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Azamara Journey

Azamara®

Ship Reviews

Overall Rating

Based on 56 reviews

Submit your review Cruise reviews reflect the opinions of travel editors and cruisers/ readers and may not represent those of our company.

Greek Isles - Azamara Journey - September 2024

September

Pros: Excellent food, outstanding crew

Cons: The basic internet was terrible. We needed to pay an additional $7.95/day to upgrade to the premium wifi. (You only got Starlink with the premium wifi, not with the basic wifi.) There were no instructions as to how to retrieve your voicemail. We had a group of 53 people, and alot of them could not figure out the phone system. Also, the "you have a message" light did not illuminate on alot of the phones, so a number of people didn't even know that I had called and left various message for them. The lids on the offee cups at the onboard coffee shop did not fit properly, so alot of people spilled their coffee.

Recommended: No

Azamara did a great job with this Greek-intensive itinerary. We were the first Azamara guests to ever get to visit the Greek island of Symi, and that was really neat. The food in all restaurants was excellent, including the buffet. The White Night was alot of fun, as well as the AzAmazing Evening. The crew went above and beyond to take care of the passengers.

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Australia/New Zealand trip

February

Pros: low number of passengers, pleasant, cheerful , competent staff, excellent check in and final disembarking procedures

Cons: Smaller ship feels rough weather more,

Recommended: Yes

enjoyed meeting and talking with people from all over the world - with a smaller passenger size you see familiar faces more often Great "white night" celebration - staff went all out on entertaining and serving cabins felt smaller than from other cruises but had a great cabin attendant - Ukiss YiFi - normal package was moderately successful for coverage at best

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Mediterranean Cruise

September

Pros: Ports visited/Overall food offered/Comfort of suite

Cons: Couple of excursions with limited time/entertainment on ship

Recommended: Yes

Overall our first time cruising on the Azamara and we were happy with our voyage. There were issues with the internet application of which it was communicated that it was work in progress. There needs to be a dedicated phone application with easier flow to managing each journey. The ship was well maintained and the crew that we interfaced with were all very friendly and accommodating. The food choices were great and our room was serviced everyday to our needs. We would like to see more entertainment choices provided for catered to all ages as we felt it was geared to a more mature age group.Enjoyed our ports with the exception of long bus or boat rides to visit a town for a few hours. We felt onboarding and disembarkment were a smooth and quick process which was great!

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Intensive Ireland Itinerary

August

Pros: Excellent service

Cons: Small staterooms on an older ship.

Recommended: No

Azamara is a boutique cruise line for people who like to travel by land spending more time off the ship than on!

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very good, not great

July

Pros: service

Cons: food not as good as before covid

Recommended: No

This was our 10th trip on Azamara Journey, so you can see this has always been one of our favorite ships. As usual, the service was wonderful, from stateroom to dining to customer service, tours, bars and everywhere else. The crew was friendly and helpful. Any requests were immediately filled. That being said, the lady is starting to show her age. Nothing to be done about the teeny bathrooms. Please reupholster the Drawing Room. Cracks and chips in the spa need to be looked at. Notice that this is a warm weather ship. For most of our 22 days, deck 9 was unusable. The itinerary made some days difficult, especially for those of us who are older. The food is not as good as it used to be. Freezer burned meat in Prime C twice is inexcusable. The breads and soups were wonderful, salads fresh and crisp. There were far too many curries, mushes and SE Asian dishes served at the Windows Cafe for the passengers on this trip, 2/3 American and Canadian. I never saw anyone even open the lid on the congees served at breakfast. After speaking to the chef, I came to understand that corporate has a great deal to say about what is served. They seem to be cutting corners and I do not appreciate it. Allowing the chef more freedom would probably help. I remember wonderful cakes and pies on previous trips that were not in evidence this time. The lamb was great this trip, the beef ok, the fish very good. I think we will wait a while before booking another Azamara cruise to wait and see if they get their act together.

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Azamara Journey July 2023

July

Pros: Crew & Staff (can't say enough), itinerary, food (all venues), entertainment

Cons: Bathrooms are small for this level of ship but the space available is used as best they can

Recommended: No

I think that what stood out about this cruise was the genuinely welcoming atmosphere throughout the ship.  Staff and Crew, no matter their positions, made passengers feel like they were truly grateful they chose to sail on the Journey.  
 
We opted for the airport transfers offered by Azamara to the pier.  After claiming our luggage and clearing immigration the Azamara rep was waiting in the arrival hall.  We were lead to motorcoaches that went directly to the port.  Upon arrival at the pier, luggage was tagged as we left the bus and we were left with only those items which we wanted to carry onboard.  Check-in was open to everyone, there was no differentiation by cabin as had been indicated by notices sent prior to sailing.  The ship was cleared to new guests by 11:30am and despite the inability of guests to pre register due to the new reservation system guests were being welcomed onboard before noon.  
 
