The most disappointing aspect was the room. We booked a verandah. The mattress was old and uncomfortable as were the pillows which were very hard. The towels were rough and worn. The lighting was also outdated as was the entire ship. The food was very good as was the service. We had an excellent room attendant and excellent waiters in the main dining room. There was very little assistance or info on ports and how navigate destinations and some of the info was incorrect We found the ship to be noisy and had difficulty finding a quiet place to relax because of the constant canned music on a bad sound system. We ate at the Tuscan Grill and both food and service were good and they were quiet. We enjoyed some of the shows especially the acrobats. The sound system for the shows is also outdated. This ship needs a makeover Read Less

We chose this ship because of the reputation of Windstar and the itinerary offered. We were starting out trip with a few days in Lisbon and wanted to experience the southern coast of Spain. The Wind Surf is a small ship and the all aboard was called for 4:00. We arrived at 2:45 and were able to walk right on. Disembarkation was equally easy. What was so disappointing was the condition of our cabin (142). The rug was old and worn. Overall, tired cabin. The third night the air conditioning stopped working. I have a picture of my travel clock showing the temperature was 80 degrees. Sleep was disturbed and fitful. The staff’s reaction when we complained was that they were clearly aware of the situation and had chosen not to address it with the passengers unless we brought it to their attention. Their remedy was a flat $200 credit. The next day, the captain announced we would miss Cartagena because one of the engines had stopped working and since the ship was running slow and the port call was only 5 hours, we would not be stopped. Windstar’s remedy for this was to refund our port fees and free alcohol for the day. The staff was, for the most part, wonderful. They work very hard. There is clearly a preference for return passengers and one night at Candles we waited 20 minutes for a cocktail order but otherwise, no complaints. Similarly, the food, though not exciting, was very good in all the venues. With so many choices, we will not choose Windstar again and we will pay much closer attention to passengers’ reviews. Read Less

This was our 5th Azamara cruise and we were eager to sample the latest acquisition Pursuit. Although we are not fans of the new modern decor, it was ok but a bit Ikea style. Shower over bath was not worth using, easier to run a bath. In the suites the large one person chair, makes it difficult for 2 people to watch tv without one sitting on the bed. Why no sofa ? The food was dreadful this time, very fish based and as I have a fish allergy this meant my choices were few. Used the buffet more because of this but the food was cold there or of poor quality. Entertainment was terrible and Cruise director mostly just made announcements not to usual standard. Dancers did not show up for lessons, very little to do during bad weather and hygiene is normally very high on the list of priorities, hardly ever mentioned and not pushed to use sanitizer. One other thing, there were children on board of officers, running around the public rooms and screaming as iif it was tgeir home. This will be our last. Read Less

We booked this cruise as we really only wanted a short haul flight and enjoy Spain very much. As usual we have a couple of nights beforehand in Lisbon and arranged our own flghts. The flights we booked were GBP150 a person cheaper than using Azamara. We are based in London UK. We have been on the two other Azamara ships and this is identical apart from no casino and lack of interactive TV. I have to say I did miss my slots so might end up back on Celebrity. I downloaded the app before travel but to be honest it was very buggy and like a lot of Azamara IT/back office prettly poor. We had a nice balcony cabin on deck 7 which was clean and tasteful. The shower was tiny and not sure if it was smaller than other ships but really seemed that way. Our cabin steward looked after us very well. The flat screen had a good picture but I really miss not being able to view my account online, order room sevice or book tours. I really feel the app doesn't take the place of this. We had free internet minutes but there was no way to see how many you had left unless you went to the front desk which was very strange. The service was all round very good and we enjoyed our meals. I found the wine to be a very mixed bag with some very mediocre inclusive wines. It's almost like they want to make everyone buy up to to higher drinks package. I also found the all inclusive spirits very strange. I like an odd Amaretto but that isn't free but you can drink a bottle of whisky. It makes no sense to me.I also found the drinks to be full of ice and sometimes just didn't seem to have any oomph. The entertainment was very subdued but that's what Azamara is like. I go to relax so it's not a problem for me. The clientele was mostly elderly Americans as it's not holiday time and there are no kids clubs etc. Mostly very pleasant but i saw some peope talk to the staff like servants which was very uncalled for. I am 49 so did feel very young! We enjoyed out ports of call even if the weather at the begining was poor. Going up the river to Seville was very interesting and a real treat. We also enjoyed Almeria very much. In Valencia we had our Azamazing evening which was not bad. Unfortunately we were right at the back so could not see the full stage which does spoil it somewhat. The venue however was amazing. All in all we had a pleasant time. I think after six cruises with Azamara we will try Regent or Oceania. They seem to offer better value. I feel that Azamara is overpriced unless you book within 3 months and then there are always offers. I also feel their all inclusive drinks package patchy. Read Less

