are azamara cruises expensive

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What is the typical cost of an Azamara Cruise?

Discover Azamara Cruise prices: Use this helpful guide to learn the typical pricing for the trip of your dreams.

Book Azamara Cruises

An Azamara Cruise offers an opulent and all-encompassing vacation experience unlike any other. However, it's crucial to comprehend the budget and costs before setting sail. We'll examine everything from basic rates to hidden expenditures in our extensive guide on Azamara Cruise costs, and we'll offer advice on how to set a budget for your ideal cruise holiday.

Pricing for Azamara Cruises: An Overview

• Learn about Azamara Cruises' beginning pricing and how they change depending on the location and length of the voyage.
• Discover how Azamara's rates are all-inclusive, including lodging, meals, entertainment, and more.

Types of Cabins 

• Learn about the variety of cabin choices available, from comfortable interior cabins to opulent suites, and how they affect the price of your vacation.
• Learn about the benefits and features offered by the various cabin classifications.

Promotional Deals and Savings 

• Learn more about Azamara's special offers, early bird discounts, and loyalty programs to find ways to save money on your voyage .
• Learn how to utilize onboard credits and last-minute discounts.

Additional Cruise Expenses

Taxes and fees .

• Discover the many taxes, port fees, and governmental levies that are frequently tacked on to your cruise cost.
• Assess the transparency of Azamara's pricing to make sure you are informed of any supplementary fees.
• You must know about the gratuity regulations on Azamara, including prepaid gratuities and how to modify or customize them.
• Recognize the value of complimenting the team on a job well done.

Onboard Expenses:

• Examine the prices for the onboard activities, specialty restaurant meals, and drink packages.
• Find out how to properly manage your onboard spending and budget while on vacation.

Choosing the Perfect Cabin

• Your experience may be considerably impacted by the cabin you choose. A balcony or suite upgrade might provide you with more solitude and mesmerizing ocean views. But that may cost more, so choose wisely after gauging these aspects.

Special Trips

• Choose from the many fascinating shore excursions available at popular cruise ports . These include snorkeling in pristine seas, touring historical locales, or taking a beautiful walk. While some might cost, the others can be done for free, so make your pick as per your budget.

Also Read:   What is included in Azamara's basic drink package ?

Saving Money on Your Azamara Cruise: Tips

Forward planning.

• Find out how to create a realistic cruise budget that accounts for all costs.
• Learn when to book in order to take advantage of the greatest discounts and pricing.

Spending Restrictions

• Learn how to keep track of your onboard expenditures and prevent overpaying. Understand the advantages of utilizing the onboard account system, and it will help you budget accordingly.

Increasing Value 

• Learn how to maximize your Azamara Cruise experience by making use of the services and activities that are already included. You can discover the advantages of Azamara's excursions with a focus on the destination and engaging encounters.

Azamara Cruises is an investment in life-changing vacation adventures. You may go out on your cruise trip with confidence, knowing that you've made the most of your money by understanding the different cost components, setting aside money sensibly, and taking advantage of promos and incentives. 

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Azamara Review

Sunday, September 1st

2024 Cruise Line Reviews

• Best for luxury sailing to smaller ports with immersive experiences ashore and onboard
• About 700 guests per ship
• Destinations throughout the world
• Complimentary wine, beer, and spirits with meals
• Gratuities not included

Azamara is a luxury cruise line that operates four mid-sized ships: Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest, Azamara Onward, and Azamara Pursuit. The cruise line was established in 2007 as a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group, and its ships have a reputation for providing guests with an intimate and immersive cruising experience.

Stay longer in port

One of the defining features of Azamara is its focus on destination immersion. The line's itineraries are designed to provide guests with a deep and authentic experience of the places they visit. Each ship offers a variety of shore excursions, ranging from cultural tours to active adventures. Azamara also offers longer stays in port, with many itineraries featuring overnight stays and evening tours, allowing guests to experience the local nightlife and culture. That could be a big advantage compared with some of the larger cruise lines, where port departure times are often as early as 4PM.

Small ships = better service

Azamara's ships are smaller than some luxury cruise ships, with a capacity of around 700 guests each. This allows for a more intimate and personalized experience, with a high staff-to-guest ratio ensuring exceptional service. The ships feature a range of amenities, including several restaurants and bars, a spa, fitness center, pool, and live entertainment venues.

Drinks are included with dining

Dining is a highlight of the Azamara experience, with a focus on fresh and locally-sourced ingredients. Each ship has several restaurants, including a main dining room, a buffet, and specialty restaurants that require reservations (and that will incur extra charges above and beyond your cruise fare). The specialty restaurants include a steakhouse, a seafood grill, and an Italian restaurant. Guests can also enjoy complimentary wine, beer, and spirits with their meals.

Limited Caribbean sailings

To make a fair comparison across cruise lines, we looked for sailings in the Caribbean in March, about a year in advance. That's peak season in the US, as travelers often try to line up a winter escape over spring break. However, Azamara doesn't sail in the Caribbean most of the time: when we searched, the only options there tended to be in November and December, though we did spot one Caribbean Journey sailing available for booking almost two years in advance, and extremely well-priced starting at $1,439 per person for a nine-night cruise.

Around the world in 155 days

And, if you're looking to go, well, everywhere , you should consider Azamara's World Voyage: 155 nights, 22 overnights, 27 late stays, 40+ countries and 75+ unique destinations. You could start in Fort Lauderdale, go through the Panama Canal, visit the Pacific Coast of South America before sailing over to French Polynesia, check out the koalas in Australia, follow ancient trade routes from Singapore to Dubai, you get the idea. Yes, you'll pay at least $36,000 per cruiser, but what an experience!

Best for immersive port experiences and luxury sailing

Azamara gets a just-above-average rating. It's missing the all-inclusive value of some other luxury cruise lines (you'll pay for your gratuities and shore excursions here, as well as any dining upgrades you select and other amenities), but it still gives you access to destinations not served by the bigger cruise ships. It's worth looking into if you love taking a deep dive into the cultures in your ports of call, especially some of the events and experiences that are only available after sunset. Azamara misses a lot of the must-haves for many vacationers, but it's still a cruise line we can wholeheartedly recommend if it checks the boxes for you.

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The 15 Best Cruise Lines

Which cruise line is the best.

Cruising is a popular way of traveling for many people, offering a unique experience that combines the convenience of a floating hotel with the excitement of visiting multiple destinations in one trip. In an average year, over fifteen million people say "all aboard" and set sail on an amazing vacation.

There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. What would you like to see and do while you're onboard? Is a casino a must-have or a rather-avoid? Would a Broadway-caliber show tip the scales for you? Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax? The onboard activities and amenities can really make or break your vacation, so be sure you know what you're getting.

Cruise Line FAQ

Which cruise line is the best, what is included in the cost of a cruise, what is the minimum age to cruise, what are the dining options on a cruise ship, are cruise ships crowded, do i have to dress up, are activities included at destination ports, can i bring my own alcohol onboard.

Continued from above... Continued from above... -->

Another factor that can influence which cruise line you choose is the itinerary. Cruise ships travel all over the world, but some cruise lines may not have destinations available where you're hoping to go. You should also consider the size of the ship: larger ships offer more amenities, but smaller ships can access ports that bigger ships can't.

