Four of our Tour + Cruise team members (Michaela, Sarah, Ivana, and Marc) were lucky enough to step onto the Azamara Pursuit for a ship inspection in Adelaide. This particular exploration also included an early look at what’s to come for the cruise line…
For those unfamiliar, the Azamara Pursuit is a 702-guest cruise ship that was launched in 2018 with the goal of giving Azamara passengers more unique and immersive land experiences. Onboard, you’ll find several restaurants (two specialty), cafes, and lounges, as well as a refreshing pool and spa space.
Read all our thoughts on the Azamara Pursuit below. If you would like to browse all of our Azamara Cruise deals, you’ll find them here. Speak to a Tour + Cruise Specialist to learn more.
The Ship Layout
One of the first things I noticed about this vessel was the total number of decks. With eleven decks in total, their 700+ passengers are granted a significant amount of space.
Upon entering the Azamara Pursuit on Deck 4, we were welcomed by Guest Relations and a beautiful split staircase that undoubtedly elevated the onboard aesthetic. This brought us onto Deck 5. Here we were immediately greeted by the Mosaic Cafe. The cafe would be incredibly useful on Shore Excursion days as it seemed perfect for a quick coffee on the way out. Then we stumbled upon The Pursuit Shop (where guests can pursue apparel, handbags, souvenirs, and more) as well as Indulgences (which is an onboard jewellery store). This did strike me as an odd choice for a first impression/welcome.
Found on the same deck is The Den, which is a really pleasant space with a bar and two private offices to discuss/book your next trip with Azamara. The Den had large windows, sure to provide picturesque ocean views. This space would also be a great place to hang out at night with a piano and nightly entertainment.
Deck 5 was also home to the Cabaret Lounge. The lighting in this space was dimmed and created the perfect ambience befitting the room, it’s here passengers can unwind with live performances – with so many seating options, it’s unlikely anyone will miss out. Though some seats looked a little more comfortable than others.
Decks 6 through 8 exclusively had suites. This means that the more activity-focused spaces are a few staircases away. For example, Deck 9 and 10 have the Sunset Bar, Sanctum Spa, fitness centre, pool, pool bar, The Patio, Swirl & Top, as well as Windows Cafe.
The first thing I noticed upon entering the Sanctum Spa was the well-known products on display. Then there was the aroma of the space. Curated to instantly invite a sense of relaxation. Meanwhile, the Fitness Centre seems to be the perfect place to stay fit whilst at sea. It had all the weights and equipment you could dream about.
When we visited the pool, I immediately noticed the large number of sunbeds. Once again, there was that sense that almost every passenger would have a space here. As there weren’t any umbrellas, the only option would be to find shade under a cover on a daybed or a table and chairs. The benefit here is that these daybeds face the passing ocean views. The pool itself wasn’t huge, but it’s a comfortable size. The two hot tubs are more than generous. Then we have Deck 11 (also known as the Sun Deck). This is a charming little spot to take in the sun and views from high up, albeit a little bare in decor.
Dining Onboard the Azamara Pursuit
The Azamara Pursuit offers two specialty dining restaurants. One is Aqualina, where you’ll find modern Italian and traditional recipes. The other is Prime C, where guests can enjoy steak cooked to perfection alongside stunning views. To dine in either of these restaurants, there is a surcharge unless you have booked a Suite.
Another option for dinner is the Discoveries Restaurant. This option promises dishes and flavours from each place visited. For more casual dining and light snacks, Windows Cafe hosts daily themed dinners that take inspiration from the region, as well as a traditional buffet. The Patio offers a laidback poolside dining experience… and we have it on good authority that the burgers are notably delicious. The Mosaic cafe is perfect for a quick coffee and a morning pastry before a busy day of shore excursions.
We were lucky enough to experience one of the specialty restaurants, Aqualina. Each dish was incredibly flavourful and delicious. We all decided to try something different so we could experience as many flavours as possible.
For starters, the standout dish has to be the Carpaccio di Manzo because it was surprisingly full of flavour and texture. The Zuppa di Fagioli Bianchi was a fantastic option for soup – it didn’t look like much when placed in front of you, but once the broth was poured, it was a hit with a bit of spectacle. Entrees brought on the Beef Filet Mignon (ordered medium rare and delivered exactly how I like it). For dessert, the Flourless Chocolate Torte was incredibly rich and unmissable for chocolate lovers. Overall, there were so many choices!
Aqualina was a fantastic specialty dining experience overall. The design of the space itself was modern and clean, with large windows and oceanviews to top it off.
Standout Facilities
The Drawing Room is a bit of a hidden gem aboard the Azamara Pursuit. But it was aesthetically one of my favourite spaces. The wood style really complemented the paintings on display, creating a sophisticated yet calm and fun space for guests. There are shelves upon shelves of reading material, as well as board games and puzzles to keep guests entertained on long days at sea.
Now, the Living Room is where a lot of really fun nighttime activities come to life. There are huge windows with panoramic views of the ocean. Partnered with your favourite drink, a dance floor, and some live music? You might just have curated the perfect nightlife atmosphere aboard the Azamara Pursuit. Integrated into this space is the Card Room. This one is a little easy to miss, but it’s perfect for anyone after a game of bridge and other tabletop games during the daytime.
The Azaramara Pursuit Suites
Unfortunately, we actually didn’t get the opportunity to inspect any suites this time around… as the entire ship was booked out when we visited! Whilst this was somewhat of a disappointment, it’s certainly a testament to Azamara Cruises and how many people genuinely love cruising with them.
Allow us to talk you through some of the suites found onboard the Pursuit:
- Oceanview – This suite promises ocean views and a stylish place to unwind at sea.
- Interior – A quiet, comfortable retreat that is designed for restful nights of recovery between adventures.
- Veranda / Veranda Plus – Relax on your own private veranda. The perfect place to take in the sea and the ever-changing views.
- World Owner’s Suite – Refined luxury. This suite offers a spacious layout with a separate bedroom as well as a large private veranda. This space has been thoughtfully designed for guests who value privacy.
- Continent Suite – Mix style and essential comforts. This is a comfortable, well-appointed space with a private veranda as well as its own seating area. Guests here will have a more generous bathroom.
- Ocean Suite – This suite promises a separate living area and more space to relax. Enjoy the dedicated bedroom and your own private veranda. This suite is classic, stylish, and functional.
- Spa Suite – Now this suite is hands down the pinnacle of relaxation and renewal. The entire space is spa-inspired. This calming retreat is ideal for wellness-focused travellers.
Azaramara Moving Forward
As mentioned, we were also given a brief presentation on what’s to come from Azamara Cruises. Namely, its fleet-wide development. Titled ‘Azamara Forward’, the cruise line is determined to introduce a bold new vision for its passengers. They’re set to refurbish all of their ships in a way that completely re-invents and elevates life onboard.
Travellers can expect thoughtful enhancements as well as new and inspiring experiences. If you would like to learn more about these changes, please read our recent article on Azamara Forward, here.
Overall Thoughts
Our time on the Azamara Pursuit really highlighted why the cruise line is a fantastic premium cruise option for cruise-lovers. It’s spacious and has some fantastic dining options available onboard – not to mention their in-suite dining, as well as all beverages included. Each space has been thoughtfully designed with panoramic views and activities to keep its guests occupied whilst at sea. Their already great offering only makes us more excited to see where Azamara Cruises will go with their upcoming refurbishments.
An exceptional choice for your next cruise, browse all our Azamara Cruise offers here, or get in touch with one of our Tour + Cruise specialists to learn more.
