Azamara Journey Cruise Ship Review

Sailing for Azamara Club Cruises, Azamara Journey was built in 2000 as was her sister Azamara Quest. Both ships have had extensive refits. Azamara Journey began life as the Renaissance R6.

Azamara Journey is the kind of intimate, midsize ship you hardly see anymore in the cruise world, carrying just 694 passengers in a cozy, comfortable, traditional setting. You won’t find any big, flashy waterslides or other theme-park-style attractions here, and that’s really the point: On Azamara Journey, cruises are all about relaxing, socializing, and seeing the world. It’s like spending a week or two at your own little floating country club, where you’re always bound to bump into someone you know.

The ship’s design is very easy to navigate, with public rooms clustered on decks 5, 9, and 10. At deck 5 midships, on the upper level of the atrium lobby, a warm, inviting cafe makes an ideal meeting place, serving snacks and specialty coffee and tea 18 hours a day, and offering quiet music at various times of day. Forward on the same deck, the Cabaret Lounge is big enough to seat about half the passengers onboard for small-scale floor shows, guest entertainers, late-night movies, bingo, and other activities. There’s also a casino with a big-screen TV in one corner, tuned to sports.

Deck 9 forward is taken up with the ship’s spa and gym complex, where you can take a complimentary Pilates, spinning, yoga, or abs class; get a massage or a more esoteric spa treatment like laser hair removal or acupuncture; soak in a thalassotherapy pool; have your hair done at the salon; or just work out. Outside, the pool deck has one small pool and a pair of hot tubs surrounded by super-comfortable wooden deck chairs. One deck up, there’s the Looking Glass observation lounge for dancing and cocktails, plus the Drawing Room, a clubby little space for piano music, conversation, and maybe a nice scotch on the rocks.

The ship has four main dining options. On deck 5, the main Discoveries Restaurant works on an open-seating basis and has a nice, wood-paneled bar just outside its maitre d’ station — a perfect place to meet your friends before dinner. On deck 9, Windows Cafe offers standard buffet selections and a few nice extras, like a fresh juice bar and a pancakes-and-waffles window. On deck 10, two specialty restaurants sit side-by-side in the stern. On the port side, Aqualina offers a Mediterranean menu and Mediterranean decor. To starboard, the Prime C steakhouse is done up with classic wood paneling.

The majority of Journey’s staterooms are Club Oceanview and Club Veranda cabins. At about 175 square feet, they’re not huge, but are nicely appointed, with wood-tone furnishings, sitting areas, flatscreen TVs, and writing desks. Both the bathrooms and the closet space are on the small side.

Travelers with a few more bucks to spend can step up to the Club Continent suites, which are a roomy 266 square feet and offer a 60-square-foot balcony and a bathroom tub. Top-of-the-line Club World owners’ suites and Club Ocean suites offer have separate bedrooms and living rooms, huge balconies, and master baths with whirlpool tubs and separate shower.

Journey was originally built and launched for Renaissance Cruises back in 2000, but she got a $20 million refurbishment and redesign when she was taken over by Azamara, so she barely shows her age.

Ship Facts

• Occupancy: 694
• Tonnage:  30,277
• Length: 593 ft
• Beam: 95 ft
• Draught: 19.85 ft
• Cruise Speed: 18.5 kts
• Inaugural Date: May 05, 2007

Overview

With a limited passenger capacity of 694 passengers (double occupancy), Azamara Journey offers guests a deluxe cruise experience. “Deluxe,” also referred to as “Upper Premium” by competitor Oceania Cruises, seeks a positioning between the larger “Premium” category cruise lines (such as Celebrity and Holland America Line), and the Luxury lines (Seabourn, Silversea, Regent and Crystal, for example).

Wine with dinner and gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise. In addition, the line also offers free specialty coffees, sodas and bottled water; self-service laundry machines; and shuttles in port towns.

The small size of the ship enables it to call at destinations that larger ships do not usually visit, yet Azamara Journey is loaded with features such as a Spa, casino, enrichment programs, and a choice of dining alternatives.

Dining in the main restaurant is open-seating. Azamara Journey also features the specialty restaurants Prime C and Aqualina. Specialty dining is complimentary for suite guests every night, with a $15 charge for stateroom guests. There are no formal nights. Resort casual is the preferred dress code.

Azamara Journey’s design is easy to navigate, with most public rooms on Deck 5. Some public rooms are situated on Decks 9 and 10, including the spa and fitness area, observation lounge, buffet, pool grill and alternative restaurants.

