When we were younger, we would never have considered a cruise, except to get somewhere (like Singapore or London). But recently, I claim to have become a cruise cognoscente. This is our eighth holiday cruise and a ninth is already booked.
Azamara Journey is a smaller cruise ship than others we have sailed on, not counting those river cruises on The Nile or the Volga.
She is a conventional style ship, with shafts and propellers, making her relatively slow and less stable than, say, the Queen Elizabeth, the various Celebrity, Holland America and other ships we've sailed on. These have generally employed electric Azipods, for propulsion, combined with bow-thrusters, for manoeuvrability. They can be up to six knots faster.
Azamara Journey Specifications:
- Length: 181 m
- Draught: 5.8 metres
- Capacity: 694 passengers
- Crew: 407
- Propulsion: two propeller shafts and two fixed pitch propellers driven by four Wärtsilä 12V32LNE diesel-electric engines, each of which produces 4,860kW at 720rpm.
- Speed: 18 knots (21 maximum)
- Maiden voyage: 2000 (2021 after Covid lay-up)
Because of her relatively small size she is able to tie-up, nearer to towns and cities, not relegated to some cargo terminal miles out.
The main downside of a smaller ship is the evening entertainment, provided by a smaller group of, nevertheless very talented, performers. Not the big-cast big-productions and the huge theatre on some larger ships. They make up for this with visiting troupes' of performers on-deck in-port and an 'AzAmazing Evening' on-shore.
Everything else is upside, she is fitted-out like a luxury hotel. There is little or no waiting for anything. The food is excellent in the Dining Room, in two specialty restaurants, and elsewhere (cafe, burger bar etc). Almost everything, including standard wines and cocktails, is included. There's Piano Bar and Library but no Casino.
Also, there's no need to continuously identify yourself, your ship-card is just the key to your cabin and your ID going ashore. In the event you are accessing a premium drink or restaurant just tell them the cabin number.
According to Cruise Critic: "Azamara is considered a premium boutique cruise line, sitting between luxury brands like Silversea or Seabourn and premium lines such as Celebrity Cruises. Its smaller ships offer an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere, with destination-focused itineraries and longer port stays."
Although she is not as fast, quiet or luxurious as the Queen Elizabeth, nor having the spectacular theatre, nor range of live entertainment, of the Celebrity Apex (Edge class), I rank her among the most comfortable ships we have sailed on.
To see more pictures from the ship click on the image above
