Azamara Club Cruises Azamara Quest Emerges From Refit

Azamara Club Cruises' Azamara Quest Emerges From Shipyard with New Blue Hull

Azamara Quest, the first of Azamara Club Cruises’ twin boutique ships to undergo refurbishment, emerged on November 16, 2012 from an eight-day drydock – complete with a refresh of all public spaces and staterooms and a new “Azamara Blue” hull.  Named for the cruise line by Navantia Shipyard, the unique navy-blue color tone of Azamara Quest’s hull adds to the elegance of the ship’s silhouette.

The cruise line known for distinctively featuring longer stays and more overnights in port to present up-market travelers the opportunity for night touring is poised to break away from its category with its newly refreshed ships that sail to exciting destinations around the world that larger ships are unable to reach. Paired with the new complimentary AzAmazing Evening shore events on every voyage starting with each ship’s Europe 2013 season, Azamara is providing guests one of the most unique travel experiences that spotlights the nightlife of some of the world’s most intriguing destinations.

Shipwide renovations included new carpets, upholstery, and a new color palette in public spaces reflecting the cruise line’s inviting atmosphere; new mattresses and upgraded veranda furniture for suites and staterooms; and a resurfaced pool, and new sun loungers and pool towels on the outer decks.  The Casino Bar also was expanded and enhanced with new furniture, while the Spa and fitness center was refreshed with a new steam room, showers, and state-of-the-art Life Fitness cardio equipment. Furthermore, a range of enhancements were made behind the scenes in the staff and crew area to add to the comfort of the cruise line’s most valuable asset.

On the culinary front, guests can now enjoy a new caviar and champagne bar within Aqualina, one of the ships’ two specialty dining venues, as well as a new Chef’s Table concept featuring three wine degustation menus – Italian, French and Californian. At Mosaic Café, the ships’ central gathering spot, guests can purchase a freshly brewed cup of bespoke coffee.

Upon departing from Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain, Azamara Quest will sail a 13-night Madeira and Canary Islands voyage, beginning November 16, followed by a four-night Spanish and Northern Africa voyage on November 28. The ship then departs on December 2, to embark on a 16-night, trans-Atlantic voyage to Rio De Janeiro for its South America season.

Guests aboard Azamara Quest enjoy more inclusive amenities, such as included gratuities for housekeeping, dining and bar staff; complimentary bottled water, sodas, specialty coffee, and teas, as well as complimentary red and white boutique wines to accompany lunch and dinner; complimentary self-service laundry; English Butler service for suite guests; and shuttle transportation to city centers in ports, where available.

Azamara Club Cruises is a destination-immersive cruise line for up-market travelers who not only want to see the places and cultures they visit, but to live them. Azamara’s two intimate, 694-guest ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, with a combination of 347 suites and staterooms, offer a European-boutique hotel ambience with extraordinary service, fine cuisine and wines from around the world, and wellness and vitality programs, all while sailing to a host of destinations larger ships cannot reach. Azamara Club Cruises sails European destinations, including the Baltic and Scandinavia, British Isles, Western Europe, French and Italian Rivieras, Greek Isles, Croatia, Holy Land and Black Sea, as well as Asia, South America and lesser-traveled islands of the West Indies, with more overnight and late-night stays in every region. Travelers also can choose even more immersive experiences with Azamara cruisetours in eight of the world’s most exciting destinations, including Rome, Athens, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Istanbul, Jordan and Israel, India, and China.

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Azamara Club Cruises Announce 2014 Cruise Schedule

Azamara Club Cruises - Azamara Journey - Azamara Quest 2014 Cruise Schedule Revealed

Offering more late-night and overnight stays in port, the award-winning Azamara Club Cruises today announced the 2014 deployment of its twin boutique ships Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest. Up-market travelers can choose among 72 new voyages, ranging from four to 17 nights and visiting 240 fascinating destinations in 66 countries throughout Europe, the Far East, Central and South America, the Caribbean and the Western U.S. coast. The cruise line’s new 2014 program enables guests to experience the nightlife of compelling destinations around the world that larger ships cannot reach, and includes a record-45 maiden port calls, such as the UNESCO World Geopark Langkawi, Malaysia; Maura in the Sultanate of Brunei; and the charming island-village Vila do Abraao, a favorite Brazilian getaway.

