Oceania vs Azamara: Which Cruise Line Should You Choose?
February 2026
Oceania and Azamara both play in the same corner of the cruise market: small ships, destination-focused itineraries, and an experience that punches well above mainstream lines without tipping into ultra-luxury territory. Both lines draw well-travelled guests who'd rather spend their time exploring a new port than queuing for a waterslide.
They even share a peculiar bit of history: Renaissance Cruises built some of their ships as sister vessels back in the late 1990s, before going under. So these two aren't just competitors; they're cousins.
But don't let that fool you into thinking they're the same. This guide cuts through the differences so you can pick the line that actually suits how you travel.
The Quick Version
If you’re short on time:
Choose Oceania if: Food is your priority. You want newer, larger ships. You prefer all speciality dining included without surcharges. You’re interested in world cruises or longer voyages.
Choose Azamara if: Destination immersion matters most. You want more late nights and overnights in port. You like drinks included in the fare. You prefer smaller ships and a livelier onboard atmosphere.
Now let’s look at the detail.
Ships and Fleet
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises operates six ships in two classes. The Allura-class includes Vista (2023, 1,200 guests) and Allura (2025, 1,200 guests), their newest and most modern vessels, with contemporary design, larger staterooms, and expanded culinary options. The O-class includes Marina (2011, 1,250 guests) and Riviera (2012, 1,250 guests), custom-built for Oceania and still widely popular. The R-class, comprising Insignia, Nautica, Regatta, and Sirena (all around 684 guests), are the former Renaissance ships, extensively refurbished but showing their late-1990s origins in terms of cabin size and layout.
Oceania’s ships are elegant, quiet, and designed around the dining experience. Public spaces are refined without being stuffy. The newer Allura-class ships are particularly impressive.
Azamara
Azamara operates four ships, all former Renaissance vessels: Azamara Journey (1999, 690 guests), Azamara Quest (1999, 690 guests), Azamara Pursuit (2001, 702 guests), and Azamara Onward (2022, 702 guests, formerly Pacific Princess). All four ships share essentially the same layout, with minor variations. They’ve been refurbished over the years but retain the compact cabin sizes and older-style bathrooms of their original design. The ships are comfortable but not cutting-edge.
Key difference: Oceania’s newer ships (Vista, Allura, Marina, Riviera) are larger, more modern, and offer bigger cabins. Azamara’s fleet is smaller and more dated, though this contributes to a more intimate atmosphere. If small ship cruising is a priority, both lines deliver it in different ways.
Dining
This is where Oceania pulls ahead.
Oceania Cruises
Oceania markets itself as having the finest cuisine at sea, and the claim holds up. The culinary programme was developed in partnership with Jacques Pépin, and the attention to detail is evident across every venue.
On the O-class and Allura-class ships, you’ll find the Grand Dining Room (open for all meals), Jacques (French bistro inspired by Pépin), Red Ginger (pan-Asian), Polo Grill (steakhouse), Toscana (Italian), and Terrace Café (buffet by day, regional cuisine by night). On Vista and Allura, additional options include Ember (live-fire cooking) and Aquamar Kitchen (spa cuisine).
All speciality dining is included in the fare with no surcharges, except two exclusive experiences: La Reserve wine dinners and Privée private dining. This is a genuine differentiator.
Azamara
Azamara’s dining is good but less extensive, with Discoveries (main dining room), Prime C (steakhouse, US$50 supplement), Aqualina (Italian, US$50 supplement), and Windows Café (buffet by day, themed menus by night). The food is solid across all venues, but the two speciality restaurants carry a surcharge, which adds up if you want variety.
Key difference: Oceania’s dining is exceptional and all-included. Azamara’s dining is good but more limited, with surcharges for speciality restaurants.
What's Included
Oceania Cruises (as of 2025)
Oceania has significantly enhanced its inclusions in recent years. The standard fare now covers all meals including speciality restaurants, gratuities for housekeeping, dining, and bar staff, unlimited Wi-Fi, return flights and transfers from selected gateways, soft drinks, bottled water, speciality coffees and teas, and shuttle bus service in port where available. Alcoholic drinks, shore excursions, and spa treatments are not included as standard, though a Simply More package adds house wines, beers, and spirits for an additional fee. You can browse current Oceania cruise deals to see what’s on offer.
Azamara
Azamara’s fare includes all meals in the main dining room and buffet, standard spirits, beers, and wines throughout the ship, gratuities, one AzAmazing Evenings event per voyage (a complimentary shore-side experience, usually a private concert or cultural performance), shuttle bus service in port, and bottled water, soft drinks, and speciality coffees. Speciality dining (US$50 surcharge per restaurant), premium drinks, shore excursions beyond AzAmazing Evenings, flights, and spa treatments are not included. See the latest Azamara cruise deals for current pricing and promotions.
