How would you answer this question?

[taxjam]

Would you recommend this cruise line to a friend or relative? Azamara (and every other cruise line I've been on) asks a question along these lines on their evaluation/critique form. In the past, on a scale of 1 to 5, for Azamara, I have always selected 4 (5 being some form of absolutely, 1 being never). I am really curious, how Cruise Critic members would do this rating today after all the changes (no 50%, no 25%, more inclusive promoted as all inclusive, website issues and limitations, some Azamazing Evenings that don't live up to the hype, questions that Bill, who is great, has difficulty getting decent, prompt answers from Miami, etc)? While on our July/August Azamara cruises, we booked back to back 2014 Azamara cruises. Maybe I've been away from the great ship board experience for a few months and gotten cranky with the latest Miami machinations? I think I am now somewhere between 2 or 3 but closer to 2 and with a qualification to beware of Miami. How would you answer the "would you recommend this cruise line to a friend or relative" question:

 

1. Never

2. Maybe but probably not

3. 50/50

4. Probably

5. Absolutely

[delgados129]

5: Did 2 weeks with Azamara, Singapore to Hong Kong, and had a wonderful time. Looking forward to our trip in April with a cruiseline that's very attentive to the onboard experience.

[Host Hattie]

I've only sailed with Azamara once but I'd give them a 4.

Edited November 2, 2013 by hattie the cattie

[uktog]

5 with the proviso the friend had similar likes and dislikes to us and could manage any ambiguity and change between booking and sailing. I have one friend for whom the onboard experience would be prefect, but she would not react well to things like website issues or flight hassles

[CintiPam]

I still would give Azamara a 5 (and did a month ago) because it is the shipboard experience that is most important to me. The rest I can dismiss either as minor annoyances or often issues with which a good travel agent should be assisting you.

 

My worries about future cruises with Azamara are based more on concerns about the limitations (regarding updating of cabins, etc.) posed by a cruise line with only two ships and also that the one I like is chartered in 2015 for most of the times (late spring and fall) when I like to sail and what that bodes for the future of this line.

Edited November 2, 2013 by CintiPam

[nordski]

I still would give Azamara a 5 (and did a month ago) because it is the shipboard experience that is most important to me. The rest I can dismiss either as minor annoyances or often issues with which a good travel agent should be assisting you.

 

I agree with you.

 

At this stage we still consider Azamara excellent value for the money we spend, and we haven't encountered a better alternative.

Edited November 2, 2013 by nordski

[jackom]

Totally agree with CintiPam (we were on the same cruise as you)and Nordski.

 

I have been looking at other lines but keep coming back to Azamara for the same reasons as Nordski states

[Lottie A]

I agree with UKtog and Pam too.....I would still give the onboard experience a solid 5 but our recent pre cruise booking and Azamara UK shoreside experience.....well is it possible to give a minus 10? :rolleyes:

[pacheco18]

I give it 4.5

I am recommending but with a big caveat. Unless they do something to fix up the two ships, improve itineraries and get their shoreside act together they may not survive

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[maggiemae51]

I would judge 50/50 as recommendation. We were on Quest in July this year in a suite and was very disappointed with the shabbiness of soft furnishings etc in the suite. We enjoyed the "old" ship experience however have serious concerns as to the supposed updates to be done in 2014 which we were told would happen.

Azamara can't keep charging the prices they do unless they do some SERIOUS updating with the accommodation!!!

Would hate to recommend to friends/family without them being very clear on the standard of accommodation hence our rating!!!

[Sleep7]

Hello!

We have taken 3 Azamara cruises in the past 3 years and just gave our deposit for our 4th next October..

I would ABSOLUTELY 100% recommend Azamara to a friend or relative..

All fives across the board!!!!:):):):):)

[MrMojoRisin]

I would most definitely recommend Azamara to a friend, simply because they are such welcoming and friendly ships with fantastic staff, excellent food etc.

 

However, whereas prior to the price hikes, both overt and covert, I would have said that Azamara was fantastic value for money and a no.1 choice I would now advise friends to consider Azamara as one of a number of alternatives. Find an itinerary you like and then do a price comparison with other lines carrying a similar number of passengers.