            “Azamara’s staff and crew stand ready to deliver our authentic and personable service along with immersive experiences to up-market travelers,” said Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises. “One hundred percent of Azamara’s 2014 voyages feature late night and overnight stays in port to offer guests the opportunity to enjoy the nightlife of some of the world’s most vibrant places. There is no better way for travelers to immerse themselves in a destination than with Azamara.”

            Most of Azamara’s voyages are designed so travelers can combine two or more consecutive voyages for an extended travel experience and not repeat a port call. Azamara Journey will sail 12- to 17-night voyages throughout the East and South China seas from January through April 2014, alternating departures from Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Mumbai and Chennai. On these voyages, guests will visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Halong Bay, Borobudur, Parambanan and Sangiran, and revel in the nightlife of worldly cities, such as Tokyo, Shanghai and Bangkok to name a few, during their overnight stays. The ship then repositions via the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal to arrive for its Europe season in May.

            For its part, Azamara Quest will offer a pair of trans-Panama Canal voyages between Miami, Fla., and Costa Rica, plus a new series of Sea of Cortez and Central America voyages, ranging from 10 to 14 nights. A unique eight-night Coastal California Wine Country voyage departs roundtrip from Los Angeles on February 10, 2014, to explore the 31^st State’s famous wine region plus a three-day call at San Francisco.  Azamara Quest also will sail an 11-night voyage to less-trodden, jewel-islands of the Caribbean, such as St. John’s, St. Barth’s, and Virgin Gorda, before returning to Europe in April.

            Both Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest will again sail European waters throughout summer 2014, offering travelers immersive adventures at some of the region’s most exciting destinations and cultural celebrations.  Azamara Quest will sail a 15-night trans-Atlantic voyage from Miami to Nice, France, while Azamara Journey will reposition via the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal.

            Azamara Journey will sail four- to 14-night voyages, ranging throughout the Mediterranean, North and Baltic seas. On the May 19 sailing, Azamara Journey will rendezvous with Azamara Quest at St. Tropez and Monte Carlo, where, for the first time, guests aboard both ships can join in the excitement of the Monaco Grand Prix. Travelers also can choose among three Baltic voyages of different lengths in July to suit their timing: a seven-, 10-, or 12-night itinerary, which all feature three full days at St. Petersburg, Russia. Gourmands should not miss the 14-night Food and Wine voyage, departing Southampton, U.K., on August 20, which features two-night stays at Nantes (Loire Valley) and Bordeaux, France. Azamara’s ships are ideally sized to sail into more-inland destinations like these so guests need only disembark the ship to shop, dine and join in the nightlife.

            Azamara Quest will sail mainly in the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Aegean and Black seas, on seven- to 12-night voyages. A unique 11-night Mediterranean Easter sailing, departing April 11, offers guests an overnight at Civitavecchia, the gateway to Rome for an opportunity to attend Palm Sunday mass in the Vatican, and at Livorno for Easter Sunday in Florence. Travelers also can choose among a seven-, nine-, and 12-night Black Sea voyage, sailing from Istanbul. The August 20 voyage takes guests on a comprehensive 12-night itinerary throughout the region, including a call at Sochi, Russia, site of the 2014 winter Olympic Games.

            In late November, Azamara Journey will depart from Spain’s Costa del Sol to the beautiful Brazil via the Canary Islands. Travelers can celebrate Christmas and the New Year as they sail from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro. Azamara Quest will retrace the Spice Route to the Far East and ring in the New Year in Hong Kong.

