Azamara Journey Review (2025): Honest Pros, Cons & Our Final Score

We’re Mark and Monica from Digital Roamads. We just finished a 10-night Islands of the Mediterranean sailing on Azamara Journey and here is a straight-talk review: what we loved, what was frustrating, how to get the most from an Azamara cruise, and practical money-saving strategies. We sailed September into October 2025 and visited Mallorca, Menorca, Sardinia, Malta, Capri, Corsica, plus a unique stop in Tunisia. This was our fifth Azamara cruise, and it reinforced what makes the brand special: destination-focused itineraries on small ships.

Why Azamara stands out

Azamara is all about the itinerary and the destinations. With ships under 700 guests, the experience feels more like a relaxed river cruise than a megaship voyage. Embarkation and getting ashore are easy, port days are often longer or overnight, and you can access smaller ports that larger ships skip. If you prioritize unique ports and time in destination over onboard theatrics, Azamara will likely appeal to you.

Quick scorecard

Overall rating we gave this cruise: 4.3 out of 5. Highlights and weaknesses below.

Internet

It was the best Starlink internet we have had on any ship. Speeds were not artificially capped the way many lines do, which mattered a lot because we work while traveling. Basic Wi-Fi is often included with a booking package, typically for a single device; streaming upgrades (higher speed) are available for about $7.95 per day. If internet performance is critical to you, Azamara delivered.

Cabins and onboard feel

We stayed in a regular balcony veranda (category V1, which is a midship location). The staterooms are comfortable with a great bed, an efficient desk, and reliable air conditioning. Expect smaller cabins and bathrooms compared with the newest ships. The bathroom had a shower curtain and less square footage, so if you need hotel-sized bathrooms you may find this tight. For us it was fine because the emphasis is on port time.

Dining and specialty restaurants

Dining was one of the better aspects of this sailing. Overall dinner selection felt improved compared with our previous Azamara trips, and both specialty restaurants we tried—Prime C and Aqualina—were strong. Specialty dining ran about $50 per person for each restaurant, which is reasonable compared with many lines today.

The buffet layout is a bit cramped in places because the ship is older and the design does not optimize flow. Still, finding a table is easy and there is a pleasant outdoor dining deck. Expect breakfast and lunch to be consistent; dinners can vary by itinerary based on ingredient sourcing and the chef roster.

Special onboard events

Every Azamara sailing features two signature events: the White Night and the As Amazing Evening. White Night is a deck dinner where everyone dresses in white; it can be magical with good weather, but on full sailings you may need to arrive early to secure a table. As Amazing Evenings are often off-ship events that feel special and are included in your cruise fare.

Booking and reservations: real-world issues

Two operational notes to be aware of:

• Azamara still relies on paper daily schedules rather than a shipboard app. That means changes and clarifications can be slower and more confusing than with an app-based line.
• Large partner groups can impact availability. On this sailing a sizable PerryGolf group consumed a lot of specialty dining seating and larger tables, making reservations harder to get.

If specialty dining is important to you, book it as early as possible once onboard. Staff can often find cancellations later, but don’t assume seating will be easy on a crowded sailing with groups.

Dining timing strategy

To avoid waits in the main dining room, do one of the following: arrive early around 6:15 to 6:45 pm, or dine after 8 pm. Between 7 and 8 pm can get busy with pre-dinner drinks and groups shifting to dinner. Wait times are generally manageable, but you can save time and frustration by picking off-peak hours.

On-the-ground port advice

On a tight port-day schedule, plan your lunches carefully. We once chose the Patio Grill on a day when excursions left around 12:45 pm; our food took 40 minutes and arrived just as we had to depart. On tight days pick the buffet, the Mosaic Cafe for light sandwiches, or have a big breakfast to avoid missing an excursion. When excursions cluster around the same departure time, onboard dining lines and kitchen timing can become a bottleneck.

