I Try A Cruise Line People Say Is Going DOWNHILL Fast

I booked a cruise on this line that everyone told me is going downhill quickly since they have been sold to new owners. Here is what I discovered
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00:00 Start
00:20 The Changes
06:49 The Cutbacks
09:11 The Food

[@joshadams8761]

As someone who has edited some videos for work, I am awed by the number of shots Gary uses in a single video and the amount of care that must go into stitching them together.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks 😀😀😀

[@jimmeltonbradley1497]

You are so good at this, Gary. You're our (my wife and I) number one "go to" for detailed, objective information.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks! Really appreciate you watching and glad you found this interesting

[@lilbatz]

He's really fair, and doesn't drag just for clicks and giggles. Love yah Gary!👍

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Geoduck.]

Jim, my wife and I feel the same way. We've noticed Gary's presentations are so well thought out there is value in every word he shares. Often we will watch twice.

[@andresfelipe619]

I've started working with Azamara this year as a singer and I enjoy this video. You are very thorough and fair with your comparisons and investigation. We DO use those surveys to help improve our operations so we thank each and every person that comes aboard to cruise to these incredible locations with us. If you find yourself on the Azamara Journey before February, I'll see you around!

[@speakingofandygreenberg6857]

I am on the 21 day Azamara Journey Africa to Lisbon. My only regret is that after 36 cruises,10cruise lines from Crystal to Carnival, this is only my first on Azamara! They are GREAT!!! Perfect 10

[@EmmaCruises]

I've always thought that Azamara were much more expensive than they actually are right now. I'd like to try them but for now all my Azamara knowledge comes from you. 😎💕

[@tipsfortravellers]

They’re slashing prices like crazy right now !!!!

[@EmmaCruises]

Just booked!! 😅❤️

[@RosemullionView]

We went on our first Azamara this year (only being Seabourners before) in Ocean Suite and it was overall good running at 50% capacity. I think the staff recognition comments are, as you say, entirely due to having an additional ship plus the post Covid environment. We knew none of the staff so it was quite amusing when staff started every sentence with ‘nice to see you again’! We would book again.

[@abigailgerlach5443]

I wish some more cruise lines would pay attention to solo travelers. It isn't like I can run out and get a partner at the drop of a hat!

[@tinselandyule6910]

I agree!!!!

[@sinwithsebastian]

Norwegian Cruises line is the only one which caters to solo travellers

[@stellarsjay1773]

Check some Holland America ships. They too have some spots for singles.

[@travellinglady9484]

There are a lot of us about, but I wonder how many can afford to pay 2 x the couple's fare? I gave up Saga when the average cruise of about 2 weeks was £6000 for a single.

[@lizcademy4809]

This is the main reason I haven't booked anything ... I want a small ship experience, high end (I'm thinking Viking), but paying twice the shared room price is just too much.

[@alexmurray6956]

Went on Azamara to Caribbean in February 2022 . Normally a Celebrity cruiser but decided to try. We all really enjoyed and loved how the Captain was always out and about. Found staff to be excellent and quality of food. Booked again to Croatia in 2023 .

[@FraserAtSea]

As a solo traveller, I really hope the ‘small ship’ segment finds a way to lower solo supplements, as they’re currently out pricing themselves for me (and I’d imagine so many others). The Azamara ships were docked in Glasgow (my home city) for the entire duration of the shutdown, and seeing them from the motorway really peaked my curiosity with them, so it was great to see a bit of what’s onboard in this video!

[@MelvisVelour]

First off, I always enjoy your very detailed and almost scientific approach to your analysis of cruise experiences. We went on an Azamara before the pandemic and I remember the Azamazing evening in Taormina where we were treated to some really good opera - the Mezzo was just outstanding and got several standing ovations - but there wasn't enough to eat and there was a mad dash back to the ship to fill up. Thankfully, the staff had either been warned or knew better and were ready for everyone and as we boarded, we were told, please go to the dining rooms now. I did so enjoy that cruise with the attention to detail and also the wonderful, funny, friendly passengers and crew who really made the experience so memorable. The relaunches of everything are challenging and hopefully once things settle - though, sadly, I don't ever see things returning to what they were - we can get some semblance of the cruising experience we'd all enjoyed before.

