Thinking of Azamara

[Host Jazzbeau]

Starting today Azamara is running a BOGOHO deal (companion sails at half price), which brings the cost down much closer to a mass market cruise once the inclusives are figured in.

[TraelorMex]

have sailed both HAL and Azamara. Bottom line.....HAL wins. Azamara bathroom was TINY! Could barely get the soap down to 'possible' :(

I did not think the food was up to par either. Many things to like about Azamara, but the negatives, along with the price differential makes it a no-go for us.

[Ricktan]

Reading these, I really see where "different strokes for different folks!" Comes in to play. The thing with longer time in port grabs some people's attention as that appeals to them. I'm just the opposite. I love the idea of "just enough" time in port to see what I want to see and then back to the ship to relax, eat and just enjoy doing nothing! And, the casino is a big factor for DH and I so we love being able to see a new place and then go "home" and play as the ship carries us to another new city! Good thing there are plenty of options out there so that everyone can find what works for them......I am very excited by all the iteniraries for our upcoming HAL cruises!

[geocruiser]

I an three star on HAL and sailed on Azamara Journey tow times. Call me silly, but I would tale HAL over Azamara. We had great cruises on both lines, but I thought the service was better on HAl and so was the food. Our first cruise on Azamara Chef Lisa was the Chef. The food seem to have the same spice in it. On cruise #2 I took one bit of the food and turned to my husband and said "Chef Lisa is on board" I could tell by the spice. Well, I was right. With all this said, the last time we sailed Azamara was about three years ago. Azamara does have a great crew and staff like HAL. I do like the smaller ships of Azamara. But for me the price is way too high to make it a good value for my money.

[sammiedawg]

I have not sailed Azamara but I like the R ships sailed by Oceania, agree the bathroom is on the small side.

Smithsonion channel just profiled Azamara sailing Asia, focusing on the Azamazing experience offered on every cruise. It involves going ashore to a resort location for a gala dinner. It looked like a great experience. They also have an on deck dinner party once a cruise. For those interested in Azamara try to catch this show.

I believe Azamara is doing Ok I but they have not had the huge growth the parent company expected, just sailing two ships.

You cannot compare Azamara, Oceania or any premium line to mass market Holland America, other than Prinsendam. I was very dissatisfied with Prinsendam. I foolishly listened to a tablemate on the Ryndam who urged me to book Prinsendam for a different experience. Well, the only different experience was a much higher price but food, menus, service were standard for HAL.

[hrhdhd]

For solos, Azamara is a great value. Many (as in not just a few) of their sailings have just a 125% single supplement. So compared to 200% on HAL, I get better service, better food, unique itineraries, and all the included stuff.

 

And if I'm alone, I don't care if the bathroom is small. ;) The showers are no smaller than ones on certain Princess ships, and on a cruise I'm not spending a heck of a lot of time in the bathroom.

[Hlitner]

Agree with the previous post that we do not even consider things like bathroom sizes or suites (we do not book suites) when we choose a cruise. For us it is about atmosphere, itinerary, food quality, etc. And we really love smaller ships (which is why the Prinsendam is our favorite HAL vessel). When the R ships (R1-R8) started cruising with Renaissance we quickly became fans (a cruise line with no kids, teens or smoking). Those ships spun off two new cruise lines (Azamara and Oceania) which are both doing quite well...and we are glad to see they continue to sail those older vessels.

 

I still remember our first night on the Azamara Journey when we joined some friends for dinner in Aqualina (one of their alternative restaurants which had no fee in those days). I ordered "Seafood Cocktail" for an appetizer expecting the usual kind of thing. They brought out a large platter which was full of carefully sculpted crushed ice. In the ice was nestled several large shrimp, scallops, an Oyster, some Clams, and half of a lobster! And that was just the appetizer. Oh my!

 

Hank

Edited April 1, 2015 by Hlitner

[LindaM]

I have not sailed Azamara but I like the R ships sailed by Oceania, agree the bathroom is on the small side.

Smithsonion channel just profiled Azamara sailing Asia, focusing on the Azamazing experience offered on every cruise. It involves going ashore to a resort location for a gala dinner. It looked like a great experience. They also have an on deck dinner party once a cruise. For those interested in Azamara try to catch this show.

