Azamara Cruises | Silversea Cruises | |
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Where do they cruise? | ||
What type of ships do they have? | Small Cruise Ships | Small & Expedition Ships |
How many passengers are on board? | 690 – 702 | 100 – 608 |
What type of cruise line are they? | Premium | Luxury |
What are they known for? |
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What is the average cost per day? |
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Are fares all inclusive? | No | Silversea positions themselves as an all-inclusive line. However, there are some benefits that incur charges, such as shore excursions which are not included on classic cruises, and some specialty restaurants where surcharges apply |
Are gratuities included? | Yes | Yes |
Are there any additional gratuities payable on board? | Yes. 18% gratuity added for spa services | Additional gratuities are payable on spa treatments |
Can I get any reciprocal loyalty club benefits? | Azamara’s Le Club Voyage has reciprocal benefits with RCL Crown & Anchor Society and Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club | No. Venetian Club only |
What is the onboard currency? | USD | USD |
What language is spoken on board? | English | English |
Who cruises with them? |
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What is the average passenger age? | Primarily 50+ | Primarily 50+ |
Are they good for families? | Children are accepted from 6+ months (or 12+ on select sailings) however, families are openly discouraged from sailing with children under 18 years of age | Children are accepted from 6+ months (12+ months on select cruises/ships). Children under the age of five years are unable participate in any expedition excursions or embarkations that require the use of a Zodiac. An adult family member will be required to remain on board with their child(ren) during Zodiac excursions |
Are there children’s programs? | No | Only on Silver Muse which has an activities room for children when 12 or more children sail |
Is there childcare and/or babysitting? | No | No |
What are the accommodation options? | Interior, Oceanview, Balcony & Suites | Oceanview & Balcony Suites |
Are there accessible staterooms? | Yes |
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Are shore excursions included? | No. However, on AzAmazing Evening event is included on most voyages and a complimentary shuttle is offered in select ports |
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What types of onboard activities are available for free? | Enrichment programs such as guest lectures and some onboard classes |
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Are there any onboard activities that I need to pay for? | Yes. Some specialty experiences such as Vodka and Caviar tastings, Cocktail making or culinary workshops incur additional charges | No |
Is there free evening entertainment? | Yes | Yes |
Is there any paid evening entertainment? | Yes. Occasionally special entertainment may incur additional charges | No |
Are there complimentary dining options? | Yes | Yes |
Are there specialty restaurants? | Yes. Charges Apply to all Specialty Restaurants | Yes. Meals in La Dame, Seishin Restaurant and Kaiseki Restaurant attract a charge |
Are there dining packages for purchase? | Yes | No |
Are non-alcoholic beverages included? | Yes. Bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas | Yes. Soft drinks, water, tea and coffee |
Are alcoholic beverages included? | Yes. Select standard spirits, international beers and wines. Complimentary alcohol is not included in room service | Yes. Premium wines and spirits and mini bar is stocked with guest preferences. Some premium champagne, premium wine and spirit selections are available to purchase at extra cost |
Can I purchase a beverage package? | Yes | No |
Is there room service? | Yes. Complimentary 24/7. Charges apply for alcohol orders. Complimentary alcohol is not included in room service | Yes. 24 hour in suite dining is an option and there is a butler service for every suite |
Is there Wi-Fi on board? | Yes. Charges Apply | Yes. Complimentary Wi-Fi for every suite for 1 device at a time. Premium suites are offered Wi-Fi for 2 devices at a time |
Can I purchase Wi-Fi packages? | Yes | Yes. Upgraded premium access packages are available for purchase |
Is there a Spa? | Yes | Yes |
Are spa and salon services available? | Yes. Charges Apply | Yes. Charges Apply |
Is there a gym? | Yes | Yes |
Are there group fitness classes? | Yes. Included complimentary. Some specialised training programs may incur additional charges | Yes. Circuit training is complimentary while Pilates and Yoga classes may be offered and incur charges. Services many differ between Classic and Expedition ships |
Is there personal training available? | Yes. Charges Apply | Yes. Charges Apply |
Is there a self-service laundry? | Yes. Complimentary | Yes. Complimentary |
Is a laundry service available? | Yes. Charges Apply | Yes. Charges Apply |
Is there a casino on board? | Yes. Only on Azamara Journey | On classic ships only |
Please Note: There may be additional inclusions and privileges for select stateroom and suite guests or select loyalty member tiers. Activities and entertainment vary by ship, itinerary and departure and are a guide only.
