azamara onward world cruise

Review: Azamara Onward

Reviewed by Ramsey Qubein

What is the line? Azamara

Name of ship? Onward

Passenger occupancy? 684

Itinerary? Monte Carlo to Ravenna and Bologna, Italy

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for? Azamara’s distinction is that its fleet of four smaller ships can visit less-frequented ports and stay longer in port, sometimes even overnight. Appealing to travelers who have sailed to the big destinations, Azamara ships instead explore places like Zadar, Croatia, and Brindisi, Italy. I discovered that locals in these ports were especially excited to see cruise ships visiting—sometimes they would be at the port to wave as the ship sailed away. Azamara also offers several late-evening departures on each itinerary, which allows people to have dinner in town or take longer excursions during the day. For example, we stayed later in Civitavecchia (the port for Rome), since it is a possible stop on the itinerary and quite far from the port.

What you won’t find on Azamara is formality and an air of “stuffiness.” This is the line for those that appreciate the good things in life, but also don’t want to overpay for services they don’t value. In other words: You can leave the tuxedo at home, but you’ll still be able to enjoy that glass of top-label bubbly in style.

Tell us about the ship in general Built in 1999, this ship spent most of its time serving for Princess Cruises before joining its three other (nearly identical) sister ships with Azamara. It underwent significant renovation in 2022 and also introduced some new concepts to the cruise line. The former library and card room is now a lounge serving craft cocktails made with all the verve and panache of a big-city bar. It’s a chic space that has passengers on board buzzing (literally and figuratively). The look of public areas is Old World, with mahogany wood furnishings, colorful carpeting, brass fixtures, and an elegance you might find on one of the original ocean liners. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t contemporary spaces, too, like the dining rooms and the pool deck with live music.

Who is onboard? Azamara passengers are generally in their 50s or older; many are retired and travel frequently. Interestingly, despite the fact that Azamara has only four ships, fellow passengers are incredibly loyal and sail with the brand on most of their cruises. When asked why they keep coming back, the answer is clear: It’s all about the smaller ports, the casual luxury without the fuss, excellent repeat cruiser deals, and staff who remember you year after year. In fact, when I boarded, several fellow passengers were running up to crew members, giving them big hugs and asking about their families. It immediately set the tone that small-ship cruising is something special.

Describe the cabins This is an older vessel, and it’s hard to fix the “bones” of a ship, even with a remodel. As a result, cabins can seem compact, but there is still enough space for a sofa and desk in the corner. Beds are really comfortable with cushioned mattresses, plump pillows, and a duvet. The ship has inside cabins, standard window cabins facing outward, some with balconies, and several suite categories.

My Balcony cabin provided the perfect place to enjoy room service breakfast or watch the scenery. The cabins can seem dim with their dark color scheme, but there are plentiful USB ports for charging devices as well as power outlets by the desk. I liked how the bottled water was replenished twice a day, and the refrigerator, stocked with minibar items, still had space for me to store snacks I bought on shore. The petite bathrooms are functional, with shelf space and plenty of towels; the showers, however, are small, and the curtains feel a bit “old school.” I found the water pressure to be excellent though.

Taking a peek into the suite categories on another hallway, I noticed a more modern sensibility. Premium cabins and suites enjoy butler service and other bonuses like afternoon tea brought via trolley to the room each day, complimentary laundry and minibar options, and larger bathrooms with tubs. For those who want more space and appreciate modern design, these are a good choice. While the cabins aren’t the most modern at sea, they offer everything you need. If you’re looking for the maximum amount of space, book the Club World Owner's Suites, which have separate living and sleeping areas. Act fast as they book up months—and sometimes years—in advance.

Tell us about the crew Repeat Azamara passengers will tell you that there is one thing that keeps them coming back: the crew. With 408 staff members on board, the service never lacks for anything with a ratio of one crew member for almost every two passengers.

What food and drink options are available on board? There are seven dining options on Azamara Onward. At the main dining room, Discoveries, guests can enjoy a la carte dishes throughout the day, from a menu that often takes inspiration from specialties from the destination. The dining room is open seating, and all meals come with complimentary wine, beer, and spirits. Impressively, there is a rotating vegetarian and vegan menu that mirrors many of the locally inspired dishes on the main menu. These plant-based dishes are part of the line’s overall redesign of its food program, taking into account guests’ changing preferences. I’m mostly vegetarian myself, and I liked that I had so many options beyond a boring pasta dish, as is common on other lines.

My personal favorite, though, is Windows Cafe. As its name suggests, it is wrapped with windows on one of the top decks, and there is an outdoor dining area. Buffets include fresh salads, pizza, sandwiches made to order, a carving station, and local and international choices. Each evening, the menu carries a different theme, from Thai to Mexican to Indian. This is a more casual way to enjoy dinner at your own pace, and you have great views from almost every seat. There’s also a pool grill making burgers and grilled dishes in addition to a salad bar.

The two specialty restaurants are Aqualina for Italian fare and Prime C, which focuses on top-shelf steak and seafood dishes. Both have a modest surcharge, but it’s nice to have additional options on a longer cruise. There is also a charge for the premium beverage package, but there is always complimentary wine, beer, and select spirits on offer. That seemed to be enough for most of the people I chatted with during my sailing.

