Azamara is Boutique Better than Bigger?

A lot of cruise lines nowadays seem to being following the model the bigger the better and with as many new innovations and gimmicks as possible. We have had the likes of the NCL Escape at 164,000 tons and holding 4248 passengers , P&O Britannia 143,000 tons and holding 3647 passengers, Royal Caribbean’s Brand New Ovation of the Seas at 168,000 tons with 4180 passengers and the New largest Cruise Ship in the world Harmony of the seas at a  whopping 227,000 tons holding when full, wait for it……………….7016 passengers.

The Dodgems on the new Ovation of the Seas

Now I’ve been on Britannia and Escape and am lucky enough to be going on Harmony before she launches to the public and have to say they are fantastic ships with so much to other. You have everything you could possibly think of between them from Ice Rooms to Massive Water slides, Robotic Bars, Roller Disco’s, Dodgems, North Star Pods, Numerous Bars and Restaurants. In short everything that you can think of from a traditional cruise and then exploded to make as big and better as the designers possibly can.

Here is one of the Azamara ships next to Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas

So how do the the smaller Boutique kind of cruise compete with something like that? Well the answer is they cant so they do things very differently. Azamara are a 6* Luxury Cruise line and currently have two ships the Journey and the Quest. Both are 30,277 tons and hold less than 700 passengers each. With Azamara they are very proud to have more intimate ships with a much higher staff to guest ratio and be All Inclusive or “More Inclusive” as they like to call it, They even have a Wine and Taps section which is part of the all inclusive. You have all food and drinks included not just the likes of beer and wine you get on some cruise line offers. You also have the benefit of being able to get into ports that the much larger ships cant get to.

Now even with the excellent standards and “More Inclusive” that Azamara offer they have still decided to Reimagine and have given both already stunning ships a fantastic new makeover and feel. They have taken inspiration from Organic Essences Earth, Water, Air and Fire

Earth – A muted colour palette of earth tones is being incorporated throughout our ships to evoke a serene, elegant, and warm sense of home.
Water – Azamara’s new spa suites will feature rain showers with ocean views, double sinks, and outdoor soaking tubs overlooking the sea.
Air – To freshly entice the senses, we’re introducing new open-air venues and experiences.
Fire – Sunrises and sunsets will be relished at the new outdoor Pool Grill & Bar, followed by dazzling nights in our completely revitalised entertainment areas.

The Results are stunning and with cabins looking spacious and contemporary yet with a classic touch, Some of the suites have infinity baths wer you can soak up stunning views and due to the special glass know other other on the outside will not be able to view you while you bath. The public areas are light with beautiful design and the dinning rooms are simply stunning. The Pool bar and grill for example has now become the Patio and gives the feel and ambiance of dinning indoors but with an oceanside setting. Even the Buffet at the Windows Cafe has been reimageined so it is still casual and relaxed but has a intimate refined feel to it.

One of the Reimagined Verandah Suites

Whilst the Azamara ships cant compete with the size with the megaships they can offer technology to match any of them. They have a huge inspiration screen on deck 4 full of information and great to help plan your next voyage. The living room has two interactive table tops for social media surfing and you can even use them to send friends a digital post card ( how cool is that ).

One of the interactive tables you can use

Overall I think Azamara have done exactly the right thing by sticking to the size of ship that works so well for them and has so many repeat customer s. They have given it a lovely contemporary yet classic feel. With the Reimagine design and features it should keep everyone happy new customers and old and will appeal to anyone wanting to stay away from the large floating islands that appeal to the mass market.

Voyages are on sale for 2018 already and 2019 will be on sale within the next couple of months. If you are not that organised yet and are thinking of something a little closer to now Azamara have a double upgrade offer on with Balcony cabins for the price of insides and on some of the longhaul cruise they are offering flights from as little as £99.

If you would like more information on Azamara and the cruise they offer then please give me a call on 0330 303 8382 or email me at [email protected]