I believe Azamara is doing Ok I but they have not had the huge growth the parent company expected, just sailing two ships.

You cannot compare Azamara, Oceania or any premium line to mass market Holland America, other than Prinsendam. I was very dissatisfied with Prinsendam. I foolishly listened to a tablemate on the Ryndam who urged me to book Prinsendam for a different experience. Well, the only different experience was a much higher price but food, menus, service were standard for HAL.

 

That is what is so wonderful about this forum. We all have the opportunity to express our opinions. Like others have said repeatedly, people either love or hate Prinsendam. Although, most say the service on Prinsendam along with the food is not standard for HAL. I personally feel it's better than on Regent, but that is my opinion which of course is my opinion. You don't agree. People complain about her age, especially the rust around doorways to the promenade deck. The cabins are getting a little shabby as well. I believe if you do a search, you are the only one who has complained about her service and food. When we sailed P for the first time, I read the mediocre reviews. I did a search to find the real truth. I hope anyone thinking about sailing P does the same. Then people can decide for themselves what is not important or a dealbreaker.

 

On another note, I believe experiencing the superior design of Prinsendam caused me to be critical and disappointed in the design of the R ships. We enjoy the shows---the sight lines (grading) on the R ships is poor. If anyone is in front of you, you will not be able to see.

[sammiedawg]

That is what is so wonderful about this forum. We all have the opportunity to express our opinions. Like others have said repeatedly, people either love or hate Prinsendam. Although, most say the service on Prinsendam along with the food is not standard for HAL. I personally feel it's better than on Regent, but that is my opinion which of course is my opinion. You don't agree. People complain about her age, especially the rust around doorways to the promenade deck. The cabins are getting a little shabby as well. I believe if you do a search, you are the only one who has complained about her service and food. When we sailed P for the first time, I read the mediocre reviews. I did a search to find the real truth. I hope anyone thinking about sailing P does the same. Then people can decide for themselves what is not important or a dealbreaker.

 

On another note, I believe experiencing the superior design of Prinsendam caused me to be critical and disappointed in the design of the R ships. We enjoy the shows---the sight lines (grading) on the R ships is poor. If anyone is in front of you, you will not be able to see.

 

I agree with you the sight lines in the R ship lounge are poor, the showroom doesn't have enough depth.

I am not the only person who thought Prinsendam food and service were pretty standard for the fleet. I am not looking for "the truth", this is cruise critic, we all rate ships based on life experiences and other cruise experiences. I base expectations on the price paid, my expectations were not met on Prinsendam. I expect a lot more for almost twice the price. I was satisfied with the food and service on our prior HAL cruise on Ryndam. It was a good value for the price I paid.

[iancal]

We shop on itinerary and our sense ofvalue with no particular sense of 'loyalty' to any cruise line.

 

At the moment, HAL and RCI both have diminished and diminishing value to us.

 

Celebrity and Princess are neutral.

 

Azamara and Oceania are moving up on our perceived value scale. Cannot wait to try Azamara...we just need the right combo of price/itinerary.

 

Unfortunately, HAL has not made it past our third choice on the past eight or so cruises.

Edited April 2, 2015 by iancal

[sammiedawg]

We shop on itinerary and our sense ofvalue with no particular sense of 'loyalty' to any cruise line.

 

At the moment, HAL and RCI both have diminished and diminishing value to us.

 

Celebrity and Princess are neutral.

 

Azamara and Oceania are moving up on our perceived value scale. Cannot wait to try Azamara...we just need the right combo of price/itinerary.

 

Unfortunately, HAL has not made it past our third choice on the past eight or so cruises.

 

HAL a is now fourth choice for us behind Oceania, Princess, Disney.

I liked what I saw on the Smithsonian channel and will start to pay attention to Azamara pricing. I want to experience Azamazing.

I totally agree about choosing cruises based on perceived value. Same way we purchase cars and other consumer goods.

Edited April 2, 2015 by sammiedawg

[geocruiser]

What I did before booking my Azamara cruises. I took the price of the cruise and subtracted the OBC, included tips, what the cost of the amount of special coffee, soda and bottle water I would drink and that gave me the price of the cruise. I did not add in any wine because I don't drink them. It came out to appox. $135 per night for a balcony about mid ship. I do this with all my cruise for find what I think is a good price.