We are experienced cruisers and have tried a number of different cruise lines over many years. Overall, we enjoyed this cruise despite the disappointment of missing Raratonga due to the poor weather and conditions too dangerous to permit safe tendering. But the food was a huge disappointment and on the basis of that alone I do not expect we will ever choose Azamara again. At the outset we should praise all the crew with whom we came into contact for their friendliness, helpfulness and evident wish to please. This almost certainly derives from the lead given by the Captain who was very much in evidence around the ship interacting with passengers and staff. There were no cases this time of averted eyes when one came across maintenance and other “back-room” staff: all confidently said hello, or more, with a smile. The Cruise Director and his assistant - Danny Turner and Emily Love - were both excellent, particularly as we understand they are both relatively new to their roles; and the entertainment overall was good given the size of the ship and its limitations. Cruise lines are as much logistics companies as they are tour operators and by and large they excel at it. But at their best logistics should be invisible to passengers. Rightly or wrongly, on this cruise we got the impression that the demands of logistics at times trumped the good experience of the passengers. One example was the Azamazing Evening which was overall an excellent musical event. The programme we were given was cut short by one significant piece for no good reason other than, we suspect, the need to work rigidly to the timings agreed in advance with the coach company or the theatre. A second example was the White Night Party. This was the best we have experienced, not least because of the enthusiasm engendered by Danny any Emily, but it was abruptly cut off short at 10pm, we suspected because there was an agreement to end it before leaving the port which was timed for 10pm. And now for the very disappointing food. We did not use the speciality restaurants, partly because we resent being expected to pay extra but also because when we tried them on our last Azamara cruise we did not think them sufficiently better than the main dining room. Overall the food on this cruise was marked by poorly devised menus, too much reliance on cheap produce, and poor execution and standard of presentation. This was apparent in both the main dining room and the Windows Café. The main dining room menus appeared to offer more choice than they really did. For example, snails and prawns appeared every day on the supposedly changing list of appetisers meaning there were really only three items to choose from. On more than one occasion we simply could not find a single main course that appealed to us and we are used to enjoying a very wide range of dishes both at home and on cruises. The daily specials were almost always deeply underwhelming and really not any different to the rest of the rotating menu. There was a lot of reliance on cheap ingredients - I had to return a simply inedible dish made of chicken livers. Salmon seemed to appear a lot - surely among the cheapest fish available. The food, when served was not really up to scratch. The soups were lukewarm and two pasta dishes we tried (in desperation at finding something appealing on the menu) were both poor, having clearly spent too long under a heat lamp. There was also a dearth of vegetables with the main course dishes and no side dishes offered. The waiters have so much to do that the whole atmosphere is one of rush and controlled panic - certainly not conducive to a relaxing meal. There appear to be no supervisors or Maître D’ anymore, so nobody is responsible for ensuring overall satisfaction for diners or picking up on mistakes. The Window’s Café was a curate’s egg. By and large breakfasts were good but it beggars belief that there is nobody in Azamara that knows how to cook and serve English bacon or what constitutes an English ‘Banger”. Similarly, there must be an Azamara pastry chef that has experienced a proper French croissant and therefore realises how poor are the ones served on the Journey. Croissants are very fattening and are only worth eating if the pleasure they give outweighs the guilt! More generally, the quality of the bread on offer was variable. We cannot comment on lunch because we only ever had a snack, but we did miss the pasta and pizza stations available on other cruise lines. It would be good if these could be added to the offering in the Patio. The dinner offering in Windows was very poor. The themed evenings were particularly disappointing with a bizarre assortment of dishes, some only distantly related to the theme of the evening, making it very difficult to put together a satisfactory meal. Once again, the emphasis seemed to be on cheap ingredients, cheaply prepared. Too often the food itself was lukewarm or cold, and we never saw anybody check the temperature of the food sitting under the hot lamps. Perversely, whilst the food was lukewarm the serving spoons were often very hot indeed. When we twice pointed this out all that happened was that a member of staff used the spoon to serve us and promptly put it back again for somebody else to burn themselves! And now the cheese. Never before have we experienced such poor cheese as in the Café and main dining room. Both the range and quality were dreadful. The example labelled English Cheddar bore no relationship to anything like proper Cheddar cheese, even being the wrong colour. Edam is not made in California! It was a very poor imitation of the Dutch cheese. The only blue cheese on offer seemed to be Danish Blue, or something like it, which must be the cheapest blue cheese available. The cheese biscuits also lacked variety and quantity. What makes this all the more galling is that at the White Night Party some really excellent local New Zealand cheeses were served, never to be seen again. So, you must know full well that the regular offering is incredibly poor and feel you can get away with it. The free drinks included in the cruise were all of a perfectly acceptable standard and variety; and particular thanks go to Benjamin, the Barman in the Spirits Bar. Overall, a good cruise badly let down by the food. Read Less

We chose this cruise because we were interested in seeing the South Pacific and New Zealand and the package deal we got included airfare, unlimited internet and trip insurance (important, as my husband and I are in our mid-60s). We missed our flight and the ship's sailing from Tahiti, so had to board in Bora Bora, the second port on the itinerary. Checking in was fast and efficient - everything was ready and waiting for us, which we really appreciated. We asked to move from our first cabin on deck 6 because of noise from the band practice in the Cabaret, directly below us. The young lady at the customer service desk, Adina, was so helpful with our request and our second cabin was perfect - no noise at all. The deck 7 balcony cabin was comfortable, had plenty of storage, a small but well designed bathroom (with a shower curtain that was heavy enough it was never clingy) and enough room on the balcony for a table and two chairs. As for dining, we ate at the extra fee Prime C restaurant once, and very much enjoyed the Chateaubriand for two and attentive service; however, we found the service and most of the food equally good to excellent in every dining area. Personally, I found the dining at the Patio outdoor restaurant by the pool, where we had lunch nearly every day, to be really outstanding - their seared tuna wrap and grilled meats, especially the lamb brochettes, were some of the best I've ever tasted. We also very much enjoyed visiting The Living Room on Deck 10 for a glass of wine and selections from their delicious tapas, which were available starting at 5pm every day, and were impressed by the wonderfully authentic German Buffet Lunch, complete with a polka band (I hope this gives you a good idea of how delicious and varied the ship's food offerings were - everyone we talked to enjoyed the food as much as we did.) For such a small ship, The Journey has amazingly spacious public areas including an extensive Library, the previously mentioned Living Room, and the Mosaic Cafe, where you could sit at a small table and enjoy excellent specialty coffees and pastries. As well, a big plus to this cruise were the many people we had great conversations with - the 600 passengers included Americans, Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders and a few Germans and Danes. Most passengers were very friendly and outgoing - even when we thought we would just sit at a table for two and enjoy a quiet meal, we would get to talking to the people at the table next to ours and have a wonderful time. The pool area was very nice and offered plenty of seating, although typically you had to scramble a bit to find shaded seating (there were lovely double wicker seats where we spent lots of time during our 6 sea days). We attended most of the Cabaret shows, which ranged from really entertaining to same-same. The two entertainers brought on board from Rarotonga were both outstanding - a stand up comic, Steven Scott, who was very funny, and a young man who did song and dance routines, Paul Hazel, who was very talented. Highlights of the cruise were the always interesting guest lecturers, talking on subjects ranging from volcanic activity to colonialism in the South Pacific, the White Night event (which was really fun and had some great Maori folk entertainment), and the Azamazing Evening (where we went to the Wellington Opera House to hear the Signature Choir sing selections accompanied by the Wellington Symphony Orchestra - it was just marvelous). We have cruised with similarly upscale Oceania Cruises in the past, but considering how much we enjoyed this cruise, we definitely will be sailing with Azamara again. Read Less

