Age Policy
Azamara is an adult-focused cruise line. While they do welcome families, their ships do not offer dedicated youth programs, babysitting, or supervised activities for children.
Minimum Sailing Age
- Standard Cruises: Infants must be at least 6 months old on the day of embarkation.
- Transatlantic/Transpacific/Remote Itineraries: For sailings with three or more consecutive days at sea, the minimum age is 12 months.
Booking and Stateroom Requirements
- The 21 Rule: No guest under the age of 21 will be assigned a stateroom unless they are accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older in the same stateroom.
- Exceptions:
- Minors in Adjacent Rooms: Underage children may stay in a separate stateroom if it is directly adjacent to their parents’ or guardians’ room.
- Married Couples: Legally married couples under 21 may book their own stateroom (proof of marriage is required).
- Grand Voyages: Guests must typically be 21 or older to book these extended itineraries, though exceptions for minors traveling with parents apply.
Alcohol Consumption
The drinking age varies based on the ship’s location:
- North America: The minimum age is 21.
- Europe, South America, Asia, Australia & NZ: The minimum age is 18.
Note: In some regions where the age is 18, a parent or guardian traveling with a young adult (18–20) may be required to sign a waiver.
Casino and Gambling
- General Rule: You must be 18 or older to play in the onboard casino.
- Exception: For itineraries involving Alaska, the minimum gambling age is 21.
Supervision of Minors (Under 18)
- Shore Excursions: No guest under 18 is permitted to disembark the ship at any port unless accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.
- Onboard Behavior: Parents/guardians are fully responsible for the behavior of their children at all times. Because there are no kids’ clubs, children must remain under adult supervision in all public areas.
Dining Information
Azamara is known for its destination immersion, and this extends to the food, which often features local ingredients and regional specialties. The dining experience is sophisticated yet relaxed, with no fixed seating times or mandatory formal nights.
Complimentary Dining (Included)
You can easily enjoy a full cruise without spending an extra dime on food.
- Discoveries Restaurant: The main dining room offering open seating. It features a nightly menu that changes daily, often including Destination Immersion dishes inspired by the port of the day.
- Windows Café: The casual buffet option. It serves breakfast, lunch, and themed dinners (e.g., Indian, Italian, or Mexican). It also features a live station where chefs prepare fresh dishes using local market finds.
- The Patio: An upscale poolside grill by day that transforms into an al fresco, sit-down restaurant by night. It serves grilled specialties like steaks, lamb, and salmon in a casual outdoor setting.
- Mosaic Café: A cozy spot for specialty coffees (standard coffee/tea are free; premium lattes may cost extra depending on your beverage package) and complimentary snacks like finger sandwiches, pastries, and tapas.
- Swirl & Top: A self-serve frozen yogurt and ice cream station with a variety of toppings.
- Room Service: Complimentary 24-hour room service is available for all guests.
Specialty Dining (Additional Cost)
For a more intimate experience, Azamara offers two signature restaurants and an exclusive chef’s experience.
- Aqualina: Authentic Italian cuisine featuring handmade pastas and fresh seafood.
- Prime C: A classic wood-paneled steakhouse serving premium cuts of meat and seafood.
- Cost: Approximately $49.95 per person.
- Perk: Specialty dining is complimentary for suite guests for the duration of the cruise.
- Chef’s Table: A 6-course culinary journey paired with premium wines, hosted by a senior chef.
- Cost: Approximately $150 per person.
Dietary Needs
Azamara is highly accommodating for dietary restrictions:
- Standard Options: Menus clearly mark Vegan (vo), Vegetarian (v), and Gluten-Free (gf) options.
- Special Requests: For Kosher, low-sodium, or severe allergy requirements, you should notify them at least 40 to 80 days before sailing via the Special Requests form.
Dress Code
Azamara follows a Resort Casual philosophy.
- What to Wear: Think collared shirts, slacks, sundresses, or skirts.
- What to Avoid: In the main dining room and specialty restaurants, shorts, flip-flops, baseball caps, tank tops, and torn/distressed jeans are not permitted during dinner.
