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Celebrity Cruises Presents New,
Deluxe Cruise Line: Azamara Cruises.
Miami - (May 04, 2007 ) - Exotic Destination-Driven Brand to
Sail in Europe, South America, Asia and Around the World
MIAMI - May 4, 2007 - The launch of a new ship is a momentous
occasion for any cruise line, but Celebrity Cruises has made the
introduction of their latest liner especially significant. Today,
Celebrity not only marked the launch of a 710-guest ship which
sets sail tomorrow, but also introduced an entirely new, deluxe
cruise brand: "Azamara Cruises."
Designed to offer exotic destination-driven travel experiences,
Azamara Cruises - consisting of Azamara Journey, which sets sail
May 5, and sister ship, Azamara Quest, which enters service in
October-will present a more intimate onboard experience, while
allowing access to the less-traveled ports of call experienced
travelers want to visit.
"We created Azamara Cruises to target an area of the market that
we believe is underserved, and an area this product is ideally
suited to fill," said Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal
Caribbean Cruises Limited, parent company of Azamara Cruises. "This
new line falls into what we consider the deluxe category - a
category between premium and luxury."
According to Azamara Cruises President Dan Hanrahan, who also is
president of Celebrity Cruises, "Azamara Cruises is expressly
designed for travel enthusiasts who appreciate what a cruise
vacation has to offer, but are looking for something a little
different, and a little more special. And what's special about
Azamara Cruises is its distinctive combination of impeccable
service, exceptional cuisine and off-the-beaten-path
destinations, with truly immersive excursions."
Complementing the exotic Caribbean and Europe itineraries for
Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, previously announced under
the former "Celebrity Expeditions" banner, Hanrahan today
announced that Azamara Cruises' itineraries will not only take
travelers to some of the most desirable locations in the
Caribbean, but will immerse them in Asia, and even transport
them around the world. Itinerary details for Azamara Cruises'
Asia and world cruises are yet to be announced, but once
finalized, the line expects to visit more than 200 ports - most
of them new to cruise travelers-in over 70 countries.
While delving deep into the history and culture of remote
destinations larger ships can't reach, guests sailing with
Azamara Cruises also will enjoy a more exclusive guest
experience. Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest offer butler
service in every stateroom and suite, as well as concierge-style
amenities, including fresh-cut flowers, fresh fruit, Elemis
toiletries, complimentary use of Frette cotton robes, two
complimentary pairs of slippers, plasma TVs and plush European
bedding.
Despite the ships' smaller size, each offers two specialty
restaurants: On Azamara Journey, the Mediterranean-influenced "Aqualina"
and the stylish steak and seafood restaurant, "Prime C." Guests
staying in suites will receive two nights of complimentary
dining in one of the two specialty restaurants, while guests in
staterooms will receive one. The ships will not require formal
attire for dining, and will feature open seating in the main
dining room. Azamara Cruises also presents a wine bar with a
spectacular wine cellar offering wine and champagne tastings,
seminars, and mini-pairings of food and wine, in addition to its
standard menu of fine wines by the glass or bottle.
Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest offer an enhanced emphasis on
spa and relaxation, with treatments many cruise travelers have
never experienced. Guests in suites can enjoy certain spa
services in the privacy of their room. Both ships also will
offer an outdoor spa relaxation lounge and an aesthetics suite
offering acupuncture, laser hair removal and microdermabrasion.
An onboard "excursion expert" will not only help guests select
shore excursions based on their personal interests, but also
will serve as a destination guide, offering information about
the culture and history of each port of call.
The Azamara retail experience onboard also will be enticing to
most experienced travelers, with its focus on fine art,
sculpture, photography, jewelry, and upscale resort wear. Just
prior to setting sail on its maiden voyage May 5, Azamara
Journey completed a four-week, approximately $19-million
makeover, highlighted by the conversion of 48 staterooms into 32
suites, a complete refurbishment of the dining areas to create
the two new specialty restaurants, an expansion of the spa area
to include an aesthetics suite, a new Sunset Bar on the aft
deck, a new art collection, Cova Café, entirely new carpets and
flooring throughout, new exterior decking, new paint schemes,
new walls, and entirely new "soft goods," ranging from plush
European bedding to cushions, drapes and table linens.
The name "Azamara" is a coined term, rooted in Romance language
references to blue ("aza"), the sea ("mar"), and a lesser-known
word, "acamar," which, in Classical times, was the southernmost
bright star that could be seen from the latitude of Greece.
Hanrahan said the company views the new brand as "a bright star
on the deep blue sea." Azamara Cruises unlocks the hidden
corners of the world for those who desire to immerse themselves
in the rich details of every voyage. The deluxe ships - Azamara
Journey and Azamara Quest - offer an intimate experience, while
allowing access to exotic destinations experienced travelers
long to reach. For the 710 guests on each Azamara Cruises ship,
every moment at sea embodies the pinnacle of luxury, and each
footstep on shore accentuates the difference between visiting a
place and getting a true sense of place. Azamara Cruises
presents the best of Bermuda and Panama Canal/South America in
2007, elite Asia and the most captivating Caribbean, South
America and Europe in 2008, and around-the-world voyages in
2010. For more information, travel agents are encouraged to call
1-877-222-2526. Guests are invited to call 1-877-999-9553. Or,
visit Azamara Cruises website.
Quelle: Celebrity Cruises |