One of my favorite evening rituals on the cruise was heading to The Living Room on the top deck at the front of the ship to enjoy tapas and a glass of wine. Bands perform here before dinner and later in the evening. This is where most guests go for a nightcap, and on some evenings, the dance floor got pretty busy.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting? Yes, and it’s the real deal. From massage and beauty treatments to a hair salon and even acupuncture, this is one of the most popular places on the ship. There is a sauna in the changing rooms; a separate plunge pool and sun deck are reserved for guests in premium cabins. A personal trainer is on hand in the fitness center, and there are also several yoga and fitness classes on offer throughout the cruise. While I didn’t work out often, the windows provided motivation to burn some calories, especially on the sea days.

Activities and entertainment Instead of Broadway-style shows, Azamara’s entertainment team is on the small side. But, they have big personality and talent, as evidenced by their evening performances. There are also visiting entertainers like comedians and musicians each evening, and DJs and bands sometimes play by the pool. Other than the jogging track or occasional activities like card games and handicraft activities, there isn’t much else in the way of onboard diversions. And that’s the way guests like it, choosing instead to relax with a book, play a game of shuffleboard, take a dip in the pool, or make conversation with fellow passengers. Don’t miss afternoon tea each day, and the occasional wine or Champagne tastings.

How was the experience for families? Children are a rare sight on Azamara, but occasionally, multi-generational families travel together. But this is not the cruise line for young travelers that cannot entertain themselves.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out? The ship had a perfect position in Monte Carlo to capitalize on views. My favorite ports, however, were the smaller ones, like Zadar and Sibenik in Croatia. I was unfamiliar with both cities, but quickly fell in love with their Old Towns, seafront promenades, and the welcoming people who were eager to ask about our ship and itinerary. In Italy, the southern city of Brindisi was my favorite stop, since it was a new destination for me. In all three cities, I chose to wander on my own, and the onboard concierge always had a convenient map with directions on how to best explore each place.

Are there any stand out sustainability or green initiatives about this cruise? In addition to teaming up with the World Wildlife Fund, the cruise line is working to assure that shore-excursion partners also operate sustainable businesses. The line works to source ingredients like fruit and seafood locally, rather than flying it in from far-flung destinations.

Anything we missed Azamara offers several special events on every cruise that are complimentary for all guests. For the AzAmazing Evening, every passenger receives an invitation to a special event on shore; on my sailing, we attended an outdoor opera and aperitif tasting in an Italian fort near Rome. It was truly special. There is also a White Night buffet on the pool deck with all kinds of food stations and live music. Guests are encouraged to don all white and dance the night away. Since my sailing, Azamara has announced they want to do more of these events on every sailing, including bringing local performers on board while the ships are in port.

Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking. With Azamara, you can expect visits to interesting ports, more time on shore, and complimentary experiences that are hard to recreate yourself, like the AzAmazing Evening I had in an old fort near Rome. If you have been wanting to try a small-ship cruise, but prefer not to pay the hefty prices of the bigger luxury names, this is a great stepping stone that bridges the gap between mainstream and upscale cruising.

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5 things to love about Azamara Onward, the new cruise ship from upscale line Azamara

Are you looking for an intimate, upscale cruise vessel that can take you to some of the world's most spectacular destinations at a reasonable price?

If you're not too fussy about the size of the room where you'll be spending your nights, you might want to look at small-ship cruise line Azamara 's new Azamara Onward.

At 30,277 tons, Azamara Onward is just a small fraction of the size of the giant megaships that so many lines are building these days ( Royal Caribbean 's new Wonder of the Seas is nearly eight times larger) — and that means it can access lots of world-class destinations such as Amalfi, Italy, and Rovinj, Croatia, that are too small for bigger ships to visit.

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Azamara Onward also sails with just 684 passengers at double occupancy, an unusually intimate number that means you'll never feel like you're traveling with a crowd.

The biggest drawback to a trip on Azamara Onward is that the ship has relatively small cabins — at least for a vessel that aims to play in the upscale cruise space.

This is mostly due to the fact that the ship's underlying design dates to an earlier era of cruising when cabins in general weren't as big as they are today.

Christened Monday in Monaco, Azamara Onward isn't actually a new ship. Originally built for Renaissance Cruises in the late 1990s, it's been sailing the world's oceans for nearly 23 years — first for Renaissance and later for Princess Cruises . Azamara bought it in 2021 and is just now adding it to its fleet after giving it a major makeover.

Related: The ultimate guide to Azamara ships and itineraries

Still, despite its age, Azamara Onward is an alluring vessel, as I saw over the weekend during a short non-revenue preview sailing for travel industry leaders, media and company employees. Here are five things you'll love about Azamara Onward.

Its small size

Many cruisers love big ships for all they have to offer — from large arrays of restaurants and bars to a smorgasbord of decktop amusements. But when it comes to upscale cruising, often smaller is better.

Like other ships of its size, Azamara Onward offers an intimate experience with spaces that never feel crowded, and it can get you into charming small port towns that are off limits to bigger vessels.

