UDSpud Posted September 5, 2018 #1 Share Posted September 5, 2018 I just noticed, on Cruise Critic News, that Asamara has just added another ship. It just happens to be the 8th and final "original" "R" ship. They, like Oceania with the Sirena, have decided to purchase and redo an "R" ship. It is my understanding that their entire fleet is made up of "R" model ships. So if you have major problems with the Oceania "R" ship design basics, as many have stated on CC, then you at need to consider Asamara with care. I will note the Asamara has made changes (no casino comes to mind). I think the following is correct as of now. Oceania - 4 original "R" ships Asamara - 3 original "R" ships Princess - 1 original "R" ship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classiccruiser777 Posted September 6, 2018 #2 Share Posted September 6, 2018 The cruise line is Azamara, not Asamara. And we love the Renaissance class ships. No crowds, more intimate ports, plenty of quiet, comfortable places to view the ocean. If they weren’t popular I doubt Oceania would have four of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitob Posted September 6, 2018 #3 Share Posted September 6, 2018 We’ve sailed Azamara. Never again Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KS&JW Posted September 6, 2018 #4 Share Posted September 6, 2018 We have friends who loved Azamara. We, however, do not drink, so a cruise line that is inclusive is out of the question for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackdeb Posted September 6, 2018 #5 Share Posted September 6, 2018 We’ve sailed Azamara. Never again Sent from my iPhone using Forums Could you give some reasons, with specifics ? the more good info you can share the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillsprint Posted September 6, 2018 #6 Share Posted September 6, 2018 (edited) Yes, Azamara recently purchased R8 from P&O, and reportedly have an option on P&O's remaining R vessel ( Pacific Princess). R8 was refurbished here in Belfast and named the Pursuit. They made several variations to it over their existing pair of Rs, including the removal of the casino, it has only been sailing for just over a month in Europe and seems to have had good reviews. It will be interesting to see what the US audience make of it when to crosses the Atlantic. I have sailed with Azamara, it has a dedicated following, as Oceania has. As I haven't sailed of one of O's R ships I can't directly compare products, but I can comment that I think O's food is better (there is a also a charge for the Az Specialty venues) and that the age group in Az would probably be slightly younger than on O. Having sailed on Riviera, I much prefer it's larger size and more dining option to Azamara Journey, but I'm happy with both products and my choice would be down to itinerary and price as the main deciders. Azamara seem to has a successful product and a growing business, yes on CC there are those who comment about the size of the bathrooms, plus the usual niggles about food, drinks and dress codes, as they do on every Line forum on these boards. Edited September 6, 2018 by hillsprint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted September 6, 2018 #7 Share Posted September 6, 2018 (edited) Yes, Azamara recently purchased R8 from P&O, and reportedly have an option on P&O's remaining R vessel ( Pacific Princess). . I thought Pacific Princess was still under the Princess fleet? When did they transfer her to P & O ? Edited September 6, 2018 by LHT28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillsprint Posted September 6, 2018 #8 Share Posted September 6, 2018 I thought Pacific Princess was still under the Princess fleet?Did they transfer her to P & O ? Sorry Lynn, you are correct, was getting my Adonia (R8) mixed up, and you think the name would have told me:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted September 6, 2018 #9 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Sorry Lynn, you are correct, was getting my Adonia (R8) mixed up, and you think the name would have told me:) OK I wondered as I see the PP sailing for Princess still She may be on the market though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenndale Posted September 6, 2018 #10 Share Posted September 6, 2018 We had sailed on Adonia and it had been rather neglected in terms of maintenance, nevertheless it was our preferred P&O ship sailing to and from Southampton. Unfortunately like many lines P&O are going for bigger and bigger vessels which we do not want to sail on. We have also sailed with Azamara when they provided wine with lunch and dinner, the last time we sailed with them they had introduced a 'more inclusive' system where other alcohol was included, accompanied by a rise in prices to accomodate this. Being light drinkers this isn't for us. Last month we had the opportunity to spend a day on Azamara Pursuit, the renamed and refurbished Adonia. Azamara have done a brilliant job on her, and she looks as good as new. See below for report and photos. https://www.niferry.co.uk/azamara-pursuit-leaves-belfast/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azam71209 Posted September 6, 2018 #11 Share Posted September 6, 2018 I'm not sure why this is a warning. Some of us love the smaller ships, bathrooms and all. Nice to know that this one is not headed to the junk heap but was refurbished instead. Agree Oceania has a better version but I might try Azamara again for the right itinerary, although I am not a fan of included alcohol and the decor looks bleak. Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Noxequifans Posted September 6, 2018 #12 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Not sure the Warning in the thread title is validated by the facts. We were on the Insignia in July and she is in great shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenndale Posted September 6, 2018 #13 Share Posted September 6, 2018 OK I wondered as I see the PP sailing for Princess still She may be on the market though There was a rumour that Azamara have first refusal on her. I think I saw this on the Azamara board. We sailed on PP last year after a short refurb but it will probably need a lot of money spending on it to bring it up to spec. We were very impressed with what Azamara have done with Pursuit and it's likely Oceania have something similar in mind for their 'R' ships. Don't understand the warning either :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted September 6, 2018 #14 Share Posted September 6, 2018 There was a rumour that Azamara have first refusal on her. I think I saw this on the Azamara board.We sailed on PP last year after a short refurb but it will probably need a lot of money spending on it to bring it up to spec. We were very impressed with what Azamara have done with Pursuit and it's likely Oceania have something similar in mind for their 'R' ships. Don't understand the warning either :confused: yes apparently Princess does not take care of the R ships as noted by the restoration needed for the Sirena formally the Ocean princess I do hope Oceania is not going to be like Azamara too much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KS&JW Posted September 6, 2018 #15 Share Posted September 6, 2018 I'm not sure why this is a warning. Some of us love the smaller ships, bathrooms and all. Nice to know that this one is not headed to the junk heap but was refurbished instead. Agree Oceania has a better version but I might try Azamara again for the right itinerary, although I am not a fan of included alcohol and the decor looks bleak. Mary Ditto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UDSpud Posted September 7, 2018 Author #16 Share Posted September 7, 2018 Why the "Warning". This is the explanation for this thread, embarrassing to me though it may be (Obviously the embarrassment extends from "A to Z" - as in Azamara as opposed to Asamara in my spelling). When I saw the CC news report recently on the Pursuit ( I all ready knew Azamara had two "R" ships ), I knew that some Oceania CC board comments have concerned the "R" ships.The smaller bathrooms, small showers and shower curtains quickly came to mind. So, I thought some might be thinking of "jumping ship" from Oceania "R" ships to Azamara may not know that Azamara has "R" ships. I forgot that CC users are smart and would read CC about Azamara before switching. As for the humor part, perhaps I can attribute this failure to a lot of Oceania entertainment (or maybe just genetics). I was going to say more about the Azamara spelling, but then I noted the squiggle line under Azamara in this reply. Sorry to waste your time when I could have said something political. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gentlemancruiser Posted September 8, 2018 #17 Share Posted September 8, 2018 Having been on the Azamara Quest in March, I'm looking forward to seeing what the Riviera is like. Never sailed with O or NCL before. We weren't over joyed with the Quest or the old R ship. There were aspects we liked a lot, however the cabin and bathroom size left us feeling disappointed. The ship's size and layout were excellent and the staff were very good. The casino is empty because Azamara will not put any money into it. Most of slots are at least 25 years old and there is no real attraction there in the evenings. Onboard entertainment on Azamara is also lacking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted September 8, 2018 #18 Share Posted September 8, 2018 Having been on the Azamara Quest in March, I'm looking forward to seeing what the Riviera is like. Never sailed with O or NCL before. . The layout is similar to the R