chose for the ports to include NZ and Oz. over 15 nights 5 shows were fairly good, but the 10 others were dire. They use a company called level 54 who are shocking. many nights the audience only numbered about 30 out of 650+ passengers on board which pretty much sums it up. The tv films in the cabin were very old (eg under a tuscan sky) and went on repeat in the 2nd week which is inexcusable. If the weather had been poor then the sea days would have been very boring. Regular Azamara cruisers we talked to were disappointed and felt the cruise line is slipping in the same points we make above. on disembarkation we had to get off the ship by 9am even though our flight was in the afternoon! all other cruise lines we have used always allow you to stay on board after vacating your cabin rather than dump you at the airport! not impressed. Read Less

We chose Azamara and this itinerary based on the recommendation of friends who did it a couple of years. ago. We too weren't notified of the change of embarkation point, but noticed the ship in the "wrong port" the night before from the roof top bar of our hotel. Sailing on smaller ships is a great experience. More attention from crew and an altogether sense of community familiarity that just happens among the passengers. We had a balcony room, midship on the deck 6. It was very comfortable and the small shower was adequate. Because of weather or just being out and about we really didn't use the balcony much but it was nice to have. The crew was always attentive, the entertainment very, very good, and most meals were well prepared. However more attention should be given to timing and suggestions as when to eat in the dining rooms if you want to make a show. Any time after 7.15pm creates a rush. Prime C was a disappointment, the food was just ok, the service slow and the room needs to be refurbished. Aqualina though did not disappoint. My only other comment on the food was that there way too much. Something was always there, available and too inviting. We did several exercise classes. More thought needs to given to the space required as many were popular and people couldn't participate. However they were advertised as 45 minutes, but most were barely 30. The Amazing Evening in Melbourne was in a beautiful recital hall with a performance by a top Australian vocal artist. Very enjoyable. The White Night was well done, the production performers professional and personable. Dancing in the Living Room to the Sound Sensations became a nightly destination for us. The crossing to New Zealand was a day and a half of rough seas, but part of cruising. But we found there were too many sea days, especially when they were back to back. All the ports provided something to do, some more that others. Napier was special and unique with its art deco architecture. We don't do cruise sponsored shore excursions. We find better value and choice is always available at the port. Cruise lines ask you think about the environment when using towels, etc, but they don't do anything about the amount of newsletters, brochures, invitations and sale announcements they produce. There must be better and more efficient ways to communicate to your guests and cut down on paper useage. It was ridiculous on this cruise. Overall, there is no reason not to consider Azamara for fun and enjoyable experience. Read Less

Itinerary is what counts and long port stays as well as Quest being a ship we sailed on previously. We love overnights in port so we have longer time in port. We use our ship as a hotel. We don't really care about casinos, shopping or entertainment on board. I want a lovely cabin, great bed and nice common areas. Having said that, the Quest is in need of an overhaul. I was shocked at the condition of our bathroom- its was a bit gross with putty in the bottom of the shower. Wallpaper in the shower??? Not a great idea. the good news- it is going to drydock after the cruise following our departure in Cairns- after it docks in Singapore and it needs it. My only complaint about the service was in the dining room and the buffet in the am- I had to beg for coffee refills and for water!!! Its hot in australia and I don't think on a ship the caliber of Quest I should have to run after waiters to get water or coffee. Otherwise, the service was great. Clearly there were newbees onboard in both areas that did not speak English very well and struggled in that regard. They frequently smiled, said yes and disappeared never to bring what I had asked for. And that is literally the worst thing that happened over the 29 days. Otherwise, the service is impeccable, attentive and the folks on board we traveled with were delightful. I had a really great time and I will say- we have already booked our next 30 days B2B cruise. It will be on Quest- I hope the refurb is still intact when we sail again. Read Less

One of the reasons on deciding to do this cruise starting in Auckland was to meet up with a relative who emigrated to New Zealand back in the 70s. Mission accomplished! On the itinerary, there were several ports in Eastern Australia which we had not previously visited and by sailing back-to-back it afforded us the opportunity to explore ports within Indonesia, and revisit Singapore. Despite its age, the Ship looked in fine condition, and was wonderfully clean and well-presented. In fact, no different to our last cruise in October last year. Therefore, we were surprised to learn it was going into dry-dock for a week for refit/modifications in Singapore. Embarkation in Auckland went very smoothly. This was our third time on the Quest (and our fourth time with Azamara), and it was great to see some familiar faces among the staff when we came aboard. Can honestly say we've always found the staff on Azamara ships to be well-trained, courteous, and helpful, yet very friendly. They are indeed exceptional people so it is no wonder they are offered repeat contracts. The entertainment offered on the ship in the evening, (Cabaret Lounge), is not high on our list of priorities, much preferring instead to listen to the ship's talented musicians on board, individuals and groups, who frequent the different lounges. However, pleased to note the 10-minute short plays and then the four opera singers, have been superseded with the return of the ship's company of 'singers and dancers'. Praise be! Although, tongue in cheek, one of the opera singers is still on board in another guise? On this B2B cruise, we've had two AzAmazing evenings, two 'White Night' events, and then two 'Chocolate Buffets' - so, what's not to like? And, delicious food, always. Have booked further cruises for next year! Read Less

