I have had the honor of being a 'Destination Speaker' on Azamara for a number of years. There is so much more that can be said about this line and its wonderful, friendly, and hardworking crew. In short period of time the stateroom attendant, the dining waiters, and bartenders will get to know you, your preferences, and greet by name always with a smile. It quite common to see the senior officers walking around the ship greeting, or talking with guests. While it is not unusual to see the Cruise Director on pier to greet guests as they leave for the day's adventure, it is quite unusual to be greeted by the senior staff as you return to the ship. I remember one day coming back from an adventure in Egypt to find the Captain, Hotel Manager, and Cruise Director each sitting astride a camel. You will never see that on the big ships! I have given presentation on a number of upscale lines. However, the atmosphere is very different on Azamara. It was more like a family. Often, when I returned, many of my family members where there to greet me. The quests were very social; not as standoffish as some of the other upscale lines. In a number of instances, I was greeted by repeat guests who loved the ship as I do. In my twenty years of presenting destination lectures, I have never found a cruise line like Azamara.
Hi Warren. What a beautiful comment! You are absolutely spot on with regard to everything you've written and I couldn't have put it better myself. There's only so much you can squeeze into a 15 minute video so I have to unfortunately be brief on each point, but I'm sure the majority of Azamara guests would agree with you on every point. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Have you subscribed? I think you'd probably enjoy our other Azamara videos too! :D
Thank you Warren for this extensive and well written description of Azamara . I am going on Quest this December and am thoroughly looking forward to it.
We sailed a lot with Azamara , on all 3 ships and we just loved every single cruise. They are the best for attention and details that makes the difference. Your video reflects exactly the serenity and exquisite environnement that Azamara provides. The staff is absolutely fantastic , they recognised us at every cruise and greet us by our first names every time we come back on the ship after excursion. We saw most beautiful places in the world, met most fantastic people, had a blast every cruise. Can't wait to be able to sail again....
We have enjoyed Azamara on many occasions and are Discovery Plus guests. We are now booked on their new ship, Onward, and will be hosted in the Owners Suite with are 6 free nights!
We adored our Azamara Pursuit cruise around the Greek Islands in 2019 (which we decided to book after watching your vlogs, so thank you) would love to cruise on her again one day, beautiful ship, great destinations, fantastic food and crew and entertainment. One of the best holidays we've ever had.
Found you guys today on Emma Cruises. I absolutely LOVE Azamara. I have been on 3 times and it is one of my Favorites. I actually got a little teary eyed watching your video since I have not been able to travel due to Covid.
Thanks for finding us Todd! Azamara are definitely one of our favourite lines and one we'd go on time and time again. So looking forward to Azamara Onward! :D
We have been travelling with Azamara for more than 10 years now. A few things come to mind. First and foremost was an "incident" that happened around 2015. Off hours, I went up to Prime C, the specialty restaurant, to make a reservation. The Matre'd was there, smiled, greeted me, and asked how S was, my wife. By her first name. We hadn't been on board an Azamara ship in over a year and a half. He couldn't remember my name, but he remembered where we were from. SOLD. The on board service IS that good! On our second cruise with them, way back when, Heike, one of their Hotel Directors greeted us as we boarded, looked at me somewhat quizzically, remembered where we were from and what I did for a living (I'm not a politician or an actor). She apologized that she didn't remember our names, but she did remember who we were. And no, we had not destroyed the ship on the previous cruise. The staff has been amazing, I just hope after this very long pause, things can get back to normal. Next reason I have no reason to cruise with anyone else is the absolute muted elegance of the ships. They are not flashy, gaudy, boisterous, ultramodern. Just pure, quiet elegance. If you want tumult on a cruise, this is not the line for you. If you want a damn good cup of espresso with a smile and no one sticking his hand into your wallet, this is the line for you. The food is wonderful, the ship is beautiful, the people are beyond fantastic. We've missed out on about 5 cruises thanks to the plague. With luck, we have a great series coming up on October 9, 2021 leaving from Rome, Italy. Class, elegance, great food, (good martinis for the most part), and no nickel and diming, ever, Azamara, I love you. Now can I have that job?
