azamara journey where is it now

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Azamara Journey

Former names: blue dream, blue star, r6, r-six (renaissance cruises).

Cruise line Azamara Cruises

• Piraeus-Athens (Greece)

Azamara Journey current position

Azamara Journey current location is at South East Asia (coordinates 16.11699 N / 108.21628 E) cruising en route to HK HKG > VN DAD. The AIS position was reported 4 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Azamara Journey

Azamara Journey current cruise is 15 days, one-way from Tokyo to Singapore . Prices start from USD 4988 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 18 Apr, 2024 and ends on 03 May, 2024 .

Specifications of Azamara Journey

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Azamara Journey Itineraries

Azamara journey review, review of azamara journey.

The 2000-built (as "R-Six"/R6) Azamara Journey cruise ship is the first of all four identical R-Class ships in the Azamara fleet - together with Azamara Quest , Azamara Pursuit and Azamara Onward (Pacific Princess) .

The vessel (IMO number 9200940) is currently Malta- flagged (MMSI 256204000) and registered in Valletta .

History - construction and ownership

Azamara Cruises was a fully-owned subsidiary company of RCG-Royal Caribbean Group until 2021. Founded in 2007 as "Azamara Club Cruises", the company was rebranded in 2009 (Azamara Cruises) and 2019 (Azamara). Azamara ships were originally built as R-Class vessels for Renaissance Cruises (company operational between 1989-2001).

In January 2021, Azamara's parent company RCG-Royal Caribbean announced an agreement to sell the brand for USD 201 million (~EUR 165,8 M / ~GBP 147,6 M / carve-out transaction) to Sycamore Partners. Sycamore Partners acquired the entire company and its 3 ships, plus all the associated intellectual property rights and goodwill. The all-cash transaction was closed in 2021-Q1. Sycamore Partners (shipowner) is a 2011-founded, NYC -headquartered private equity firm with USD 15+ billion in capital and assets under management. Among the largest of the Sycamore Partners-owned companies are Belk Inc (department store chain), Talbots (retailer of clothing-shoes-fashion accessories), Nine West Holdings (designer and wholesaler of branded clothing-shoes-accessories) and Staples Inc (office retailer).

The 694-passenger ship Azamara Journey was formerly sailing as R Six (Renaissance) and Blue Dream (Pullmantur).

In 2001, the vessel's original owner Renaissance Cruises ceased operations due to liquidity. The vessel was launched in 2003, and operated by charter Pullmantur Cruises under the name "Blue Star". In 2005, Pullmantur officially renamed it to "Blue Dream". In 2008, Pullmantur's owner RCCL (Royal Caribbean) transferred it to the subsidiary (new luxury brand) "Azamara Cruises" (in 2009 rebranded to "Azamara Club Cruises") and renamed the ship to "Azamara Journey".

The award-winning boutique ship amazes with lots of dining options, an unforgettable spa, and wellness facilities, friendly staff always in place to help passengers and destinations that guests would love to visit.

As a Renaissance-class ship, the interior of the vessel is in Edwardian style, resembling a Transatlantic steamship from the early years of the 20th century. When you enter the ship, it looks like you have entered the "golden era". There's no multi-deck atrium - only a curving staircase that amazes you with its grace and elegance, leading to the main public room of the vessel. The ceiling has glass skylight, stained simulated, it is capped with a dome and its height is two decks.

Azamara Journey cruise ship entered drydock on January 22, 2016, in the Bahamas. During the 5-day process, she received a host of refurbishments and upgrades , announced previously in June, as well as a technology overhaul. The brand new "Pervasive Wi-Fi" system provides faster Internet connectivity from any place on board the ship. Interactive TVs in all staterooms feature new options including live TV, movies on demand, lecturer schedules, weather updates, navigational and port information. Passengers are able to book a shore excursion through their TVs, as well as to order room service. In the Inspiration Center on Deck 4, Azamara guests are able to plan their next voyage by a 98-inch touchscreen to learn about future sailings and the ports visited. Passengers in The Drawing Room and Living Room use interactive tabletops to send digital postcards, design their own art by a Scribble app, or surf social media sites.

Decks and Cabins

Azamara Journey staterooms (355 total, in 24 grades) include 44 Suites, 199 Balcony, 88 Oceanview, 26 Inside. Handicap/wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers) are only 6 (2x Balcony, 2x Oceanview, 2x Interior). A total of 243 staterooms have private, step-out balconies. Most cabin balconies are sized 45-60 ft2 / 4-6 m2. The largest accommodations are the World Owners Suite (600 ft2 / 56 m2 plus 215 ft2 / 20 m2 terrace).

The boat has 11 decks , of which 9 are passenger-accessible and 6 with cabins.

Four elevators (2x Forward and 2x Aft passenger lifts) interconnect all decks.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

For a small ship, Azamara Journey features plenty of options for each meal. The passengers are also encouraged to explore local cuisine when onshore. The line added a complimentary tapas bar when the ship went into dry dock in 2016. Overall, the food onboard is quite good. There are rotating themes in the buffet and the tables there are spruced up at night with soft glowing orbs. The main dining room pampers with an entree salad every night.

Follows the complete list of Azamara Journey restaurants and food bars.

• Discoveries Restaurant (aft Dining Room, complimentary, with waiter service, open seating Breakfast 8-9:30 am, Lunch 12-1:30 pm, and Dinner 6-9:30 pm)
• Pool Grill (lunch-only casual dining restaurant with a fast-food menu, made-to-order - pizza, pasta, burgers, fries, salads; complimentary)
• Windows Cafe (complimentary buffet restaurant; has indoor seating and portside/starboard terraces; open between 6:30 am - 9:30 pm; offers early, buffet and late breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, and casual dinner)
• Aqualina (dinner-only specialty restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine and seafood; offers free dining for Club Suite passengers; reservations recommended)
• Prime C (dinner-only specialty restaurant with seafood and steakhouse menu; operates at surcharge, but it's free of charge for "Club Suite" passengers; outside the Prime C there is a Wine Cellar with 8000+ bottles collection; hosts the Wine Corner evening events and offers wine-tastings and private dinner arrangements).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Because the ship focuses very much on destinations, Azamara Journey does not have as many daily activities as passengers might find on mainstream cruise ships. There are a couple of trivia sessions each day and some other pastimes, such as origami and Bridge. The Cabaret Lounge is the ship's cabaret space, with risers behind, as opposed to a true theater. As the ceilings are low-slung, this space feels more cramped and the type of shows offered there is limited.

Other amenities include 24-Hour Room-Service, Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry/Self-Serve Laundromats. The Journey ship is not recommended for families with little children.

Follows the complete list of Azamara Journey lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Le Boutique (duty-free luxury shop for bags, gifts, brand jewelry)
• Cabaret Lounge & Bar (theatre and main show lounge for musical and show productions, cabaret performances, comedy acts; hosts the "AzAmazing Evenings" enrichment program; serves as a nightclub in the evenings)
• Casino Luxe (also serves as sports bar)
• PhotoShop (photo-video services, accessories, equipment)
• The Journey Shop (convenience goods store)
• Indulgences (luxury boutique shop)
• Mosaic Cafe (complimentary patisserie & bar; in the evening becomes a nightclub with live music - Mosaic@Night)
• Discoveries Lounge & Bar (Martini Bar)
• Thalassotherapy Pool (saltwater pool, part of the Spa complex; with water jets; operates at a surcharge)
• Hair salon (Beauty Salon offering hair and barber services, manicure, pedicure, massages)
• Astral Spa (wellness center featuring Elemis Spa products and treatments)
• Gym (starboard Fitness Room with panoramic windows and modern equipment; also hosts various complimentary group classes)
• Acupuncture Room (serviced by NCCAOM certified acupuncturists)
• eConnections (24-hour Internet computers room)
• Pool area (with an outdoor swimming pool, 2 Whirlpools, poolside bar, loungers, Tennis tables; served by Grill station; hosts themed pool deck parties)
• Sunset Bar (outdoor bar; serves the Windows Cafe terrace area)
• Looking Glass (observation lounge & bar with panoramic windows, sculptures made of Murano glass, comfortable leather sofas; in the evenings becomes a nightclub; serves afternoon tea with sandwiches, pastries, champagne - complimentary)
• The Drawing Room (library)
• Sun Deck (open-air area with sun loungers)
• Shuffleboard (Deck Games playing area)
• Jogging/Power Walking Track.

Itineraries

Azamara Journey itinerary program is based on Caribbean cruises leaving mainly from Miami FL, voyages to Asia (with departures from Singapore and China) and Europe (the Black Sea and the Mediterranean). When changing regions, the ship offers repositioning sailings through Suez Canal and Transatlantic crossings.

Azamara Journey - user reviews and comments

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Other Azamara Cruises cruise ships

• Azamara Onward
• Azamara Pursuit
• Azamara Quest

Azamara Journey Wiki

As an R-Class (Renaissance) vessel, Azamara Journey has sisterships also in the Oceania Cruises fleet - Insignia , Nautica , Regatta , Sirena .

Azamara ship Journey was ordered and operated as "R Six" by Renaissance Cruises for the period 2000-2003. After the line's bankruptcy, the ship was in Pullmantur's fleet under the name "Blue Star" (2003-2005) and "Blue Dream" (2005-2007).