I experienced this myself over the weekend when Azamara Onward arrived at tiny Porto Venere, Italy (pop. 3,763), a picture-perfect hillside town along the Ligurian coast where you'll never find bigger ships. After Azamara Onward anchored just off shore, I rode a water shuttle to the UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed destination's dock for an Azamara-organized "AzAmazing Day" with live music performances at multiple locations and waterside drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Azamara offers such events at no extra charge once per cruise.

Some passengers, including me, later boarded a boat from Porto Venere for an Azamara-organized tour of the nearby, built-into-the-cliffs Cinque Terre villages — icons of Italy's northwest coast. The tour included a lovely and intimate private lunch and wine tasting at a winery just above one of the villages.

It was the sort of magical day that would be hard to organize for passengers on a ship much bigger than Azamara Onward — and that's a good chunk of cruise ships these days. There are relatively few cruise vessels left that are as small or smaller than Azamara Onward, other than specialized expedition cruise vessels designed to go to places like Antarctica and the Arctic.

Related: Why the addition of a new ship is a big deal for Azamara

Notably, Azamara's two most direct competitors in the upscale cruise space have been building ships lately that carry far more people. Two new ships on order for Azamara rival Oceania Cruises will carry 1,200 passengers apiece, and close competitor Viking 's ocean ships are all designed to carry 930 passengers.

Its upscale feel

Azamara Onward may be an older ship. But that doesn't mean it's run down. Azamara has spent millions of dollars on the vessel in recent months, revamping its public spaces to give them a new, contemporary and upscale feel.

Among essentially brand new spaces on Azamara Onward is The Den, an inviting lounge and bar area at the center of the ship that serves as a central gathering point during the day and night. It's a multipurpose space that is home to a shore excursion desk, loyalty desk and travel guide library, in addition to comfortable seating where you can kick back with cocktails in the evening with live piano music as a backdrop.

Also completely revamped is the Living Room, a spacious observation lounge at the top of the ship. Featuring a bar, lots of seating nooks and a large dance floor, it offers everything from trivia contests during the day to music and dancing at night.

But, to me, its greatest feature is its expansive window wall offering stunning views over the bow. I sat, mesmerized, for more than an hour on Sunday looking out from this window wall as the ship glided into the port of Monaco. The entire principality with its yacht-filled harbor, palace-topped Old Town and glitzy downtown district spread before me like a movie set.

Both The Den and the Living Room are venues you'll find on Azamara's three other vessels (all of which are sister ships to Azamara Onward that were originally built for Renaissance Cruises). But Azamara Onward also offers one all-new venue: the Atlas Bar.

Located at the top of the ship in a space that houses a library on other Azamara vessels, it's a stylish artisanal cocktail lounge of the sort that is all the rage in places like New York and Los Angeles. You'll find all kinds of crafty concoctions made with smoking domes, nitro infusions, fresh-squeezed juices and handmade syrups.

The Atlas Bar also serves up a premium menu of scrumptious small plates such as beef tartare topped with caviar and shaved truffle, and smoked lobster carpaccio.

Note that while house drinks are included in the fare on Azamara ships, the over-the-top offerings at Atlas Bar come with a hefty extra charge of $17.95 a piece (or you can upgrade to Azamara's Ultimate Beverage Package, which costs $24.95 per day and includes unlimited drinks at the Atlas Bar). The food items will come with an extra charge, too, that had yet to be set when I visited the ship but will likely be around $6.50 a plate.

To be clear, not every area of the ship has the same level of upscale feel. As noted above, the biggest shortcoming of Azamara Onward as a ship that is playing in the high-end cruise space is that its cabins are relatively small. The typical balcony cabin on Azamara Onward offers just 175 square feet of interior space. That's about 22% less than the typical balcony cabin on a Viking ocean ship.

The small size of Azamara Onward cabins is particularly noticeable in cabin bathrooms, which are very tight. Be warned that the showers in bathrooms are narrow and set off with clingy shower curtains. I found it a challenge to fully soap up without some Twister-like contortions.

The sleeping areas of cabins have been heavily renovated but still show their age in places (while carpeting, bedding and other soft goods are all-new as are other elements including bedside lighting with built-in USB ports, built-in cabinetry is from an older era).

Bottom line: Azamara Onward isn't a ship that you necessarily book for its rooms.

Its port-intensive itineraries

Azamara Onward may not be a ship that you book for its rooms. But it's definitely a vessel that you should consider for its itineraries. Like all Azamara ships, it'll be operating a wide variety of port-intensive "destination immersion" voyages over the coming year that offer a lot of time in ports, often including late-night stays and even overnight stays. That's not always the case in the cruise world.

By way of example, an 11-night Mediterranean itinerary that Azamara Onward will operate for the first time in June will start and end with overnight stays in Ravenna, Italy, and Istanbul, Turkey, respectively. During the same trip, the ship also will make day stops in Santorini, Greece, and Koper, Slovenia, that start early in the morning and continue to 9:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., respectively.

In addition, the ship will make day stops in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and Corfu, Greece, that last until 8:00 p.m., among six other port calls.

