Luxury Cruise Holidays | Caribbean Sea Cruises | Azamara

Ship Reviews

This is a long log-style day by day review. If you just want the summary scroll on down to the bottom! Azamara Onward – 12 night Eastern Caribbean 11-30-25 Introduction: We booked this cruise exactly a year ago while on the same ship on a trans-Atlantic sailing. This is our last adventure for the year 2025 and is designed to be relaxing as we are feeling quite exhausted by many recent events. Due to a confluence of factors, this is the first time we booked a suite, cabin #8025. We are exactly mid-ship and have a terrific location. While we often cruise with friends, on this cruise it’s just the two of us and 600 + “New friends.” Sunday, November 30, 2025 – Embarkation Miami Florida With the cruise port being just over 90 minutes from home, and knowing the Onward had arrived from Europe, we were in no rush to be the first at the port as the “Arriving to the USA” delays were bound to occur. That was certainly the case with some folks not getting off the previous sailing until nearly 11:00 AM. We left our home at 8:45 and stopped at our church for the 9:00 service. By 10:25 we were on the road heading South to Miami. The first 100 miles took us about 95 minutes. Shortly after the end of the I-95 express lanes the traffic just stopped. The last four miles consumed well over an hour and a half, with us dropping our luggage with the porters at about 1:45. We then parked in the very close parking garage, which much to my surprise was very lightly filled, less than 30%. The situation getting to the port resulted in some guests having $200 Uber or taxi charges as it was total gridlock. We will never again book a cruise embarking in Miami unless we are sure (meaning certain) there are no more than four ships in port that day. Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral are much better options. Terminal J is small and easy enough to get through, the only issue being there are no restrooms before getting through security. After a very long unexpected delay in the car, that was an issue. Again, there are restrooms outside the terminal in Fort Lauderdale… It seemed many guests checking in were as stressed and flustered as we were with the issue of getting to the port. We talked with one guest who was on a back-to-back. They left the ship early to go shopping in Miami. No problem getting into town, but they ended up walking back over the port bridge as they could not get any kind of transportation. Once on board at about 2:00, we were greeted with a glass of champagne. While we were directed to deck 9 to get lunch, we walked through deck 5 and found the future cruise consultant had no one at her desk. We could have signed up for a time slot, but it was time to “Strike while the iron was hot.” We tentatively booked a cruise for October 2027. She will get back to us with a final price. We’d like to get it locked down while our T/A still has their Thanksgiving “Sale” going on as that would mean added OBC, in addition to the $800 Azamara is offering. We next visited the dining hosts and booked one night in Aqualina and three nights in Prime C. As we are in a suite (for the first time!) the specialty restaurants are complimentary for us. Many of the earlier dining times were already filled up. Our first Prime C was the first day at 6:00. The “Rooms are ready” announcement was made so we went up to deck 8 to drop off our carry-on bag. DW is very pleased with the large room, a “Continent Suite,” #8025. The large verandah is certainly a plus and the bathroom with a walk-in, glass doored, shower is certainly a huge improvement over the shower curtains in all the non-suite cabins. We then went to lunch in the Windows Café, the only venue open for lunch. As it was nearly 2:30 with a 6:00 steakhouse dinner booked, we both had a light lunch. DW did find that the South African Cabernet was a winner and hopefully that will be available for the entire cruise! We stopped back in our cabin and met our Butler, Rajeev. We’ve never had a butler before. Full tail topcoat and all. Rajeev asked us what we would like in our (complimentary) mini-bar, and also what bottle of liquor we would prefer. The hotel manager also left us a bottle of champagne. A short while later we met our stateroom attendant Jane. Jane delivered our luggage and we unpacked. Wow, there is an abundance of storage in this cabin! By the time we unpacked & I had changed out of shorts the muster drill announcements began. Our muster station is in the Cabaret lounge. We went down there and all in all it took about 35 minutes. We stopped back in the cabin for a few minutes before heading up to the Atlas Bar before dinner. Last year we were able to obtain the included beverages in the Atlas Bar. No longer, now they only have the $18 & up beverages from the “Ultimate” package. The door to Prime C opened a couple of minutes past six. We were seated at a window where we could see our car snugly parked on deck two of the parking garage. Deck two had maybe 10 vehicles that we could see. The captain came on to announce that the Onward would not leave port until about 9:00 at the direction of Port Miami. During dinner we watched the mega ships slowly sail up the channel to the turning basin, and about 25 minutes later we would see the same ship sailing back towards the sea. Dinner at Prime C was terrific. I enjoyed tempura shrimp and Korean chicken as appetizers while DW liked the crab and lobster cake and lobster bisque. She really liked the perfectly cooked lamb chops and my Chilean sea bass was delightful for the mains. We both had the Irish Whisky Chocolate Cake for dessert, and as we both finished it, I guess it was pretty good! We enjoyed our waiter Joe and will ask for him when we return to Prime C. I stopped at guest services to get change of $50 so I would have cash for tips. We went to the living room and enjoyed talking with a couple from Yorkshire in the UK. He is a retired engineer and commented on my “Isle of Man Railway” shirt. He enjoys steam trains as much as I do, so they stayed with us as we moved into the Cabaret for the welcome aboard variety show. The show was a nice introduction. We had seats in the first row of the raised section. The first ten minutes were introductions and then the band played followed by four or five of the entertainers. Alexa, the pianist who is in the Living Room every night, is very good (she was on last year’s cruise too). By 9:45 we were beat and left before the show was over to head back to the cabin. It took us a while to get ready to turn in and it was nearly 10:45 by lights out. The ship is rocking a bit in the Florida channel. Monday, December 1, 2025 – At sea #1, cruising the Bahama Channel We saw a little light through the curtains and were up about 7:10. I threw on some clothes to head to the Mosaic Café for coffee & tea. I also brought back two tiny almond croissants and a small fruit salad for DW. I brought this log up to date. I learned that the rocking the prior evening was the formation of a “Nor’easter” that would