Azamara Journey is powered by four WARTSILA marine diesel engines (model 12V32E). Its propulsion consists of 2 propeller shafts and 2 fixed pitch propellers (FPP).

In 2015, both Azamara ships (Journey and Quest) were featured in the UK TV’s travel documentary “Cruise Ship Adventures with Nigel Marven”.

On February 8, 2017, Azamara Journey made its maiden visit to Australia docking in Darwin NT . The ship's itinerary (Feb 1-19) was an 18-day cruise from Singapore to Sydney AU , and also visited Indonesia (Benoa Bali, and Komodo Island) and ports in Queensland Australia (Thursday Island, Port Douglas, Cairns, Townsville, Hamilton Island).

Azamara Journey deck plan changes 2016 refurbishment review

The ship's last drydock refurbishment (January 22-27, done in Freeport Bahamas ) resulted in the following deck plan changes:

• Large touch screen displays were installed in several areas around the ship. They allow passengers (for free) to send digital postcards, explore world atlas maps and also provide Azamara Cruises itineraries and ports of call information.
• On Deck 4, Inspiration Center received a 98-inch touchscreen (interactive system provides information on future cruises - itineraries, ports, excursions).
• On Deck 10, The Drawing Room (Library) and the Living Room both received interactive tabletops (used for sending digital postcards, Scribble app, Internet / social media websites).
• Two new Club Spa Suites were built in the place of the eConnections (computer room, located portside on Lido Deck 9). Also on deck 9 was added The Patio (outdoor BBQ restaurant) and Swirl & Top (frozen yogurt bar).
• On Deck 10 was added The Living Room (forward observation lounge & bar, disco nightclub) replacing the Looking Glass Lounge.
• Many public areas were newly equipped (Looking Glass, Patio Grill, Sunset Bar).
• Upgrades and renovations received the restaurants Prime C, Aqualina, Windows Cafe (buffet). The Sanctum Spa (formerly Astral Spa) complex was redesigned and expanded.

All cabins and suites were renovated with new carpeting and wall covers, fabrics, furniture, shelving, curtains, bedding sets (pillows, duvets), new lighting and smart HDTVs (interactive system). All staterooms were upgraded with bigger coffee tables. Bathrooms were redesigned to be more space-efficient. Quality wood elements were used throughout all staterooms. Additionally, all high-grade Suites were updated with new modern furniture, dining tables, drapes, media consoles and sound systems.

There was a plan for replacing the Lido Deck’s Sunset Bar (aft on deck 9) with a new (named Kibo) specialty restaurant with Asian cuisine. However, the line later decided not to replace the popular day bar, but just to upgrade it. The refurbishment plans for an Asian restaurant plus an outside seating area for the buffet restaurant Windows Cafe were officially canceled.

The onboard Wi-Fi coverage was upgraded to shipwide (via “Pervasive Wi-Fi” system). The new Interactive TV system (in all cabins) offers movies on demand, live TV programming, onboard event schedules, weather updates, itinerary/port information. The system also allows shore excursion booking through the TV, as well as room service orders.

The boat's 2016 drydock refurbishment project cost USD 25 million.

In 2021 (August) the ship was drydocked at Navantia Shipyard ( Cadiz Spain ), mainly for general maintenance (technical and routine) works and repainting (hull and superstructure).

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Azamara Journey is a R-Class Class cruise ship currently operated by Azamara Club Cruises. The ship has been in active service for 24 years. View Azamara Journey's current position, recent track, speed, course, next port destination, estimated time of arrival (ETA) and more in the cruise ship tracker map below.

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• AZAMARA JOURNEY

Passenger (Cruise) Ship, IMO 9200940

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The current position of AZAMARA JOURNEY is at China Coast reported 34 hours ago by AIS. The vessel is en route to the port of Da Nang, Vietnam , sailing at a speed of 16.9 knots and expected to arrive there on Apr 27, 23:00 . The vessel AZAMARA JOURNEY (IMO 9200940, MMSI 256204000) is a Passenger (Cruise) Ship built in 2000 (24 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of Malta .

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Map position & weather, recent port calls, vessel utilization, vessel particulars, similar vessels, related news.

AZAMARA JOURNEY current position and history of port calls are received by AIS. Technical specifications, tonnages and management details are derived from VesselFinder database. The data is for informational purposes only and VesselFinder is not responsible for the accuracy and reliability of AZAMARA JOURNEY data.

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Azamara Journey Deck Plans & Reviews

Azamara Journey

Activities & entertainment

• Dance Classes
• Enrichment Lectures
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes
• Hot Tubs (2)
• Jogging Track
• Shuffle Board
• The Drawing Room
• The Sanctum Spa *
• The Sanctum Spa Terrace *
• Cabaret Lounge
• Live Nightly Music
• Onboard Movie Screenings
• The Patio - Casual
• Windows Café - Casual
• Discoveries Bar - Clubby Bar
• Spirits - Cocktail Bar
• Mosaic Café - Coffee Bar
• Discoveries Restaurant - International
• Aqualina Specialty Dining - italian *
• Swirl & Top - Low-fat Yogurt
• Pool Bar - Pool Bar
• Sunset Bar - Pool Bar
• Prime C Specialty Dining - Steakhouse *
• The Living Room - Tapas

Reviews We perform checks on reviews. Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines , the review is not published. When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines . Learn more about our review moderation.

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Current position Azamara Journey

686 Passengers

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Data according to itinerary:

Current position of Azamara Journey : Under way from Hong Kong to Da Nang

• Departure was 1 d 11 hrs 53 min ago. (at 22:00 h local time)
• Arrival will be in 1 hrs 23 min. (at 07:30 h local time)
• Traveled distance since Hong Kong: 466.54 nm (864.04 km)
• Remaining distance to Da Nang: 39.94 nm (73.96 km)
• Traveled distance since Tokyo: 2,310.12 nm (4,278.34 km)

Current voyages:

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Azamara Journey Cruise Ship Review and Photos

Despite active volcanoes and emerging variants, we couldn’t miss a chance to hop onboard an Azamara Journey cruise for a visit to the Canary Islands .   This would be a new itinerary for me. 

Azamara emerged from the pandemic under new ownership . I was interested to see what if any changes had happened with Azamara’s familiar ambiance and service. 

Mostly comprised of British passengers, this destination-intensive Canary Islands cruise   would really be a unique experience.  

Azamara Journey Ship Review 

In This Post...

I always thought of Spain’s Canary Islands as a Caribbean-type getaway for Europeans. For those from the U.S., a transatlantic flight followed by a layover then additional hours to get to the islands, seemed a tad too far for a quick escape. 

Despite the new flight route from JFK to the island of Tenerife, many cruise departures are from Gran Canaria island.

Edged out from the Royal Caribbean umbrella, Azamara is by all accounts flourishing with the funds provided by Sycamore Group, a private equity firm. Onboard, the staff we spoke to seemed to agree that they were more empowered to make decisions on behalf of the ship.  

For now, most of Azamara’s operational changes are a direct result of cruising during the COVID-19 pandemic, in an effort to keep guests and crew safe.

Time — and the purpose-built Azamara Onward that debuted in spring 2022 — will tell what touches might differentiate from Azamara’s signature atmosphere under Sycamore.

RELATED:  Azamara Drops Most Pre-Cruise Covid Tests

A Canary Islands Cruise

Our Azamara Journey itinerary was a one-week Canary Islands cruise, roundtrip from Gran Canaria. The voyage squeezed six ports across five islands into eight days, and that meant no sea days.

Our cruise ports included:

• Gran Canaria
• Funchal, Madeira (Portugal)
• Santa Cruz, La Palma
• San Sebastian, La Gomera
• Santa Cruz, Tenerife
• Los Cristianos, Tenerife

Fast Facts – Azamara Journey

Year built : 2000 Year refurbished : 2016 Weight:  30,277 gross tons Decks:  8 Passengers at double occupancy:   690 Crew : 408 Total staterooms:  345

COVID-19 Protocols 

Prior to boarding Azamara Journey , passengers had to have a stack of important documents in their possession, including a number of negative COVID-19 test results.  

Preparation for cruising during the pandemic begins at home, where passengers are asked to fill out boarding documents that include proof of vaccination.

Traveling through the Canary Islands, under jurisdiction of Spain, a form provided by Spain’s Ministry of Health is also a requirement to enter the country.

Passports and Health Forms Required

Along with passports, passengers are expected to present this health form, boarding documents, and their vaccine card on a number of occasions as they navigate their way to the dock in Gran Canaria.  

Transiting through Madrid on the way home helped us avoid lengthy border control lines until we were able to use Global Entry upon return to the U.S.

Azamara hosts its own rapid COVID-19 test onsite at the port, and a negative result is required to board. Once onboard, masks are required in all public areas of the ship, except while actively eating and drinking.  

Welcome Aboard Azamara Journey

Embarkation has changed — perhaps forever — due to pandemic protocols. Some of the changes, including more paperwork and health checks, lead to long wait times in the sun at the port with nowhere to sit.

While others, including less formal lifeboat drills in small groups immediately upon embarkation — with Champagne! — were welcome adaptations.

Once our lifejacket demonstrator completed all necessary safety briefings, we were whisked to our cabin by an attendant. In our room, in addition to the usual brochures and welcome materials, were two blue cloth masks emblazoned with the Azamara logo.

We felt it was a nice touch that encouraged mask-wearing among guests.