Value, pricing, and how we paid almost nothing

We paid $34.85 per person for this 10-night sailing. That sounds incredible because it’s a more premium small-ship cruise. The trick: we redeemed six complimentary nights earned through Azamara’s loyalty program (Explorer Plus), so our fare was prorated across the remaining nights. The cruise fare we actually covered was mostly for about three or four nights after applying free-night credits.

The fare we used also included a basic beverage package and one Wi-Fi device connection. We paid additionally for specialty dining, an internet upgrade, and select excursions. We also had onboard credit that offset a chunk of excursion costs, so we did not leave with a large final bill.

How Azamara compares on price

Azamara generally offers strong value in the close-to-luxury segment. Typical average balcony fares vary, but focusing on value sailings can drop nightly rates considerably. Compared to similar lines:

• Oceania is slightly more expensive on average but similar in inclusions.
• Viking averages higher overall but has select value sailings.
• Seabourn and Silversea are positioned higher and can be more costly, though occasional sweet spots exist.

If you plan to use onboard credits, beverage packages, and Wi-Fi, consider buying Azamara’s pre-purchased packages such as Essentials or Explore to bundle value items. Essentials often includes short excursion credit, unlimited Wi-Fi upgrades, a premium beverage package, and onboard spending credit. Depending on how much you will use, these packages can be worth the price.

Practical tips to get the most from Azamara

1. Book specialty restaurants as early as possible once onboard and be flexible about times.
2. Avoid the 7 to 8 pm dining window to beat crowds. Try 6:15 to 6:45 pm or after 8 pm.
3. If you have a tight excursion departure, choose the buffet or Mosaic Cafe instead of table-service spots that may be slow.
4. Join the loyalty program early. Explorer Plus and higher tiers earn free nights and perks.
5. Always consider booking your next Azamara cruise onboard. You can typically get at least 5 to 10 percent off the best rate plus exclusive onboard credit offers you cannot get elsewhere.
6. Bring realistic expectations about cabin size and ship age. The trade-off is access to special ports and a relaxed small-ship vibe.

Would we book Azamara again?

Yes. We love the itinerary options, the small-ship access to unique ports, and the general quality of the food and service. The line is not new-ship shiny and there are trade-offs, but when destination time, unique ports, and a relaxed onboard crowd are your priority, Azamara delivers strong value.

FAQ

Is Azamara worth it for a Mediterranean cruise?

Yes, especially if you value longer port days, overnight stays, and access to smaller or less-visited ports. The small-ship format and destination-focused itineraries are Azamara’s strongest selling points.

What is included in an Azamara fare?

Most fares include meals in the main dining room and buffet, many onboard events, and standard service. Packages and promotions may add beverage packages, Wi-Fi, and onboard credits. Specialty dining, higher-speed internet upgrades, and some excursions are usually extra.

How can I save money on an Azamara cruise?

Join the loyalty program to earn free nights, book onboard to access exclusive discounts and bonus onboard credit, watch for value sailings, and consider purchasing bundled packages pre-cruise if you will use most of the inclusions.

Are the cabins small?

Compared with the newest large-ship builds, yes. Balcony cabins and bathrooms are more compact, but they are comfortable and functional. If you prefer larger staterooms, consider suite categories that are significantly roomier.

How is the Wi-Fi on Azamara?

Wi-Fi performance was excellent on our sailing thanks to Starlink, and Azamara did not impose restrictive speed caps. Basic Wi-Fi is commonly included with some bookings, usually for one device; streaming upgrades are available for a reasonable daily fee.

Final thoughts

Azamara is a compelling choice if your focus is destination time, unique ports, and a calmer onboard environment. Expect smaller cabins and an older-ship layout, but also excellent itineraries, very good food most of the time, and reliable internet if you pay for the right package. Use loyalty credits, book smartly onboard, and follow the timing tips above and you can get excellent value from the experience.

Safe travels, and see you out there.