Such lengthy port stops that last into the night are the Holy Grail for cruisers who seek the deepest dive possible into the places their ships go, as they allow for seeing a different side of a destination. In addition to touring by day, they offer the chance to sample the local cuisine of a port over dinner and take in the local nightlife.

Related: What it's like sailing an Azamara ship in the Mediterranean

Azamara Onward will spend the next six months sailing seven- to 15-night trips in the Mediterranean that, like the above itinerary, are chock full of late-night stays and overnight stays in ports. The ship then will reposition to the Caribbean and South America for the winter for sailings that include late-night stays in places like St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Fuerte Amador, Panama (the port for Panama City).

The ship also is scheduled to do an epic, 155-day world voyage in 2024 that will feature an enormous number of late-night and overnight stays in ports.

Its affordability

Among intimate, upscale vessels that offer destination-rich itineraries, Azamara Onward is debuting as one of the great values. This may not always be the case. As Azamara absorbs the massive 33% increase in capacity that is occurring at the line as a result of the ship's addition, its pricing is likely to rise. But for now, at least, you can get on board Azamara Onward at fares that are significantly lower than some of its closest competitors.

As of the publishing of this story, 11-night Mediterranean sailings on Azamara Onward for the coming months were starting at $1,499 per person, based on double occupancy — or about $136 per night. Compare that to current starting rates of around $230 per night for Mediterranean sailings in the coming months on Oceania ships. Starting rates for Mediterranean sailings in the coming months on Viking ships are significantly higher at around $500 per night.

For the coming fall, there are seven- and eight-night sailings around Italy and Spain, respectively, available starting as low as $1,199 per person — the latter just $150 per night. There's also an 11-night transatlantic voyage starting at $1,199 per person — or $109 per night.

Keep in mind that such pricing is for the very smallest cabins on Azamara Onward, and as noted above cabins on Azamara Onward in general are small. Azamara's entry-level fares also generally will just get you an "interior" cabins that has no windows — a type of cabin that doesn't even exist on Viking ships.

Still, booking one of these low-priced cabins gets you access to all of the same onboard amenities and destination experiences that come with any other cabin type. It'll be the same cruise that you would experience in a fancier cabin, with the only difference being the cabin itself.

Such fares are an even better value than they might initially seem when you consider that Azamara includes several things in its fares that sometimes cost extra at other lines, such as gratuities for crew and drinks. Select house spirits, beer, wine, bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas are available around the clock on Azamara ships at no extra charge.

Its happy vibe

With small ships, the allure of the onboard experience often comes down to the vibe (and related service level) that you get from the crew. And the vibe on Azamara Onward is a happy one.

When I boarded Azamara Onward on Thursday for the preview, the ship had yet to operate for a single night with passengers under the Azamara banner. Furniture for the pool deck had yet to be unpacked, and some cabin amenities such as hairdryers had yet to arrive. But if the crew was feeling stressed or even overwhelmed, it didn't show. At every turn, I was met by smiling, upbeat and welcoming staff that were delivering service at a high level.

It was a staff that notably was made up of lots of veteran Azamara crew who have been with the line for years, and they knew what they were doing. They were on top of their game.

Up at the Atlas Bar — as noted above, a new-for-the-line venue — a phalanx of bartenders were shaking up strawberry vodka martinis and smoking whiskey sours with a flair that made it seem like they had been working in the venue for years. My room steward, Chang, quickly got every little start-up flaw that I noticed in my room — from faulty power outlets to a nonworking television — fixed in a jiffy.

Azamara is a line that is particularly known for the service levels on its ships, and Azamara Onward is no exception.

Bottom line

Azamara Onward isn't a built-from-scratch new ship. But many of its interior areas have a new-like feel after a major overhaul in advance of its debut as an Azamara vessel.

Like Azamara's three other ships (Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest and Azamara Pursuit), it's not quite as snazzy, design-wise, as some newer vessels in the upscale cruise space. Most notably, its cabins are relatively small as compared to newer ships in its market and — for those who look closely — reveal signs of the ship's age. (We couldn't help but notice the scratched-up sink basin in our cabin bathroom and some dings in the sleeping area's built-in cabinetry.) But in the grand scheme of things, these seem like minor quibbles.

Azamara is all about offering intimate, upscale cruises that will give you a much more in-depth experience in the destinations its ships visit than many other lines, and for that, Azamara Onward is a wonderful vehicle. Its small size is just what you want for a cruise that will take you to lots of smaller and lesser-visited places, and its affordable pricing (at least for now) is a major draw.

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Azamara Onward cabins and suites

Azamara onward staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Azamara Onward cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Azamara Cruises en-suite amenities and services.

The Azamara Onward cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

Club World Owners Suite

Layout (floor plan).

Club Ocean Suite

Club Spa Suite

Club Continent Suite

Club Veranda Balcony Cabin

Note: VX-Deluxe (aka “sunset verandah”) cabins are same sized but with larger balconies (65 ft2 / 6 m2).

Club Oceanview Cabin

Note: Category 4 rooms are larger (200 ft2 / 19 m2). These are the forward-located rooms numbers 6004-6005 and 7006-7007.