Our cabin, 7054, was  midship category V1.  This position on the ship offered quick access to all venues.  The four ship elevators, two forward two aft, were easily reached and never seemed busy.  The cabin was decorated in soothing tones and beiges and grays.  The bed was configured as a King and there was a curved love seat, table and desk near the balcony door.  The balcony had two chairs and a table.  There was adequate closet and drawer space.  The bathroom is small and the shower has an angled rear wall.  Although small there was storage offered in wall shelving, on the counter and the under sink shelf.  Soaps, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotions were supplied.  
 
I was on as a Signature Host on the cruise, the group onboard was coordinated through the Concierge, Marta.  As there single contact for everything group related, this admittedly made my onboard responsibilities very easy.  Our group Meet and Greet was held in the Drawing Room as were all the private functions I observed over the course of the cruise.
 
The ship offers the same dining venues as its Azamara sister ships.  The main dining room, Discovery, was open for breakfast and dinner everyday and lunch/brunch on sea days.  The buffet, Windows Cafe was open for breakfast, themed lunch and themed dinner everyday.  The food in both locations was very good.  Visiting the buffet did not offer guest a lesser food experience.   The smoothie bar offered during the morning hours transformed into a bar for lunch and dinner.  Meals in either location included your choice of four red, four white, a rose and prosecco wines at each sitting.  
 
The Patio Grill was open everyday.  Although most days did not offer favorable weather for outdoor dining, the menu items (Burgers, hot dogs, fries) could be ordered and the meals were then brought to guests dining in Windows Cafe.  Swirl On Top, the frozen yogurt station, was open everyday and available for those wishing to self serve.  
 
Prime C and Aqualina offered Steakhouse and  fine Italian dining.  The Chef's Table, located in Prime C, offers a unique dining experience for twelve guests.  Hosted by the Sommelier and Head Chef of the House, this six course meal with wine pairings was a highlight of the cruise.   Although the meal was wonderful, it was the time spent with the other guests that made the evening so enjoyable.  
 
Mosaic Cafe offered specialty coffees, teas and hot chocolate from 7am - 11pm.  Light breakfast, sandwiches and pastries was offered in the morning and a light lunch of finger sandwiches and small desserts was offered throughout the afternoon.  A great place to stop if you were out on a shore excursion that ran past the hours of the dining room or buffet.  After dinner, cheeses and chocolates were available.
 
Entertainment on board was extremely good especially considering the size of the venues.  The Azamara staff provided varied experiences from intimate solo performances to full stage productions.  There was open interaction between the performers and the guests onboard.  The Aazamazing  Evening was held onboard ship instead of onshore.  The guest performer, Greta Salome, an Iceland born violinist, shared an evening entitled Fire and Ice.  Other guest performers during the cruise included a comic from London and Celtic vocalist.  
 
The White Night was celebrated indoors due to weather conditions along the Arctic Circle.  Festivities were spread throughout the ship.  The "Crew Wave" was held in the Cabaret.  
 
The Living Room offered guests a morning to late night venue for both live entertainment and dancing to DJ provided music.  This forward facing venue on deck ten offered a lovely place to view scenery as we sailed, a full specialty coffee bar, a full bar, and numerous "snack" options throughout the day including Tea, Tapas and After Dinner Treats.   The live band was able to accommodate requests and played a wide variety of music to dance to.  
 
Two of the fjord stops in Iceland were missed due to weather conditions.  High winds prevented the ship from docking and tendering.  The ship did sail into each port as far as possible allowing everyone onboard to view the area.  
 
Shore excursions outside of the port "city" or very small town as was the case in Iceland were offered by Azamara.  Most included a "warning" that walking over uneven, possibly wet, surfaces would be required.  The destinations throughout Iceland are very scenic and can be very remote.  Iceland has built a well maintained road system when considering the number of people living throughout the country.  For guests arriving in Reykjavik with time before or after a cruise renting a car is a very realistic option.  There are rental car returns within walking distance of the pier.
 
In Belfast a private car and driver is a better option than the shore excursions offered by Azamara (or any cruise line) .  The costs are similar and guests are not held to the schedule of a large motorcoach tour.  
 
Debarkation went smoothly.  Because of the size of the ship Azamara ships are able to dock at Terminal 3, Berth 18, the most "intown" Dublin of the piers.  Bags are moved off the ship to a tented area in order of the disembarkation number on provided luggage tags.  All Azamara transfers were off the ship and out of the port before other transfers arrived.  Those with pre arranged private transfers have their divers waiting for them as they exit the ship.  Taxis must wait outside of the port until contacted for a fare.

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Intensive France

June

Pros: Small ship, all inclusive, well traveled passengers, friendly staff.

Cons: Included wine choices limited, shore excursions expensive.

Recommended: Yes

Azamara is a very accomadating cruise line. They have small ships that make traveling easy. They are all inclusive except shore excursions. They are port extensive and can visit ports that the larger ships can not visit. Their four ships travel the world. The officers are visible and are available to the passengers. Children are not excluded, but there are no programs for them. On sea days, there is the white night party and the officers barbecue.

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