What does anyone know about Azamara Quest & Journey, two 650 passenger ships that look very much like Regent etc, in thi=eir brochures. They are part of Celebrity. Is this a new venture into more luxury for them? Has anyone taken a trip on one of thier ships?
DonnaG

Donna-
This is Celebrity's new luxury cruise product line. I have no personal experience, but my sense is that it does not compare well with Regent though two of our English friends actually liked it better than their experience on Oceania.

I'm not a big Oceania fan, but an curious why they liked Azamara better. The reason we are considering it is because of an itinerary that we like.
DonnaG

The Azamara ships are two of Renaissance's R class ships and are the same as Oceania's three ships (Princess has the other three of the eight built). I believe that Azamara styles itself super premium rather than luxury, in essence saying that they are trying to compete with Oceania rahter than Regent, Seabourn, Crystal, etc. If you compare the tonnage per passenger of the ships, you will see one reason why - more space per passenger.

We've done Regent and Silversea and are doing Deabourne this Summer. Crystal seemed to be too formal and glitzy for us and we've not found an Oceania itinerary that we liked. I'll wait to see all the 2009 Spring schedules and make a decision as to cruise lines this Fall probably.
Thanks for the information
DonnaG

There is a good article about the Azamara Journey in this month's Cruise Travel magazine. It might be worthwhile picking up in a book store. I have not sailed Azamara so I couldn't add more than is in the article.

Hi, Donna....

I just returned from the Panama Canal on the Quest in January. The maiden voyage for both the Quest and the Journey were a little rough - lots of grumbling about food/service. By the time I was on in January, the Quest had it down perfectly! The staff was so concerned about the maiden voyage cruisers, that they bent over backwards to please people. That being said, I still wonder why anyone would want to take a maiden voyage - there are surely things that need to be worked out on a new line and a "New" ship. Celebrity calls this a Deluxe line. I call it about the same as Oceania. The only thing that could improve both Azamara and Oceania is to go all-inclusive, like Regent and Seabourn. I've cruised with them all. I've been looking for another Quest cruise for 2009, but the Quest spends a lot of time in Asia, which is not my cup of tea.

I have been taking many cruises close together while I have such capable help in my business. My assistant always stays at my house and babysits my 5 lovely little girl dogs. So far, I still like Celebrity, Oceania, Regent and Seabourn. I also like Princess, only if it is on one of their 3 "R" ships. RCCL ships are too big and NCL has the worst food, and HAL makes the weakest cocktails I have ever had.

So if you are considering Azamara - try it. I really enjoyed myself. Take care and have some fun today. Jini

Hi, Donna....

I just returned from the Panama Canal on the Quest in January. The maiden voyage for both the Quest and the Journey were a little rough - lots of grumbling about food/service. By the time I was on in January, the Quest had it down perfectly! The staff was so concerned about the maiden voyage cruisers, that they bent over backwards to please people. That being said, I still wonder why anyone would want to take a maiden voyage - there are surely things that need to be worked out on a new line and a "New" ship. Celebrity calls this a Deluxe line. I call it about the same as Oceania. The only thing that could improve both Azamara and Oceania is to go all-inclusive, like Regent and Seabourn. I've cruised with them all. I've been looking for another Quest cruise for 2009, but the Quest spends a lot of time in Asia, which is not my cup of tea.

I have been taking many cruises close together while I have such capable help in my business. My assistant always stays at my house and babysits my 5 lovely little girl dogs. So far, I still like Celebrity, Oceania, Regent and Seabourn. I also like Princess, only if it is on one of their 3 "R" ships. RCCL ships are too big and NCL has the worst food, and HAL makes the weakest cocktails I have ever had.

So if you are considering Azamara - try it. I really enjoyed myself. Take care and have some fun today. Jini

Hi, Donna....

I just returned from the Panama Canal on the Quest in January. The maiden voyage for both the Quest and the Journey were a little rough - lots of grumbling about food/service. By the time I was on in January, the Quest had it down perfectly! The staff was so concerned about the maiden voyage cruisers, that they bent over backwards to please people. That being said, I still wonder why anyone would want to take a maiden voyage - there are surely things that need to be worked out on a new line and a "New" ship. Celebrity calls this a Deluxe line. I call it about the same as Oceania. The only thing that could improve both Azamara and Oceania is to go all-inclusive, like Regent and Seabourn. I've cruised with them all. I've been looking for another Quest cruise for 2009, but the Quest spends a lot of time in Asia, which is not my cup of tea.

I have been taking many cruises close together while I have such capable help in my business. My assistant always stays at my house and babysits my 5 lovely little girl dogs. So far, I still like Celebrity, Oceania, Regent and Seabourn. I also like Princess, only if it is on one of their 3 "R" ships. RCCL ships are too big and NCL has the worst food, and HAL makes the weakest cocktails I have ever had.

So if you are considering Azamara - try it. I really enjoyed myself. Take care and have some fun today. Jini

Donna - it got a good review in the Houston newspaper last summer by their travel editor. Hope this link works.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/travel/rss/5062604.html

I have traveled on Azamara Journey and really loved it..I will be on again this summer..
Jan

Really?????? Are you a new cruiser????

I've been studying the reviews and ships just today. Sounds like they are getting the kinks ironed out.

Probably the downside for most of us is the size of the average cabin--I don't think I'd put up with a suite smaller than what they call a "Sky Suite", and it's definitely smaller than a minimum cabin on Voyager. But it would be something I might consider, if the reviews start getting solid.

They call themselves "deluxe", trying to create a class between Premium and Luxury. Guess Oceania can use that name too.