Chose the cruise for the port destinations and expected a small ship experience similar to Viking (which I loved). The ship disappointed in numerous ways, with smaller, cramped cabins, an uncomfortable bed, fewer entertainment and enrichment options, fewer and less appealing public spaces and, most notably, far inferior food service. Menu items did not include relatively costly fare standard on Viking (for example, shrimp cocktail appetizers, and berries at breakfast fruit bar); the lunch menu reminded me of what one might expect to find at a school cafeteria (think meatloaf, frozen pizza and white bread) and nothing was ever sufficiently hot. The food routing from the kitchen to the dining room was most likely to blame, probably because the ship is older. Deserts were not inspired. I did appreciate the ports of call and our cabin attendant, Dyna, was absolutely top notch. The embarkation and disembarkation procedures were speedy and efficient. Read Less

We chose this cruise because of the interesting ports of call and the possible excursion options (and prior experience with Hurtigruten). After our arrival in Lisbon, we did a private half day tour of the city prior to arriving at the ship - a very nice city to explore Embarkation went very smoothly and we were in time for dinner. Watch the lights of Lisbon fade away as we departed 20:00. The ocean was very calm for our entire voyage and we had lovely weather. The ship is small and intimate and we had a very small number of fellow passengers - which made it quite a pleasant journey. The cabins are small and functional and fully satisfied our needs - but if you are used to large ship cruising, you might be disappointed. The breakfast and lunch buffets provided a lovely selection of foods both European and North American and the dinners were well planned with an overall theme each night and how each item on the menu fit into the theme. Because of the lovely weather and low numbers, the dining staff planned several BBQ buffets up on deck 9 (instead of formal dinners) which were enjoyable. Dining staff were fantastic. The crew talent evening was a lot of fun! Once again this ship does not have all of the elaborate entertainment options of the larger ships, but there is music and talent shows. We really enjoy their activities/lectures - the expedition team always provides great information about the surrounding area and important historical information. Port lectures actually provide real information about the history and interesting sites of each port - instead of the ridiculous port lectures on other lines which are only an advertisement for a series of stores/shops. Despite some issues, the shore excursions were great - going to some fascinating historical locations along with knowledgeable guides. Two of the ports, the ship had arranged shuttle services into town - which was very nice - particularly in Portimão where the shuttle did a loop between the town and the beach at Praia da Rocha. Disembarkation also ran smoothly despite having ship problems that grounded us at Portimão instead of back in Lisbon. The bus ride from Portimão to the Lisbon airport went very smoothly. Looking forward to my next trip with Hurtigruten - hoping to do either Antarctica or the Arctic! Read Less

After taking the Italian peninsula cruise last year on the Azamara Quest,( from Rome to Venice) we were looking forward to another wonderful vacation. Unfortunately we were very disappointed. The ports of call along the Spanish coast were not interesting and the ports themselves were more commercial than pleasurable with working cranes, ferry boats and warehouses in full view of the ship. The boat docked so far away from the main points of interests that it was a chore to just get to the sights. The main dining room was more often closed than open for lunch and both the food and wine was sub standard. (Evening meals were better, but not the wine selection There was not enough staff to keep things going smoothly. At Cadiz and Gilbraltar there should have been a shuttle to get passengers within walking distance of the major attractions. The cabins looked a bid worn and twice during the cruise there was rattling within the wall that kept us awake. All and all not u[ to our expectations. Read Less

Second Azamara cruise, but many others on the ship were 15+ with Azamara. Very loyal following of the line and certain personalities on each ship. 50+ passengers were on the 102 day world cruise. Not a one I talked with had anything negative to say. The Azamara line uses 2 of the R ships. (A third, the Pursuit, is coming on line in August 2018 and there were hints that a fourth may be added soon) Having been on both they are about the same physically. We chose ocean view cabin. I like the fact that there is a big ledge under the window- allowing for all sorts of things to be placed there without fear of them rolling off. Only real complaint is that the shower is a bit small. Dining was good everywhere. The Chefs table (extra $) is a treat worth trying. Entertainment, as you would expect isn't the glitz of the mega ships but was fun and friendly and of good quality. Service was good in most areas, the one exception was the evening before disembarkation, where guest relations did not understand the procedure for the next morning. We were told we would collect our bags in a makeshift tent and have to drag them down the street to buses. In reality Azamara had it all worked out- never had to touch a bag. :) Port choices were why we choice this voyage and getting together with passengers on Cruise Critic Roll Call was a great way to get Tours with Locals. Having been on 15+ cruises we will probably stick with Azamara now. RCL, Azamaras parent seems to have given more autonomy to the ships captains to make on the fly decisions. On our cruise one of the stops was Guernsey. Apparently one of the ships passengers was from there and told the captain that at noon there was a cannon salute every day and we were due in at 1ish. Captain Johannes arrived early enough for the salute. Read Less