[@Bobrogers99]

I'm glad you pointed out that smaller ships can dock closer to the city centers and can stop at smaller venues that couldn't cope with the thousands from a big ship.

[@joelm7m]

Who are the people who are saying Azamara is going downhill fast? The apparently are commenting to you and not on Azamara Facebook pages. With the exception of expected adjustments due to Covid-19, my cruise on the Journey last fall matched my high expectations that were based on my four previous Azamara cruises. The food was wonderful, as was the entertainment. The officers’ Q & As were informative and candid. The excursions were excellent and I was ‘welcomed home’ by name every time I went ashore. Service everywhere was always top-notch. I’ll be on the new Onward in a week and expect there could be some hiccups due to the supply chain issues that we’re all facing everywhere and possibly new staff, but I’m confident it will be a great cruise. I really think the title of this video is misleading and doesn’t honestly even reflect your experience.

[@user-gw7gy6ce9v]

I had a bad experience, read my comment above. Never again will I cruise with them!!!

[@larrym3280]

We have sailed 10 times on Azamara and have b2b booked in November. Can't wait! Have sailed on other lines but we are drawn back to Azamara because of its size, food and staff. Love their Azamazing evenings and White Nights. I will give you my detailed comments when I return.

[@kays749]

My beef with Princess started when they sold the Pacific Princess. It had been my favorite of the line. Of course, they have slipped in my estimation many times since. So many things have changed for all the lines since the restart, and I fear things will never be the same again. Oceania is now on our list to try.

[@joegreenbbka]

I appreciate your perspective Gary. Thank you for the in depth info. Stay safe 💚

[@pamelas1002]

I don't think they're "small things", Gary. I think the issues you mentioned make the difference between a positive experience and a not so positive experience. You're a great observer. Thank you for sharing the knowledge!

[@xr6lad]

Exactly. Specially at that price point. This is the key thing. You charge top $€£ then you expect a standard higher than just the ordinary. Otherwise just save the money and go a regular line.

[@katierowen3166]

The very next night of dinner, the bar server immediately brought me a Diet Coke without me even asking on our Carnival cruise. You just can’t help but remember stuff like that.

[@Notallwhowanderful]

Just got back from a 9 night Mediterranean cruise on the Journey and we were blown away. Can't wait to sail with Azamara again.

[@norfolkboy6935]

Good balanced and considered content Gary, thank you. We will be on Azamara Onward next month and also have a Regent & Princess cruise within the next 12 months. When reviewing all 3 lines recent reviews, shortfalls in the onboard experience are rife. I suspect other lines are also struggling to hit pre Covid top form.

[@kaunas888]

This is a nice detailed critical review that gets to the point and also compares what is on offer to other lines, so good job.

[@dancermom2]

Thank you! We are heading for our first cruise ever at the end of July on Azamara and your video really helped assuage some fears about how the trip would be.

[@beckymcandrews2749]

We loved our Azamara cruise prepandemic. We have booked a December Azamara cruise and are so very excited to return our floating 5 star hotel! Great food, great service and a wonderful environment.

[@LTWTL841]

We were on Quest's last trip of 2020 (cut short) and were looked after so well by the crew. We joined Pursuit for its return to service this year (after Azamara were bought over) and it really did feel like coming home. We were recognised by a few crew who had been on Quest. One of the bar staff even remembered my moustache from 2 years previously even though I was wearing my mask this time! We are very much looking forward to being back with Azamara in December, and again in 2024. The ships may be small but, for us, they are perfectly formed.

[@gerardacronin334]

I was recently on my first Azamara cruise, and having watched this video, I was quite worried to be going on a line that was “going downhill fast”. I need not have worried. The personal service and attention to detail was superb. I suspect that Gary’s observations reflect the temporary effects of disruptive change that we have seen across every industry following the pandemic. I don’t know how guests could expect to be recognized by new staff who have never met them before. The issue this year has been the incompetent rollout of a new computer system, which meant that many guests could not access their bookings or benefits. I will definitely plan to travel with Azamara again, but I’ll wait till they have the computer system sorted out.