We booked a back to back cruise on the Quest after enjoying a great cruise with Azamara from Singapore to Mumbai 2 years ago. We departed from Auckland on the 21.2.19 in a Club Ocean suite 7005. We were really impressed with the ground staff at the terminal who were very helpful and were able to board the ship quickly. Our room was ready with a welcome bottle of Fizz. Once again it was immaculately clean.The bags arrived very quickly so we were able to unpack before exploring. As before we were incredibly impressed with all the staff throughout the ship. They were always friendly and helpful. Cruising around New Zealand was quite bumpy and we did miss the port of Gisborne because of the weather. We experienced quite a bad storm at sea the night before arriving into Wellington. Being on the front we know from experience that usually means you feel all the motion quite badly. The crew knew it was going to be stormy and offered over the announcement system a free acupuncture session the day prior to guests. My husband and I took advantage of this. It was a totally pain free and we never felt nauseous, so well worth trying. In Wellington we attended the Azamazing evening at the Cathedral which was fabulous and well organised. Throughout the trip all food in all restaurants and room service was fantastic - thank you chef Colin. It was still bumpy heading up the coast from Sydney so we missed the port of Mooloolaba. For missing the 2 ports we were promptly presented with a letter giving each cabin a 500 dollar on board spend for future cruises, which was appreciated. After that the seas did improve. At Cairns we stayed on board ready to start our next cruise. Very quickly those staying on were sorted with new cards. We had decided to try a owners suite on the back 6091 and the staff moved everything for us and we were unpacked well before lunch. Once again the suite was immaculate. All Suite stewards and Butlers were very professional and friendly and really worked hard to meet our expectations. For entertainment we felt the ship managed very well considering the size, age range and different nationalities. We enjoyed the quizzes, talks, and shows. The gifted musicians and singers work hard throughout to entertain the guests. The White parties are fun and I recommend arriving earlier to get a table. At both white nights it rained just after the music started and we were impressed to see how quickly the staff moved the party indoors. The ships announcements were helpful and informative, we did feel very safe on board throughout our cruise. We were impressed at how quickly we were able to get on and off the ship, the security staff were very efficient. My husband used the gym on all sea days and found the equipment clean and well cared for. I used the spa once, I enjoyed the experience but would agree with other comments that it is very over priced -which may stop me using it in future. We did do some Azamara organised excursions. As usual we found them excellent, maybe a little pricey but the standards were very high and we felt very well cared for. Disembarkation was in Singapore and the ship was then off for a refit. One small criticism is that once we arrived into Singapore at lunchtime the day prior to leaving. The focus did seem to move from cruising to refitting. However this really was a fabulous stay on a great ship and I already have my next Azamara cruise booked. in case you are wondering we preferred the Club Ocean Suite at the front. Read Less

Recently back from my second Azamara voyage, both on the Quest. Overall this Sydney to Auckland cruise was excellent with some notable improvements, however there are areas which continue to disappoint. On the positive side, I found the ship to be spotless and the crew genuinely friendly. Most notable was the main restaurant, Discoveries. I was greeted with a friendly smile and often assigned a lovely window table for 2. Yes there can be short waits at peak times, but if you are patient, it is always rewarded. The food & service were just outstanding both in Discoveries and Windows Cafe. The Patio also offered an alternative, and that was excellent as well. Deck areas were well maintained, and the crew worked hard to clear the many rainfalls which left areas saturated. My cabin, an outside window space on deck 4 was cozy and well serviced. I truly did not miss having a balcony especially considering the weather we had. This location is quiet and very convenient to everything. The self service laundry was very popular and difficult to get in. Still great to have when on extended holiday. I won’t go into the ports of call, but suffice it to say they were brilliant. I was truly blown away especially by the New Zealand stops. I spent a few days post cruise in Auckland and loved that city. Where Azamara continues to struggle are all areas I noted during my first voyage, 18 months ago. First, the front office just can’t seem to put out accurate information. As another reviewer noted, our travel documents stated the Quest would be berthed at the Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) in Sydney. For several months prior to the trip, the Port of New South Wales website showed her berthing at White Bay. I called Azamara several times and was assured by the CSR (and supervisors) that the ship would be at OPT. For those not familiar with Sydney, these locations are not close to each other, about $40 AUD taxi fare. Finally a few days before departure, another CSR emailed the Quest and confirmed it would be White Bay. An email was finally sent out, but many had already left for their travels and not everyone looks at emails on holiday. I overheard several passengers who followed the directions on their docs only to find the ship wasn’t there. This was not a last minute change of berth due to unforeseen events, the Port always listed White Bay. Needless confusion on a simple matter. As I mentioned my cabin on deck was cozy but the in room entertainment was awful. With 3 very rough sea days crossing the Tasman Sea, all the outside decks were closed due to high winds. A newer movie was $11.99 or you could watch Top Gun (circa 1986) over and over. Maverick and Goose- really? The last area was something I mentioned in several venues last time and received no response. Azamara touts itself as environmentally sensitive with signs reminding pax to reuse their towels. Yet, they continue to hand out hundreds of plastic water bottles and use little plastic bottles for shampoo, etc. There are always bins full of water bottles at the gangway, I have yet to see anyone return with an empty. I’m sure some folks try to dispose of them properly, but I’m guessing many just throw them away. It would be so easy to encourage people to bring a refillable water bottle with them or even better, provide one as a passenger perk instead of another tote bag. Fill stations are everywhere now, especially in Australia and New Zealand. An addition of a shampoo wall dispenser would eliminate the thousands of tiny plastic bottles used each cruise. This suggestion fell on deaf ears last time. Azamara is a good product, and I love the size of the ships, and the laidback atmosphere. I will be back but continue to explore the many options out there. Read Less

