Will we enjoy Azamara?

We love cruising with Celebrity. We've only been on the M class ships (less bells and whistles). I found an itinerary that is very interesting to us (17 nt Rome to Dubai). I'm wondering if we will enjoy Azamara or will we be bored?

On Celebrity, we enjoy the restaurants and bars, go to the comedy show but typically skip most of the other entertainment, just not to our liking. We do like live music (rock, acoustic, no violins, no jazz). We love bingo, the casino, cooking classes, wine tasting and things like that. I'm worried that an Azamara cruise will be too quiet for us, especially given that this itinerary has 7 days at sea.

We are in our mid 30's if that's helpful. Any advice from cruisers with Celebrity and Azamara experience would be appreciated.

We love Azamara, but after sailing on the Silhouette last year, I told DH if we ever did a TA or a cruise with a lot of sea days, I don't think I'd be able to do it on Azamara and we are much older than you. This is not meant to be negative about Azamara....just my thoughts.

There is only one small pool and it can become quite crowded at times. I see that you also have 4 sea days in a row.

That being said, we normally do port intensive cruises and if we are lucky enough to have one sea day, we just chill out on that day and don't get involved with a lot of activities but I would think bingo, trivia, etc., would become a little boring for us.

I'm sure others will chime in who have done cruises with more sea days on Azamara.

Good luck with your decision. The itinerary looks wonderful.

We love cruising with Celebrity. We've only been on the M class ships (less bells and whistles). I found an itinerary that is very interesting to us (17 nt Rome to Dubai). I'm wondering if we will enjoy Azamara or will we be bored?

 

On Celebrity, we enjoy the restaurants and bars, go to the comedy show but typically skip most of the other entertainment, just not to our liking. We do like live music (rock, acoustic, no violins, no jazz). We love bingo, the casino, cooking classes, wine tasting and things like that. I'm worried that an Azamara cruise will be too quiet for us, especially given that this itinerary has 7 days at sea.

 

We are in our mid 30's if that's helpful. Any advice from cruisers with Celebrity and Azamara experience would be appreciated.

Aloha Beh,

I've sailed both lines. While Azamara offers an absoultely wonderful cruise experience, and their officer & crew interaction are outstanding... Azamara's ships are roughly 1/3 the size of Celebrity's ships. Therefore, the onboard experience is more sedate than what Celebrity offers. IMO, Azamara's MDR cuisine is at least the same, if not better than Celebrity. Azamara's Specialty dining is outstanding. As for the bars, they can probably match what Celebrity offers. Entertainment - as the ship is much smaller, there will be less choices than on Celebrity. On most (if not all) sailings, they offer a piano performer. They do not have a big theater. Think more along the lines of Cabaret type shows. Azamara's Casino is nice, but very small. Only about 6-8 gaming tables, and a bunch of slots machines. No craps table.

It's impossible for anyone to say with certainty, whether you will enjoy Azamara, but I hope this information helps you with your decision. If you have additional questions, feel free to ask, or email me by clicking on the link below. Hope this helps !

I think you should go for it! I say this only because I looked at your itinerary and you have only 4 sea days in a row with the rest interspersed throughout the 17 days. Now if it were 7 sea days in a row I'd be agreeing 100% with Midwestchick, that's for sure.

We've been on the Summit, another M class ship and have sailed a transatlantic on the Equinox. Going on Azamara is a different kind of experience than that. There simply aren't the facilities on a smaller ship to go the "Iron Chef" kind of competitions you find on X. And the bars are just ordinary bars. No fancy martini ice bars and Molecular Bars. The live music is slightly more limited too. However, what you will find on Azamara is more interaction with people. Crew people and passenger people. When there's not as much going on in the way of entertainment that requires nothing of you but to watch and enjoy (shows and such), you make your own entertainment, otherwise known as conversation. You find yourself in easy conversation with other people on the ship because it's a convivial atmosphere to do so. Think of X as a big city and Azamara as a small town. You know what they say about the friendliness and hospitality of small towns vs. big cities and you'll get the picture. The funny thing is that even though Azamara doesn't have the high energy amenities of X, it's not the least bit boring. The dinners are lovely, the shows are generally entertaining, and the dance floor is usually hopping late at night. Azamara might be relaxed and laid back but it's never not interesting and fun.