I just took my first cruise on the Azamara Journey and was highly impressed with the ship, crew, food, and friendliness of the passengers. I had received an extremely good deal on an obstructed ocean view cabin and luckily was able to select cabin 6036, which is between lifeboats and thus not very obstructed. I was pleasantly surprised how well laid out this cabin was and it was totally acceptible for one person with alot of closet space. The bed was extremely comfortable and the pillows were soft and easy to sleep on. I enjoyed the smaller ship experience and how friendly the passengers and crew were. The service was exceptional and the food was much better than other, larger ships I have been on. I liked the way the buffet was arranged at dinner with tablecloths and candles, so you felt like you were in a restaurant rather than a cafeteria setting. The ship tours were more expensive but they were much smaller than other ships, with an average participation of about 12-15 persons per tour. It was simple to get on and off the ship and particularly convenient to be docked closer to the ports. I booked several other cruises on Azamara because I felt the higher cost of the line was definitely worth the enhanced experience. It is especially good for solo travelers as Azamara seems to cater to those traveling alone, and the passengers are so friendly and welcoming to everyone. Read Less

Everything from start to finish was a wonderful experience. This 12 day cruise from Lisbon to Greenwich terrific. The ship was small and Intimate just over 600 passengers and elegantly decorated. Just the perfect size so that we felt pampered. The ship size allowed it to cruise down the Gironde right into Bordeaux and down the Thames into Greenwich. The Classic Veranda Suite was large and had a living/sitting area with a veranda deck. The bathroom had a separate stall shower and a separate tub. There was a spacious walk in closet with a dresser as well as drawers in the living area. The service from our attentive butler,housekeeper,reception desk,waiters and customer service rep was impeccable. The excursion guides were certified, knowledgeable and sometimes historians. They were always good humored and extremely personable. Restaurant food was very good and service was excellent. However, the menus could have been changed for a bit of variation during the cruise. This cruise line did a fantastic job. Read Less

After 3 consecutive cruises on Regent, I was recommended Silversea because it was good and very smoking friendly. It really is very smoking friendly. The booking was a breeze with Mr Andrew Ironstone making my life easy. Best ever. The ship is OK, I especially like the architecture having all the cabins in the front and venues in the back of the ship. It is very smart and makes the cabins very quiet. It was the quietest cabin I ever had in a cruise. The cabin was OK with good size and a nice bathroom. Nothing special. The butler service was poor. The entertainment was very limited. The bar staff was great but you could not find the beverages you like in all bars. Some had a very limited selections. The thing I liked the most were the napkins. They come in a roll like toilet paper but the texture is like linen and they are indestructible, very impressing and nice. The food was disgusting, a great deception after cruising with Regent which has great food. We tried the two Asian restaurants and it was really disgusting. The main restaurant has the same menu every night and the food is average, no fixed menu on the left and new dishes on the right of the menu every night, always the same food. We talked to our new cruise friends who tried other options and they told us it was the same bad quality, not worth the effort or the money. Breakfast had a reasonable selection but the service was horrible. It was like watching the 3 stooges. Lots of waiters running in every direction but none stopping to ask me what I wanted to drink. There is an option called Arts Cafe but the ice machine was broken, or that is the excuse and to get a glass of water can take up to 15 minutes. The best thing on breakfast are hand washing machines which are really cool. Lunch is the worst ever. The restaurant closes at 13:30 and you are left with the pool bar which serves horrible food. The hot dog which I thought was a safe option, takes like 30 minutes and is terrible. You can always order pizza which is faster than the hot dog. Are we paying 2000 a night to eat junk food? The dress code is very strict. Some old people wanted to use the smoking they bought for their granddaughter wedding. They had 2 formal nights, 2 casual nights and the rest was informal which is formal without a tie. If you don't follow, "No food for you tonight". It was really disgusting seeing a handicapped man wearing a vest, being sent back to get a jacket in order to be fed. Most of the ports were excellent and we had lunch on shore which satisfied our needs and left us ready for a light fare for diner. Average great lunch on the ports of $150 / person. There were no sea days but some ports had all aboard at 11:30 am or 13:30 pm which left no time for lunch putting us to the punishment of having lunch on board. The best part about the food was that being so bad, we did not gain any weight at all. Final question: would I go back? I don't want to close the door and if they had a great itinerary like the one we cruised, maybe. Read Less