 

If the pricing works out, then go for Azamara.

[pacheco18]

"Overt and covert" price hikes

Clever observation

[Granny DI]

It all depends...if you hate crowds, like different ports, are over 50 and enjoy good food then it's a 5. If you expect large modern cabins, casinos and first rate entertainment then it's a 1.

We choose our cruises for itinerary. We've sailed on 30 different ships. The Quest will be our first repeat. We were on the Quest for the British Open cruise and loved everything but our cabin. We're on the Quest again( different cabin category) in a few weeks for a unique Caribbean itinerary. We're doing the Black Sea on the Ocean Princess, another R ship, in 2014, then stepping up to Crystal in 2015 for a Beijing to Hong Kong cruise.

Edited November 3, 2013 by Granny DI

[ddcruiser]

We have done 6 or 7 Azamara cruises, the latest being Black Sea, next Copenhagen to Iceland summer of 2014, and each has been memorable for many reasons. We did one Regent (never went back), did 5 Oceania (too many disappointments and switched to Azamara), one Princess (never went back), one Windstar (never went back), etc. etc. You just can't beat the ambience, the service, the friends we've made on AZ. Definitely a 5, considering any minor issues that they resolve immediately. ddcruiser

[MIKESCOTLAND]

Would you recommend this cruise line to a friend or relative? Azamara (and every other cruise line I've been on) asks a question along these lines on their evaluation/critique form. In the past, on a scale of 1 to 5, for Azamara, I have always selected 4 (5 being some form of absolutely, 1 being never). I am really curious, how Cruise Critic members would do this rating today after all the changes (no 50%, no 25%, more inclusive promoted as all inclusive, website issues and limitations, some Azamazing Evenings that don't live up to the hype, questions that Bill, who is great, has difficulty getting decent, prompt answers from Miami, etc)? While on our July/August Azamara cruises, we booked back to back 2014 Azamara cruises. Maybe I've been away from the great ship board experience for a few months and gotten cranky with the latest Miami machinations? I think I am now somewhere between 2 or 3 but closer to 2 and with a qualification to beware of Miami. How would you answer the "would you recommend this cruise line to a friend or relative" question:

 

1. Never

2. Maybe but probably not

3. 50/50

4. Probably

5. Absolutely

 

A 5 which compares with a 4 for Oceania. Azamara is in my view much better value for money which outweighs Oceania's slightly better quality of meals & better administration for UK customers.

[Grandma Cruising]

Would you recommend this cruise line to a friend or relative? Azamara (and every other cruise line I've been on) asks a question along these lines on their evaluation/critique form. In the past, on a scale of 1 to 5, for Azamara, I have always selected 4 (5 being some form of absolutely, 1 being never). I am really curious, how Cruise Critic members would do this rating today after all the changes (no 50%, no 25%, more inclusive promoted as all inclusive, website issues and limitations, some Azamazing Evenings that don't live up to the hype, questions that Bill, who is great, has difficulty getting decent, prompt answers from Miami, etc)? While on our July/August Azamara cruises, we booked back to back 2014 Azamara cruises. Maybe I've been away from the great ship board experience for a few months and gotten cranky with the latest Miami machinations? I think I am now somewhere between 2 or 3 but closer to 2 and with a qualification to beware of Miami. How would you answer the "would you recommend this cruise line to a friend or relative" question:

 

1. Never

2. Maybe but probably not

3. 50/50

4. Probably

5. Absolutely

 

My answer is 'absolutely'. Just been on our first Azamara cruise and we were absolutely bowled over by the whole experience.

[Redtravel]

Azamara is certainly a cruise line that I have and would recommend to friends and family. A few years ago when I was getting ready to book an Oceania cruise, my daughter suggested Azamara. She had friends who were working for Royal Caribbean who told her about Azamara. I had not heard of it until she mentioned it. I looked at Azamara brochures and booked it. 14 nights cruise....absolutely the best. I was hooked. I have told many people about the cruise. Many have booked Azamara. I am a repeat customer.