Changes Made to Azamara Quest

Azamara Quest has returned to service after refurbishment in Singapore beginning in March. During the time in Singapore, some significant changes were made to the ship along with the normal refurbishment and freshening.

The complete story appeared in the May 10 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Going East

Azamara has opened their inventory for their fleet of destination-oriented ships through 2021 and through the spring 2022 season. With it, we will see a new deepening of itineraries in Eastern Europe, the Black Sea and Turkey.

Details appeared in the April 23 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

And Baby Makes Three

Azamara Club Cruises' fleet has officially expanded to three with the naming ceremony of Azamara Pursuit this week in Southampton.

The complete story appeared in the August 30 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Am I Seeing Double?

Azamara Pursuit is on its maiden voyage for the company, but when it arrived in Haugesund, Norway, there was one of its sisters, Azamara Journey.

“We could not think of a better way to welcome the new ship and team members than with a celebration that brings together our crew and guests,” said Larry Pimentel, President & CEO of Azamara Club Cruises.

The complete story appeared in the August 7 issue of Cruise News Daily.

Photo courtesy of Azamara Club Cruises. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission. 

Say Hello to Pursuit

A couple weeks ago, Carnival Corp handed P&O's Adonia over to Royal Caribbean in the dry dock at Grand Bahama Shipyard where exterior work was done on the ship removing the Adonia and repainting the ship in Azamara livery.

The ship took another step toward its new identity on Wednesday when it arrived at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast for its interior refit.

Details appeared in the April 5 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Azamara Pursuit arrive at Harland and Wolff in Belfast on April 4.

Changing the metal letters on the bow at Grand Bahama Shipyard

Removing the last exterior Adona signage at Grand Bahama Shipyard

Photos courtesy of Azamara Club Cruises. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission. 

This Pursuit Isn't Trivial

Next fall, Azamara will expand their capacity by 50% through the acquisition of a third vessel of the same series (originally built for Renaissance) that has been operating as P&O's Adonia.

The complete story appeared in the September 26 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

This Is Breakfast?

If you are the type who thinks of breakfast as a Danish and a cup of coffee and juice, and maybe for a treat, a little bacon, Azamara has something interesting for you.

Details appeared in the August 22 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Azamara Expands Cuba for Winter 2018/2019

Azamara Club Cruises set their Cuban program for the fall and winter 2018/2019 season, and Royal Caribbean’s boutique brand seems to be setting themselves up as the go-to line for travelers that want to see a lot of Cuba. The island has almost become their entire Caribbean product.

Their itineraries include multiple Cuban ports and/or long stays in Havana, and they’ve also announced new experiences ashore in Cuba.

The complete story appeared in the August10 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Azamara Adds European Rail Option

Azamara is now extending their “Destination Immersion” concept of slower travel from their itineraries and ports of call to getting to or from the ship via a luxurious rail connection aboard the Venice-Simplon Orient-Express.

The pre- or post-cruise option will be offered next year to passengers boarding or disembarking their Azamara cruise at Venice.

The complete article appeared in the August 4 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Other Things You'll Want to Know - July 26, 2017

CND subscribers also read about:

• Norwegian Cruise Line opening sales on their new program from Port Canaveral to Havana
• Azamara's new COO
• The terminally-ill cruise passenger stuck in Alaska is home. 

Details appeared in the July 26 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Other Things You'll Want to Know - June 8, 2017

CND subscribers also read about:

• Carnival easing the pain of the final payment
• Twin sisters meeting after four years apart

Details appeared in the June 8 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Exploring Cuba

Azamara Club Cruises has been approved to operate four new 2018 cruises to Cuba, each with a different itinerary. These are in addition to the two they have approved for late 2017.

These itineraries are a bit longer and, for the most part (except for one Panama Canal cruise), concentrate on Cuba with another port or two added for variety.

Details appeared in the May 4 edition of Cruise News Daily.

AzAlaska!

Azamara has built its reputation on sailing to interesting ports in far off places around the world, but in 2019 they have scheduled a series of cruises in close-to-home Alaska.

Details appeared in the March 31 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Other Things You'll Want to Know - March 27, 2017

CND subscribers also read about:

• Azamaa Quest made its maiden call at Tampa, but the ship has really been there before.
• When the murder victim in a suitcase turns out not to be the murder victim who is missing from the ship 
•  It was a threepeat for Carnival Victory

Details appeared in the March 27 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Azamara Includes Havana Call on Existing Voyage

RCCL's Azamara brand also was approved for one sailing to Cuba, and today they opened it for sale and provided some details.

Given Azamara's focus and way of crafting itineraries, this cruise and the limited number of sailings (one) oddly seem to fit Azamara's clientele better than any of the other lines' programs in this recent group of approvals by the Cubans.

The complete story appeared in the December 9 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Everybody to Cuba

This morning, the government in Cuba approved programs to the island by three NCLH brands and two RCCL brands.

Even though these limited programs are the beginning of changing the game in the Caribbean, Cuba didn't fling the doors wide open, and the US rules are still in place.

The complete story appeared in the December 7 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Updated 3:48pm
Both Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced this afternoon they have received approval from the Cuban government to begin cruises to the country from the US.

NCLH says their Oceania brand will be the first to call on Cuba with Marina on March 7. Seven Seas Mariner of their Regent band will be next with two cruises in April 2017. Norwegian Sky will follow up with a selection of four-day cruises that will overnight in Havana in May.

RCCL said their Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises brands will operate cruises from Florida to Cuba. The company said details will be announced soon.

The cruise itineraries will comply with U.S. Department of Treasury rules that permit travel companies to transport approved travelers to Cuba to engage in people-to-people activities as defined by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Details will appear in today's edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Vote for President, Then Sail with a President

Azamara Club Cruises has scheduled their first loyalty program cruise with the line's president and CEO, Larry Pimentel, for members of Le Club Voyage.

The sailing will be this fall on a 10-night Arabian Gulf and Emirates cruise aboard Azamara Journey. The cruise sails round trip from Dubai on October 24.

The complete story appeared in the September 8 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Packed with Luxury

Sydney Harbor had four high-end ships visit on Saturday that included a first. Two of them docked simultaneously at Circular Quay, adjacent the iconic Sydney Opera House.

The two docked at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay were Ponant Le Soleal and Azamara Quest. Docked nearby at White Bay Cruise Terminal in Rozelle were Seabourn Odyssey and Silverseas’ Silver Whisper. Together they brought almost 3,000 high-end visitors to Sydney, injecting an estimated $2 million into the local economy.

The complete story appeared in the February 15 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Photos copyright Nick Rains. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

Azamara Plans Ahead

If you’re planning a trip on Azamara Club Cruises, you usually need some time to plan and get ready. For this type of trip, most people like to do a little research. And Azamara is accommodating that need. The boutique line just opened their 2018 programs for sale.

The two ships will sail 69 voyages that call at some 228 ports in 64 countries. In the true spirit of discovery, 30 ports will be new ports of call.

Included in the programs will be a 102-day “World Journey” from Australia (in April) to England (also sold in segments). It alone calls at 61 ports in 29 countries.

Details appeared in the November 12 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Other Things You'll Want to Know - August 14, 2015

CND subscribers also read about:

• Holland America dropping the "F-Word." Formal night and tuxedos are things of the past,
• Azamara has put their 3DI virtual reality views of the ships and shore excursions into an Apple app, in addition to on the dedicated website. 

Details appeared in the August 14 edition of Cruise News Daily.