be delivering an early December snowstorm to our friends & family up north. Sure glad we are down here! By morning the sea was calm, and it was a perfect weather sea day. We enjoyed a relaxing morning listening to the ‘morning show’ on the TV and preparing for a slow day at sea. At about 9:10 we went to Aqualina, the specialty restaurant which hosts breakfast for suite guests. We very much enjoyed breakfast. Alex, our waiter from 2019 was our waiter in Aqualina. I forgot to mention yesterday that we had seen him the prior day at lunch in Windows café and he remembered us immediately. He works in the Discoveries (main) restaurant in the evenings. At breakfast, the fresh-squeezed OJ was superb, and I ate all the blueberry pancakes that came with my order, along with crispy bacon that was truly crispy. My good friend Rick would certainly have enjoyed it! After breakfast we looked over the shops. We didn’t find any Azamara gear in our sizes. We next headed up to the deck 10 Living Room for “Goofy Golf.” That was a fun activity and about a dozen guests participated. Although breakfast wasn’t that long ago, we went and got a table on the Patio near the pool for lunch. Another couple joined us as seating there on perfect weather sea days is in high demand. Lunch was nice and the party band played a nice set poolside that we could hear. When their set was over at 1:00 we went to get ready for the 1:30 archery competition. I ended up in third place out of about 15 guests that participated. We attended the destination expert’s talk on San Juan and St John and were disappointed. He spent a lot of time talking about history rather than what to see and do. We then went back to the cabin as we had ordered in some light snacks (shrimp and cheese) to be delivered at 3:30. We played three rounds of Splendor and DW won two. She played mean in the second round which forced me to go for higher value cards earlier and I ended up winning that round because of it. Lesson learned? After our snacks we slowly got ready for the evening. I was a bit cold the prior evening, so I wore a sweater, but then it ended up being too warm. We caught a gorgeous sunset from our balcony. Dinner in Discoveries was excellent and the baked haddock a winning choice for sure. Alex was our waiter, and he offered to bring me a second but after all the food earlier I passed on that offer. From dinner we checked in with future cruises who confirmed they had contacted corporate and hopefully our new booking will be processed by the next day. In any case she said the booking is on hold, so we won’t lose any of the Azamara black Friday offers. I then found seats in the Den while DW took advantage of the complimentary jewelry cleaning. She joined me with everything sparkling. We enjoyed talking with another couple until the showroom doors opened. We got second row seats in the Cabaret lounge for the captain’s welcome and the production show “Amped up.” The show was very well done and the volume just right. The cast is talented, and we enjoyed the performance. Cruise director Emily gave everyone the bad news at the end of the show that the clocks go forward overnight to San Juan time. We knew that was coming… Back in the cabin we ended the day, and it was about 10:45 for lights out, which means 11:45 on Atlantic time. Tuesday, December 2, 2025 – At Sea #2, Atlantic Ocean We woke around 7:00, and I prepared our first laundry bag. Right on time at 7:30, Rajeev rang the phone and appeared at our door with coffee and tea—hot and delicious. The ship continued sailing south, with temperatures just over 80 degrees, a couple of degrees warmer than Monday. The ocean remained calm, though a gentle swell created a slow, steady motion throughout the day. Breakfast was in Aqualina, though Alex was working in Discoveries that morning. As we passed through the Den afterward, Jessica from Future Cruises waved us over to confirm our booking. A small discrepancy in the onboard credit was quickly corrected, and I emailed our travel agent to alert him to the booking. He replied promptly that it had been received. The day’s sailing took us along the north coast of Hispaniola under crystal-clear skies, offering spectacular views. We spotted a large cruise ship docked at Puerto Plata, and later in the evening passed the Celebrity Xcel, their newest vessel on its second routine voyage. Perhaps we’ll share a pier with them in San Juan. We attended Carl DiLorenzo’s talk, “It’s More Than a Phone,” which traced the history of mobile technology leading to today’s AI-driven devices. He’ll be giving several more talks during the cruise. Lunch was at the Patio, accompanied by the lively party band. The lead singer joined today, adding even more energy to the performance. At 1:30, we joined the guests-versus-staff ring toss game. The staff edged out the guests 300 to 270, though DW outperformed me with several successful throws! At 2:30, it was time for another round of Goofy Golf. The course included a ramp this time, raising the challenge. We didn’t score well, but one guest impressed everyone with a hole-in-one in the first round and just two strokes in the second. With the time change, we returned to the cabin for a much-needed nap. Rajeev had left shrimp as a snack, and a 40-minute power nap did wonders. At 5:00, we joined the Facebook Azamara Tips & Advice group meeting in the Cabaret Lounge. Over 100 members attended, along with administrators Tony and Angie Russell, who are on the third leg of a back-to-back-to-back cruise. With more than 10,000 members in the group, it was a lively gathering. The captain, cruise director, and senior officers joined us for a group photo on stage. Dinner at Discoveries was excellent, with Alex and his partner Vildon providing outstanding service. The featured fish was lightly breaded plaice, but when DW asked for it without breading, Alex explained it arrived pre-breaded. He quickly offered grilled sea bream instead—a thoughtful gesture from the kitchen staff, and the meal was superb. During dinner, our son texted to ask if we could take a call. Back in the cabin, we connected via FaceTime without issue. Our grandchildren excitedly shared the first two days of their advent calendars, which we had given them. It was a special moment. Later, we returned to the Den for the 8:00 set by Michael from the production cast. His performance of classic country tunes, along with stories from his Louisiana childhood, was delightful. The cabaret show featured mentalist Alan Chamo from Miami, which was entertaining, though we left before the finale as fatigue set in. By 9:55 we were back in the cabin, and lights out at 10:50 closed out a truly enjoyable sea day. Wednesday, December 3, 2025 – San Juan, Puerto Rico Today happened to be my wife’s birthday, and the day unfolded beautifully from the very start. Around 7:00 a.m., daylight peeked through the curtains, and we began stirring. At 7:30, our wonderful cabin steward Rajeev arrived with coffee and tea as usual. My wife declared the coffee “really good” and happily noted it was her first