Azamara Cruises Review: What Azamara Quest Is Really Like
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We loved the south of France so much on our Star Clippers cruise last fall that we decided to do it again – this time with Azamara Cruises.
Our voyage aboard Azamara Quest took us to some of our favorite ports in France and Italy, including Villefranch-sur-Mer, Sète and Portofino. Along the way, we hiked coastal trails, swam in pebble coves, sipped lots of rosé on deck, enjoyed opera under the stars and danced at Azamara’s famous White Night Party.
So, how does Azamara stack up?
After sailing on more than 65 cruises – with lines ranging from Viking Ocean Cruises to Seabourn and Star Clippers – we think Azamara occupies a sweet spot in the cruise world.
It’s what we’d call “luxury lite.”
You get many of the perks luxury cruisers appreciate – many alcoholic drinks and all gratuities are included – but at a lower price point than ultra-luxury cruise lines.
Here’s our review of Azamara Cruises, including what we loved, what we didn’t and who we think these cruises are best suited for.
Azamara Cruises review: Quick verdict
Things we love about Azamara 💕
Great onboard experience:
- Alcoholic drinks included throughout the day and evening
- Gratuities included
- Excellent service
- Fun special events like the White Night Party and AzAmazing Evenings
- Friendly adult-oriented atmosphere
- Complimentary self-service laundry
Destination-focused itineraries:
- Longer time in port than most cruise lines
- Frequent late-evening departures
- Overnight stays on many itineraries
Good to know
Azamara isn’t ultra-luxury.
The veranda cabins aren’t particularly large. Some areas of Azamara Quest showed its age. And the bathrooms won’t win any design awards – the showers are notoriously teeny!
We also found the main dining room a little too cozy for our tastes, and the Windows Café buffet felt crowded at times.
Bottom line
For independent-minded travelers like us, Azamara’s destination-focused approach is its biggest strength. The long port stays gave us the freedom to explore on our own, without worrying about getting back before the gangway closed.
We also experienced some of the most attentive service we’ve ever enjoyed at sea.
And we loved being able to have a complimentary gin-and-tonic or glass of wine without signing a receipt every time.
Add in the relaxed club-like vibe, and we’d happily sail with Azamara again!
Contents: What’s Azamara Cruises like?
Why we chose to cruise with Azamara
About Azamara Cruises: Smaller ships with a club-like feel
Azamara’s ships
Azamara operates four nearly identical vessels:
- Azamara Onward – Built in 1999, joined Azamara in 2022
- Azamara Journey – Built in 2000, joined Azamara in 2007
- Azamara Quest – Built in 2000, joined Azamara in 2007
- Azamara Pursuit – Built in 2001, joined Azamara in 2018
That means our experience aboard Azamara Quest should be a good reflection of what it’s like to sail on any Azamara ship.
Originally built for the now-defunct Renaissance Cruises, all four ships have been refurbished several times over the years. More fleetwide upgrades are planned too (Azamara Forward program), including new furnishings and enhancements to cabins and public spaces.
(Oceania Cruises also operates several former Renaissance ships. But while the two cruise lines share similar ship DNA, Oceania is generally considered more upscale, with a stronger focus on food and dining.)
Size and passenger capacity
Each ship:
- Measures 592 feet in length
- Carries approximately 702 passengers
- Has roughly 400 crew members
Azamara’s ships are much smaller than mainstream cruise ships carrying 2,500 to 5,000 passengers. (Holland America’s Rotterdam accommodates about 2,600 passengers). But they’re larger than boutique vessels like the Star Flyer tall ship (166 guests) or Windstar Cruises’ yachts (148 to 342 passengers)
Our ship felt intimate enough that we regularly ran into familiar faces. At the same time, it’s large enough to offer a full spa, spacious fitness center, two specialty restaurants and a Cabaret entertainment venue.
The Azamara vibe
Azamara’s décor isn’t sleek, minimalist or ultra-modern. (Nor will you find water slides, go-kart tracks or even a casino.)
Instead, the ships have a traditional cruise-ship feel, softened with enough contemporary touches to keep them from feeling stuffy. Dark wood paneling, brass railings, fresh flowers and colorful artwork create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
The ships may not be the newest afloat, but we found Quest immediately appealing.
Azamara feels like a private country club at sea
We tend to keep to ourselves when traveling, yet we still found ourselves chatting with fellow passengers.
One evening, we met a retired English couple on their fourth Azamara cruise. Another day, we struck up a conversation with a California couple who ended up booking a future Azamara cruise while onboard.