            Guests aboard Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest enjoy more inclusive amenities, such as included gratuities for housekeeping, dining and bar staff; complimentary bottled water, sodas, specialty coffees, and teas, as well as complimentary red and white boutique wines to accompany lunch and dinner; complimentary self-service laundry; English Butler service for suite guests; and shuttle transportation to city centers in ports, where available.

            Azamara Club Cruises is a destination-immersive cruise line for upmarket travelers who want to see not only the places and cultures they visit, but to live them. Azamara’s two intimate, 694-guest ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, with a combination of 347 suites and staterooms, offer a European-boutique hotel ambience with extraordinary service, fine cuisine and wines from around the world, and wellness and vitality programs, all while sailing to a host of destinations larger ships cannot reach. Azamara Club Cruises sails European destinations, including the Baltic and Scandinavia, British Isles, Western Europe, French and Italian Rivieras, Greek Isles, Croatia, Holy Land and Black Sea, as well as Asia, South America and lesser-traveled islands of the West Indies, with more overnight and late-night stays in every region. Travelers also can choose even more immersive experiences with Azamara cruisetours in four of the world’s most exciting destinations, including Buenos Aires, Istanbul, India and China.

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Luxury Operator Azamara Club Cruises Offers Airfare Discounts and Upgrades on Select Cruises.

Recently recognized as having the best itineraries by Conde Nast Traveler, Azamara Club Cruises is inviting up-market travelers to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and tastes of Europe in 2012 with airfare credits of up to $2,000 per stateroom. Along with additional savings on cruise fares and shore excursions, plus included gratuities, guests will enjoy Azamara’s authentic hospitality on an immersive European adventure aboard the cruise lines two intimate ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest.

“This is the year for up-market travelers to rediscover Europe aboard a destination-immersive Azamara voyage,” said Edie Bornstein, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Azamara Club Cruises. “Many of Azamara’s Europe voyages coincide with the continent’s most popular cultural celebrations, such as the Monaco Grand Prix and various European Jazz Festivals, and offer more overnight and late-night stays in port so guest can join in the festivities. Not only do we present extraordinary value to guests, but pay commission to our valued travel agent partners for many things, such as hotel, shore excursions and cruise tour bookings for their clients.”

Azamara Club Cruises recognizes the great value travel agents add to guests’ overall experience and offers agents in the fifty states and Canada up to 15 percent commission on cruise bookings and cruise tours, 10 percent commission on hotel stays, and ground transfers, as well as five percent on CruiseCare insurance when purchased through the cruise line. New for 2012, travel agents also can earn an additional commission of $25 per booking when purchasing air transportation for their clients through ChoiceAir, Azamara’s proprietary air booking system

For new individual bookings made with deposit through March 31, 2012, aboard Azamara Europe voyages in 2012, travelers can enjoy $500 ChoiceAir credit per guest, up to two guests, when booking an Oceanview-, Veranda-, or Club Ocean Suite- category stateroom; and $1,000 per guest, up to two guests, in a Club Continent and Club World Owner Suites. Furthermore, travelers receive double ChoiceAir credits on Azamara Quest’s April 4 voyage from Nice, France.

Year-round, travelers can take advantage of up to 50 percent savings off brochure rates and delve into the destinations that larger ships cannot reach with half off Land Discoveries (shore excursions) purchased online. More information about Azamara’s 2012 booking bonus can be found at http://www.AzamaraClubCruises.com/promotions/2012-pricing-program.

Guests aboard Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest also enjoy more inclusive amenities, such as included gratuities for housekeeping, dining and bar staff; complimentary bottled water, sodas, specialty coffee, and teas, as well as complimentary red and white boutique wines to accompany lunch and dinner; complimentary self-service laundry; English Butler service for suite guests; and shuttle bus to city centers in ports, where available.