INSIDER TIP: We were asked to sanitize your hands before each meal so be mindful of keeping your hands clean without drying them out. A good-quality hand cream can be a lifesaver.

First Impressions Azamara Journey

We sailed Azamara two years prior on the line’s then-newest ship, Azamara Pursuit . This time, the entire ship was decorated in anticipation of Christmas.

Metallic ornaments kept it classy while the various gingerbread houses constructed by teams from around the ship — including a village with a working toy train — contributed to a fun and festive atmosphere.  

Despite the shift in time and seasons, boarding Journey felt a bit like coming home, an intentional mimicking of a nearly identical feel across the fleet of three (soon to be four) ships.

From the grand staircase to the main dining room and the classic library to the pool deck, we already had the sense that this ship was familiar.  

But uniformity takes work, and changes meant to be rolled out to the ship during a dry dock in summer 2021, were now unavoidably taking place in December with passengers onboard.

Supply Chain Issues Were Noticeable

Supply-chain issues, that plagued many industries during the pandemic, left the ship without the proper carpeting in the Den on Deck 5 and new wallpaper in key passenger areas.

We didn’t notice anything amiss during our first day onboard as construction crews were quietly roamed our hallways. They were quick to rip down wallpaper and replace it with new high-quality fabric from Japan.

The noise was surprisingly not much of an issue, though the lingering smell was a bit distracting.  

While some new, high-quality touches are the result of a cash infusion into the company, other noticeable changes are the direct result of pandemic protocols.

Club Veranda Stateroom

We stayed in cabin 7079, your standard balcony room onboard an Azamara ship, and a comfortable way to sail the Canaries. With 175 square feet of space and a 40-square-foot balcony, two guests won’t be cramped by any means.  

One of our favorite features of an Azamara Veranda cabin is the size of its balcony furniture; comfortable seating and a large table mean a balcony breakfast or wine and cheese at sundown are not a hassle.  

Our least favorite feature is still the tiny bathroom size. While functional, we could not imagine our 6’7 cruise director fitting in any way, shape, or form into the itty-bitty shower with a clingy shower curtain.

Three small shelves and no space by the sink were not quite enough for two women, so we kept many of our hair and makeup products on the desk, or in a bag that hung from the door; a major space-saver.  

Inclusions in this class of cabin are typically standard, with terry robes and slippers. Although we received the leather card carrier which is always a nice touch, we didn’t notice the tote bag that many others were sporting. Still, the small cruise line is more generous with logo items than others we know.

Stateroom Amenities

Rooms come equipped with both standard U.S. and European outlets, as well as USB ports under the bedside reading lamps. Technology quickly outpaces charging units, so be sure you have chargers that can be plugged into either of these. Hair dryers are provided in a drawer by the desk.  

Beds can be combined for one queen or separated as two twins. We felt the linens and pillows were sufficiently comfortable. Other cabin features include a loveseat with a small round table, a desk with a chair and a large mirror. A flatscreen TV offers a handful of channels from international news and movies to what’s happening around the ship.  

Getting Organized in Our Stateroom

Closet space is limited, but two friends who overpacked for a single week were able to jam everything — just barely — into a few shelves and a small closet. Depending on how much you’re looking to bring, be mindful of finite hanger space.

Toiletries in the bathroom include a bar of soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion with a light, aloe vera and green tea scent. Elemis products are still provided in more premium cabins.  

Much to the chagrin of our hotel director and longtime Azamara employee Tony Markey, the installation of water refill stations around the ship was still a work in progress.

Water, Water Everywhere But…

Unfortunately, that meant that in the meantime, water was provided to guests in now-taboo plastic bottles. Water was plentiful, both in our cabins and provided before or during shore excursions. The inability to move past plastic is a slight setback for Azamara’s sustainability initiatives.  

Azamara provides self-service washers and dryers, handy on longer voyages, but you must buy detergent. The laundry room is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is located across from stateroom 7076.  

INSIDER TIP:  Bring your own reusable bottle, and use the water provided on the ship; even if it’s from a plastic bottle, you’ll have more H20 with you and can ask the ship to recycle them.

Our Room Steward

Cleaning up behind two women is never an easy feat, but as kind as our room steward was, he also seemed a bit scattered at times. We enjoyed wine in our room each night and brought our own bottles onboard — port from a port call in Portugal, to be exact.

But despite this clear signal to provide clean wine glasses, we had to replace our own every night with a somewhat confused call to room service — “No, not the wine, just the glass.”  

The same idea applied to my use of an additional duvet. Each night the extra comforter was packed away and each night I would have to lug it out again, hoping he would catch on that I liked an unnecessary amount of blankets.  

Our room was always neat as a pin. But intuitive service like making the bed with an extra blanket or having wine glasses ready to go each evening when we returned onboard, would have given that more personal touch.  

Dining Options on Azamara Journey

Making the best of meal times.

Despite constant changes in the ways guests are served during a pandemic, service levels remained high — something we also took particular note of on our first Azamara cruise.

Every crew member made a genuine effort to positively influence our experience, but perhaps none left as much of an impact as our servers in Discoveries Restaurant, Roston (“from Boston”) and Aaron.

Humorous and attentive, they struck a chord with our young American hearts, though they seemed to thrive at their job no matter the nationality, and that takes skill.

Complimentary Dining Choices

There are three complimentary, no-fee dining venues plus room service onboard Azamara Journey. Each restaurant offers guests a full rage of selections.

Every night is themed after a different type of cuisine, ex. Italian and French. The themes differ between the main dining room and the buffet.

We felt the themes were a little odd at times. Rather than emphasize local cuisine, the restaurant chose to serve British food to a ship of Brits.

However, Indian night was a highlight. After learning how disappointed we were to miss it during a dinner in Prime C, our waitstaff made sure to order us a full Indian feast for the following evening.

This was a special touch that impressed us. Overall, the quality of the food was quite good and the service was excellent.

Discoveries Restaurant

Open for breakfast (8 to 9:30) and dinner (6 to 9) with lunch served only on the day we were docked overnight in Funchal. Discoveries on Deck 5 is the main dining room onboard and it is a grand space.

The formal dining room is designed to accommodate most passengers on the ship at once. Only half of the dining room was in use during our sailing due to lower capacity.

We found that on a ship of Europeans, a 6 o’clock dinner was eerily quiet but pleasant if we needed an early night — most came to dinner around 8.  

The use of QR codes, now common in land-based restaurants to reduce contact, were available on the daily program and around the ship to view menus or make reservations, but we found neither were needed.

We were always accommodated and handed physical menus.

Typical Daily Dining Options

Breakfast options were international, like many of the menus onboard, and dishes were a bit unexpected: a Mediterranean salad or an Asian chicken and rice congee to start, followed by Arabic shakshuka or asparagus Benedict.

Of course, classic breakfast options — pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, and the like — were plenty available upon request.  

On the Discoveries menu each evening we found an enticing offering of starters, main courses, and desserts. Plus an always-available menu included standards like steak, salmon, and Caesar salad. 

Each night it was possible to order an entire meal from the chef’s theme du jour. On Indian night, it was hard to resist samosas and butter chicken. Other nights we thoroughly enjoyed the fish. The soups, such as a Spanish gazpacho or minestrone, were always delicious.  

Windows Café

Windows, the buffet venue on Deck 9 open for breakfast (7 to 10), lunch (12 to 2), and dinner (6:30 to 8:30), was where we turned to for al fresco dining. The quick convenience of the buffet is hampered slightly by the inability to serve yourself due to health and safety measures. 

We chose to sit at the back of the ship and admire the stunning views of the islands in the morning and in the evening.  

We ordered our energizer shots and fresh-squeezed juices at the entrance. Then we chose a variety of fruit and pastries or hot dishes. Finally, we grabbed outdoor seating with coffee served to your table.

Lunch was a similar affair, sans the juice bar.  

At night, Windows became something like a bistro, and we hope it stays that way. We loved sitting out on the deck and indulging in a menu unique from the main dining room, like South American.

A casual option for lunch, The Patio is the poolside grill on Azamara Journey. We were pleasantly surprised by all of the options, which ranged from burgers (salmon, veggie, lamb, beef, turkey) to brochettes, soups, Buffalo wings, nachos, and sandwiches like pork loin with sauteed onions and feta on a baguette or a grouper panini with salsa and Chinese cabbage.  

Swirl & Top, the soft-serve ice cream machines, are located here; they were out of service when we asked about them, but we were brought hard ice cream sundaes instead from Windows Café.  

Room Service

Onboard Azamara Journey , room service is complimentary and available 24 hours a day. Our favorite order was a cheese plate and two glasses of rose as we got ready for dinner, but sandwiches, desserts, and even a pizza are on offer.

For room service breakfast, a room tag is provided in your room to make your selections and hang it on your stateroom door the night before. Continental options as well as hot breakfast dishes like steak and eggs are available, free of charge.

We found that our breakfast consistently arrived early; better than late, but a bit of an unexpected wakeup call.  

Specialty Dining

Chef’s table.

Dinners at are available throughout the cruise, but limited to a dozen or so guests.

For $95 per person, this six-course, food-and-wine paired meal is a sensory experience. It is typically held at a banquet table in one of the specialty dining rooms and hosted by the executive chef. 

During the pandemic, guests are distanced at a minimum of two tables. Themes might be French, Italian, or Arabic.  