We sailed for 14 days from Sydney to Auckland. There was a lot of confusion about which port we would depart from Sydney. Was very confusing up until almost the last minute as the original plan seemed to have been the Overseas Cruise Terminal - located near Circular Quay at the Rocks. Instead we left from White Bay Cruise Terminal. (Apparently they've had alot of confusion as we later learned that Azamara sent a representative to the OCT to redirect guests.) While many chose to be unhappy about it - the silver lining we found was that this allowed us to sail UNDER the Sydney Harbour Bridge - which made for some cool pics and videos. The ship itself seemed to be in good shape. I was surprised to hear that it is scheduled for dry dock in Singapore in a couple of months. Public areas, furniture, and cabins appeared to be in good shape - with nothing standing out as needing updates. We have sailed with Azamara a few times - but always on the Journey. Last time was in 2015. The Quest - as previously reported by others - is the same layout. Since our last sailing, they introduced the Living Room concept on deck 10 - replacing the Looking Glass. We really liked it. On bad weather sea days, it was packed. Service was great throughout the cruise. From bars to restaurants to cabin staff - they did a great job as they have in the past. We had one issue that we weren't initially happy with how they handled it - but then they reconsidered (without our asking) and contacted us to resolve in our favor. To make a long story short, we purchased the Ultimate Bundle - which was really worth it. Includes internet, spa credit, excursions credit, drinks package, laundry, etc. We expected that we would get the $40 credit per person for our status that we would have gotten if we bought just the internet package. They said that applied only to purchases of internet packages and not if it was purchased as part of a bundle. Sounds ridiculous and they finally understood why a guest would be confused between a package and a bundle. As I said, they eventually got it and gave us an onboard credit - which was what we requested. Food was good but not great. Discoveries (main dining room) had a pretty good menu with rotating selections. Always love that they consistently offer shrimp cocktail and french onion soup! Windows cafe was good for breakfast and lunch. We only tried it for one night for dinner and it was just ok. We are not buffet people - so we are probably biased anyway! The Living Room had a nice supply of sandwiches, tea (scones & cakes), and tapas throughout the day. Our bundle included the Ultimate Drink package. They had a nice offering but honestly didn't need it as most of the included wines they poured were acceptable. It's also nice that since our last sailing they have added prosecco to the complimentary list - as it was awkward to not have any bubbles on that list. (Although I should note that I take small offense to them calling it complimentary since we paid for an all inclusive cruise. They should said "included" or something instead." The White Night deck party was alot of fun. Lots of people remembered to pack their whites - so it really turned out to be a nice night. They brought a local band onboard who played fun jazz - followed of course by the ship's entertainers who did a great job leading dances, etc. Our fellow guests were mainly retired folks with a spattering of working age folks (40-60) from all over. Alot of Europeans (especially Scots & Brits), some Americans, and surprisingly alot of Kiwis and Australians (guess its easy to get to or from the ship!). We met lots of folks and enjoyed most. 14 days is a long time with some people - including those who jump in line or ignore that you are next for the bus and take the last 2 seats ahead of you ... Thankfully these folks were the exception and not the rule. Most of our fellow guests were classy and realized that common courtesy was the best way to go. As I frequently remind people who have to be "first" for everything - the cruise lines know what they are doing and never seem to run out of what people want! They take care of everyone! We had a balcony cabin on the eighth deck forward. Even with a few days of high seas, we did ok being forward. Tasman crossings can always be a bit rough they said. They were right! As described as naseum in other reviews, the bathroom (shower in particular) are laughably small. 14 days is a long cruise for us - but we found the size of the cabin to be adequate, including plenty of storage. Ok - now the areas where Azamara could improve ... 1. they seem to have started nickel and diming for some things... charging for movies on the TV ($12 or something) seems a little much ... and charging for a bridge tour or behind the scenes tour .... Seems rather Royal Caribbean, instead of Azamara ... 2. When the Living Room was packed, it sometimes took awhile to get served ... once they saw you needed something, they were helpful. More a matter of not enough servers instead of the staff being lazy 3. Entertainment was the same as on small ships... They could learn from the larger ships and try to make this a bit better 4. Prime C was just ok ... seems like they could improve quality of beef ... (Aqualina was excellent). 5. Excursions were pricey. Disappointed a few were cancelled due to lack of interest. Overall - super happy with this cruise. Kudos to Azamara for having some of the friendliest crew and definitely the most engaging officers at sea. We sail with Seabourn, Oceania, and SilverSea regularly and think Azamara is just as enjoyable and a much better value! Read Less

We wanted to see as much as possible of New Zealand without having to brave driving on the wrong side of NZ's notoriously twisty - and sometimes hazardous - highways. As this was our second Azamara cruise, we knew we could expect matchless service, an impeccable ship, a (relatively) spacious cabin and great food. There were no disappointments in any of those areas. However ... 1. While we did get plenty of opportunities to experience the North Island, and the east (Pacific) coast of the South Island, there were no ports of call on the west coast NZ's South Island, and - thus - we never got to see the fabled Southern Alps. Moreover ... 2. For reasons that probably had more to do with Azamara's scheduling than with the desires of the passengers, the final two days of the cruise were occupied exclusively with a transit across to Sydney, Australia. Several of us had already spent time in that (lovely) city and would have preferred more New Zealand-time. But - more importantly - for those who had flown to Auckland round-trip, they were now required to buy a Sydney-Auckland one-way fare in order to pick up their return flight home. Awkward. Read Less

After cruising Regent and Seabourn we were looking for a more casual experience coupled with an in-depth itinerary of New Zealand, and Azamara fit the bill. Itinerary included Melbourne,Tasmania and the North and South Islands in New Zealand. We were lucky enough to have great weather in Milford Sound and Captain Magnus did a great job navigating the ship. We loved the genuinely friendly crew, no formal nights or snootiness, wonderful food and late night/overnight port stays. Passengers ranged from 40s to 70s mainly from Australia, USA and NZ with 60s the average.The ship is immaculate and nicely appointed with modern art, and elevators were never crowded despite a fully booked cruise. Embarkation was fairly smooth although luggage delivery was slow. Our butler Xavier was friendly and helpful throughout. As suite guests we were entitled to dine at Prime C and Aqualina free of charge. We dined at both and they were wonderful, although the food in the main dining room Discoveries was delicious too. However spacing between tables at Windows and Discoveries was extremely tight which felt claustrophobic when fully booked. We really enjoyed the Patio for casual outdoor lunches and dinners as well. Shore excursions were generally very good but Azamara didn't offer everything we wanted to do so we arranged several tours on our own as well. Entertainment was just OK, although the comedian Simon Palomares was an unexpectedly hilarious treat. Azamara brought on a local high school group to perform a spirited haka dance, a highlight of the trip for us. Downsides were relatively minor - slow, spotty and pricey Internet service, a cruise industry problem. Azamara's in-room TV and video offerings are pathetically bad. What good is having 2 large flat screen TVs in the suite if the picture is of poor quality with limited stations and on-demand movies are a whopping $11.99 each? We booked a one night post stay through Azamara at the Pullman Hotel which we don't recommend. They never called our number during debarkation so we ended up running to the taxi at the last minute despite being ready early, a chaotic scenario. We met many repeat clients onboard and can see why. Overall we had a fantastic cruise experience with Azamara and already booked another one. Can't wait! Read Less

