Experienced X cruiser thinking of trying Azamara and has questions!

Hi all,

I have just spent the last few hours reading this board with interest as we are thinking of trying our first non-X cruise this fall.

I am a little nervous as I do not like change but the itinerary is so incredible that I feel compelled to! And so in my usual fashion I have been scouring these boards for all the answers to my many questions. As I have not found all of them I have started my own thread. here goes:

1. Azamara is billed as a luxury line, and at twice the price of a X cruise, I hope it lives up to its claim. I have reviewed the site, and it would appear the fare includes gratuities, and beverages. What are the alcoholic beverages included in the fare price? For the beers, do they have any gluten-free varieties? What kinds of expenses would I incur on board? I do not shop, and would probably only hit the spa once for a mani, so I am thinking my on-board bill would almost be non-existent! Am I missing something?

2. My hubby and I are not huge joiners preferring to spend the evening listing to live music. What is the availability of it on-board? I found X was terrible at scheduling entertainment. There would be times where there would no live music at all. (I found this especially so during the evening main stage performance - probably a ploy to encourage participation!)

3. I have found in the 7 yrs we have been sailing X that the age demographic of the passengers has decreased a lot; as we are sailing a 9 day in the Eastern Mediterranean, what age demographic can we expect?

4. One of my favorite features of a X cruise are the formal nights; alas, I see Azamara do not have any formal nights :( Therefore, what is the usual dress in the evening? Would my cocktail dresses be out of place?

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to answer my questions. It is really appreciated. Hope every has a great weekend (and a long one for my fellow Canadians!)

Hi all,

 

I have just spent the last few hours reading this board with interest as we are thinking of trying our first non-X cruise this fall.

 

I am a little nervous as I do not like change but the itinerary is so incredible that I feel compelled to! And so in my usual fashion I have been scouring these boards for all the answers to my many questions. As I have not found all of them I have started my own thread. here goes:

 

1. Azamara is billed as a luxury line, and at twice the price of a X cruise, I hope it lives up to its claim. I have reviewed the site, and it would appear the fare includes gratuities, and beverages. What are the alcoholic beverages included in the fare price? For the beers, do they have any gluten-free varieties? What kinds of expenses would I incur on board? I do not shop, and would probably only hit the spa once for a mani, so I am thinking my on-board bill would almost be non-existent! Am I missing something?

 

i buy better vodka and rum beyond what is in cluded in fare. no, I do not know what is included as it not to my liking. I also been know to buy a better wine.. i love the spa so my money goes there.

 

2. My hubby and I are not huge joiners preferring to spend the evening listing to live music. What is the availability of it on-board? I found X was terrible at scheduling entertainment. There would be times where there would no live music at all. (I found this especially so during the evening main stage performance - probably a ploy to encourage participation!)

Azamarais worse no other music going on during the show.. there have but not nightly outdoor movies.

 

3. I have found in the 7 yrs we have been sailing X that the age demographic of the passengers has decreased a lot; as we are sailing a 9 day in the Eastern Mediterranean, what age demographic can we expect?

Azamara around 60 and up but can go 40 and up.

 

4. One of my favorite features of a X cruise are the formal nights; alas, I see Azamara do not have any formal nights :( Therefore, what is the usual dress in the evening? Would my cocktail dresses be out of place?

 

I wear dresses most nights. I am more dressed up than most people. pants and tops for ladies.. i find some dress like htey are going to a movie.

 

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to answer my questions. It is really appreciated. Hope every has a great weekend (and a long one for my fellow Canadians!)

at least this is a start to your questions answerd.

Hi Sabbycatt

Just to add to Robin's response:

1. Here's a link to the included drinks package:

http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/our-ships/onboard-packages/complimentary-beverages

2. As we haven't sailed with Azamara since 2009, I cannot comment on the availability of music on board.

3. Both of our Azamara cruises attracted 40s upwards.

4. I love to dress up in the evening and always take plenty of cocktail dresses.

Hope that's helpful.

Lynne :)

Some further additions

1. In relation to the gluten free varieties of beer, I am assuming you know what is /is not gluten free. If it is not on the included list you will want to check it is onboard so contact Special Services (you will also want to do that re meals). The one thing I can say Azamara are exceptional at handling food intolerances, way better than Celebrity

You can also bring drink on board so in theory you could bring any beer you specifically needed on in any port

As regards spending extra, of course you can, but Azamara is a "low key" selling operation. They recognise you have paid upfront. The shops are really not that great, the spa is also good but not the "bling" of Celebrity. Personally I am not a huge fan of any onboard spa so I am not a good advocate anyway.