Additionally, Azamara Journey was trialing a new concept called the Explorer’s Dinner, held once per cruise for $65 per person. 

I thought this was a great deal considering a venue was fully decorated for the event and included six courses themed after a regional explorer. Special wine pairings were not included. 

On our sailing the meal celebrated Juan Ponce de Leon from Spain with garlic shrimp and paella.  

Dining packages are available to bundle culinary experiences, including packages with both specialty restaurants and the Chef’s Table.

Prime C Review

Azamara’s specialty dining restaurants, Prime C and Aqualina, have temporarily become two rotating dining rooms with one menu. Specialty dining remains included for suite guests, otherwise it’s a $30 cover per person.

Due to low passenger counts, kitchen and waitstaff were sometimes accommodating just one or two couples in each restaurant following Azamara’s restart.

To combat the all-too-quiet ambiance, one specialty venue is open each night of the cruise but serves a combined menu from the kitchens of the steakhouse and Italian restaurant, which we were told is a “best of the best” from each.  

While some diners seemed to revel in the mix-and-match, the choices can be a bit overwhelming, so review the menu before heading to dinner.

On the left, in red, are three starters, four soups or salads, and five entrees from Prime C, while on the right in blue you could find the same amount of Italian-themed options from Aqualina.  

During our specialty dining evening, we sat in Prime C and ordered a combination of dishes like crab and lobster cakes from the steakhouse menu and a braised beef cheek in Chianti sauce that was actually from Aqualina.

Some desserts, like the famed tiramisu, were not available, but service still shined. However, the cook of a fellow diner’s steak and the drawn-out nature of a meal here deterred us from revisiting. Instead, we opted for the exciting menu rotations and familiar service found in Discoveries.

Are Beverages Included on Azamara?

As for drinks, beer, wine, soft drinks, and select cocktails, they are included in the price of your cruise fare. Perhaps our favorite inclusion are the specialty coffees, which include dairy milk alternatives on hand, found at the Mosaic Café on Deck 5.

The juices available at Windows café in the morning are delightful (the smoothies were a bit of a miss). Drink packages are available for an additional fee to enjoy premium spirits and wines throughout the course of your cruise.

Entertainment and Onboard Activities

On a sailing filled entirely with days in port, most passengers are out exploring from the morning until the evening.  

Our cruise director — author, entertainer, and former figure skater Eric de Gray — was the glue that held together every show and every event. Even his onboard announcements were amusing, delivered with a signature snark, and his headlining show nearly had us in tears.  

There is one pool and two whirlpools located on Deck 9, that saw a considerable amount of holiday-makers during the day.

The library, on Deck 10, is a mausoleum-silent space to read or borrow books on the honor system. With a delicate mural on the ceiling, its truly a gorgeous room for an afternoon repose.

There are two shops onboard Azamara Journey . Indulgences sells the standard duty-free liquor, perfume, and cigarettes, while the Journey Boutique sold luxury clothing, jewelry and accessories.  

Nightly meetups are held for Friends of Bill W., LGBTQ, and singles and solo travelers.

Insider Tip: Visit the dining reservations desk in the Windows Café. Ask around for a list of each venue’s dinner themes for the entirety of the cruise. That way, you can plan ahead (and not miss Indian night!)

We were forewarned on a first-day ship tour that many of the crew members at the Sanctum Spa were unable to join the Azamara Journey.   This was due to their country’s COVID-19 restrictions.

Despite being short staffed, we loved our spa experiences (yes, plural). The staff were extremely friendly and professional.

My travel companion had her luggage misplaced by the airline and boarded the ship without her hard-earned, high-end hair products.

Without missing a beat, the spa manager pulled every Elemis product she might have needed. Even with limited therapists onboard, we had a combined four treatments — including my first-ever facial. We raved about them all.

Spa Discounts and Services

Spa specials ran throughout the cruise. With a booked treatment you received a discount on future treatments. Facials ranged from $129 to $199 and massages ranged from $149 to $299.  

Hair, nails, and waxing services are also available at The Sanctum, along with teeth whitening and shaves for men. The spa was typically open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Sanctum Terrace is a lovely and serene spot at the front of the ship, just outside the spa. There are loungers and a small thalassotherapy pool.

Should You Buy a Spa Pass?

Daily and weekly passes were available. But we were able to enjoy some time here before and after our spa treatments. It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset if you can manage it. The terrace hours are listed until 8 p.m. but we never saw anyone else there.

Unfortunately, many of the missing spa staff were fitness instructors, so onboard classes like Pilates were unavailable. However, the fitness center was open and self-guided workouts and stretching were encouraged.

Only eight guests were allowed inside at one time, and masks were required.

Daytime Activities

On such a port-intensive itinerary, daytime activities extend to card games, shuffleboard, intimate trivia sessions, or a walk around the jogging track.

However, we did notice a fair number of Brits onboard who spent ample time soaking up the Spanish sunshine from a lounger near the pool.

Apart from a smattering of dance classes and maybe a lesson on smartphone photography, we were disappointed by the lack of enrichment.

We did hear a lot of positive feedback about a wine and food pairing exercise, but guests had to pay an additional fee to participate.

Enrichment Lectures 

From a cruise line that claims total destination immersion, we wanted to learn more about the ports and the culture and not just what few shore excursions were offered.

A lecture on the Spanish Civil War was postponed due to poor attendance. We place that blame less on the passengers and more on the activities staff choosing enrichment topics.

Despite an active volcano on La Palma, we were still able to dock. Some information on volcanoes — how the Canary Islands were formed — seemed like a more relevant and timely topic.

Insider Tip: If you don’t feel like an all-day excursion, reserve tea at Reid’s Palace (in Funchal) online in advance. It’s a bit of an uphill climb, but totally walkable and bookable on your own. Only available from 3-4:30 Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday.

Evening Entertainment

The vibe onboard Azamara Journey is relaxed and a bit sleepy. While there were some standout entertainment experiences, evening plans sometimes began and ended with a simple nightcap.

There are bars located in each dining venue. Additional bars included the Cabaret Lounge, Mosaic Café, Pool Bar, the Living Room, and Spirits in the Den.

Be sure to find the Sunset Bar on Deck 9 aft, it’s the perfect place for a sailaway drink. This bar has its own unique beverage menu that features tasty tropical tipples. We wish we had found sooner.

Where You’ll Find Live Music

At night, you can find a variety of live music around the ship to complement your cocktail. On our sailing we enjoyed the band East Pearl. They worked triple duty playing dance hits before dinner, at night, and late-night in the Deck 10 Living Room.

There was a pianist who played near Spirits bar. The Journey Orchestra performed Latin music every night in the Living Room. Plates of tapas were offered.

If you are extra vigilant, you might be able to catch a karaoke session in the Living Room lounge.

Capacity was capped in the Cabaret Lounge, the onboard theater, but it was never a problem for the evening shows. The singers and dancers had the task of appealing to a multicultural audience. 

Shows like “Four on the Floor” and needless to say, there was a lot of ABBA.

We attended the classical piano recital of Sasha Kovalovin and thoroughly enjoyed his talent alongside his charming commentary.

White Night and the AzAmazing Evening, Azamara’s signature events were canceled due to COVID. But the resilience and resourcefulness of Azamara’s hotel and activities staff and crew ensured guests were still able to celebrate.

White Night — temporarily – became Bright Night, a version of the deck party muddled by crowd capacities and then bad weather.

The theater held the main performance. Guests encouraged to dance though mask use was not enforced.

Similarly, accommodating hundreds of guests at a local venue wasn’t doable for the AzAmazing Evening. So Azamara Journey hosted a Destination Celebration, instead. 

This included a poolside performance from a quartet called Paganini, and a Spanish dinner in the Windows Café.

The humor-infused classical concert was a perfect fit for the Azamara audience. There were two showtimes in two seatings.

The destination centered around the unique culture of the Canary Islands and not blanket Spain. But it would have been nice to try more regional dishes and drinks from the places we visited.

Perhaps it was not possible due to logistical challenges.

Who’s Onboard

Well-traveled retired couples are typical Azamara guests. The small ship cruise line also attracts a strong number of loyal and return cruisers.

On our Canary Islands cruise, there were 329 total passengers (about half capacity) spanning an impressive 19 nationalities. British passengers made up two-thirds of the guests. Danish about 10 percent.

There were just 15 Americans onboard, 11 Germans and 10 Macedonians. Plus, a mix of over a dozen other countries represented.  

Final Thoughts – Azamara Journey Review

Azamara has largely ditched its formal Azamara Club Cruises moniker, while retaining its clubby camaraderie in all the best ways.

It’s not the most luxurious cruise line, or the most modern, or the most intimate. There is familiarity and a genuine nature to the service onboard that is hard to pinpoint but easy to recognize.

Even during a global pandemic and an ownership change, Azamara has retained its signature offerings and its stellar crew. This included comfortable surrounds, tasty cuisine, a welcoming atmosphere, and access to spectacular destinations.  

Cruise Review in a Nutshell

Ship:   Azamara Journey Category:  Premium ($$$) Internet/Wifi:   Extra fee, though included in many cruise fare packages. Date: December 11-18, 2021

Disclosure : Azamara paid my cruise fare and that of my guest. Azamara included my airfare and an onboard credit. All opinions are my own and reflect my cruise experience and observations.

I hope you find this Azamara Journey cruise ship review to be helpful whether or not you’re considering an Azamara Canary Islands cruise. Azamara cruises the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the world.

