Comparing Azamara and Crystal Cruises

Follow along as Bethany Explores some of the similarities and differences between Azamara and Crystal.

I have had the opportunity to sail on the Azamara Pursuit twice and the Crystal Symphony once over the past year and a half. There are many similarities between the two ships and cruise lines, but there are also a few differences between the two.

Similarities Between Azamara and Crystal

Ship Size and Layout

Azamara Pursuit and Crystal Symphony ships are similar in size and layout. Symphony is a bit larger than Pursuit (GT: 51,000 on Symphony vs. 30,000 on Pursuit, and Length: 781 feet on Symphony vs. 592 feet on Pursuit) but actually has a smaller capacity (max passengers: 606 on Symphony vs. 777 on Pursuit), so there is more overall space per passenger on Symphony than Pursuit. Also, Symphony has more total crew than Pursuit (crew: 545 on Symphony vs. 380 on Pursuit), so the crew-to-guest ratio on Symphony is higher as well.

The general layout of both ships is very similar as well. Both have twelve decks, with an open top deck and the pool deck just below. There are a few public spaces on the pool deck as well, including some dining, lounge, and recreation areas. But the main dining and lounge areas are typically mid-ship, on decks 5 and 6 on both ships. Passenger cabins are sprinkled from decks 5 through 10 on both ships as well.

Ship Amenities

Another key similarity between Azamara and Crystal is in the amenities that are offered on each ship. Both ships have the same key options: reception, concierge, shore excursions, future sales, photo shop, shopping, spa, fitness center, pool, and hot tubs.

Entertainment

For entertainment, both ships are very similar as well. Each has a main lounge where nightly shows are held. There is also a library and a computer lab on each ship, along with gathering areas large and small throughout the ships.

Dining

Dining venues are also very similar on each ship. There is a large main dining room serving seated meals on each ship. There is also a more casual buffet-style restaurant available on each ship. Each ship also offers a small cafe with assorted teas, coffees, soft drinks, and light snacks available throughout the day. A pool-side grill and an ice cream counter are also available on both ships.

The two ships are also similar in their specialty dining options. Both ships have two specialty dining rooms. For non-suite passengers, Azamara’s (Aqualina and Prime C) are an extra charge for each, whereas Crystal’s (Osteria D’Ovidio and Umi Uma) are included once each per passenger per sailing.

Each ship also offers a third specialty dining experience: Azamara offers a Chef’s Table several nights during each cruise, again for an extra charge (and it can be difficult to score a coveted reservation!); Crystal has a Vintage Room with a multi-course food and wine pairing dinner that can be booked for an extra charge.

Excursions

Excursions on both Azamara and Crystal are also very similar. Both offer a decent variety of choices at most ports on the cruise, from traditional bus and/or walking tours of highlights of the main port area to more active hands-on adventures. I found all excursions I did on both ships to be very good. The itineraries were good, the tour guides were wonderful, and I thoroughly enjoyed each one.

The process to book excursions is similar on both ships as well, but the payment process is a bit different. I was able to pre-book excursions online before each cruise. There is also a shore excursions desk on both ships where you can book or modify excursions once on the ship. On Azamara, you pay for the excursions at the time of booking, and you can modify, add, or cancel online up to 48 hours before embarkation. On Crystal, you book the excursions online ahead of time, but they are not actually charged until you are on the ship (they become part of your onboard folio of charges and are paid with the credit card on file near the end of the cruise).

What I Love About Azamara

White Night

One of the main differences between Azamara and Crystal is the White Night party. While both ships offer this, Azamara’s is pretty amazing! Crystal’s White Night party is held inside in the main atrium area in the late evening one night of the cruise. There are a few festive decorations, and the band entertains everyone on the dance floor. However, Azamara’s White Night is very lavish, with a massive dinner buffet, a wonderful parade of all of the crew members (so we can hoot and holler and show our appreciation for all of their hard work!), and live entertainment throughout the evening.

AzAmazing Evening

Another edge for Azamara is the AzAmazing Evening. This is a special event once per cruise, and it is included for everyone on the ship. The event takes place off of the ship, and typically includes some sort of entertainment along with beverages and snacks. Each AzAmazing Evening is tailored to highlight a local specialty in a specific location where the ship is scheduled to stay in port late (or overnight). Crystal offered one evening excursion on my cruise, which was phenomenal, but it was an extra charge (and it was one of the most expensive excursions available on the cruise). While I enjoyed the evening immensely, a similar event on Azamara is included in the price of the cruise.

Staterooms and Deals

Azamara also has interior staterooms available, along with ocean view and veranda staterooms. On Crystal, there are no interior staterooms available. While I have not yet sailed in an interior stateroom, these are the lowest fares available and are the most affordable option, especially for a solo traveler. Azamara no longer offers “solo fare deals,” which means that a single supplement is charged when booking as a solo traveler. However, Azamara often has some really good deals in general, and these deals can make the solo options more manageable as well.

Speaking of deals, Azamara often offers deals that include onboard credit (OBC). Some of these deals can include quite a bit of OBC (for example, my next cruise on Azamara – Spain in April 2024 – includes $1000 OBC!). The great thing is that OBC can be used for anything onboard, including excursions…the only thing you cannot use OBC for is to book your next cruise! So, while Azamara does charge extra for things that Crystal does not (further info on that below), having a decent amount of OBC is a great way to offset some of these charges along the way.

What I Love About Crystal

Included Items

Crystal includes a lot of items in the overall price of the cruise, instead of charging extra for them. Things like butler service, unlimited standard Wi-Fi, wine and spirits (fine wines and premium spirits are extra), and one dinner at each specialty restaurant (Osteria D’Ovidio and Umi Uma) are included on Crystal regardless of which type of cabin you are in. Many of these same items are charged extra on Azamara, depending on the type of cabin.

Self-Service Laundry

Another thing I love about Crystal is the availability of complimentary self-serve laundry facilities throughout the ship. While Azamara also offers these facilities, there is only one laundry room available for the entire ship. On Crystal, there is a laundry room on each deck with guest rooms, so it was far easier to find an available washer and dryer when needed.

Things To Do

Crystal also has a few other entertainment options that Azamara does not have. My favorite of these is the Hollywood Theatre, which shows recently released movies twice per day throughout the cruise – including complimentary popcorn! A few other options available on Crystal include a golf driving range, a tennis/pickleball court, Jade Nightclub, Waves and Fantasia (two areas for kids and teens), and a Connoisseur Club (offering fine wines, premium spirits, and cigars).

Single Guest Rooms

Finally, as a solo traveler, I love that Crystal offers 18 dedicated single guest rooms on Symphony (14 on her sister ship, Serenity). These are the same ocean view cabins offered as standard double-occupancy cabins (215 square feet), but they are only available to book by solo travelers. The fares on these single guest rooms are only a few hundred dollars more than the double-occupancy per-person fare. So that dreaded single supplement fee (which can range from an additional 10% up to the full 100% of the rate!) is much more manageable here.

Conclusion

Azamara Pursuit and Crystal Symphony are very similar ships. While there are a few small differences between the two, both are wonderful ships that offer amazing cruise experiences. The size, layout, and available amenities on each ship is very similar. Both ships also have a wonderful, helpful, and personable crew. Overall, I truly enjoy sailing on either ship. I am hard-pressed to choose one over the other!

Links

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Note: I fully funded these trips on my own and received no compensation or any other benefits from any service providers I used along the way. The opinions expressed here are my own and I am not being compensated by any service providers.