Key difference: Oceania includes all dining; Azamara includes drinks. Oceania includes flights; Azamara does not. The better value depends on your priorities.
Itineraries and Destinations
Oceania Cruises
Oceania sails worldwide, with strong coverage of the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska, the Caribbean, the South Pacific, and Asia. The line is known for longer voyages (14 to 30-plus nights are common) and segments of its annual world cruise. Port times are typically 8am to 6pm, with some overnight stays on longer itineraries.
Azamara
Azamara’s calling card is destination immersion. The line offers more late-night stays (often until 10pm or midnight) and more overnight calls than almost any competitor, giving you time to experience a destination’s nightlife, dine ashore, or simply explore without the usual cruise ship rush.
Itineraries tend to focus on one region (Mediterranean Intensive, Japan Intensive, British Isles) rather than covering vast distances. Ports are often smaller and less crowded than those visited by larger ships.
Key difference: Azamara’s late nights and overnights are a genuine differentiator if destination immersion matters to you. Oceania’s itineraries are more traditional but cover more ground.
Onboard Atmosphere
Oceania Cruises
Oceania attracts a well-travelled, older clientele (typically 55-plus) who prioritise food, comfort, and destination over entertainment. The atmosphere is refined and quiet, think country club elegance rather than party ship. Entertainment is low-key, with pianists, vocalists, and enrichment lectures, and evenings wind down early. The dress code is country club casual with no formal nights, which many guests appreciate.
Azamara
Azamara’s atmosphere is slightly more social and lively. The guest demographic is similar (mature, well-travelled), but the inclusion of drinks and the emphasis on late-night port stays creates a more convivial vibe. You’re more likely to find guests gathered at the bar or heading ashore together for dinner. Entertainment is modest but adequate, and the White Night deck party is a highlight on longer voyages.
Key difference: Oceania is quieter and more food-focused. Azamara is slightly more sociable and destination-obsessed.
Cabins and Accommodation
Both lines offer similar cabin categories (inside, ocean view, veranda, suites), but there are notable differences in size and quality.
Oceania Cruises
On the newer Allura-class and O-class ships, Oceania’s standard verandas range from 26 to 29 square metres (282 to 312 sq ft), which is generous for this market segment. Cabins are well-appointed with quality bedding, marble bathrooms, and thoughtful storage. Suites are significantly larger and come with butler service. On the older R-class ships, cabins are noticeably smaller (around 15 to 16 square metres for an inside or ocean view), reflecting their late-1990s origins.
Azamara Cruises
Azamara’s cabins are all on R-class ships, so the same size constraints apply. Standard staterooms are compact (around 15 to 17 square metres), and bathrooms are small, sometimes with shower curtains rather than doors. Suites are more comfortable but still modest by luxury standards.
Key difference: If cabin size matters, choose Oceania’s newer ships (Vista, Allura, Marina, Riviera). If you’re happy with compact but functional, Azamara is fine.
Value and Pricing
On paper, Azamara often looks cheaper, but comparisons are tricky. Oceania’s fares include flights and all speciality dining; Azamara’s fares include drinks but not flights. Depending on where you’re flying from and how much you’d spend on drinks, the value equation shifts.
For cruisers who don’t drink much, Oceania’s all-inclusive dining and flights offer better value. For cruisers who enjoy wine with dinner and a cocktail at the bar, Azamara’s drinks inclusion is meaningful. Both lines run promotions regularly, so it’s worth comparing all cruise deals like-for-like when booking.
The Verdict
Both Oceania and Azamara are excellent upper-premium cruise lines. Neither will disappoint. But they suit slightly different priorities.
Choose Oceania if you: Care deeply about food and want the best dining at sea. Prefer newer, more spacious ships (Vista, Allura, Marina, Riviera). Like having flights and speciality dining included. Enjoy longer voyages or world cruise segments. Don’t need drinks included in the fare. For the latest offers, browse our Oceania cruise deals.
Choose Azamara if you: Prioritise destination immersion and late-night port stays. Like having drinks included. Prefer smaller, more intimate ships. Enjoy a slightly more social atmosphere. Are comfortable with compact cabins. See our Azamara cruise deals for the best current prices.
If you’re torn, consider what you’ll spend most of your time doing. If it’s dining onboard, choose Oceania. If it’s exploring ashore after dark, choose Azamara.
Still deciding? Get in touch and we’ll help you find the right cruise based on your destination and priorities.
Last updated: February 2026
