How
old? The Azamara Journey was launched in 2000 and refurbished in 2016. She's in good condition.
How many passengers? Not too crowded - 686 maximum.
Destinations? Worldwide.
Cruise length: Mine was a lengthy 18 days. But the ship runs with a variety of itineraries. Plenty to choose from.
Cabins: There are 355 staterooms in several categories, including 209 balcony rooms and six wheelchair-accessible cabins.
Food: This is one of the Azamara line's key offerings. The ship Discoveries Restaurant (a la carte); Pool Grill, Windows Cafe (buffet with indoor seating and outdoor terraces), Aqualina (specialty dinner restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine), Prime C (dinner-only restaurant with seafood and steakhouse menu; operates at surcharge), bar tapas, cafe and cakes.
Entertainment: All sorts from spectacular, cabaret mini-shows, a resident eight-piece orchestra, guest musicians and a resident DJ. The wide range of onboard activities includes talks by experts on topics relevant to the locale, trivia quizzes, a guests' choir, model ship building, water-colour painting, bridge lessons and much more.
Facilities: There's Wi-Fi throughout, although it's an expensive package, a TV in every room, library, several lounge areas, plenty of outdoor relaxing space, self-service laundry, gym, spa, medical unit, concierge and guest relations desk, and one shop selling everything from designer clothes and expensive jewellery to plasters.
Service: Excellent, friendly service across the board, from senior crew to serving staff.
Shore tours: Plenty on offer, but be warned - they can be pricey.
What's great about this ship? It's 'boutique' size and it's friendly crew.
What's not so great? A slightly small swimming pool, and bad news for the smokers, there's only one smoking area.
Ideal for: Cruisers in the over-40 demographic and travellers who don't want to be hemmed in by thousands of fellow passengers, or surrounded by too many shops or excessive dining options.
