Musings from a Oceania cheerleader -- just off Azamara Journey

[sjde]

Thank you for that thorough comparison! Very informative.

We have taken two Azamara cruises - 2008 and earlier this year- and our next one is booked on the Marina.

[rodan]

I have sailed on both cruise lines and have found Oceania to be a lot less $ when you factor in the air allowance. Now that Azamara includes all drinks and free gratuities their prices have gone up considerably from the first two times I sailed on them. My wife and I do not drink so for us the free drinks are a big negative(you are paying for it thru higher cruising costs). I do love the longer stay and the number of overnights that Azamara has but cost does matter as I would rather do more cruises than less on the same type of ship. I also agree that Azamara is a bit too casual but I could deal with that. The extra charge for the speciality restaurants is also a negative . Just my thoughts.

[TERRIER1]

I have sailed on both cruise lines and have found Oceania to be a lot less $ when you factor in the air allowance. Now that Azamara includes all drinks and free gratuities their prices have gone up considerably from the first two times I sailed on them. My wife and I do not drink so for us the free drinks are a big negative(you are paying for it thru higher cruising costs). I do love the longer stay and the number of overnights that Azamara has but cost does matter as I would rather do more cruises than less on the same type of ship. I also agree that Azamara is a bit too casual but I could deal with that. The extra charge for the speciality restaurants is also a negative . Just my thoughts.

 

We like the R ships better than the O ships so decided to give Azamara a try in 2014 due to the itinerary. We are booked on our 7th and 8th (B2B) on O in 2015. Azamara had a double upgrade special and a $500pp discount if you you use ChoiceAir. The cost was definitely less expensive than O even when you factor in the air credit from O. Over the last couple of years O has increased their deviation fees and decreased substanially the air credit. Even though we live in NY we were charged an additionally air fare for deviating this year to go to French Polynesia so you need to factor that in also. Every cruise is different and so are the comparable costs. Fortunately we have more than one good cruise line to chose.

[pacheco18]

We like the R ships better than the O ships so decided to give Azamara a try in 2014 due to the itinerary. We are booked on our 7th and 8th (B2B) on O in 2015. Azamara had a double upgrade special and a $500pp discount if you you use ChoiceAir. The cost was definitely less expensive than O even when you factor in the air credit from O. Over the last couple of years O has increased their deviation fees and decreased substanially the air credit. Even though we live in NY we were charged an additionally air fare for deviating this year to go to French Polynesia so you need to factor that in also. Every cruise is different and so are the comparable costs. Fortunately we have more than one good cruise line to chose.

 

The air credit is getting to be ridiculous. We always do our own air with miles (while they last) and the credit does not cover a cheap coach fare. We are using O air for our Caribbean cruise because it's cheaper than booking a RT but the credit is $99 pp. LOL But we are spending on a deviation to get in one day ahead. So it's a net loss.

 

Also factor into the cost of Azamara the included alcohol and wine. We are not big drinkers, but I know that is going to bring the cost down considerably for many when doing a comparison. The double upgrade promotion really brought the Azamara prices back in line. With only two ships in need of updating, and many of the 2015 sailings consumed by charters, I wonder where they are headed. There is much discussion about this on the Azamara boards. It's a terrific line for those of us who love R ships. I fear when Oceania finishes its redo of the 3 R ships, those Azamara ships are really going to feel "old."

[Host Jazzbeau]

With only two ships in need of updating, and many of the 2015 sailings consumed by charters, I wonder where they are headed. There is much discussion about this on the Azamara boards. It's a terrific line for those of us who love R ships. I fear when Oceania finishes its redo of the 3 R ships, those Azamara ships are really going to feel "old."

 

That's the big problem with Azamara. They had a major drydock scheduled in 2012 and then cancelled it for financial reasons. If the ships were already "tired" last year, how much worse will they be next year and the year after? And Oceania's will be brand new again.

 

RCCL has to either fish or cut bait with Azamara, and soon.

[Paulchili]

The double upgrade promotion really brought the Azamara prices back in line.

 

If you were lucky enough to be interested in those itineraries that included this promotion.

Of course, on our B2B cruises on A neither one was included in that promotion :(

[joy_cruise]

I am just off the Azamara Journey and I want to share my impressions of the Azamara R ship experience compared to the Oceania R ship experience. Bottom line, there is very little difference and what differences there are are quite small. I loved Amazara and as an R ship devotee, I am thrilled to have two great cruise lines to choose from.

 

When I first boarded the ship it was weird. There I was having lunch in the equivalent of the Terrace Buffet and if I didn't know what ship I had boarded. I might have been on Nautica. Lol. That feeling stayed with me throughout the cruise but there were some differences worth noting and that's what I will focus on (in no particular order of importance).