Also featured on Journey is the Aquaspa, which offers a host of spa treatments and massages, as well as a gym equipped with the latest in exercise equipment. Exercise classes include yoga, Pilates and a number of cardiovascular based work-outs. Chinese acupuncture is offered, as well as the services of massage therapists.

The ship also features Michael’s Club, where guests can soak up the sounds of a grand piano over nightcaps, and a Martini Bar. Stay connected while at sea at eConnections, the internet cafe.

Expect to pay around $200 or more per day, per person to cruise on Azamara Journey, but check with your cruise seller for special offers.

Accommodations

Azamara Journey features seven categories of suites and staterooms. All suites and staterooms feature these amenities:

• European bedding with duvet
• Egyptian-cotton bathrobes and slippers
• 24-hour room service
• Welcome fruit basket at embarkation
• Fresh-cut flowers
• Tote bag
• Complimentary use of umbrella and binoculars
• Complimentary shoe shine-service
• Two nights guaranteed seating in specialty dining restaurants
• Turndown treats
• Daily news bulletin

Following is a breakdown of all categories.

Club World Owner’s Suite

• Separate living room
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
• Master bedroom with two lower beds convertible to queen size
• Dressing room with vanity
• Marble master bath with whirlpool tub and shower
• Guest bathroom
• Veranda
• Flat-screen television
• DVD/CD player
• Refrigerator with mini-bar
• Thermostat-controlled air conditioning
• Direct-dial telephone and voicemail
• Desk
• In-room safe
• Hand-held hair dryer

Club Ocean Suite

• Separate living room
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
• Master bedroom with two lower beds convertible to queen size
• Convertible Sofa bed
• Marble master bath with whirlpool tub and shower
• Guest bathroom
• Veranda
• Flat-screen television
• DVD/CD player
• Refrigerator with mini-bar
• Thermostat-controlled air conditioning
• Direct-dial telephone and voicemail
• Desk
• In-room safe
• Hand-held hair dryer

Club Continent Suite

• Two lower beds convertible to queen size
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
• Veranda
• Sitting area with sofa bed
• Bath tub
• Flat screen-television
• CD/DVD player
• Refrigerator with mini-bar
• Thermostat-controlled air conditioner
• Direct-dial telephone and voicemail
• Desk
• In-room safe
• Hand-held hair dryer

All Azamara Club Cruises Suites include.

• English Butler service
• Priority check-in and departure
• Priority luggage delivery at check-in
• Silk-wrapped hangers
• Complimentary garment pressing for two items
• Welcome sparkling wine and fruit basket
• Daily savories between 4-6 pm
• Priority tender service in anchor ports
• Complimentary seating throughout the voyage in specialty dining restaurants
• Opportunity to book en-suite spa services
• Private portrait sitting
• One bottle of Vodka and one bottle of Scotch Whiskey

Club Deluxe Veranda Stateroom

• Two lower beds convertible to to queen size
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
• Sitting area
• Veranda
• Flat-screen television
• Refrigerator with mini-bar
• Thermostat-controlled air conditioning
• Direct-dial telephone and voicemail
• Desk
• In-room safe
• Hand-held hair dryer

Club Veranda Stateroom

• Two lower beds convertible to queen size
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
• Sitting area with sofa bed
• Veranda
• Flat-screen television
• Refrigerator with mini-bar
• Thermostat-controlled air conditioning
• Direct-dial telephone and voicemail
• Desk
• In-room safe
• Hand-held hairdryer

Club Oceanview Stateroom

• Two lower beds convertible to queen size
• Flat-screen television
• Some with sofa bed
• Refrigerator with mini-bar
• Thermostat-controller air conditioner
• Direct-dial telephone with voice mail
• Desk
• In-room safe
• Hand-held hair dryer

**All category 08 staterooms have an obstructed view. Note that even though Club Oceanview stateroom category 08 have obstructed views, these staterooms represent an excellent value. Each stateroom features a picture window providing natural light.

Interior Stateroom

• Two lower beds convertible to queen size
• Flat-screen television
• Refrigerator with mini-bar
• Thermostat-controller air conditioner
• Direct-dial telephone with voice mail
• Desk
• In-room safe
• Hand-held hair dryer

Have you cruised on Azamara Journey? If so, leave your comments and opinions below.

Avid Cruiser Posts, Photographs and Videos Featuring Azamara Journey.

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