We reserved this cruise over a year in advance based on the itinerary; we had not visited any of the ports listed. There was a new stop every day between Lisbon and London, including two days in Bordeaux and London and a visit to Omaha Beach. As an expedition cruise, all of the tours, and there were many to choose from, were included. This, and the fact that it was all-inclusive, was enough to sign me up. After that, however, it only got better and better and exceeded our expectations. A person was waiting at the airport for our private car transfer to the hotel (Lisbon Sofitel), which we booked (through Silversea) for a one-day pre-stay. At the hotel, a dedicated hospitality desk was available from 9 to 6 to handle all our questions, advise walking tours, restaurants and sites. On sail day, a luxury bus took us the 20 minute ride to pier and check in at Lisbon was quick. Although it was a our first time in Lisbon, we were never left to feel lost or easy tourist marks. (This was true of the all of the ports we visited). The ship was recently refitted and has furniture and appointments generally similar to the new Silver Muse. Style is subdued and elegant and lacks the Las-Vegas-Disney style glitz so distracting on the 3,000 passenger ships we have previously sailed. Although I knew this was an "expedition" cruise, I did not know until later that it was a "culinary" expedition cruise, with lectures on food, wine and cooking demonstrations. that does not say it all, however, as they also offered highly entertaining talks on military history, medieval cultural history, plants and animals. The tours offered reflected these particular interests. All of the tour guides were local and highly well informed. The passengers ran from about 50 to 80 years of age. I was particularly impressed by the care and attention given by all of the expedition staff on the tours. A crew member was always available to make sure no one got lost and everyone got back to the ship on time. Many ports had courtesy desks set up so that you could strike out on your own. Although Silversea does attract an older crowd (there were no children aboard), many of the tours required an admirable level of fitness, including several walks of several miles over various terrain and bike rides of several miles, and the passengers were more than up to this. They go in all weathers! By evening, passengers were happy to spend a few hours enjoying the evening meal, or a cocktail in the two lounges with pianists/vocalists. We did not miss the absence of broadway song and dance shows, which we usually skip anyway. The level of service was outstanding; you only had to catch the eye of the steward for the merest moment for them to be rushing to your side. Yet, it was not intrusive. Each cabin has a butler as well as a steward for cleaning. In our case, the butler handled in-room dining and assisted with clothing care and was generally always available nearby. About 30% of the passengers were US, the rest were Brits, Aussies and a smattering of others. All communications are in English. A red and white wine is selected every evening for dinner; they are of medium quality but usually locally significant. The cocktails are uniformly imaginative and superb. Although I have no interest in an Antarctic cruise (which is more than 50% of their expedition business), I would definitely sail with Silversea again on another type of expedition cruise. The one thing I would change next time is to make my own flight arrangements. Silversea offered a good price for the flights to and from Europe, but there was an upcharge if you did not want to fly back immediately after the cruise (ie, if you want to stay a day or more in the place of debarkation). It has nothing to do with the day of week on which you were leaving; it was just the mere change of departure date. Further, although you pay for the flights at the same time as the rest of cruise (which could be more than a year in advance), they do not actually "buy" the flight and assign the seats until shortly before you leave. Therefore, whereas you should get a choice of seats months in advance, you get whatever is left only 4 to 6 weeks before you fly. In our case, this meant that we were relegated to the last boarding group and were told we could not bring hand luggage onto the plane because there was no more room. This caused quite a bit of consternation at the outset of the trip. The last thing you want is to be kneeling on the floor at the departure gate trying to move valuables and medication from one bag to another two minutes before boarding.. I suggest that you price the flights before you make your cruise commitment.and see if you want to do your own flights and transfers. One last tip: Silversea has a "My Silversea" link on their website which allows you to review and reserve all tours, specialty dinners and spa services in advance. I did all my reservations on line and was not disappointed once. Many of the tours booked up on the ship and there was only a waitlist. Read Less