ChoiceAir is Azamara’s proprietary air-booking system, offering guests access to highly competitive airfares, more flight options and full control and visibility of their air arrangements. Guests enjoy exceptional, dedicated service that includes day-of-travel support to help them get to their voyage, even if they encounter flight delays or cancellations requiring a last-minute change or diversion to the next port of call. ChoiceAir is available through a travel agent, directly from Azamara Club Cruises, and online at www.AzamaraClubCruises.com/ChoiceAir.

Azamara Club Cruises is a destination-immersive cruise line for up-market travelers who want to not only see the places and cultures they visit, but to live them. Azamara’s two intimate, 694-guest ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, with a combination of 347 suites and staterooms, offer a European-boutique hotel ambience with extraordinary service, fine cuisine and wines from around the world, and wellness and vitality programs, all while sailing to a host of destinations larger ships cannot reach.

Azamara Club Cruises sails European destinations, including the Baltic and Scandinavia, British Isles, Western Europe, French and Italian Rivieras, Greek Isles, Croatia, Holy Land and Black Sea, as well as Asia, South America and lesser-traveled islands of the West Indies, with more overnight and late-night stays in every region. Travelers also can choose even more immersive experiences with Azamara cruisetours in eight of the world’s most exciting destinations, including Rome, Athens, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Istanbul, Jordan and Israel, India, and China.

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Azamara Cruises Announces 2013 Cruise Schedule

Azamara Club Cruises today announced the cruise line’s 2013 line-up of voyages. Throughout the year, up-market travelers can choose among a total of 69 voyages aboard the cruise line’s two European boutique-hotel style ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest. Select Azamara voyages also coincide with cultural celebrations, such as Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, the Monaco Grand Prix, the Andalusian Festival and the British Open, to offer guests a truly destination-immersive travel experience. Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest will visit nearly 40 new ports in 2013, including Beijing (Xingang), Shanghai (Haitong) and Jinhae, South Korea in the Far East; as well as charming Amasra (Safranbolu), Turkey, and 2014-Winter Olympic host-city Sochi, Russia in the Black Sea. Cassis, France; Propriano, Corsica; and Palamos, Spain also will be maiden ports in the Mediterranean, as well as idyllic Honningsvaag, Gudvangen, Tromso, and Svolvaer (Lofoten) on the Norwegian Coast. Onboard, guests will delight in Azamara’s extraordinary service from every staff and crew member, as well as enjoy delectable dining options in four restaurants. All Azamara Club Cruises 2013 voyages are now open for booking.

“We are delighted to present Azamara’s next collection of voyages in 2013,” said Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises. “We continue to offer more late-night and overnight stays in ports than any cruise operator to offer guests the chance to savor a destination’s nightlife, and oftentimes, after the other cruise ships have departed. We also encourage travelers to add on an Azamara cruisetour with their voyage to delve even deeper into a destination’s culture or combine consecutive Azamara voyages for a grand odyssey.”

At the beginning of 2013, Azamara Journey will sail four Southeast Asia voyages, 14, 15 and 17 nights in length, and two 14-night voyages throughout China, Korea and Japan – featuring overnight stays in such vibrant metropolises as Hong Kong; Bangkok (Klong Toey), Thailand; Hanoi and World Heritage Site Halong Bay, Ho Chi Minh City and Hue (Danang), Vietnam; Shanghai (Haitong), China; and Kobe, Japan.

The ship then heads to the Mediterranean for the summer and autumn seasons, featuring Adriatic and Greek Isles, Egypt and Holy Land and Black Sea voyages, ranging from seven to 12 nights. Overnight stays will include Alexandria and Safaga, Egypt; Venice, Italy; Mykonos, Greece; and Jerusalem (Ashdod), Israel.

Azamara Journey also will sail six French and Italian Riviera voyages in June and July featuring overnights in Monte Carlo, Monaco; St. Tropez, France; Ibiza, Spain; and Sorrento, Capri and Florence (Livorno), Italy. Azamara Journey then returns to the Far East via Dubai and Mumbai (Bombay), India to round out the year with three Southeast Asia voyages, culminating with an overnight call at Phuket, Thailand on New Year’s Eve.

Azamara Quest, on the other hand, will sail a range of South America and West Indies voyages, ranging from 12 to 18 nights, featuring overnight calls at Ushuaia and Buenos Aires, Argentina; Punta Del Este, Uruguay; Rio De Janeiro, Brazil for Carnaval; and St. Barts. The ship continues from Miami to the Spanish and French Rivieras in March for four- to 11-night voyages, featuring overnights in Seville, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona, Spain; Monte Carlo; Provence (Marseilles) and Cannes, France; and Lisbon, Portugal.

In June and July, Azamara Quest will sail North Sea, Norwegian Coast and Baltic voyages, ranging from nine to 14 nights, featuring overnights in St. Petersburg, Russia; Hamburg, Germany; Reykjavik, Iceland; Oslo, Norway; Stockholm, Sweden; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Azamara Quest then embarks on a series of French and Italian Riviera, and Adriatic Sea voyages in August and September that range from seven to 11 nights, before returning to explore the lesser-traveled island jewels in West Indies for the winter season on eight- and 12-night voyages. On the New Year’s voyage, guests will count down the seconds ‘en Français’ while overnight in St. Barts.

Travelers also can choose among two President’s Voyages in 2013. President and CEO Larry Pimentel and his wife Sandi will join guests on these special voyages and host parties, informal get-togethers, and a complimentary shore event. Guests will enjoy a destination-immersive travel experience as the cruise line’s chief visionary does, as well as receive a special gift. Azamara’s 2013 President’s Voyages are planned for the April 3, Art on the Cote d’Azur sailing of Azamara Quest, and for the October 1, Tuscany to Provence sailing of Azamara Journey.

Guests aboard Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest also enjoy more inclusive amenities, such as included gratuities for housekeeping, dining and bar staff; complimentary bottled water, sodas, specialty coffees, and teas, as well as complimentary red and white boutique wines to accompany lunch and dinner; complimentary self-service laundry; English Butler service for suite guests; and shuttle bus to city centers in ports, where available.

Azamara Club Cruises is a destination-immersive cruise line for up-market travelers who want to not only see the places and cultures they visit, but to live them. Azamara’s two intimate, 694-guest ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, with a combination of 347 suites and staterooms, offer a European-boutique hotel ambience with extraordinary service, fine cuisine and wines from around the world, and wellness and vitality programs, all while sailing to a host of destinations larger ships cannot reach. Azamara Club Cruises sails European destinations, including the Baltic and Scandinavia, British Isles, Western Europe, French and Italian Rivieras, Greek Isles, Croatia, Holy Land and Black Sea, as well as Asia, South America and lesser-traveled islands of the West Indies, with more overnight and late-night stays in every region.

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Azamara Release 2012 Cruise Brochure.

September 21, 2011 – Azamara Club Cruises today announced the unveiling of the cruise lines 2012 Destination Guide. The 144-page glossy brochure features vibrant, lifestyle images by two talented student photographers who captured the cruise line’s exciting destinations and the extraordinary service delivered to every guest by the attentive staff and crew. The brochure highlights the cruise line’s two ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, their worldwide itineraries carrying guests to ports throughout the Mediterranean Sea, Northern & Western Europe, South America, Asia, India and the West Indies, and a variety of culturally-immersive Land Discoveries (shore excursions) and cruisetours.

“We are delighted to offer the new 2012 destination guide to travel professionals and to travelers seeking an authentic experience to some of the world’s most amazing destinations,” said Edie Bornstein, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Azamara Club Cruises. “The brochure’s enticing images transport the viewer to the heart of the destination, whether it’s tango dancing in Buenos Aires, taking a late-night stroll through Crete, Greece, or enjoying a local artist performance onboard on open decks. Throughout, guests will enjoy Azamara’s signature service, fine dining and boutique wines from around the world.”

The comprehensive destination guide highlights the cruise line’s 2012 deployments, which total 64 sailings, calling at 181 ports in 57 countries. It outlines both Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest’s itineraries, notes arrival and departure times and conveniently denotes late-night and overnight stays throughout. Friendly color-coding allows for easy planning, with new features such as individual voyage maps, highlights for each voyage, as well as area average temperatures, and easily referenced “from” pricing listed next to the respective itinerary listing.

Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest sails the globe in 2012 immersing guest with the cultures and colors of the world’s most exciting and exotic destinations. Azamara Quest will begin the New Year with two days in Bali, Indonesia, while Azamara Journey will offer guests an incomparable view of the fireworks over Brazil’s famous Copacabana Beach. Azamara 2012 voyages feature itineraries that coincide with unique cultural celebrations or travel to unique destination around the world including Antarctica, Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Chelsea Flower Show in England and Floriade in the Netherlands, Jazz in the Norwegian Fjords and the Monaco Grand Prix.

Azamara Club Cruises has a continued commitment to support talented young photographers and to bring their unique view of the world to its guests. For the 2012 Destination Guide two student photographers, Jenna Lyn Pimentel of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and Brandon Jones at Santa Clara University, were selected to photograph the onboard experience of guests and staff and to capture the unique destinations they visited.

The 2012 destination guide may be viewed as an electronic brochure at AzamaraClubCruises.com > Order a Brochure, where travelers also can request a printed brochure.

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Azamara Club Cruises Announces 2011 Program

July 20, 2010 – From tango halls to souks, cathedrals to palaces, and pyramids to the Great Wall, Azamara Club Cruises today announced 13 land-tour itineraries, combinable with an Azamara cruise for cruisetour packages that offer more authentic cultural experiences for the up-market traveler. Ranging from two- to six-night escorted land adventures, guests can enjoy even more immersive experiences in eight of the world’s most exciting destinations, including Rome, Athens, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Istanbul, Jordan and Israel, India, and China. All cruisetour packages embody Azamara’s philosophy of visiting unique destinations; immersing in the destinations; delivering extraordinary service by every member of the staff and crew; savoring the regions’ cuisines and fine wines; and focusing on wellness and vigor, onboard and on land. All land-tour itineraries are escorted by a Tour Director or a local host, and feature accommodations in five-star hotels located in metropolitan centers. In addition to included immersive experiences, guests will enjoy plenty of time for personal exploration and shopping, with full breakfast in the hotels, additional select meals, all transportation and ground transfers included in the land-tour itinerary.

“The introduction of these new offerings will enable up-market travelers to enjoy an even more immersive adventure with Azamara,” said Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises. “Guests have more opportunities to experience the cultures of exotic destinations by extending their Azamara voyage with a land-tour itinerary for an enthralling vacation. Throughout, every staff and crew will deliver Azamara Club Cruises’ extraordinary signature service to our guests.”
Travelers can select from among 13 individual pre- and post-voyage land-tour itineraries to extend their Azamara vacation in some of the world’s most exotic destinations. Azamara Club Cruises cruisetour itineraries are available for purchase ala carte, and travelers have the flexibility to opt for the land-tour extension at any point after they make their cruise booking for an enriching cruisetour vacation.

In summer 2011, guests of Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest can choose a two-night Athens or three-night Rome cruisetour package. In addition to the must-see sites in Athens, guests on this cruisetour will learn the traditional Greek dance of Syartaki and learn to make their own set of Greek Komboloi beads, believed for centuries to possess stress-relieving properties. The Rome cruisetour includes a visit to the Pope’s summer residence and Oastia Antica at the mouth of the Tiber River to see some of the most well-preserved Roman ruins and mosaics, as well as enjoy authentic Italian food and wine tastings and escorted tours of Vatican City’s museums and historic buildings.

In the 2011-12 Austral summer, Azamara Journey guests can choose a three-night Buenos Aires & Iguazu Falls land-tour vacation extension to experience all the culture, flavors, and colors of this vibrant South American city. The cruisetour also takes guests for an overnight to the breathtaking Iguazu Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil.

Guests of Azamara Quest also have a range of cruisetour packages choices for a more in-depth experience in the Near East. A two-night Istanbul cruisetour visits all the iconic sites of this ancient city, including a fortune-reading of guests’ Turkish coffee drippings, while they enjoy a panoramic view of the bustling city from atop Pierre Loti. A four-night Jordan and Israel itinerary delves into the cradle of Western civilization, and a three-night Cairo itinerary features a visit to the wondrous pyramids of Giza on camelback and the labyrinthine Khan El Khalili Bazaar.

In the Far East, guests can rediscover the inland metropolises of India, including Delhi, Agra for the Taj Mahal, and Jaipur on an amazing five-night itinerary. Additionally, a five- or six-night cruisetour itinerary unveils the cultural heritage of China in Beijing, Xian and Hong Kong.

Azamara Club Cruises is a destination-immersive cruise line for upmarket travelers who want to not only see the places and cultures they visit, but to live them. Azamara’s two intimate, 694-guest ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, with a combination of 347 suites and staterooms, offer a boutique European hotel ambience with extraordinary service, fine cuisine and wines from around the world, and wellness and vigor programs, all while sailing to a host of destinations larger ships can’t reach. Azamara Club Cruises sails in Northern and Western Europe, Mediterranean, Asia, South America and the Panama Canal, Transatlantic, and the less-traveled islands of the Caribbean, with more overnight and late-night stays in every region.

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Azamara Announces 2010/11 Asia Cruises

April 8, 2009 – Travelers on a “quest” to spend time exploring Asia’s unique, enchanting culture in relaxed, luxurious style and convenience need look no further than Azamara Cruises' 2010-11 offerings in the region. Beginning in late November of 2010 and continuing through April of 2011, the 694-guest Azamara Quest, which features Azamara butler service in every stateroom, complimentary specialty dining and a laid-back, no-formal-nights elegance, will present her third consecutive Asia season. Rounding out Azamara Quest’s shipboard offerings are a variety of available in-port shore excursions and an in-depth, fully escorted land tour program that can be combined with a cruise to create a cruisetour vacation for even richer exploration of this region. Azamara’s 2010-11 Asia sailings opened for sale today.

Known for visiting off-the-beaten-path destinations, Azamara will visit 21 ports in 10 different countries during its 2010-11 Asia sailing. These countries are Egypt, United Arab Emirates, India, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Japan, and South Korea. Fully escorted pre- and post-cruise land-based tours that can extend a cruise into a “cruisetour” are offered from Beijing and Hong Kong, China.

Azamara Quest’s first Asia offering in the winter of 2010-11 is a 24-night repositioning cruise from Athens to Singapore, departing on November 27. Featuring visits to Alexandria, Egypt; Cochin, India; and Phuket, Thailand; the sailing also features in-port overnight stays in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Bombay (Mumbai), India, as well as passage through the Suez Canal.

Just before the Christmas holiday, Azamara Quest will set sail on the first of the season’s six Southeast Asia voyages between Singapore and Hong Kong, beginning with an 18-night Southeast Asia cruise from Singapore on December 21, 2010, followed by four consecutive 14-night voyages between the two cities. Azamara Quest will sail her last Southeast Asia voyage of the 2010-11 winter season with a 14-night offering from Hong Kong to Singapore on March 29, 2011, before embarking on a 24-night repositioning cruise from Singapore back to Athens on April 12.

The Southeast Asia voyages each include at least four in-port overnight stays, allowing guests the opportunity to further explore the region’s culture and history. Overnights are offered in Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Hanoi (Halong Bay) and Ho Chi Minh City. A voyage taking place during Chinese New Year, departing Singapore for Hong Kong on January 22, 2011, offers overnights in all but one of the ports it visits during the cruise.

Available shore excursions expand the in-port experience. Azamara offers a variety of excursions of different lengths and activity levels. Examples include the two-day, one-night “Essence of Cambodia Overland” excursion out of Bangkok. The highlight of this excursion is a visit to Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world with a volume of stone equaling that of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt. In Ho Chi Minh City, the “Cu Chi Tunnels” excursion takes guests into the tunnels where Vietnamese fighters lived and fought from. Only a few feet wide and five feet high but capable of withstanding the weight of tanks and bombs, the tunnel complex includes underground meeting rooms, kitchens, hospital and sleeping areas.

Two 12-night Northeast Asia cruises, sailing from Hong Kong to Shanghai on March 5, 2011 and from Shanghai to Hong Kong on March 17, will offer completely different itineraries from one another, creating a 24-night back-to-back sailing option for guests who wish to experience mainland China, Japan and South Korea in one trip. The northbound itinerary on March 5 visits Kagoshima, Nagasaki and the stunningly romantic city of Kyoto (Osaka), Japan, as well as Xiamen, China, and Busan, South Korea. Available shore excursions include “Best of Shanghai,” which takes guests into China’s most cosmopolitan city, also known as “Paris of the East.” The excursion includes visits to Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Museum and the Jade Buddha Temple, with a stop at a silk factory, where guests learn how silk is collected and woven into a carpet.

The southbound itinerary on March 17 features an overnight call in Beijing (Tianjin) as well as calls to Seoul (Incheon), South Korea, and two ports new to Azamara: Qingdao, China and Jeju Island, South Korea. Qingdao is located in eastern Shandong province on the Yellow Sea. Host to the sailing regatta during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Qingdao is most famous internationally for its Tsingdao Brewery and its mix of German and Chinese architecture. Jeju Island is a volcanic island to the south of the Korean Peninsula. A popular vacation spot for Korean and Japanese travelers, the island offers a variety of outdoor activities set against a beautiful natural landscape and must-see attractions such as Mt. Hallasan and the Cheonjeyeon and Cheonjiyeon waterfalls.

Azamara’s cruisetours, a combination of a cruise and a fully escorted land-based tour, offer guests the opportunity to deepen their Asia experience. Six different eight-day, seven-night land-based tour packages are available. The pre-cruise package begins in Beijing and ends in Hong Kong; guests board Azamara Quest on the last day of the land package. The post-cruise package begins in Hong Kong and ends in Beijing; after disembarking the ship, guests will be met by their tour director at the pier. Both packages feature multiple opportunities for travelers to engage firsthand with some of China’s most breathtaking sights, scenes and tastes. Some of the most widely known spots that guests on Azamara Cruises’ pre- and post-cruise tours will visit include the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall at Mutianyue, and Victoria Peak. All of these visits – as well as all planned activities in the tours – are fully escorted and guided by knowledgeable escorts who will share a great deal of information about each place. Throughout the eight-day tours, guests will overnight in multiple cities, including Beijing, Xian, Guilin and Hong Kong. Some meals are included, most notably a traditional Peking duck dinner in Beijing, a Chinese dumpling dinner followed by dumpling-making and noodle-throwing demonstrations in Xian, and lunch during a scenic cruise along the River Li in Guilin.

The tours also include visits to museums such as the famed Terracotta Warriors Museum, the Bronze Chariots Museum, Yangling Museum, and Shaanxi Provincial Museum. There, guests will have the opportunity to learn about important historical and cultural milestones in China, while browsing unforgettable collections of artifacts. Guests will also experience several temples, including the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, the Great Mosque of Xian, and Hong Kong’s Man Mo Temple.

Each package includes ground transportation, deluxe hotel accommodations, some meals, and ample time for independent dining, shopping and sightseeing.

All shore excursions, tours and packages are available for an additional charge.

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 694 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. This year, Azamara Cruises presents the best of enchanting Europe, elite Asia, and the most captivating Caribbean and the Panama Canal.