It’s social (guests gather in lounges for pre-dinner cocktails), but relaxed and low-key.
The line is adult-oriented
There are no kids’ clubs or dedicated family facilities on Azamara’s ships. Children are welcome, but there’s little specifically designed for them. On our cruise, we saw just one family traveling with two school-age children.
Dress code
Evening dress is elegant casual.
Think linen shirts, collared tops, casual dresses and smart resort wear. Jackets and ties aren’t required. And, ladies, there’s no need to pack a cocktail dress unless you fancy getting gussied up.
Why we chose Azamara Cruises: Destination immersion
Long days in port
While most cruise ships leave port around 4:00 or 5:00 pm, Azamara vessels frequently stay until 8:00 or even 10:00 pm.
That extra time makes a huge difference.
We often prefer our own DIY exploring or booking local tours rather than joining ship excursions. Azamara’s later departures let us do exactly that without constantly checking the time to get back onboard.
In Santa Margherita Ligure, for example, we caught a local passenger ferry to San Fruttuoso, visited its beautiful Benedictine abbey overlooking a dreamy pebble beach, then hiked along the coast to Portofino before returning by ferry (though in retrospect, we’d do the hike in reverse and enjoy a swim by the abbey at the end).
Still, it was one of our favorite days of the cruise – and it wasn’t a ship excursion.
Many itineraries include overnight stays too
Our cruise included two full days in Livorno, giving us time to visit Florence one day. (Or we could have spent both days exploring Tuscany.)
Some of Azamara’s most popular Spain-intensive cruises spend two nights docked right in the heart of Seville. (We’re sorely tempted to book this itinerary next!). Other France itineraries include two nights in Bordeaux.
We don’t know of any other cruise line that gives you as much time ashore as Azamara.
Where does Azamara sail?
That “destination immersion” isn’t limited to Europe. Azamara sails throughout:
- The Mediterranean
- Canada and New England
- Asia
- Australia and New Zealand
- South America
- Africa
- India
- The Middle East
Cabins and suites on Azamara Quest
Azamara offers a wide variety of accommodations:
- Interior Staterooms – 158 sq. ft.
- Oceanview Staterooms – 143 sq. ft.
- Veranda Staterooms – 175 sq. ft. (plus 40 sq. ft. balcony)
- Veranda Plus Staterooms – Same size as Veranda staterooms (but with some added perks like complimentary Internet and specialty dining)
- Continent Suites – 266 sq. ft. (plus 60 sq. ft. veranda)
- Spa Suites – 414 sq. ft. (plus 40 sq. ft. veranda)
- Ocean Suites – 440 to 501 sq. ft (plus 233 sq. ft. veranda)
- Owner’s Suite – 560 sq. ft. (plus 233 sq. ft. veranda)
Oceanview Staterooms
We originally paid for an Oceanview (OV) Stateroom on Deck 4 (#4041) before being upgraded. But we peeked inside it onboard!
The cabin felt bright and inviting, thanks to a large recessed picture window with a deep ledge.
In these staterooms, the bed sits close to the window, while a small sitting area is positioned near the entrance.
Best Oceanview cabins?
- Full-view cabins – OV Staterooms on Deck 4 (Categories 5 and 6) have unobstructed sea views, making them our top pick. Those on Deck 6 (Category 8) have views partially blocked by lifeboats.
- “Hidden gem” cabins – Even better, if you can snag one of the two forward-located staterooms on Deck 7 (#7006 or #7007), you’ll get way more space. At about 200 square feet, they’re much larger than standard OV and Veranda Staterooms. Yet, they cost far less than a Veranda Stateroom.
Our Veranda Stateroom on Azamara Quest
We were upgraded last minute to Veranda Stateroom #7090, a V2-category cabin on Deck 7.
Décor, layout and storage
At 175 square feet, the cabin wasn’t particularly large (smaller than, for example, the standard balcony staterooms on Viking Ocean ships).
But it was thoughtfully laid out and featured:
- A loveseat and oval wood coffee table by the balcony
- A dressing table/desk with drawers on either side
- Plenty of closet and cupboard space
- More than enough wooden hangers (a rarity on cruises!)
- Two handy wall hooks
- Sliding glass doors to the balcony, with two cushioned chairs (not reclining loungers) and a large dining table
The décor was understated, with neutral carpeting, greige fabrics and silk drapes.
Most importantly, the bed was extremely comfortable, with quality linens that made it easy to sink into sleep.
The bathroom
If you’ve read other Azamara reviews, you’ve probably heard about the showers.