Sydney Harbor for NY Eve reason for trip. Supposed to see fireworks from ship, docked at White Bay - poor dockage - back view of bridge, lack of transportation to/from. Bought an overpriced NY Eve party at the zoo. It was awful, to their credit, I received a full refund - that can't cancel out an event of a lifetime. Shore excursions cancelled, private transfer booked (shore excursions person to meet me on shore - he didn't, then tried to blow it off as a 'miscommunication'. I called him out - then he said he had something else to do). I was told I received emails (at least 3) I didn't. ..including the final statement - they proudly state they are 'eco friendly' - I would get an email statement (should I pay $30/hour to check my email on the ship...really...shame on them). Thank goodness I asked for the paper statement so I could see my $1000 credit for the NY Eve mess. Crew and passengers embark/disembark at same location on the ship - it makes a mess...long lines to get on/off ship. Buffet was self serve - passengers and crew were coughing and sick...not surprising. Soon people were reaching for the food with their hands, staff didn't care. Staff uses passenger elevators/stairs and are constantly moving tables and chairs thru the public areas. If you are in their way they just push you.It was really bad . won't be back Read Less

Booked this cruise nearly three years ago so, looking forward to Christmas and NY on board ship and especially fireworks in Sydney harbour. The day we boarded in Fremantle, Western Australia the temperature was 41c, like anoven. Great to get on board, no queuing which was good. Didn’t have to wait long for our luggage to arrive. Then up to get some lunch in Windows Cafe. We booked a Club Balcony, Port side. Having been on Azamara ships before we knew what to expect especially the small bathroom and shower with the plastic curtains!! However, all clean. It was a lovely balmy evening when we sailed out of Fremantle although we did head into rougher seas during the night. Our first port of call was Albany which we had been to many times before as we lived in Perth for a number of years. Albany was much cooler and good to walk around and stretch those legs. Christmas Day was spent cruising the Great Australian Bight. We went for the brunch at around 10am, very busy but some amazing choices of food. The main meal being in the evening which was great. No complaints about food on this cruise what so ever, well, breakfast was pretty much the same each morning but, I did enjoy the black pudding!! We did a ships tour when we docked in Adelaide, which to be honest was not great due to the fact our tour guide could not get the microphone to work. Anyway, we toured around Adelaide,headed for Mt Lofty to get some amazing views over Adelaide and the coast. Then headed to Hansdorff in the hills. A stinking hot day 41c. Hansdorff is a very pretty little town settled a century ago by the Germans and still retains a lot of character. The following day we were docked in Kangaroo Island. Then two days at sea before we sailed into Sydney Harbour. Went shopping as the January sales were on. I must say at this point, we did not do any tours as we live in Australia and have been to all the places on this cruise before. Shuttle buses were provided each day we were in port, on NYE they were dropping guests at Central Station from there you can catch a train to Circular Quay and elsewhere in Sydney. This was because a number of roads were closed due to the fireworks that Evening. Day two we were dropped at Darling Harbour from where you can catch a ferry into Circular Quay. All buses ran smoothly each day. New Years Eve, the ship put on alfresco dining on the main deck but, unfortunately there was a heavy down pour at 8pm which ruined everything. Fortunately, we had decided to eat in the main dining room. At midnight we went up on deck to watch the fireworks and although we were seeing them from the backside of the bridge they were still amazing. I gather people who went to the zoo got drenched due to the earlier downpour. So glad we never paid the extortionate price the ship was asking. Day two in Sydney we met up with a friend for lunch in Darling Harbour. Our last port of call was Hobart, Tasmania. Most unusual for Hobart it was stinking hot, 36c. Walked around the dock and took photos of some of the yaghts that were still in dock after finishing the Sydney to Hobart race. Last stop Melbourne where we disembarked. The disembarkation was very smooth as was the coach trip back to the airport, all handled very well. My main moan, too many days at sea, did we really need to go straight from Adelaide to Sydney. The evening entertainment, well 4 opera singers gets a bit boring. Variety is needed. Too many people going down with coughs which I ended up with. Ships stewards were great, always smiling. They work so hard. Food was good, much better than our last cruise on Azamara Journey in July 18. Overall, a good cruise, met some lovely people. Oh, nearly forgot, we did enjoy the Ships Expo they put on for one of our sea days, excellent, good to see and chat to staff who work in the background keeping everything ticking over Read Less

This is our 2nd trip on Journey but our first to NZ and Australia. The ship is an ideal size. Big enough to have plenty of activities and a good selection of dining options but small enough that you hardly ever have to stand in line for anything. Both this trip and the last trip we were on, the Adriatic Sea, the service was excellent. The crew is friendly from the cabin stewards to the Captain and other officers. The ship is tastefully decorated - common areas and the cabin. The cabin was roomy enough for our 2 week cruise. There were plenty of areas to relax in - quiet and lively, indoor and outdoors. We especially like that you normally have plenty of time in port, so you can get to know the countries and towns you are visiting. My only small criticism is the excursions seem a bit pricy so we mainly made our own arrangements. I would recommend a broader selection and more competitive pricing. They also were very concerned on making sure we all stayed healthy with hand sanitizer dispensers every where and requiring the staff to only 'fist bump' with the passengers and each other. The service really stands out on Azamara, whether you are in the restaurants, boarding the ship or just having your cabin cleaned. High grades to Azamara and we would recommend them highly. Read Less

