Azamara Pursuit Review

4.0 / 5.0
149 reviews
See all photos
Editor Rating
4.0
Very Good
Overall
Colleen McDaniel
Editor-In-Chief

In August 2018, Azamara Club Cruises expanded its two-ship fleet with the addition of Azamara Pursuit. The 702-passenger cruise ship fits nicely into the cruise line's commitment to destination immersion, as its smaller size allows it to get into ports that larger ships can't access.

Fans of Azamara's other two ships, Journey and Quest, will find Pursuit feels familiar. (The layout of all three ships is virtually identical.)

While the ship isn't new -- it has a long history dating to its debut under the defunct Renaissance Cruises -- it has been painstakingly refurbished so that most spaces feel modern and elegant. A neutral color scheme serves as the ship's backdrop, which is punctuated with natural stone surfaces and rich, dark-wood detailing.

Azamara Pursuit is delightfully refined yet comfortable. The heartbeat of the ship is The Den, a large, central space located on Deck 5 that is decorated in dark woods and light carpeting and has numerous bookshelves lined with travel guides. It also includes a large bar, making it a spot passengers can lounge in night or day. This space replaces what had been a casino on other incarnations of the ship.

Other highlights onboard include an enticing pool deck, two specialty restaurants (a steakhouse and an Italian venue), and a spa and large fitness complex. Pursuit includes two spectacular Spa Suites, located adjacent to the spa. These come with large soaking tubs that have unobstructed ocean views.

While we felt slightly more could be done to connect the ports to the shipside experience, given  the line's emphasis on destination immersion, the itineraries are what make a cruise on Pursuit worth booking, and the genuine service onboard makes a sailing with Azamara exceptional.

Pros

Comfortable home base for exploring unique itineraries, with warm and accommodating service

Cons

Most cabins, especially the bathrooms, are small and feel tight

Bottom Line

Pursuit is perfectly sized to sail into more remote ports; onboard atmosphere is quiet and congenial

About

Passengers: 702
Crew: 408
Passenger to Crew: 1.72:1
Launched: 0
Shore Excursions: 951

Inclusions

Included with your cruise fare:

  • Gratuities

  • A selection of wine, beer and spirits, plus specialty coffees and teas, soft drinks and bottled water (plus soft drinks in the mini-bar)

  • Meals in Discoveries Restaurant, Windows Cafe, Mosaic Cafe, The Patio pool grill and room service

  • Stateroom tea service or afternoon snacks, upon request

  • Self-service launderette with detergent

  • Shuttle service in port

  • All shows in the Cabaret Lounge and live music throughout the ship

  • Enrichment lectures

  • Use of the fitness facility, plus a variety of classes

  • An Azamazing Evening event once per cruise

Not included with your cruise fare:

  • Automatic 15 percent service charge on all drinks; 18 percent on spa treatments

  • Alternative dining in Aqualina, Prime C or Chef's Table

  • Premium wines, beers and spirits

  • Spa treatments and use of the spa terrace

  • Shore excursions

  • Wi-Fi

  • Photos and artwork

Fellow Passengers

Azamara Pursuit passengers tend to be well-traveled and looking for new destinations to explore. The average age is mid to high 50s, and families are rare, as itineraries are longer and there are no dedicated spaces for children. You'll see more families on summer and holiday cruises.

Expect older couples, with a strong contingent of North American passengers, plus other English-speakers from places like the UK and Australia. English is the language onboard; all announcements are made in English.

Azamara Pursuit Dress Code

Daytime: By day, casualwear is the norm. You'll spend many days in port, so layers and comfortable walking shoes are a must. Poolside, passengers wear bathing suits, shorts, T-shirts and sundresses.

Evening: At night, the dress code is resort casual. Men wear slacks and collared shirts, while women choose dresses, blouses, slacks, capris or skirts. Azamara Pursuit hosts a white party once per cruise, so pack your whites -- you'll fit right in.

Not permitted: Bare feet, tank tops, short pants, ball caps and distressed jeans are not permitted in Discoveries, the main dining room, or any of the specialty restaurants during dinner hours.

Azamara Pursuit Inclusions

Included in Cruise Fare

  • Gratuities

  • A selection of wine, beer and spirits, plus specialty coffees and teas, soft drinks and bottled water (plus soft drinks in the mini-bar)

  • Meals in Discoveries Restaurant, Windows Cafe, Mosaic Cafe, The Patio pool grill and room service

  • Stateroom tea service or afternoon snacks, upon request

  • Self-service launderette with detergent

  • Shuttle service in port

  • All shows in the Cabaret Lounge and live music throughout the ship

  • Enrichment lectures

  • Use of the fitness facility, plus a variety of classes

  • An Azamazing Evening event once per cruise

Not Included in Cruise Fare

  • Automatic 15 percent service charge on all drinks; 18 percent on spa treatments

  • Alternative dining in Aqualina, Prime C or Chef's Table

  • Premium wines, beers and spirits

  • Spa treatments and use of the spa terrace

  • Shore excursions

  • Wi-Fi

  • Photos and artwork

Find an Azamara Pursuit Cruise from $1,347

Any Month

More about Azamara Pursuit

Where does Azamara Pursuit sail from?

Azamara Pursuit departs from Piraeus, Piraeus, Laviron, Venice, Barcelona, Istanbul, Lisbon, Monaco, Monte Carlo, Rome, Civitavecchia, Dubai, Singapore, Fremantle, Sydney, Yokohama, Kobe, Tokyo, Auckland, and Melbourne

How much does it cost to go on Azamara Pursuit?

Cruises on Azamara Pursuit start from $1,347 per person.
Azamara Pursuit Cruiser Reviews

Surprising Azamara Pursuit

The Azamara Pursuit provides a good, solid, mid-market/premium experience. Embarkation was almost too fast and efficient.Read More
User Avatar
nucdrf

many10+ Cruises

Age 77s

Cruising as it should be

The Pursuit, like all the ships in the Azamara fleet, is well laid out, with food and drink at one end and entertainment at the other.Read More
User Avatar
anguscumulus

many10+ Cruises

Age 66s

An excellent time was had by all

I don't think he actually sailed on the Azamara Pursuit. The ship is clean, well organized and nicely appointed. The public spaces are well laid out and easy to use.Read More
User Avatar
brettski55

many10+ Cruises

Age 69s

Fab smaller ship with superb staff ….nearly worthy of 5 review

Much prefer a smaller ship and the Pursuit turned out to be only half full which whilst even more comfortable for us must have been a disappointment for Azamara.Read More
User Avatar
Bossman1953

couple2-5 Cruises

Age 71s

Azamara Fleet
Azamara Quest
Azamara Onward

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.