Azamara Journey

Former names: Blue Dream, Blue Star, R6, R-Six (Renaissance Cruises)

Azamara Journey current position

Azamara Journey current location is at North West Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 20.30929 N / -74.02906 W) cruising at speed of 17.9 kn (33 km/h | 21 mph) en route to US MIA > AW ORJ. The AIS position was reported 30 minutes ago.

All Itineraries Current Position

Current itinerary of Azamara Journey

Azamara Journey current cruise is 10 days, one-way from Miami to Panama City. Prices start from USD 2399 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 03 Dec, 2024 and ends on 13 Dec, 2024.

Date / TimePort
03 Dec 17:00    Departing from Miami, Florida hotels
06 Dec 13:30 - 22:00    Oranjestad Aruba, Netherlands Antilles
07 Dec 08:00 - 22:00    Kralendijk Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
08 Dec 08:00 - 22:00    Willemstad Curacao, Netherlands Antilles
10 Dec 08:00 - 23:00    Cartagena Colombia
12 Dec 05:00 - 17:00    Panama Canal
12 Dec 18:00    Panama City, Fuerte Amador, Balboa
13 Dec    Arriving in Panama City, Fuerte Amador, Balboa hotels

Specifications of Azamara Journey

Year of build2000  /  Age: 24
Flag state Malta
BuilderChantiers de l’Atlantique (Saint-Nazaire, STX France)
ClassRenaissance / R-Class
Building costGBP 150 million (USD 200 million)
Engines (power)Wartsila (18.6 MW / 24943 hp)
Speed18 kn / 33 km/h / 21 mph
Length (LOA)181 m / 594 ft
Beam (width)25 m / 82 ft
Gross Tonnage30277 gt
Passengers710 - 781
Crew408
Passengers-to-space ratio39
Decks11
Cabins355
Decks with cabins6
Last Refurbishment2024
Sister-shipsAzamara (Quest, Pursuit, Onward), Oceania (Insignia, Nautica, Regatta)
Former namesBlue Dream, Blue Star, R6, R-Six (Renaissance Cruises)
OwnerSycamore Partners (via SP CRUISES VESSEL AJ LTD)
OperatorAzamara Cruises