We chose our 5th cruise on Azamara as our previous cruises with them had been excellent. This one was no exception with a great itinerary,a truly Amazing evening, great food and service.The only negative being that the evening entertainment was poor. The white night deck party was good with an excellent buffet. The Amazing evening at the city of Arts and Sciences was exceptionaly good . The logistics of getting all the passengers to and from the ship couldnt have ben managed better.The location and show spectacular and truly memorable.. Transfers and boarding was efficient and timely. Ports Free shuttles were provided as needed.. We managed our own shore excursions. Portimao walked town and PrIa Da Rocha Cadiz walked town and long promenade Gibralter walked to botanical gardens and shopped duty and VAT free Malaga did a day tour to Alhambra Palace (arranged ourselves) Valencia walked the city Barcelona took train to Gerona . Read Less

We absolutely loved our cruise for many reasons... The staff, the great service, the amazing food prepared by chef Monica The entertainment, free drinks...tips included The staff was so nice, always eager to please,one morning a went to get some fruits and got back to my table remembering I forgot a spoon, before I could turn around a member of the team brought one to me? special nights: like a chocolate degustation, Azamazing evening, white nite evening with live music Late snacks.. How clean the ship is and how easy it to 'hop on hop off'' In a word, " Amazing cruise" The 2 specialty restaurant where also outstanding We also had access to a laundry room :washers & dryers and iron and soap no extra fees... All in all we loved our cruise and the crew was perfect, BRAVO !!! I would definitely recommend this cruise to anyone...thank you! Read Less

We chose this cruise because of the itinerary, which did not disappoint, and the reviews we had read about how great the Journey looked after her face lift. We agree that the ship looked so much better than it did in 2015. The staff was still amazing and very attentive to all of our needs. The AzAmazing evening was OK, but many people couldn't see well because of the was the stage was set. If you weren't in the first three rows, it was very difficult to see the performers on the stage. Also the cocktails were minimal, poorly set up and few people knew there was food being passed until it was time to go into the show. The food on board great and every venue showed variety and well prepared choices. The drinks package is OK but Azamara upcharges for certain brands that are included in the basic package for no additional charge on Celebrity. A few more bar and lounge areas would be welcome. The cabins didn't do so well, still on the small size for a veranda cabin and please, those showers are impossible. You cannot turn around, no matter how small you are, without hitting the wall or pulling the curtain in. It shouldn't be necessary to book a suite to get adequate space. Read Less

Our previous experiences on Azamara cruises, coupled with Perry Golf's arrangements for golf at several fine Spanish golf courses, made it easy for us to commit to the 9 night Portugal, Spain, & France voyage. We spent 3 days in Lisbon on our own prior to the cruise. The Lisboa Prata Boutique Hotel was comfortable and well-situated for sightseeing--a 5 minute walk to Comercio Square and only a couple of minutes from the pedestrian street. We booked a tour to Sintra and a lengthy city tour through Viator and were quite pleased with both tours. A 10 minute taxi ride got us to the port on Sept 16, where we boarded Azamara Journey very quickly. We were surprised that photos were taken and our sea pass cards generated onboard the ship. The disembarkation process in Barcelona was even easier. This was by far the quickest we've ever experienced in 25+ cruises. Well done! We had not traveled on Azamara since the ships were refurbished, so we examined the ship with a critical eye. We were delighted with the result; everything looked fresh and clean. We appreciated the muted colors and smart changes that have been made, but we were also delighted to see that many features from the original Renaissance ships have been retained. The Patio was a welcome addition to evening dining. Because the cruise was relatively short, we scrambled to try to sample all the dining opportunities. The Chef's Table was wonderful--excellent wines and food from the French menu. We also enjoyed the Prime C specialty restaurant but didn't have time for Aqualina this time. We ate in the main dining room a couple of times and had very good meals both times. However, the golf schedule and several late excursions left us too tired for leisurely dinners a few nights. I generally took ship excursions in the ports, though our 2-night stay in Valencia allowed several of us to take a hop-on hop-off bus on our own for one day. Valencia was also the site for the AzAmazing Evening, which we thoroughly enjoyed at the City of Arts & Sciences venue. I was pleased with all of the excursions, though our excursion to Carcassonne from Port Vendres left late and was just a bit rushed. Though the Azamara cabins are a bit small, they offer good storage and are quite comfortable. We enjoy ships of all sizes, but I have to admit that Azamara's 30,000 ton ships are just about perfect in my eyes. Journey has almost all of the features of much larger ships but on a smaller scale. I love the fact that I can get from one end of the ship to the other in 5 minutes--and that the ship can dock in so many delightful small ports that the big ships have to pass up. From late nights in port to the enrichment and entertainment activities to the friendly officers and crew, Azamara Journey offered us a truly delightful experience. We will definitely go again. Read Less