official “birthday coffee” of the day! After updating and sending yesterday’s log (side note: the internet is worlds better this year thanks to Starlink—nearly 5 Mbps down and 4 Mbps up on the standard package), we headed to Aqualina for breakfast. We enjoyed a lovely view of our sail-in to San Juan and watched the Sun Princess follow us into port. I decided to try the steak and eggs—delicious and definitely a luxurious way to start the morning. When we returned to the cabin, the team had completely transformed it with birthday decorations—streamers, balloons, and a sweet “Happy Birthday” banner. My wife was genuinely touched and surprised! Around 9:40 we disembarked for a leisurely walk. On the way out we ran into Cruise Director Emily, who immediately wished my wife a happy birthday. We were both amazed—she somehow knew! From the cruise terminal we turned right along the waterfront, passing interesting sculptures and a moving memorial to the lives lost in the 2015 cargo ship sinking. To escape the strong sun, we crossed over to Paseo Covadonga and strolled past several government buildings and monuments until we reached lively Plaza Colón, filled with local artisans and vendors. We wandered into Old San Juan, browsing the colorful shops without buying much—until the walk back, when my wife found a fun shop and picked up a decorative pair of support socks (finally something other than plain black!). By then the streets had grown noticeably busier; we soon discovered why—a massive Royal Caribbean ship had docked, and thousands of passengers were pouring into the old town. Perfect timing for us to head back to the peaceful Onward. Back onboard, we relaxed in the cabin with Coke Zero and a glass of wine, then ordered room service lunch. We also asked Rajeev if he could track down another bottle of Tall Horse Cabernet. Lunch was quite delayed and arrived with a few issues, but Rajeev jumped right in to make everything right. We later learned the ship was undergoing a U.S. Public Health inspection that afternoon, which explained the slowdown. Unfortunately Tall Horse was nowhere to be found, but Rajeev kindly secured a bottle of Syrah that my wife enjoys just as much. After freshening up for the evening, we stopped at the Patio for pre-dinner drinks. When seating was arranged for the local guest performers on the pool deck, we grabbed second-row seats. The quartet Vibra Requena gave a fantastic performance of traditional Puerto Rican music, closing with a joyful “Feliz Navidad” that had everyone smiling. At 6:00 we went to Aqualina for our dinner reservation. We both loved the scallop-and-calamari appetizer, and the evening’s special was grilled swordfish—so we each ordered it. Regrettably the fish came out undercooked (my wife’s thicker piece was still raw in the center). The manager was extremely apologetic and quickly arranged for us to switch to the Chilean sea bass from Prime C’s menu instead. It was outstanding—almost, but not quite, as memorable as the version we love in Holland America’s Pinnacle Grill. To cap off the meal perfectly, our server Mary Jane appeared with the manager and several staff members carrying a lovely birthday cake complete with a song. Another wonderful surprise—I hadn’t even requested it! Around 8:20 we moved to the Den to listen to Alexa’s piano set (and do a little Kindle reading). We knew we’d be late for prime seating and ended up in the back, but the music was still enjoyable. From there we went to the Cabaret for the production show “Club Crooner,” which we both thoroughly enjoyed—great vocals and energy. We were back in the cabin by 10:00 and lights were out just before 11:00 after a truly special birthday at sea. San Juan and the Onward team made it one to remember! Thursday, December 4, 2025 – St. John, US Virgin Islands We woke up around 6:45 to a gorgeous pink sky as Onward gently sailed past a few little islets on our way into Cruz Bay, St. John. We’ve been to St. Thomas many times, but this was our first visit to St. John — such a treat! Once we dropped anchor, I checked the map and had mixed feelings: we’re anchored right in view of our son Kevin’s all-time favorite beach in the world — Sapphire Beach on St. Thomas. Rajeev called a few minutes early with our morning coffee and tea — always a nice way to start the day — and kindly took our second laundry bag with him. We headed up to Aqualina for a relaxed breakfast around 8:30. Cruise Director Emily had mentioned that early birds would need tender tickets, but by 9:10 she happily announced open tendering — just head to Deck 3 forward and hop on the next one. Perfect timing! By 9:30 we were thoroughly sunscreened and on a tender; we were ashore in Cruz Bay in under 15 minutes. Plenty of open-air safari taxis were waiting, and the ride to Trunk Bay was only $9 per person. Our driver was great — he stopped at two beautiful overlooks so we could snap photos. The roads on St. John are seriously hilly with speed bumps everywhere — I don’t envy the taxis’ suspension systems! Trunk Bay was as stunning as ever. National Park entry was $5 each (note to selves: finally buy that senior lifetime pass one of these days!). The water was a perfect 83°F and crystal clear. I spent a happy hour snorkeling — followed the underwater trail for a bit, but the real magic was along the rocky edges near the little island in the bay. So many colorful fish! My dear wife enjoyed a refreshing swim and a lovely chat with another guest from the ship. Around 11:45 we rinsed off the sand in the outdoor showers, and within minutes a taxi driver spotted us and asked if we were ready to head back — we were the last four passengers, so off we went on another fun, winding ride. This time I sat in the back and filmed the taxi behind us — the video really shows just how twisty those roads are! Back on board by early afternoon, we dropped our things in the cabin and made a beeline for the Spa pool on Deck 9 forward — we’d just learned we have access, and wow, what a find! It’s essentially a huge, powerful hot tub, half-covered for shade. A two-minute rain shower passed through just as we arrived, but it was gone in a flash. Afterward we cleaned up, and I spread all our wet gear on the verandah — everything dried in no time in the sun. At 4:00 Rajeev surprised us with a beautiful platter of shrimp, cheese, and crackers — completely unexpected and so thoughtful! He also left my wife a bottle of her absolute favorite wine (the one that’s vanished from the ship’s list) with a sweet note asking us to enjoy it in the cabin. He really goes above and beyond. We played two very close games of Splendor and split the wins. While we were playing, the Captain came on to thank everyone for their patience yesterday. The scheduled annual USCG inspection went perfectly, and the surprise public health inspection also resulted in “passed with flying colors.” Huge kudos to the crew! Dinner in Discoveries, sadly, was a miss tonight. The Riesling tasted oddly different (none of its usual sweetness), our entrees took almost an hour and then arrived wrong — DW’s lamb was covered in sauces she can’t have, and my “medium-rare” steak was practically still mooing. By 7:15 we were hungry and a little frustrated, so we politely excused ourselves. We stopped by Guest Services to share our experience, and within moments Food & Beverage Manager Milan invited us to sit down. He listened carefully, apologized sincerely, and immediately offered us a table in Aqualina “right now.” He also promised the sommelier would visit us. Dinner in Aqualina turned the evening around beautifully — the sommelier found five precious bottles of a Spanish Syrah DW loves from the last cruise, tagged them with our cabin number, and said he’ll keep looking for more. Service and food were spot-on, and we left smiling. We’re still on the waitlist for specialty dining the last three nights, but everyone is being so helpful. We also discovered that the Patio serves a full dinner menu — we peeked tonight and it looks wonderful. Might be our go-to for the rest of the cruise when there is nothing special taking place! The mentalist was performing tonight, but after a full beach day we were happily exhausted. Back in the cabin by 9:20, lights out by 10:00 — a perfect, if slightly adventurous, day in St. John. Friday, December 5, 2025 – Phillipsburg, St. Maarten - A beautiful day on and in the water DW was up first around 6:15, just ahead of our 6:25 alarm—we had an early start for today’s “Catamaran Sail & Beach Snorkel Adventure” with an 8:15 meet-up. To make the morning easier, we’d pre-ordered room service breakfast the night before for the 7:00–7:30 window. At 6:56 the phone rang: “Can we bring it now?” Moments later Rajeev cheerfully wheeled in the full tray—perfect timing! A quick note I’ve somehow skipped the last few days: the ship is now beautifully dressed for Christmas. Trees and twinkling lights are everywhere, with the grandest display around Guest Services. I’m still keeping an eye out for the little holiday trains that usually appear near the Mosaic Café—maybe they’ll show up soon. We docked alongside a very familiar-looking ship named Renaissance. Sure enough, a closer look revealed a faintly painted-over Holland America logo beneath the new name. It was none other than Maasdam, the very ship we sailed around New Zealand (and a bit of Australia) back in 2017—such a fun surprise! Also in port today were Queen Elizabeth and two gigantic NCL vessels that arrived a little later. After a leisurely breakfast we headed to the Cabaret for our excursion. Right on time at 8:15 we were ushered down to the pier, signed the local operator’s waiver, and followed our guide to the spacious Golden Eagle IV catamaran. First impressions were spot-on and sailing at less than half capacity, so everyone could choose shade (our preference!) or sun. We motored out past the historic Fort Amsterdam (built in the 1630s) and around to a popular snorkel spot we’d visited years ago. It’s a good swim from the mooring to the rocky shoreline where the best fish hang out, and plenty of guests stayed in the open water—though I’m not sure what they were looking at out there! On the way back I drifted through the group and could just make out some kind of wreck far below, but the visibility wasn’t great. Soon we raised the sails and glided over to gorgeous Mullet Bay Beach (the quieter neighbor of famous plane-spotting Maho Beach). We did see one smaller jet land and another take off, but the big ones come after lunch. We swam ashore, relaxed on the sand for a while, then floated back to the catamaran at an easy pace—pure bliss. A little after 11:30 we started the return leg and sailed past the jaw-dropping 85-meter private yacht Bold (complete with its own helicopter). Back at the pier we thanked the fantastic crew for a truly wonderful morning and popped into the port shopping village. DW found a lovely grey rash guard with bright accents at the tent nearest the ship—best price we saw, and I’m certain it’ll get plenty of use before the cruise ends. No balcony sun today (too many neighbors!), so I hung our damp gear inside before we headed up to The Patio for a light lunch. The team there is always so warm and welcoming, and they kindly retrieved the last two glasses of DW’s wine from the specialty restaurant stash—nothing wasted! Back in the suite we rinsed off the salt, then I stopped by Guest Services for smaller bills. After that, one quick round of Splendor: I thought I had it in the bag with over 15 points…until DW’s final turn netted her 8 points and a decisive 19-point victory. Impressive! We had a 6:00 pm reservation at Prime C and thoroughly enjoyed it. The wine was lovely, the food even better—those tempura shrimp are always perfectly crisp yet succulent, my filet was flavorful (if a touch petite), and DW’s lamb chops landed closer to rare than medium-rare but were absolutely delicious. On the way back we ducked into Future Cruises with a quick question about a flyer we’d received. There’s an intriguing eastbound Panama Canal itinerary on Quest in May ’27 that could let us sail home instead of flying after our Alaska cruise. We picked up the details, but it would probably mean too many days away and some medical scheduling headaches, so we’ll likely pass. Finally, we attended this cruise’s Azamazing Evening in the Cabaret: a steel-pan trio followed by “A Night with the Soul Sisters.” We went in with modest expectations—soul and Motown covers aren’t usually our thing—but the performers were outstanding and the energy infectious. The show wrapped up around 9:30, and after a lovely day we were happy to turn in at 10:20. Another nearly perfect day in the books! Saturday, December 6, 2025 – St. Johns, Antigua Another early start similar to the prior day — DW was up just after 6:00, nicely ahead of the 6:25 alarm. With another early excursion ahead, we decided to treat ourselves to in-room breakfast again. One of the real joys of having a suite is the extra space to sit and enjoy a leisurely meal together — such a pleasant way to begin the day! Rajeev delivered breakfast around 7:10 with his usual smile. We had plenty of time to eat, get ready (and re-apply sunscreen for what was clearly going to be a “full sun” kind of day), and still be down at the meeting point by 8:15 for our “Kayak & Snorkel Beach Break” excursion. The Onward was the last of three ships to be cleared into Antigua, so we waited a little longer than planned. The captain came on the PA with a gracious thank-you for everyone’s patience — clearance finally came around 8:30. A small note for future visits: Antigua uses stretched vans rather than proper coaches (the road network doesn’t really allow for big buses). Seating is cozy, to put it politely! We ended up in the very back row and discovered the van had a bit of a mosquito welcoming committee. The 30-minute ride across the island felt longer than it was, but we survived with only a few itchy souvenirs. Eighteen of us in total on the tour — 13 in our van and another five in a smaller one. Once at the launch point we picked up gear and hopped on a speedy little