Azamara Journey Review
A Very Satisfying Experience on the Azamara Journey
Rating by category
Additional details
This was our first Azamara cruise (we've done two on Oceania), which we chose because of the itinerary. I was wary of choosing another cruise line, because we like Oceania very much, but, hey, it worked, and we'd choose Azamara again if the itinerary were right.
As other people have mentioned, the crew is outstanding: seasoned, thoughtful, hardworking, eager to please. We were in a Club Continent suite, and out butler, Ronald, anticipated everything we could want or need.
I agree with other reviewers that the ship could perhaps use a little freshening--not in the sense of cleanliness, because it was immaculate, but because it's a bit dated (so what?). The cruise before ours, as noted by several reviewers, had problems with toilets not working, but we had no problems in our cabin.
Cabin Review
Club Continent Suite
Lots of room for storage. A dining-table height table would be very welcome. Décor a bit dated, but unimportant. Near the back of the ship so rode out the short period of rough seas very well.
Port Reviews
Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera)
Not to much to do here, as far as I could see. We were driven to the ship and dropped off to board the ship. Would have been better of Azamara had let passengers know ahead of time that lunch would be served after we went through boarding. Also that we could board before 4:30 pm, which is what I was told by Azamara on the phone.
New Orleans
The Journey had to dock initially at the Poland Ave Wharf because the Julia St. Wharf was full of other cruise ships, which was too bad, because it wasn't as convenient to the French Quarter, etc. However, the ship moved during the first afternoon to the Julia St. Wharf, which is close enough to the French Quarter to walk to. Also close to trolleys that can take you just about anywhere.
Key West
The ship arrived an hour early, so we had 7 ours in port. We wandered around the quaint/cute/tourist-driven island on our own. The main street was crowded with Spring Breakers, but Whitehead Ave was fine. Toured the Truman Little White House on our own; ditto the Hemingway house. The southern-most point in the US had a line of people waiting to be photographed with the marker (we didn't wait).