Azamara Journey Transatlantic Crossing
This was my first Azamara experience, and I am now hooked on this small ship cruise line. As soon as I entered the cruise terminal in Miami, I noticed it was not the usual big hall, reflecting the smaller number of passengers. On this cruise, she had 603 guests, though she can accommodate 694. We arrived at the terminal for 11 am and dropped our bags to the porters (always remember the obligatory tip in Miami to ensure your bags make the ship). Check-in was speedy and we were boarding within 45 minutes. A choice of homemade cookies, muffins with hot & cold drinks was available for all guests, not just Suite Guests, as one finds with other larger ship check-in areas.
The position of my restricted ocean view cabin, 6039, gave me a sea view between two lifeboats, which was a bonus. Loads of storage, drawers and hanging space, and good supply of hangers (often I must ask the steward for additional hangers, but not this time.) Bathroom products are the lovely Elemis – bathroom is not enormous but adequate and lighting good – shower has a shower curtain as opposed to door, but this did not pose any issues and water pressure, and temperature was always good. I over-packed as usual, especially as Azamara ships have self-serve laundry (on deck 7, so not far from my cabin) as well as a super ship’s laundry too.
I had heard the food on Azamara was great and this was not a lie – the food selection was good in all outlets, though our speciality dining evenings were spectacular. We had bought the three-dining package – it was sufficient, though I might go to the next level on a future cruise and add 4 speciality nights, so I could do 2 nights in each. Both speciality restaurants are on deck 10 at aft of the ship – one is Mediterranean themed, the other Steak house style. Menus have super selection, and dishes are elegantly presented and delicious. One night we did the “chefs table” – a 7-course tasting menu with wine pairing – our theme was stateside so USA, and it was gorgeous. A must to add to your itinerary.
Azamara does a fabulous white party – we did this on the night we sailed from Bermuda (which was good planning on behalf of the team as the next night, when it was originally planned for was too rough and cold) – tables with linen-covered cloths were laid out all around the pool deck – lights above the pool – the ambiance was made even more special with the setting sun as we sat down for dinner as the band performed. The choice at the buffet was enormous – from grilled lobsters, steaks, rack of lamb, salads galore, pasta stations, an impressive choice of vegetable dishes plus fresh sushi, jumbo shrimp and other seafood options. We danced under the stars to the band till everyone moved indoors to the night club.
As we advanced across the Atlantic, our captain was great at trying to dodge the big storms preceding us – this did mean we spent an extra night in Bermuda and had to skip our stop at Horta, Azores, sadly – guess reason for another transatlantic next year!
The advantage of sailing on a smaller ship like Azamara Journey was that we docked right in the centre of Hamilton and not out at the naval Dockyard where most cruise lines tie up. This enabled us to hop on and off the ship as we wanted to explore the town. The ferry across to the naval dockyard was a 2-minute walk along the seafront. I popped up to visit the Cathedral just 3 streets up from the ship – worth the visit, and has a piece of Canterbury Cathedral set into the wall with a cross given to them at its time of construction. Hamilton is beautiful, though I was surprised by the prices!
Azamara Journey is a lovely 25-year-old ship with stylish décor, and I liked the small-ship feel. Staff are wonderful and so quick to remember names as well as your favourite drinks – by day two, they were suggesting what wine I might like for starter and main or pre-dinner drinks. Apu, my cabin steward, was brilliant and seemed to materialise out of nowhere to service my cabin while we had breakfast or dinner.
The Living Room on deck 10 at the front of the ship was one of our favourite places for relaxing, reading and pre/post dinner drinks – in the evenings it became the night club though it was only once or twice we managed to stay awake to witness that – one of the nights was when we were negotiating 7 meter waves so the dancing was great fun! Mosaic café on deck 5 was my early morning stop for an espresso and little cakes before heading to the Widows café or Discoveries Restaurant for breakfast.
The pool is salt water and fine for a refreshing dip – those wanting to work out can head to the gym. I never made it to the spa, though some friends did and were impressed. The promenade deck has sun beds, as does the pool deck and decks 10 and 11 forward – deep mattresses and extra-large sun towels are the norm on Azamara – you also find a few circular sun cabanas as well as armchairs and sofas in the pool area. The whole crew were fabulous, and I guess the good energy flowed down from the Master of the ship, Captain Antonio Toledo.
A wonderful trip - I am but a call away to plan your escape to be an adventurer on an Azamara cruise.
