Having returned from a 10-day ‘Intensive Spain’ cruise on board Azamara Onward here is what we thought of the whole experience.

We picked up the cruise in Barcelona with boarding at 2pm and with a scheduled 5pm departure. As the ship has a maximum capacity of around 770 passengers the check-in was quite quick. We were welcomed on board with a glass of bubbly and were told our cabin was ready. Our sailing had 657 passengers with 28 nationalities of which about a third were American, 15% Canadian and less than 10% British. I know this because this information is published in the final daily publication magazine called ‘THE INSIDER’ magazine.

Dining

The main dining room is the Discoveries Restaurant found aft on deck 5. This venue is waiter service only and is open for breakfast from 07:30 until 09:00, lunch from 12:30 until 13:30 (noon to 14:30 on sea days) and dinner from 18:00 until 21:00. Tables range from two to eight seats and no reservation is required. The longest we had to wait for a table was 10 minutes but there is a small waiting area with a bar (Discoveries Bar) alongside the desk.

Buffet style dining can be taken at the Windows Café (aft) on pool deck 9, which is generally open for breakfast from 07:00 until 10:30, lunch from 12:30 until 14:30 and dinner from 18:30 until 20:30. There is also a lovely outside (aft) area (weather dependent) for those preferring to eat alfresco. Opening times do, however, vary slightly depending on when the ship is arriving at, or departing from, the port so it is always a good idea to read the daily Insider Magazine!

The Patio is an area just outside (forward) of the Windows Café where barbecue and ‘street’ style food is served at lunch although, weather permitting, dinner is sometimes served here. We were lucky as we were in Seville for two days when the Azamara ‘White Night’ (everyone dresses in white) Party and we were treated to an amazing buffet on deck around the pool. The Patio area was cleared to make way for tables for the food where the choice was quite incredible, from lobster/giant prawns and pork ribs to Spanish Beef Stew and a variety of Indian Curries. A whole host of delicious cold meats, cheeses and salads were also on offer.

There are a couple of other areas serving food dotted around the ship such as the Mosaic Café on deck 5 which serves coffees and teas as well as pastries and sandwiches and The Living Room (forward) on deck 10 for sandwiches and pastries or tapas.

In addition to the Discoveries Restaurant there are two speciality dining rooms on the ship located on deck 10 (aft). Aqualina is on the port side and Prime C is on starboard side.

In Aqualina you’ll find some of Italy’s most authentic dishes. Fresh pastas made from scratch, traditional Italian recipes and gorgeous vegetarian dishes making sure no one misses out. Aqualina is sophisticated without any snobbery and has a relaxed atmosphere, accompanied by lovely views and fabulous service. We loved it!

Prime C is the place to go for meat lovers. Whether it’s a steak cooked to your preference, superb sea bass or succulent duck breast, this establishment has it all. Like Aqualina, Prime C offers great views from the Panoramic windows in sophisticated surroundings and serves some of the best food we have ever tried at sea. Simply divine!

The Chef’s Table is a table for (up to) 12 people and is situated in a separate part of Aqualina.

The Azamara Chefs have created two outstanding 5 course menus which have been expertly paired by their Sommeliers. One is a French menu and the other is Italian. We chose an evening with the French menu. Once seated we were introduced to the Executive Chef, Nathan Shijunath, who explained everything about the menu in fine detail. He was followed by the Sommelier Sachin Raut, who explained all about the wine pairing for each course. Our table was full, with a party from Mansfield in Ohio and as we are from Mansfield in England, we all got on famously. It turned out to be an evening of fun with great food amongst great company.

When on board there are a variety of packages available to book (cover charges apply) the speciality restaurants but be warned, they do get booked up! Well worth doing. Our 3-meal package cost $175 each, which is very reasonable.

Entertainment

Entertainment onboard Azamara Onward is quite limited, and not what you would generally find on board the huge ships of today, as much emphasis is put on the destinations visited hence why their voyages are entitled ‘port intensive’ with numerous overnights in port. However, what we got was varied and of a decent standard. The Living Room (aft) on deck 10 plays host to daily Trivia & Games throughout the day. These include themed music trivia and pub quizzes. In the evening this venue has dancing to a live band right through until around 11pm after which the ships DJ plays your favourite tunes from Latin to Pop until the early hours.