Prefer smaller ships as much more personal We loved the itinerary and extra time in port Most of the food was great some not as good at least two items tasted tainted and reheated White wines mainly good Loved the sparkling We found the reds very disappointing Very friendly team on board did not meet any officers Guest services were very helpful at any time Don't like comedians so did not go to their shoes Enjoyed the guitarist and pianist Loved the white night but some info pre cruise would have been helpful ie it's a deck party and wear something white!! Cabin looking fairly tired wallpaper beginning to peel off some mould in shower Bathroom cupboard broken and door frame quite dirty needs a good scrub Very comfortable bed and loved the bedding Easy to embark and to disembark although pretty early when you have to be off by 9 am and not get into hotels or apartments till afternoon Some tour guides far better than others but enjoyed the places we visited however the ability of guests needs to be looked at more as we were held up by others who struggled to keep up and so missed out on seeing more Maitre D did fabulous job in the dining room as did the staff in Prime particularly the 2 waiters we had Read Less

Great experience last year on Windstar Pride, wanted to try the sailing ship. Took two back to back cruises, starting in Lisbon, joining another in Dublin, ending in Edinburgh. Just fabulous cabins, bathrooms, great dining, good music in lounge, interesting historical lectures by a very informed historian. Wonderful service and extremely friendly and kind crew. Captain always actively engaged with passengers. Ability of all to remember passenger names was astounding and never experienced on any other line. Mixed age groupings, kids with grandparents and so forth, and younger crowd than Vantage or Viking get made it nice too. Ship is gorgeous under sail. We had foggy conditions and missed one port of call but no one seemed to mind and felt securely cared for by the senior staff and crew. Great land excursions, though somewhat expensive. Wonderful cruise director, who was very caring with anyone who was unsteady or needed extra time. Read Less

Before reviewing a wonderful five-star cruise, let me dispense with my booking frustrations with the Windstar office. Without burdening you, may I simply say that the powers-that-be in Seattle need to properly train their representatives, empower them to answer concerns and questions, and then abide by their answers. Should anyone want details, please contact me. Now for the Star Legend cruise from Lisbon to Dublin with port calls in Porto, El Ferrol, Bordeaux, La Rochelle, and St Malo. First, my wife and I have been enjoying cruises for 25 years on both larger and smaller ships. As in the Goldilocks story, we found the Star Legend to be just right. Boarding was seamless and pleasant at about 1:00 in the afternoon. After having a glass of Champagne, providing our passports and receiving our boarding cards, we were escorted to our “suite” which was in order and immaculate. We were then invited to enjoy lunch on the Veranda. From that point on, for the next 10 days, service from every member of the staff was always with a sincere smile and immediate. From laundry service to in-room meals, from tour escorts to bartenders, from the personable Captain to the fellow polishing brass, everyone was willing and able to be of service. Yes this ship has some age, but I have learned to appreciate the workmanship in older vessels. The walls of our spacious cabin were solid, constructed of wood, mirrors and padded fabric. We did not hear our neighbors and I doubt they heard us. All meals were outstanding in all of the venues, with a great variety of menu selections. The wine list was more than adequate. Here I must give special kudos to the wonderful young lady who served us three meal per day, almost without exception, (not that she was assigned to us, but because we sought her, or she looked for us). Trisna, from Bali, was the most caring, attentive, friendly individual imaginable, and able to do all that she did with the graciousness of a prima ballerina. Thank you so very much Trisna! Our ports of call were unique, and great launching points for some very interesting tours. It was so nice to dock at every port. No tendering. Before wrapping this up, I must mention two tiny aspects which did not please us. One, the music provided by the entertainers included amplified computer accompaniment. In some places this was bearable, but in the Compass Rose room it was not. We entered this room on two different occasions after dinner and the volume was so loud we turned around and left. My only other gripe would be that I bristled at having time taken from my 50 min. massage to pitch my need for additional massages and a $55.00 “cooling gel.” Yes, we would do it again, and recommend it highly. Read Less

