This cruise improved my health, and I'm going to try to sleep as well and drink as much water as I did on the ship. When someone's filling your glass, it's a lot easier to be adequately hydrated. I was very happy with the food (my main reason for choosing Azamara), the lack of crowding and abundant public space that goes with not having a zillion passengers, the pleasant spaces and windows, and the outstanding people of Azamara.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
Major issue is that Azamara had told me we'd embark at Pier 4, but we embarked at the Panamerican Pier, and if local people had not told me, I wouldn't have known where to find the ship. Azamara never informed me, unless I missed something, and I read all my texts and emails. Apart from this, embarkation was pleasant and fast.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Really superb, helpful, friendly, supportive staffers were a major component of the excellent dining experience onboard. And it feels wonderful not to be charged every time you have a glass of wine or a second helping. The inclusive aspect made the cruise a zillion times more pleasant than the alternative. And compared to other all-inclusive cruises, the fare was very reasonable--the best value I found when checking cruises.
I didn't feel the need for the specialty restaurants. The standard dining room, Discoveries, compared well with high-end restaurants in Washington, DC. I note that they offer English bacon, anchovies on Caesar if you want, grilled tomatoes, all the escargot you can eat, duck confit.... I picked Azamara for the food and I was not disappointed!
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
The library was very good, and there were several very pleasant spaces with huge windows for watching the ocean and the ports. I don't do most kinds of activities, but I had a restful time reading and scenery-gazing in lovely settings. I have big dark bags under my eyes, and they visibly improved during this trip. I wish I could deduct it as a medical expense!
Entertainment
I didn't go. Don't do this kind of entertainment at home or abroad. Other people praised this, though.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Can't say enough about the superb quality of service on this ship. The high officers also made sure you enjoyed yourself. Azamara service is beyond outstanding.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
I was told this isn't a new ship, but it was so perfectly clean and beautifully maintaned! It was great.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
I paid only for inside but had an obstructed ocean view. It was great. The soaps and toiletries were excellent, and though the shower wasn't huge, the cabin and bathroom had plenty of space and were very pleasant. The linens were top quality--I looked them up online to buy some for home.
Ship tip
If there's the slightest problem or wish, let Guest Relations know asap and all will be made perfect.
For dining, be seated where you want, alone or with others; order what you want, including second helpings of faves; eat as slowly or as fast as you want. If you go to the same table with the same servers, you can have standing orders for any allergies or food/drink preferences you have.
Have always loved San Juan for its wonderful old buildings. Tip for the intrepid: You can pay various overcharges for a taxi from the airport or you can go up to the upper level and find a bus stop (Parada) and go to San Juan and Old San Juan or 75 cents. I don't do excursions; prefer to explore and learn on my own, as when I'm not on a cruise.
Got back on the tender in less than half an hour. Family used to vacation here so I wanted to take a look. Totally touristic; didn't see any signs of real Franco-Caribbean eateries or anything else real except overall traffic jam.
I'm not a morning person, and getting up early enough to catch breakfast and vacate the room an hour before I'm normally starting to wake up was painful. I wish we'd disembarked at noon or after. I felt like a zombie all day.
But it was easy and was managed very well.
*Cruiseline.com is not a booking agent or travel agency,
and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners
(travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which we list for our
users' convenience. Cruiseline.com does not guarantee any specific rates or
prices. While prices are updated daily, please check with the booking site
for the exact amount. Cruiseline.com is not responsible for content on
external web sites.
Contact us
Submitting...
Need help from a personal vacation planner?
Loading...
Find the perfect cruise with weekly tips and cruise deals for as little as $30/night!
Sign up for weekly cruise deals
Join other subscribers and get the best
cruise deals of the week in your inbox every Thursday.