And, yes, they’re really petite! (The sink is miniscule too, and there’s zero counter space.)
But the bathroom appeared to have been refreshed with new flooring, and the shower curtain was a heavier canvas-style material rather than clingy plastic. Combined with the lovely-smelling Elemis bath products, it was more upscale than we expected.
Amenities
Every morning and evening, our cabin steward stocked the room with at least six complimentary bottles of water. We never had to worry about staying hydrated!
That said, we’d prefer to see Azamara move toward larger refillable flasks or reusable bottles, instead of relying on so many single-use plastic bottles.
A few niggles
Our cabin looked fresh and inviting, but if we’re being picky, we noticed:
- A section of wallpaper was beginning to peel.
- Some bath towels were frayed.
- The bathroom garbage can was a stained plastic container that seemed oddly out of place. (When we mentioned it, our steward immediately replaced it with a nicer pleather bin.)
Our Veranda Stateroom tip
If you’re booking standard balcony accommodation, choose a V2-category cabin on Deck 7 because:
- Deck 7 is the only “sandwich deck” – With passenger cabins both above and below, it’s generally one of the quietest locations on the ship.
- Deck 6 forward-facing Veranda Staterooms (V3 category) may be noisy – They sit above the Cabaret Lounge, and some passengers have reported hearing rehearsals and evening shows.
New Penthouse deck coming soon
Watch out for an all-new Penthouse Deck to be built above Deck 10 on Azamara Quest! It’ll showcase a new collection of premium suites:
- Grandview Suites – Think 10 contemporary suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious bathrooms with double vanities and spa-style showers.
- Panorama Suites – Ooh la la! These two suites will feature generous living and dining spaces, a serene bedroom retreat, an oversized spa-inspired bathroom and jaw-dropping 270-degree views.
Food and dining
Patio pool grill? Specialty dining? A café with specialty coffees and treats? Check, check and check. And we’d rate the dining as mostly very good.
We’re putting together a separate post with a full look at Azamara’s food and dining, including menus, specialty restaurants, buffet tips and our favorite dishes. Here’s a sneak peek:
Windows Café
We ended up eating at Windows Café more than expected.
We loved dining outdoors in the fresh air and late evening Mediterranean sunshine. A whale even surfaced beside the ship during our first dinner!
Complaints? It was busy during peak dining times. (And for health reasons, we’re not fans of self-serve buffets, where everyone handles the same serving tongs – our personal bugbear for hotel and cruise buffets… We’d use a paper napkin to pick up the tongs or ask a crew member to serve us.)
Discoveries
Discoveries Restaurant offers lots of great dishes (see a sample menu).
But the dining room felt a little crowded for our tastes, with tables placed quite close together. On the plus side, this made it easy to strike up conversations with neighboring passengers seated at tables beside us!
Aqualina
We thoroughly enjoyed dinner at Aqualina, the ship’s Italian specialty restaurant. The service was more refined than in the busy main dining room, and the black squid ink pasta topped with broiled lobster tail was one of the standout dishes of the cruise.
We used some of our onboard credit (OBC) to cover the $50 USD p.p. surcharge.
A few other observations
- Room service – Our morning cappuccinos arrived within 5 minutes of ordering. You can’t beat that! A wonderful way to start the day…
- Gelato – The creamy gelato at Windows Café is some of the best we’ve tasted anywhere (including Italy!), with about six rotating flavors available daily, from classic vanilla to green tea.
- Breakfast – We loved that the orange juice was fresh squeezed.
Drinks and wine
One of Azamara’s most welcome perks is that a host of drinks are included in the cruise fare:
- Wine by the glass – One rosé, three white wines and three red wines (primarily from France and Italy)
- Beer – Five choices, including Carlsberg Draught and Warsteiner
- Spirits – Nine options, from Jose Cuervo Silver tequila to Smirnoff vodka
- Cocktails – Sixteen classic cocktails, including gin-and-tonics, Bloody Marys, margaritas and Piña Coladas
- Specialty coffees and teas
- Bottled water – Still and sparkling
- Soft drinks, smoothies and juices
If you prefer higher-end labels, you can buy a Premium or Ultimate drinks package. Wine lovers can also create their own wine package, selecting from more than 75 bottles, with packages starting at five bottles.
We were perfectly happy with the complimentary drinks.
We did try a glass of Sicilian Stemmari Moscato from the Premium Package at Aqualina, but otherwise never felt the need to pay extra. Waiters constantly topped up our wine in the restaurants and drinks service in the lounges was prompt.
