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In February this year I was invited to spend 2 nights onboard Azamara Onward as it sailed from Melbourne to Adelaide. As a first time cruiser I was very excited to experience this mode of travel – and I was definitely not disappointed!
Boarding in Melbourne, I noticed right away that the ship is smaller than the usual cruise giants. That’s a good thing! It was easy to get around, nothing felt too crowded, and the vibe is calm and easygoing. The ship felt luxurious, but not pretentious. The crew was friendly and helpful without being over the top.
There’s no packed schedule or pressure to do everything. You can grab a drink and watch the water roll by, eat a quiet dinner at one of the specialty restaurants, or catch some live music in the lounge. Whether you want to dress up a little or keep it casual, it’s your call.
With no stops between Melbourne and Adelaide, the ship is the destination. That means plenty of time to sit by the pool, check out the spa, or just kick back and reset.
We unfortunately experienced very large swell when we woke up the morning after boarding – but the crew quickly pivoted plans and put on a beautiful brunch in the main dining room, and were handing out whatever guests needed to help quell their nausea.
On the final morning, the ship rolls into Adelaide early. You can enjoy breakfast on board before heading off—no rush, no chaos.
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