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Home Azamara Cruises Azamara Journey

Azamara Journey

Azamara Journey is a 690-guest mid-size cruise ship. She joined the Azamara Cruises fleet in 2007 and is the sister ship to Azamara Quest .

In 2016, Azamara Journey underwent an extensive re-imagining, during which a number of the onboard spaces were remodelled and updated. Now boasting new accommodations and public spaces, Azamara Journey routinely wins awards for the onboard experience. The ship made its debut on the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Gold List in 2019 and has been voted one of the top 10 boutique ships by USA Today.

Life onboard Azamara Journey is ideal for couples, families and solo travellers. She boasts a range of high-end dining venues and elegant lounges, all of which are resplendent with modern furnishings and amenities. The new-look suites and staterooms are bright and airy, while the spa facilities on Azamara Journey rival any of those found in the world’s best hotels.

To find out more about Azamara Journey, please call our Voyage Consultants on 0800 008 6677 or make an online enquiry for your preferred sailing.

Azamara Journey Accommodation

The Club Veranda Plus Stateroom.

There are eight accommodation categories on Azamara Journey, ranging from the cosy Club Interior Stateroom to the breathtaking Club World Owner’s Suite.

In 2016, Azamara refurbished all of the ship’s accommodation, with significant updates to all categories. Azamara Journey now boasts some of the best staterooms and suites at sea, providing the perfect environment to relax after exploring ashore or enjoying the ship’s many facilities.

The eight accommodation categories are as follows:

Club Interior Stateroom

Club oceanview stateroom.

• Club Balcony Stateroom
• Club Balcony Plus Stateroom
• Club Continental Suite
• Club Spa Suite

Club Ocean Suite

• Club World Owner’s Suite

All of the accommodation on Azamara Journey offers various amenities, including private ensuite bathroom facilities, a flatscreen TV, and ample storage space. Choose to cruise in one of Azamara Journey’s suites, and you will also receive up to $300 onboard spending money and complimentary laundry service once a week.

Azamara Journey Dining

The main dining room, Discoveries.

Azamara Journey offers a choice of nine restaurants, dining venues and eateries. The ship’s primary venue for breakfast, lunch and dinner is Discoveries . Here, you can enjoy international cuisine in a classic setting, complete with white table cloths and leather-back chairs.

Alternative Dining Venues

There are three alternative dining venues on Azamara Journey:

Serving up an array of grilled fish, expertly prepared meat and delectable desserts, Prime C is Azamara’s mouth-watering take on the classic American steakhouse.

For an authentic taste of Italy, Aqualina is hard to beat. The menu features everything from traditional pasta dishes to inspired vegetarian options, with many of the ingredients locally sourced by the ship’s chefs.

Chef’s Table

Typically held in Prime C, the Chef’s Table is an exclusive dining experience comprised of French, Italian and California menus that rotate throughout the cruise.

Informal Dining Venues

For light bites and snacks on the go, Azamara Journey offers a range of options. Window’s Cafe serves up buffet-style fare such as pastries, salads and sandwiches during lunch and dinner. The Patio is a pool-side grill by day and an open-air restaurant by night, while Swirl & Top is a must for ice-cream lovers. For gourmet coffees, cookies and pastries, The Mosaic Cafe is open from 7 am until 1 am daily.

Activities, Entertainment & Facilities

The daily entertainment on Azamara Journey is in keeping with what you would expect on a mid-size ship. On deck 9, you will find a swimming pool, two heated whirlpools and more than enough loungers for relaxing in the sunshine. The Sanctum Spa boasts a range of treatments and access to the ship’s Thalassotherapy Pool, while The Den promotes Azamara’s dedication to Destination Immersion with travel books and interactive screens.

When night falls, there is a range of entertainment options on Azamara Journey. Azamara’s Signature Shows feature Broadway-style performances and cabaret acts from musical performers. Alternatively, simply enjoy sipping a cocktail in the Discoveries Lounge .

The other facilities on Azamara Journey include:

• Drawing Room/Library
• Photography Shop
• Gym/Fitness Centre
• Duty-Free Shop

Ship Gallery

Additional Information

Club Veranda Plus Stateroom P3

Azamara Journey’s P3 Club Veranda Plus Stateroom is the same as the Club Veranda Stateroom in size and amenities. However, the P3 Club Veranda Plus Stateroom comes with additional benefits. Choose this category and enjoy a free 120 internet package, one bag of free laundry service every seven days, one night’s free speciality dining (for two – every seven days), and complimentary in-room spirits. You will also enjoy priority embarkation and debarkation.

Club Veranda Plus Stateroom P2

Azamara Journey’s P2 Club Veranda Plus Stateroom is the same as the Club Veranda Stateroom in size and amenities. However, the P2 Club Veranda Plus Stateroom comes with additional benefits. Choose this category and enjoy a free 120 internet package, one bag of free laundry service every seven days, one night’s free speciality dining (for two – every seven days), and complimentary in-room spirits. You will also enjoy priority embarkation and debarkation.

Club Veranda Plus Stateroom P1

Azamara Journey’s P1 Club Veranda Plus Stateroom is the same as the Club Veranda Stateroom in size and amenities. However, the P1 Club Veranda Plus Stateroom comes with additional benefits. Choose this category and enjoy a free 120 internet package, one bag of free laundry service every seven days, one night’s free speciality dining (for two – every seven days), and complimentary in-room spirits. You will also enjoy priority embarkation and debarkation.

Club Spa Suite SP

Stateroom Area: 414 sq. ft. (38.5 sq m) Balcony Area: 60 sq. ft. (5.6 sq m)

Azamara Journey’s SP Club Spa Suite grants easy access to the ship’s Sanctum Spa facilities, the open decks and the new restaurant, The Living Room. Choose this suite and enjoy spacious bathroom facilities, a 55-inch flatscreen TV and a private glass-enclosed spa tub. All Club Spa Suite guests receive $300 onboard spending money and a complimentary internet package.

Facilities also include a mini-bar, climate control, personal safe, writing desk, 24-hour room service, complimentary bathrobe and slippers, and one free bag of laundry service every seven days.

Suite – Guaranteed

A Guaranteed Suite means the Suite’s deck and position will be allocated later, rather than at the time of booking. The Guaranteed Suite offers the same facilities as the standard Suites, depending on the type you choose.

Interior Stateroom – Guaranteed

A Guaranteed Interior means the staterooms deck and position will be allocated later, rather than at the time of booking. The Guaranteed Interior Stateroom offers the same facilities as the standard Interior Staterooms.

Oceanview Stateroom – Guaranteed

A Guaranteed Oceanview Stateroom means the staterooms deck and position will be allocated later, rather than at the time of booking. The Guaranteed Oceanview Stateroom offers the same facilities as the standard Oceanview Staterooms.

Club Veranda Stateroom – Guaranteed

A Guaranteed Veranda Stateroom means the staterooms deck and position will be allocated later, rather than at the time of booking. The Guaranteed Veranda Stateroom offers the same facilities as the standard Veranda Staterooms.

Club Veranda Stateroom V3

Stateroom Area: 175 sq. ft. (16.3 sq m) Balcony Area: 40 sq. ft. (3.8 sq m)

Spacious and blessed with glorious views courtesy of a private balcony, Azamara Journey’s V3 Club Veranda Stateroom will provide everything you need for the duration of your stay. Featuring a separate living area, 40-inch flatscreen TV, and exceptional ensuite bathroom facilities, the Club Veranda Stateroom provides the perfect relaxing environment.

Facilities also include a mini-bar, climate control, personal safe, writing desk, 24-hour room service, complimentary bathrobe and slippers.

Club Veranda Stateroom V2

Spacious and blessed with glorious views courtesy of a private balcony, Azamara Journey’s V2 Club Veranda Stateroom will provide everything you need for the duration of your stay. Featuring a separate living area, 40-inch flatscreen TV, and exceptional ensuite bathroom facilities, the Club Veranda Stateroom provides the perfect relaxing environment.

Club Veranda Stateroom V1

Spacious and blessed with glorious views courtesy of a private balcony, Azamara Journey’s V1 Club Veranda Stateroom will provide everything you need for the duration of your stay. Featuring a separate living area, 40-inch flatscreen TV, and exceptional ensuite bathroom facilities, the Club Veranda Stateroom provides the perfect relaxing environment.

Club Deluxe Veranda Stateroom

Stateroom Area: 175 sq.ft. (16.3 sq m) Balcony Area: 65 sq.ft (6.0 sq m)

The Club Deluxe Veranda Stateroom on Azamara Journey boasts the same amenities as the standard Club Veranda Stateroom, with the added benefit of one of the largest private balconies available on a ship of this size.

Club Continent Suite N2

Stateroom Area: 266 sq. ft. (24.8 sq m) Balcony Area: 60 sq. ft. (5.6 sq m)

Smaller than the other suites on Azamara Journey, the ship’s N2 Club Continent Suites are still very spacious. The ensuite bathroom facilities are available with either a bathtub or a shower, and the sizable sitting area provides the perfect environment for relaxing with a good book.

Facilities also include a 55-inch flatscreen TV, mini-bar, climate control, personal safe, 24-hour room service, complimentary bathrobe and slippers, and one free bag of laundry service every seven days.