boat that whisked us out to a beautiful snorkel spot near Bird Island. The water was crystal-clear and only 3–8 feet deep — perfect for seeing the coral and dozens of colorful little fish. I swam out toward the island for a bit but turned back when it looked like just sand that direction. Naturally I was the last one back on board — some things never change! A quick five-minute ride around the island brought us to a lovely beach where we could swim, sip a cold drink, and enjoy some truly excellent homemade banana bread. I could have eaten a whole loaf. Back on the boat I slathered on more sunscreen — the sun was intense — and we zoomed off for the mangrove kayak portion. We love ocean kayaks, so that part was fun, though the mandatory flotation ring made the seat uncomfortable at first. Our guide kindly let me keep it on the kayak instead of wearing it, which helped. The wind picked up and we became leery of making it back, so we peeled off from the group early to return to the floating dock. That sure gave us a good workout paddling into the wind, but we made it to the dock with a sense of accomplishment (and arrived well ahead of the main group). We enjoyed 20 quiet minutes in the shade on the boat — a nice little bonus. The ride back to the pier was mercifully mosquito-free and we had slightly better seats. By the time we reached the port we were both ready to escape the sun, so we headed straight to the ship, dropped our things in the cabin, and went up to The Patio for lunch. We ended up sitting with friends we’ve met on previous tours and had a wonderful chat swapping stories and backgrounds. After lunch I packed an impressively full laundry bag for pickup later, then we happily “de-salted” with long showers and some quiet time out of the sun. I even managed a short Kindle nap — pure bliss. We stopped by Future Cruise Sales to release the hold we had on a May 2027 sailing that no longer worked with our schedule, then wandered up to the Living Room on Deck 10 where, to our delight, we discovered live music — “Chill Tunes with Ella-Rose & Ellie.” We hadn’t heard them before and thoroughly enjoyed the relaxed vibe. At 6:05 we arrived for our 6:00 reservation at Prime C (fashionably late, as usual!). We requested Joe, our favorite waiter from the first night, and he took great care of us again. My rib-eye came out a touch too rare, but two quick minutes back on the grill and it was perfect. DW’s Chilean sea bass was the clear winner of the evening — outstanding. After dinner we popped into the shops to ask about taking home an Azamara robe. They sent us to Guest Services, who were lovely and arranged one for $62 — beautifully wrapped and delivered to the cabin later that evening. While browsing we looked more closely at the expanded Bulova “Sinatra” watch collection. DW very much liked a gold toned one that was exactly $8 more than our remaining onboard credit — clearly meant to be! The salesperson kindly filled out the warranty card and told us registering online extends it to four years. We dropped the watch box in the cabin and headed to the Cabaret, where we nabbed great seats for Assistant Cruise Director Linda Fitzgerald’s solo show “Let Me Entertain You.” The first half was her life story told through song, complete with gorgeous photos and video of County Kerry (including the Cliffs of Moher that we visited in August). Her “Danny Boy” brought the house down — absolutely beautiful. Eight years with Azamara and you are you tell she loves what she does. By the end of the show we were both feeling the effects of a long, sunny day. Back to the suite, lights out by 10:30, and already looking forward to a very relaxed “almost sea day” in St. Kitts tomorrow — just a quick visit to the port shops and then pure relaxation. Sunday, December 7, 2025 – Basseterre, St. Kitts The first hints of daylight slipped through the curtains, and with a gentle nudge from Onward’s thrusters, we were awake just after 7:00. The ship docked in Basseterre well ahead of the scheduled 8:00 arrival—always a nice surprise! At 7:25 Sanjeev rang to confirm we wanted our usual coffee and tea. An enthusiastic “YES!” Later, he appeared at the door right on the dot at 7:30. Perfect timing, as always. We’ve visited St. Kitts several times and have already explored the highlights—Brimstone Hill Fortress, Romney Manor, Caribelle Batik—so today we declared an almost-full “sea day” and embraced the luxury of going nowhere fast. Breakfast in Aqualina around 8:30 was relaxed and lovely; the team there greeted us like old friends. Back in the suite by 9:30, we finally rallied and strolled ashore to the Port Zante shopping area while it was still relatively cool. Smart move—the temperature climbed into the upper 80s by early afternoon! Anyone who knows me won’t be shocked to hear I’m not a big shopper—I’m firmly in the “grab it and escape” camp. That said, Port Zante truly offers some of the best shopping in the Caribbean. We came away with two rash guards, two polo shirts, a sharp pair of designer flip-flops, and a new hat for my wife—all at noticeably better prices than back home in Florida. Every shop happily accepted Amex, which made things even smoother. Back on board by 11:30, we dropped off our loot and headed to the Patio for a light lunch: a tuna wrap for DW and (just) one order of chicken wings for me. Those wings packed unexpected heat today—my water glass didn’t stand a chance! The afternoon was pure relaxation. Sanjeev returned our laundry, and moments later the roving snack cart made a rare appearance—only the second time in seven days we’ve actually been in the suite when it passed by. DW was in heaven with this low-key day. We played three closely contested games of Splendor: I took the first two, but she delivered a crushing victory in the third and gleefully put me in my place. Just after 4:00 we heard the crew bustling on the pool deck above, setting up for White Night. We changed into our whites and headed up around 5:25, snagging prime seats by the windows directly above our suite—perfect sightlines to the stage. White Night was, as always, a highlight. Feeding 500+ guests buffet-style means some dishes cool off faster than ideal, but the grilled lobster tails, fried shrimp, carved roast beef, and charcoal-grilled items were delicious nonetheless. The dessert station was impressive, with Hotel Manager Tatiana personally manning the crêpes suzette flambé. Captain G stopped by our table for a chat—yet another example of how approachable and visible the officers are on Onward, something we truly appreciate (and don’t always find elsewhere). The entertainment was outstanding. Cruise Director Emily and Assistant CD Linda both took lead vocals, and every singer and dancer on board joined the party. When the tempo slowed and Emily led a romantic number, we even managed a dance—something we don’t do nearly often enough. The festivities were still in full swing at 9:00 when we called it a night and returned to the suite. Lights out by 9:45, wrapping up another wonderful day aboard Onward. Monday, December 