I think you should try out that great itinerary. I bet the Petra excursions would be exhausting so 4 nights on the sea might be a welcome thing indeed.

There simply aren't the facilities on a smaller ship to go the "Iron Chef" kind of competitions you find on X.

Actually, Deirdre, there are.

On our 2012 and 2013 fall trans-Atlantics on Quest there were Iron Chef competitions between the hotel director (Ryszard) and the cruise director (Russ in 2012 and Tony in 2013). There was also one planned for our winter 2014 Hong Kong to Shanghai cruise but it was cancelled after Journey picked up debris in Tokyo harbor--damaging a propeller shaft seal--and the senior officers had more important things to worry about than cooking contests.

P.S.: Bet OP couple would love the White Night Party.

I love Azamara but i get bored with too many sea days.. I am not into bingo and rarely go to trivia. i read a lot on deck 11 and if not good weather i go to my cabin to read.. some night the dance floor is very busy- other nights not ... 4 sea days in a row a lot..

officers and crew are great but there is more to do on Celebrity. more all day long.. plus the late night comedy act-

i know food is better on Aamara. .

ship is older so cabins are smaller and the bathroom is tiny.. if you do his cruise looks at prices for club suites..

Good luck!

Actually, Deirdre, there are.

 

On our 2012 and 2013 fall trans-Atlantics on Quest there were Iron Chef competitions between the hotel director (Ryszard) and the cruise director (Russ in 2012 and Tony in 2013). There was also one planned for our winter 2014 Hong Kong to Shanghai cruise but it was cancelled after Journey picked up debris in Tokyo harbor--damaging a propeller shaft seal--and the senior officers had more important things to worry about than cooking contests.

 

P.S.: Bet OP couple would love the White Night Party.

This is fantastic. Rob and I have been talking all weekend about booking the transatlantic on the Quest--four sea days just like the OP's itinerary, and I think you may have sealed the deal. That would be fun seeing HD vs CD in a cooking showdown. I can just imagine it! They'd probably think up other things too to "use up" the sea days. I agree with you about the White Night party. When it's held out on the deck there's nothing quite like it.

This is fantastic. Rob and I have been talking all weekend about booking the transatlantic on the Quest--four sea days just like the OP's itinerary, and I think you may have sealed the deal. That would be fun seeing HD vs CD in a cooking showdown. I can just imagine it! They'd probably think up other things too to "use up" the sea days. I agree with you about the White Night party. When it's held out on the deck there's nothing quite like it.

I have judge this event it is fun.. about 11 am.. both times the HD was the better cook. it is the only one plus a cooking demo one morning ..

This is fantastic. Rob and I have been talking all weekend about booking the transatlantic on the Quest--four sea days just like the OP's itinerary, and I think you may have sealed the deal. That would be fun seeing HD vs CD in a cooking showdown. I can just imagine it! They'd probably think up other things too to "use up" the sea days. I agree with you about the White Night party. When it's held out on the deck there's nothing quite like it.

Deirdre,

We had an Iron Chef competition on a med cruise on Quest. I was one of the judges and it was totally hilarious.

It was Ryzsard v Russ. Poor Russ was so endearing but totally hopeless. I never realised before that you could ruin a fresh fruit salad!

However, on our recent Quest cruise Russ told us with glee that he had finally won his first Iron Chef contest.

Think a TA on Azamara would be huge fun.

Deirdre,

 

We had an Iron Chef competition on a med cruise on Quest. I was one of the judges and it was totally hilarious.

 

It was Ryzsard v Russ. Poor Russ was so endearing but totally hopeless. I never realised before that you could ruin a fresh fruit salad!

 

However, on our recent Quest cruise Russ told us with glee that he had finally won his first Iron Chef contest.

 

Think a TA on Azamara would be huge fun.

Yes he did on our TA in March when it was Russ v Philip and a well deserved win it was too. My OH was picked as one of the judges and it was a really excellent, fun filled hour.