Club Continent Suite N1

Smaller than the other suites on Azamara Journey, the ship’s N1 Club Continent Suites are still very spacious. The ensuite bathroom facilities are available with either a bathtub or a shower, and the sizable sitting area provides the perfect environment for relaxing with a good book.

Stateroom Area: 478 sq. ft. (44.5 sq m) Balcony Area: 173 sq. ft. (16.1 sq m)

The Club Ocean Suites on Azamara Journey are amongst the largest on the ship, offering a separate master bedroom, two 55-inch televisions and ample closet space. Choose to book a Club Ocean Suite and receive $300 onboard spending money and one free bag of laundry service every seven days. You will also receive complimentary specialty dining.

Club World Owners Suite

Stateroom Area: 603 sq. ft. (56.1 sq m) Balcony Area: 233 sq. ft. (21.7 sq m)

The Club World Owner’s Suite represents the largest accommodation option on Azamara Journey. The suite boasts a large living room, separate master bedroom, a marble master bathroom and a spacious private veranda. The suite also benefits from a 55-inch flatscreen TV in the living room, and a spacious dressing room. Book the Owner’s Suite and receive $300 onboard spending money, a 240-minute internet package and a complimentary laundry service for one bag every seven days.

Facilities also include a mini-bar, climate control, personal safe, writing desk, 24-hour room service, and complimentary bathrobe and slippers.

Stateroom Area: 158 sq. ft. (14.7 sq m)

The ideal base for your Azamara cruise holiday, the Club Oceanview Stateroom on Azamara Journey provides comfort with no shortage of stylish amenities. From serene ocean vistas granted by the large picture window to the plush ensuite bathroom facilities, this is an excellent choice of accommodation for a cruise of any length.

Facilities also include a 40-inch flatscreen TV, mini-bar, climate control, personal safe, 24-hour room service, complimentary bathrobe and slippers.

Club Oceanview Stateroom (Obstructed View)

The category 8 Club Ocean Stateroom’s on Deck 6 of Azamara Journey all have obstructed views. However, they represent excellent value for money and provide all the benefits and comforts of the Club Interior Stateroom, with the added advantage of natural light coming from the window.

Club Oceanview Stateroom 05

Club Interior Stateroom 12

When it comes to comfort, Azamara Journey’s Club Interior Stateroom is hard to beat. Boasting a private ensuite bathroom, entertainment centre, and a writing desk, you’ll love the modern furnishings and contemporary decor.

Facilities also include a 40-inch television, mini-bar, climate control, personal safe, 24-hour room service, complimentary bathrobe and slippers.

Club Interior Stateroom 11

Club Interior Stateroom 10

Club Oceanview Stateroom 04

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The ultimate guide to Azamara cruise ships and itineraries

Azamara Cruises is interesting. Although it includes more in its fares -- gratuities, basic alcohol and some shore excursions -- than most cruise lines, it's not full-on luxury . However it's not mainstream, like Carnival or Royal Caribbean, either.

It has carved out an industry niche that caters to affluent, well-traveled cruisers who enjoy smaller vessels, a country house ambiance and itineraries that focus on destination immersion.

The ships in its four-vessel fleet are nearly identical, all belonging to the R Class, which was originally developed for now-defunct line Renaissance Cruises. Azamara prides itself on bringing its passengers familiarity and onboard experiences that are similar from ship to ship. You won't find waterslides or roller coasters, and that's exactly how the line's demographic likes it.

One of the line's most notable hallmarks is its focus on longer, later stays in port. Coupled with its AzAmazing Evenings program, which takes cruisers ashore to experience cultural performances in jaw-dropping locations, the experience is a little less superficial-feeling than other cruise excursions.

Here, you'll find a rundown of all the crucial information you'll need to decide if an Azamara sailing is right for you.

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3 things TPG loves about Azamara Cruises

• Its ships' smaller size and rich history.
• Later port calls that allow passengers to experience nightlife in several destinations.
• Its upscale yet homey onboard ambiance.

What we could do without

• Its lack of accommodations for solo cruisers.

The Azamara Cruises fleet

Azamara Cruises is one of the cruise industry's smallest lines, with just four ships -- Azamara Quest, Azamara Journey, Azamara Pursuit and Azamara Onward -- at the time of publication. All of Azamara's vessels are R-Class ships, originally built for now-defunct Renaissance Cruises, which folded in 2001, just a couple of years after the vessels debuted.

Azamara has rounded up the ships -- including the most recent, which it acquired from Princess Cruises during the pandemic -- over the years and refurbished them to add the line's signature upscale furnishings. In fact, it did such an impressive job that you'd hardly be able to guess that the vessels are more than 20 years old.

Each of the ships has the capacity for about 700 passengers, which places them in the midsize range -- large enough to provide a laundry list of amenities, but small enough that passengers can still enjoy calls on a number of ports that larger ships can't access.

At just a little more than 30,000 gross registered tons apiece, the ships are about an eighth of the size of Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, which is the largest cruise ship in the world.

During 2020's industrywide pandemic shutdown, Royal Caribbean Group, which previously owned Azamara, sold the line to private equity firm Sycamore Partners. Azamara's president, Carol Cabezas, told TPG that the firm has plans for expansion. Although Cabezas didn't elaborate, Azamara fans anticipate that new hardware could be in the line's future .

Destinations and itineraries

Azamara's ships sail in several regions, including Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand and Europe, with an emphasis on the Mediterranean, Baltic Sea, Western Europe, British Isles and Greece.

"They cannot get enough of Croatia, Italy, Greece," Cabezas said. "Those are the kinds of places that people want to sail in, so we've dedicated a lot of the deployment into those country-intensives. That and Black Sea."

Azamara prides itself on being destination-immersive, which includes staying late in port -- often until 10 p.m. or even overnight -- to allow passengers more time to soak in the heritage. On most sailings, the line also offers its signature AzAmazing Evenings, which take cruisers ashore to iconic venues where they can experience local cultural performances. (At the time of publication, the line was offering cultural performances onboard , rather than ashore, due to COVID-19.)

Most itineraries range from a week to two weeks in length, but the line has also offered itineraries lasting more than 100 days, calling on more than 60 ports in more than two dozen countries.

Who sails Azamara Cruises?

Due to its price point, popularity in Europe and lack of short voyages, Azamara appeals to older, more affluent travelers with a surplus of vacation time. The average age can fluctuate from sailing to sailing, but it's common to find most passengers in their 60s and 70s.

The line's demographic is largely well traveled and port savvy, with many passengers forgoing shore excursions in favor of independent exploration.

Azamara also draws a large number of repeat cruisers, many having sailed with the line numerous times.

Cabins and suites

All of Azamara's staterooms , regardless of type or category, include at least one queen bed that can convert to two twins, a desk/vanity with a phone, nightstands with reading lamps, at least one TV that's a minimum of 40 inches, outlets and USB charging ports, a minibar, individual climate controls, closets, a safe, a hair dryer, robes, slippers, umbrellas and fresh flowers.

Each cabin has its own bathroom with towels, bath products, a shower, sink/vanity, storage shelves and a toilet. Additionally, all rooms include daily make-up and turndown services, as well as 24-hour room service, a tote bag, a daily bulletin of activities and turndown treats.

All suites come with complimentary butler service for their occupants.

Accommodations on Azamara's ships come in four types: insides (no natural light, 158 square feet), outsides (windows that don't open, 143 square feet), balconies (small outdoor deck areas with sliding glass doors) and suites (like balcony cabins but larger and with more perks). There are several options within each category, including seven cabins on each ship that allow access for passengers in wheelchairs and scooters.

Options within the balcony and suite categories are:

Club Veranda: This basic balcony-style cabin offers 175 square feet, plus a 40-square-foot veranda with two upright chairs and a small table.

Club Veranda Plus: The same size and general layout as regular Club Verandas, these rooms factor in passengers' loyalty status to determine the level of benefits occupants will receive during their sailing. All passengers booked in Club Veranda Plus accommodations are entitled to complimentary Wi-Fi minutes, one free bag of laundry every seven days, one complimentary meal for two in a for-fee restaurant every seven days, priority embarkation and disembarkation and free in-cabin alcohol.

Club Continent Suites: The smallest of the line's suite accommodations, Club Continent Suites are 266 square feet with 60-square-foot balconies. They include all of the amenities mentioned above, as well as a large seating area with a 55-inch flat-screen TV. Besides the TV and the increased square footage, some Club Continent Suite bathrooms also have bathtubs instead of only a stand-up shower.

Club Spa Suites: These suites are located near the Sanctum Spa on each vessel. In addition to soothing decor, cruisers booked in these rooms can expect healthy snacks to be delivered daily. They can also enjoy in-cabin spa music and their own glass-enclosed soaking bathtub. Additionally, Club Spa Suites have rain showerheads and all of the amenities afforded to veranda cabins but with a larger (55-inch) TV and 414 square feet of space, plus a 60-square-foot balcony.

Club Ocean Suites: These 478-square-foot luxury digs come with 173-square-foot verandas, a separate living room and bedroom setup (each room with a 55-inch TV), marble shower-only bathrooms (except on Journey and Quest, which have bathtubs), dressing rooms with vanities and additional closet space. Further, passengers staying in these suites have access to all of the perks to which those in balcony cabins are entitled.