Greetings from Washington State! 🍎 Although merely an 'armchair traveler', I'm addicted to your channel! The production quality - from the fantastic video footage to the smart narration - is impressive. My favorite moments: those lingering shots of photogenic food. 👍
Hi there, I don't work for them, but I'm more than willing to be a spokesman. You only go around once in this life. Find a cruise with them, it doesn't have to be around the world, and go! They are that good.
Great video of a great cruise line. I enjoyed my one cruise on them, it was the best out of the many cruises I have been on. I really hope the new investors keep this great line going.
Thank you for this video! I came across your channel as I was contemplating booking my first ever Azamara cruise. I have subscribed and look forward to watching more of your content.
An excellent video showcasing the special things about Azamara. A glimpse of Fowey, the incredible excursions and local entertainment were my favourite bits... and of course the food! The Gumboot performance must have been amazing. We had an African touring company visit the school I work at and the gumboots were my favourite.
Another beautifully filmed? Video-ed? vlog from you! I booked my first Azamara cruise for September 2022 and was concerned when Royal announced they had sold the line. Like you, I'm encouraged by the addition of the new ship and the hiring of a CEO who seems experienced and motivated to not only keep the quality of Azamara but expand its brand. If everything stays as advertised, we should be sailing out of Istanbul (the itinerary starts with an overnight there) on the Journey next year. You vlogs are wonderful. Thank you!
It was the most amazing experience this 2022 cruise far surpassed our expectations and even that of our 2019 Azamara Cruise. Booking our 2024 cruise now❤️
What a lovely voice that gentleman has. Just so soothing and a bit soporific (in a nice way, not boring)! Don't know who narrates this, but his voice is wonderful!
@@visitwithus Oh my gosh! How lovely that you are on here. Love listening to your voice. Think you should do this for a living! :D Thanks so much and very best wishes Lyn H
Glad to have found your channel. You explore beautiful places that I have neither the money nor physical strength to enjoy personally. Also enjoy your mild, unforced humor. And that there is not a honky-tonk or metal soundtrack in the back. The Victorian hotel to which you traveled what’s the most beautiful. Thank you for letting us share your journeys.
Such a great video - All the components were there. Glad you pointed out the late/overnight value to those who- as you mentioned- think a cruise ship ought to be always cruising. Ty to you and Helen especially for giving all drink packages their proper full analysis 🤣😘
Another excellent video, Richard. The only thing I would add to the list is The Azamara Fist Bump. It truly is part of the culture, and I think it helps build camaraderie on the ship.
Thank you for this wonderful insight into Azamara. We are going on our first ever cruise in August. We decided to go with Azamara Onward as it’s Azamara’s newest addition to its fleet. We are really looking forward to it. The thing I’m finding the most difficult thing is PACKING! I’m usually an over packer so I’m trying to put together a capsule of clothing that will mix and match which I’ve done but now trying to reduce further as everyone says you won’t need everything you pack. I suppose it’s not knowing what the temperature will be like. I’m guessing hot in general and take a cardigan/shawl for evenings. There’s just so much to think about 😱but looking at video gives me an idea of what people wear, and we’re all in the same boat (pardon the pun) with needing to mix and match clothing. I’m so excited as I turn 60 while away too! Thanks again 🛟🚢
August is hot nearly everywhere you go so pack light. One pair of pants, three pairs of shorts, a few sun dresses and t-shirts will do fine. Keep sandals and shoes to a minimum. One little sweater and you're good to go. Remember, you will be shopping! Anything you need you can buy when you get there. So, keep it simple and enjoy yourself!!