Club Interior Cabin

Pacific Princess Balcony Suite

Pacific princess mini-suite, pacific princess balcony cabin, pacific princess oceanview cabin.

Handicap (wheelchair-accessible) oceanview staterooms category OB are sized is 225 ft2 / 21 m2.

Pacific Princess Interior Cabin

Azamara onward cabins review.

Of all Azamara Onward staterooms, 247 have step-out balconies (of total 314 outside cabins). The cruise ship has a total of 335 staterooms, including 44 Suites, 203 Balcony, 67 Oceanview, 38 Inside. Handicap cabins (wheelchair-accessible, ADA-certified for disabled passengers) are only 5 (2x Balcony, 3x Interior).

Four elevators (2x Forward and 2x Aft passenger lifts) interconnect all decks.

Follows the review of Azamara Onward staterooms as furniture, price-included amenities, and complimentary services.

All Azamara Onward cabins have a bedroom (2 twin beds /convertible to a Queen-size double bed), deluxe mattresses, pillow menu, 2x regular plus 2x decorative pillows, deluxe bedding sets (Egyptian cotton linens), under-bed luggage storage space, bedside tables (with reading lamps), living room (double sofabed / loveseat with throw pillows, coffee table, vanity desk with chair, ice bucket), walk-in closet (safe, mini-fridge / mini-bar), smart HDTV (infotainment system, 40-inch LCDTV in inside-oceanview-balcony rooms), bathroom (WC-toilet, single-sink vanity, magnifying mirror, under-sink storage, above-toilet shelves, shower), individual air-conditioning (room temperature control), 110-220 V voltage (2x European plus 2x USA standard power outlets). Underneath each of the bedside reading lights, there are USB outlets/chargers. The hairdryer is in a desk cabinet. Electronic safe box, mini-fridge and lifejackets are located in the closet. Cabin access is via keycards.

Bathrooms are rather smaller, with tiny showers (with curtains). Bathroom amenities include brand shampoo (About Rose), conditioner, body wash, and lotion.

As additional bedding, Inside cabins have Pullman beds (pulled down from the ceiling), while Oceanview and Verandah rooms are with pullout sofas.

The Infotainment / interactive TV system allows Internet access, room service ordering, checking onboard accounts, restaurant, and bar menus, movies-on-demand, live webcams views, Azamara Cruises channel for news, information, itinerary-based enrichment lectures and port talks).

All Suites and Balcony cabins have private verandas (with floor-ceiling sliding doors). All balconies are furnished with 1 table (height suitable for dining) and 2 wicker chairs.

The list of complimentary amenities (available in all Azamara Onward cabins and suites) includes - fresh fruits basket (daily replenished), bottles of water (1 per passenger, replenished daily), fresh flowers, in-cabin dining (turn-down sweets, afternoon canapes /upon request), personal stationery, Azamara Cruises-logoed tote bag, terry bathrobes and slippers, shoeshine service, binoculars, umbrellas. Mini-bars have complimentary sodas and beers, plus alcoholic drinks for purchase.

Inside staterooms are with 2 twin beds (convertible), and some have an additional sofa bed.

Oceanview staterooms are in 3 main categories: obstructed, porthole and picture windows, plus wheelchair-accessible (largest in size). These outside staterooms have a small sitting area (convertible twin beds, vanity table, armchair, sofa / some with sofa bed). Category 4 rooms (on deck 6 and 7) are larger (with 200 ft2 / 19 m2 interior space). Category 8 (obstructed view) rooms are with Panorama Window. Category 6 rooms are with Porthole Window.

Balcony cabins (Verandah categories) have sofa beds (some are with armchairs, some with convertible sofas).

Guests in all Azamara Onward Suites additionally receive the following perks (complimentary bonus amenities): butler services (priority check-in, luggage delivery, baggage packing/unpacking, debarkation, tendering, dining reservations), en-suite dining (incl Afternoon Tea service), shoeshine, pressing (2 items), welcome gifts (plus your choice premium liquor bottle), wet bar setup (375 ml bottles – Bacardi Gold Rum, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Johnnie Walker Red, Stolichnaya Vodka, juices), complimentary specialty restaurants dining. Additional complimentary perks are daily hors-d'oeuvres, specialty coffees/teas, soft drinks, bottled water, in-room spa services.

Continent Suites (Sky Suites) are sized 265 ft2 / 25 m2 (plus 60 ft2 / 6 m2 balcony space) and feature red and beige color scheme. All Continent Suites are located on deck 8, each with large sitting area (convertible sofa, armchair, table, 55-inch TV), writing desk (with lighted mirror above, USB outlets), larger closet, larger bathroom (with bathtub). Portside Continent Suites are with bathtubs and sofa beds; while starboard Continent Suites are with glass-door shower (no bathtub) and armchair (no sofa bed).

Ocean Suites (Royal Suites, forward location) range in size from 440 to 500 ft2 (21-46 m2), with spacious balconies (ranging in size from 105 to 155 ft2 / 10-14 m2) furnished with a 2-seat dining table and 2 loungers. Each of those has a separate living room (4-seat dining table, 55-inch TV, floor-ceiling sliding windows leading to the balcony), master bedroom (king-size bed, 40-inch TV, floor-ceiling sliding doors leading to the balcony), large walk-in closet, dressing room (mirrored vanity table, chair), marble master bathroom (jacuzzi bathtub, glass shower), guest bathroom.

