10 REASONS WHY AZAMARA CONTINES TO DEFINE LUXURY CRUISING
I recently returned from my fourth voyage with Azamara, a 13-night journey that drifted dreamily from France to Portugal, the UK (via Gibraltar), and down the sun-kissed coast of Spain. Here are 10 reasons why Azamara continues to define what luxury cruising should be.
By the time you’ve taken around 30 cruises — yes, thirty — you think you’ve seen it all. You’ve watched the sun set behind Santorini’s cliffs, you’ve walked the decks of megaships that feel like floating cities, and you’ve stood beneath skies so wide and blue they seem to spill into the ocean. But then, there’s Azamara.
I recently returned from my fourth voyage with Azamara, a 13-night journey that drifted dreamily from France to Portugal, the UK (via Gibraltar), and down the sun-kissed coast of Spain. Somewhere between the vineyards of Bordeaux, the tiled facades of Lisbon, and the luminous glow of Seville — a city that now holds my heart entirely — I remembered why Azamara remains the most vivid thread in my tapestry of travel.
From cruising the Middle East in 2019 (Dubai, Muscat, Abu Dhabi) to sailing Croatia’s sapphire coast in 2022, and the most extraordinary journey yet — a South American odyssey from Rio to Buenos Aires aboard Azamara Pursuit — each voyage has felt more like a love affair than a holiday. And so, after four unforgettable experiences, here are ten reasons Azamara continues to define what luxury cruising should be.
1. Quiet Luxury, Done Right
Azamara belongs to that refined family of small luxury cruise lines — alongside names like Oceania and Viking Ocean Cruises — but with a personality all its own. It’s understated, elegant, and deeply human. There’s no glitz, no sprawling malls or waterslides. Instead, there’s the quiet clink of wine glasses, the laughter of new friends in the Mosaic Café, and a sense that everyone onboard has come not just to travel, but to belong.
Luxury here isn’t about grandeur — it’s about grace. The crew remember your name, your favorite drink, and even how you take your morning coffee. It’s rare, and it’s real.
2. Mid-Size Ships, Maximum Charm
Azamara’s ships hold around 700 guests — large enough to feel social, small enough to feel intimate. But the real advantage? Access. These vessels can slip into ports the giants can only dream of.
In Bordeaux, I woke to find myself moored in the very heart of the city, the spires and cafés just steps away. In Seville, Plaza de España was a five-minute walk from the gangway. In Cartagena and Ferrol, I wandered from ship to shore in minutes — no tender boats, no queues, no waiting.
Even in ports that required a transfer, like Bilbao or Valencia, Azamara’s seamless shuttle service made it effortless. It’s travel distilled to its simplest pleasure: waking up in a new city, ready to explore.
3. Curated Itineraries That Tell a Story
Azamara’s itineraries feel like they’ve been curated, not assembled. The routes are thoughtful, connecting places that share a rhythm or a narrative.
On my South American voyage, I followed the curve of the continent — from Rio’s glittering beaches to Uruguay’s mellow Montevideo and the colonial charm of Paraty. In Europe, I traced a path through Iberia’s cultural heart, from the Roman vestiges of Cartagena to the surreal geometry of the Guggenheim in Bilbao.
These journeys aren’t just about ports; they’re about perspective. Azamara designs itineraries that let you see not just the world, but its patterns — its food, art, rhythm, and life.
4. All-Inclusive, All the Time
There’s something deeply liberating about an experience where everything is simply… included. On Azamara, wine flows freely, cocktails are crafted with care, and bottled water isn’t treated like a luxury. You won’t find yourself signing receipts or calculating drink packages.
My favorite indulgence is the Mosaic Café on Deck 5 — the ship’s heartbeat. A barista-crafted cappuccino, a perfectly flaky croissant, and that slow, comforting hum of shipboard life — it’s a ritual that sets the tone for each day.
5. Personalized, Impeccable Service
With roughly one crew member for every three guests, Azamara’s service is intimate and intuitive. You feel it everywhere — the maître d’ who remembers your table preference, the bartender who knows your evening order, the cabin steward who greets you by name each morning.
Even during peak dinner hours, you’re never rushed. Service is calm, poised, and quietly confident — much like the ships themselves.
6. Peace, Quiet, and the Luxury of Calm
Azamara is adults-only, and it shows. The ambiance is serene, the mood sophisticated. Around the pool, there’s no blasting pop music or cannonball splashes — just the whisper of conversation and a soundtrack of soft jazz or ocean breeze.
It’s a ship designed for restoration. You read, you dream, you breathe. By day four, the chaos of the real world starts to feel very far away.
7. Dining That Tells a Global Story
Food on Azamara feels like a journey within a journey. The Discoveries Restaurant offers an elegant dining experience that still feels relaxed and personal, while the Windows Café on Deck 9 turns breakfast and lunch into open-air affairs, with panoramic views that rival any five-star resort.
There are vegetarian and vegan options, fresh seafood, and local specialties reflecting each region you sail through. Add in two specialty restaurants, a handful of convivial bars, and a small shopping arcade with jewelry, perfume, and fashion — and you have a ship that’s small in size, but big in heart.
8. The AzAmazing Evenings: Travel at Its Most Magical
Azamara’s signature AzAmazing Evenings are what truly elevate its itineraries into something extraordinary. These are one-of-a-kind cultural experiences, designed exclusively for Azamara guests, and they are — quite simply — unforgettable.
In Gibraltar, I attended a private concert inside the ethereal St. Michael’s Cave, its limestone walls shimmering under violet light. In Montevideo, a hauntingly beautiful performance at Teatro Solís transported me entirely. And in Dubrovnik, I sat within the ancient walls of a fort, listening to a string quartet play as the sun melted into the Adriatic.
These are the moments that stay — long after the cruise ends, long after the suitcase is unpacked.
9. The White Party: A Floating Celebration
There’s one night every voyage when Azamara lets loose — the famous White Party. It’s held under the stars, on Deck 9, and there’s something electric about it: the ship bathed in light, the sea sparkling beyond the rail, hundreds of guests dressed in white, dancing as the ship sails away.
My most recent White Party unfolded as we departed Malaga, the Spanish coastline glowing behind us. As the band played and the ship cut through calm waters, I remember thinking — this is joy distilled to its purest form.
10. Longer Stays, Deeper Experiences
Azamara understands that true travel takes time. Many itineraries feature overnight stays and late departures, allowing guests to dive deeper into each destination.
In Seville, I had nearly three full days to explore — from the Gothic grandeur of the Cathedral to the lush serenity of the Alcázar Gardens. In Bordeaux, I had two full days to wander the Garonne’s riverbanks and taste my way through wine country. Out of 13 days, only two were spent entirely at sea — proof that Azamara believes in immersion, not transit.
Each stop felt perfectly calibrated: enough time to discover, just enough to leave you wanting more.
Conclusion
Cruising, at its best, isn’t about how many places you see — it’s about how deeply you experience them. Azamara manages to turn travel into something intimate, reflective, and deeply personal.
For me, it’s more than a cruise line. It’s the place where I’ve collected my most meaningful travel memories — from the cobbled streets of Paraty to the sunlit plazas of Seville. And every time I step aboard, I feel that familiar sense of contentment: the ship humming beneath my feet, the world unfolding beyond the horizon, and that exquisite awareness that I am exactly where I’m meant to be.
Because in the end, luxury isn’t just about where you sail — it’s about how it makes you feel.
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