2. You will certainly find music during the main show available elsewhere - typically the casino has a piano player. The main show is also a more relaxing experience in a show lounge rather than a theatre so you may find some nights what is on offer matches your preferences anyway

3. Age wise as the ship is not the destination it tends to attract younger more mobile guests, quite a few honeymooners who want to avoid children on their special trip have been on our recent cruises

4. On average I find Azamara better dressed and do not share Robins view on the standard. You do not have the "two standard" approach I have seen on Celebrity recently (very smart on formal, very very casual otherwise) what I would say is people think, what would I wear if I was going out to a smart restaurant in town and dress accordingly so yes I pack dresses. What is different is because you are often in port late, some people will still be coming back from possibly a long day ashore. They may not want to dress for dinner so will go to the buffet, but the buffet is a very different experience - lovely outdoor dining if there is a table free and a theme a night (seafood, indian, Asian etc). Do not think Celebrity buffet!!

Hope this helps

back to number 2- in 20 plus cruises i have never seen the piano paly playing in any location during a show.. Dan started up playing at 10:30 s owhen yuo walked out of the show he was plalying. max stats at 1045 and loses a huge group.

when we had a harpest for the dinner she played from i ithnk 6 to 9 with breaks s oshe palyed at times during the early show.

Dinner clothes again- Azaamra should not allow shorts on deck 5 or show room after 6.people come in from the buffet and look like htey are mowing their loand, been to a market or movie.

The only time i was not dressed up was white nights- iswitch fro ma dress to shorts each cruise. also came back on board in time for the 815 or 945 show from being gone all and did not change.. but never went to dinner like that.

so in this case Ann and i not agree.

I recently took my first Azamara cruise, after 6 on Celebrity.

Service and food were slightly (very slightly) better than X, otherwise we definitely preferred X, for reasons I described on my review.

Agree with UKtog, we found live music in most places. We are not interested in shows so it suited us, the odd bits and pieces in the looking glass etc. until the disco started. The white night on our cruise everyone dressed up in mostly white and silver. At the speciality dining everyone was dressed to the nines and generally an air of elegance moved around the ship after 8pm.

I managed to wear all my dressy up stuff, granted sometimes 2 outfits a night but I did bring rather a lot for 8 nights ;)

Here have a look for yourself!

Last cruise, you have to get through all the sight seeing sorry, to see the people

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4204316243596.1073741846.1755575108&type=1&l=acd3811279

At the end of the day Azamara is what whatever you want it to be :)

Yvonne

Agree with UKtog, we found live music in most places. We are not interested in shows so it suited us, the odd bits and pieces in the looking glass etc. until the disco started. The white night on our cruise everyone dressed up in mostly white and silver. At the speciality dining everyone was dressed to the nines and generally an air of elegance moved around the ship after 8pm.

 

I managed to wear all my dressy up stuff, granted sometimes 2 outfits a night but I did bring rather a lot for 8 nights ;)

 

Here have a look for yourself!

Last cruise, you have to get through all the sight seeing sorry, to see the people

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4204316243596.1073741846.1755575108&type=1&l=acd3811279

 

At the end of the day Azamara is what whatever you want it to be :)

 

Yvonne

Thank you for sharing your pictures....brought back a lot of memories from our previous Journey cruise. Please tell me....how did you post the link without your name showing up? I've tried to do it on here but it shows my full name, which I don't want to post on here.

We have been cruising regularly with Celebrity and enjoy their product. We took our first Azamara in 2012 and will be on our third "annual" European cruise next week. We love the ease of getting on and off the ship, the "in the heart of the city" dockings we've experienced, the very warm and engaging crew, great food and great service. The ships are lovely, but not wow, do not expect "modern luxury" in decor. If the ship is a major attraction to you Azamara might not be the perfect fit. The decor is more traditional, the rooms rather small, although everything in maintained flawlessly. If itinerary and service are most important, as they are for us, it is perfect.

Our upcoming 7 night cruise(way too short ) only netted out to be $150 more than a not as good X 7 night itinerary, and is much more inclusive. So I would say shop around carefully for Azamara.

My husband is particular about his scotch so we likely will go to an up sell on a liqueur package, but I am generally satisfied with the offerings. We will be hard pressed to spend our TA OBC I would guess.

