Travel & Leisure


Luxe Magazine Tested Azamara Cruises: Luxury Sailing Aboard the Onward, a 5-Star Boutique Hotel

And the journey begins… At the helm, Captain Gianmario Sanguineti!
Embark aboard Azamara ships for a luxury cruise along the Atlantic coast. From Rouen to Bordeaux, explore iconic stops such as Honfleur, Cherbourg, Saint-Malo, and Brest while enjoying champagne, piano bars, dancing, and tea-time onboard. An unforgettable experience blending refinement and exploration.
The Onward is part of the Azamara Cruises fleet, alongside three other identical ships. - © TimFaircloth
Certainly, we may not be sailing through tropical landscapes with warm sand and endless blue skies, but beyond culturally and historically rich stops, cruising aboard the Azamara Onward—one of the boutique hotels from the Miami-based American company—offers a chance to experience the 5-star excellence of a ship with attractive features: refined dining, attentive service, a focus on discovering stunning destinations, extended port stays, and numerous overnight stops. Immersion in each destination is a true highlight!
Azamara’s motto? “Listening to the client to ensure personalized service and satisfaction at every level,” shared Hotel Director Tatiana Morello with a warm smile, embodying a velvet-glove iron-hand approach. As a bonus, beverages, laundry, and gratuities are included. With great anticipation, Luxe Magazine embarked on this journey on a rainy day from the Haropaport Cruise Terminal in Rouen.

Wow! Luxury at every level! - © TimFaircloth

A Week of Luxury and Indulgence on the Onward

From anticipating my every desire to savoring unique moments and experiencing the extraordinary, how can one not appreciate a cruise that promises excellence and privileges? The less-than-ideal weather, for which only Mother Nature was to blame, gave me ample time to explore this human-scale ship—top to bottom and deck by deck!
To my delight, my cabin (7017) on Deck 7 was spacious, featuring a balcony and a cozy terrace. A standout feature? Butler service. My butler, Mario, was discreet and impeccable in every way, adding a layer of luxury to my experience.

Deck 7: My "Club Veranda Stateroom" with a balcony and Queen Size bed - © Azamara

The bed linen was fit for a palace, and the bathroom lighting was perfect for makeup. Soundproofing between cabins ensured tranquility, while the nightly turndown service came with an array of delights: fresh pastries, chocolates, and desserts. Every evening was a comforting embrace of VIP luxury.

Guests in suites enjoy the privilege of English-style butler service, designed to cater to every need and ensure a relaxing, stress-free vacation. From providing refreshments and snacks to planning celebrations and managing reservations, this 24/7 personal service felt wonderfully indulgent.

The "Butler" experience: an exclusive personal service for suite passengers - © Azamara - © Azamara

The Design?A Blend of Modernity and Art Deco

A stunning view of the Art Deco-style Atrium: surrounding it are cozy lounge areas, a coffee shop, and luxury boutiques offering fashion, bags, watches, jewelry, and sunglasses - ©Tim Faircloth
The decor is undeniably impressive! The spirit of grand transatlantic liners is alive and well here. A masterful blend of polished wood, gilded accents, wrought-iron stair railings, plush carpets, mirrors, and 1930s-inspired lighting harmonizes beautifully with the neutral and pastel tones of the fabrics and furniture. These elements grace lounges, relaxation areas, and other exclusive spaces designed for a discerning clientele. Every corner offers unique, chic, and spectacular decor, capturing the enchanting and mysterious essence of cruising.

The star attraction? The Discoveries Restaurant. A dreamy dining space featuring large bay windows and airy voile curtains, which delight both the eyes and the palate. The stylized brigade of servers performs a synchronized ballet of porcelain and silverware, reminiscent of iconic film scenes set aboard legendary ships. I loved every moment! While formal evening attire isn’t required, the glamour of my rhinestone-studded black dress stole the show, accompanied by live music and a maître d’hôtel graciously offering his arm to escort me to my table. So charming. Champagne, please!

5-Star Culinary Delights: A Perfect Blend of Quality and Originality

Accompanied by an eclectic and complimentary beverage menu available throughout the day, dining options are thoughtfully distributed across different points and decks of the ship. It’s a world of flavors waiting to be explored! Immersive culinary experiences are an integral part of the journey, with unique excursions such as dining on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower at Alain Ducasse’s Michelin-starred panoramic restaurant—a resounding success.

This offers travelers from around the globe—Californians, Australians, New Zealanders, Québécois—a chance to savor local culture and cuisine at each port. And the gastronomic journey doesn’t end there; the onboard experiences continue to delight and inspire...

The Italian cuisine at "Aqualina": Pasta Verde with Mushrooms - ©Luxe Magazine

Incorporating the flavors of a destination is one of Azamara Cruises' standout ideas. Specialty restaurants like Prime C (steak and seafood) and Aqualina (Italian cuisine) offer an exceptional selection, ranging from chef’s table meals to five-course menus paired with exquisite wines. These gastronomic experiences (available for an additional $30 per person) are often hosted by a senior officer or a special guest, adding a unique touch to the culinary journey. From lobster bisque to crème brûlée, the onboard dining experience transforms into a true paradise at sea.