Azamara Journey Itineraries

DateItineraryDeparture PortPrice from
2024 Nov 20 13 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Voyage Miami $3519
2024 Dec 03 10 days, one-way from Miami to Panama City Miami $2399
2024 Dec 13 9 days, one-way from Panama City to Miami Panama City $1909
2024 Dec 22 16 days, round-trip Caribbean Holiday Voyage Miami
2025 Jan 07 16 days, one-way from Miami to Callao-Lima Miami $3049
2025 Jan 23 10 days, one-way from Callao-Lima to San Antonio Callao-Lima $3239
2025 Feb 02 23 days, one-way from San Antonio to Buenos Aires San Antonio $5849
2025 Feb 25 25 days, one-way from Buenos Aires to Bridgetown Buenos Aires $6309
2025 Mar 22 9 days, one-way from Bridgetown to Miami Bridgetown $2749
2025 Mar 31 12 days, one-way from Miami to Lisbon Miami $1889
2025 Apr 12 9 days, one-way from Lisbon to Barcelona Lisbon $3129
2025 Apr 21 12 days, one-way from Barcelona to Chioggia Barcelona $3809
2025 May 10 10 days, one-way from Venice to Civitavecchia-Rome Venice $3449
2025 May 20 12 days, one-way from Civitavecchia-Rome to Lisbon Civitavecchia-Rome $4329
2025 Jun 01 12 days, one-way from Lisbon to Copenhagen Lisbon $3609
2025 Jun 13 17 days, round-trip Norway Intensive Voyage Copenhagen $5469
2025 Jun 30 15 days, one-way from Copenhagen to Southampton Copenhagen $5609
2025 Jul 15 13 days, one-way from Southampton to Leith-Edinburgh Southampton $4019
2025 Jul 28 16 days, one-way from Leith-Edinburgh to Copenhagen Leith-Edinburgh $4499
2025 Aug 13 12 days, one-way from Copenhagen to Dublin Copenhagen $3749
2025 Aug 25 12 days, one-way from Dublin to Portsmouth UK Dublin $3899
2025 Sep 06 10 days, one-way from Portsmouth UK to Bordeaux Portsmouth UK $2909
2025 Sep 16 13 days, one-way from Bordeaux to Barcelona Bordeaux $4529
2025 Sep 29 10 days, one-way from Barcelona to Villefranche-sur-Mer Barcelona $4519
2025 Oct 09 11 days, one-way from Villefranche-sur-Mer to Venice Villefranche-sur-Mer $3909
2025 Oct 20 10 days, one-way from Venice to Piraeus-Athens Venice $3559
2025 Oct 30 12 days, one-way from Piraeus-Athens to Barcelona Piraeus-Athens $3679
2025 Nov 11 11 days, one-way from Barcelona to Lisbon Barcelona $2369
2025 Nov 22 10 days, one-way from Lisbon to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Lisbon $2329
2025 Nov 22 59 days, one-way from Lisbon to Port Louis Lisbon $15369
2025 Dec 02 18 days, one-way from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Cape Town Las Palmas de Gran Canaria $2879
2025 Dec 20 15 days, one-way from Cape Town to Port Louis Cape Town $3329
2026 Jan 04 56 days, one-way from Port Louis to Lisbon Port Louis $21079
2026 Jan 20 14 days, one-way from Port Louis to Cape Town Port Louis $4079
2026 Feb 03 18 days, one-way from Cape Town to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Cape Town $3849
2026 Feb 21 8 days, one-way from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Lisbon Las Palmas de Gran Canaria $2739
2026 Mar 15 7 days, one-way from Lisbon to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Lisbon $2009
2026 Mar 15 15 days, round-trip Atlantic Isles Morocco Combo Voyage Lisbon $3399
2026 Mar 22 8 days, one-way from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Lisbon Las Palmas de Gran Canaria $2349
2026 Mar 30 10 days, one-way from Lisbon to Barcelona Lisbon $2929
2026 Mar 30 41 days, one-way from Lisbon to Piraeus-Athens Lisbon $20699
2026 Apr 09 8 days, one-way from Barcelona to Civitavecchia-Rome Barcelona $1839
2026 Apr 17 11 days, one-way from Civitavecchia-Rome to Villefranche-sur-Mer Civitavecchia-Rome $2779
2026 Apr 28 12 days, one-way from Villefranche-sur-Mer to Piraeus-Athens Villefranche-sur-Mer $4209
2026 Apr 28 23 days, one-way from Villefranche-sur-Mer to Barcelona Villefranche-sur-Mer $7259
2026 May 10 11 days, one-way from Piraeus-Athens to Barcelona Piraeus-Athens $3159
2026 May 21 5 days, round-trip Cruise Grand Prix Cruise Nice, Barcelona St. Tropez Barcelona $1689
2026 May 26 7 days, one-way from Barcelona to Villefranche-sur-Mer Barcelona $1729
2026 Jun 02 8 days, one-way from Villefranche-sur-Mer to Barcelona Villefranche-sur-Mer $1659
2026 Jun 16 10 days, one-way from Barcelona to Lisbon Barcelona $2909
2026 Jun 16 34 days, one-way from Barcelona to Stockholm Barcelona $11299
2026 Jun 26 13 days, one-way from Lisbon to Copenhagen Lisbon $3269
2026 Jul 09 11 days, one-way from Copenhagen to Stockholm Copenhagen $4189
2026 Jul 27 30 days, one-way from Copenhagen to Montreal Copenhagen $14789
2026 Jul 27 12 days, one-way from Copenhagen to Reykjavik Copenhagen $6749
2026 Aug 08 18 days, one-way from Reykjavik to Montreal Reykjavik $8859
2026 Aug 26 16 days, one-way from Montreal to Reykjavik Montreal $5259
2026 Sep 11 26 days, one-way from Reykjavik to New York Reykjavik $8649
2026 Sep 11 14 days, one-way from Reykjavik to Montreal Reykjavik $4159
2026 Sep 25 12 days, one-way from Montreal to New York Montreal $4189
2026 Oct 07 12 days, one-way from New York to Montreal New York $4209
2026 Oct 19 10 days, one-way from Montreal to New York Montreal $3549
2026 Oct 29 9 days, one-way from New York to San Juan New York $1449

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).

Azamara Journey cruise ship

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

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.

Azamara Journey cruise ship

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.

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Azamara Journey Wiki

As an R-Class (Renaissance) vessel, Azamara Journey has sisterships also in the Oceania's 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).

The vessel (Chantiers de l’Atlantique yard/hull number 123760) is powered by four WARTSILA marine diesel engines (model 12V32) with combined output 18,6 MW. The propulsion consists of 2x propeller shafts and 2x FPPs/fixed-pitch propellers. The registered shipowner is SP CRUISES VESSEL AJ LTD, while the current ship manager is V SHIPS LEISURE SAM.

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 refurbishments review

The ship's last drydock was in 2024 (September 9-13) conducted at Elefsis Shipyards (in Elefsina, Greece). The drydocking was for major overhauls and technical upgrades including enhanced propulsion systems, upgraded thrusters, and stabilizers, and refreshed interiors (new carpets and furnishings).

Azamara Journey's previous drydock refurbishment (January 22-27) was conducted in Freeport Bahamas and resulted in the following changes:

  • Large touchscreen 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 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 passenger staterooms 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 to replace 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, and 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).