This episode, we’re on a boutique cruise from historic Rome, sailing along the gorgeous Italian Riviera, up to glitzy Monte Carlo!
This is our Cruise Diary edition: part two of our series, testing out affordable luxury Cruising. We’re aboard Azamara Cruises, and their ship The Pursuit. Which offers a near ‘All Inclusive Experience’, with complimentary drinks and cocktails, fine dining, and fun evenings under the stars. We want to find out if you can still get amazing service, a choice of gourmet dining, cocktails and canapés,… all at a price which is affordable.
You can watch the First Episode here:
You can watch our video on the Celebrity Ascent Here :
In that first episode we gave you The Full Ship Guide and Review, showing you all that Azamara has to offer. THIS episode is the Cruise Diary, the fun one, where we go behind the scenes, to show you day by day how it would be for you. We go through the Azamara fleet, the ships they have, and how many passengers.
Finding a cruise line that is going the opposite direction of almost everybody else is quite unusual. By that I mean a return the traditional style of cruising. And that’s exactly the subject of this video. We’ll show you what its like for 1 week, aboard one of the world’s luxury cruise lines.
We’ll also show you some of the ports of call, so you can decide if you would like cruising round this particular part of the world. We were in the Italian Riviera. Which is absolutely gorgeous.
So this is a 7 night Diary, in a balcony cabin. We’ll show you their infamous White Night, immersion evenings. The Captain had a standoff with
The Italian coast guard, and we weren’t even certain if we were going ashore… or not, and well dissect and rate the food on offer!
As ever, we’ll be as honest and straight as we can, nobody has paid us to give this review, these are entirely our own opinions.
Episode Highlights
1. Who is Azamara
2. the fleet of Ships
3. Seven day video diary showing you how life is aboard
4. Room Service at breakfast time
5. Buffet
6. Cabin Tour
Azamara has near identical ships: The Azamara Quest, Azamara Journey and Azamara Onward.
Azamara Cruise
Azamara Cruise Review
Azamara Pursuit Cruise Ship
Azamara White Night
Azamara Mediterranean Cruises
Discoveries restaurant – Main Dining Room on Azamara
Windows Cafe – buffet on Azamara
The Living Room and Den lounges on Azamara
Sunset Bar
Cabaret Lounge
Cabin Review
Mosaic Cafe on Azamara
Speciality dining on Azamara – Prime C Steakhouse and Aqualina Italian restaurant
Veranda stateroom
Cruise news
Cruise tips
Cruise review
Azamara Voyages
The staff onboard for our Azamara cruise:
Captain and Master: Antonio Toledo
Hotel Director – Tomasz Jadczyk
Food & Beverage: Ertan Karasakal
Cruise Director: Grace O’Donnell Clancy
Associate Cruise Director – & Opera Singer – Nicholas Simpson
Lounge Band – Marvelous Funk
Azamaze Opera Singers: Incanto Quartet
This is not a paid review, we bought and paid for it ourselves, and these are entirely our own opinions. We are always delighted to get feedback, so if you enjoyed it, or feel there was anything we didn’t get quite right, or should emphasise something different, please do leave a comment. We always love to hear from our viewers.
Our Instagram Channel is : https://www.instagram.com/ritzytravelguide/
Drone aerial footage by Nightskyhunter
Hi, welcome to Ritzy Travel Guide, my name is Bill, we are here bringing you our latest travel reviews from around the globe! We’ll be travelling right around the world on cruise ships, all inclusive resorts, tropical destinations… and the deals of the day.
In this video :
00:00 – Intro
02:14 – Embarkation Day
04:15 – Balcony Cabin Tour
06:09 – Cocktail Challenge
07:39 – Cabaret Lounge & Show
08:05 – Early Morning Deck Inspection
10:54 – Checking the Gym
11:34 – Arriving in Livorno
12:02 – Breakfast on deck
13:22 – Visit to Florence (Firenze)
14:54 – Lemoncello Immersion Event
15:45 – Azamara ‘Azamazing’ Evening
17:14 – Morning arrival in Portofino
17:46 – We meet the Celebrity Ascent!
20:46 – Standoff with the Coastguard!!