We had a great time on this and really enjoyed the sea days, time to relax but also time to participate in a lot of activities that we haven't always bothered with and certainly lots of time to meet and converse with fellow passengers. On this cruise the dance floor was very busy after the first few nights, often till 1am or later!

Thank you to the OP for asking the question about repositioning cruises. I was really on the fence about an Azamara TA but all of you who have had stretches of sea days really seem to have enjoyed it. You all sound so happy! What to do but book and even though I think it's nutty to plan two years in the future I did it anyway... :D

I can't imagine any of the "R" ships for a transatlantic. The only transatlantic I will do again is on the QM2. She was built for transatlantic voyages. I need the bigger ships because I suffer from motion sickness. My husband needs a ship with lots of activities for sea days. The smaller ships are great for port intensive cruises since the sailing is done at night. We just completed a Venice to Istanbul cruise on the HAL Ryndam which is 1200 passengers. We missed Mykonos due to high winds so we had a sea day...both of us were bored. There was only one other sea day in the 14 days which was perfect for my DH.

I can't imagine any of the "R" ships for a transatlantic.

Postings like this can scare others away unnecessarily. We've done three trans-Atlantics on Azamara and all were just fine. Two with little or no motion and one with a day or two or three that had some rolling. Looking forward to doing another one of these years.

Some people enjoy lazy, leisurely sea days and others don't, a matter of personal preference. For us, "the smaller ships are great" for any cruising, port-intensive or repositioning, if you don't want to be among a crowd of thousands and enjoy the warm, personal, engaged on-board ambiance provided by the officers and crew of an Azamara ship.

Postings like this can scare others away unnecessarily. We've done three trans-Atlantics on Azamara and all were just fine. Two with little or no motion and one with a day or two or three that had some rolling. Looking forward to doing another one of these years..

And, some of us like the motion. :)

last spring some crew meembers had trpouble coming across in Nov. .they could not wait to see land

I have done 1 TA and I would never consider a smaller ship. You cannot depend on a smooth sail on the Atlantic and when the rocking begins just be prepared. Just ask most of the crew on the larger ships ;-)

I have done 1 TA and I would never consider a smaller ship. You cannot depend on a smooth sail on the Atlantic and when the rocking begins just be prepared. Just ask most of the crew on the larger ships ;-)

ask on the small ships

ask on the small ships

LOL..I can only imagine ;-)

Postings like this can scare others away unnecessarily. We've done three trans-Atlantics on Azamara and all were just fine. Two with little or no motion and one with a day or two or three that had some rolling. Looking forward to doing another one of these years.

 

Some people enjoy lazy, leisurely sea days and others don't, a matter of personal preference. For us, "the smaller ships are great" for any cruising, port-intensive or repositioning, if you don't want to be among a crowd of thousands and enjoy the warm, personal, engaged on-board ambiance provided by the officers and crew of an Azamara ship.

Please refer back to the OP's original questions. They are a young couple and like a lot of activities. I don't see anyone trying to scare them off but only posting opinions, which is precisely what the OP asked for. And trust me, the ship can rock and roll at times. It's happened to us twice in the Med. We are fortunate it does not bother us though.

I won't dispute the warm, personal ambiance of Azamara, but I still think the OP would not be as happy on an Azamara ship with this itinerary.

Do we like a quiet, leisurely day...indeed. But for us, 4 days in a row would be too much. And as I originally stated, we are much older than they are.

Any time someone is asking for opinions, that is what they will get in a response...and...it's only opinions.

For those considering an Azamara cruise as a first big travel experience.....you will have a wonderful time!

BUT! Travel should be evaluated as a prism, from many perspectives ---- see below the words of experienced travelers...

The cost of a cruise on a line like Azamara has just gotten to be prohibitive for us, & so we are considering trips that focus on a single country. It's easy to do & our thinking is that we can get top-notch hotels & drink an awful lot of wine for the per diem price of an Azamara cruise. As we like a suite, that would be $1000 per day for us as a couple.