 

Ship use of space

Azamara has used Deck 5 brilliantly. Where the Oceania future cruise sales desk sits is a fabulous Barista station and the entire area in front of the shops is the Mosaic Cafe. It is a very popular venue (open from 7 am to midnight). Great lattes, Nespresso drinks, pastries and mini sandwiches and a great place to linger. You can also get an alcoholic drink if you wish. The future cruise person is on deck 4 near reception (and boy was she busy!!). I wish Oceania would put Baristas on deck 5, instead of outside the GDR.

 

Food

Quite good. Especially the theme buffets. But not quite up to Oceania. We ate in the dining room a few times and in the buffet. We did not eat in the specialty restaurants which carry a charge. One specialty restaurant is Mediterranean and did not get great reports. The steak house (Prime C) got great reviews but we had an opportunity for plenty of red meat in other venues. O cruisers on board said it was equivalent of Polo. Bread is much better on O. Waves grill is better. There were no milk shakes, but great smoothies. Ice cream is better on O. I spent a lot of time talking with the chef.

 

One thing I did not like about the buffet is that is it self service – an invitation to germs and Norovirus.

 

There were several special buffets and they were superb. Because my status as Celebrity Elite transferred over, we attended a special champagne brunch in one of the specialty restaurants. Baby lamb and chops duck crepes – just wonderful. It was served by senior officers and the captain visited every table to chat with guests.

 

Bottom line: - I grew up in NY, have eaten in some greatest restaurants (from French Laundry to Per Se to Alain Ducasse), and attended cooking school in Tuscany. Most Oceania cruisers will be satisfied with the food on Azamara. Only those who “cruise for the food” might not be.

 

Laundry

Free. For everyone. Our Celebrity Elite perks also gave us two free bags of laundry done by the ship. IMO, O should do away with the small laundry charge.

 

Internet

Much less expensive.

But our Elite perks gave us 237 minutes of free Internet each so we we paid nothing.

 

Alcohol

Included and those drinks not included were much less expensive. A daily choice of white or red wine was available and they eagerly give u the day’s wine from another day if u preferrred e.g. Sauvignon Blanc to Chardonnay. Most alcoholic drinks and mixed drinks (non premium brands) are also included. We never took out our sea pass. Our bar bill (OUR ENTIRE BILL) for 12 days was $3.50 (Bob wanted a Corona which was not on the included list).

 

Stateroom

We booked a deluxe outside for this 12-day port intensive cruise. The staterooms are virtually identical. We had a great cabin steward. TV choices were limited. No free DVD library. The bedding, however, does not compare to Oceania. Alas. Not a deal breaker

 

Excursions

We did only private tours but azamaraclubcruises excursions are much less expensive than Oceania and you get 25% off if u book in advance. For that reason far fewer Azamara cruisers book private excursions. You could not get me on a big bus at any price. We had a great group of 10 for all of our excursions and the excursions were some of the best I have ever planned.

At every port the officers see u off. Even the captain. And u are greeted with cold towels and drinks upon return. Nice touch

 

We did not attend the Azamazing Evening held at the Massandra Winery in Yalta. Folks enjoyed it, but we do not do big busses or large groups.

 

Spa

Elemis Spa much less expensive than o and there were many specials. I did not use the spa.

 

Entertainment

Just as bad as on Oceania. We skipped most shows. I did miss the string quartet.

 

Art and Photos

No art auctions. There is a ship photographer there but he was completely unobtrusive -- not at all like photographers on mass-market lines. We were free to skip pictures and the folks who wanted then could partake. No gimmicks or props were used. It was just an available service.

 

Demographic

Similar to Oceania. We met many who cruise both lines. The guests were neither as well dressed nor as dressed up in the evening as on Oceania. Judging by only this one cruise, I would say O cruisers are more fashionable

 

On board activities

More and more varied even on port days. There was trivia but no cut throat trivia LOL.

 

Pool Area

Pool chairs more comfy. Foam pillows on the loungers and very thick towels were delightful. Much better service at pool area. They came around with energy drinks and cold towels.

 

Gym

ALL classes are free.

 

The significant difference

I now understand why Cindilouwho and other Azamara cruisers feel that Oceania is more impersonal. It is. And I figured out why. First, the officers are EVERYWHERE. I chatted with most of them repeatedly throughout the cruise. The Captain came to the future cruise presentation and spoke about his favorite itineraries. It was all very natural -- not contrived. Second, the staff on the two Azamara ships DO NOT ROTATE. When you board Journey, e.g., you will see the same folks over and over. And because they do not rotate, they staff is really cohesive and like a family. It is palpable. It felt like more than just great service – it felt like everyone took joy in making you part of the family on board. That does not make the service better on Azamara – it makes it different.

