Destination-driven new cruise brand Azamara unveiled
Celebrity Cruises has created a new deluxe cruise brand – Azamara Cruises – to offer destination-driven itineraries.
The new brand will initially feature the 710-passenger Azamara Journey to be followed by sister ship Azamara Quest in October.
Previously running under the Celebrity Expeditions banner, the vessels will operate in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.
Details of world cruises in 2010 have yet to be announced but the line expects to call at more than 200 ports, most of them new to cruise passengers, in more than 70 countries.
The first ship embarked on its maiden voyage following a month-long $19 million refit, including the conversion of 48 cabins into 32 suites an expanded spa area and two new restaurants.
The line will operate in Bermuda, Panama Canal/South America this year, Asia, the Caribbean, South America and Europe in 2008.
Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises, said: “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.
“This new line falls into what we consider the deluxe category – a category between premium and luxury.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025