[@HrHaakon]

Computer systems are *always* pain to roll out. Trust me, I've been on the implementing side more than once. One of the problems is that systems like that has to be designed in such a way that they can be replaced, and that costs money to do. And software is very, very expensive.

[@barbmiller9285]

Hello! Since you have cruised with Azamara recently... What is the music like? Not the entertainment, but the music in restaurants and at the pool and throughout the ship. I prefer classical, jazz, and music from the region of the cruise. Loud pop songs could ruin the experience for me. Thank you if you can answer!

[@gerardacronin334]

@@barbmiller9285 There was a jazz pianist at the bar most evenings. There was a group playing contemporary and retro favourites in one of the lounges most evenings. We were cruising around Iceland, so I only swam once, but I do not recall any music being played at the pool. This might be different on a warm weather cruise. No music was played while I ate in the restaurants, as far as I can recall.

[@barbmiller9285]

Thank you! @@gerardacronin334

[@henrikekroemer1408]

completely agree! We had a fantastic experience on Azamara Pursuit 2 months ago and will definitely travel with them again. Once on board, none of the computer access issues mattered in the slightest. (By the way, we found a work-around for the mildly frustrating booking glitches. In fact, what appeared to be glitching actually was working.)

[@bradh3139]

Great video, as always, Gary. Thank you for what you do so I well. Though I’m certainly not an “upscale” person at all, we are scheduled for an Oceania cruise in Fall, 2024. I look forward to finding your presentation on it. Though Amazaria isn’t on my Bucket List, it looks like those who sail them can endure the hiccups in service for better days ahead.

[@lovecruise]

Another excellent, objective, informative, honest review. Thank you Gary! ❤🛳

[@Geoduck.]

Attention to detail and useful information is impressive as usual Gary.

[@dreadpirate2109]

We just returned from the Ireland intensive,our first sailing with Azamara. I felt the level of service , food quality and overall experience met or exceeded our expectations in every way.

[@channelz2929]

Cheers! I am interested in completing this Voyage with my family either summer of 2024 or 2025.

[@anitahenriquez2082]

Perfect answers for our 2023 family cruise! By then, many of these glitches may be corrected!!! Thanks for the extremely timely video! We will know what to expect.

[@DennisMatheson]

My wife and I did the Quest years ago in the Eastern Mediterranian. Glad to hear that they're still about the same as before.

[@kasandramckenna3250]

Wow their itineraries and excursions on the West African Coast look amazing and unparalleled!

[@stefanjonsson699]

Not getting the right breakfast order is not a small thing. Thanks for great video. Great job!

[@reintvandijk5068]

Great video, we are booked on the Baltic out of CPH on Pursuit. It all seems to be down to the current post covid situation with staff shortages etc. Our cruise seems to be one half booked due to the St Petersburg cancellation

[@vacationmode6286]

Thank you for a great video! I always learn something so well researched.

[@laurentbeaulieu4443]

Gary thank you for that, we did a lot of cruises with the old Azamara and loved it. This is really helpful. I will also look at Oceania, looks interesting.

[@angelahorton5745]

Great video Gary! We've got our first Azamara cruise in October - Croatia Intensive and we're really looking forward to it. It's cost as less for a 7 night balcony cabin all inclusive with two excursions each than it costs for a 7 night a walking holiday in Croatia for B&B in a 3* hotel so a no brainer for us.

[@karoneeles3029]

Hi Gary. Nice to "meet" you at the Q&A today and thanks for signposting me to this video. Hubby and I listened in and were pleased to hear that your summation matched our expectations. We sail early August from Istanbul so I'm hoping to receive the joining pack soon so I can see what the Covid testing requirements are. Testing is no longer a requirement for flying so just the cruise element. Thanks again for the video. Keep on sailing!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks for joining the live and good to hear this helped 👍🏻

[@EdwardTravels]

Thanks for the update. I’ve yet to cruise on Azamara and it’s on my bucket list

[@gigiromano6557]

Thank you Gary..my wife and I are going on our third Azamara cruise in October with Olivia Travel. We’re doing the Greece, Cyprus and Israel itinerary and are so looking forward to it. Our last cruise with them was October 2019 and it was fabulous..when we went to dinner every evening with our friends (8 of us) our server would know what we liked, what we drank and would bring our pre dinner cocktails without even asking. He just knew what we liked. That personalized service was very special. So if we don’t get that on this trip it’ll be disappointing. So, I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks again

[@mp8shnt]

I was on the Quest after you Rome to Lisbon. The staff definitely knew my name. Bartender, Waiters, Butler and Room Attendants.

