Supplement to Travel Trade
October 2007

Azamara Cruises pulled off what might be considered a first in cruise line history when it readied the Azamara Journey for its May debut earlier this year in record time.
The ship, formerly the boutique hotel-style R6, one of the original Renaissance fleet, was owned by Spain’s Pullmantur, which parent company Royal Caribbean acquired last fall, along with the Azamara Quest, another R class ship owned by Pullmantur that debuts this month.
Instead of making Azamara a Celebrity Cruises brand extension, as originally planned, it was decided in March to create an entirely new brand geared to what management considered was an underserved “deluxe” market category — somewhere between premium and luxury.
This gave Azamara a very short timeframe to enter the market in May in order to fulfill Celebrity’s Zenith’s contract and relationship with Bermuda, since that vessel was being transferred to Pullmantur, according to Azamara and Celebrity president and CEO Dan Hanrahan.
During the four-week, $19-million refurbishment, 32 new suites were created and the dining areas were completely refurbished to create Aqualina and Prime C, two new specialty restaurants.
In addition, the spa area was expanded to include an aesthetics suite, a new Sunset Bar was added on the aft deck, a new art collection was acquired, a Cova Café was installed, carpets and flooring were replaced throughout and new exterior decking, paint schemes, walls and entirely new “soft goods,” including plush European bedding, were added.
There was also much internal business to tend to, including acquiring an entirely new crew and service staff — many from Celebrity, along with some experienced new hires.
Yet, despite naysayers who felt Azamara had bit off more than it could chew, Hanrahan said, “We stepped up and did it.”
Indeed they did — and quite nicely, as a recent cruise on the Azamara Journey revealed.
The 710-passenger vessel’s décor elegantly conveys the feeling of what it must have been like to sail in style in the golden days of cruising, with such touches as dark wood veneers and tasteful, comfortable traditional furniture.
The ship offers 15 variations of accommodations, all featuring butler service, as well as concierge-style amenities, including fresh-cut flowers, fresh fruit, Elemis toiletries, complimentary use of Frette cotton robes, plus slippers, plasma TVs and a pillow menu.
Our 175-square-feet stateroom came complete with a small veranda big enough for a little table and two chairs and though there was no mini-bar at the time of our summer cruise, they have been installed in all staterooms.
Guests staying in suites receive a bottle of champagne in their stateroom at embarkation. Suite guests also receive two nights of complimentary dining (alcohol extra) in the specialty restaurants (stateroom guests receive one night), in-room DVDs and more (including the ability to book spa and other services in their suite).
“Resort casual” is the attire throughout the cruise and although there are no formal nights, those who like to dress to the nines for dinner certainly do so.
There are four dining venues. Discoveries, the large, traditional dining room, is elegant with windows on three sides and open seating. At the time of our cruise, the menu was in the process of being “tweaked,” but we found it to be extremely satisfactory, with its variety of tasteful dishes and attentive service.
Windows Café, on the Lido deck, proved to be a favorite. With superb breakfast and lunch buffets featuring the gamut of well-prepared hot and cold dishes (and outdoor seating for those who prefer al fresco dining), the Café frequently lured us back in the evenings when it’s called Breeza. Diners have a choice of waiter service (reservations are required, though they can often accommodate walk-ins), or buffet service, with a wealth of choices, including tasty sushi.
The two alternative dining venues are Aqualina, with a sleek, modern look, where Mediterranean cuisine is highlighted ($20 pp reservations fee includes gratuity; $50 pp for wine pairing menu). Prime C, a steakhouse, exudes atmosphere and serves up some excellent dishes, including Kobe beef and a wonderful sea bass ($25 pp reservations fee; includes gratuity). It has a glass-enclosed wine cellar by the entrance next to a long, high table that seats about 12, with the remaining seating consisting of more traditional tables. There’s also a sit-down bar.
The Cova Café, a Celebrity Cruises tradition, offers excellent coffees and edibles — plus entertainment, such as an evening harp concert. (The Azamara Quest has instead a new venue, the Mosaic Cafe).
Part of Michael’s Club, with its lovely recessed ceiling, fireplace and cushy seating, has been turned into a library, with books that guests can take out on the honor system. Late afternoon tea, complete with live classical music, is also served here.
Onboard activities are a cut above what passengers will find on mass market and many premium ships.
According to cruise director John Howell, who has an extensive theater background, they are both “destination driven” and geared to “savvy travelers who want to expand their minds,” with such enrichment activities as knowledgeable lecturers, foreign language and musical theater lessons.
On our cruise, David Perry, a maritime historian, gave fascinating accounts of the Titanic and its sisters, the Olympic and Britannic.
Howell added that there is “something for all ages,” with a variety of evening entertainment in the lounges featuring everything from music from the ’30s and ’40s to contemporary fare in the Looking Glass Lounge, which rocks throughout the night. The Casino Luxe is also a lively spot during sea days and in the evenings. And the Martini Bar concocts some 20 different varieties.
In the intimate Celebrity Cabaret Theatre, guests will find “quality, not quantity,” said Howell, with “five amazing singers and vocalists.” Movies are also shown here.
Future plans are for unique shore excursions, he added, which will be a distinguishing feature of the Journey,
The luxurious Aquaspa by Elemis offers a full range of tranquil treatments as well as acupuncture. It’s adjacent to the fitness center, with wrap-around windows and a full range of equipment.
There are three upscale shops and Wi-Fi available through the ship, with eConnections on Deck 9 offering E-mail and Internet services and computer classes.
Although kids’ programs were held during the Bermuda season, Azamara won’t have any on future sailings.
Azamara Journey will complete its 7-night Bermuda season on Oct. 20, offer a 14-night Bermuda and Caribbean sailing Oct. 27, followed by an 18-night South America sailing on Nov. 11 and 12-night Brazil cruises on Nov. 29 and Dec. 11, followed by an 18-night Chilean Fjords Dec. 23 and a Jan. 10, 2008, 18-night Antarctica sailing.
Its summer Europe season will begin with a 16-night eastbound trans-Atlantic voyage from Miami to Barcelona on April 9, followed 2008, by a selection of Western Europe voyages and several Scandinavia and Russia, Norwegian Fjords, British Isle and Egypt/Israel voyages.

VITAL
STATISTICS
Azamara Journey
Launched: 2000 as R6 by Renaissance Cruises
Refurbished and launched by Celebrity: 2007
Tonnage: 30,277
Passenger Capacity (double): 710
Length: 593’
Width: 95’
Draft: 20’
Cruising Speed: 18.5 knots
Guest Staff Ratio: 2:1
Wheelchair Accessible Staterooms: 6