Better than expected

Item: Azamara Journey
Rating: 4
Author: lanarodrigues

Azamara Journey Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

lanarodrigues

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 63

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

11 Night Panama Canal New Year's (Miami To Caldera)

Sail date: December 23, 2015

Ship: Azamara Journey

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 6041

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Embarkation was very easy, food was really superb, live entertainment was wonderful, service from staff was absolutely way above expectation, especially Luis and Reynaldo who took care of our Stateroom! Anton the guitarist was a joy to listen to daily. Christmas celebration was really enjoyable and the New Years Eve party around the pool was very memorable!! The ice sculptures were a great touch and the rest of the guests were simply enjoyable to be with. The Amazing evening on shore in Cartagena, Columbia was a bonus touch for everyone!! The New Years Day Captain's brunch was a culinary delight as was the Caribbean Night Pool Party. I just wished we had spent one day less in Aruba and a day more in Columbia. Going through the Panama Canal was an amazing experience and totally glad we experienced it.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Quite a variety and definitely five star quality!

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Could offer a few more variety especially during the daytime.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Eric the head entertainer was in a class of his own, the singing Divas ere very entertaining, the younger singers Marcos, Natalie and Ms. Munroe were very pleasing.

Children's Programs

Travelled as a couple did not use this feature.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

GREAT service and amazing staff!

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Layout was good and everything was very clean and well maintained

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Attendant Luis and his assistant Reynaldo were simply amazing and seemed to know exactly when we needed or wanted something. They spoiled us completely with their attention to detail and anticipating our very wish. Nothing was too much or too little for them to do for us...always with a smile and always friendly and yet professional. They even decorated our stateroom and left us a beautiful card wishing us a Happy 42nd Wedding Anniversary!!

Ship tip

The Amazing evening in Cartagena, Columbia was a wonderful bonus for all guests. Ivaan the Pianist performed solely for us and the official greeting by young ladies wearing white and showering us with white rose petals was an experience!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

5 out of 5

Willemstad, Curacao

3 out of 5

Unfortunately when we docked all stores were closed on Boxing Day. We walked along deserted and silent streets on the waterfront.

Thumbs Up 0

Oranjestad, Aruba

5 out of 5

The Steelpan band from the Island that played the night at our pool party was very good.

Thumbs Up 2

Cartagena, Colombia

5 out of 5

Really liked what e saw unfortunately we did not get enough time to see much as we docked around 2 p.m. and had to be ready for the Amazing evening at 6 p.m. Hired a taxi to drive us around sightseeing but would have loved to have had an extra day in this port!!

Thumbs Up 1

Panama Canal Transit

5 out of 5

An experience of a lifetime!!! Having an on board knowledgeable commentator through it all was a great idea.

Thumbs Up 4

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

1 out of 5

Customs refused to come aboard to stamp passports and having to sit for more than an hour in a hot and humid room waiting for them to get organized and stamp passports was not an enjoyable experience. They did not even offer an apology to the seniors in wheelchairs or with walkers.

Thumbs Up 1

Traveler Photos

5 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

GerryBCruisin 2 years ago

Thank you for taking the time to share your cruise review.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

cruisellama 5 years ago

Great

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Novascotiacruiser 8 years ago

So happy you enjoyed the Journey....we sail on her in March and also October 2017. We are also booked on the Oceania Marina....my day of sailing on Celebrity are over. It has taken us awhile to understand that we like a smaller ship.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Sanmyn 8 years ago

I have sailed on both the Journey and the Quest; both were far beyond expectations on all regards. Azamara is difficult to beat. I just returned from the Oceania Insignia, another wonderful cruise line. Both lines use "R" Ships which I consider the perfect size. I just booked another Oceania cruise.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag