By Arie Boris, the Cruise Gourmet
[fa:p:a=aza_journey_exterior2,id=1382717014,j=l,s=s,l=p]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 with an entirely new, deluxe cruise brand: “Azamara Cruises.”
At only 30,000 tons, the Azamara Journey, is a welcome change from the cruise industry’s obsession with increasingly larger mega ships accommodating thousands of guests. In this case, with only 700 guests, less really is more!
Azamara Journey reflects a return to a more intimate cruise experience with superior dining and more personal attention. Add to the equation interesting itineraries, attractive pricing, value-added amenities and one of the best spas at sea, the “Azamara Experience”, has the potential for being a real winner!
“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.” The new cruise brand will feature exotic destination cruises in Europe, South America, Asia and around the world.
[fa:p:a=aza_journey_oceanviewcat7,id=1382717190,j=r,s=s,l=p]While delving deep into the history and culture of remote destinations larger ships can’t reach, Azamara Cruises will provide a more exclusive guest experience. Azamara Journey offers “butler service” in every stateroom and suite, as well as concierge-style amenities, including fresh-cut flowers, personalized stationary, fresh fruit, Elemis toiletries, complimentary use of Frette cotton robes, two complimentary pairs of slippers, plasma TVs and plush European bedding. The Azamara product and amenities are very impressive!
The “butler service” for the standard staterooms is, in all fairness, provided by an upgraded cabin steward. Not quite the same as a luxury line, but the stateroom was spotless throughout the cruise and it was an awfully nice touch when our “butler” served tea in our standard stateroom each afternoon in tails. Azamara Cruises’ “deluxe” experience is far better than on a large “premium” ship and is all about added amenities without having to pay a “luxury” premium.
Guests staying in suites receive a bottle of champagne in their stateroom at embarkation. Suite guests also receive two nights of complimentary dining in the specialty restaurants (guests in staterooms receive one night of complimentary dining). Other amenities specific to guests staying in suites include in-room DVD players and the ability to enjoy movies free of charge from the ship’s library; silk hangers and drawer liners upon request; and the ability to book certain spa services to take place in the privacy of their suite.
Dining onboard the Azamara Journey was very good and by the 2008 season should be quite spectacular. The cruise line has contracted with prestigious food & dining consultant, Elizabeth Blau & Associates. Based in Las Vegas, Elizabeth Blau and her team have created some of the best dining experiences in the world including restaurants at the Mirage and Bellagio in Las Vegas and the Ritz Carlton, Palm Springs. I was very impressed with their culinary team. During our cruise, they evaluated almost every meal in every dining venue onboard the ship. It was obvious their objective was to improve on the already superior culinary experience and they were very receptive to feedback from guests.
[fa:p:a=baked-brie-starter-aqualina-azamara,id=1381821837,j=l,s=s,l=p]Along with the main restaurant, Discoveries, the Azamara Journey has not one, but two excellent specialty restaurants that do require reservations. The Mediterranean influenced “Aqualina” and the stylish steak restaurant, “Prime C” both provide distinctive dining experiences worthy of any fine land based restaurants. In fact, I would have to say the dinner we enjoyed in Aqualina was truly spectacular. Along with the service, the rack of lamb was perfect, as was the Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon pairing suggested by our wine steward (Cakebread).
The ship’s dress code is strictly “country club casual” and does not require formal attire for dining in any of the restaurants. The main dining room features open seating. 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 offers a beautiful spa with enhanced services. Along with standard relaxation treatments, facials and massage, the ship’s spa provides a relaxation lounge and an aesthetics suite offering acupuncture, laser hair removal and micro-dermabrasion. As an added perk, guests staying in suites can enjoy certain spa services in the privacy of their own accommodations.
The name “Azamara” was invented for the new cruise line. The word is 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. The company views the new brand as “a bright star on the deep blue sea.”
If all goes as planned, Azamara Cruises promises to be a smashing “bright star” among discriminating travelers that enjoy the finer things about cruising, good value and sailing the “deep blue sea” to exotic ports around the globe!.
For more information, visit Azamara Cruises.
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