Even beyond the expense - it's just NICE to try to focus on a single country....we are looking forward to it. AND we look forward to returning to cruising when expenses normalize.....

---The cost of a cruise on a line like Azamara has just gotten to be prohibitive for us, & so we are considering trips that focus on a single country. It's easy to do & our thinking is that we can get top-notch hotels & drink an awful lot of wine for the per diem price of an Azamara cruise. As we like a suite, that would be $1000 per day for us as a couple.

Look at the current offer, Balcony for Inside price.:p

It worked out at £100 p.p per day ( that's not including the one way flight back from Montreal)

Please refer back to the OP's original questions. They are a young couple and like a lot of activities. I don't see anyone trying to scare them off but only posting opinions, which is precisely what the OP asked for. And trust me, the ship can rock and roll at times. It's happened to us twice in the Med. We are fortunate it does not bother us though.

I won't dispute the warm, personal ambiance of Azamara, but I still think the OP would not be as happy on an Azamara ship with this itinerary.

Do we like a quiet, leisurely day...indeed. But for us, 4 days in a row would be too much. And as I originally stated, we are much older than they are.

Any time someone is asking for opinions, that is what they will get in a response...and...it's only opinions.

You conveniently left out the quote to which I responded: "I can't imagine any of the "R" ships for a trans-Atlantic."

Clearly, thousands of people can, in fact, imagine it, and have enjoyed such a crossing immensely. It's one thing to say that something is not one's preference, quite another to say "I can't imagine it," as if it's something no one in his or her right mind should ever consider.

You might want to "refer back to the OP's original questions," as long as you suggested that. There's no reference to a trans-Atlantic cruise at all, with no concern whatsoever expressed over rough seas. The concern expressed was over activities on-board.

Seems to me that all that needed to be said is that an Azamara ship will very likely have fewer activities on sea days than a much larger Celebrity ship, as postings #2 through #11 helpfully did. Then came a diatribe about R ships and trans-Atlantics in #12 that, in my opinion, might scare people away unnecessarily.

Rough seas can happen anywhere, and to any ship, even, as you found, in the Med. Yet I don't think you would warn others against cruising an R ship in the Med, would you?

I stated my OPINION several posts back. I'm quite an experienced cruiser 30+ cruises. I've crossed the Atlantic many times. I experienced a category 3 hurricane off of Greenland and a terrible storm in the North Sea between Norway and Newcastle England. I've sailed from Hawaii to New Zealand and sailed the Tasman Sea. The sickest I've been on a ship in 40+ years was on the Azamara Quest in the Caribbean. It is my OPINION that if I were sick for 4 days in the Caribbean on an "R" ship then crossing the Atlantic would not work for me on a "R" ship. We had planned to sail another "R" ship in Oct in the Med and Black Sea. I cancelled that cruise after my experience on the Quest. We booked the Ryndam in it's place. We enjoyed the Ryndam and I was never sick. I assume that all of you who say the Atlantic is fine on a small ship are not bothered by motion sickness. One post said something to the effect that mega ships are awful because of all the people...well we quite enjoy them...I don't get sick and my DH has plenty to do. We've learned to avoid the crowds on the mega ships so we can enjoy the amenities. We enjoyed the Quest in the British Isles and the Ryndam in the Med. We pick our ships based on destinations.

We enjoyed the Quest in the British Isles

Some of the worst weather we've experienced was on the North Sea in August.

The calmest was on the Tasman Sea!

It's the luck of the draw( weather)

I try to choose a midships cabin.

I'm sorry everyone but I seem to have gotten you all off on a tangent. I'm the one going on the TA, not the OP!!!! And I mentioned it on this post only because we too have four sea days in a row, like the OP (and I think anyone could do alright with just four ;)). For the record, I get horrible seasickness but I am not afraid of an R class ship in the North Atlantic because I take my Bonine and eat the green apples and ginger. It all works and I'm fine. That, combined with all the sea day activities that the crew appears to put on for these kinds of itineraries, makes me think that OP wouldn't have too much trouble "enduring" a repositioning cruise, no matter what their age. Just my opinion of course.