The Azamara Onward is a new luxury ship that brings together the best of the past and the best of the present.

This new ship from an upmarket line Azamara is a modest classic ship that has been given a sleek, fashionable makeover, a world of earthy tones, warm greys and browns like old oak, and traces of olive green.

The Azamara Onward was christened on May 2 in the port of Monte Carlo, and her first voyage set sail on May 3. The other three ships in Azamara’s fleet have been given a makeover costing millions of pounds in preparation for Mediterranean cruises this summer.

The bedrooms and suites aboard the Azamara Onward have an understated elegance that extends throughout the ship.

Who for?

It’s a vacation for those who want to relax and enjoy themselves without the commotion of a larger ship, for those who know what they like and enjoy a cruise for what it is rather than expecting a resort-like experience. The ship’s small size allows it to dock at smaller ports; on our pre-inauguration voyage, we were able to dock at the Old Port in the center of Marseille rather than at the terminal used by most cruise ships, which was a couple of miles away.

Your stateroom or suite

There was a king-size bed, a couch, a desk, and a reasonably sized closet in our room. The room also had a small balcony with a table and chairs, a television with UK news channels (including Sky Sports News), and free WiFi. The shower area wasn’t very spacious, but it was well-appointed, with wood-style tile flooring. Although there was a refrigerator, there was no kettle or coffee/tea maker provided. Some of the rooms don’t have windows or balconies.

Club Ocean suites have large balconies and are located on the ship’s front, while the most luxurious Club World suites are located towards the ship’s back. Also, there are two spa-themed suites available for guests. Suite guests dine in the specialty restaurants free of charge (those in staterooms must pay a fee). Internet access is included in suites but costs an additional $19.95 per day, or around $110 for the duration of a seven-night voyage.

Eating and drinking

Discoveries is the ship’s main dining room, decorated with rich dark wood and glittering chandeliers. More than a half-dozen appetizers and main dishes, many of which include seafood, are available. Daily international cuisine specialties include meals like swordfish with tabbouleh, Greek lamb chops, and fig almond olive oil cake, in addition to a selection of always-available dishes including prawn cocktail, Caesar salad, salmon, and New York strip steak and fries.

At Windows Café (with its suntrap back porch), guests can enjoy a hearty breakfast buffet with everything from traditional American fare like eggs and bacon to international specialties like chickpea fritters, as well as other things like fruit, meats, and cheeses. Vegetable curries are only one of several lunchtime options. A deck grill with burgers, chicken, and lamb skewers, as well as a variety of salads, is available just outside the entrance at The Patio, which can be enjoyed at the shaded tables around the pool or inside Windows.

We had a lovely meal on the veranda as the sun set in the west, when Windows transformed into an a la carte restaurant serving cuisine with daily themes including French, Italian, and Mediterranean.

Aqualina (Italian) and Prime C (steakhouse) are two a la carte dining options that can be found on each side of the ship at the ship’s tail. Guests staying in suites get complimentary meals, while those staying in standard rooms pay $30. Further within Aqualina is a chef’s table, where for $95 you can enjoy a seven-course tasting meal prepared just for you by your own personal chef.

Located in the middle is the intimate and classy Atlas Bar, which serves just a few carefully curated drinks (for $17.95 each), including the Heart of Azamara (vodka, strawberry puree, lime juice, passionfruit nectar, Galliano, and absinthe). Dishes like smoked lobster carpaccio and other small plates are on sale as well.

There are two drink packages available: Premium (for $16.95 per day) with elite brand names and Ultimate (for $23.95 per day) with champagne, expanded wine options, and Atlas cocktails. Drinks in other bars are free.

Nights can get lively at The Living Room, the main bar.

In the Den, a more subdued bar, you can listen to a pianist every night.

Free specialty coffees and snacks (croissants for breakfast, savory snacks for lunch, and afternoon cakes) are available at all times at the Mosaic Café, a pass-through area.

Relaxing

There is a small pool and a couple of hot tubs on the main deck, where you can also relax in the sun on one of the lounge chairs. You can get massages (a 50-minute Swedish massage will set you back $149) or acupuncture at the Sanctum spa, which also has a steam room and sauna. There is a nice, free gym with glass walls and free spin and yoga lessons.

Suite guests and those who have booked treatments can use the thalasso pool and terrace at no cost. There is a walking/jogging track on the top deck. You can relax in the drawing room, where there are books and games available for your use. There are excursions available at each port that allow you to experience local specialties, like the wine tasting and lunch we had at the small, family-owned Buranco vineyard on the Italian coast.

Entertainment

There aren’t a ton of performances happening at once on the ship. Instead of a theater, performances are held in a cabaret-style lounge. Groove Tonight, a disco party, and new programs like Club Crooner (Sinatra and more) and Amped Up! (70s rock) include a cast of singers and dancers that put on easygoing performances.

On days with late departures, local performers are expected to perform at AzAmazing Events. As night falls, catch Filipino rock and pop favorites played by East Pearl on deck and in The Living Room. The Living Room becomes a late-night club when other bands have finished playing elsewhere.

Special times

On all voyages lasting a week or longer, Azamara Onward hosts a stunning White Night deck party, encouraging guests to dress in all white. The pool deck was decorated with banners, flags, and white-clothed tables, and the setting in Monte Carlo was stunning. We were at a cocktail party where the Onward Orchestra was performing, and the champagne kept flowing.

We were then instructed to take a seat and help ourselves to the buffet, and what a mishmash it was. Grilled meats, including chicken, steak, and even lobster tails, were prepared on authentic Weber charcoal grills, making the barbecue an integral part of the event. In addition to a plethora of lobster, there was a refined rendition of the French seafood stew bouillabaisse, a mountain of mussels mariniere, and a lot more food to keep the party going far into the night.

AzAmazing Evenings, which highlight regional cuisine and culture, have been a staple of Azamara cruises for some time; with the launch of Azamara Onward, the line also introduced AzAmazing Day. With the cooperation and excitement of the people, Azamara almost took over the pastel-hued town of Porto Venere on the Italian Cinque Terra coast.

From the crack of dawn, a glamorous pianist performed on the quayside as servers distributed complimentary pizza, cake, bread, and cheese along with sparkling wine and the best espresso and cappuccinos.

An opera singer was performing on the hillside below the church at the entrance to the harbor; a saxophone trio played curious jazz in a tiny square on an even smaller side street; and an accordion and double bass pair played something magnificent that sounded like classical music from another planet.

How Much:

The cruise ship Azamara Onward will spend the summer in the Mediterranean before traveling to the Caribbean for the winter. Starting at £828 per person (cabin alone), including beverages, is a seven-night France Intensive Voyage sailing from Barcelona to Monte Carlo on October 29, 2022, with stops at Marseille, Nice, Sete, Portes-Vendres, and Corsica.

Conclusion:

A smartly unassuming ship that has been updated to a new level without hiding the fact that it is almost 25 years old. But having a ship that feels like a real ship is part of the fun. The service is great and the food is delicious. Drinks are included, so you don’t have to buy a package unless you want to drink vintage wines or craft gin.