Hopefully my passion won't spill over and this becomes the longest blog in history! Azamara Cruise line by Celebrity rocks my world in many ways, some we will chat about - some I'll leave to your own interpretation.
This cruise line is marketing itself as a Deluxe Cruise, somewhere finding a perfect place for cruisers like me; casual yet upscale and most of all comfortable, clean, well kept, exceptional service, even more exceptional cuisine and the comforts of traveling with adults that aren't dancing at the pool topless or throwing up from over consumption in the bars and lounges. I'm not opposed to indulging somewhat, but you know the ones I am referring too, the weekend warriors or first time drinkers on a 199.00 cruise which in the end costs the participants hundreds due to excess. Okay, off the soap box and back to this spectacular cruise ship and cruise line.
The boarding process:
I left my hotel a bit early never knowing what to expect when boarding a cruise ship, this wasn't necessary at all - as the van full of people crossed the bridge and entered the Miami port is was apparent which of us in the van made the right choice. My ship appeared dwarfed to the mega ships all around the docks, I was the first (only one on this ship) to be dropped off, a little rumbling in the van about "this must be one of those luxury ships", "they always get dropped off first" - well wrong, but then again you may not of used a travel agent so you're not aware of the value with cruising Deluxe vs Mass market.
It took a total of 10 minutes to walk on, check in, obtain my cabin keys, get my champagne and enter my well appointed exceptional cabin! Yes, it was an outside not veranda on this cruise and I am all the more happier about that as well. Fresh flowers, wine welcomes my arrival along with a bed dressed for a king, I had to jump on it and roll around before my butler came to unpack my clothes. Yes I did - and no I didn't request my butler to handle my clothes, I did it myself. This starts you trip off rocking, no waiting, champagne, friendly smiles and a welcoming cabin.
Azamara Journey - ship details:
Okay, this is where I was in heaven again, 10 decks plus the 11th sundeck - pool on deck 9 with the track on ten and specialty restaurants and library on 10. Decks 3,4,6,7,8 are sleeping quarters and 5 is the central deck featuring the main dining room, theater, casino, gallery, coffee shop and shops. Deck 4 was guest relations, fine jewelry, excursions and on-board sales office - also the deck my cabin was on - this is a perfect deck, as the seas can be high and the water slashing again my cabin window was special, maybe only to me, but it's all about me anyway. A special place on deck 5 both port and starboard that is lined with wonderful full size heavy wooden chaise lounges, my place of solitude, reading, napping, day dreaming and starring off over the horizon fantasizing about every aspect of cruising the high seas.
My cabin and the cabin staff:
Now here is where personality and personal preferences comes into play; my experience was perfect. My cabin was a good size, large window, coach, work desk, flat screen T.V. with movies, CNN, TNT and pay per view options. My bathroom was small but more then adequate, closets more then plentiful and yes I filled them and the drawers. Mini bar well stocked, bottled water to welcome to your stateroom, fresh fruit replaced daily and a little sweet for you as your retire for the evening awaits you. My Butler, cabin steward, room service waiters and other support staff not only kept my cabin spotless it was in such good repair you would of thought it was built yesterday. Yet, the ship is over 20 years old, with several and a recent rebuild; finding something wrong wasn't a priority nor did I want too - it was evident the ship is well loved and cared for.
Journey Cuisine:
I'm only going to touch on this for a line or two - check out our blog on http://www.nwculinarytours.com/ for a complete review and pictures of the food! Let's wrap up the cuisine with saying, outstanding, great variety, presentation spectacular and dining anytime is the way to go for this cruiser. How it compares is how you make it, some hardened cruisers say they hate dining anytime, but if you work it they way it's meant to be it isn't different from "Traditional Dining" except you pick your new friends to dine with or make new friends as you join others. You are given an option to join others or have your own table, having your own table is somewhat pleasing to a single cruiser and couples wanting to experience cruising and having a private conversation or even a romantic dinner. The main dining room called Discovery is more then one would expect for a main dining room, soft, elegant, conversation friendly and has nice areas for couples, singles or larger groups to dine. One nice thing is if you are dining alone you aren't dragged through the entire dining room and hidden against the aft wall, you have options and wonderful tables by the entrance set back with wonderful art, picture windows and couples have options to dine at two tops near larger tables so should the occasion arise to start a conversation, so be it. It works for all - I would only challenge you to try it. The speciality dining rooms rank right up there with the best in your home town - a must try - again open dining, start your own group or make new friends. My favorite secret spot (don't tell anyone) - is the Sunset Bar (aft) - adjacent to the buffet and it only speaks volumes for classy dining options in a very casual atmosphere - picture this, I am enjoying my sushi as my apps on the deck, nice glass of wine then dinner from the cooked to order buffet all while on the deck watching the last port of call drop off into the "sunset" and a soloist is treating you to a wonderful accompaniment at dinner - need I say more!
Overall review:
My personal thoughts are that this is the true cruise experience of the future, no formal nights, comfortable for single and couples alike - great group cruising with lots of options for your own groups and the product, service and staff are exceptional. A real cruise value, yes it is a little more pricey then the mass market, but when you touch the towels in your bathroom and realize they weight more then your luggage or the soft bathrobes, warm fuzzy slippers a bed dressed for a king or queen then you know what your paying for.
Other small treats, room service with a real hot breakfast was special, hot coffee anytime, 24 hour limited menu for the late night cravings are just a few special touches. I found the Internet connections to be consistent the entire cruise, although the costs are a bit over the top, as they are on all cruise lines - but are you suppose to be working anyway? Okay, I was and yes the 300.00 spent on Internet was worth it for my clients and friends, but that is the cost of working for yourself.
Insiders opinion - I discussed this with some of the officers and crew and it appears they respond well to clients and cruisers requests. As I did, others have requested changes:
Expanded room service options and menus - in the works adding bento boxed lunches too
Expanded on-board activities that are more cultural - in the works according to the GSM
Expanded deck chairs for deck 11 - they have over 50 more coming before the European trips
It's my opinion that this cruise is a perfect fit for the cruiser who likes to relax, enjoy great cuisine, participate in the wine tastings, cooking demos and a good book or just plain old R & R - as for enrichment programs, they need some help in a big way and they have advised me that this has been an issue in its two years of service - Entertainment on a cruise ship is what you make it - I find learning from the bartenders about their homelands and families as well as passenger chat is fun and entertaining. The entertainers are first class but don't expect the typical Vegas Show or anything close to it, as you might find a great comedian or even a magician or dance show, but nothing that would warrant a review of.
Azamara will have a special place in my cruising memories and will be one of my first choices in cruising "Country Club Casual" in the near or extended future. There is value that isn't hidden to the trained eye, but might be hidden to you, trust this cruise expert to tell you that the constant surprises and wonderful amenities and nice touches make this a pro-cruisers top choice.
Thanks Azamara Journey and crew for making my experience in the Caribbean one to remember and cherish!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
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