Not new to Azamara so know what to expect and on the whole it does deliver a great experience. However on this journey I did have some niggles, everything was not perfect but once I spoke to the Rob, Guest Services Manager, things did get better. However as the scourge of many cruise lines the devil is in the detail and the ball kept being dropped. On arrival we had been twinned on an embarkation bus with a Delta flight so sat waiting for an hour on the bus waiting for their flight to arrive. Cabin Door left open for a few hours after the steward had been in, had me listed as cruise only despite the fact I was on fly cruise and for me the service in the dinning room was not as sharp as it could have been. But once you get past that, and they did put everything right, there was no lasting damage and the Azamara experience is a good one and if you are thinking of going don't let the above put you off you will have a good time. The standard of crew service is generally good and the food excellent even though the complimentary wines are very young and generally unheard of Ultimate test, will I go again.... Yes of course and booked to return in October! Read Less

We just disembarked from the Azamara Journey....Lisbon to Hamburg. We boarded the ship in Lisbon in an organized fashion. Registration took place in what is the Cabaret Lounge...some computer glitches...but it didn't take long at all. CONDITION OF SHIP: My first impression upon seeing the lounge was that the furniture and ship looked worn....which is a turn-off for me. When we finally went down to our cabin, I had the same feeling that I had when I first entered the lounge....UPDATE BADLY NEEDED. The wall paper was buckling off the wall and the carpet was buckling as well...YUCK! Two days after we were on the ship, we received a note requesting that we tell them when they could fix the carpet.....they said they wanted to change it, but what they actually wanted to do was stretch it. While on the ship, they were either stretching or replacing carpet in the hallways as well. The cabin and ship are clean. Bed linens are changed often....I think every other day. I asked for a new plastic shower curtain which they replaced immediately. The common bathrooms around the ship are very clean. FOOD: FANTASTIC AND PLENTIFUL. We had purchased the 3 night dining package and had dinner two nights in the steakhouse. The chateaubriand for two was amazing. The night in the Italian restaurant was O-K. Jason, in the steakhouse, was our waiter both nights and he was fantastic! The service and food in the main dining room is quite good as well. ENTERTAINMENT: As with everything, this is also subjective. The cruise director, Eric DeGray is an extremely talented singer. I wasn't a fan of the "jokes from my grandfather" which he incorporated into his schtick. I've heard most of them before...not too original. The singers and dancers were talented and really worked very hard at their craft. The White Night party out on deck was a very special event with passengers dancing along to the fabulous 7 piece orchestra....while sailing away from Cherbourg. PERFECT NIGHT! The AZAMAZING evening was a drag for me. We went to a church on the outskirts of Amsterdam. Again, a tremendous amount of effort on the part of the staff, but I'm just not a fan of church organ music and soprano singers....painful! Leonardo is new to the ship. He is a sweet young man from Mexico who organizes trivia and kareoake....he was super friendly. CAPTAIN: Captain Johannes Tysse was very visible and friendly. He can be seen around the ship and always has time to chat with the passengers. Soon after we left Lisbon, he informed the passengers that we would be in for rough waters....and the first night was quite frightening...very rough seas. DINING AND HOUSEKEEPING STAFF: There is always "service with a smile".... Whether you request a cup of coffee or extra towels the staff could not be more accommodating. They work under very difficult conditions, trying to keep everyone happy and things running smoothly and some of the passengers can be very difficult to deal with....but they don't take it personally and do their job to the best of their ability. GOING THE EXTRA MILE: We took a trip excursion from Cherbourg to Mont San Michelle. The excursion was 9 1/2 hours. Aside from the tour guide, we had the pleasure of having Heike Berdos, the hotel director, and Alex, the dining manager on our excursion. Although it was their day off, they made sure to be available to the passengers who were in this excursion. What lovely people. EXCURSIONS: The excursions were all very good with the exception of one. The evening canal cruise in Hamburg....a four hour event .... it was awful! After circling the same port and going through some locks in the river.....we got the point! There is only so much one can say about so little. After the first two hours, the canal boat docked and 6 of us said good -by to the guide,grabbed a cab and went back to the ship....we were thrilled to be able to leave this excursion. PASSENGERS: This is not a ship for children. Most of the people on the ship were 70+. I was thinking we would not be doing much socializing on this trip but fortunately we met another couple whose company we enjoyed..and we spent a lot of time together on excursions and dining together. Meeting like-minded people and making friends on vacation is definitely a bonus....but now guarantee that it will happen. Unfortunately, there are always some passengers who leave whatever little kindness and manners they ever had, at home and are demanding and rude to the staff. This is quite bothersome to me to witness. A large number of passengers have sailed on this cruise line numerous times; some even doing back to back trips. They know the staff, the captain and the cruise director and relish the extra attention they are given for being repeat passengers. VALUE: Wine, soda, bottle water are free throughout the day. TIpping is included in price. We felt that this ship offered good value for the money. The food was some of the best I've had anywhere. Writing this review from a hotel in Hamburg as our flight leaves for home tomorrow. Looking forward to that because, "There's no place like home!" Read Less