- White Night: Most sailings feature a White Night party. It’s highly recommended to pack an all-white outfit to join the festivities on the pool deck.
Fuel Surcharge Policy
Like most major cruise lines, Azamara includes a Fuel Supplement clause in its terms and conditions. While Azamara is not currently charging a fuel surcharge for 2026 sailings, they reserve the right to do so if market conditions change.
The Right to Reimpose
Azamara’s contract explicitly states that they reserve the right to reinstate a fuel supplement for all guests (including those who have already paid in full) if the price of fuel reaches a certain threshold. Historically, this threshold is tied to the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fuel exceeding $65 to $70 per barrel, though the exact current internal benchmark is not always publicized.
Potential Costs
If a surcharge is implemented, it typically follows these industry-standard rates:
- Per Person: Approximately $9.00 to $12.00 USD per day.
- Cap per Stateroom: Usually, there is a maximum cap for the first two guests, and a lower rate (or no rate) for 3rd and 4th guests in a room.
Notification
If Azamara decides to exercise this right, they are required to notify guests and travel agents.
- If you have already paid in full: You may be invoiced for the additional amount, which must be paid before embarkation.
- If you have a pending balance: The surcharge will be added to your final invoice.
Payments / Refunds
Deposits & Payments
To secure a standard stateroom, Azamara requires a deposit of $550 USD/CAD (£300 GBP / €350 EUR) per person. Suite bookings require $1,100 USD/CAD (£300 GBP / €350 EUR) per person. Bookings made onboard (Onboard Booking Offer) qualify for a 50% reduced deposit ($275 USD). Final payment for bookings made on or after December 18, 2024, is due exactly 120 days prior to sailing (previously 90 days), and World Cruises require 180 days. If booking within 120 days of departure, full payment is required immediately.
Cancellation & Refunds
Cancellation penalties apply on a progressive scale. Please note the differences between bookings made before and on/after December 18, 2024.
150+ Days Prior to Sailing
- On/After Dec. 18, 2024: $150 USD per person (administrative fee)
- Before Dec. 18, 2024: $75 USD per person (administrative fee)
121–150 Days Prior to Sailing
- On/After Dec. 18, 2024: 25% of booked fare
- Before Dec. 18, 2024: $75 USD per person (administrative fee)
91–120 Days Prior to Sailing
- On/After Dec. 18, 2024: 50% of booked fare
- Before Dec. 18, 2024: 25% of booked fare
61–90 Days Prior to Sailing
- On/After Dec. 18, 2024: 75% of booked fare
- Before Dec. 18, 2024: 50% of booked fare
31–60 Days Prior to Sailing
- On/After Dec. 18, 2024: 100% of booked fare (no refund)
- Before Dec. 18, 2024: 75% of booked fare
0–30 Days Prior to Sailing
- On/After Dec. 18, 2024: 100% of booked fare (no refund)
- Before Dec. 18, 2024: 100% of booked fare (no refund)
Smoking Policy
Azamara maintains a very strict smoking policy to cater to its upscale, health-conscious clientele. In short, the ships are almost entirely smoke-free.
Designated Smoking Area
There is only one small designated smoking area on the entire ship:
- Location: Deck 9, Portside Forward (typically located near the Spa and the jogging track area on the Pool Deck).
- Signage: This area is clearly marked with signs and provided with ashtrays.
- Coverage: This is the only place onboard where you are permitted to smoke cigarettes, cigars, or pipes.
Strict Prohibitions
Smoking is strictly prohibited in the following areas:
- Staterooms and Suites: You cannot smoke inside your room.
- Verandas/Balconies: Unlike some other lines, Azamara does not allow smoking on private balconies. This is a common point of confusion, so it’s worth noting that fresh air on your balcony does not equate to a smoking zone.
- Public Venues: All restaurants, lounges, theaters, corridors, and elevators are smoke-free.
- The Casino: Unlike many larger cruise lines, Azamara does not allow smoking in the casino.
E-Cigarettes and Vaping
The same rules apply to electronic cigarettes and vape.
- You may only use them in the designated smoking area on Deck 9.