[@LDaQuirm]

We’re just back from our first Azamara cruise and I’ll be honest we found, other than the included drinks package as good if not better than our experiences on Silversea (at a much higher price). We found many staff who had spent years on Pursuit and while of course the the pandemic will have effected things they seemed to be more on the ball than our last Silversea cruise in March where there were so many shortages. I don’t think it’s a line going downhill it’s a line like all the others still coming back from a torrid time. We even booked another cruise with them while onboard!

[@markeaston7353]

That's a little more encouraging. We were looking forward to our first Azamara cruise next year but started to feel a little dispirited after hearing Gary's comments.

[@terrifromm5085]

Excellent content, as usual. I just love your "ship wall" as your background.

[@MrSafekeeping]

Your food clips in this video made me so hungry! Thanks for this video. :)

[@skycubbie2010]

I was just on the Quest for an eleven-night Spain-intensive sailing. Much of what you echoed I would agree with. I chalk some of these up to new ownership coupled with the long-term effects of the pandemic impacting staffing, logistics, and supply issues. Regarding new ownership I have high confidence in leadership’s willingness to learn, grow, and adapt at creating an independent cruise line essentially from scratch. I expect the back office, WiFi, and even the soft product to evolve for the better in the next 1-2 years.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks for adding your experience. Agree!

[@karenrobinsononline3914]

This is the first of your videos I've seen. Just about to watch more! Great attention to detail - thank you!

[@realcdcruze3558]

As usual, great content. Thank you for this. My parents were thinking of sailing with them over Saga. I’ll direct them to your video.

[@lrosen0730]

I am totally confused about some of these comments regarding the “ horror” of these reactions. It sounds like the only real difference is that staff might need some training - doesn’t recognize you. When I saw headline I became frightened as am booked for next May. I don’t know price of Oceania but Viking is MUCH more expensive. I am on a Facebook sight for people going on Azamara and except for some issues on initial Onwood ship - and any season traveler knows to avoid first few cruises on a new ship or one just reconditioned - most have been very happy. I think those saying Going downhill fast” were either on new ship due to obvious issues until up to snuff or just complainers. Your evaluation was very fair so I don’t understand the comments after.

[@vickytoshach2627]

We just got back from Azamara Onward. We did the Intensive Croatia that left on May 13, 2022. We were new to Azamara and have cruised on a wide variety including Seabourn, Norwegien and Celebrity. We tend to pick itineraries over cruise lines. We enjoyed our stay on board and thought it was good. We never went to the specialty dining but ate at Discoveries and Windows. We knew the cruise was new and just getting started again after COVID. I think a lot of people were negative because they felt it wasn't PERFECT. We had a few issues with service but understood they were a new crew and getting used to the routine. A few items were missing but there was plenty of substitutes, such as Salmon. Over all we enjoyed it and would go again.

[@scomo532]

My wife and I steamed from Vancouver to Hawaii on the Pacific Princess, now Aramara Quest. It was a favorite ship, because it was smaller and more accommodating. Not familiar with the Azamara Line, but I would highly recommend the ship. My wife likes cruising on ships, I prefer sailing yachts where I can crew.

[@williamd9205]

Thanks for the update Gary. We’ll continue to sail on Oceania based on your review.

[@bennychiu3401]

Awesome information, thank you for sharing, greetings from Orlando Florida

[@haroldlanni8702]

With many cruises on many cruise lines Azamara is my go to cruise line. Have sailed with them over the past 2 years and just fantastic.

[@pumpkin462]

Such a great review gary. Thanks!

[@tomtiernan8134]

I took an Azamara Caribbean cruise in late November. Overall it was a good experience but as you point out there were areas that could be improved. My steward was excellent. Took great care of me. The food in the specialty restaurants was quite good but the food in the general restaurants was just so so. I would recommend them but beware the quality of the dining is quite mixed. If excellent food is important to you I would highly recommend Silversea. The food was excellent in every dining venue.