For the Caribbean we will be back to X, and actually next year are going back to our Royal Caribbean roots to try that again. But for port intensive European cruises we hope Azamara is around for a very long time. When you go back to the ship after a long day or night in port it's like going home. If you want a low key drink there will be options, but it won't feel like a party all the time.

I always feel like Azamara staff are more empowered to say yes to any reasonable request without having to go to their boss. That "yes" is accompanied by the sense it gives satisfaction to the staff member who met your needs. That yes! means more than wow! decor to us.

Thank you for sharing your pictures....brought back a lot of memories from our previous Journey cruise. Please tell me....how did you post the link without your name showing up? I've tried to do it on here but it shows my full name, which I don't want to post on here.

Hi just make yourself an FB album and on that album you can get a link, just to the pictures you have put together. It can be shared anywhere without any access to your personal stuff. There is a little star thing when you go to an album at the top right, it lets you get a link to share.

I have probably been as clear as mud sorry.

Yvonne

 

For the Caribbean we will be back to X, and actually next year are going back to our Royal Caribbean roots to try that again. But for port intensive European cruises we hope Azamara is around for a very long time. When you go back to the ship after a long day or night in port it's like going home. If you want a low key drink there will be options, but it won't feel like a party all the time.

I think this is an important distinction.

We have been on a larger ship in the Mediterranean and, in that setting, the experience was not nearly as enjoyable as what we encounter on Azamara. In particular, the general ease of going ashore and the remarkable small ports we have wandered have provided a provided a much more attractive cruise experience. We find the large ships' itineraries in the Med. much more generic and limited.

In the Caribbean, there are fewer itineraries that allow Azamara's strengths to shine. In that locale we have sailed on Celebrity and would consider doing so again.

back to number 2- in 20 plus cruises i have never seen the piano paly playing in any location during a show.. Dan started up playing at 10:30 s owhen yuo walked out of the show he was plalying. max stats at 1045 and loses a huge group.

 

.

Although an Azamara regular I did not want to contradict one with so many trips now on your tab so wanted to check facts. I have now reviewed the Pursuits for our last three trips (2013/4) and in every case there is entertainment in either Discoveries Bar or The Casino Bar during the show except on White Nights

Of course different voyages will have different patterns but that is with two Cruise Directors on very different itineraries

Although an Azamara regular I did not want to contradict one with so many trips now on your tab so wanted to check facts. I have now reviewed the Pursuits for our last three trips (2013/4) and in every case there is entertainment in either Discoveries Bar or The Casino Bar during the show except on White Nights

 

Of course different voyages will have different patterns but that is with two Cruise Directors on very different itineraries

i am not going to disagree what is in Pursuits. but the harpist was fired in 2013 .so no music in the Discoveries bar ever. i have heard the on the Journey the piano arrived there and was moved.

On Quest the piano has been in club Luxe all of 2013. Max never ever plays doing a show. no the Jazz band also palys here and i do not recall them during a show.

yes, to music in looking Glas the question is when? i miss the guiter palying in Winodws outside. music. sunset etc. .nice touch.

I am not sure the points you are trying to make Robin but to be specific from the Pursuits I have in May 2014 in Discoveries every night a guitar player from 2000-2230 and in Casino Lux a piano player whose sets included performances during the show.

(And that is the same pattern in November 2013)

The Jazz Band are typically heavily involved in the show so you will not see them set against the show/ The Looking Glass entertainment was always under way by the time we made it up from a show

I am not sure the points you are trying to make Robin but to be specific from the Pursuits I have in May 2014 in Discoveries every night a guitar player from 2000-2230 and in Casino Lux a piano player whose sets included performances during the show.

(And that is the same pattern in November 2013)

 

The Jazz Band are typically heavily involved in the show so you will not see them set against the show/ The Looking Glass entertainment was always under way by the time we made it up from a show

Ann

Which ship were you on?

I left the Quest March 16th in MIA. Simon played the looking Glass nightly- but for his day off. Max the same in Club Luze. .he also now does the 815 show and Russ does the 945 show once per cruise.

Also saw the jazz band playing once every cruise and I was on for 8 weeks.

I have been told things are a little difference on the Journey. I would be thrilled to have before dinner music at night.

I know Matt an Marcio start the disco at 1030 but Max never ever started playing before 1045.

So my point two difference ships and its CD has finally say. I will be on Journey in less than a month so I will find out soon where the music is.