Speaking of amenities, make sure you understand what you'll get as part of your fare and which extras will come with an additional cost. For example, most cruises offer drink packages for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but a few have drink stations where you can get complimentary lemonade, coffee and tea. Other amenities that might be important to you are Wi-Fi, spa services, babysitting, fitness classes, and upgraded dining experiences. You can usually get a decent discount if you sign up for an amenities package before you sail, so keep an eye out for promotions in the months leading up to your sailing.

When you take a cruise, it's almost always expected that you'll tip the crew members who have attended to your needs while onboard: your cabin steward ( who probably leaves your towels folded into fun shapes every night ), your servers at your nightly meals, and the head waiter. Cruise lines have a recommended gratuity to cover all three of those staff members, usually $15-$20 per traveler, per day; the total gratuity amount may be charged automatically to your account, or you may be given envelopes to make cash payments.

While it usually isn't mandatory to pay those gratuities - you can ask to have them removed if they're applied automatically, especially if you've received poor service - it's typically considered in poor taste not to tip at the suggested levels (because crew members' salaries, much like servers at your local restaurant, are based on the expectation of tips paid by guests). And, if you receive service that goes above and beyond, adding to the recommended gratuity is always appreciated. Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service.

Now that you have a good overview of the cruising experience, which cruise line should you choose? Beyond the points we already covered, here are a few additional criteria that might make it easier to pick:

• Embarkation port. You could get a great deal on a cruise, but what will it cost you to get to the port? That could involve airfare, an overnight stay or two in a nearby hotel (so that you're less likely to be affected by travel delays), and transportation from the airport or hotel to the port. This is especially true if you're taking a cruise that departs from an international destination.
• Perks for repeat cruisers. Like frequent flyer programs on airlines, most cruise lines offer benefits the more you sail. If you find yourself absolutely loving cruise vacations, it can be advantageous to put all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Rewards programs can include casino benefits, complimentary meals at the upgraded dining experiences, exclusive sail-away parties with free cocktails and tchotchkes, early-access booking on future cruises, and much more.
• Reputation. It's a really smart idea to see what other travelers have said about their overall experience with a cruise line before booking your trip. The ads on TV may make that private island look amazing, but someone who's been there might point out that you'll pay extra to get on that waterslide. Or, previous cruisers could tell you that despite having several formal nights on the schedule, a particular cruise line has no problem with people showing up to dinner in flip-flops and swimsuit coverups. Find out if the cruise line you're considering lines up in reality with what they advertise.

Here at Top Consumer Reviews, cruising is one of our favorite ways to travel and experience new things. And with so many different cruise lines to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But, don't worry: take a look at our in-depth analysis of today's most popular options, find the one that's the best match for your vacation ideas and your travel party, and book that trip you've been dreaming of. Bon voyage!

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Find a Cruise on Azamara

with a cruise advisor

Cruising with Azamara

Azamara garners high praise from cruisers and critics alike for its upscale cabins and trips to far-flung destinations. The line's four ships – Azamara Journey , Azamara Quest , Azamara Pursuit and Azamara Onward – sail to hundreds of ports, with popular stops in South America, Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, Australia and Asia. With Azamara's ship capacity limited to about 700 guests, it's easy to steer clear of crowds and locate crew members (each ship has approximately one staff member to every two passengers).

While docked at different ports, Azamara voyages offer shore excursions that vary by activity level, including museum visits, wine tastings and walking tours. Whether you choose the shortest five-night cruise or a 155-night world voyage, you can take advantage of each ship's onboard fitness center, lounges and nightly musical and dance performances.

You'll also find six distinct dining options on all four ships, ranging from casual buffets to specialty restaurants like Aqualina and Prime C steakhouse. In addition to beverages and meals in the main dining room, Azamara cruise fares include gratuities, concierge services, self-service laundry and exclusive events.

Pros & Cons

Encourages destination immersion through AzAmazing Celebrations (one complimentary excursion on most cruises)

Relatively small ships, creating an intimate atmosphere

Fare covers most alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, as well as gratuities

Only higher-priced, luxury cruises available; prices fluctuate slightly based on season, destinations and themes

Shore excursions (beyond one complimentary AzAmazing Celebration) not included in cruise fare

Limited onboard activities compared to larger cruise lines

• Expert Rating » 4.0
• Traveler Rating » 4.3
• Health Rating » 3.5

Azamara has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings.

• # 4 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples
• # 6 in Best Luxury Cruise Lines
• # 6 in Best Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean

Explore Photos

Azamara Ships

Azamara Journey

Azamara Onward

Azamara Pursuit

Azamara Quest

Before You Book

• If you require special medical services or equipment on the ship, you must contact Azamara no later than 40 days prior to your voyage for U.S. sailings and 80 days prior for all others. Guests can fill out a special accommodations form on the cruise line's website.
• If you cancel your reservation 120 to 31 days prior to departure, you'll be charged between 25% and 75% of your booked fare. If you cancel within 30 days of the ship's departure, you'll forfeit any refund. For more information, check out the line's  cancellation policy .
• To guarantee reservations, Azamara requires a deposit of $1,100 per person for suites and $550 per person for staterooms. The remaining balance must be paid 120 days prior to departure.

Before You Board

• Azamara electronically sends a list of required travel documents for your itinerary, including ticket contracts and payment receipts, 20 to 50 days before departure. Before you board, you must present a passport that is valid for at least six months after the end of the cruise.
• You must check in 90 minutes before the ship is scheduled to depart or your reservation will be automatically canceled. Boarding procedures and departure times will be included in your travel documents.
• The cruise line recommends passengers consult their physicians at least four to six weeks prior to embarkation to ensure they are up-to-date on required vaccinations. The World Health Organization lists vaccination recommendations on its  website .
• Azamara recommends that passengers limit their larger luggage to one or two pieces. Travelers are also encouraged to bring a small overnight carry-on bag for their last night at sea.
• Pre-book shore excursions through the Voyage Planner in your account and reserve specialty dining ahead of time.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Azamara Cruise Review – Food, Ship, Entertainment and More

I’ve just disembarked a luxury 5* cruise where I saw and did things I’ve never experienced on a cruise before.

Even though I’ve been cruising since I was 11 years old, this cruise took me by surprise and changed my mind about a few things in ways I didn’t expect. 

In the past I’ve always cruised with the budget or mainstream cruise lines, usually, I cruise out of season to make it cheaper and almost always in the cheapest inside cabin. 

Although I’ve always been interested in trying a luxury cruise, I never thought I’d be able to afford one.

What Azamara Cruise Did I Book?

That was until I found a week-long cruise on a cruise line called Azamara for £819 including flights and transfers from the UK. 

Usually, luxury cruises are at least double or triple this price so I decided to give it a go. 

I was amazed to see that they did have inside cabins onboard as lots of luxury lines don’t.

There were only 23 inside cabins total on the ship, but I managed to book one. I did wonder how they’d be able to make an inside cabin luxurious if they could at all that is, but finding out was all part of the fun.  

I Didn’t Know if I’d Like Luxury Cruising

I didn’t know if I’d feel out of place on a luxury cruise, I wasn’t sure if they had strict dress codes and I didn’t know if find a small ship like the Azamara Onward boring.

I usually cruise on ships with 4000 passengers and the ship only had 645 guests, I knew that there was no theatre or casino or water slides like I’m used to on the big ships so I was curious about what the daily schedule would be like.