8, 2025 – Charlestown, Nevis At 7:05 a soft beam of sunlight slipped through the gap in the curtains – a gentle wake-up call. We started the day slowly and happily. Years ago we’d circled Nevis by rental car with friends on another cruise and seen all the main sights, but we’d never really explored Charlestown itself. Today we decided to fix that. Rajeev called at 7:25 as usual and delivered our tea and perfect coffee at 7:30. His brew is so good that DW has officially declared the specialty coffees at Mosaic unnecessary! We showed him a few photos we’d taken at the White Night party where he had pride of place in the front row of the crew wave – he loved seeing them. Breakfast in Aqualina was its usual delight, made even better by the gorgeous view from our window of Windstar’s Wind Surf anchored nearby – a happy reminder that we’ll be sailing on her in October 2026 with friends for our big Mediterranean adventure. We’d found an invitation in our mailbox to join Safety Officer Alex for dinner Wednesday night (Dec 10), so we stopped by Guest Services to RSVP. Just then the announcement came that tenders were open, so off we went. We caught the very next one and headed into Charlestown for a leisurely walk. In truth, the town is quite small; almost everything sits along one main road with narrow sidewalks, and the shops cater mostly to locals rather than visitors. Some of the Christmas displays were picture-worthy, and it has an authentic Caribbean feel, but it’s not really a “stroll-and-browse” kind of place for cruise passengers. We poked around the half-empty arts-and-crafts pavilion at the port, then decided by 10:30 we’d seen enough and headed back to the tender. That’s when the day took an unexpected turn. As DW stepped forward to scan her card, she didn’t see an unmarked drop just before the tender entrance. She fell hard and landed face-first onto the concrete. The crew member checking cards saw it happen instantly and radioed the ship. With his help (and mine) we got her back on her feet and onto the tender. Medical had already been alerted and was waiting for us dockside. As luck would have it, the officer who met us was Alex – the very same safety officer we’re dining with tomorrow! We went straight to the medical center. They examined her carefully, took an X-ray of her facial bones (thankfully nothing broken), cleaned and bandaged both palms (that concrete was rough), and sent us off with strong European Tylenol and an ice regimen – 15–20 minutes every few hours for the next couple of days. This was our first medical center visit in over 60 cruises, a streak we wished to keep going! Ninety minutes later we were back in the suite. Rajeev kindly brought extra ice, we fashioned an ice pack, and DW began the first treatment. After a little rest we went up to the Patio for a light lunch, then spent the afternoon quietly in the suite – reading, napping, and keeping the ice routine going. Just before 5:00 we popped up to the Living Room for Latin Night music. The band played the loveliest slow salsa and bolero numbers – perfect easy-listening after a bumpy day. One more ice session in the cabin, then dinner in Aqualina (wonderful as always), followed by the 8:15 “Liars Club” game show in the Cabaret. The audience did brilliantly – we picked four out of five correctly, which the host said was the best score in two months! We skipped the late “Disco” cast show – not really our thing, and an early night felt exactly right after everything. Lights out at 10:00. All things considered, we probably didn’t need to go ashore today – we’d already “done” Nevis years ago, and Charlestown didn’t have much new to offer us. The fall was an unfortunate ending to an otherwise quiet port day, and DW will be tender for the next few days. Still, we’re grateful it wasn’t worse, the medical team was excellent, and we’re already looking forward to smoother sailing tomorrow. Tuesday, December 9, 2025 – Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands The sun gently woke us at 6:50 – perfect timing, really, since I still needed a few minutes to wrestle the last of our laundry into an impossibly full bag. Just as I was losing the battle with a pair of stubborn pants, Rajeev appeared with morning tea and coffee, took one look at the chaos, smiled, and said, “No problem at all – we’ll just start a second bag and tie them together.” Problem solved with his usual grace. Who knew it could be that easy? Of all the ports on this itinerary, Virgin Gorda was the one we’d circled on the map months ago. We fell in love with The Baths back in 2019 and couldn’t wait to return – this time, blissfully free of the giant snorkel-gear backpack we lugged last time. After the excitement (and exhaustion) of the previous few days, we decided to ease into the morning. A relaxing ice treatment for DW, then a leisurely breakfast in Aqualina – pure luxury. As we stepped out of the cabin at 8:30, the “open tender” announcement came over the speakers – impeccable timing once again. Over coffee we hatched a plan: I’d been remembering the lovely little restaurant right at the top of The Baths trail that opens at 8:00 a.m. A quick check confirmed it, and we agreed on the perfect division of labor – I’d tackle the trail and caves while DW claimed a shaded table on the patio with sweeping views of the turquoise water and boulder-strewn bay. Win-win. By 9:45 we were on the tender, and twenty minutes later a $10 taxi dropped us at the entrance ($3 national-park fee for me, zero for the best seat in the house for DW). She settled in with a cool drink and a light snack, perfectly content, while I headed down the (much steeper than I remembered!) path to Devil’s Bay. The trail was more challenging than six years ago – clearly my memory had softened the inclines – but the reward was just as magical. Wading waist- and sometimes neck-deep through the cool, shaded pools felt otherworldly: salt water, yet you’re completely enveloped in cool shade. I took my time, snapped dozens of photos, and at the largest pool swapped camera duties with a few fellow adventurers. Everyone was smiling; the place just does that to people. Emerging at the far end, I spent a happy 15 minutes in the sea at the beach itself, tucked in the shade beside a boulder where every swell rushed in like clockwork. The improved exit trail made the climb back up remarkably civilized – a very welcome upgrade. I found DW exactly where I’d left her, looking utterly relaxed and happy. We settled the bill, popped into the nearby shop, and treated ourselves to two matching Virgin Gorda T-shirts (because of course we did). A friendly yellow-cab driver whisked us back to the tender pier just in time to hop on before the next ship’s tour arrived. By 12:30 we were up at The Patio enjoying a surprise mini-barbecue buffet set up for the early departure. A lovely couple we’ve gotten to know spotted us and joined our table – always nice to share a meal with friendly faces. At 1:45 Captain G announced we were already turning and had more than 1,000 nautical miles ahead of us back to