Thank you everyone for your responses. We have decided to book and and now the count down begins.:D:D:D

One last question . . . is there always this White party? I ask as I do not own any white or silver dresses! And yes while I am a woman, I do not relish the thought of having to find one (a white or silver dress that is!)! lol I do own a multitude of black and white ones. (So many so that many people call it my uniform!):p

Thank you everyone for your responses. We have decided to book and and now the count down begins.:D:D:D

 

One last question . . . is there always this White party? I ask as I do not own any white or silver dresses! And yes while I am a woman, I do not relish the thought of having to find one (a white or silver dress that is!)! lol I do own a multitude of black and white ones. (So many so that many people call it my uniform!):p

Yes there is a white night but if the weather does not cooperate, it is held inside and not on the pool deck.

It is not a dressy affair...a pair of white capris or slacks or even a white top but if you don't own anything white, don't worry about it. Some people don't wear white. And yes, a black and white dress would be fine also.

Enjoy your cruise. I hope you come back and let us know all about it.

Do not shop specially for this event. I've seen white scarfs with coloured outfits, white beads no white at all.

Delighted you've taken the plunge but do not worry about getting white gear for the trip

Thank you everyone for your responses. We have decided to book and and now the count down begins.:D:D:D

 

One last question . . . is there always this White party? I ask as I do not own any white or silver dresses! And yes while I am a woman, I do not relish the thought of having to find one (a white or silver dress that is!)! lol I do own a multitude of black and white ones. (So many so that many people call it my uniform!):p

First you carefully removed the nice white sheet from your bed. Then you carefully wrap it ... you get the idea. Add colorful beads and you're all set.;)

We thoroughly enjoyed our first Azamara cruise.

I found doing another cruise on a big ship gave me a good comparison of Azamara over bigger ships (rather than mo months apart).

My husband would go back on Azamara in a heartbeat and didn't stop raving about it the whole time we were on HAL.

While he likes better scotch he was happy to drink what was offered. I loved being able to have cocktails when I wanted without having to limit myself due to costs. Also the fresh juices and cuppacino's I especially liked too.

Yes I know it's more expensive but you are in reality paying for your drinks and gratuities up front. The added advantages are better positions in port, longer days in port and free shuttles into town. On HAL they were $14+pp.

I will do a proper review when I get home (still travelling).

We thoroughly enjoyed our first Azamara cruise.

I found doing another cruise on a big ship gave me a good comparison of Azamara over bigger ships (rather than mo months apart).

 

My husband would go back on Azamara in a heartbeat and didn't stop raving about it the whole time we were on HAL.

While he likes better scotch he was happy to drink what was offered. I loved being able to have cocktails when I wanted without having to limit myself due to costs. Also the fresh juices and cuppacino's I especially liked too.

 

Yes I know it's more expensive but you are in reality paying for your drinks and gratuities up front. The added advantages are better positions in port, longer days in port and free shuttles into town. On HAL they were $14+pp.

 

I will do a proper review when I get home (still travelling).

This is how we saw it also. It really is not that more expensive and it sounds like an amazing experience on board, between the service, food and the overall small ship feel!

I LOVE trying new wines and so look forward to trying out the wines offered by the glass. I think I would be more adventurous than on Celebrity given that it appears there is a much wider by-the-glass selection.

Thanks for your input. Very excited to try this new adventure.

I didn't see a lot of wine offerings. Better selection on celebrity IMO.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not all the wines were great (to my taste anyway). Everyone's taste is different. My husband liked one I hated so it's great that you can have different ones. On other cruises we compromise on which one, unless we get 2 bottles and they last a few nights (sometimes LOL).

We really liked the white wine on the second night so asked for that a few times. They are very accomodating. I can't see why you couldn't find one you liked.

I would agree that overall IMO the complimentary wine selection is disappointing. But there are a couple that are delicious and it is possible to have them every day

Not all the wines were great (to my taste anyway). Everyone's taste is different. My husband liked one I hated so it's great that you can have different ones. On other cruises we compromise on which one, unless we get 2 bottles and they last a few nights (sometimes LOL).

We really liked the white wine on the second night so asked for that a few times. They are very accomodating. I can't see why you couldn't find one you liked.

I've been trying to find a really bad wine on Azamara; failed miserably!

Glad you enjoyed the cruise, we certainly did.

I like cruising as the biggest decision you have to make is whether to have a drink now or leave it for 10 minutes or so.

Cheers