Azamara Journey Review

Azamara Journey delivers a polished, small-ship cruise experience with a focus on comfort and destination immersion, but it doesn’t entirely escape its age or limitations. The deck plan is efficient, with most amenities centralized on Decks 5, 9 and 10, ensuring minimal walking distances. The pool deck is a highlight, offering cushioned loungers, shaded seating and convenient access to casual dining. 

Dining is a strong point, with options ranging from the dependable Windows Café buffet to elevated experiences at Prime C and Aqualina, though the specialty restaurants can be hit or miss when it comes to vegan or plant-based offerings. 

Rooms, especially veranda cabins, are functional but compact, with small bathrooms and limited storage, while suites provide worthwhile upgrades with added perks like complimentary Internet and laundry.

This ship is best suited for adults seeking a quiet, culturally enriching vacation, making it ideal for couples or multigenerational families without young children. While comparable to other small ship luxury cruise lines in its intimate size and refined atmosphere, Azamara Journey lags slightly behind in modern amenities and onboard technology, which discerning travelers may notice.

Azamara Journey Deck Plan is Compact

Holiday Decor on Azamara Journey (Photo: Rachel King)

Azamara Journey offers a compact, accessible layout, with most social and dining areas concentrated on Decks 5, 9 and 10. Its design minimizes long walks, making it easy for passengers to enjoy the ship’s amenities without excessive travel between locations. While this is not a party ship, more boisterous activity is confined mostly to Deck 5 around the Spirits bar in the evenings and Deck 9 all day.

Deck 5 features the main dining room on the aft side of the ship, with prime views of the ship's wake. The Mosaic Café and shops flank the atrium, with The Den toward the forward of the ship. Here you’ll find the Shore Excursions desk, the Photo Shop (where you can purchase printouts of photos taken by the ship’s photographer at various events), and the Spirits cocktail bar. And at the forward side of the floor is the Cabaret Lounge, which hosts everything from the muster station drill on the first day to pub quiz parties to late night music.

Deck 9 is dominated by action, starting with the centrally located pool (with hot tubs), surrounded by cushioned deck chairs. (There is additional and more quiet seating at the Sun Deck on Deck 11.) You’ll also find the fitness center here near the Sanctum Spa toward the front. The galley, named Windows Café, sits behind the pool area toward the Aft. The Patio is just outside of Windows near the pool area, serving the kind of food you’d expect there: burgers, fries, pizza, etc. The Sunset Bar sits on the very back of this deck behind the galley, serving beer, wine and cocktails. 

Deck 10 combines dining and relaxation. The premium restaurants—Aqualina, Prime C and the Chef’s Table—are located aft, directly above the galley. The Drawing Room, the ship’s library, offers a peaceful spot to read with a cup of tea, while The Living Room provides a casual and slightly more social lounge for chatting and board games. It also has a bar with tapas and live music in the evenings. 

Azamara Journey Cabins are Functional; Limited Outlets

Veranda Cabin on Azamara Journey (Photo: Rachel King)

Azamara Journey hosts 352 staterooms and 46 suites across a variety of cabin types, including interior and veranda staterooms. 

The Veranda staterooms, where we stayed, provide a functional layout with amenities such as a queen-size convertible bed, a flat-screen TV, a minibar and a private balcony. While some elements feel refreshed, the overall design reveals the ship’s age, with dated features like sagging cabinet hinges and limited power outlets, falling short of modern traveler expectations.

Following the recent ship renovation, the veranda stateroom does have a number of notable contemporary updates, including new carpeting, refreshed walls and recently installed curtains. The private balcony, complete with a table and chairs, offers sufficient space for two people to enjoy meals or relax when weather and tides permit.

Despite these positives, the storage is limited to a small closet, a few narrow drawers and underbed space. USB-A ports located discreetly under bedside lamps are easy to miss and the overall scarcity of outlets may inconvenience those with multiple devices. No USB-C ports are present in the staterooms. 

