Solo cruising onboard a small ship—especially one similar to the boutique vessels of Azamara Cruises—has become one of my favorite ways to explore the world. Over the years, I’ve cruised on everything from large mainstream ships to premium and luxury lines, but there’s just something different about stepping onto a vessel where the staff quickly learns your name and you never feel like you’re lost in a crowd.

Azamara’s four ships—Journey, Onward, Pursuit, and Quest—each carry around 700 guests with roughly 400 crew members, giving them an intimate feel that is difficult to find on larger ships.

In this post, I’m sharing the real pros and cons I’ve experienced as a solo traveler on these “right-sized” ships.

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🌟 What I Love About Small-Ship Cruising

Small-Ship Luxury That Feels Personal

One of the first things I noticed on my initial Azamara sailing was how quickly the crew made the ship feel like home. By day two, a barista remembered how I take my morning latte—extra foam, a little cinnamon—without me saying a word. That kind of personalization rarely happens on big ships.

As a solo traveler, those small gestures make all the difference. I never feel like I’m just a cabin number; I feel like a welcomed guest.

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Elevated Menus With a Destination Focus

Azamara’s dining choices are consistently excellent. I remember ordering a dish inspired by the region we were visiting and thinking it tasted like it had been prepared ashore that afternoon.

Whether I’m dining alone or joining a shared table, I always feel comfortable. Service is warm and attentive, never rushed, and the menus often highlight local flavors—which is one of my favorite aspects of cruising with them.

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Friendly, Well-Traveled Passengers

If there’s one thing I can count on, it’s meeting interesting people on an Azamara sailing. On one cruise, I met two other solo travelers during trivia, and by day three we had unofficially become a team. We didn’t win a single round, but the laughter and easy conversation became one of the highlights of the trip.

Because the ships are small, it’s effortless to reconnect with people you’ve met earlier in the voyage. The atmosphere feels warm, open, and genuinely curious about the world.

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Port-Intensive, Immersive Itineraries

Azamara is known for its destination-focused itineraries, and this is where the smaller ships truly shine.

One of my favorite memories was an overnight in a Mediterranean city. I spent the evening walking through quiet streets, enjoying dinner at a local café, and wandering back to the ship just before midnight. No rushing. No “last tender at 4 PM.” Just true freedom to explore.

For solo travelers, this slower pace and extended port time is ideal. You can enjoy the destination without feeling like you have to cram everything into a short window.

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⚠️ A Few Challenges to Consider

Small-Ship Pricing

There’s no way around it—Azamara can be pricey, especially for solo travelers. I’ve learned to be patient and strategic. Once, an itinerary I had my eye on was completely out of budget. Six weeks later, they released a solo supplement reduction and suddenly it was doable.

Now my approach is simple:
Find the sailing you want → Price it → Wait for the right sale.
Between solo offers and fleetwide promotions, good deals do appear.

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Downtime Can Feel Noticeable

Small ships naturally have fewer public venues, and afternoons can feel very quiet. Earlier in my solo cruising days, I didn’t always know what to do during these stretches. Now, I actually look forward to them.

I’ll grab an iced tea, find a quiet corner on the aft deck, and journal or read while watching the wake trail behind us. These peaceful pockets of time balance out the busy days ashore.

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No Broadway-Style Shows

If you’re looking for massive production shows or big-theater entertainment, Azamara isn’t the line for that. Instead, the evenings tend to feature:

• Vocalists
• Musicians
• Small ensemble shows
• Guest entertainers
• Local cultural performances

I enjoy the intimate feel—but it’s good to know what to expect.

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A Quieter Onboard Atmosphere

Late-night activities are limited. Most guests are early to bed, early to rise, especially on port-intensive itineraries. I’ve grown to appreciate the calmer evenings, but if you love nightlife or late music-and-dancing options, you may find things wind down earlier than you prefer.

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💬 Why Azamara Still Tops My List

Despite the drawbacks, Azamara remains one of my absolute favorite cruise lines for meaningful, immersive solo travel. In fact, as I transition into my semi-retirement years, I’ve committed to taking one Azamara cruise each year. And if I could swing it, that “one” would absolutely be the 188-day world voyage that begins every January. Imagine half a year circling the globe on a boutique ship, visiting dozens of countries, and returning home with the kinds of stories you can’t find anywhere else.

One day, maybe.

For now, I’ll keep exploring Azamara one itinerary at a time—and loving every moment.