Club World Owner's Suites: The Club World Owner's Suites are Azamara's most lavish, offering everything afforded to those booked in Club Ocean Suites but with significantly more space — 603 square feet with 233-square-foot balconies. They have marble bathrooms (with bathtubs on Journey and Quest) and separate living room and bedroom areas, each with its own television (55 inches in the former and 40 inches in the latter).

At this time, the line does not offer any cabins for solo cruisers, which means the already pricey fares for Azamara's sailings double if you're traveling alone.

Restaurants and dining

Azamara's dining options, although few, are impressive. Steak and seafood are often in the spotlight, and the quality is outstanding.

The line's ships each have one main dining room, Discoveries Restaurant, that allows passengers to dine at any time during set hours for complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner. The waiter-served menu there changes daily, and you should plan on spending at least 90 minutes for dinner, especially if you're having dessert.

Windows Cafe is the line's free buffet venue, which appears on all ships and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Previously a self-serve eatery, thanks to the pandemic passengers now simply point to what they would like and a crew member doles it out. For dinner, cruisers are seated and given menus -- which change nightly to highlight differing cuisines, such as Mexican, German and Greek -- and order from a waiter. Although it's sit-down table service, it's still faster than the main dining room. Outdoor seating at the ship's aft offers fantastic views, weather permitting.

Prime C is the fleet's for-fee steakhouse restaurant. Its menu includes several meaty options like steak, chicken, duck and lamb, plus soups and salads. Dining there costs $30 per person, and reservations are recommended.

Aqualina is where passengers will find extra-fee seafood, Italian and French cuisine in a light, airy atmosphere. The menu might feature items like lobster, seared tuna and the catch of the day. Reservations are recommended, and the cost is $30 per person. (Note: At the time of publication, the venue was temporarily closed due to COVID-19-related capacity restrictions, but diners can still order from Aqualina's menu while dining in Prime C.)

Azamara also offers themed Explorer's Dinners for $65 per person, focusing on a different cuisine -- think French and Italian -- each time. Chef's Table is another option. For $95 per person, cruisers can enjoy a seven-course meal paired with wines. During the experience, the chef explains each dish, and the ship's onboard sommeliers go over the wine selections.

The Patio, a gratis poolside venue, puts on a waiter-served spread during lunch hours each day. The menu stays the same throughout each sailing and might include items like spring rolls, nachos, burgers and chicken fingers.

Mosaic Cafe is the cafe found on each vessel in the fleet. It offers free finger sandwiches, cookies and pastries, as well as a variety of specialty coffees, most of which are complimentary. It's a nice place to go if you're feeling a little peckish between meals.

Those passengers who don't feel quite up to a full meal for dinner can head to The Living Room, a bar and lounge area that doubles as the nightclub on each ship. There, sandwiches and pastries are offered in the afternoons, and tapas are available during dinner hours.

For anyone who missed dinner or who finds themselves hungry in the middle of the night, room service is a free option, 24 hours a day. The menu is considerable, providing pizza, burgers, sandwiches, salads and a plethora of other options.

Entertainment and activities

Entertainment on Azamara is engaging and fun, but not nearly as extensive as what you'll find on ships in larger fleets. You're likely to encounter musicians in bars, lounges and nightclubs, and song-and-dance numbers in the theater, along with an occasional comedian or magician. What you won't find are huge LED screens, acrobatic performances or shows with high production value -- and that's exactly how the line's target audience likes it.

Theaters and shows

During the evenings, there's a piano player in The Den lounge, and the ship's band plays in The Living Room nightclub before a DJ starts spinning dance tunes there late into the night.

As far as theater happenings, you might spot a movie screening on the daily schedule or turn up after dinner to find that there's a boy band performing Justin Bieber hits while dressing like they're part of a doo-wop group. Overall, it's low-key but enjoyable.

Other interior attractions and activities

Hosted activities run the gamut from added-fee wine tastings, scavenger hunts and complimentary deck walks and water aerobics to destination enrichment lectures, dance classes and shore excursion presentations. Also spotted on some daily schedules are coloring, word search challenges and Q&A sessions with officers.

However, one of the most frequent and popular onboard pastimes is trivia. There are multiple rounds offered each day, and they focus on subjects that are often tied to the destinations the ships visit. (Think Greek gods and goddesses or ABBA on Greek Isles itineraries.) Each person receives a grid sheet for stamps, with one stamp given for simply participating and two stamps given to the members of the winning team for each round. At the end of the sailing, passengers tally their stamps to collect Azamara logo prizes.

There's also a number of unhosted activities, such as ping-pong, darts, crossword and sudoku puzzles, board games, book swaps, knitting get-togethers, shuffleboard and LGBTQ, singles and Friends of Bill W. (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetups.

Additionally, one of Azamara's signature activities is its White Night Party, usually found once on each voyage. Passengers are encouraged to dress in white for an evening of dining and entertainment under the stars.

Top-deck attractions

Apart from shuffleboard and a jogging track, there's not much on the outer decks of Azamara's vessels if you're not a sun-worshipper. There's ample deck space with loungers, and a main pool with two hot tubs where passengers can go to cool off -- or warm up. There's a second pool for thalassotherapy near the Sanctum Spa, but it's open only to cruisers staying in suites or those who book passes to use it.

Another one of Azamara's signature offerings is AzAmazing Evenings -- a series of complimentary nighttime shore excursions that take passengers to famous landmarks, such as Ephesus in Turkey or the Russian Ballet, for culturally immersive performances. Currently, due to COVID-19 restrictions, AzAmazing Evenings have been replaced by Destination Celebrations , which involve the ship staying late in port and bringing local talent onboard to perform outdoors.

Children's programs

Although children are welcome onboard, there are no kids clubs on Azamara's ships, and there is no special programming for young cruisers.

What to know before you go

Required documents

You will need a passport for most of Azamara Cruises' sailings. The only ones for which the combination of a birth certificate and photo ID (such as a driver's license) will suffice is on a closed-loop cruise -- one that leaves from and returns to the same U.S. port and visits places that include Alaska, Hawaii, Bermuda, Canada and the Caribbean.

Passports should be valid for at least six months after your travel concludes.

Gratuities are included in all of Azamara's fares. Passengers can choose to leave extra if they wish. Spa services will automatically have an 18% gratuity added.

Azamara's Wi-Fi is some of the worst we've experienced at sea. In addition to being pricey ($19.95 for 60 minutes, $29.95 for full-day access or $19.95 per day for unlimited access for the duration of the voyage), it's spotty at best, especially when the ships are at sea. Azamara officials say the line is planning tech upgrades in the coming years, which hopefully will include a stronger connection.

Carry-on drinks policy

You can bring your own drinks -- including wine, beer and liquor -- on Azamara's ships for private consumption in your stateroom. If you wish to drink them in public areas or dining venues, you'll be charged a $10 corkage fee.

Smoking policy

Generally, Azamara's vessels are nonsmoking, except for clearly designated areas on the forward port ( left, when facing the front of the ship ) side of the pool deck. Passengers are not permitted to smoke in other public areas or in their cabins, including on their balconies.

All Azamara ships have self-service laundry rooms onboard. They're free to use and include complimentary detergent. The vessels also offer send-out wash-and-fold service, as well as dry cleaning and pressing, all for an added fee.

Electrical outlets

Outlets in each cabin consist of a mix of North American and U.K. options. Standard balcony cabins have two of each at the vanity, and two additional North American outlets can be found just above the minifridge (although one of them is used to plug it in).

Additionally, the line has added USB ports near the beds so you can charge your devices as you're curled up in bed scanning Instagram reels or catching up on the latest episode of "Stranger Things" (Wi-Fi permitting, of course).

The currency onboard is U.S. dollars. Passengers will each link a credit card to their onboard account (or put up a set amount of cash), as all onboard charges are cashless. The room key each cruiser is issued at embarkation serves as a room key, charge card and ID card when disembarking and reboarding the ship in port.

Drinking age

On all sailings -- except for those departing from North America, where the drinking age is 21 -- the legal minimum age for alcohol consumption is 18.

Azamara recommends a "resort casual" style of dress, which prohibits bare feet, baseball caps, tank tops, torn or distressed jeans, bathing suits and shorts in the main dining room and all specialty restaurants. More casual wear is allowed in the Windows Cafe buffet, but shoes are required, and cruisers must wear cover-ups over their bathing suits.

There are no scheduled formal nights onboard, but passengers are welcome to dress up. They are also advised to bring a white outfit for the line's signature White Night Party, held once per voyage.

Azamara Cruises' loyalty program

Azamara's loyalty program, Azamara Circle , has five tiers for passengers to reach, based on the number of points they earn each time they sail. With each new tier, they unlock additional benefits, such as free Wi-Fi minutes, complimentary laundry service and discounts on spa treatments and future cruise bookings.

• Adventurer (1-149 points).
• Explorer (150-299 points).
• Discoverer (300-749 points).
• Discoverer Plus (750-2,999).
• Discoverer Platinum (3,000-plus points).

How much does an Azamara Cruise cost?

Azamara sailings are on the pricier side, with fares for weeklong sailings stretching into the thousands per person, especially for higher-end accommodations. Fluctuations occur based on cruise length, cabin type, itinerary and time of year.

At the time of publication, the least-expensive booking we found was $1,459 per person (not including taxes and port fees), based on double occupancy, for an outside cabin on a seven-night Western Mediterranean voyage from Rome's Civitavecchia. The price for a suite on the same sailing was $3,349 per person.

