Azamara Cruises Review: Why I Recommend Them to My Clients

When people start looking for a cruise, they often think they have two choices: a huge floating resort carrying thousands of guests, or an ultra-luxury ship with a price tag to match.

But what if there was something in between?

That's exactly where Azamara Cruises shines.

With four elegant mid-sized ships carrying around 700 guests, Azamara offers the perfect balance of comfort, exceptional service and immersive travel. It's refined without being formal, luxurious without feeling intimidating, and completely focused on helping you experience the destinations rather than simply ticking them off.

Small Enough to Feel Personal, Large Enough to Have Everything You Need

Azamara's ships are the ideal size.

They're large enough to offer multiple restaurants, stylish lounges, a spa, fitness centre, pool deck, entertainment and plenty of places to relax. Yet they're small enough that you'll quickly recognise familiar faces, never queue for long, and always find somewhere peaceful to sit.

Many guests describe Azamara as feeling like a boutique hotel at sea rather than a busy resort.

The Crew Make All the Difference

Beautiful ships are wonderful.

Amazing destinations are exciting.

But what guests remember most about Azamara is the crew.

Time and time again, past guests tell me it's the people onboard who keep them coming back. The crew genuinely care about your holiday, remembering your favourite drink, greeting you by name and going above and beyond to make every day special.

And it's not just my clients who tell me this. My husband and I have sailed with Azamara twice, on two different ships, and the outstanding service was consistently exceptional on both.

One experience, in particular, will stay with us forever. During our second cruise, our passports were stolen while ashore. It was incredibly stressful, but Azamara's Guest Services immediately stepped in and took the pressure off us. They went above and beyond, liaising with the port authorities in France and Spain, as well as the British Embassy in Barcelona, to ensure our emergency travel documents were ready and waiting for us when we disembarked.

Instead of spending the rest of our holiday worrying about how we were going to get home, we were able to continue enjoying our cruise, knowing everything was being taken care of.

That level of care isn't something you can put a price on. It's one of the many reasons I have complete confidence in recommending Azamara to my clients.

It's warm, genuine service rather than stiff, formal luxury.

You feel looked after without feeling fussed over.

Luxury Without the Formality

One of the biggest misconceptions about premium cruising is that it has to feel formal.

Azamara proves otherwise.

The atmosphere onboard is relaxed and friendly. There's no pressure to dress in tuxedos or ball gowns (unless you want to). The focus is on enjoying great food, wonderful company and incredible destinations in a comfortable, welcoming environment.

It's sophisticated, but never stuffy.

More Time Where It Matters

Most cruise lines give you a snapshot of a destination.

Azamara lets you experience it.

Their destination-intensive itineraries are one of their biggest strengths, with more late departures and overnight stays than many other cruise lines.

Instead of rushing back onboard by late afternoon, you can enjoy dinner in a local restaurant, watch the sunset from a harbour café, or experience a city after the day-trippers have gone home.

Some itineraries even include overnight stays, giving you the freedom to explore at a much more relaxed pace.

Dock Where Others Can't

Because Azamara's ships are much smaller than today's mega-ships, they can often dock much closer to the heart of iconic cities and visit charming smaller ports that simply aren't accessible to larger vessels.

That means less time travelling from port to city centre, and more time enjoying your destination.

It's one of those little details that can make a huge difference to your holiday.

Exclusive Experiences You Simply Can't Book Yourself

Azamara is renowned for creating memorable cultural experiences that go far beyond the standard shore excursion.

Their famous AzAmazing Evenings are included on many voyages and offer exclusive access to incredible venues.

Imagine enjoying a private concert in a historic setting after it has closed to the public, or dining in a spectacular location while being entertained by local performers. These are authentic experiences designed to immerse you in the culture of each destination.

They're often the moments guests remember long after they've returned home.

The Famous White Night

Ask anyone who's cruised with Azamara about their favourite evening, and chances are they'll mention White Night.

Guests and crew dress in white as the pool deck transforms into a beautiful open-air venue for a spectacular barbecue under the stars.

There's fantastic food, live music, dancing and an atmosphere that's genuinely difficult to describe until you've experienced it yourself.

It's relaxed, fun and brings everyone together for one unforgettable evening.

It's About the Journey as Much as the Destination

Azamara isn't about climbing rock walls, racing down waterslides or trying to fit everything into one day.

It's about travelling well.

It's about spending longer in fascinating places, enjoying excellent food and wine, relaxing in elegant surroundings, and being looked after by a crew who genuinely want your holiday to be unforgettable.

If you've ever thought a mega-ship feels too busy, but an ultra-luxury cruise feels a little beyond your budget or perhaps too formal, Azamara may just be the perfect middle ground.

And once you've experienced it, you'll understand why so many guests return again and again.

What's Included in Your Azamara Cruise Fare?

One of the things I really like about Azamara is that so much is already included. It means you can relax and enjoy your holiday without constantly reaching for your wallet.

Your fare includes:

• Stylish accommodation in your chosen stateroom or suite.

• A choice of restaurants, from the main dining room to casual venues, with high-quality cuisine throughout the day.

• Selected wines, beers and spirits, plus premium soft drinks, juices, smoothies, bottled water, speciality coffees, & teas.

• Gratuities, so there's no need to budget for tips at the end of your cruise.

• The famous White Night, Azamara's signature poolside celebration with an extravagant barbecue, live music and dancing under the stars.

• AzAmazing Evenings on many voyages: exclusive cultural events that immerse you in the destination, such as private concerts or performances in remarkable venues (Available on most itineraries).

• Shuttle services where required from the ship into town.

• Fitness centre, pool, entertainment and enrichment programmes throughout your voyage.

• Destination-focused itineraries, with more late departures and overnight stays than many other cruise lines, giving you more time to truly experience each destination.

While premium spirits, speciality dining experiences, spa treatments and shore excursions are available at an additional cost, Azamara's inclusive approach means you'll find excellent value without feeling like you're constantly being upsold.

For me, that's one of the biggest attractions. You can simply settle into life onboard, enjoy exceptional service, and immerse yourself in the destinations, knowing that so much has already been taken care of.

Thinking of an Azamara cruise?

I'd love to help you decide whether it's the right fit for your travel style. Having specialised in small-ship cruising for many years, I can help match you to the itinerary, cabin and destination that will suit you best, so your holiday is every bit as memorable as it should be.

If you would like tailored recommendations or personal assistance in choosing the right luxury cruise, I’d be delighted to help.