Azamara Club Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s destination immersion cruise line, has unveiled its 2019 itineraries with a record 250 ports of call, 45 of which are being visited for the first time. The new itineraries will span 69 countries, include 94 overnight experiences, and feature a total of 145 stays in port until after 8:00 p.m. In addition, the cruise line is introducing Alaskan sailings for the first time, nine cruises to destinations hosting special events (such as the Monte Carlo Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Venice Redentore Festival), and nine destination immersion cruises.
“Our 2019 itineraries extend around the world with new ports and destinations like Alaska, and delve even deeper into the local culture of each location,” said Larry Pimentel, President and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises. “With these new itineraries, we continue to strengthen our positioning based on the motto ‘Stay longer. Experience more,’ through more onshore offerings that allow travelers to connect with the people of the places they visit, further enriching their journeys both on land and at sea.”
Alaska Azamara offers a new variety of Alaskan experiences through 11 cruises ranging from eight to ten days, between May and September 2019. These cruises feature extended stays in port, giving travelers the opportunity to experience authentic evenings in the land of the midnight sun. The AzAmazing Evenings will offer exclusive experiences, including small-group shore excursions: a scenic drive to Picture Point along the Chilkat River and a guided tour of the Hammer Museum; a walk through a rustic setting with a fresh seafood tasting led by an Alaskan fisherman and a fish-cutting demonstration; and an exhilarating helicopter tour to the Mendenhall Glacier, followed by a thrilling sled ride pulled by 300 Alaskan huskies.
Azamara offers a program of land and sea experiences that includes two to six nights' stays on land before and after a cruise, with the aim of living a truly immersive experience: Wild Alaska, Native Villages to get to know the local community in the most authentic way, a river cruise, or an afternoon at a local dog house, where guests can interact with Alaskan Huskies.
The company's immersive itineraries are characterized by offering longer stays and more nights in their destinations around the world, including smaller ports that only smaller vessels can visit.
- Local Golf with Perry Golf: In collaboration with Perry Golf, Azamara adds eight new cruises for golf enthusiasts, including The British Open in Portrush, Northern Ireland and the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.
- Special events: Azamara organizes cruises aimed at those who want to enjoy unique experiences in the front row, such as some of the biggest festivals and events around the world: the Monaco Grand Prix and the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Cannes Film Festival or even an Annular Solar Eclipse over the Indian Ocean.
- Country Intensive Voyages: These trips allow travelers to explore a country in depth and comfort, achieving greater immersion in its culture, landmarks, and traditions. Japan, New Zealand, Mexico, Norway, Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, and Greece are among the countries included in these itineraries.
In 2019, Azamara will add 45 new ports of call, including Aalborg, Denmark; Lorient, France; Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Borocay Island, Philippines; and Stewart Island, New Zealand, among others.
Azamara recently launched its Cruise Global, Connect Local shore excursions, offering an unprecedented array of over a thousand new and exclusive land-based programs. Azamara's team of experts has developed customized experiences to suit every travel style, from those who want to explore the landscapes of their destinations (Cruise Global, Meet Local), savor the local cuisine and wines (Cruise Global, Taste Local), enjoy guided historical tours (Cruise Global, View Local), experience exclusive evenings (Cruise Global, Nights Local), or go cycling (Cruise Global, Bike Local), among other ways to travel and discover a destination more deeply. All travelers can experience the renowned AzAmazing Evenings, which guarantee authentic cultural immersion and local entertainment in iconic locations such as French castles, Caribbean gardens, Spanish fortresses, Russian ballet halls, and Roman amphitheaters.
Azamara's ships have been completely refurbished, so travelers aboard the Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest enjoy authentic, friendly, and personalized service, as well as fine dining and excellent international wines. They also have other included amenities such as gratuities, bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas, international wines and beers, and spirits in all the onboard bars and restaurants. Furthermore, they provide convenient transportation from the port to city centers. These ships, with a capacity of 690 passengers, offer a boutique hotel atmosphere, with a modern design inspired by the diverse destinations Azamara visits.