 

 

We loved the cruise and the Azamara experience. We booked two future cruise credits. Because Azamara itineraries are shorter, we will likely book a back to back for 2015.

 

I will happily answer any questions.

 

Thank you, Laraine, for sharing excellent observations from your Azamara Journey cruise. My husband & I are just off our first Azamara Journey cruise, doing a B2B, probably starting one cruise after yours. We had some similar, as well as different experiences worth noting. We also love the R ships and Oceania. We booked B2B for the itinerary from Rome to Athens, including Israel. Then we added the seven-day Greek Isles cruise because we wanted to go to Ephesus.

 

Overall, we found service from crew, servers, and staff to be superb, equal to Oceania. We had a Veranda Stateroom on Deck 7. This would be considered Concierge Level on Oceania. Our room stewards were excellent, as we found all servers cheerful, happy, and eager to please.

 

You’re quite right about the brilliant use of space on Deck 5. My husband loved Mosiacs Café for his morning lattes….until the second cruise, when staff rotated and the young woman who perfectly made his latte was replaced by someone who did not know how to make a soy latte. Thus he abandoned the Mosaics Café. As you note, Nespresso is available, but at a cost of $4.00.

 

I agree with you totally about self-service in Windows Café. Sharing the serving utensils with fellow guests seems to be a recipe for germs and Norovirus. Additionally, in Windows Café, we felt the bare tables at breakfast and lunch are not sanitary, nor in keeping with high-end cruise line. I felt as if I were eating off my mother’s kitchen table. The tables on Sunset Deck are always bare at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Servers have anti-bacterial cloths they use in between some guests, but we observed it was not used consistently between guests. We inquired why no placemats during the day. They replied they could not use paper because of environmental issues with too much paper to throw away. Some servers told us cloth placemats are in inventory, but not being used. We simply purchased some placemats while ashore and brought with us every time we went to Windows Café or the Sunset Deck.

 

Unlike Oceania’s Terrace Café, The Windows Café is very bare and stark, without color, window coverings, or art, resulting in an institutional cafeteria atmosphere. I noted the same roll-up blinds used in Windows exactly match the fitness center window blinds.

 

We found food quality fair in Windows and GDR (Discoveries). As you point out, Prime C and Aqualina are more upscale, and we found the food and service to be outstanding, as if we were on Oceania. As we were not in a suite, but in a Veranda Stateroom on Deck 7, we had to pay $25 each for the privilege of eating upscale. The food and the service were worth it, even though I find it demeaning to have to pay for dinner on an upscale high-end cruise line. To insult us further, they charge 18% on your meal. Oceania’s Polo and Toscana do not charge for meals.

 

If you are in an Az suite, you do not pay extra for Price C or Aqualina. (Also, the spa is without extra charge for Az suite guests, but for us, on Deck 7, the spa daily fee is $20.00 – unlike Oceania.)

 

Speciality buffets are repetitive and prepared almost every evening in Windows Café. The food was bland and not seasoned to match the region, i.e., Greek, Turkish, Italian, etc. Indian buffet was an exception with good spices and flavors.

 

You were fortunate to be among the elite with better access to senior officers and events (and internet). We were on our first Azamara experience and had no status on board. While we don’t cruise for food, we are discerning cruisers who found Azamara’s food and bread to be bland and unimaginative. It was easy to be ‘gluten free’.

 

The daily choice of complimentary wines and beer at lunch and dinner was a nice touch.

 

Regarding art and photos, art auctions are part of the experience. I was dismayed to see Park West on both our cruises! I spoke to the rep and learned it was their 3rd and 4th times this year on Az Journey.

 

Ship photos taken at each port were sold for $24.99 with a higher price for portraits. No pressure to buy.

 

Your comments about demographics are right on. Many cruise both lines, and those I spoke with believe Az is a better value with slightly lower overall costs than O. As you noted, Az cruisers were less dressed up than O.

 

We experienced staff rotation. The restaurant manager on our first cruise was replaced by a new restaurant manager on the second part of our B2B. The Captain was departing at the conclusion of our second cruise.

 

We attended two AzAmazing evenings: Sicily and Ephesus. It was a colossal effort and organization to transport guests to the event. (I understand why Laraine does not do big busses.)