Travelers who value spacious bathrooms should consider alternatives, as the bathrooms in veranda staterooms are quite tiny. The shower area is compact, with very limited shelf space for toiletries (which fall on the floor of the shower often), though it does feature good water pressure and consistent hot water.

Rooms near high-traffic or entertainment areas may also experience noise disturbances, though this was not a significant issue during our sailing. This was particularly the case for veranda staterooms on Deck 6 toward the aft, which are directly above the Cabaret Lounge, and there was often loud music well into the evenings, past 10 p.m. on some nights. 

For guests seeking enhanced comfort, suites may be the best option, offering more space, upgraded furnishings and exclusive perks. If a suite is within your budget, it may be worth the splurge for the added convenience and attention to detail.

Azamara Journey has Casual and Specialty Options

Windows Cafe on Azamara Journey (Photo: Rachel King)

Dining on Azamara Journey is divided into casual and fine dining, offering options to suit a variety of preferences. Casual dining includes the Windows Café, a buffet-style galley and The Patio, an outdoor grill, both on Deck 9 as well as the Pool Bar and Sunset Bar for beer, wine and cocktails. For more refined cocktails, the Spirits Bar on Deck 5 features an extensive menu of premium wines and spirits available for purchase outside the included drinks package. These spirits are included in the upgraded drinks packages guests can purchase if they choose.

Fine dining highlights include the Discoveries Restaurant, the ship’s main dining room, which enforces a smart casual dress code. (So you can’t just roll up to breakfast in your gym clothes, but you can do that at Windows Café.) Aqualina, an Italian-themed restaurant, and Prime C, a steakhouse, round out the premium dining options, each requiring reservations that are best secured upon boarding. Prime C and Aqualina also offer plant-based menus, making them ideal for vegan and vegetarian guests. The Chef’s Table is a 12-seat, prix fixe experience with themed menus and a $125 cover charge, while Prime C and Aqualina each charge $50 per person. 

Additional options include Mosaic Café, offering craft coffee and pastries, and 24/7 room service with a broad menu catering to dietary restrictions. (While the food quality is generally high, the room service interface could benefit from modernization.) Afternoon tea is served in Aqualina on sea days, with your requisite finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and a selection of teas to choose from. 

No Casino on Azamara Journey but White Night Party Delights

White Party on Azamara Journey (Photo: Rachel King)

Azamara Journey does not have a casino. According to Azamara leadership, the casino was removed due to low usage, and the space was repurposed into a general lounge area for passengers to enjoy.

Entertainment is offered daily and is primarily geared towards adults, as there are few children or minors onboard. Guests can enjoy live music on the pool deck and in The Living Room during the evening, as well as nightly performances in the Cabaret Lounge.

One of the standout events onboard is the White Night party, a themed gathering where guests are encouraged to wear all-white attire. This event blends the feel of a formal evening with the casual atmosphere of a poolside buffet. Held on Deck 9 with additional seating available on Deck 10, the night includes a live band playing popular hits and specialty cocktails such as white sangria. Seating is first-come, first-served, and it’s advisable to arrive early, especially for larger groups. It’s worth noting that during this event, the Windows Café is closed, leaving room service as the primary alternative for dinner aside from light bites at Mosaic Café or The Living Room. 

AzAmazing Evenings Provide Cultural Enrichment

AzAmazing Evening at Teatro Adolfo Mejía in Cartagena, Colombia (Photo: Rachel King)

Along with smaller ships and longer days in port, AzAmazing Evenings are one of the major selling points for Azamara Cruises. These events, included as part of the cruise fare, are designed to showcase authentic experiences that travelers might find challenging to organize independently. The programming varies by location and often includes performances like orchestras, regional music groups or cultural displays, such as equestrian shows. While most events are held ashore, some take place onboard when the local infrastructure is unsuitable for larger gatherings.

A key aspect of these evenings is their focus on cultural authenticity and collaboration with local communities, ensuring the events reflect the character of the destination. Past examples have included a Beatles tribute band performance in Liverpool and traditional dance performances in Croatia, highlighting the range of experiences offered. Guests are not informed of the specific details until closer to the event, adding an element of surprise that some people relish.