The Den on deck 5 (midship) is a nice size bar area where guests can sit and chat and listen to piano music (Alexa on the Keys). Unforgettable melodies and timeless classics with vocals make this a good place to go and relax after dinner.

The Cabaret Lounge is on deck 5 forward. This venue hosts various events during the day, from Salsa Classes to Destination Speakers and from Bingo to Smartphone Photo Classes! In the evenings there is a variety of musical entertainment. We witnessed Club Crooner Cabaret, with songs from the likes of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett to the more recent stars such as Michael Bublé and Natalie Cole plus The Very Best of Big Band Swing Hits with tributes paid to the greatest big bands and where guests get the opportunity to dance.

Bars

Most of the venues mentioned also have a bar and opening times do vary depending on what is happening either on board or in port. They are:

The Den - Deck 5, 17:00 –CLOSE

Cabaret Bar - Deck 5, Open during showtimes

Mosaic Café - Deck 5, 07:00 – 22:00

Discoveries - Deck 5, 17:30 – 21:30

Pool Bar - Deck 9, 10:00 – 21:00 (weather permitting)

Living Room - Deck 10, 14:00 – CLOSE

Prime C - Deck 10, 18:00 – 21:30

Atlas Bar- Deck 10, 17:30 – CLOSE - This is an exclusive venue found only on Azamara Onward. Cocktails are served alongside small hot and cold plates. This is the only bar where a charge is made for drinks unless one has upgraded their (free) standard drinks package.

Fitness & Wellness

The Sanctum on Azamara Onward is a spa and sun deck offering a number of services and treatments. In this area is:

• Sanctum Terrace: A private sun deck with a saltwater bath, jets, and ocean-views
• Spa services: Includes facials, massages, body sculpting, and teeth whitening.
• Spa rituals: Half- and full-day packages that combine services like facials, massage, and body sculpting.
• Club Spa Suites: Contemporary suites with access to the spa, pool, and restaurants.
• Spa soaking tub: A glass-enclosed tub with a rain shower and views of the ocean.

Access to the Sanctum Terrace is limited to certain guests, including Suite guests, Guests who have received any of the available treatment at the Sanctum Spa, and Guests who purchase an entry pass whilst on board. This area is very private and is well worth taking a day pass for.

The pool deck on deck 9 has a small plunge pool and two large Jacuzzis. There are lots of sun lounges and towels as well as a decent-sized bar. Live music is played most days subject to the weather behaving.

We think that Azamara is an excellent product for those wanting to experience a smaller ship with an opportunity to spend more time in port (many overnight) and to get to places normally only accessible via road from another port. As an example, for those cruises visiting Seville on a larger vessel, Cadiz is the main port, and it takes about 90 minutes to reach by road. We, however, had a lovely four-hour river cruise up the Guadalquivir River right into the centre of Seville and spent two nights in port from where we walked into the city. This is part of the ‘Intensive’ theme offered by Azamara which also includes destination speakers who give talks for those wanting in-depth knowledge of where they are going. In addition, The Patio area on deck 9 offers an Al Fresco ‘Destination Immersion’ buffet where traditional food akin to the local region is served

The food, overall, was of a high standard and the service impeccable.

Entertainment is adequate (and generally good) but would probably not fully satisfy those wanting a Broadway-style show every evening.

Other than the ‘White Night’ on pool deck, there was never any feeling of overcrowding in any of the eating venues or around the pool deck and there are lots of quiet areas around the ship including a small library and a place to play board games or do a jigsaw puzzle.

Drinks on board Azamara are complimentary with your cruise fare, and we did not find the need to pay and upgrade to a higher level. The wine choice is limited but what was on offer was excellent and the choice of beers and spirits was very acceptable.

The dress code on Azamara is smart-casual everywhere on the ship though we like to dress up, so it was usually collared shirt and jacket for me and cocktail dress or trouser suit for Zoe. The only exception to jackets was for the ‘White Night’ and when eating in the buffet (Windows Café.