ONBOARD AZAMARA ONWARD — Despite its small size and presence in the industry, boutique-ship operator Azamara does a commendable job in flexing its upper-premium chops in sometimes unexpected, but delightful ways.

In particular, the line’s culinary prowess is quite strong, presenting guests with a wide range of dishes, snacks and beverages on its relatively intimate ships.

A recent 14-night South Pacific voyage aboard Azamara Onward allowed me to thoroughly experience all facets of the product, both onboard and ashore.

WELL-MAINTAINED, VINTAGE HARDWARE

The line’s four sister ships, which all top out at roughly 700 guests, began their service as R-class ships for the defunct Renaissance Cruises between 1999-2001.

And although they’ve all had intermediate iterations, the four vessels have received the most tender-loving-care from Azamara, with the benefit of substantial refurbishments from 2022-2024.

And while Azamara Onward does flash modern decor and rich-looking palates in staterooms and some public spaces, it’s the well-preserved, original dark woodwork that gives the vessel its character.

Soft goods aboard look fresh and modern, but the ship does show its age in several original design decisions.

Standard verandah staterooms, which represent the bulk of the accommodations aboard, are moderately-sized at 175 square feet, with a 40-square-foot veranda that accommodates two chairs and a dining-height table.

The perfect spot for a stately entrance (photo credit Azamara)

But ultimately it’s the super-tight bathroom configuration that – through no fault of Azamara’s – the ship’s original designers left as an unfortunate legacy.

WARM SERVICE, DESTINATION FOCUS & CULTURAL ENRICHMENT DEFINE THE BRAND

Azamara’s destination focus is certainly on display in what are typically long, open-ended voyages that concentrate on a particular region – with an emphasis on out-of-the-way ports.

On my South Pacific sailing, which began in Papeete, Tahiti, we called at Pago Pago, American Samoa (a first visit for the ship to the sleepy U.S. territory), seldom-visited Tonga, the tropical paradise of Bora Bora, Samoa, Fiji and New Zealand.

In all but Bora Bora, Azamara Onward was the only ship in port, and in some cases the only ship that had visited in recent memory, according to locals.

Matira Beach, Bora Bora (photo credit D. Yeskel)

Most guests aboard were fit and well-travelled Baby Boomers who were already familiar with Azamara and/or were attracted by the exotic itinerary.

In all cases, they were smitten by the warm, attentive and highly personalized service from Onward’s majority-Filipino crew. For it is precisely that warm, family feeling that is Azamara’s principal appeal, according to many repeaters I spoke with. And crew members have an uncanny ability to learn – and remember – guests’ names, even those they haven’t yet interacted with.

The line also strives to bring the destination aboard. A few days before reaching New Zealand, two Maori ambassadors joined the ship to introduce us – via lectures, workshops, and performances of the always-exciting Haka war dance – to the history, culture and traditions of the proud warrior tribe that are New Zealand’s aboriginal people.

We weren’t just introduced to the culture; we were steeped in it – all before reaching the country’s shores, and that background made our subsequent visit much more meaningful.

Then, during a Destination Immersion dinner, we were treated to a deck buffet of Australian and New Zealand specialties, plus a complimentary, original Kiwi Mojito cocktail crafted by the ship’s affable Bar Manager, Michael.

Cultural enrichment is another brand pillar, as exemplified by three stimulating guest speakers plus the Maori reps. Two of the speakers focused on the history, literature, flora and fauna of the South Pacific, while a retired physicist fascinated the audience with details of his now-unclassified work on a direct-energy weapon for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Nighttime entertainment, a mix of moderate-quality production shows, a disappointing house band and talented fly-on acts, provided guests with something to do after dinner, but the overall onboard atmosphere was relatively subdued, which is just how Azamara’s loyal clientele evidently prefer it.

The most talented voice aboard Onward, however, is Cruise Director Darren Lynton, whose sets in the Cabaret Lounge and the intimate Den showed off his rich, professionally-trained voice with a selection of material that endeared him to guests.

PLENTY OF F&B OPTIONS

The scope and breadth of culinary options aboard are, surprisingly, inversely proportional to Azamara Onward’s intimate size.

Breakfast and lunch buffets and ethnic-themed spreads for dinner every night in Windows Cafe include just about everything guests would expect at those meals, plus full breakfast, lunch and dinner menus in the Discoveries main dining room.

Snacks, homemade chocolate truffles and pastries are available throughout the day and evening via rotating presentations in Mosaic Cafe. A nice selection of afternoon tapas and late-night snacks are served in The Living Room, and an extensive, no-fee room service menu is available 24 hours a day.

Meanwhile, the outdoor Patio is much more than a burger bar, with hot dishes, grilled fish sandwiches, lamb kebabs, and self-service frozen yogurt machines accompanied by a plethora of toppings.

In addition, a throwback Sunday brunch buffet in the dining room was a nice surprise, and the homemade ice creams and cookies were delicious guilty pleasures.

Of the two specialty restaurants aboard, steakhouse Prime C is far superior – in terms of food quality – to the Italian –focused Aqualina, where the menu is in the process of being refreshed.

Both cost US$49, but at the moment only Prime C is worthy of that upcharge.

Most impressive, however, were the nightly, ethnic-themed dinner buffets in Windows Cafe, which were extensive and largely authentic. While the Indian, Italian and French nights were very popular, The Chinese dinner buffet was elevated for Chinese New Year, with highlights including multiple varieties of dim sum, a Peking duck station, a stir fry station, preserved plums, and a complimentary vodka and lychee based Chinese New Year cocktail.

Basic highballs, standard spirits, and a selection of classic cocktails, as well as several wine and beer selections, are also included in the fare, and most guests seem to gravitate towards these options, rather than the extra-charge spirits and cocktails. Specialty coffee drinks like cappuccino, lattes, mocha and hot chocolate are also gratis, but alcohol-based options carry a surcharge.

AZAMAZING DAY IN BAY OF ISLANDS, NZ

On nearly every itinerary, the line offers what it calls an AzAmazing Evening – typically a private performance or cultural event ashore that accommodates all guests.

On my recent voyage, however, the AzAmazing Day was a beautifully planned and choreographed, full afternoon ashore along the historic Russell Waterfront, a one-time, lawless frontier town that now spotlights history, culture and performance art.

Guests enjoyed learning more about the Maori culture and the area’s colourful past, while enjoying local New Zealand food and drink – all at no cost. Meanwhile, actors in period costumes regaled the crowd with delightful stories and funny, in-character quips that added to the ambiance.

That day provided the perfect topper for the 14-night voyage, as the captain summed up Azamara’s ethos in his farewell message: “You come aboard as guests, and leave as family.”

And judging by my experience, that’s not hype or hyperbole. It’s the real thing.