However, you'll find less nickel-and-diming on Azamara voyages than you will with mainstream brands, as gratuities and basic beverages -- soda, bottled water, coffee, a couple of daily house wine selections, beer and standard liquor -- are included in the price of the cruise. AzAmazing Evenings are also rolled into the fares.

Passengers can expect to shell out extra for top-shelf spirits, spa treatments, shore excursions, professional photos, Wi-Fi and send-out laundry and dry cleaning services (assuming they don't receive them for free, based on loyalty status).

How to book

Cruisers can book Azamara voyages directly through Azamara, either on the line's website or by calling 833-292-2292; virtually through a third-party online travel agent; or by calling a travel advisor, who can help with all the details for a commission that's usually covered by the cruise line.

Most cruise lines have their own cobranded credit cards, but unfortunately, Azamara is no longer one of them. Passengers used to be able to use cobranded Celebrity Cruises or Royal Caribbean International credit cards to book Azamara voyages, but it's unclear whether that is still possible, given Azamara's split from Royal Caribbean Group.

To maximize your spending when you book, use a card -- like the The Platinum Card® from American Express -- that will earn you additional points on travel.

Bottom line

Azamara cruises are a good option if you're looking for an upscale line that offers excellent food and service at the lower end of the luxury price spectrum. You'll also receive a more destination-focused experience, with longer stays in port that allow you to take in the local nightlife.

The ships across the fleet will be familiar to you after just a sailing or two, and their elegant-but-relaxed vibe will leave you feeling like you're simply enjoying a drink in a friend's living room.

Secrets, enemies, and trash? Sounds like a job for a hermit crab!

The ocean can be cray—especially when you’re a hermit crab!

As Kril the hermit crab, you’ll embark on a journey through a crumbling underwater world to buy back your repossessed shell. But beware, danger lurks behind every rock and cranny. In this souls like adventure, find and wear trash as your temporary protective shell to withstand attacks from enemies many times your size.

Can you get your true shell back and discover the dark secrets behind the polluted ocean?

Trash or treasure?

In this undersea society, trash is not only a way of life, but a valuable resource used for everything from fashion to firearms. But with the presence of trash comes the Gunk, a mysterious infection that could spell doom for the entire ocean.

Learn from nature

As you explore the ocean, you'll gain a variety of Umami Techniques—powerful attacks learned from the denizens of the seas. Punch your enemies with the overwhelming might of a Mantis Shrimp, ensnare them with the horrifying Bobbit Worm, and much more.

Unexplored depths

Fight your way through kelp forests, coral reefs, sandcastle cities, and even the unfathomable darkness of the deep-sea trenches, all in the name of getting back your prized shell.

Play at your own pace

Designed to be an approachable experience for newer soulslike players as well as provide a challenge for hardcore fans, Another Crab's Treasure offers something for any skill level or time commitment. Assist options are provided for those seeking a less challenging experience, while gluttons for punishment can use those same options to make the game even harder!

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© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Bo Nix Teases Exclusive Journey To NFL: How To Watch New DocuSeries

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix's new docuseries is poised to be must-watch. The trailer includes Oregon football coach Dan Lanning and Nix's family.

• Author: Bri Amaranthus

In this story:

Quarterback Bo Nix is the star of a new docuseries , that will premiere on May 1st at 8pm ET.

The series promises for an inside look into Nix's journey from being benched at Auburn, to star quarterback at Oregon , the most-accurate passer in college football history and now, the newest member of the Denver Broncos.

Nix released the official trailer of "Grit & Glory: Journey To The Draft” on Bolt Tv.

From the trailer, it appears that Bo Nix, Oregon coach Dan Lanning and Nix's family will have have a major role in the docuseries. Will adopted brother and current Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson make an appearance?

In the trailer, a voice that sounds like Nix's mom reveals that as a child, Bo's goals was not to make the NFL, but instead to be the quarterback of the Auburn Tigers and to play Alabama in the Iron Bowl.

"Sometimes the best in store for you, is not always what you think," says Bo Nix in the trailer.

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (QB07) during the 2024 NFL Combine at

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After facing intense scrutiny at Auburn, Nix transferred to Oregon, seeking a fresh start. He experienced a significant resurgence. Over 12 games, he threw for an impressive 3,384 yards and 27 touchdowns, with a completion rate of 71.4 percent. His running game remained strong, with 507 yards on 87 carries. 

"The way that he steps in the building early in the morning, to the time he spends late at night.. Him being a coach on the field for us has really been a difference in our success," A voice that sounds like Lanning said on the premiere.

Lanning traveled to Alabama to be with Nix during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday. When Nix got the draft call from the Broncos, coach Lanning beams in the background as Nix celebrates with his family.  The Broncos selected Nix with the No. 12 overall pick.  It's the first time ever Broncos coach Sean Payton drafted a quarterback in the first two rounds of the draft in his career.

The Russell Willson era is over in the mile high city and the  Bo Nix Era is just beginning.

"Always train harder. There is something that you can do better." said Nix in the premiere.

Sean Payton Reveals Why Denver Broncos Drafted 'Super Intelligent' Bo Nix

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Former twins outfielder torii hunter, now working with angels, open to managing.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Torii Hunter , sporting a Los Angeles Angels cap and a red Angels shirt, greeted Twins players and staff members as they walked onto the field during batting practice Friday.

Hunter, 48, joined the Angels' front office earlier this month as a special assistant to the general manager, a position he held with the Twins for about six years. He interviewed with the Angels for their managerial opening last winter, which went to Ron Washington , and that increased his interest for working in baseball again.

"I still have so much going on, man, I couldn't give my full mind, body and soul to the game just yet," said Hunter, who declined an offer to work on Washington's staff as the Angels' first-base coach. "I'm on probation right now with my wife. I've got one more year. My kids are out of the house. I'm just easing my way back in."

Hunter co-owns Tender Smokehouse, a BBQ restaurant with four locations and a fifth scheduled to open in September, while working in commercial real estate with two coffee shops and an Arkansas cigar lounge. Add in six grandchildren, and Hunter was OK with some time away from working in baseball.

The possibility of becoming an MLB manager, though, re-energized him.

"It's crept up in there somewhere," he said. "I don't know just yet. They came down last year just to see where my interest level was, and it peaked up when they called me. It kind of got me back into the game.

"You want to have an opportunity to build a team and manage a team, give some of these secrets in Pandora's box and give these young men wisdom. Wisdom, I always say, will heal pain. I struck out a lot, made some adjustments. Failed a lot, made some adjustments. That's something that I want to give back."

Even before Hunter accepted his job with the Angels, he continued working closely with players in the offseason. Royce Lewis has trained with him for years. Trevor Larnach spent the winter in Texas and worked out with Hunter, too.

"Man, what a blessing that was," Larnach said. "It was just simple, man. I don't know. There is a lot of info nowadays. It helps listening to someone who had quite the career like he's had obviously."

Hunter retired in 2015, after returning for a 12th season with the Twins, and his influence still resonates with several key players. He took Mike Trout to dinner to celebrate Trout's 21st birthday when they were teammates with the Angels. Byron Buxton shared the outfield with Hunter during his rookie year.

"It's a good offseason spot," Larnach said. "Obviously, there are resources there, not just with Royce, but other individuals too like Torii and some other people. It was great and very productive. I still try to talk to Royce about all that stuff. I just want to stay refreshed on it."

Julien taking to No. 2 spot

When Twins manager Rocco Baldelli moved Edouard Julien to the second spot in the batting order, he joked his dad would always use the phrase, "slap 'em around a little bit."

"I'm not going to actually do that, but that's what my dad would say," Baldelli said. "Sometimes you just wake someone up."

Whether it had anything to do with the batting order or whether it was just a matter of time, Julien's three starts in the No. 2 hole in the lineup have produced five hits in 12 at-bats (.417 batting average) with three home runs and a double.

"Like Joey Gallo said last year, I'd rather be in the two-hole than leading off, but it doesn't matter where I hit," Julien said. "Just have the same approach."

Julien, who was batting .179 with a .276 on-base percentage before his first game batting second, spent a lot of time last week working on his approach against fastballs. The result of that work, he noted, is pulling two fastballs over the right-field wall.

Does he prefer when he hits homers to the opposite field or pulls the ball to right field?

"Pull is a little bit more satisfying, because I don't do it," Julien said. "Everybody is surprised when I do it. Even myself."

Julien entered Friday with a team-high seven home runs, tied for the fourth-most in the majors with players like Pete Alonso and Salvador Perez .

"For me, it just comes and goes, I feel like," Julien said. "There are going to be times where I'm going to hit four in one week, and there are months where I'm not going to [hit any] home runs. I'm more of a complete hitter than a power hitter, and my goal is just to get on base and help the team win."

* The St. Paul Saints had their game postponed with rain in the forecast Friday and scheduled a doubleheader Saturday. Twins closer Jhoan Duran is scheduled to pitch in one of the games Saturday, his second appearance on a rehab assignment, and rehabbing reliever Justin Topa is scheduled to pitch Sunday.

* Carlos Correa , on the 10-day injured list with a right intercostal strain, took ground balls with the rest of his teammates in pregame infield drills, another sign that he's moving closer to rejoining the Twins on their road trip.

Bobby Nightengale joined the Star Tribune in May, 2023, after covering the Reds for the Cincinnati Enquirer for five years. He's a graduate of Bradley University.

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