[@MarvalMontreal]

Last time I was on the Quest, the waiter from Eastern Europe at the coffee shop was so rude I almost fight with him. Never saw that at sea. All the rest was excellent and I find the food better then before the Covid. I cruise with them some 6-7 time. I spend a month with Windstar this Winter and I find the service even better there. 🚢

[@owensmith7530]

Azamara sound like a cruise line I should be considering. We prefer river cruises but on the two occasions we have done ocean cruises (Baltic and Istanbul to Athens) we have gone with Viking. We've just got back from the Istanbul to Athens and like you we found a lot of inexperienced staff, they were trying their best I'm sure but overall it meant the cruise was not as good as our Baltic cruise a few years ago.

[@skycubbie2010]

If you are a fan of river cruises then Azamara will not disappoint. The vessels are small enough they can sail right into the center of Seville, as I just did with them a couple weeks ago. It’s very surreal to see such a large vessel so easily traverse a river. The journey from the Atlantic 60+ miles up the Guadalquivir River into Seville was spectacular.

[@tonimiziolek675]

100% correct about staff service. However, the guest relations director was excellent on Onward resolved all our teething problem

[@mickgoldynia9979]

Thank you for this video, Gary. You have answered many of our questions regarding the current state of Azamara. Mangala and I are looking at this cruise line for 2023, but will also expand our options to Oceana, Viking and Windstar. Cheers!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Appreciate you watching and glad it helped!

[@portaltwo]

Try Oceania. We've tried many lines and settled finally on Oceania as our hands down favourite.

[@tbam994]

@@portaltwo in total agreement...Oceania is in the price/quality sweet spot

[@aldeflorio5500]

Sailed Quest in February and it was first class. This guy simply overreacted with this videoand has done a great disservice to a terrific cruise line.

[@henrikekroemer1408]

completely agree! I usually enjoy this channel but this was just off.

[@1billwill]

GREAT VIDEO GARY THANK YOU.

[@jeffaltier5582]

I think people are shortsighted when it comes to the recognition thing. Covid likely had a huge effect in keeping/maintaining and rehiring their staff. To complain that new staff doesn't recognize them is just looking for something to complain about.

[@jeroendepaepe9050]

Azamara keeps on being my favourite👍. Since the coronavirus the White nights are less spectacular and there’s less interaction between guests but that’s no fault of Azamara. Hope to have an Azamara experience again real soon😍.

[@rexbourne7635]

Your itinerary was fantastic and your food on board sounded really good.

[@davidh9844]

