This is what people seem to want, no signing for normal alcohol, so good for them. My daughter brought friends home last weekend, and one of them worked for RCL as a regional sales rep. She said "oh, you should try Azamara" (under same umbrella as RCL) knowing that I cruise Regent. Really worth taking a look to see how their pricing compares, as we've heard good reports from other lct'ers who have sailed them.

I agree Olivia, some lines are at least offering a wine or spirits package as an option which is nice.. It gives one the option to opt in or out. When it comes down to it, NOT having to sign for drinks is great, but NOT a deal breaker for me. I would like to give Azamara a try myself, the size of the ships is nice as well.

I have sailed Regent, Silversea, Disney, RCL, Princess, Oceania and Azamara. I would not hesitate to recommend any of them so long as your expectations are in line with the price point. Maybe this just speaks to lack of loyalty or perhaps my lack of discretion . Have loved them all. Signing for my bar tab is also not a deal breaker for us.
------------------
Helen

This is good news and almost GREAT news! We board the Journey on April 17th so will just miss out. I'm looking into buying one of their booze packages with our shipboard credit to augment the included wine at lunch and dinner. It will not eliminate signing checks as I believe they put a sticker on your key card, but there won't be any nasty surprises and the end of the cruise.

I have never ever been on an Azamara cruise.. Can anybody tell me a little more about them please?
I have obviously been researching online but I wanted to know of personal experiences.

Katie,
Here is a link to a review from several years ago but I believe most of the information is still accurate.

http://www.luxurycruisetalk.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/230705.html#Post230705

Thanks a lot, that really helped :)

Dear Lcters,

We have some friends talking to us about cruising with them from England to New York, in September.

Although it looks like a nice trip - - we are a bit apprehensive of the high seas that time of year.

Has anyone had the experience taking a trip like this in September and if so would you recommend it ??

Many thanks,

Rod and Cynthia

Pat & I are currently sailing on the Azamara Quest from Miami to Seville and I wanted to explain the current state of the cruise line. Azamara is a 2 ship entity owned by RCCL (it is no longer part of Celebrity.) The 2 ships, Quest & Journey, are former Renaissance R7 ships which have been quite well renovated. The ships are physically smaller than the Navigator but hold 680 guests, so they aren’t all suite all veranda ships. We upgraded to a 270 sq ft veranda suite with butler service and it cost half of a cat H on the Mariner’s current crossing. Gratuities are covered, water, specialty coffees are complimentary and wine with dinner & lunch are complimentary. Beginning with the start of the Quest’s European season in 2 days, alcohol will also be complimentary, but not as extensively as on Regent. For example, the complimentary vodka will be Smirnoff & Skyy and premium brands will cost about $4.00. There is a charge for excursions, but they are discounted when booked online pre cruise. Azamara has many overnight or late night stays in port and, also beginning in 2 days, there will be a complimentary evening event in a port each cruise. Like Regent, they have drifted away from the long cruises but still offer many 10 to 17 day cruises. Our suite is not as deep hallway to veranda) as on Mariner, but is wider making it seem more roomy with a more efficient layout. Food is comparable to what we had on the Mariner a few weeks ago but without as many special selections each night, however there is a larger “always available” selection. Officers are visible all around, more so than on Regent, and the staff quickly learns guests’ names. Internet is charged, but $99.95 gets you 235 minutes (far less than Oceania.) As returning guests we each received 89 minutes of free internet and the free amount increases as you accumulate more cruise credits. Although we miss some of the Titanium benefits we enjoy on Regent, the significantly lower cruise fare more than makes up for what we have to pay for on Azamara. We have enjoyed our 2 Azamara cruises and will use them again.
Jim

Thanks for sharing this info Jim. I know my Sister and Brother-in-law enjoyed their Azamara cruise. I know you and Pat always have fun on any ship, any cruise line.

pulsed Andrea N (she is with BettyW now in Myanmar) about her recent Feb/March Asia voyage on Azamara, below is what she sent:

Hi Wes!

I really liked Azamara. Definitely the nicest crew I think I've ever met. Their friendliness is really genuine. Service is wonderful. I'm kind of blasé on the food - it's fine, nothing really outstanding but I'm spoiled by living in Boston. I enjoyed the theme buffets they had upstairs at the casual restaurant a lot. Indian night was especially good. Asian night - not so much!

The cabins were fine - I had a basic balcony - although the shower is small & mine didn't have a lot of water pressure. I'd have to go up to a suite for a tub/shower combo & as a single it wouldn't be worth it.

They do have Hendricks! I've been meaning to thank you for your great reporting on your Indian voyage. I'm so looking forward to a Hendricks martini with blue cheese stuffed olives on the Voyager!

Let me know if you have any other questions. I would definitely sail them again!

We sailed on the Quest from Venice to Athens two years ago and enjoyed every minute. The experience is very similar to Oceania although I would have give O the edge for food, but otherwise a great trip as well as an outstanding value IMO.
-----------------
Helen

looking at trying Azamara at some point, I noticed that they had overnights in both Capri and Sorrento on one of there 7 night sailings. I think that is great..

We're on the Journey in 3 (count 'em 3) weeks! I will report back! Something new and different for us. Love having more options!

Reading CruiseCritic it appears that the new "all inclusive" should be worded more inclusive as there are still a number of different levels of drink packages available.

three weeks! weather should be lovely

Hotter than Hades and FAR more humid!

could be polar bear weather

sounds wonderful Suz!!! Really really jealous, i'll be working in Iowa that week :)