Friends had traveled with Silversea and we knew of its good reputation. What attracted us, though, was a wonderful Lisbon-Rouen itinerary. We do not plan to return to Silversea due to spotty service. Examples: A change in Lisbon port was not communicated to passengers, who had to "dash" by taxi from the north port to the south port, without a prompt written apology or the gesture of a shipboard credit. There were logistical snafus at other times, especially at disembarkation, and some of the tours were in larger groups than we typically experience on luxury lines. In the food realm, it could be good or poor. One evening at La Terrazza, our party of four was seated at 7:30 pm, received main courses after 9 pm, and our dessert order had not been taken at 10:30 pm. Another evening, I received the wrong entree. At a lunch, I got my salad but my husband did not get his. In our experience, the service does not compare to Regent, SeaDeam Yacht Club, Windstar, or Azamara. (Our butler and steward were, however, wonderful.) It wasn't all bad: We met some wonderful people and enjoyed the ports. But while the Italian line touts its “comfortable, warm and welcoming environment,” we think Silversea consistently delivered on just one out of three: The ship and cabin are well-appointed and comfortable. Beware: Silversea automatically includes an eleven-euro charge per person for the family charity, Maruzza. If you don’t notice or don’t take the time to complain on disembarkation day, you make an unauthorized “gift.” This is not the sign of a customer-centric line. Read Less

We choose this cruise based on the itinerary, so we could stay onboard for the following cruise. We expected it to be good, based on past Azamara experiences, but it was unexpectedly better. Great weather, and the lengths of stay in the various ports was "just right". We loved the white night deck party, and really enjoyed the Aqualina restaurant. My wife says the chocolate soufflé was her new favorite dessert. The crew was unfailingly attentive, and friendly. Minor misunderstanding about the shuttle bus from pier to city center in Honfluer (that was not Azamara's fault). Going through the lock into the Amsterdam harbor was fascinating, but I was amazed at how long the approach from the lock to city center actually was. Location of docking in Hamburg was terrific-- very close to city hall, and the approach along the river was pretty interesting-- easy to see why Hamburg has been an important port for so long. Read Less

Arrived at the Wharf to find out the ship was still in drydock in another country and wouldn't be ready for 2+ days. Not only did we lose this time, two ports were eliminated and time cut short in three ports. The cabins were like a building site with coke and beer bottles, razor blades, screws and nails on the floor, bathrooms flooded, no TV movies and faulty aircon. After complaints 50% of the fare was refunded. The fait accompli was on arrival in Honfleur when people had been told there would be plenty of taxis to find out there are only two in the town so many of us were left standing for two hours till a bus was hired and we were charged a bus fare for transport. Certainly no six star luxury cruise. Save your money and go on any of the other many reputable cruise lines. Read Less

This was our second cruise on Oceania. We received a lot of press on the new Sirena. We booked a Penthouse SG2 with no specific stateroom. This was a first for us not having a Stateroom; one of their promotions. We were going to be in Europe so all seemed good; bad decision. We did not realize nor did our travel agent, that Oceania advises you of your stateroom the day before sailing. Thus you options to select another stateroom or cancel was not an option. My recommendation would be never to book a cruise without you knowing where you will be. As to the ship, the Sirena is a 17 year old ship and it still looks like it. Other than make all the staterooms smaller to gain more revenue, it is a mystery as to where the money went. The biggest shock was the size of the Penthouse. It had no closets and very limited space to put your clothes. Any cruise over 12 days would be an issue. The bathroom is a joke. You can almost take a shower, go to the toilet, and shave without moving. The width of the bathroom is so small it is hard to describe it. The shower is approx. 3’X 4’ I feel sorry for the passengers that did not have penthouses. On the positive side, the food was great. The ports we visited were great. The disappointment was their decision to stop in a great port on Sunday when 90% of the sights were closed. They stayed there the full day loading ship supplies. Making things worse, is the ship hit an underground cable due to a Pilot error. We had to stay another day in port and miss a great port that was on the itinerary. They offered everyone a $200.00 shipboard credit on a future cruise; they can keep it. I strongly recommend you stay from this ship if you want to experience a great cruise; there competitors offer such better choices Read Less