 

While my comments thus far are in concert with your review, here is an original observation: Azamara Journey’s Cruise Director, Eric de Gray, is phenomenal. Many cruisers told me they booked Journey, rather than Quest, because of him! He is everywhere, charismatic, personable, a fabulous entertainer, and most of all, memorable! Azamara is very smart by supporting and catering to Cruise Critic guests. They scheduled Meet & Mingle’s with Cruise Director, staff officers, free champagne and wine, appys on both cruises. They seem to understand the influence and power of our impressions and reviews.

 

Any and all of my not-so-positive comments were communicated via the cruise comment forms. I doubt we will return to Azamara. I will also happily answer any questions about our Azamara experience.

 

Pat

[pacheco18]

Pat

Sadly Eric was not our CD

I have heard fabulous things about him

[traveler916]

Thank you, Laraine, for sharing excellent observations from your Azamara Journey cruise. My husband & I are just off our first Azamara Journey cruise, doing a B2B, probably starting one cruise after yours. We had some similar, as well as different experiences worth noting. We also love the R ships and Oceania. We booked B2B for the itinerary from Rome to Athens, including Israel. Then we added the seven-day Greek Isles cruise because we wanted to go to Ephesus.

 

Overall, we found service from crew, servers, and staff to be superb, equal to Oceania. We had a Veranda Stateroom on Deck 7. This would be considered Concierge Level on Oceania. Our room stewards were excellent, as we found all servers cheerful, happy, and eager to please.

 

You’re quite right about the brilliant use of space on Deck 5. My husband loved Mosiacs Café for his morning lattes….until the second cruise, when staff rotated and the young woman who perfectly made his latte was replaced by someone who did not know how to make a soy latte. Thus he abandoned the Mosaics Café. As you note, Nespresso is available, but at a cost of $4.00.

 

I agree with you totally about self-service in Windows Café. Sharing the serving utensils with fellow guests seems to be a recipe for germs and Norovirus. Additionally, in Windows Café, we felt the bare tables at breakfast and lunch are not sanitary, nor in keeping with high-end cruise line. I felt as if I were eating off my mother’s kitchen table. The tables on Sunset Deck are always bare at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Servers have anti-bacterial cloths they use in between some guests, but we observed it was not used consistently between guests. We inquired why no placemats during the day. They replied they could not use paper because of environmental issues with too much paper to throw away. Some servers told us cloth placemats are in inventory, but not being used. We simply purchased some placemats while ashore and brought with us every time we went to Windows Café or the Sunset Deck.

 

Unlike Oceania’s Terrace Café, The Windows Café is very bare and stark, without color, window coverings, or art, resulting in an institutional cafeteria atmosphere. I noted the same roll-up blinds used in Windows exactly match the fitness center window blinds.

 

We found food quality fair in Windows and GDR (Discoveries). As you point out, Prime C and Aqualina are more upscale, and we found the food and service to be outstanding, as if we were on Oceania. As we were not in a suite, but in a Veranda Stateroom on Deck 7, we had to pay $25 each for the privilege of eating upscale. The food and the service were worth it, even though I find it demeaning to have to pay for dinner on an upscale high-end cruise line. To insult us further, they charge 18% on your meal. Oceania’s Polo and Toscana do not charge for meals.

 

If you are in an Az suite, you do not pay extra for Price C or Aqualina. (Also, the spa is without extra charge for Az suite guests, but for us, on Deck 7, the spa daily fee is $20.00 – unlike Oceania.)

 

Speciality buffets are repetitive and prepared almost every evening in Windows Café. The food was bland and not seasoned to match the region, i.e., Greek, Turkish, Italian, etc. Indian buffet was an exception with good spices and flavors.

 

You were fortunate to be among the elite with better access to senior officers and events (and internet). We were on our first Azamara experience and had no status on board. While we don’t cruise for food, we are discerning cruisers who found Azamara’s food and bread to be bland and unimaginative. It was easy to be ‘gluten free’.

 

The daily choice of complimentary wines and beer at lunch and dinner was a nice touch.

 

Regarding art and photos, art auctions are part of the experience. I was dismayed to see Park West on both our cruises! I spoke to the rep and learned it was their 3rd and 4th times this year on Az Journey.

 

Ship photos taken at each port were sold for $24.99 with a higher price for portraits. No pressure to buy.

 

Your comments about demographics are right on. Many cruise both lines, and those I spoke with believe Az is a better value with slightly lower overall costs than O. As you noted, Az cruisers were less dressed up than O.

 

We experienced staff rotation. The restaurant manager on our first cruise was replaced by a new restaurant manager on the second part of our B2B. The Captain was departing at the conclusion of our second cruise.