Miami. Right on cue, SensAsia kicked off a lively poolside set. After lunch DW headed back to rest while I made a quick stop at the spa to rinse pounds of sand out of my water shoes and feet (those big spa showers are a game-changer). Slightly damp but very happy, I cooled off for ten minutes in the Thalassotherapy Pool gazing over the bow before returning to the cabin. A sweet surprise was waiting: while DW was putting away our new T-shirts, room service knocked with afternoon treats. She’d ordered me a pot of Darjeeling and two chocolate cookies – just because. I’m continually amazed at how thoughtful she is; I’m a very lucky man. We spent a relaxed afternoon reading, playing three very competitive rounds of Splendor (I took the first two, she crushed the third), and getting ready for the evening. At 5:30 we wandered up to the Living Room for Evening Melodies with SensAsia – beautiful standards, a dancing floor full of happy couples, and that golden late-afternoon light pouring in. Around 6:30 we moved to The Patio again for dinner. DW declared her salmon steak one of the best she’s ever had; my beef steak was equally outstanding. Quiet, breezy, perfect. We popped into the Den for “Fun & Games with Alexa & Symz” at 8:00 – light-hearted and different – where I actually won a cookie for instantly recognizing the Lord of the Rings theme. The main show was Cruise Director Emily Love’s solo “Songbook” performance. DW was right: we remembered her from a previous cruise when she was Eric de Gray’s assistant. She’s now in the spotlight and absolutely shines. Back in the cabin we reflected on a full, wonderful day. DW is still sore from earlier in the trip but powered through with a smile – two sea days ahead will be perfect for continued recovery. A quieter note: I received a midday text from my brother that Dad is in the hospital. At almost 92 and having struggled the past few months, it wasn’t entirely unexpected, but still hard to read while so far away. We’re waiting for more news. By 11:00 lights were out after a day that somehow managed to be both active and deeply restorative. Virgin Gorda & the Onward delivered everything we hoped for – and more. Wednesday, December 10, 2025 – At Sea #3, sailing west on the Atlantic Ocean, north of Hispaniola Sea Day Bliss – Another Perfect Day on Azamara The first soft light of dawn slipped through the curtains around 6:50. DW was already up and about, but I happily lingered in bed for another cozy 20 minutes. Rajeev called at 7:30 and kindly brought our tea and coffee right away. Feeling celebratory because today was the much-anticipated Azamara Brunch in Discoveries, we added a couple of almond croissants to the order (brunch doesn’t start until 9:30, so we needed a little something to tide us over!). We spent a relaxed morning in the suite listening to yesterday’s excellent lecture on the history of wireless communication by Carl DiLorenzo – he really knows his stuff! After that we did our usual “lap walk” around decks 8, 7, and 6 before settling in at the Mosaic Café for another round of tea and coffee. Right on cue it was 9:30 and Discoveries opened for the special brunch. We snagged a sweet corner table for two, then happily made several trips to the beautiful buffet. DW declared the grilled salmon one of the best pieces of fish she’s ever had, and I was in heaven with fresh-off-the-iron waffles (plus a little bit of everything else). The giant carved-ice bowl brimming with shrimp was particularly impressive! After brunch we popped back to the suite so I could phone the hospital in New Jersey to check on Dad. He was a bit vague on details, but later my brother spoke with the caseworker and confirmed Dad is being well looked after and will eventually move to rehab. A relief to hear. At 11:30 we joined the always-fun “Goofy Golf” tournament in The Living Room. I thought I was in contention, but finished just one stroke behind the leaders after three rounds. DW, after sending her first two shots flying off the course (automatically scored as a three), calmly sank a hole-in-one on the next hole – the crowd loved it! We grabbed shaded seats on the Patio in time for SensAsia’s 12:15 poolside set. With brunch still going strong, we weren’t taking a lunch table from anyone, so it felt perfectly fine in lingering with our cool beverages and enjoying the music. At 1:30 the entertainment team took on the guests in cornhole. The staff won, but we guests made them work for it! Back in the suite we played two very competitive games of Splendor – DW swept the table both times (I’m demanding a rematch tomorrow). We changed into something a little smarter for the 5:00 Azamara Circle loyalty party – always a lovely event. The most-traveled guest has an astonishing 893 Azamara nights. Incredible! On the way to dinner we met Safety Officer Alex at the Discoveries Bar and joined him and two other couples for a wonderful dinner. Alex is actually Third Officer (third in command after Captain Gianmario and the Staff Captain), only 38, and has been with Azamara for ten years – such a nice guy. DW raved about her red snapper, and my steak-and-shrimp combo was hands-down the best meal I’ve had in Discoveries this cruise. Great company and conversation – we finally left the table at 8:50 and all headed together to the Cabaret for comedian Andrew Grose’s show. We laughed the entire time – he was excellent. Back to the suite by 10:00 to wind down. Found a card on the bed announcing we turn clocks back tonight to Eastern Time – an extra hour of sleep, always welcome! Lights out at 10:45 after a truly full, fun, and delicious sea day. Loving life on board! Thursday, December 11, 2025 – At Sea #4, sailing northwest the Bahama Channel The extra hour of sleep from the time change overnight was very much appreciated, though we still managed to wake up a little sleepy at 6:45. Today was bittersweet: another full day of activities, but also the day we had to pack our cabin in preparation for Friday morning disembarkation. Rajeev arrived right on cue with our morning coffee and tea – his thoughtful service has truly been one of the highlights of the cruise. While enjoying it, I watched yesterday’s lecture by Carl DiLorenzo on “The Cloud.” It was fairly basic, but I still picked up a few useful tips. I realize I haven’t mentioned it nearly enough, but the weather this entire voyage has been absolutely perfect – pleasantly warm without being hot, mostly sunny skies, and calm seas. Water temperatures hovered consistently around 83 °F (28 °C) everywhere we snorkeled or swam. It really has been an ideal time to visit the Caribbean! We made it to Aqualina for a leisurely 9:15 breakfast and ended up being the last table as we enjoyed a lovely conversation with another couple who also books through our travel agent. Afterward we split up for a bit: my wife attended an entertaining Q&A with the singers and dancers, while I went to Carl’s very informative talk on online security. We reunited in time for a fun round of “Goofy Golf” in the Living Room. Lunch was a relaxed affair at the