World Suites (Penthouse Suites, sized 560 ft2 / 52 m2) are with aft location and have the largest balconies (sized 235 ft2 / 22 m2, with 2-seat dining table, 2 loungers). Azamara World Suite’s layout and amenities are the same as Ocean Suites.

(NEW) Both Spa Suites (located on Deck 9 portside) feature a separate rain shower and a glass-enclosed bathtub – both with ocean view. Spa Suites are sized 355 ft2 (33 m2) plus veranda (55 ft2 / 5 m2, with 2 loungers). The cabin plan also shows bathroom (double-sink vanity, glass-enclosed jacuzzi bathtub, separate shower tower /rain head, body jets), 2x beds (convertible to queen), sofa bed, 55-inch TV, plenty of storage space (walk-in closet, bedroom, and bathroom drawers). Both Spa Suites don’t have under-bed storage space. Among the bonus perks for Spa Suite guests are Spa concierge service, Spa credit, luxury robes and slippers (by Frette), in-room dining (afternoon snacks), private spa terrace exclusive access, plus a complimentary romance package (“Nights in Private Places”, that otherwise costs USD 395).

24-hour Room Service is complimentary. Breakfast (served between 6:30 – 10 am) must be ordered by 1 am (via cards on the doorknob). Room Service breakfast menu offers 8 combinations, plus made-to-order items (eggs, omelets, steak, griddle, and baked food, cold meats, bagels, pancakes, waffles, French toast, cereals, fruits, yogurts, juices). Lunch and Dinner room service menus are the same, offering beef consomme (brew with roasted beef bones and mirepoix), chicken noodle soup, salads (Caprese /mozzarella, Caesar, spinach), club sandwiches (also with seafood), platters (incl chips and salsa), pizzas (3 types), pasta Bolognese, NY strip steak, BBQ chicken tenders and grilled sandwiches, oven-baked salmon, vegetarian (incl burger, lasagna, quesadillas, cheese pizza), chocolate chip cookies, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. Also available for in-cabin ordering are items from the Main Dining Room’s lunch and dinner menu (only during the MDR’s open hours).

Pacific Princess staterooms

Of all Pacific Princess cabins (335 total), 232 cabins have step-out balconies (of total 312 outside cabins). The cruise ship has 62 Suites, 170 Balcony, 80 Oceanview, 23 Inside cabins. Handicap cabins (wheelchair-accessible, ADA-certified for disabled passengers) are only 5, in categories MC-Mini-Suite (2), OB-Oceanview (2) and IB-Interior (1).

Follows the review of Pacific Princess staterooms as amenities, furniture and included (complimentary) services:

All Suites have a walk-in closet (ample storage space), living room (sofa bed, desk, vanity, dining table, armchairs), bathroom (WC, shower stall, whirlpool bathtub, double sinks). Some S2 Balcony Suites and some MB-MC Mini-Suites are with additional beds for 3rd/4th person. Bonus amenities in all Suites are the deluxe mattress/pillows, 2 flat TVs (S-Suites), CD/DVD player, upgraded bathroom amenities (massage showerheads, luxury bath products), luxury furniture on the balcony, complimentary services (Spa Thermal Suite, Internet Cafe, laundry/dry cleaning, one-time mini bar).

All balcony accommodations feature sliding glass doors (floor-ceiling) opening to a private verandah (round table, patio chairs) plus sunloungers (S suites only). Balcony cabins have ample closet space, bathroom (shower), desk, drawer. Some have additional beds for 3rd/4th person.

Oceanview cabins have either Picture Window or Porthole Window. Category OV is with an obstructed view. Premium/Deluxe Ocean-view rooms are larger in size. Inside cabins have the same size and amenities as Ocean-View rooms but lack the window.

All Pacific Princess cabins as amenities offer living area (vanity, desk, seating), 2 twin beds (convertible to queen), deluxe bedding sets (Egyptian cotton linens), closet, desk, LCDTV, direct-dial phone, safe, hairdryer, bath products (shampoo, body lotion, conditioner), mini-bar/fridge, individual air-conditioning, evening turndown service, complimentary 24-hour room service.

During the Pacific Princess ship's drydock refurbishment in 2017, all staterooms were upgraded with the signature “Princess Luxury Bed”. The new “cruise bed” was developed in collaboration with PhD Michael Breus (commonly known as “The Sleep Doctor”) and the designer Candice Olson. The new cabin beds feature a luxury pillow-top mattress, individually wrapped coils (reducing surface sway) and hypoallergenic duvets.