 

We attended two AzAmazing evenings: Sicily and Ephesus. It was a colossal effort and organization to transport guests to the event. (I understand why Laraine does not do big busses.)

 

While my comments thus far are in concert with your review, here is an original observation: Azamara Journey’s Cruise Director, Eric de Gray, is phenomenal. Many cruisers told me they booked Journey, rather than Quest, because of him! He is everywhere, charismatic, personable, a fabulous entertainer, and most of all, memorable! Azamara is very smart by supporting and catering to Cruise Critic guests. They scheduled Meet & Mingle’s with Cruise Director, staff officers, free champagne and wine, appys on both cruises. They seem to understand the influence and power of our impressions and reviews.

 

Any and all of my not-so-positive comments were communicated via the cruise comment forms. I doubt we will return to Azamara. I will also happily answer any questions about our Azamara experience.

 

Pat

 

Pat - thanks for an honest, fair review.

 

We have - honestly - fallen in love with Oceania, looked at Azamara, but in comparing what we read, O has A beat. Maybe that's what we WANT to read....but I think you point out some areas were A just isn't up to O.

 

I don't like photographers or fees for specialty dining...and hope that O can continue to entire enough cruisers to spend their $$ with them....without having to resort to that.

 

gary

[CintiPam]

We found food quality fair in Windows and GDR (Discoveries). As you point out, Prime C and Aqualina are more upscale, and we found the food and service to be outstanding, as if we were on Oceania. As we were not in a suite, but in a Veranda Stateroom on Deck 7, we had to pay $25 each for the privilege of eating upscale. The food and the service were worth it, even though I find it demeaning to have to pay for dinner on an upscale high-end cruise line. To insult us further, they charge 18% on your meal. Oceania’s Polo and Toscana do not charge for meals.

 

Pat

 

Thanks for posting your review. Azamara's recent abbreviated redecoration did a great job on Prime C and Aqualina but the main dining room now is a dreadful hodgepodge of styles.

 

Just one small nit: there is no 18% service charge on your meals at the two specialty restaurants.

 

IMO Quest's Aqualina's food and service equal that on Oceania, but nowhere close in any other dining venues, where indeed the offerings are quite bland compared to Oceania's.

Edited November 9, 2013 by CintiPam

[joy_cruise]

Pat - thanks for an honest, fair review.

 

We have - honestly - fallen in love with Oceania, looked at Azamara, but in comparing what we read, O has A beat. Maybe that's what we WANT to read....but I think you point out some areas were A just isn't up to O.

 

I don't like photographers or fees for specialty dining...and hope that O can continue to entire enough cruisers to spend their $$ with them....without having to resort to that.

 

gary

 

Gary,

 

Thanks for your comments. We are also in love with Oceania and now it looks even better! We are on Regatta in a few weeks for our second Panama Canal Transit.

 

Pat

[joy_cruise]

Thanks for posting your review. Azamara's recent abbreviated redecoration did a great job on Prime C and Aqualina but the main dining room now is a dreadful hodgepodge of styles.

 

Just one small nit: there is no 18% service charge on your meals at the two specialty restaurants.

 

IMO Quest's Aqualina's food and service equal that on Oceania, but nowhere close in any other dining venues, where indeed the offerings are quite bland compared to Oceania's.

 

Hi Pam,

 

We were surprised to see the service charge on our statement. My husband was more than surprised...... (Was it their mistake?)

 

I agree with you totally about the bland food....did I mention no fresh berries, just frozen berries at breakfast on Azamara?

 

 

Pat

[CintiPam]

Hi Pam,

 

We were surprised to see the service charge on our statement. My husband was more than surprised...... (Was it their mistake?)

 

I agree with you totally about the bland food....did I mention no fresh berries, just frozen berries at breakfast on Azamara?

 

 

Pat

 

Hi, Pat, yes, I think someone messed up on your charges. On our first Azamara cruise one year ago, we had to pay $27.50 for each meal because the cruise was stopping at EU countries only, which required the addition of some kind of EU sales tax on those meals, but this trip (which included Adriatic stops), the meals were $25.

 

Although I do not like incendiary food, I do enjoy a bit of spice and also some inclusion of ethnic/foreign dishes, which Oceania does so well. I like most others simply skipped the mushy frozen berries because there was enough fresh-sliced fruit (yummy pineapple in particular) to satisfy my needs. On the other hand, I like how Azamara handles its egg breakfast orders by handing you a slip when you order which you then hand to your server who delivers it to your table rather than making you stand in a big line waiting for it.

I really do not understand why Azamara bothers with the mushy berries; most people ignored them

Edited November 11, 2013 by CintiPam