Gary, I've come to trust you enormously, you can't begin to know how much we have learned from you about cruising. DW and I have been Azamara regulars since 2010, until that little ripple in 2020 into 2021. We love Azamara. We had 5 consecutive B2B cruises with them beginning in October 2021, shortly after they resumed operations, plus a Transatlantic crossing and an un trip into Morocco this past March. Yes there were changes. But you are wrong about the attentiveness of the staff. The warmth and sincerity cannot be faked, and it is there consistently with Azamara. This past week, by sheer accident of price, DW and I jumped ship, went over to the competition which is something we've never done, and took a 7 day Alaska cruise with Celebrity. HUGE difference between the two lines, and for all sense and purpose, new owners not withstanding, they are both Royal Caribbean products. We were greeted by about 50% of the staff when passing in a hallway, ignored by the others. Only our cabin steward knew out names, we never got to know hers. That absolutely NEVER happens on Azamara. Ever! Service was perfectly adequate, but it was cold, as was the food 90% of the time in the dining room. You don't drink, I can go through a martini a day, plus a glass of wine with dinner. With the exception of one bartender, those folks on Celebrity were clueless as to how to mix a martini, gin and tonic, old fashion. They just weren't worth drinking. That NEVER happened on Azamara. Food quality on Azamara. The fall cruises, there was a huge jump in the quality of the food in MDR, NOT matched in the specialty restaurants. Nor did that correct by March. I spoke to the staff, they agreed that changes were coming, but there was no need to dine in the specialty restaurants, at an up charge, on Azamara. Food on Celebrity Millennium went from just plain mediocre to excellent, with no rhyme or reason. It was NOT Azamara quality, by a long shot. Exceptions: breakfast buffet was better on Celebrity, baked goods much better on Celeb, and they are excellent on Azamara, variety was better on Celebrity. Pool grill on Celeb doesn't hold a candle to Azamara, we are talking apples and oranges. Wait staff, my wife came away with the feeling that on Celebrity, they were all still in training. No, no one spilled the soup or delivered an incorrect meal. But there were delays and bumbling, daily. That never happens on Azamara. As an aside, back in 2018, prior to the acquisition of Pursuit by Azamara (ship #3), I was chatting with Heike Berdos, their Head Hotel Director, about changes we'd seen since 2010, The woman is incredible (3 years after our first cruise, on our return she looked at me quizzically, recognizing me but not knowing my name, and said flat out, "I don't remember your name, but you're from Atlanta." Yep we were sold on the line, hook, line and sinker. She wasn't the only one, either). She had many people she wanted to promote and retain, but couldn't without expansion. The new ship gave her that opportunity, but she was very concerned about retaining the Azamara quality with the new people she would have to hire. So that may segue into your story here. My conclusion, is that Azamara changes were minimal, minor, and are all being corrected. No White Night in March, apparently it's returned. I never saw oysters on the menu (lobster yes, oysters,no) I'm an oyster lover. Staff attention, everyone knows us by name on Aza, Celebrity was a dud. We came away with the impression that Celebrity provides excellent value for our dollar, but we wouldn't seek it out, otherwise. It simply lacked the warmth and gestalt of Azamara. Azamara, minor bumps in coming back from the dead, all is being smoothed out, and we have nothing, absolutely nothing but praise for the line and its people. Downside, they are very, very pricey, and you failed to mention that in most of your room vids, you booked an Azamara suite, and even higher level of service, or at least a larger room, strawberries daily, and the Aqualina breakfast that we poor peasants cannot attend. Great, great video, as always, and you hit a nerve. Thanks for bearing with me! Dr H (as I'm known on another BB)

[@KateandBree]

It's not that he is wrong, but it's that your experience wasn't his experience and both of these experiences are valid and that's important to understand. Everyone will have a different experience on a cruise, especially when you are dealing with people who are regularly ostracized in society like those that are disabled, gay, and/or a different race. That isn't to say that Gary's experience was impacted by this, but his experience is just as valid as yours is.

[@xr6lad]

Oh dear. You expect every staff member to greet you as you walk along hallways?? Wow just wow. And you compare a 2,000+ passenger ship with a 650 one. Seriously?

[@carolyns99]

Please consider using paragraphs.

[@deblevine4580]

David, thank you for your detailed information. We've never sailed on Azamara (yet!). Because of Covid, we've missed two previous booked sailings with them, so we are hoping the cruise we just booked for January 2024 will truly happen for us. Oceania is our favorite line, but the price difference between Azamara and Oceania on a 16 or 17-day cruise to Australia/NZ was dramatic. Azamara was many thousands cheaper and included much more. Thanks for providing reassurance that Azamara is still offering a special experience to its cruisers.😀

[@jacquelinemiddleton6967]

This was very helpful. My husband and I want to take our almost 80 year old mothers to Italy and Croatia and are strongly considering Azamara.

[@LBinBKK]

We have sailed Azamara both prior to the pandemic as well as last November on back to back sailings as they were returning to service. While we definitely took notice of the temporary changes you mentioned such as the Azamazing Evenings, we enjoyed the sailings greatly. There was a lot of seasoned Azamara staff on our sailings that we recognized. The staff was greeting us by name by day 2 or 3. Service was really good and food was excellent and on par with our past sailings. We have also sailed Celebrity a lot and enjoy the reciprocity of status and points in their loyalty programs. We are sailing them again on back to backs this December and are looking forward to it. We love the small ship advantages like prime docking locations, overnights, and late departures you noted.

