Azamara Journey Review
Rating by category
Additional details
How can you not love Azamara? If you can afford it, just do it. Sure it's not cheap, but (for us at least) even the MDR (I'm picking up cruise terminology!) was excellent, and a very good quality.
The size of the ship meant we would see the same passengers, and crew, quite often, which was nice, but we could still get away and do our own thing if we wanted.
The service was fabulous, and the crew went out of their way to please. As tips are already in the fare, that was a pleasant surprise.
Cabin Review
Not a big cabin, it has to be said, but comfortably furnished - nice balcony kit too, like I have at home. Everything you could need, and if it wasn't there it could be brought to you by the lovely stewards. The layout is as it looks in the photos; the little shower-room was very well laid out for the space, and the shower a decent size. Can't complain about any noise, even when quite near the elevators - only problem was hearing the occasional announcements.
Port Reviews
Athens (Piraeus)
Just the "night before" hotel stop, but what a great buzz the city had; we felt very safe and walked from the Hilton (magic rooftop bar) to a brilliant restaurant called Oroscopo, read the tripadvisor reviews, they don't lie.
Santorini
Beautiful - a tourist trap buut breathtaking for all that. Forget the donkeys, unless you're so inclined, and cablecar up to the top, find a nice bar with a view, and have a carafe of local wine and a souvlaki - yeah, I know it's all free on the ship, just pretend the food and wine are free and you're paying 30 euros for the view!
Malta (Valletta)
Came here decades ago, and it's not changed much except the Maltese don't love the British as much as they once did. (Generation thing!). We got the hop on hop off bus to Mdina, bought two stunning Mdina glass tumblers, and had a sandwich at a restaurant on top of the city wall where we could see half the island. Magic.Azamaziong evening was beautifully organised and very impressive, local arts, music and tastings in an historic setting.