Not Living Up to its Promise

Item: Azamara Onward
Rating: 3.8
Author: VegasRunner

Azamara Onward Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

VegasRunner

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 20

Overall rating:

3.8 out of 5

12 Night Best Of The Mediterranean (Barcelona To Venice)

Sail date: July 08, 2023

Ship: Azamara Onward

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 7004

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

Just based on our one 12-trap cruise, I believe Azamara falls short of its goal of delivering a premium cruise experience. The ship, while refurbished, is old and lacks new technology like on-demand TV. The ship's public rooms look dated and old-fashioned. The food is plentiful; but, not extraordinary. In addition to the service level deficiencies, Azamara fell way short in terms of ethical billing and invoicing practices. They did, eventually, rectify all my billing concerns but only after I provided original source documents that demonstrated their errors.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Seamless

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

We booked an Ocean Suite which included complimentary specialty dining. One of the specialty dining options that the website features is the Chef’s Table. We experienced the Chef’s Table once during the 12-day cruise. The food was good. The presentation was lovely. The $190 bill at the end of the complimentary specialty dining was a surprise. It took most of the remaining cruise to get Azamara to back off their demand that we pay for the Chef’s Table which the website claimed was included in the complimentary specialty dining. They eventually did back off; but, the experience was less than satisfying. Just be aware that if you book a suite that includes complimentary specialty dining, it does not include complimentary specialty dining.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

We did have an AzAmazing evening opera performance in a historical coastal fortification that lived up to the marketing promise; but, I wouldn’t stand in line to do it again. We also had an onboard White Night party on the pool deck that included local musicians, a buffet, performances from the ship’s troupe, and a parade of the onboard crew. It delivered on the promise of a White Night pool deck party and was something different.

Entertainment

2 out of 5

We didn’t expect any full-scale production numbers. Onward had a troupe of four singers and a dancer who performed several evenings. The cruise director did double duty as an occasional performer who also told bad jokes about his grandfather, and there was a piano player/singer who performed a couple of times each evening. Nothing over the top. Nothing to knock your socks off. No real wow factor; but, okay entertainment. In addition to the live entertainment, Azamara has a television in each guest room. Unfortunately, the TV is limited to one movie each day that runs in a loop. You just have to be lucky to catch it at the beginning. Similarly, there is one TV series that runs in a continual loop each day. There is no on-demand TV service. Too bad.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Very attentive

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Ship is old but generally in good repair

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

We booked an Ocean Suite. It was pricey; but, it did deliver a sitting room separate from a sizable bedroom and both a full and half bath. The room was comfortable with a large balcony facing the bow of the ship. The balcony was crowded with too much furniture so there was no room to stand; but, the furniture did give us get places to relax without having to compete for a lounge chair on the pool deck.

Ship tip

Watch out for add-on charges and double billing for items you've already paid for. I had to dig up original email receipts to prove I had already paid for shore excursions. Our invoice contained a random $800 charge that was just padding the bill. I challenged them on it and they eventually agreed to refund the money.

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