Like most cruises, things didn’t always go to plan on this one.

We had bad weather and port changes and, for the first time ever, I had a big problem with my cabin. 

I hoped that the cruise would be relaxing and that the food and service would be good, but only time would tell. 

Embarkation Took Over 2.5 Hours

Embarkation definitely didn’t get off to a luxury start, we were picked up by the transfer bus which was great but from the bus dropping us off to us getting on the ship took over 2 and a half hours.

The only time I’ve experienced an embarkation that long was on the first cruise back after the Covid shutdown where we all had to wait for PCR test results.

Usually embarking on a cruise takes 10-20 minutes, maybe 30 on a bad day. 

I Did a Little Ship Spotting While I Waited

For the first hour of waiting, we weren’t allowed inside the terminal so everybody just sat around outside. I took the time to do a bit of ship spotting as we were docked in Barcelona alongside :

• 2 Costa Ships.
• 1 Ritz Carlton Yacht
• 1 MSC Ship.

I’m definitely more used to cruising with Costa or MSC but Onward looked so cute and fancy and I couldn’t wait to get on board.

My friend Scott was on a Seabourn ship nearby and I hoped that our itineraries would cross later in the cruise.

I Hoped The Ship Would be Worth The Wait

I was reading reviews about the ship while I waited and some said that it was fantastic and would change my life. Others said that it shouldn’t call itself a luxury ship because everything was a complete disaster.

My cruise experience turned out to be something in the middle. 

I’d been up since 4am at this point and was really hungry so I definitely was getting a bit fed up. My brother actually fell asleep in the terminal at one point. 

Anyway, it was what it was and I was sure that the ship would be worth the wait. It just goes to show how even luxury lines can have issues. 

Walking Into The Ship Was AMAZING

As soon as we walked onto the ship the luxury element was obvious.

I hadn’t even got in off the promenade deck yet before I had a cruise member approached me and showed me to my muster station.

This is where you do a safety drill on a cruise and, usually, you have to find your own way there. This time, however, I was taken to the muster station and given a glass of champagne! 

I’ve never had champagne at the safety drill before.

They explained to us what to do in an emergency and that was it, it was all very easy and the little bit I’d seen of the ship so far, looked very glamorous.

Of course, I’d pretty much only seen the stairs at this point, but the stairs perfectly summarise the style of the rest of the ship. Fancy!

We Headed Straight to The Buffet 

At this point, we were really really hungry and had only had champagne so headed up to the buffet.

The tables in the buffet were all beautifully laid out which definitely isn’t something that budget or mainstream lines do.

Usually, you pick up your own cutlery and cups but here everything was ready and it looked beautiful.

As soon as we sat down we were offered a drink and I ordered a Diet Coke. 

Azamara Do Include Drinks as Standard

I knew that drinks were included on Azamara cruises but didn’t really know which I could have at this stage.

I didn’t want to pay any more for extra drinks if I didn’t have to and I did find out properly later what was included. I found one bar later on where nothing was included which was very odd.

It was a kind of speciality bar and I definitely felt out of place there, more about that later. 

The Buffet Food Was INCREDIBLE

The food in the buffet was the best food I’ve ever had in a cruise ship buffet and not just because they had vegan nuggets and a whole jar of cookies.

As well as the meaty dishes there were so many vegetarian and vegan choices. More than I’ve ever found on a cruise before.

Everything was very clearly labelled too so if you are gluten-free this would be an easy buffet to eat in and the staff were always there to help and were so friendly.

You don’t even have to put your own toast in the toaster, they do it for you. 

The Buffet Was Small in Size, But Big Enough

The buffet is quite small, but I found more things that I’d like to eat in the small space than in bigger buffets that are 5x the size on other cruise lines.

I hoped that this would be a sign of the food to come and to be honest if the food was this good for the whole cruise, no matter what else happened on board I would be happy, or so I thought at that time. 

I thought the buffet food was surprising but I was taken even more by surprise by the main dining room a little bit later. 

The Living Room Was a Large Bar at The Top of The Ship

We moved onto an area called the living room for a drink.

It’s a big beautifully decorated lounge with a bar, some snacks and board games and books.

Even just looking at the books I could tell this ship was luxurious. Usually, a cruise ship library is an odd collection of books guests had left behind but here it was all the latest books and all hardcover editions, some even had gold edges. 

Looking at the menu I found the included cocktails and soft drinks, there’s also a few wines and a couple of beers included too.

You can upgrade to buy a more expensive drinks package, or pay as you go if you want but I just ordered from the included list.

I didn’t plan on spending any extra on drinks and I also didn’t want to spend anything extra on excursions or WiFi. 

I Didn’t Purchase a WiFi Package

I did have work to do onboard, but luckily I had 4G most of the time and propping open my inside cabin door was usually enough to get it inside my cabin.

I shared this on Instagram as an inside cabin hack and I did have a few questions from people saying ‘why can’t I do that in a balcony’, I mean you can, but opening the balcony cabin door would make more sense. 

We were in port every single day of this cruise, and usually until 8 or 10pm. 

Who Was on This Cruise?

It was then that I really started to look around at the other guests.

One of my greatest fears with luxury cruising was that it would be formal and stuffy but I saw a lady in the lounge wearing the platform pink crocs which suggested otherwise.

I didn’t know if this was just because it was embarkation day though, or if it would always be a casual cruise. 

There Was a Good Mix of Nationalities Onboard

I found out at the end of the cruise that out of the total 636 guests onboard, 238 were from the UK, 132 were from the US, 53 were from Germany, and 52 were from Canada.

In total there were 33 nationalities onboard, but everything was just done in English. 

We Headed to Deck 7 to Find Our Cabin

Next on the agenda was to find my cabin, I’d booked the cheapest cabin on the ship and was assigned cabin 7069.

To explore the cabin in more detail, check out this video:

My Friends Had an Incredible Suite

While exploring the ship I met a couple of friends who had a suite right at the back of the ship.

They very kindly invited me to have a look around and we were there at sail away.

The suite had a huge lounge, a bedroom with more storage than I could ever use and two bathrooms. The balcony itself was huge and the fog in Barcelona when we sailed away made it look very mysterious. 

At this point, I knew that I hadn’t seen all of the ship yet but I was exhausted from my 4am start so I had a cup of tea from the cafe and called it a night.

My plan for the next day was to properly explore the outside spaces, try a main dining room dinner and go to see a show.

I had no idea what the entertainment would be like given that there was no theatre but I didn’t expect much. 

My Daylight Alarm Clock Woke Me Up

I slept for 14 hours and probably would have slept more if I didn’t have my daylight alarm clock set.

I forgot this the last time I cruised in an inside cabin and I wasn’t going to make that mistake again. It slowly brightens the room so you don’t wake up so suddenly. It’s one of the best things I own. 

To find out more about the lamp, check out my post here .

I Slept Through Breakfast

Unfortunately, this did mean that I had slept past breakfast in the buffet.

The buffet closed at 10am and the main dining room breakfast closed at 9.30.

At this point, though I thought I might as well just wait for lunch and I’m glad I did.

On smaller ships it’s pretty common for the buffet to close more than on the bigger ships, the buffet closed in the evening at 9.30 but we weren’t often up much past that anyway.

It was quite different from my recent MSC cruise where we would get pizza at midnight each night. 

Room Service is Included!