Unless you’re particular about premium spirits or specific wine labels, the standard drinks menu should suit you just fine.
Pool deck and outdoor spaces
The main pool area had super comfy loungers in the sunshine around the pool and also in the shade under an overhanging roof on either side.
The thick cushions practically whispered, “Come lie down and stay awhile.”
And there was no background music (which hotels and beach clubs often describe as “chill,” but is really just annoying if you like peace and quiet).
You could also help yourself to orange-infused water from dispensers without waiting for a server.
Our favorite secret spot
The outdoor area we gravitated to most wasn’t actually the pool deck.
It was Deck 5.
Tucked beneath the lifeboats and sheltered by the deck above, there’s an area with about 20 lounge chairs on each side of the ship, offering lots of natural shade (which we sought out as the weather was hot). And there were fewer people.
The loungers here don’t have the cushioned pads found on the pool deck chairs.
But because Deck 5 is lined with open metal railings rather than the glass wall windbreaks by the pool, the sea breeze flowed through freely, and it was cooler.
While the pool deck had a more social atmosphere, Deck 5 became our peaceful retreat whenever we wanted to stretch out and read or nap. Other guests seemed to come here for the same reason – when anyone spoke, it was in hushed tones.
Entertainment and special events
Yes, there’s a Cabaret show lounge. The post-dinner evening shows were always packed, and the music-and-dance productions were polished, upbeat and genuinely fun to watch.
Azamara also brings enrichment and destination speakers onboard. George attended every presentation he could and caught up on any he missed by watching the recordings later on our cabin TV.
AzAmazing Evening
An Azamara highlight is the complimentary AzAmazing Evening offered on every cruise (held ashore on cruises nine nights or longer).
It could be an 18-piece string ensemble performing in a giant candle-lit cave in Gibraltar, or a lumberjack show with Tlingit dancing in Ketchikan, Alaska.
On our cruise, we walked a couple of minutes from the ship in Livorno to the historic Fortezza Vecchia (Old Fortress) for an open-air opera performance. The Bel Canto Sisters – three long-haired sopranos in shimmering gold gowns (accompanied by a concert pianist) – sang Italian classics like “O Sole Mio,” while seagulls swooped overhead (no splatters, thankfully!).
As we returned to the ship, crew members greeted everyone at the gangway with flutes of limoncello spritz and cranberry juice. Talk about the perfect way to cap off a delightful evening!
White Night Party
The other standout event of the cruise was the White Night Party, held on the pool deck one balmy evening.
You’re encouraged to dress in white, and virtually everyone embraced the theme – some going all out with white-framed eyeglasses and feather fascinators.
Meanwhile, the crew had transformed the scene into what looked like a giant wedding marquee, complete with white-draped tables and an extravagant buffet.
We wandered in more than an hour late after a long day ashore and squeezed in at a table on the upper jogging deck.
To give you an idea of how popular White Night is, our tablemates told us some passengers had arrived an hour early to claim coveted seats!
Fortunately, there were still freshly grilled lobster tails and lamb chops coming off the grill, and we scored some made-to-order crêpes Suzette.
Then around 8:00 p.m., the ship’s entertainers took to the stage and kicked off a lively outdoor dance party. Passengers swayed and swizzled their hips, performers joined in, and before long we were dancing too.
It was a blast!
Laundry room
We have to mention the laundry room! We joked it was the most popular space on the ship.
Azamara’s ships have a complimentary self-service laundry room on Deck 7, equipped with six washers, six dryers and free detergent.
The only catch? It was almost always busy, with people lining up for machines. (Pssst! You won’t want a cabin directly across from the laundry room.)
Who Azamara is best for
Azamara does destination-intensive “luxury lite” cruising right – and it’s a big reason we’d cruise with them again.
Ideal for
- Experienced travelers
- Independent-minded cruisers
- People who value longer port stays and more time ashore
- Couples aged 50+
- Travelers who enjoy complimentary cocktails, beer and wine
- People who prefer smaller ships but don’t want to pay ultra-luxury prices
Not ideal for
- People looking for waterslides, casinos and giant production shows
- Families with children
- Nightlife seekers
- Travelers who prefer a more contemporary luxury cruise experience or brand-new ships
More cruise reviews and tips
- 15 Luxury Cruise Hacks Savvy Travelers SwearBy!
- Windstar’s Star Pride: A Small Ship Big on Style
- Ellies! Hippos! You’re on an African River Cruise
- Cool Places to Visit on an Antarctic Expedition Cruise
- Going French With Ponant Cruises
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