“Club Class Mini-Suite” is a new cabin category that was rolled out fleetwide in 2017. The new (VIP-guest) Mini Suite cabins offer the following complimentary services and amenities – “Club Class Dining”, Elite Lounge exclusive access, complimentary in-cabin dining (hours d’ oeuvres), priority embarkation/disembarkation/tendering. Club Class Dining includes a separate area part of the MDR (main dining room) reserved for Club Suite guests only. The exclusive dining experience includes expedited seating, dedicated waiter staff service, exclusive menu (featuring chef’s specials) and tableside preparation of some dishes. Club Class Dining is available for breakfast and dinner every day, and also for lunch on sea days only. The new suites replaced some existing mini-suites. Their cabin size and layouts remained the same as the other mini suite grades.

Azamara Onward cabin and suite plans are property of Azamara Cruises . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

Azamara Cruises welcomes agents onboard to mark the start of its largest ever Ship Visit Programme in the UK

Azamara Cruises – the small-ship cruise line renowned for Destination Immersion® – kickstarted the summer season by welcoming agents onboard Azamara Onward in Southampton last week, marking the start of its largest ever ship visit programme in the UK, demonstrating the company’s continued support for the trade community.

The summer programme will see the UK Sales Team welcome more agents onboard than ever before, giving over 500 travel advisors the chance to experience the product first-hand and enhance their knowledge of the brand. A total of eleven visits will take place at eight different ports, spanning England, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland, with both loyal and prospective trade partners in attendance.

Stuart Pearce, Head of Trade Sales UK & Ireland at Azamara Cruises comments: “We’re really excited to be reaching a record number of agents this summer and to be welcoming many advisors onboard an Azamara Cruises’ ship for the very first time”.

He continues: “We look forward to these visits every year – they are a great opportunity for agents to immerse themselves in the Azamara Cruises offering and for us to spend valuable time with our partners, to maintain and build relationships and ensure they have the right information and training to sell successfully”.

These intimate group visits will include a full tour of the ship, from staterooms to the entertainment and dining venues, and a three-course lunch at the specialty restaurant, Aqualina. Hosted by the UK Sales Team from Azamara Cruises, including Nicola Singleton, Moira Gregson and Peter Ryan, agents will also receive a brand update with tips and tricks on how to use Azamara Cruises’ new booking system.

After Southampton, visits will then take place in Dublin (1 st  July), Cobh (3 rd  July) and Belfast (8 th  July). Azamara Quest® will arrive in Greenock (21 st  July) then make her way to Leith (14 th -15 th  August), before travelling to Aberdeen (16 th  August), Liverpool (22 nd  August) and finally Southampton (3 rd  September), meeting with Azamara Onward®.

This programme is the latest in series of announcements from Azamara Cruises to increase its support for UK trade partners, as the company continues to invest in leading international markets, such as the UK. It follows news of a new UK Call Centre that launched this month to offer more tailored support to agents and consumers based locally, and a bolstered series of Seminars at Sea. The team are also set to host an additional ship visit onboard Azamara Quest® at CLIA’s oversees trade event in Gibraltar on the 15 th  September.

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Guide to Azamara Cruises’ Azamara Circle loyalty program

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Like most cruise lines, Azamara Cruises has a branded loyalty program, Azamara Circle, which allows frequent cruisers to maximize their travel investment by earning points for each night they sail with the brand. As passengers earn points, they move up the ranks of five loyalty tiers, earning additional perks and amenities — including onboard discounts, free cruise nights and access to exclusive parties.

This article breaks down the program, from earning points to what each loyalty level offers and which cabin category bookings will allow you to punch above your weight in terms of perks.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s  cruise newsletter.

Ways to earn points

Azamara’s points-earning system is fairly straightforward. The line has eight cabin categories, each of which earns passengers a certain number of points per night they cruise.

• Club Interior (2 points)
• Club Oceanview (3 points)
• Club Veranda (5 points)
• Club Veranda Plus (6 points)
• Club Continent Suites (8 points)
• Club Spa (18 points)
• Club Ocean (18 points)
• Club World Owner’s Suites (18 points)

Note that the number of points you’ll receive depends on the cabin category you booked rather than the category you end up with. If you’re upgraded to a higher-level cabin, you won’t receive a higher number of points.

Because Azamara’s ships do not have accommodations for solo cruisers , anyone traveling alone must pay two cruise fares, as all cabins are designed for double occupancy. Therefore, all solo passengers will receive double points for each night of their voyage.

Program tiers and benefits

There are five tiers in the Azamara Circle loyalty program:

• Adventurer (1-149 points)
• Explorer (150-299 points)
• Discoverer (300-749 points)
• Discoverer Plus (750-2,999)
• Discoverer Platinum (3,000-plus points)

Adventurer is the easiest level to obtain, as you reach it after just one sailing, meaning your benefits will kick in on your second voyage. (To enroll, you must create an account with Azamara.)

All loyalty tiers receive 10% off select voyages once per quarter, free internet minutes based on tier level, discounts and upgrades on Hertz car rentals, the services of a loyalty ambassador and onboard host, a members-only happy hour on each sailing, exclusive email updates, future cruise credits of $300 per cabin for each referral who books with the line and beverage package discounts. Additional perks and specifics for each tier are below.

