Last week we were invited to experience one of Azamara’s small ship fleet in Southampton when she (the Azamara Quest) was alongside for a changeover day. We leapt at the chance to view one of these small, elegant ships which have proven to be both enduring and endearing and which remain extremely popular with the adventurous and culturally curious cruising community. All four of Azamara’s ships share common features and characteristics with 3 of the sisters being exactly the same (the fourth has minor differences in some shared areas such as a cocktail bar in place of part of the Library) and therefore a visit to one is as good as seeing the whole fleet.

Azamara’s speciality is (in their words) ‘Destination Immersion’ which involves cruising to visit many ports of call as possible in combination with spending as much time in port as possible – arriving early morning with extended destination days allowing a late 8pm departure or, in many ports, an overnight stay.

The ships cover all seven continents and in 2025 there have been, or are scheduled, a total of 382 overnight stays across the fleet. Given research shows that 90% of clients are choosing their cruise based on destination then Azamara’s approach and itineraries are likely to offer something to appeal to everyone.

Azamara pride themselves on their relaxed, boutique style cruising with a ‘home from home’ style and ethos. With a maximum of 700 passengers (assuming all rooms with convertible beds have triple occupancy) served by 400 dedicated crew, the ships, while small, never feel crowded and there is plenty of space onboard in light and airy surroundings.

While it should be said that the suites are relatively compact, each of those that we visit was well appointed and comfortable.

The Spa Suites – of which there are 2 on each vessel – offer direct access to the spa and gives guests a health and wellness focused experience with healthy snacks delivered by the complimentary Butler service.

The Sanctuary Spa and gym are both well-equipped peaceful spaces – the gym is large for the size of ship, testament perhaps to the relatively youthfulness of the average Azamara guest (at around 55 years old).

The Thalassotherapy facilities which form part of the Sanctuary Spa are free of charge for Spa Suite guests , but passes are available on each cruise to enable guests to access the space while being limited in number to avoid overcrowding.

In terms of shared space, ‘The Living Room’ personifies the home from home. Light and airy. It’s the destination for afternoon tea followed by the evening Tapas service and then, if you’re not sated, late night snacks while listening to Live music.

The library is an oasis of calm and like most of the shared spaces on board is spacious and light.

The patio on the pool deck offers destination inspired cuisine and gives guests an Al fresco dining option. Windows cafe at the stern of the ship is the buffet restaurant where a delectable range of freshly prepared foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner await diners.

Prime C, the speciality steakhouse on board, has the addition of the very popular chef’s table where up to 12 guests can eat a 6-course meal served with fine wines.

While there are no formal nights or specific dress code other than ‘Smart Casual’ for guests while on board, there is one White Night per cruise/week where passengers dress in white and gather on deck for an elegant soiree.

The deck is also the focus for two other significant events. On longer cruises, guests experience destination showcases (weather permitting) of locally focused food and entertainment such as French markets or steel bands. While on some port calls, guest speakers  share the myths and legends of their homelands in ‘Stories under the stars’.

When the ships overnight in a port – once per cruise – guests are invited to attend an ‘Azamazing Event’. These are complementary and include onshore flamenco performances (in a Spanish town square no less), sunset in the ruins at Ephesus and other similarly exotic experiences.

Our visit to the ship was topped by lunch which showcased dishes from the various restaurants and dining options on board. This was sensational. The Asian inspired starter was sublime (it is worth noting that plant-based substitutes for all dishes were available on request) while the Steak Diane was cooked to perfection.

The acid test is, of course, would we sail on the Azamara Quest?

Yes, absolutely is the answer. The small ship appeal, the range of destinations, the quality of the food and the smiling staff all make Azamara a very attractive option for the adventurous among you.

Thanks to Stuart, Pete and Moira of Azamara for their hospitality. We certainly appreciated the time and opportunity to experience this lovely classic cruise ship.