Patio with light bites and great poolside music from SensAsia. We discovered a delicious new red blend being poured – naturally, they introduced it on the very last day! Thoughts of future cruises inevitably surfaced with packing looming, so we popped by the Future Cruise desk. The itinerary we had in mind, however, was priced quite high and conflicted with existing plans, so we decided to pass for now. At 1:30 we joined the always-entertaining Guests vs. Officers archery competition. The officers won handily this year (Safety Officer Alex was a ringer!). I headed back to start packing while my wife attended a relaxing chair yoga session before tackling her own suitcase. Rajeev kindly delivered shrimp and chips as a mid-afternoon treat – perfect timing! I called the hospital for an update on my dad. He has been moved to the rehabilitation wing and expects to remain there “for a while.” An MRI and CAT scan were completed, but I don’t have results yet. His speech is still slurred; I’ll follow up more thoroughly once we’re home. (Note: internet and TV service were quite spotty today – surprisingly the worst of the cruise – but the call thankfully went through clearly.) With packing finished and three suitcases sealed, we headed to the Living Room for prize redemption. Twenty-six activity points earned my wife a nice pair of Azamara socks! We stayed for SensAsia’s early-evening set and admired another gorgeous sunset sky. On the way back we bumped into both Jane (our wonderful cabin attendant) and Rajeev, giving us the perfect chance to thank them in person for their outstanding care throughout the voyage. Our final dinner in Aqualina was superb. Mary Jane, who has looked after us so sweetly at many breakfasts, was our server tonight. We started with the excellent scallops and calamari, then both chose the swordfish special – cooked to perfection this time. My wife polished off the red blend they had kindly saved for her and even carried a final glass with us. Suitcases were placed in the hallway for collection, and we made our way to the Den to enjoy Alexa’s smooth vocals before heading to the Cabaret for the farewell show “Oh, What a Night!” The pre-show video montage of cruise highlights was touching. There truly is a different feeling at the end of an Azamara cruise – with only 600+ guests, you see the same friendly crew members everywhere, and genuine connections form. It does make saying “until next time” a little more emotional, but as Azamara beautifully says, there are “no goodbyes, only until we see you again.” The 50s and 60s music production show “Oh What a Night” was outstanding and a perfect way to close the cruise. Back in the cabin by 10:00, lights out by 10:45 – ready (if a little reluctantly) for tomorrow’s journey home. Friday, December 12, 2025 – Miami, Florida & Home We set our alarm for 6:15, though DW was awakened a bit earlier by the sounds of the ship docking in Miami. With no rush for disembarkation, we took our time and headed to breakfast with our carry-off bag around 7:30. Many guests were already gathered on Deck 5, ready to say goodbye to the ship. We savored our final breakfast onboard, exchanging warm farewells and heartfelt thanks with the wonderful crew members who had made our voyage so special. Everyone wished us a safe journey home, and we truly appreciated their kindness. Just before the gangway, we made a necessary stop. While waiting for DW, Captain G and Hotel Manager Katiana happened to pass by—they both kindly checked in to ensure we’d had a fantastic cruise, which was such a thoughtful touch. Disembarkation was remarkably smooth and effortless! We left the ship at 8:10, easily located our luggage (all together), and breezed through customs with no wait at all. We crossed the street to the parking garage, loaded the car, and were on our way by 8:15. Navigating out of the Miami cruise port presented a few challenges with very poor signage and intermittent GPS signal among the tall buildings, but we soon found the tunnel expressway. Traffic moved steadily (around 25 mph) to I-95, where the express lanes helped us bypass several slowdowns. Closer to West Palm Beach, we encountered a couple of brief delays, yet we still arrived home safely by 10:25. What a wonderful way to conclude an unforgettable cruise on the Azamara Onward! Summary & Conclusion I always aim to focus my cruise reports and ratings on the onboard experience itself, rather than the ports visited. On this sailing, the service and genuine sense of being a valued guest were truly exceptional. When we encountered one small hiccup, the team went above and beyond to resolve it with care and attention—from Milan, the Dining Manager, to Katiana, the Hotel Manager, and the attentive staff in Aqualina. A special thank-you to our outstanding stateroom team, Rajeev and Mary, who were simply wonderful. While we may not have fully utilized the butler service as some suite guests do (we spotted Rajeev delivering elegant course-by-course dinners to others), we thoroughly enjoyed the refined dining in Prime C and Aqualina, especially appreciating the perfectly portioned dishes. Though the ship can’t control the weather, we were blessed with near-picture-perfect conditions throughout the 12 days—an ideal time to cruise the Caribbean! Having sailed with Azamara before, I was particularly struck on this voyage by how approachable and visible the officers are; they’re always mingling with guests. The Azamazing Evening and White Night party were both delightful highlights, full of joy and energy. The entertainment and diverse activities made the sea days thoroughly enjoyable and fly by. With three engaging guest speakers, there was something for everyone—I especially appreciated Carl Dilorenzo’s insightful talks. My final rating for this 12-night Caribbean sailing on Azamara Onward is a resounding five out of five stars. A huge and heartfelt thank you to the entire team for creating such a memorable and truly special experience!

As usual, Azamara provided the best value proposition at sea. The food was very good (we noted an improvement over the past two cruises with them since 2022), the drink package included was good value, and (as always) the staff were simply brilliant. Everyone remembered us and our preferences. And they all seemed genuinely happy. While the ships are older, nothing was broken or sad-looking. We only wished that the basic cabins were a bit larger, and that the showers were glass. The bedding was exceptionally comfortable. The senior staff were always visible, engaged, and engaging. We find ourselves constantly wondering why it is that Azamara’s staff are always happy and smiling, and so very eager to please. We could only imagine the reason to be that the current owners have gone a long way to improve working conditions, pay, and the contract experience for their valued employees. Certainly the longer itineraries are of great interest to most passengers. We will always come back to Azamara.

Azamara Onward

Azamara Onward

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