The itinerary was perfect to explore Tasmania, South New Zealand and North New Zealand. The Journey's crew from officers to room attendants are the very best of any line we have traveled on and are the Journey's #1 asset! The only problem is the ship's age. At 18 years old the Journey's cabins and "bathrooms" are very very small by new ship standards and detracts from the overall experience. Though refurbished a couple of years ago some finishes and furniture are worn. Unless you can afford a suite the accommodation's are very tight! Shore excursions were generally good except too much time spent in "shopping opportunities" that were not advertised. Were pricey when compared to almost identical excursions available on shore. The Journey orchestra, singers, and dancers put on excellent entertaining shows. Security was a problem for me as I must use to cane. When re-entering the ship for the usual securuty scan, security would demand to take my cane without offering a replacement [as TSA does], while my cane went thru the scanner. Had to tell them if I had to stand with my arms our strectched and no cane I would fall over! That's why I use a cane!! Contacted an uninterested security chief officer to no avail. Happened at every port! Read Less

Fourth cruise on the Journey, great crew, service and food. We like the relaxed feeling on the ship with only about 700 passengers. Boarded in Benoa, Bali near the airport. There was about an hour checking in due to the limited facilities. Having senior club status meant nothing because there was not enough room in the small building for multiple lines. Not Azamara's fault because Bali has no dedicated cruise port. I understand it is planned in the near future. Once on board with a glass of sparkling wine in your hand you soon forget the long check-in line. Lunch in the cafe and off to unpack and get settled. The cabins are adequate in size and the bathroom is tiny but fine once used to it. Entertainment is limited but and mostly after 9:30pm so we did not attend any shows this cruise as we turn in early. The itenerary was good as we had never been to West or South Australia before. This was also the first time I believe for Azamara as well. The area's activities was primarily natural sights such as wildlife on land and sea until you arrived in Adelaide, Melbourne or Sydney. It was a great opportunity to see Kangaroos and Koalas. There are many Dolphin encounters and whale sighting ( only in season ) in the area. Our weather was windy with rough seas for the first week which was expected for the location and time of year but enjoyed the cruise anyway. The true beauty of the Journey is the wonderful crew and genuine friendly atmosphere of the ship. Captain Magnus Davidson is a joy to have leading the cruise. I believe this was our 3rd cruise with him. Always friendly and informative. We are scheduled on the sister ship QUEST in April for another adventure with Azamara. Read Less

I was looking for a small ship cruise that would not have children dominating the pool and amenities so my Travel Agent recommended Azamara. Overall my wife and I enjoyed our NZ cruise very much, with superb service, unlimited cabin service, wonderful dining and a quiet veranda cabin we were set. On the down side the bathroom was too small for us and the balcony tight without room for a recliner couch. The ship had gone through a major refurbishment in 2016 (I think) so was immaculate. I would recommend upgrading to a better drinks package if you are a scotch drinker for instance. The basic beer and spirits are as described, very basic with only a choice of two beers. The pool and spa were wonderful with constant waiter service. I cannot express strongly enough the wonderful well trained staff on the Azamara Journey. My wife is sight impaired so her escort by a happy smiling staff member to dinner was always a treat. My only real complaint is the ship does not sell DUTY FREE liquour so buy your booze at the airport during transit or you will be disappointed. Read Less

Azamara Journey is lovely (idenitical to The Quest her sister ship) however something was missing and our expectations were not met. We boarded in Sydney for a 31 night (back to back) Sydney to Auckland to Sydney cruise. The first sector went well but the second sector was disappointing. We had to change cabins - same level just different location and that was a hassle not "smooth and easy" as we were informed onboard. Also the cabin we moved into was extremely noisey with a constant hum from the pump room which was located behind our cabin (directly behind the bedhead!). I think they finally soundproofed it or otherwise we got used to it after 8 days or so. It never went away unless pump was off then it was pure bliss. This cabin should not be given to paying guests but kept for entertainers or other persons who have not paid for their cruise. The cabin in question was 8003. Beware of this cabin. Apart from the noise it was OK but the noise was annoying. Now for the nitty gritty. The food in the buffet (Windows Cafe) was plentiful but quite often dry and overcooked and unappealing. Cold pasta was served to us even though it was cooked in front of us (obviously the sauce was cooked but the pasta just put in and tossed through sauce but not heated through). Same again with Seafood Paella. Cold and uncooked prawns. Unfortunately there was quantity but not quality. No fresh seafood even though we visited Tasmania and New Zealand where fresh seafood abounds. The food in the Discovery Restaurant was OK but nothing outstanding. Many nights I struggled to find something that appealed. The first and last nights meal on each sector were the best but in between lacked. Also on the sea days many times they held brunch (10 to 12.30 pm) or a BBQ inside in the restaurant and if you didn't get there quickly you missed out and had to join the queue at the buffet. Disappointing really. Wine choices weren't the best either. Wine served was cheap and the cocktails - forget about them they were just pre mixed cocktails. No fresh fruit in them! The staff were amazing and friendly athough we did note they couldnt handle full restaurants. Lovely & friendly but need more training. The head waiter or maitre'd for Windows - Milan.... he was UNFRIENDLY. Never looked happy. We were invited to an Officer's table via invitation - what a joke - we sat with the onboard jewellery shop manager! In hindsight we should have not joined the table! If you are paying full fare for this cruise think again. It is only worth less than $200 per day p/person. Any more than that and you are getting ripped off major. One advantage - no formal nights and a friendly and relaxed atmosphere amongst guests but food, drinks (free) and entertainment are below average. Excursions extremely OVER PRICED. Because we did 2 sectors unbelievably we had repeat entertainers. A juggler who was on both sectors as well as a duo and a Comedian/balloon artist also on both sectors. The best entertainment was our Azamazing Evening which we were very lucky to be serenaded by Mark Vincent at an exclusive MONA evening in Hobart. The second Azamazing Evening at TePapa Museum in Wellington wasn't anything special. The Gallipoli display was amazing but the entertainment disappointing. I think because they give you a free Azamazing evening they cut their entertainment budget for the rest of the cruise. Cruise director, Eric was on first sector. He was very amusing and put on a great finale prior to him leaving ship in Auckland. Then we got Tony who you NEVER saw around the ship and did not have any banter or jokes with the captain. He was basically NON EXISTENT! A no show! Well he did do a couple of shows which i refused to go to as had seen him prior on the Quest. Summing it up. It is a lovely ship BUT cabins are small, shower the smallest EVER. Entertainment very poor and repeated on back to back cruise. Food was quantity and not quality. Staff friendliest on any ship I have sailed (22 cruises) except the head waiters and maitre d's who were standoffish! Communication onboard not the best. As the ship was full on the wet sea days you were pushing it to find somewhere to rest your backside. This ship should never be fully booked out! If you can afford it go for Seabourn or Silverseas or Crystal. You would be crazy to book a suite on Azamara for the price they charge. Better cruises available for that price. The other odd thing RCCL do is send a Review for completion via email but it only lasts for 7 days. We were given free internet for 30 mins onboard to complete the first sector review but on arrival home I haven't recevied a review apart from an email which I think is a review in SPANISH!!!! How does that work? So haven't had chance to do the second review which I planned to tell them what I thought.... that is probably why I got it in Spanish even though we have no connection to Spanish! Honestly! We did our first Azamara cruise on the Quest last Sept/Oct and went with low expectations after the online hassle of checking in (RCL must have the most outdated computer program!) however the ship exceeded our expectations and the food I felt was much better and fresher but than we were sailing in the US and assume they had local suppliers. This time when we booked on the Journey we had high expectations but were disappointed. Would I sail on Azamara again - only if I was offered an extremely good fare. Too much competition around. We didn't book any excursions as we had been to majority of ports many times and their excursions are VERY expensive and not value from what we heard from other passengers. Read Less