Our daily headquarters? The Windows Buffet and The Mosaïc Café, which cater to guests indoors and outdoors from early morning until late at night. With a diverse menu designed to please everyone—vegetarians, vegans, meat lovers, seafood enthusiasts, and dessert aficionados alike—these venues ensure that every guest finds their perfect culinary rhythm. The abundance of fresh fruits, mini sandwiches, delectable desserts, and more makes every meal a delight.

At the Mosaïc Café, as everywhere else on the ship, the kindness and professionalism of the staff take center stage - ©Luxe Magazine

Wellness and Spa Excellence

For relaxation, head to Deck 9: between swimming, jogging, ping-pong, the gym, jacuzzi, and spa, your body will rejoice! - Tim Faircloth
It all begins around the pool area, flanked by two whirlpools—a perfect playground for an early morning jog on the upper deck as the sun rises, or for lingering on the sun deck just a staircase below. This is also the setting for the exclusive and festive AzAmazing Evening: the Grande Soirée Blanche, where passengers and crew come together for an unforgettable night. The sumptuous buffet, featuring an unlimited lobster barbecue, is a highlight that will remain etched in memory.

Cruise fun at its best! The "AzAmazing Evening," Azamara's traditional Grande Soirée Blanche - ©Luxe Magazine

Feeling the need for solitude? Welcome to the Sanctum Spa. Chic and elegant in design, with a soothing and relaxing ambiance, this is the place to be for lovers of aesthetic treatments and massages such as reiki, Thai, reflexology, and hot stone therapy. I indulged in a $200 promotional treatment for body, face, and hair—one of the best I’ve ever experienced. A warm welcome from Khanyisa, the spa manager, and a divine massage by Angel, the therapist with golden hands, made it unforgettable. The spotlight is on Elemis products, rich in collagen and a true benchmark in luxury skincare. Every day, unique treatments are available, from acupuncture sessions to teeth whitening.

The priestess of the wellness temple, Khanyisa. Surrounded by her team, she ensures your treatments are flawless and holds the key to the exclusive spa area: jacuzzi, hammam, and sauna with ocean views. ©Luxe Magazine

Entertainment, American Style

Boredom and loneliness are banished aboard Azamara cruises. Every evening at the Cabaret Lounge, the stage comes alive with Broadway-worthy musicals, dazzling costumes, and performances ranging from New York, New York by Liza Minelli to La Vie en Rose by Edith Piaf, and from Starmania to Céline Dion. These shows earn thunderous applause from an enthralled audience. For those seeking a more intimate experience, live music by solo artists or mini-orchestras accompanies the enjoyment of fine liqueurs in a quiet lounge.

Nighttime becomes a cherished moment, but mornings bring no shortage of activities: yoga, board games, cooking classes, lectures, and bridge. This array of enriching and fun options ensures the cruise reinvents itself daily, striking a balance between lighthearted enjoyment and mindful living.

Just a Farewell for Now

Bordeaux! Welcoming weather, radiant sunshine, and mild temperatures greeted the 616 passengers and 399 crew members aboard the Azamara Onward as it docked in the heart of the city. A pleasant surprise awaited all, as the journey would soon continue to new ports, new places, and even new continents.

For now, the perfect weather delighted those embarking on excursions, such as visiting Bordeaux’s famed vineyards and its iconic Cité du Vin. Farewell, John, Andrew, Shirley, Nicolas, Jimmy… From bow to stern, a sense of convivial harmony prevailed across every deck and level. Not a single false note! The slight roll of the ship crossing the Bay of Biscay was barely noticeable, thanks to stabilizers and wave-breaking technology designed to handle the seas in any season. This ship reminds us to sometimes look beyond the occasional discomfort of a restless ocean to revel in the golden age of cruising.
Janvier 2025
By Monique Delanoue
My Opinion:
A human-scale ship! Far from the massive cruise giants where one can feel lost, the Azamara Onward, with its 181 meters in length and capacity for just over 800 passengers, embraces the "home sweet home" concept with shared living spaces available at all hours. I loved meeting passengers from across the globe during afternoon cultural quizzes, as much as I enjoyed the evening entertainment, including charming karaoke sessions. Whether snacking late at night around the softly lit bar or dancing, everyone brings out their best selves. Barriers fade, and friendships are formed—if not for life, at least for the duration of the journey.

This is a cruise worth repeating in warmer seas to create new sun-soaked memories and foster fresh intercontinental connections.

Azamara Cruises France
www.cruisepro.fr
Tel: +33 4 23 11 04 38
https://www.azamara.com/home

The Azamara Cruise Fleet - © Azamara Cruise

“The Azamara Onward is the latest addition to the Amazing Cruises fleet to undergo a major refurbishment. A $55 million investment was made to bring it up to the standards of its sister ships—the Quest, the Journey, and the Pursuit,” said Emmanuel Joly, Director of Cruisepro, Azamara’s General Agent in France.

2024/2025 Schedule:
The Caribbean, Hawaii, California, South America, Polynesia, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Greece, Portugal, England… The options are endless, and bookings are open!