Unlike the first level of most other cruise lines’ loyalty programs, cruisers at the Adventurer level earn some valuable savings in addition to the ones already mentioned:

• 5% off future cruises booked on board
• Savings on future voyages in the form of up to $300 in onboard credit (when  you book future cruises on board during the first half of your cruise) and a 50% reduced deposit
• 30 free minutes of Wi-Fi or 20% off an unlimited internet package (more if staying in a Club Veranda Plus cabin category or higher; see chart below)
• 10% off signature spa treatments
• 5% discount on the line’s Ultimate Beverage Package

Many other cruise lines reward passengers with free cruises only after they have reached the highest loyalty tier. However, Azamara begins awarding free cruise nights to passengers when they hit the Explorer level and each subsequent level thereafter. That means passengers can enjoy further savings on top of percentage discounts when they book cruises from Explorer level onward.

Cruisers can reach Explorer level in as few as nine nights (or five nights if traveling solo) if they stay in one of the three top-level cabin types. Explorer perks include:

• Two free cruise nights (must redeem within 12 months on sailings of seven nights or longer)
• Savings on future voyages in the form of up to $300 in onboard credit (when you book future cruises on board during the first half of your cruise) and a 50% reduced deposit
• 60 free minutes of Wi-Fi or 35% off an unlimited internet package (more if staying in a Club Veranda Plus cabin category or higher; see chart below)
• Free laundry service for one bag of items per cabin per seven-night sailing (two bags if booked in a Club Veranda Plus cabin category or higher; see chart below)
• 15% off signature spa treatments
• 10% discount on the line’s Ultimate Beverage Package

You can attain the Discoverer tier after 17 nights (or nine nights if traveling solo) in one of the three highest-level cabins. Discoverer-level cruisers receive:

• Four free cruise nights (must redeem within 12 months on sailings of seven nights or longer)
• 6% off future cruises booked on board
• 90 free minutes of Wi-Fi or 50% off an unlimited internet package (more if staying in a Club Veranda Plus cabin category or higher; see chart below)
• 20% off signature spa treatments
• 15% discount on the line’s Ultimate Beverage Package
• Priority check-in at select ports
• Exclusive onboard get-together

Each level of the loyalty program is entitled to free Wi-Fi minutes, depending on tier level. However, those staying in Club Veranda Plus cabins or higher will receive more, based on a combination of cabin type and loyalty level, according to the following chart — even if they’ve only reached Adventurer status.

Additionally, passengers at Explorer level or higher will receive two bags of complimentary laundry service if booked in any of the cabin categories listed on the chart below.

Royal Caribbean Group sold Azamara to Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm based in New York, in early 2021. Effective Feb. 1, 2023, the line’s loyalty program is no longer reciprocal with those of former sister brands Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises .

The elite level that makes a difference

The Discoverer Plus level is one that spans the largest number of points, making it the first level at which cruisers can earn enough to take a weeklong sailing almost completely free. Six nights are awarded when this level is first reached, along with three additional nights at 1,500 points and another three at 2,250 points.

Azamara Circle members at this level are entitled to:

• Six free cruise nights, plus three additional nights at 1,500 points and 2,250 points (must redeem within 12 months on sailings of seven nights or longer)
• 7% off future cruises booked on board
• 120 free minutes of Wi-Fi or 75% off an unlimited internet package (more if staying in a Club Veranda Plus cabin category or higher; see chart above)
• Free laundry service for one bag of items per cabin per seven-night sailing (two bags if booked in a Club Veranda Plus cabin category or higher; see chart above)
• 25% off signature spa treatments
• 20% discount on the line’s Ultimate Beverage Package

Best elite perk

Discoverer Platinum is Azamara Circle’s highest level of loyalty. It’s the only tier that, when reached, rewards cruisers with enough nights for a completely complimentary sailing of at least a week in length. However, apart from the initial four additional free cruise nights, free Wi-Fi and an extra 5% discount on the Ultimate Beverage Package, this tier doesn’t offer much that’s different from what you’ll receive at the Discoverer Plus level.

Discoverer Platinum amenities are:

• 10 free cruise nights, plus three additional nights every 750 points after reaching Discoverer Platinum status (must redeem within 12 months on sailings of seven nights or longer)
• 10% off future cruises booked on board
• 150 free minutes of Wi-Fi or a free unlimited internet package (more if staying in a Club Veranda Plus cabin category or higher; see chart above)
• 25% discount on the line’s Ultimate Beverage Package

Bottom line

Because Azamara is a premium line, it’s no surprise that its loyalty program offers passengers quite a bit more discounts and opportunities to earn free cruise nights than mainstream lines.

There are marked differences between Azamara Circle tiers, but cruisers hit the sweet spots when they achieve at least the Discoverer Plus level.

Because joining the program requires minimal work — just a registration — there’s no reason not to join, as the perks can add up over time, especially if you plan to cruise with Azamara regularly.

Have more cruise questions? TPG has answers:

• Banned items: What not to pack for a cruise
• Man overboard: Why do people fall off cruise ships?
• What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships?
• What are the largest cruise ships in the world?
• What is a gentleman host on a cruise?
• What is the Jones Act, and how does it affect cruise ships?
• What is a lido deck on a cruise ship?
• What’s a cruise cabin guarantee, and will it save you money?
• What’s the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler?

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And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.