- Vaping in your stateroom or on your veranda is considered a violation of the policy.
Penalties and Fines
Azamara takes this policy seriously for fire safety and guest comfort:
- Cleaning Fee: If you are found smoking in your stateroom or on your veranda, a $250 USD cleaning fee will be charged to your onboard account per violation.
- Disembarkation: Persistent violations of the smoking policy can result in being asked to leave the ship at the next port of call at your own expense, with no refund for the remaining cruise fare.
Land Tours
If you are part of an Azamara Cruisetour (land-based portion), the non-smoking policy typically extends to the motorcoaches and most hotels/venues used during the tour, unless the local tour operator specifically states otherwise.
Travel Protection
Azamara offers the Voyager Travel Protection Plan, which can be purchased up to 10 days before sailing. To qualify for a waiver of pre-existing medical condition exclusions, the protection plan fee must be paid on or before the final payment date (120 days prior). The plan covers trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical treatment, medical evacuation, travel delays, and baggage protection.
Tipping Policy
Azamara operates under a fully all-inclusive gratuity model. Standard tips for housekeeping staff, dining attendants, and bar staff are always built directly into the base cruise fare. The automatic daily auto-charge on board is $0, and these gratuities cannot be removed, adjusted, or refunded. Tipping guidelines apply uniformly across all stateroom and suite categories. Guests are welcome to offer additional cash tips personally to individual crew members for exceptional service at their own discretion.
Dress Code
Azamara encourages a friendly yet sophisticated “resort casual” dress code. For the main dining room and specialty restaurants, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps, bathing suits, shorts, and torn or distressed jeans are not permitted. Footwear and shirts or cover-ups are required at all times in Windows Café.
Formal Nights
- Formal evening wear (such as tuxedos or formal gowns) is neither expected nor required. There are no formal nights onboard, and tuxedo rentals are not available.
Excursions
- Enhance your cruise vacation by pre-booking your excursions (recommended for most savings and to guarantee availability) via the cruise line app or book while onboard. Space is limited and popular excursions sell out fast!
Why Azamara?
Longer Stays & More Overnights
Explore destinations deeply with itineraries designed around immersive travel.
Small, Boutique Ships
Fewer guests, better service, and the ability to access smaller ports big ships can’t reach.
AzAmazing Evenings
Complimentary cultural events ashore, exclusive to Azamara.
Destination Immersion
Culturally rich shore excursions and local experiences.
Exceptional Service
Attentive staff, personalized care, and a warm, intimate onboard atmosphere.
Inclusive Amenities
Gratuities, select beverages, and shuttle transfers included on many sailings.
Global Itineraries
Unique routes across Europe, South America, Asia, and remote island destinations.
Refined Dining
Destination-inspired cuisine with a focus on quality and flavor.
Perfect for Adult Travelers
Peaceful ambiance ideal for sophisticated explorers.
Great Value
Boutique luxury cruising with competitive pricing at Top Cruise Deals.
FAQ
What makes Azamara different from other cruise lines?
Azamara specializes in small-ship cruising with longer port stays, immersive cultural experiences, and boutique-style service.
Are gratuities included on Azamara?
Yes. Standard gratuities are included in the cruise fare.
Does Azamara have a formal dress code?
The dress code is resort casual with no formal nights.
Is Wi-Fi available onboard?
Yes, Wi-Fi packages are available for purchase; some suites include complimentary Wi-Fi.
Are children allowed on Azamara cruises?
Yes, but there are no kids’ programs, making it best suited for adult travelers.
What drinks are included?
Azamara includes select spirits, wine, beer, soft drinks, and specialty coffees. Premium beverage packages are available.
Does Azamara offer shore excursions?
Absolutely—Azamara offers guided tours, immersive cultural experiences, and optional AzAmazing Evenings.
Can I smoke on the ship?
Smoking is allowed only in designated outdoor areas.
Are specialty restaurants included?
Suite guests enjoy complimentary specialty dining; others may dine for a small surcharge.
What is the typical age group onboard?
Azamara primarily attracts adults 40+, couples, solo travelers, and culturally focused cruisers.