Primarily for itinerary (Sydney to Auckland). The itinerary was great -- the ship not so much. I have been on about 35 to 40 cruises and maybe my expectations were too high. Some of the biggest disappointments were food was very inconsistent and main dining room very loud. Our room was only moderately clean -- example, one day the cabin was never made up, mold in the shower area and a rather nasty shower curtain, wash cloth left on the floor for 2 days (I deliberately did not pick it up just to see how long it would take!). The balcony for our cabin on one side was temporarily patched with plastic, masking tape and secured to the rail by plastic ties usually used to secure large garbage bags. Two of the excursions we had signed up for were cancelled, one excursion was about an hour late starting (waiting for the bus), which meant end of the excursion was cut short. On the positive side, Maritza (from South Africa at the Excursion desk) was extremely helpful, apologetic and most accommodating in every way -- in fact, probably the most outstanding employee we encountered on the trip. The entertainment was inconsistent with some of it being very good and other evenings very lackluster. We did thoroughly enjoy the AzAmazing evening -- one of the highlights of the trip. Also, thought the 2 lecturers were excellent and made an effort to attend all of their lectures. Other than that, the on-board options (and there were several sea days) were very limited, not well organized or thought out. I would not plan to go on another Azamara cruise as I think many other cruise lines offer much better "bang for the buck." Read Less

We do not like the idea of a large cruise ship with lots of people so we chose the Azamara. The itinerary took us from Singapore to Sydney via Bali and Komodo and along the coast of Australia from Darwin. It was the right choice. From the moment we stepped aboard it felt like home. We had a stateroom with balcony on Deck 7. There was plenty of room, lots of space for clothes and the suitcases stored under the bed. It was absolutely spotless. The bathroom was small as other people have commented but did not find this a problem. We were just tidy! There were shelves to put your toiletries and those supplied on the boat were always topped up and the towels folded and it was all very clean. It was easy to control the temperature in the room. The inter active TV was very good so you were always in touch and also each evening a paper copy of the next day's itinerary were left in your room - along with a bed time chocolate! Fresh fruit and water were also put out daily. It was easy to find your way around the ship. Sunbeds were a bit short some sea days in the mornings but were vacated as people went off to activities. There were some who persisted in saving a bed before breakfast although this was discouraged. The pool was nice but the water in the whirlpools was so hot they were not used very much. Towels were always available and were also supplied for excursions which required them. Danny and Amesh who looked after us and our rooms were great. You could eat and drink more or less 24 hours a day. The Mosaic Cafe was a favourite for a cup of tea and a cake in the afternoon and coffee after supper. We chose to eat in the Windows Cafe as I am vegetarian and found this to be the easiest option. Most of the time it was fine except on a day when everyone descended at the same time because of an event - eg. Azamara Evening. Dress code aboard is casual. Most people made the effort to be tidy in the evenings but there were a few who still went for dinner in shorts and flipflops. The cabaret was very good. The resident musicians were exceptional and along with the singers and dancers worked hard to provide an ever changing programme. Also we had various entertainers come aboard to do shows. Eric De Gray is the Cruise Director - once seen, never forgotten. He is well over 6 foot in height and is a very talented and entertaining person and you would run into him all over the ship. He was always visible but not 'in your face'. The shore excursions were all very well organised. There were no long queues for anything, no crowding and there was not need for anyone to feel they had to rush to be first in the queue. The Captain was often seen around the ship talking to people and he and his crew were friendly. We had a Pilot on board for a large part of the trip and he was very knowledgeable and gave some extremely good talks. He also chatted to people around the ship and enjoyed sharing his stories. The AzAmazing evening was not to be missed. It was held ashore in a convention centre in Cairns. It was like going to some VIP function and the canapes turned out to be a huge array of cakes, cheeses etc with drinks, tea and coffee and a very good show from genuine Aborginees. We really appreciated the fact that there was no piped music playing on the ship! What bliss. From time to time there would be some live music for maybe an hour but apart from that we were able to appreciate the peace and quiet. The only announcements were made once a day from the Captain giving us a short update and a couple of times when something urgent arose. Apart from that all information was given on your television. It did not take long to understand why people are so loyal to the Azamara Club ships and return time and time again. We did something we would normally never do - we booked our 2018 cruise whilst on board! Read Less

Our overall cruise experience was excellent. The Azamara ships, although older and sometimes a little tattered are like a great old cashmere sweater, comfortable and great feeling. The effort of the crew from the captain to our butler, Eyup, and our steward, Girlie, was first class in every way. What sets Azamara apart is that they TRY harder than everyone else. One of the most impressive things was the immediate response to our mid cruise evaluation. I listed 3 small items that neede attention. They were answered and dealt with within an hour. The food, overall was excellent. All meals at either Prime C or Aqualina were as expected with excellent service. Some of the lunch choices for Windows buffet were interesting but well prepared. The entertainment, for such a small ship, was very good, especially Jackie Scott. White Night, as always was a blast. Russ and the band and Dancers put on a fun show. Shore excursions were good. The execution, except for the tender issue(see below) was flawless. The lectures, especially by Phil Smart, were informative and very well attended. Phil was a hit on the ship. A few very small recommended corrections The coffe a breakfast was terrible. It needs to be changed. Ever hear of Starbucks? There is not enough seating in Windows. I understand that this issue will be addressed with the remodel. The wine packages need adjusting and refining. The tenders in very hot weather were hot and stuffy. They need to be altered with either fans , more Windows or air conditioning or all the above. Again, overall, a great cruise. It's and old small ship that is beautifully cared for. If you want new and shiney and big with a lot of kilts and glamor, this probably isn't for you. If you want to see great places and make lifelong friends in a great atmosphere. Welcome aboard! Read Less