24:22 – Portofino & Santa Margherita
27:17 – Room Service Breakfast
29:03 – Porto Venere & an Italian Wedding
31:21 – Azamara White Night
37:07 – Genoa (Genova)
42:28 – Indian Buffet
43:44 – Monte Carlo
46:11 – Conclusions on Azamara
47:45 – Upcoming Cruises & Videos
49:00 – Cunard Queen Elizabeth
————————————————-
Contact us, and FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Email : ritzytravelguide@gmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/ritzytravelguide/
ABOUT ME:
Hi, my name is Bill! Together with my family we have lived in 5 countries around the world, and spend our life travelling, in both a professional and recreational capacity. Please do feel free to comment and share. Thanks!
29 Comments
If you enjoyed the video, please do drop us a comment, we'd love to hear from you!
You can watch Part One, about Azamara here:
https://youtu.be/rUtsE6XV6YM?si=0Tre3n_T4OCQZ_Rw
Thanks!
What a bizarre incident with the Coast Guard, sounds like palms needed to crossed with silver. Great video, We've only been with Celebrity but I'm trying to persuade my wife to give a smaller ship a try and I like the look of Azamara
Although I have never done an ocean cruise (we have done river cruises), I have thoroughly enjoyed watching your videos since I came across your site a few weeks ago. Informative, with a witty and dry sense of humour (“listerine martini” – 😂). When we eventually arrange an ocean cruise, I think Azamara will be a definite option for us.
love your videos! creating and fun
Has to be one of the best videos I’ve ever seen. Perfectly executed.
We were on the Ascent at the same time we couldn’t go ashore as the coastguard said there was a meningitis case and we couldn’t go on land. There was no problems but when they eventually allowed people on they had to hall wear masks in case
We were on a large ship Grand Princess and it docked in Monte Carlo back in 2010
Fantastic review, thank you Bill. Love your videos and your charisma.
Watching on TV bigger screen as this vlog deserves more than thumbs up … really enjoyable to watch. Detailed & so well made that almost 50 mins simply flew by!
What a wonderful cruise. I think the older, smaller ships are so much better for many reasons. Thank you for sharing the lovely destinations.
Azamara is a Solid Luxury Boutique Cruise Line!
A fabulous vIdeo, both in your filming and narration. You’ve created a unique style. Job well done.
I'm thinking I need to book for of these cruises. I love the Edge ships but I think this size might be the perfect size. Thanks!
I love a good piano bar. It's a pretty amazing piano player that knows the Andrews sisters. I never get to hear the golden oldies any more. Give me Glenn Miller and Vera Lynn any day.
Oops you missed Cinque Terre – the unesco world heriitage site
Picked up an Azamara cruise in Hong Kong, onward to Viet Nam, Thailand and Singapore. 10 days of wonder and positive experience. Smaller ship, nice to be less crowded. There were no lines. Luxurious accommodation, a step up from Celebrity, the buffet wasn’t 24/7, but room service was. Smaller ship gets you closer in to destinations. It’s also faster than the bigger ships. (For those in the know, the Saigon Slalom at sunrise is a thrill). Onboard, the personal service of the staff: Excellent all around. Medical staff rates a 10 (Injured my ankle). I’d give the experience a 10 out of 10.
Waiting for the next videos, as we cruise the reverse of this one in October. Thanks for sharing…
Great capture of that Italian wedding. Beautiful ❤
Nice playful video!
👏👍
Another Superb vlog, we love that part of Italy and the walk from Santa Marguerita to Portofino, I agree, is stunning , can’t wait for the next videos 😊
A Murder of Costa Ships..
Have y'all done the Explora? I am thinking about it for my 70th in 2026..
you should do a PRICE comparison of what you actually get for your money between premium ships and the luxury once next
Thank you for the amazing video. You have pushed me closer to booking an Azamara cruise. We're cruising with Oceania next month I hope we both have a positive experience. 😀🚢
26:05 😂😂😂 Bill, you had us roaring with laughter at your social media comment.
Great video as always.
The positive vibes you give from these videos is brilliant! Thank you for lifting my spirits.
Beautiful ports of call—it reminded me of a similar cruise I took with Silversea many years ago. I do wish that the staterooms of the old Renaissance ships were a bit larger—that was my main issue with the older Oceania sisters as well—but thank you for another wonderful , funny and intelligent video!