Room service is free on Azamara so I could have done that but I really don’t like breakfast anyway and room service in an inside cabin isn’t as fun as in a balcony. 

There were 2 speciality restaurants onboard that cost extra but there’s plenty of included food, as well as room service there’s a main dining room, a buffet and a pool side grill. 

The Patio Was my Favourite Restaurant Onboard

Poolside Grill really doesn’t describe it as well as it should.

We went here for lunch, the menu here was huge and the food was absolutely incredible. This is the best burger I’ve ever had on a cruise, without a doubt. 

They had veggie hot dogs, burgers and lots of sides.

This fast became one of my favourite places on the ship and I would sometimes get nachos here for lunch. It was right beside an ice cream machine with the most impressive selection of toppings I’ve ever seen.

Sometimes I’d just eat the toppings. 

Azamara’s Crew to Passenger Ratio is High

We never had to wait long for anything and Azamara does have a higher crew-to-passenger ratio than most mainstream cruise lines.

On this ship theres typically 60 crew members for 100 guests.

On a cruise line like MSC, the ratio would be 60 crew members to 156 guests.

Our First Port Was Port Vendres, France

Our first port was in Port Vendres, this was followed by Sete and Marseille, all in France. 

Later in the cruise, we had an overnight stay in Nice and we were meant to visit Corsica but things didn’t go to plan as the cruise went on. 

Port Vendres is a tendering port meaning that the ship can’t dock directly against the land so guests have to use little boats, usually the ship’s lifeboats, to get to land.

Big cruise ships quite often have tender ports and on a recent Princess cruise I took we had 5.

Sometimes it would take a couple of hours to wait for the tender.

I hoped that because our ship was much smaller we wouldn’t have to wait long, and we never had to wait at all. On the way out we had the tender almost to ourselves! 

It was at this point that I really started to understand what luxury meant; it isn’t all just about good food and service, but it’s about not having to stand in a queue for things for ages! 

Port Vendres was a pretty little town, we wandered to an old fort and had brilliant views from the ship there.

Next up Was Sete, Also in France

We didn’t have to tender in Sete and here I found my fabulous friend Scott from the Scott Singer YouTube channel.

He lives in Alaska so I always thought I’d meet him there, or perhaps in the UK where I’m from, but we met in France of all places.

He was cruising with Seabourn which is an even more luxurious cruise line, they’re ultra-luxury and we were just regular luxury!

We waved as Scott sailed away which was fun and shouted goodbye. 

We Docked In Marseille, Which I Didn’t Even Know Was Possible

We next visited Marseille which is the 2nd most populated city in France and to my surprise, we docked right in the middle of the city.

Whenever I’ve visited Marseille in the past with the big cruise ships like the MSC Mervaiglia we’ve always docked miles away in an industrial port.

That is one massive benefit that I hadn’t thought about before of being on a small ship and a luxury line. 

What Was The Entertainment Like?

I had heard that there wasn’t much entertainment on an Azamara cruise.

I’m very used to cruising with the big American cruise lines so I did wonder if I would be bored.

I did notice that they had the Downton Abbey movie playing over and over 11 times on the cabin TV. Great if you like that movie, but I don’t so it’s safe to say I didn’t use the tv at all during this cruise.

Plus, my tv in my cabin was parallel to my bed, so I could only see a tiny bit of it.

We could check out our onboard account on the tv though which was good. 

The ‘Theatre’ Shows Were Impressive

When we went to the first theatre show put on by the Azamara team I was very impressed.

Despite not having a theatre the show was every bit as good as a theatre show, the only difference was that it was in a lounge and there were only 6 people in the show.

Because it was in a small lounge though, we really were up close to the dancers and singers. 

This same entertainment team also ran things like trivia and put up the Halloween decorations on our cruise, they were a busy and very friendly bunch.

At this point, I didn’t know how involved the cruise director would be in the shows but our amazing cruise director Eric actually had his own show later in the cruise and he skated around the dance floor in a sparkly dress, now that’s dedication to a job role! 

It Was Different Cruising on Such a Small Ship

Many of the people I spoke to onboard said that they liked ships of this size because of how well they got to know the crew and the other guests.

I suppose a small ship in that way is a blessing and a curse, if you make a new friend you’ll see them everywhere but if you want to avoid somebody, you’ve not got much chance. 

They also bought on local entertainment too which reminded me of a river cruise as they quite often do that on the rivers.

Every evening there would be at least 1 in the lounge and we never struggled to get a seat here or anywhere. 

The Parties Were Well Attended

Although the ship was smaller so there were fewer things happening at once, all the events I went to seemed very well attended and the crew went all in with the parties, like our white night party.

The dance floor was full by the end of the evening and we enjoyed a few included drinks. 

Unfortunately, bad weather towards the end of the cruise did mean that they had to move the white party inside.

It wasn’t the only problem that the weather caused, but more about that later. 

Were There Any Children Onboard?

I was surprised to see that there were a few children and younger people onboard.

I always assumed that luxury cruises would have an older passenger demographic but the guests on this cruise were younger than on mainstream cruise lines I’ve sailed with like Princess or Cunard.

It does depend of course on the itinerary and time of year but I didn’t feel out of place at any time and I met other people younger than me. 

Azamara doesn’t have kid’s clubs or go-karts or anything like that so you won’t really see many families, there were a few children on our cruise but my new friend Alan told me that there usually weren’t any on Azamara cruises. 

Our Next Port Stop Was Nice – We Docked For Two Days

Our next port was in Nice and we spent 2 full days in port.

In the past, I’ve taken cruises that promote ‘2 days’ in a place but it’s always been one afternoon and one morning, here we docked at 8am and left at 8pm the next day! 

We Headed to Monaco On Day 1

The sun was shining and we decided to head to Monaco on the first day in port.

The train station was easy to walk to and the train only took 17 minutes each way.

From the station, we could easily explore Monaco in a day as it isn’t very big. It’s actually only 3 miles long and the population is 40,000. 

Monaco seems to be a playground for rich people who love fast cars, gambling and yachts.

We saw lots of glamorous people wandering around probably with bags that cost more than my house, and then you’d see people like me just happy to be outside wandering around in my trainers and backpack with a drink that I bought from the ship.

The soft drinks in the mini bar are included on Azamara cruises and it was restocked every day. They also had lots of bottles of water that you could take as you walked out of the ship. 

In Some Ways The Ship Was Showing Her Age

I did love the luxury touches like this, I’m so used to cruising on budget lines where there’s an extra cost for everything.

I will say though that the ship was built in 1999 and it wasn’t really as luxurious as I expected in the way that sometimes the cabinet doors would be hanging off, or the public toilets just didn’t look very luxurious, they had these old style door handles so there’s no way to know if the stall is occupied or not.

Nothing was ever a problem but I just was surprised given that this was a luxury cruise ship, maybe a bit more renovation when Azamara took her over from Princess would have been a good idea. 

We Stayed in Nice on Day 2

On the second day in Nice, we decided to stay in Nice and we walked around the harbour; along the seafront, and up to the castle on the hill.

From here you can see how close we docked.

This is a major benefit of smaller ships, they can dock in places the bigger ships can’t. 

It started to rain as we got back to the ship but we didn’t know how bad the weather was going to get. A little later our captain made an announcement saying that our next stop had been cancelled and replaced with Genoa.

I was looking forward to Corsica because I’ve never been but I knew I’d much prefer not to sail in bad weather and I’d definitely prefer to go somewhere warm. 

In the evening we decided that we would check out the bars that we hadn’t visited yet. Up until this point we had spent most of our time in the living room where we did trivia most days, the carousel lounge where we watched our evening shows and the mosaic cafe where we would get tea.

We settled quite nicely into a routine and I was used to seeing the same people at the same events.

Trivia Was Great Fun – We Even Won!

Trivia was a big one and there would be 2 trivia sessions each afternoon and more in the morning.

I will say that the questions all seemed to relate to things or music that happened decades before I was born but we did pretty well and actually won the 80s pop trivia!

We weren’t so good at 70s soul or astronomy but we always gave it a go.

You actually get prize points every time you do trivia which I loved.

They could be exchanged for prizes on the last day of the cruise and I got a t-shirt and a mirror which I’m giving away to my channel members and patreons .

We Headed to The Atlas Bar – That Was a Mistake

We decided to head up to a nice-sounding bar on the top deck called the atlas bar and it was here that things got really weird.

I saw that the menus were all cocktails but didn’t think anything of it; usually on a cruise you’ll find a mojito bar or a Bellini bar that has a unique menu, but it doesn’t mean that’s all it serves.

Here though we asked for a regular glass of wine, the wine that was included in the cruise as standard and they said that there was nothing that was included that we could have in the bar. 

I’ve never encountered anything like that on a cruise before, a cruise that includes drinks everywhere as standard but not one bar?

I guess it was like a speciality bar, but a note on the door or the menu or something would have been nice.

We didn’t want to spend more money on drinks when we were perfectly happy with the included drinks, so we went to another bar. 

Did I Feel Out of Place on This Cruise?

I did worry pre-cruise that I would feel out of place on a luxury cruise and to be honest this was the only place where I did.

It was awkward and bizarre and I’ve heard that this space used to be a library, to be honest, I wish they kept it as that so that I could have gone there, most of the reviews I’ve read said the same thing. 

There Was a Full Vegan Menu That Changed Daily!

There is one big main dining room onboard and to my surprise, there was a full vegan menu that changed each day.

I thought that my food was absolutely incredible and my brother who still eats meat said his dishes were of similar quality to what he was used to on Princess or P&O.

We liked sitting by the windows are looking out at the place where we were docked as we were usually docked into the evening. 

The service was sometimes a little slow but we weren’t ever in a rush and the crew were fantastic.

My full food review (with photos and pictures) can be found here: Everything I Ate on my Azamara Cruise (Photos and Menus) – Food Review

What Were The Dress Codes Like?

The dress codes were very relaxed and this was the only dress code that I saw during the cruise.

Basically, as long as you’re wearing nice jeans, or clothes that aren’t designed for the beach, you’ll be totally fine. I had always assumed that luxury would mean stricter dress codes, but it seems to be the opposite in reality.

People who cruise on luxury cruise lines don’t seem to like being told what to wear and when, and I loved that. 

Our Next Port Was Genoa

When we docked in Genoa to my surprise there was a free shuttle bus to take us into the town.

I’ve docked in Genoa before and have always just walked from the ship but I was curious where the bus would take us, so we did get the bus into town.

It’s things like this that would cost extra on the mainstream or budget cruise lines.

Given the price that I paid for this cruise, I’m sure if you compared it to a mainstream cruise line and added on the all things that I got from the cruise, like the drinks and the mini bar and the shuttles, it would be a similar price. 

My Cabin Had a Problem

It was around now that my cabin door started to make a horrible noise, it honestly sounded like my cabin door was about to take off and it was so loud at points.

It was as if the door had been left open to the balcony or something, but I didn’t have a balcony I was in an inside cabin.

The ship was built in 1999 so it’s not a surprise that things occasionally do break.

I went to reception and took them a recording of the noise, they were very helpful and sent two people to my room within the hour to fix it.

It turns out that the air conditioning was broken and this was causing the noise, I can only guess that it was firing the air at the door too hard because it felt like our cabin was in a wind tunnel. 

I think it’s important not to assume that everything will always be 100% just because you’re on a luxury cruise, things still go wrong, people still hog the sun loungers, and I have no idea why – there were plenty enough to go around but the way that problems are dealt with, that’s what matters most and Azamara did a great job there. 

We Docked Beside Regal Princess

We docked next to the Regal Princess in Genoa and it was amazing to look up at this huge ship.

Regal isn’t one of the biggest Princess ships but she’s still around 4x bigger than the Azamara Onward. All of this footage was taken from the top deck of the Azamara Onward. 

As much as I loved cruising on a smaller ship, I’m definitely not giving up the big big ships.

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Azamara shore excursions

By woodley , February 5, 2023 in Azamara

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I have cruised on 48 cruise's over the years on many different cruise lines but never before on Azamara.  Usually I try and book private excursions as I find the ship's offerings to be poor value for money.  Can those of you that are regular cruisers with Azamara let me know what their shore excursions are like, value, interest and quality or if you would also prefer to do private excursions.  

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travelberlin

32 minutes ago, woodley said: I have cruised on 48 cruise's over the years on many different cruise lines but never before on Azamara.  Usually I try and book private excursions as I find the ship's offerings to be poor value for money.  Can those of you that are regular cruisers with Azamara let me know what their shore excursions are like, value, interest and quality or if you would also prefer to do private excursions.  

Shore excursions with Azamara are very expensive. They use providers in ports, which also serve other cruise lines. This means the quality of their offerings are the same that other cruise lines offer,  but the prices are more expensive. There was a post in these boards referring to the higher overheads from Azamara excursions. Unless you have a very specific excursion you wish to book, that due the time involved might be a problem returning to the ship, I would recommend you book private excursions or get together with people from your roll call.  Ivi

Thank you that is helpful.  

On our recent Azamara cruise, we did mainly all Azamara excursions as we had a large shore excursion credit, they were generally adequate, with one or two major disappointments, one was the sting Ray encounter in Antigua and the trolley to the beach in St Lucia. I wouldn’t recommend either I of these.  We have previously done a sting ray excursion in Grand Cayman which was far superior, this was a privately arranged excursion. The Trolley train was just a complete waste of an hour to get to a very dirty beach, we only had an hour there, very few even bothered to go into sea as not enough to dry off.  The beach was actually very near to ship but the trolley took us all through a very busy port area plus the town, the people were all pleasant but everything else was disappointing.  I fed back my disappointment, but nothing else really happened.  we enjoyed the ships excursion to Virgin Gouda baths and a couple of snorkelling trips booked through the ship. The best excursion was river tubing in Dominica but it was a very long bus ride in a very old bus, which barely made it up the hills, we only got back to the ship 5 mins before all aboard time!!! But it was great fun. 

Host Jazzbeau

The location of your cruise may affect your opinion of ship shore excursions.  Shore excursions in the Caribbean are often disappointing, IMHO, because there isn't anything to see there – except the more expensive ones like the America's Cup Challenge.  

Our recent Azamara cruise in the Adriatic included a ton of OBC so we took only Azamara excursions – and we felt that all of them delivered good value for money.  

We especially enjoy the food-oriented excursions, even though they are expensive, because they offer small groups and itineraries that I have not seen duplicated with private tours.

luv2travel90266

About to embark on my second azamara cruise. My first in Iceland I formed a group of 8 off cruise critic, shopped and booked some fabulous small group tours.  

