 

Just a friendly reminder, as I am noticing that threads are getting off topic.

 

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[uktog]

Having just come back from Azamara Quest I can say that it is a great experience. It is not the same as a big glitzy ship, instead it is about an more intimate personal experience. I would say think about a large resort hotel vs a smaller boutique hotel. The service is more geared to you as an individual but the range of choices may be slightly more limited.

Having now had a week to reflect I will be honest and say I am glad we did discover Azamara and I am really looking forward to my next trip on Azamara and am slightly concerned about the 2010 trip on Equinox. I really enjoyed the fact that I never stood in line on board and that embarkation and disembarkation each day was so easy - its only now I look back at my previous trip diaries that I discover how many references I had to "waited a few minutes to board/disembark" - none of that on Azamara

Go enjoy

[cruisePRN]

I just sailed in january on the Quest to Asia. It was a wonderful cruise but not the premium line they advertise themselves to be. Their weakest spot was the dining room. We ate mostly at the specialty restaurants to avoid the dining room.

The service was no different then Celebrity or RCL which is good. Embarkation and debarkation were easy, well organized. I didn't care for their entertainers although the guest lecturer for the history of the ports was fabulous. The itinerary was absolutely out of this world wonderful but to dock 4 hours away from Hanoi was a schlep as was the 4 hour bus ride to Phenom Phen from dock.

The ship was a good size and easy to navigate. It was a good value although I don't think I will check with Azamara first in my future cruise planning.

[Susan-M]

What is Azamara doing that the other lines aren't? What is their secret? Why haven't I even heard of them before? Have I been living under a rock or is Azamara still relatively a secret?

 

Be sure to check out the review section of Cruise Critic:

Quest Reviews:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=409

 

Journey Reviews: http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=410

[Jancruz]

I just read the review that had only one star and this was one of their comments, I quote:

 

"The good news is… the boarding process was seamless. We went directly to our "Sky Suite" to unpack. The press on this ship had stated the Azamara Journey had undergone a major remodel eighteen months previously. There was no indication of this upon entering our suite. Yes, the suite was rather small, and the bathroom miniscule, but it did appear to be clean, although extremely dated. There was no way this room had been fully remodeled eighteen months ago. "

 

This gentleman/lady was very misinformed ...as this ship did not have any Sky Suites when built .. each Sky Suite was individually installed brand new 18 months ago..I am not sure why they thought they were out dated..obviously they didnt like the decor of the ship at all and do not belong on a ship with old world ambiance.

 

Jancruz1

[critterchick]

I just read the review that had only one star and this was one of their comments, I quote:

 

"The good news is… the boarding process was seamless. We went directly to our "Sky Suite" to unpack. The press on this ship had stated the Azamara Journey had undergone a major remodel eighteen months previously. There was no indication of this upon entering our suite. Yes, the suite was rather small, and the bathroom miniscule, but it did appear to be clean, although extremely dated. There was no way this room had been fully remodeled eighteen months ago. "

 

This gentleman/lady was very misinformed ...as this ship did not have any Sky Suites when built .. each Sky Suite was individually installed brand new 18 months ago..I am not sure why they thought they were out dated..obviously they didnt like the decor of the ship at all and do not belong on a ship with old world ambiance.

 

Jancruz1

 

Perhaps because they were decorated in orange (well, rust), which I always associate with the 1980s.;) I found our Sky Suite to be in very good condition, and pretty much everything looked new. Just a few bumps and bruises, which is to be expected.

[uktog]

I could detect no issues at all in our Sky Suite last week which was in better condition than any other we have sailed in on Celebrity

A

[Deckhawk]

As with all reviews on-line, I think you need to take them with a grain of salt. Cruising in EXTREMELY subjective. I read the Carnival message boards and people say that the food is godly - then I go on the cruise ship and wonder if I am in the wrong dinning room. It's all a matter of taste and obviously when people are upset over one thing they tend to be more critical about others...

[Jade13]

Our experience on Azamara Quest in October in the Med was exceptional ... the food was delicious and very good quality, service was as good as we've had on our other cruises, and entertainment was suitable for a small ship, with some very talented performers.

 

What we loved about Azamara was the size of the ship, comfortable and nicely decorated cabin, elegant decor throughout the ship, great food in all 4 dining venues, open dining, no formal nights, an almost smoke free environment and an interesting, port-intensive itinerary.

 

Susan, We decided to keep our cruise on Quest as booked for 2010. When my DH saw the price he thought it was "cheap", even for a Verandah. We just got back from an A&K trip to Antarctica on Minerva and everything was first class. We do not expect that service elsewhere. Our preference is also for elegant decor, a more exotic itinerary and smart casual attire.

 

Btw, on Minerva there was no dress code at all and it was common for guests to bring their Parkas and cameras to the dinning room. The Captain would interrupt dinner if he spotted any whales or porpoises etc outside. You would love this trip.

[TomCruises]

The Azamara Journey sails 3/20/10 Southern Caribbean and has cabin #8090 available! It offers a 180 view and is considered a top veranda category. This cabin was $2899 for the last 6 mos. and is now available for only $2299 not including additional T/A discounts of up to 12%. Azamara may offer great deals do to current economic conditions, however, is not Oceania,Regent or Silver Seas.

[cruiseyguy]

The price gap between Azamara and Oceania is generally so great that most people can probably live with the "differences" between the two lines.

[Torchcorvette]

The price gap between Azamara and Oceania is generally so great that most people can probably live with the "differences" between the two lines.

Agreed.

We took several Oceania cruises when they rose out of the Renaissance rubble starting around 2002. Prices were reasonable.

They used to be pretty close but not anymore. We priced cruises in Jan-Feb from CA to FL thru Panama Canal- same type of cabin-both 16 nights and found prices of about $2,500. per cabin of 2 difference. So we booked the 1/3/10 San Diego to Miami on the Journey. We cruised with AZ last year on a western Med trip....very enjoyable...could not see any major problems.

[tmyq]

As with all reviews on-line, I think you need to take them with a grain of salt. Cruising in EXTREMELY subjective. I read the Carnival message boards and people say that the food is godly - then I go on the cruise ship and wonder if I am in the wrong dinning room. It's all a matter of taste and obviously when people are upset over one thing they tend to be more critical about others...

.

 

Deckhawk I agree we had cruised on RCI's Rhapsody 4 times and had good service and good food on all but the last. I could not believe the difference. I think it has to do with staff at the time you sail. It can be a hit and miss but for us after 43 cruises you don't let it get you down you still go and have a good time. Why let one bad apple or in this case bad cruise stop you from doing more cruises and enjoy what you love doing most.

 

Jeff

[tmyq]

Went by our TA this afternoon to final pay our HAL May '09 Alaska cruise and asked him what he thought would be the very best bang for our buck these days, considering the economy and future cruises. He immediately said "Azamara," a cruise line I had never even heard of. I came home, my wife and I looked at the brochure, and we liked a Jan '10 Panama Canal cruise that Azamara offered. So I went on-line to try to get an idea about pricing only to find that all the cabins we would be most interested in were already sold out. Almost a year in advance! What is Azamara doing that the other lines aren't? What is their secret? Why haven't I even heard of them before? Have I been living under a rock or is Azamara still relatively a secret?

 

Hensghan,

 

We have been looking online at the Sky Suites for the January Panama 2010 sailing only to find they were sold out. I called my TA yesterday and asked her what's with this there were 9 suites left and she advised me she took the last of the inventory to promote. So there are some out there it's just where to find them. Hope to see you onboard.

 

Jeff