If you are weighing up an Azamara cruise, the food is probably high on your list of questions. Smaller ships tend to live or die by their dining, and Azamara leans hard into that reputation. Our cruise specialist Andreia Silva spent several days aboard Azamara Journey, so here is her honest look at what the food is actually like, what is included, and whether the specialty restaurants earn their cover charge.
In short, she found the dining excellent. Here is how it held up across the main restaurant, the buffet, the casual spots and the specialty venues.
Azamara dining at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Main dining | Discoveries Restaurant, open seating |
| Casual dining | Windows Café and The Patio |
| Café | Mosaic Café |
| Specialty restaurants | Aqualina (Italian) and Prime C (steakhouse) |
| Drinks | Wine, beer, spirits and gratuities included |
| Dress code | Resort casual, no formal nights |
Dining onboard Azamara Journey
The Discoveries Restaurant is the more elegant option, with attentive service and a menu that rotates every evening. Guests get destination inspired dishes alongside classic favourites, so even on a longer voyage it never feels repetitive. It runs open seating too, so you turn up when it suits you rather than booking a fixed slot.
Windows Café is the relaxed daytime choice, with themed buffets covering a great variety of international dishes. The detail Andreia loved is that you can take your plate outside to the Sunset Bar and eat with the sea view right in front of you, which makes for the perfect casual meal.
If you want the wider picture of the ship beyond the food, our Azamara Journey review covers cabins, service and the onboard atmosphere in full.
Casual dining through the day
For a quick bite, The Patio is perfect when you fancy something casual like a freshly made burger or a light lunch by the pool. Mosaic Café quickly became Andreia’s favourite spot, especially for a latte. It is a lovely place to grab a coffee, a pastry or a small snack throughout the day.
Are the specialty restaurants worth it on Azamara?
Azamara has two specialty venues. Aqualina serves Italian, Prime C is the steakhouse. Both carry a cover charge of around $49.95 per person for guests who are not staying in a suite.
Andreia tried Aqualina and found it absolutely fantastic. The food, the presentation and the atmosphere made it feel like a genuinely special evening, and she felt it was well worth booking for anyone who enjoys a more elevated dinner.
That said, the dining is excellent right across the ship. Even without the specialty restaurants, Discoveries and Windows Café serve outstanding food with plenty of variety, so guests eat well throughout the cruise either way.
Drinks and value
Azamara already includes a great selection of drinks, wine, beer and gratuities in the fare, so it genuinely feels close to all inclusive. For Andreia, as for most guests, the included beverages were more than enough, with good variety throughout the ship.
Those who enjoy premium spirits, a wider wine selection or specific brands may find the Premium or Ultimate Beverage Package worth it. But even without upgrading, the experience still feels very inclusive and offers great value.
So, is Azamara dining worth it?
On balance, yes. Azamara delivers strong, consistent food backed by genuinely inclusive drinks and gratuities and the flexibility of open seating. It is not built around dozens of restaurants like the mega ships, and it does not try to be. The pitch is quality and a relaxed, destination led rhythm over endless choice.
If that style appeals, the dining is one of the strongest reasons to book. You can explore current Azamara cruises here.
For another taste of the experience on a specific itinerary, our Azamara Seville to Lisbon cruise review is worth a read.
Azamara dining FAQs
Yes. Food is included across the main dining room and casual venues, with international and destination inspired menus and plenty of variety throughout the day. The two specialty restaurants carry a cover charge for guests not staying in a suite.
Yes. Wine, beer, standard spirits and gratuities are included in the fare. Premium brands and wider selections are available through the Premium or Ultimate Beverage Package, but most guests find the included drinks more than enough.
Prime C and Aqualina carry a cover charge of around $49.95 per person for guests not staying in a suite. Andreia found Aqualina well worth it for a special evening, although the included dining at Discoveries and Windows Café is excellent on its own.
No. Azamara uses open seating, so you dine whenever it suits you. There are no fixed slots to plan your evening around.
For travellers who care most about service, dining and the destination, the value is strong. With drinks and gratuities included, it puts less weight on large onboard attractions and more on a refined, inclusive style of cruising.