ships only more Restaurants & bigger :halo: You can view the photos https://www.cruisecritic.com/photos/ships/riviera-607/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPR Posted September 8, 2018 #19 Share Posted September 8, 2018 Plus the “O” Ships have a much larger and better equipped spa and pool, a large and quite popular teaching kitchen, an arts room, and much larger PH and regular Suites. Not everyone like the diminutive coffee bar, done in a beautiful teak, but we do. And there is Jacques, generally viewed as Oceania’s most popular specialty restaurant, as well as La Reserve, the prix fixe Wine Spectator restaurant. Also, Polo and Toscana are separate restaurants, and there is Red Ginger as well (otherwise only on Sirena). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
su-arizona Posted September 12, 2018 #20 Share Posted September 12, 2018 Although I enjoyed my first cruise on the R3 many years ago, and my first Oceania cruise on Nautica, I am now a fan of the O-class ships. I have been spoiled by the much larger and more comfortable bathrooms on the O ships. I don't find the O ships anything like just "larger versions of the R ships". We cruised on Sirena most recently, and I did not enjoy going back to the clingy-curtain shower days. I believe I read that Oceania is adding glass shower doors on the coming updates of the R ships, so perhaps I'll try again if I see a great itinerary... As for Azamara, I was tempted by some of their golf-oriented itineraries - but the very high cost of those sailings cooled my enthusiasm! In general, it seems their prices have gone up quite a bit lately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redtravel Posted September 12, 2018 #21 Share Posted September 12, 2018 Azamara and Oceania seem to attract similar guests. I like Oceania and Azamara. They both do a great cruise. Both have similar designs. R ships are small and beautiful. O ships are a step above with spacious cabins and more venues to visit. Food is very good on both lines. No cruise line is perfect. Both lines strive to deliver a great trip. Not a fan of the small shower on R ships. However, there is more to a cruise besides showering. Love the specialty dining, included premium coffee and tea. Oceania has the best afternoon tea event. azamara offers an evening event in a special place complimentary. Entertainment is ok on both lines. Service on both lines is very good. I could go on and on stating the features of both lines. So how do I decide which line to book. It depends on time, destination, and price. Looking forward to my upcoming cruises on both lines. I would like to see both lines refit the small cabins with larger bathrooms. I would like to see both lines build new ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPR Posted September 12, 2018 #22 Share Posted September 12, 2018 There are new larger showers and no tubs in the PH Suites on Sirena. We are going to Cuba on Sirena later this year. My wife enjoys a bathtub so we’re unlikely to go on an R ship in the future. PH Suites on Marina and Riviera are our favorite suites on Oceania. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDC1 Posted September 13, 2018 #23 Share Posted September 13, 2018 yes apparently Princess does not take care of the R ships as noted by the restoration needed for the Sirena formally the Ocean princess I do hope Oceania is not going to be like Azamara too much I suspect that most of the restoration was changing the decor and cabins to be consistent with Oceania, not because of poor maintenance prior to the change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimandStan Posted September 13, 2018 #24 Share Posted September 13, 2018 I suspect that most of the restoration was changing the decor and cabins to be consistent with Oceania, not because of poor maintenance prior to the change. Princess seemed to have deliberately allowed Sirena to deteriorate dramatically between the purchase and her delivery to Oceania. They refused to replace so much as a lightbulb. Carnival, eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted September 13, 2018 #25 Share Posted September 13, 2018 I suspect that most of the restoration was changing the decor and cabins to be consistent with Oceania, not because of poor maintenance prior to the change. Having cruised on several Princess R ships as well as several O’s R ships I can assure you that Princess R ships needed a lot more than “changing decor”. Also, as J&S stated, Princess did not invest a penny into the ship after it was sold to Oceania while they still had and sailed it for another year or so - why would they? Would you spend any money on your car or house after you had sold it (and had it for another year)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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