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Azamara Cruises

MV Azamara Journey

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: Hugh Tebbutt
# previous cruises: 10 to 20
Date of Trip: November 11, 2007
Itinerary: South America

Nice ship which contrasts favourably with the 3000+ passenger alternatives. Good layout and facilities but poor passenger services on board meant that the cruise was in no way the deluxe experience promised. If this is Celebrity's standard I have no wish to cruise with them again! This was the most disappointing cruise we have ever taken partly because the ship has the potential to provide a good product if only the staff understood the importance of good customer service and pride in their work.

New furnishings were attractive but there seemed to be no pride in the ship - paint splashes over the woodwork, water leaks in Windows Cafe not fixed for days, glasses and food scraps from previous evening still on public decks the next day.

Food reasonable quality and menu varied. We ate in Windows Cafe because of long delays in Discoveries restaurant. Limited English language capabilities of some staff caused problems on occasions. Fruit juice dispensers available 24 hours were welcome.

Standard ex-Renaissance layout with all that you need. Comfortable new bedding and soft furnishings. Flat screen TV but no information on TV programmes. New balcony tables are high and large leaving little room for seating. Towels good quality but shower very feeble. Butler (a steward wearing tails) and his assistant were very efficient but the butler title is simply a gimmick and does compensate for the absence of the more basic services which would be expected on a 4 star ship never mind a deluxe operation.

Specialist artiste shows were entertaining. The one guest lecturer was excellent covering a range of topics from pirates to cricket.

Port presentations were simply commercials for the shore excursions and the speakers seemed to have little knowledge of the ports.

We chose the cruise because of the Brazil itinerary but shore excursions were grossly overpriced and the ship's staff appeared unable to provide any port information or arrange shuttle buses. We missed out on Recife because the ship was 8 hours late after 4 days at sea.

Mainly middle-aged to elderly couples, majority from USA and Canada but a significant number of UK passengers.