My upcoming back to back in the Med got little responses on the cruise critic roll calls. Taking the Azamara tours as a result. I estimate the Azamara cruise excursions about 1/3 more cost along  with a larger group. Roll call followers were less than 1 dozen on both, 1-2% of the passengers. Not a complaint but an observation.   

I agree with the large OBC offered they need they be spent. I do feel there are some great private tour operators we are missing. 

We were on a B2B in the Med in the fall. The 1st leg was a unique itinerary, Islands of the Western Med.  We had some OBC so booked a couple of ship's tours.  They were good. We did a few other private tours, booked for just the two of us (traveling for a month post relaxation of COVID rules/masking so staying healthy was a top priority) and they were also OK (although we did not care for our guide for Girona - very knowledgeable but not tuned in to when we had information overload) . This roll call was a bit active and there were some posts for private tours but I don't know if they got the numbers to run. 

On the 2nd leg (French Intensive), t his was a slow selling cruise until close in. AZ offered $1000 OBC in one offer.   We had lots more than that  so we booked some pricey ship's tours.  One was cancelled due to lack of interest (very disappointing since this was a highlight for us) and what we ended up with was an OK excursion but not of great interest to us.  Too late to have arranged anything else in that small port.  And we had our final port changed due to high seas so got refund of that ship tour.   Overall, the ship tours offered on this leg were not that good. 

There were 106 posts on this roll call. No one planned any private excursions looking for sharing.  Only taxi shares to airport.  This itinerary covers a lot of popular ports so many may have already visited them so that could have contributed to the lack of interest. 

ilv2cruz4evr

What size group are the Azamara excursions?

6 minutes ago, ilv2cruz4evr said: What size group are the Azamara excursions?

The ones we’ve taken have been fair in size, from 12 to maybe 25 guests.  We did go on one post Covid when cruising had just started up again that was larger, however we were put on two buses to provide distance in the seating.

We were on an AZ Med cruise last fall. About two weeks before the cruise, we were notified of the cancellation of an excursion we had booked. Fine, we had 2 weeks to figure something out. But during the cruise, we were notified of another cancelled excursion 2 days before the port. Went to shore excursions and there was a long line of people. The lady in front of me had her excursion for the next day cancelled. When I finally made it to a service rep she told me the excursion was cancelled due to lack of interest. So Azamara turned their problem into my problem! Nice for them, they weren't out any money because I was using OBC. But then I had a problem - either select what was left of ship excursions or figure something else out.  

I decided to limit Azamara cruises only to those that have an itinerary I can't get elsewhere. So as of right now, we don't have another AZ cruise until 2024. And I'm watching other ships to see if some of them have a similar itinerary. There are a lot of ships in the sea.

4 hours ago, CynthiaP said: We were on an AZ Med cruise last fall. About two weeks before the cruise, we were notified of the cancellation of an excursion we had booked. Fine, we had 2 weeks to figure something out. But during the cruise, we were notified of another cancelled excursion 2 days before the port. Went to shore excursions and there was a long line of people. The lady in front of me had her excursion for the next day cancelled. When I finally made it to a service rep she told me the excursion was cancelled due to lack of interest. So Azamara turned their problem into my problem! Nice for them, they weren't out any money because I was using OBC. But then I had a problem - either select what was left of ship excursions or figure something else out.     I decided to limit Azamara cruises only to those that have an itinerary I can't get elsewhere. So as of right now, we don't have another AZ cruise until 2024. And I'm watching other ships to see if some of them have a similar itinerary. There are a lot of ships in the sea.

Wow! That is awful…..thanks for info.

I am not usually one to use ship shore excursions, however we had 4 B2B cruises from Amsterdam to Barcelona last year and a bucket load of OBC to use so we booked all ship tours. Some were not as good as we would have hoped for some were better than expected.

My husband had a medical incident on board, and we were off the ship for 9 days during the 40-day cruise while he recuperated in hospital. The shore excursion team refunded all the tours we had booked during that time either to OBC or the credit card if we had paid for it that way. We were then able to discuss all future shore excursions that we had booked with the shore ex team and modify our bookings to suit my husband's needs at that time. The team was marvelous and made my life so much easier. I cannot imagine the problems I would have had if we were cancelling and changing options with private providers.

I am not saying that we will book only ship tours in the future, but this experience is something for others to consider.

I have rarely used ship excursions in the past, but our recent Azamara cruise came with a boat load of OBC so we did all ship excursions this time.  They all lived up to the descriptions, and never felt crowded or 'large.'  One was a big disappointment (Mostar from Dubrovnik) but only because traffic/border crossings took it from 11 hours to 13 and the payoff wasn't even worth the 11 hours.  But three were under -described by Azamara, and delivered more than the description promised [ Lake Bled & Island ;  Rovinj on Foot ; and  Kotor By Boat With A Capella Performance ].  Bottom line:  we were very happy with our Azamara shore excursions and will consider using them again in the future.

federalexpress

In my limited experience, the quality of the excursions is fine but oh my, the price. They were typically 2-3 times what you could arrange yourself. That's too greedy a margin. I paid $550 for a 4 hour private driver and guide in one port, this in a supposedly low cost country. Given they seemed to be angling for a tip, I mentioned the price to them to indicate I might feel that was the most I felt like paying for my 4 hours. I think they got the message; I realise this doesn't go the those at the coal face, others have to take their margin, including AZ, but let's just say they nearly fainted when they heard how much....

4 hours ago, federalexpress said: In my limited experience, the quality of the excursions is fine but oh my, the price. They were typically 2-3 times what you could arrange yourself. That's too greedy a margin. I paid $550 for a 4 hour private driver and guide in one port, this in a supposedly low cost country. Given they seemed to be angling for a tip, I mentioned the price to them to indicate I might feel that was the most I felt like paying for my 4 hours. I think they got the message; I realise this doesn't go the those at the coal face, others have to take their margin, including AZ, but let's just say they nearly fainted when they heard how much....

Private driver/guide tours on all cruise lines I have researched are similarly overpriced – even in comparison to their other shore excursions.  For regular shore excursions, automatic cancellation for changed/missed ports and the ease of working with the shorex desk are worth some premium.

roberts2005

On my recent Pursuit cruise we took some ship’s  tours.   The ranch visit in Montevideo was excellent.  The sheep farm in Punta Arenas was ok, but not great.

I wish cruise critic would set up a data base to review ship’s tours.  Even if only a rating of one to five stars.

There is no consistency of standard on Azamara excursions, I have had trips that range from outstanding to appalling and all points in between.  I like the idea of the database, I would also like Azamara to have minimum quality standards in terms of guides, their competence, knowledge and language skills and that these standards are shared with guests so guests can feedback when it is met well or when it is not.

I find that where there are standards of guiding (sometimes with exams) set by tourist boards and Azamara use these registered guides the standard of the tour is usually far far higher than the ones where the operator has scratched around and just found someone who speaks English or worse still found a comedian interested in taking you to their cousins shop even through the tour is supposed to have no shopping and knows very little solid facts about the area they are guiding in.

Azamara used to put escorts on tours and one of their roles was to feedback.  Mind this did not always work, some did not want to give their friends on Shorex some extra work and others just went for the time out but it was a kind of indicator to the guide there was some supervision.  Since Covid this has not happened so much, they need to bring that back.