[@everflywings]

Great video and very informative. Petros

[@EmmaCruises]

Oh go on then, you’ve charmed me… BOOKED! (For my usual £100 per night budget. That was unthinkable for Azamara a while ago). 😀👏🏼

[@johnschieffelin3226]

Really interesting. Thanks for the input. My wife and i are about to embark on a cruise on Seabourn. Our first time on Seabourn -- we are cruising novices with just one other cruise on Oceania which we enjoyed greatly. After I booked the cruise I read depressing news that Carnival was trying to unload Seabourn and the articles said long time Seabourn passengers thought Seabourn's quality had declined greatly. I hope that in fact Seabourn has maintained its standards but I'll know more in a few weeks.

[@JBM425]

I’m sure many would be interested in a trip report when you return!

[@cliffnorman178]

I understand that you say that these are not "big things" that you have highlighted .............. But in fact they are, if you are used to other cruise lines. Thank you so much for your thorough and articulate

[@tipsfortravellers]

Yes, you are right. They sound small but are significant....

[@lynnhoey6835]

Hi Gary, when I'm rating any holiday, I particularly look for the smaller things like you have just explained as I believe that that is what separates the great from the good to the mediocre. Very rarely do I give a 10/10

[@holdingfast7717]

Sailed the majestic princess last year and grand princess this year and the majestic seemed to have a veteran crew compared to the grand. While still nice and helpful it definitely shows.

[@Alabamaliberal]

I LOVE the price match resulting in a full refund of the price drop, good for Azamara for doing the right thing...By contrast, Norwegian only offers future cruise credits instead of partial refunds or onboard spending credits for the cruise you're already booked on. Future cruise credits suck because there's a mountain of stipulations that come with them so that you're really only receiving a mild discount ($4800 was issued because that was the actual, enormous price drop...but I was only able to actually use $1200 of the future cruise credits) for a cruise you had no intention of going on before the cruise credits were issued. Since you only have a year to use them, they are actually a stealth upsell into an entirely different cruise you probably wouldn't have booked at all.

[@TxHornyToad]

My wife and I have been on 14 cruises so far. About half on Azamara plus Crystal, Royal Caribbean and Holland America. Our last was a Christmas/New Year cruise on the new Rotterdam. I was unimpressed with that cruise. I like Azamara because of the small ships and where they go (as you correctly noted). Three days in the middle Saint Petersburg Russia. Three days in Miramar (Burma). Falkland Islands. Rounding Cape Horn. Panama Canal transit and small ports on the way. Our biggest complaint is their removal of the casinos. We will be looking for some new out-of-the-way place on one of the other cruise lines.

[@LuRuello]

Having just disembarked from a Carnival cruise, we witnessed the removal of tea and coffee making facilities in cabin plus now charging for what used to be free room service continental breakfasts, which we used to enjoy. Add to that the ever present sewer smells throughout the ship and seasickness, we're out of there for good. Landbased holidays from now on.

[@danncantley9755]

Excellent and informative video.

[@sylvainforget2174]

I can see how free good quality WI-FI is important to you as you have a KZbin channel. Although I have yet to take a cruise, I'd be willing to try dropping the electronic master for a while just to see if I am truly addicted.

[@geoffmorris1769]

Just returned from Greek cruise on Azamara Onward. I have now been on all four Azamara ships. I have not noticed a decline in many standards but was disappointed by some of the public areas such as public toilets. They weren’t as clean as they have been and considering Onward is a newly refurbished ship, the “finish” was poor in places, such as cracked tiles, poor decor/fittings on toilet doors etc. We also had very noisy air conditioning in our cabin which was quickly remedied. The ship was probably rushed into service when not fully finished.I still think Azamara offers great value for money. The food is still very, very good.

[@robertbangkok]

Very fair review. Convinced me to go on Azamara

[@DANIEL-rg8xg]

Hi Gary…awesome UNBIASED content 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Am planning a Greek Island focused high end cruise. Who would you recommend ?

[@torontocitizen6802]

I have no desire to go on any cruise. Thank you for the video. I found it informative.