This was our first ever cruise having been well seasoned land travellers and also having visited New Zealand some years back this was a good place to start. it was also pointed out by fellow passengers that we had chosen well for our first cruise. We agree! Embarkation procedures in Auckland went smoothly, just the usual form filling. Once on board we went up to Windows cafe for some lunch while rooms were being made ready. It was very busy as to be expected. We were seated next to a lovely Canadian couple who gave us the low down on cruising. Off to our state room which had a verandah and we were very surprised. We had read many reviews and were a little apprehensive, but the room was bigger than I expected. The bathroom was much as expected but me being small I was happy, hubby however had other thoughts. Yes, the bathrooms are small. Plenty of wardrobe space with loads of hangers. Richard and Denis our state room attendants were marvellous and kept our room clean and tidy and it was always made up by the time we got back from breakfast. The food in Discoveries was good and the wait staff were wonderful always smiling and friendly. We ate in Prime C once and Aqualina twice, to be honest I wish it had been the other way around. Aqualina was nothing special regarding food infact Discoveries was much better. The ship had a very happy atmosphere about it, fellow passengers were helpful with tips for future cruises. The main gripe about our cruise was lack of free Wifi, while in port this could have been provided. It was quite noticeable the number of people getting off the ship at various ports heading into town to get free Wifi access. For all inclusive it should be possible to be able to check a few emails. Shore excursions seemed overly expensive. Read Less

My husband and I just returned from 13 day itinerary New Zealand and Sydney, Australia. We loved the more intimate smaller cruise, enjoying the ship, getting on and off, longer port days all pluses with less passengers. The staff were all very accommodating, and kept all public areas and our room extremely clean. The specialty restaurants had more interesting choices, and executed miles above the main dining room. There were always choices for breakfast and lunch, and the grill available in the afternoon worked well for us, especially after returning from tours. It was a shame that our cruise was one of the last before going in to be updated. Luck of booking when we did. I usually book my tour excursions privately and have always found doing it this way saves substantial money. We did use the cruise tour in one port and it was very good, small number of other passengers, great guides. We would definitely book again with Azamara but only if the itinerary interested us. Read Less

We were new to the Azamara brand of cruise ships. We wanted to tour Australia and New Zealand and cruising seems to be a good choice considering some mobility issues my mother had. She is also celiac and had dietary considerations. The staterooms are due to be renovated so out information will soon be out of date. Three of us shared a Club Continent Suite. We had plenty of storage space for all of our clothing. The bathroom size was good. In the future I would want one of the bathrooms with the new walk in shower. None of us used the tub and the edge to climb over was high. The ceiling is very low. There is a small step up into the bathroom. The size of the balcony was nice. We were all able to site out there to have tea or morning coffee. Gluten free food was well labeled at the buffet and the staff was good about helping her to preorder for the specialty restaurants or main dining room. The nights that we hadn't preordered worked out fine too. The bread choice was poor. The same type every day, every meal except for one day when they brought her a GF muffin. The afternoon tea cart always had a GF option. The not GF people were pleased too with the food. The Prime C was a favorite. Nice fresh squeeze juice at breakfast was appreciated. The only low point food service wise was the coffee esp at the buffet. We were ok with it for a couple of days but eventually switched to tea. Staff were uniformly pleasant and helpful. We attended trivia a few times and enjoyed it. My sister attended a jewelry making enrichment and was really turned off by the grabbing of beads and hoarding of them. She left in disgust. Speakers were interesting and well attended. I thought the port information and excursion presentations were well prepared. Weakest point of the cruise were the entertainments. I felt it often bordered on the cheesy. For example there was a classical guitarist one night, clearly talented. The taste level was lowered by having him play with a backing track and cartoon photos of the Godfather cast projected on a screen behind him. The Elvis inspired singer was a wasted evening. Azamazing night at Hobart was good followed by fantastic fireworks. Two Haka groups performed. I enjoyed them both but I think I preferred the high school aged group the most. It was nice to see the next generation learning the songs and dances. For excursions we combined ship and privately arranged trips. We did the Insider Access in Melbourne and enjoyed learning about Aboriginal Art. The Historic countryside tour in Tasmania felt a bit rushed and the wine tasting there was not well run or informative. During our trip the Quest hit some rocks entering some sounds. The ship lurched terribly to one side and then to the other. Passengers were not informed of the ship's condition for another 26 hours. We all new something had happened. I feel we should have been updated sooner. Read Less

We were so looking forward to this cruise as we had travelled on the Azamara Journey previously and had thoroughly enjoyed the experience. This recent cruise was a different kettle of fish and not high on our list of good experiences. The embarkation was a debacle. It was very hot & humid in Cairns and standing waiting in line for 2 hours was not a good start to the cruise. When we finally boarded we were directed to our cabin. We had booked cabin 8008 but this was changed to a junior suite 8050 - good start! The cabin we were allocated was excellent & Ravin our butler was very helpful in explaining everything. The ship is easy to move around & is setout exactly the same as the Journey. After eating a fairly ordinary meal in the Windows Café we retired for the night. The next morning we both woke with very bad colds & felt very seedy. Unfortunately we never really felt well for the rest of the cruise and spent most of the time in our cabin. We did attend a couple of the lectures - Lectures about Russia & Putin were excellent. Lady who talked about the barrier reef not so good - her aim seemed to be to frighten everyone. Only went to one show - Australian/Vietnamese pianist Kym - excellent! Did not use Dining Room. What little we did eat we ate in our cabin or in Windows Café. Food was OK but definitely not 5 star. Only went ashore briefly at Hamilton Island & Mooloolaba so we could make phone calls to family to check on family member in hospital. Can't comment on any shore excursions as we were not able to participate. Missed Azamazing evening in Newcastle - again because of illness. Debarked in Sydney with no trouble. If only the embarkation had been as quick. We have cruised with various ships over the last few years - twice with Azamara. The first one from Hong Kong to Singapore would have to be the best cruise we have done. This last one from Cairns to Sydney the worst, & not just because we were unwell. Read Less