@@visitwithus Hi, (it’s Carole 🙂) yes we had the most wonderful experience on Azamara Onward. Truly amazing. After taking some clothing out of suit case it proved to be just what I needed and everything mixed and matched perfectly. We even saw a small pod of dolphins on our way to Barcelona. Staff were wonderful, couldn’t do enough and enriched the experience. Just wish we were still on there waking up to somewhere new every day. Cavtat in Croatia was my favourite place, so beautiful. Thank you to yourself and others who helped us prepare for our first cruise. Your information was invaluable. Thank you 🙏🏻
I know I say this every time you post an Azamara video, but as you pointed out, we the cruising public owe a lot to Renaissance Cruises and their R ships, it says a lot for the base design when 20+ year old ships are snapped up when they come on to the market, while other 20 year old ships are heading to the beach. Okay, yes, I totally agree with you on all points, well except about the booze, how is Bombay considered a premium gin ?? Other than that, I have nothing negative to say about them, which as you know for me is a not so minor miracle. Great line, great staff, let's hope Sycamore doesn't mess it up.
Well Dave, in the world of gin, Bombay is no Adnams Copperhouse (our favourite - check it out), but it's still a cut above Beefeater or Gordons. I suppose it's a matter of personal taste though - as a whiskey expert once said to me 'the best whiskey in the world is the one you like the taste of the most'. Now, you've made me want to go and have a G&T - well, it IS nearly five o'clock... ;)
TYVM! You have done a great job of keeping Az up in my top tier of "try next" list. I talk it down and another of your videos come out and up it floats. My latest excuse was the "bought by a hedge fund is not always great for customers." But the 4th ship is a good sign and hopefully, the owners recognize what makes the line special. Ergo, what would you recommend as the iconic/quintessential/Platonic ideal for a first Azamara cruise? And/or what was your favorite?
A first Azamara cruise? Somewhere close to your home I suggest. Long haul flights tend to add tiring (and expensive) days either end, but any you choose will be great. :)
Our first in 12/2019 was Cuba and our second was Miami to LA in many stops in Central America and included As Amazing evening in Mexico - taken by luxury motor coach to a desert and watched performances of a lifetime. No expense or comfort spared .
Hi there and thank you for watching and taking the time to comment - we hope you subscribe to our little channel! Yes, Azamara are very solo friendly. We meet a lot of solo traveller on board. :)
We’ve never sailed on Regent so can’t make a comparison, but they are at a completely different price point to Azamara so would probably expect them to be more luxurious 🤷 Thanks for watching 👍
Did a Caribbean cruise 2021. Room service terrible for breakfast.Bought the deluxe drink package still charged $15. For Gran Mariner. Stick to Prime and Aqualina for breakfast and supper. The open area “cafeteria” is terrible, “char Siu beef just toss it” there is NO cultural foreign cooking.. Had the world suite, has gone downhill since new Sycamore Partners owning line. Staff is still great!
Have you seen that we are now doing live RU-vid Q&As every other Sunday (7pm UK time)? The next one is 27th Nov. Please join us and ask any questions you have and we’ll do our best to answer them 👍
I was very interested in cruising on Azamara until I called them to check the non ref policy. Unlike all the major cruise lines, at least from North America, Azamara keep $75 each person, if one cancels between deposit time and final payment time. So I am not willing to have that.
@@visitwithus i suppose it is due to the fact that they have smaller ships and so they cannot afford for folk to hold cabins and then cancel, and lose sales. Most small ship companies seem to do this. i.e the river ship companies all seem to.
@@visitwithus I’m looking for something a step up in clientele and classier than the Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruises I have been on in the past. Seeing a sexual flag, regardless of it’s leaning, is a red flag for me as I’d like to find a more laid back cruise. Suggesting cruising isn’t for me is nonsense especially given you make these videos and consider yourself an expert.
It's a great experience. normally the venues are outside and the backdrop to the meal/show are stunning. It's just something they do and it's incredibly popular! :D