[@maryanne1367]

It’s hard to "change" during or around COVID because people will mistake some restrictions ( like I would imagine the chocolate fondue event 😷) that cannot be provided are attributed to the the line as a whole and not the times we were in

[@geoffpeirce406]

The entertainment would put me off Azamara although I always wanted to go on a small ship, more exclusive type cruise line and may look to Oceania. My only concern with the smaller ships is that I would miss the West End style shows of some of the large cruise lines like Royal Caribbean. which as a family we very much enjoy but I guess that is a compromise of going with one of the more exclusive smaller ships

[@robertdaly3630]

Gary, We didn't follow your advice about not sailing on an inaugural voyage of a ship. But, we saw that video after I booked the Azamara Onward's inaugural voyage. The itinerary was perfect, sailing around Italy--from Monaco to (almost) Venice. But, the ship was not ready for "prime time". The common areas were well appointed ready for passengers, but my veranda cabin was not. The bed was new but all other furnishing were probably the same as initially installed 22 years ago. The cabinetry still had the space and connections for an old cathode ray tube TV. Azamara "sold" the ship as their "new ship" implying something that was recently built--not a 22 year old ship. Azamaa has a lot to fix on the Onward and I hope that happens sooner than later. We will probably take another Azamara trip as the voyage around Japan is very appealing.

[@arl4945]

The details were all on the Reflection! That being said I am likely to try this line :)

[@choco.es.unlimited]

One thing I love about ncl, they know my name. They be screaming it while I'm running around the ship with the glass of wine in my hand 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@gramalovespotter2460]

We just came home from Azamara Onward - our first Azamara experience. It certainly was not luxury. Poor wine choice, no hair dryers, sub-par entertainment, poor organization on embarkation...the list goes on. During the cruise, the concerns of many were not acknowledged - but they were joked about at the night shows! (They have since addressed them) The staff were great but we didn't get the upscaled vacation that we expected and paid for. We felt we had better service with Celebrity.

[@chriswilliams6568]

Well done Gary. thx

[@JacquiJardine-cy2dp]

We did our 12th Aza cruise in February. Food definitely not as good as last year, all ships are showing signs of age/poor maintenance but the crew as great as ever.

[@kevinhawthorne5257]

Great Video!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks for watching. Great to hear

[@huntrrams]

As a young cruise goer, I never heard of this company. Looks pretty nice.

[@paulalderson6920]

Princess FB groups are reporting that standards are going downhill. Staff are great and very willing but overall, Princess is not what it use to be. Have you had any reports Gary?

[@tb355921]

Great video review! We recently sailed on Onward round trip from Venice with an overnight in Venice. This means our itinerary was Venice for three of the eight days. Unfortunately, this was changed to Bologna (Ravenna). I say unfortunately because no complementary transportation was provided to Bologna nor Venice. We were left with a bad taste in our mouths because of this change with no apology nor accommodation. We do agree with all of Gary’s comments. We likely will seek another cruise line since the new ownership did not address our issues like when Royal Caribbean did in previous Azamara voyages.

[@mtjsrc1]

Fantastic review!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thank you kindly!

[@ryansullivan4092]

The small trivial things matter more, they are easy to get right and sometimes it’s inexcusable to get them wrong, we can all understand that the big things like carpets, lifts etc are major things and not easy to fix? But not getting an order right or missing towels etc is frustrating to me as it makes a huge difference to the experience.

[@andyrawlins]

Great review as always and I'm actually sitting looking at that ship now from my hotel in Kavala. I don't really understand the clickbait style title though which doesn't reflect the video at all (I'm glad to say)

[@tstidm4]

Really enjoy your channel. What would be your suggestions for a good single person cruise line? Haven’t cruised before and am curious what you suggest for solo travelers.

[@peterblakemore1218]

We have enjoyed two Cruises with Azamara and have booked a third.

[@robwales2282]

I do like the fact that they stay overnight in ports, giving you more time to explore

[@adamrexter1759]

Worked on both the journey and onward as a cadet.

[@channelz2929]

Thank you for sharing. I am interested in Azamara's Ireland Intensive Voyage--I am looking at the Dublin to Dublin offering.

[@1964Mooney]

Hey Gary- We just did an Island Princess canal trip and found exactly the same items you found on this ship. No attention to details Room issues (though fixed as you describe) no personal interaction with crew, hit or miss dinning experience, short staffing and untrained staff. Food quality and delivery was below standards we have been used to on other cruise lines. Not too interested in nother Princess cruise until I hear better reports for a while.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks for that. I am on Princess in a week and inserted to see how they stack up as fast trip was mixed....