Azamara is a premium cruise line that has an intimate three ship fleet, each accommodating roughly 700 passengers. They are designed to reflect an exclusive hotel atmosphere, with modern elegance and a boutique feel. In line with Azamara’s focus on destination immersion, you’ll find the ships draw inspiration from the elements of nature – think soft earthy tones and open-air venues to dine, mingle, and connect with the sea.
Silversea’s fleet includes seven luxury classic cruise vessels, each smaller than Azamara’s ships. The styling throughout is timelessly elegant and the décor refined. Four of the luxury small ships accommodate roughly 600 passengers, while two have a capacity of 400 apiece. The last in the classic fleet, Silver Wind, accommodates fewer than 300 guests and will be upgraded in 2020 with an ice-class hull so she can undertake both expedition and classic cruising, but we’ll just be looking at Silversea’s classic cruising for this comparison.
Both lines pride themselves on their top-tier service, with Azamara focussing on professional yet friendly staff that fit the line’s club-style atmosphere. On Silversea, you can expect the full white glove experience, with butler service for every guest (a feature only offered to Azamara suite guests).
Things are overall a little more laid back on Azamara ships, with no formal nights and formal attire not required (expect resort casual, although guests are welcome to dress up if they choose). Recommended attire for ladies includes dresses, skirts, pants and blouses, while men will be comfortable in collared shirts and a sports coat if desired (although not required).
On Silversea cruises there will be at least one formal night (two to three on cruises of 10+ days) and you’ll find ladies in evening gowns and cocktail dresses, while men don tuxedos and dinner jackets complete with a tie (which is required). While there are venues to dine informally or casually on these formal nights, guests will still need to wear a jacket in the ship’s public spaces. Other nights are classified as either ‘casual’ (casual dresses, pants and blouses for ladies / slacks and open-neck shirts for gentlemen) or ‘informal’ (dresses or pantsuits for ladies, and jackets for gentlemen - tie optional).
Azamara is a premium line that offers some generous inclusions, however, is not all inclusive. You’ll enjoy complimentary dining in the main dining room along with a couple of options for casual dining and snacks, standard alcoholic beverages throughout your voyage, and one exclusive AzAmazing Evening event shoreside on most journeys. You’ll have to pay for all other shore excursions, WiFi, premium alcoholic beverages, and a surcharge of $30USD per person when you dine in one of the two specialty restaurants (Aqualina and Prime C).
Silversea promotes their classic cruises as luxury all-inclusive journeys, and while your fare does include most dining options (3 – 6 depending on the ship), alcoholic beverages (including premium spirits and wines), and WiFi, you will still have to pay for shore excursions and some dining experiences. On every ship, there is one for-fee dining venue (La Dame) while a surcharge will also apply for the Seishin Restaurant and Kaiseki Restaurant on select ships.
When it comes to the price, you’ll pay considerably less for an entry level stateroom with Azamara (interior) than with Silversea (oceanview). That being said, you’ll get roughly double the space in a Silversea entry level oceanview ‘Vista Suite’ than you will in an Azamara interior stateroom (27 – 31 m² / 290 – 333 ft² on Silversea ships as opposed to roughly 15 m² / 158 ft² in an Azamara interior).
Even the inside of Azamara’s entry level Club Continent Suites have less indoor space (roughly 25 m² / 266 ft²), but you’ll get the added benefit of an extra 6 m²/ 60 ft² or so on your private balcony. An Azamara suite is usually more comparable in price to a Silversea fare, and it will come with perks like a butler service, complimentary specialty dining, and bonus internet minutes. The best value option for you may come down to the offers available at the time of booking, and the benefits that come with the stateroom category you are considering.
Thanks to the size of their ships, both Azamara and Silversea can access smaller and lesser-travelled ports, as well as dock in the heart of classic cruise destinations. Each has a strong offering around Europe (both the Mediterranean and Northern Europe) and a good collection of interesting itineraries around South America. Featuring late night stays and overnights as part of their offering, you’ll enjoy an enriching onboard and onshore program on either line.
With more ships in their fleet, Silversea has more cruises to choose from, and boasts 1,000+ destinations across all seven continents. They offer itineraries in Alaska and around the East Coast of Canada and USA (which Azamara currently does not), and have more journeys focussed on the South Pacific and the Caribbean.
Despite only having three ships, there is no shortage of interesting itineraries to choose from with Azamara worldwide. Along with their multi-country itineraries, they also pride themselves on their country intensive voyages which explore one destination in depth. Between the two lines, you have ample options for an enriching small ship cruise.
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