Azamara also used tablets that were passed round the bus for immediate feedback towards the end of the tour, in addition to the technology not working on one tour the guide stood over us and tried to check we were giving her a high score, unfortunately this intimidated many who then did even though the score was certainly not warranted

Just to ad a thought about the tablets for immediate feedback: I find the idea of touching this object that everyone was touch disturbing.  Yes, one can sanitize afterwards but the germophobe in me was a bit freaked out.  The one time I did use the tablet I found the questions pretty generic and there was no space for real comments.  I wish Azamara would use paper surveys and/or just send an email to give tour feedback.

15 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said: Private driver/guide tours on all cruise lines I have researched are similarly overpriced – even in comparison to their other shore excursions.  For regular shore excursions, automatic cancellation for changed/missed ports and the ease of working with the shorex desk are worth some premium.

It wasn't just private guides/drivers. There was a trip on the Falklands that was well over double the price of the one we booked, same itinerary, £150 per person versus £320 onboard. Another, a trip to an estancia for lunch and penguins, was $120 direct, just under $300 on the ship. That was more embarrassing because it was exactly the same venue, albeit we travelled there in separate coaches, presumably hoping the groups did not talk to each other. As I say, I think that's too greedy and if the situation is the same on other cruise lines, then they are greedy also.

I don't think the shore excursion team provided much in the way of added value, certainly not enough to justify 2-3 times the price. In truth, I found it easier working direct. In fact in contrast to the exemplary service levels everywhere else in the ship, the excursions desk were the weakest link.

You can tell how much margin there is in this sector when you consider an online booking tool like Viator, effectively a direct competitor to ship's tours, whose commission varies from 20 to 30%, way more than similar online booking engines for hotels, restaurants etc. But I guess nothing much will change for a long as people book the ship's tours and maybe for many it is just easier that way and the vast cost difference is secondary.

This is a great time to remind people to look for the roll call for your cruise and post there. On my last trip I found some excellent tours with a van for 8 at a price approx 30% less than similar offered by the Azamara. We had a great time with the smaller group.

For my upcoming cruise and there is very little participation. Only 8 following the roll call is less than 2% cruising. If you don't find an existing  roll call for your cruise start one. 

37 minutes ago, federalexpress said: .....I don't think the shore excursion team provided much in the way of added value, certainly not enough to justify 2-3 times the price. In truth, I found it easier working direct. In fact in contrast to the exemplary service levels everywhere else in the ship, the excursions desk were the weakest link.....   ....But I guess nothing much will change for a long as people book the ship's tours and maybe for many it is just easier that way and the vast cost difference is secondary.

We didn't take any Az tours on our B2B cruises but, based on my reading across various threads, a significant number who book the Az tours have OBC to burn. That makes the OBC of less value to passengers who get same, and means it costs Az much less than it's face value because of the exorbitant tour pricing. 

Agreed. I am keeping track and will use much of my OBC for dinners, chefs table, internet, and covering corkage fees. On both my cruises I expect I will still need to add cash but will take some Azamara tours to burn through OBC. 

Thanks everyone for your input. It is very helpful.  Seems that Azamara tours are much the same as the other lines some tours are good some not really worth it.  I think I will do a combination of ship tours to use the credit and private ones to save some money.

On 2/13/2023 at 5:55 PM, hamrag said: We didn't take any Az tours on our B2B cruises but, based on my reading across various threads, a significant number who book the Az tours have OBC to burn. That makes the OBC of less value to passengers who get same, and means it costs Az much less than it's face value because of the exorbitant tour pricing. 

I think that is fair comment. Given I intended to mostly arrange my own, I used my $1000 OBC to part buy the Indulgence package. I especially valued the Ultimate package for wine and the wifi for 2, but also the free laundry was handy and the chef's table a nice extra. Given the cruise was 17 nights, this gave very fair value. You also got $700 tours credit and a $250 spa credit. I put both to use but it is fair to say that had I been shelling out my own money in a more direct way, I would not have used either.

When I booked last Spring the promotion was $1,000 OBC for shore excursions.  There was discussion at the time whether Azamara would allow the OBC to be used in other ways.  Wound up using the OBC for Azamara tours that sounded interesting.  One was excellent, one good, and one not so good.

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Azamara cruises' "hidden gems sale" is underway: offering travelers more onboard credit for extended exploration.

From now until October 30 , travelers who book select sailings will receive a $500 onboard credit, with those who reserve a veranda or suite also receiving a choice between complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi and the premium beverage package

MIAMI , Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --  Azamara Cruises  – the small-ship cruise line and leader in Destination Immersion® experiences – has unveiled a new offer, giving all travelers $500 onboard credit, as well as a choice between complimentary Wi-Fi and a Premium Beverage Package for those who reserve a veranda or suite. This offer is available on select sailings booked between August 22 – October 30, 2024 .

Travelers can take advantage of this onboard credit to embark on some of Azamara's curated shore excursions, each thoughtfully designed to forge meaningful connections with the destinations and turn every journey into an unforgettable adventure. Azamara's Extended Destination Days provide 10 or more hours in port, offering ample time to explore historical sites, discover vibrant local cultures, or relax on pristine beaches. Plus, Azamara's small ships can dock at exclusive ports that larger vessels cannot reach, providing access to unique and off-the-beaten-path destinations.

With more time in unique destinations across the globe and the onboard credit offered in this special promotion, Azamara guests can experience such shore excursions as:

Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Durban, South Africa –  Azamara Quest's 12-Night South Africa Intensive Voyage ( view sailing here ) Drive into the countryside and along a seemingly ordinary stretch of highway that gained significant historical importance on August 5, 1962 . It was here that police arrested anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela , who was disguising himself as a chauffeur to avoid detection.

Whale Watch Safari by Helicopter in Kaikoura, New Zealand –  Azamara Pursuit's 14-Night New Zealand Intensive Voyage ( view sailing here ) Embark on an unforgettable Whale Watch Safari with a helicopter tour over Kaikoura's Whale Sanctuary. Take in extended views of these majestic whales in their natural habitat and experience a scenic coastal landing, where you can enjoy breathtaking vistas and capture stunning photos.

Orange Tree Farm in Valencia, Spain –  Azamara Quest's 11-Night Spain Intensive Voyage   ( view sailing here) Immerse yourself in Carcaixent's rich orange heritage, starting with a journey through its historical origins and significance. Discover the story behind the region's famed oranges and visit a traditional 19th-century orchard where you can sample freshly made marmalades for a fragrant Valencian experience.

Kobe Beef Dinner Experience in Kobe, Japan – Azamara Pursuit's 14-Night Japan Intensive Voyage ( view sailing here ) Savor a luxurious Kobe beef dinner in Kobe , where beef production is held to the highest standards. Prepared to perfection, this dining experience offers an authentic taste of the dedicated craftsmanship that makes Kobe beef legendary.

To book this special promotion offering $500 onboard credit, please visit azamara.com .

