Born from a $17.5-million revitalization project of two R-series cruise ships, the Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest comprise the fleet belonging to the upscale Azamara cruise line. The line prides itself on providing passengers with an exemplary level of service set on exclusive, deluxe vessels. A spinoff from Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Cruises offers travelers destination-driven excursions to far-reaching points of the world including Asia, Europe, and South America, among others.
Azamara—a name inspired from the star, Acamar—draws praise for its onboard experience as much as the exotic destinations to which it sails. Launched in 2007, Azamara’s fleet of two 30,777-ton boutique ships are intimate, carrying 710 passengers each. The ships are identical and offer travelers a more personalized vacation: butler service for each stateroom; onboard enrichment programs; and excursions tailored to seasoned travelers.
Distinctive from other cruise lines, Azamara offers onboard “excursion experts” with comprehensive knowledge and expertise about the culture and history of each destination. These personal destination guides offer shore-excursion recommendations to passengers based on their individual interests—personalization reflective of Azamara’s service-driven philosophy.
Life Onboard
On an Azamara cruise, the emphasis is on a “deluxe” (somewhere between premium and luxury) cruise-line experience. Passengers can shop at high-end onboard retail stores or participate in enrichment programs including guest lectures, interactive demonstrations, and other activities designed around art, music, and culture. The line’s selection of entertainment options is varied, with choices from theater entertainment to piano-bar performances.
Azamara also boasts an exceptional dining experience for its worldly cruisers. The main dining room serves classic favorites, while a grill and two cafés offer more casual meal choices. Resort-casual attire (with the option to dress in formal wear) and open seating reflect the relaxed, yet refined atmosphere of the specialty restaurants, which include the Mediterranean-influenced Aqualina and the steakhouse, Prime C. A wine bar features a cellar, as well as wine tastings and mini pairings. Room service is also available—a nice alternative for those wishing to enjoy a quiet meal on their veranda (68 percent of Azamara staterooms have private verandas).
Spa and fitness offerings run the gamut from personal training sessions to an aesthetic suite offering acupuncture and facial treatments. Certified instructors lead the ships’ fitness classes—which range from Pilates to spinning—and the latest in weight-training and cardio equipment is housed in a state-of-the-art facility. Invigorating aromatherapy massage, deluxe manicures, and warm stone therapy round out the offerings delivered at Azamara's Spa.
Other indulgences can also be found in the well-equipped staterooms. Outfitted with European bedding, wireless Internet access, and flat-screen televisions, all Azamara cabins also include butler service and suite-like amenities—fresh fruit, flowers, and cushy robes and slippers, just to name a few. While more than two-thirds offer private verandas, nearly all (93 percent) staterooms on Azamara cruises have ocean views.
Fellow Passengers
Sailing to destinations including Asia, Antarctica, the Caribbean, Europe, and South America, Azamara appeals to well-traveled, discerning cruisers who desire adventurous itineraries coupled with a sophisticated onboard atmosphere. Couples—particularly those among the 40-plus set—are the prevalent passenger group, with few (if any) children onboard. Commonplace on Azamara’s ships are passengers who opt for a food and wine lecture over an afternoon sunning on the deck. Travelers hungry for world knowledge and exotic locales will find something to like on Azamara.
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On an Azamara cruise, the emphasis is on a “deluxe” (somewhere between premium and luxury) cruise-line experience. Passengers can shop at high-end onboard retail stores or participate in enrichment programs including guest lectures, interactive demonstrations, and other activities designed around art, music, and culture. The line’s selection of entertainment options is varied, with choices from theater entertainment to piano-bar performances.