About Azamara Cruises: Azamara Cruises is a small-ship cruise line and leader in Destination Immersion® experiences. With a fleet of four intimate-style ships, Azamara Journey®, Azamara Quest®, Azamara Pursuit®, and Azamara Onward®, the cruise line allows travelers to reach marquee ports around the world and dock in smaller, hidden gem destinations. Azamara Cruises is committed to creating immersive experiences for guests through Extended Destination Days  (10 or more hours in port) for a more meaningful travel experience. Through their deep understanding of hospitality and commitment to delivering exceptional service, guests can experience an intimate hotel at sea. Through Always Azamara guests can know what's always included ; a variety of dining venues plus room service, drinks including alcohol all day and night, tips & gratuities, exclusive cultural events, and unlimited self-service laundry; and what is always expected when sailing with Azamara Cruises; no hassle, no crowds, unique & iconic destinations, overnights, and Extended Destination Days . Additionally, guests can also take advantage of exclusive loyalty membership benefits through the Azamara Circle Program. For more information visit www.azamara.com .

View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/azamara-cruises-hidden-gems-sale-is-underway-offering-travelers-more-onboard-credit-for-extended-exploration-302234438.html

SOURCE Azamara

Everything you need to know about Azamara Cruises cabins and suites

Azamara Cruises is a mid-level cruise line boasting more elegant, classic, upscale decor than the likes of mainstream cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean or Carnival. Its ships feature dark woods with sophisticated furnishings, patterns and color schemes, and its cabins are no exception.

Because Azamara 's ships are all from the former Renaissance Cruises' R Class, which was launched more than 20 years ago, the cabins are on the small side, but they're still comfortable, functional and well appointed.

Here, we'll give you a rundown of the different types of cabins you can book, how big they are and the sorts of amenities that come with each.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Azamara Cruises cabin primer

Azamara has four general cabin types: inside or interior, outside or oceanview, balcony or veranda, and suite. They fall into five main categories: Club Interior, Club Oceanview, Club Veranda, Club Veranda Plus and Suite.

On each of its ships, Azamara offers seven accessible staterooms in a mix of cabin types: two Club Continent Suites, three Club Interior Staterooms and two Club Oceanview Staterooms (see below). These accommodations offer larger main doorways (at least 33") and bathroom doorways (at least 34") to allow entry for wheelchairs, scooters and other mobility aids. They are also equipped with lowered closet bars, a 5-foot turning radius and anywhere from 227 to 324 square feet of space. Bathrooms have ramped thresholds, grab bars, roll-in showers, lowered sinks/vanities, adjustable-height toilet seats, fold-down shower benches and handheld showerheads.

Unfortunately, there are no dedicated solo cabins on any of Azamara's ships, but the line does offer singles discounts on occasion, and when it doesn't, anyone who pays double -- known as a single supplement to account for one person staying in a room designed for double occupancy -- receives double loyalty points toward their Azamara Circle status .

All staterooms, regardless of type or category, are outfitted with at least one queen bed that can convert to two twins, a desk/vanity with a phone, nightstands with reading lamps, at least one TV that's a minimum of 40", outlets and USB charging ports, a mini-bar, individual climate controls, closets, a safe, a hair dryer, robes, slippers, umbrellas and fresh flowers.

Each cabin has its own bathroom with towels, bath products, a shower, sink/vanity, storage shelves and a toilet. Additionally, all rooms include daily make-up and turndown services, as well as 24-hour room service, a tote bag, a daily bulletin of activities and turndown treats.

Inside cabins on Azamara ships

Azamara's Club Interior staterooms are 158 square feet, and they're the least expensive accommodations onboard, offering no windows or balconies.

However, they make up for their lack of natural light and ocean breezes with their more economic price point and a fully dark sleeping experience that passengers swear gives them some of the best rest they've ever had.

Only standard amenities mentioned above are included here, but if you're someone who plans only to be in your room to shower and sleep, an inside cabin could be a perfect fit for you.

Oceanview cabins on Azamara ships

Although balcony cabins are, technically, oceanview cabins, in this context, the line's Club Oceanview Staterooms refer to rooms that have only a window that doesn't open -- no balcony.

Oddly, Azamara's outside cabins are smaller than its interior accommodations, with the former measuring just 143 square feet. Even more oddly, some of these cabins are equipped with sofa beds that can sleep up to two additional passengers.

Squeezing that many people into such a small space could prove to be tight, but we suspect the natural light will help lighten the mood.

Balcony cabins on Azamara ships

Azamara's balcony cabins come in two types.

Club Veranda Staterooms

These are the most basic balcony accommodations onboard, and they feature 175 square feet of living space, plus a 40-square-foot veranda for a total of 215 square feet.

For ships as old as Azamara's the number of balcony accommodations is surprising, with many rooms equipped with verandas where cruisers can sit and enjoy drinks and some fresh air on their own little swaths of deck.

Club Veranda Plus Staterooms

Although Club Veranda Plus rooms are the same square footage as Club Veranda Staterooms, this is the first cabin level where passengers will really see a difference between cabin types in the way of additional amenities.

Your cabin type from this level upward will be considered in conjunction with your Azamara Circle loyalty status (assuming you're a member) to determine the level of benefits you'll receive during your voyage.

All passengers booked in Club Veranda Plus accommodations will receive the standard offerings mentioned under previous cabin categories, plus complimentary Wi-Fi minutes, one free bag of laundry every seven days, one complimentary meal for two in a for-fee restaurant every seven days, priority embarkation and disembarkation and free in-cabin alcohol.

Suites on Azamara ships

Suites on Azamara's ships are divided into four types, and each provides its occupants with complimentary butler service.

Club Continent Suites

The smallest of the line's suite accommodations, Club Continent Suites are 266 square feet with 60-square-foot balconies. They include all of the amenities mentioned above, as well as a large seating area with a 55" flat-screen TV.

In addition to the TV and the increased square footage, some Club Continent Suite bathrooms also have bathtubs instead of only a stand-up shower.

Club Spa Suites

These suites are located near the Sanctum Spa on each vessel. In addition to soothing, natural decor, cruisers booked in these rooms can expect healthy snacks to be delivered daily. They can also enjoy in-cabin spa music and their very own glass-enclosed spa soaking bathtub.

Additionally, Club Spa Suites have rain showerheads and all of the amenities afforded to veranda cabins but with a larger (55") TV and 414 square feet of space, plus a 60-square-foot balcony.

Club Ocean Suites

These 478-square-foot luxury digs come with 173-square-foot verandas, a separate living room and bedroom setup (each room with a 55" TV); marble, shower-only bathrooms (except on Journey and Quest, which have bathtubs); dressing rooms with vanities; and additional closet space.

Further, passengers staying in these suites have access to all of the perks to which those in balcony cabins are entitled.

Club World Owner's Suites

The Club World Owner's Suites are Azamara's most lavish, offering everything afforded to those booked in Club Ocean Suites but with significantly more space -- 603 square feet with 233-square-foot balconies.

Like Club Ocean Suites, they have marble bathrooms (with bathtubs on Journey and Quest) and separate living room and bedroom areas, each with its own television (55" in the former and 40" in the latter), as well as the basic amenities mentioned above.

Bottom line

Although Azamara's ships are a bit on the older side, they ooze class. Cabins are stylishly decorated in neutrals and feature high-end furnishings and dark woods with plenty of storage space and extra touches, such as fresh-cut flowers and 24-hour room service, that will make you smile.

The number of choices isn't as vast as what you'll find onboard ships from some of the larger, more mainstream cruise lines, but there's something -- from insides to lavish suites -- to fit every taste.

Featured photo courtesy of Azamara Cruises.