A VISIT TO THE AZAMARA JOURNEY.

In early May, 2007,  Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises decided to start a new upscale cruise line - Azamara Cruises. The ship, which was originally intended to be named the Celebrity Journey, sailed into New York as the Azamara Journey surprising all ship watchers. The same day the ship arrived in New York, Celebrity Cruises announced the introduction of Azamara Cruises.

As part of the announcement, Celebrity Cruises touted, "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, but also introduced an entirely new, deluxe cruise brand: "Azamara Cruises.""

The 30,277 ton, Azamara Journey was constructed in 2000 for Renaissance Cruises. Originally named the R6, she has been sailing for Royal Caribbean's newly purchased Spanish subsidiary Pullmantur, since Renaissance went bankrupt. Seeing the value and the unique positioning of the ship, Royal Caribbean quickly decided to transfer the ship to Celebrity, who then formed the new Azamara Cruises.

Azamara is definitely something special - the minute you board he ship, you feel like you have entered a fine European hotel. The ship is elegantly decorated in Mediterranean tones and cool comforting deep blues. You, you are immediately enveloped in a sense of calmness as you enter this upscale experience.

Designed to offer exotic destination-driven travel experiences, Azamara Cruises' Azamara Journey, set sail May 5, - 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."

General Information

The Azamara onboard experience  is enticing to the 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, the 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.

Accommodations

The Azamara Journey offers 335 staterooms/suites in 15 different categories. All staterooms feature butler service, as well as concierge-style amenities, a daily fruit basket, fresh cut flowers, 24-hour room service, a sweet surprise on your pillow each evening, afternoon canapés, complimentary shoe-shine service, a 23" plasma television, mini-fridge, personal stationery, Elemis bathroom products, one night of complimentary specialty dining, new European bedding, and complimentary use of binoculars, umbrellas and plush robes; and of course, it has been newly decorated to exceed your expectations. Cabin are elegantly appointed in beige and deep blues with dark wood furniture. Storage is adequate. The bathrooms are nicely decorated, although small in nature in standard cabins.

The inside cabins are an equivalent size to their outside counterparts - but you are deprived the ocean view from your cruise experience.

All suites come standard with all of the above, plus butler service, two nights of complimentary specialty dining (one night in each restaurant), complimentary pressing of your laundry, a 23" plasma television, amenity bar, complimentary in-room nonalcoholic specialty coffees, soda and water, expanded Elemis bathroom amenities, afternoon tea service, complimentary bottle of champagne and more. Your suite has also been updated to include all new furnishings, from carpet to fine furniture.

Main Dining:

Each meal on board Azamara is inspired by the bountiful regions through which each itinerary travels and prepared by the most accomplished chefs. To enhance your experience even further, vintages from a most extensive wine list will be offered with each dish. Needless to say, be sure to save room for dessert.

Blau & Associates – often credited with helping transform Las Vegas into a top-tier culinary destination – was tapped four months ago to work with the staff on the Celebrity and Azamara fleets. The partnership follows a long relationship between Celebrity and master chef Michel Roux, which ended this year.

With open seating and stellar nightly selections, the main dining room, Discoveries, is not to be missed. There all classic dinner favorites are knocked-up a notch, Azamara added a deliciously different twist to each, like gulf shrimp with cognac and garlic or a filet mignon with black truffle sauce. What's more, open seating provides you the opportunity to dine at your leisure.

The elegant Discoveries dining room, with it's large windows and rich wood paneling present an excellent environment for enjoying a delicious meal. The dining room continues the color theme found on the ship mixing rich, wood and Mediterranean tones and deep, blue, colors.

Azamara Cruises also presents a wine bar, with a spectacular wine cellar, offering wine and champagne tasting, seminars, and mini-pairings of food and wine, in addition to its standard menu of fine wines by the glass or bottle.

Other dining options include a sushi bar, outdoor grill, specialty restaurants (described below) and 24 hour room service.

The ships do not require formal attire for dining, and feature open seating in the main dining room.

Specialty Restaurants:

Upon entering one of Azamara's specialty restaurants, you will know that something extraordinary is about to happen, and you are in the fortunate position to reap some very delicious rewards. Aqualina and Prime C, the Azamara Journey's two specialty venues, offer guests a dining experience unlike anything else at sea (as well as rivaling those on land).

The Mediterranean-influenced "Aqualina" and the stylish steak and seafood restaurant, "Prime C." offer exquisite service, delicately prepared meals and a warm, cheerful ambiance.

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.

Additional nights at the specialty restaurant are available for an additional surcharge. Aqualina ($20 per person), Prime C ($25 per person) including gratuity. The Aqualina features a special wine pairing menu - which serves a different wine selection, specifically chosen for each course of the dinner. This is available at $50 per person, but the whole table must participate.

Buffet Dining

Buffet dining on the Azamara Journey is very sophisticated.   The Windows Café, offers breakfast and lunch buffets. In the evening, it is transformed into Breeza, which also offers casual dining. The Window's Cafe offers indoor dining, as well as, dining on the outside deck. The outside dining area, located  aft, offers dynamic views of the wake of the ship.

The buffet offers a variety of different entrees, soups, salads, appetizers and deserts.  The area offers duel food set-up, allowing for a quick and efficient food service. I found the food to be unique, good quality and tasty. The food is presented in a manner that gives passengers the feel of elegant dining, opposed to mass produced food.

Spa

Azamara Journey offer an extensive spa program with an emphasis on relaxation, with treatments many cruise travelers have never experienced. Guests in suites can enjoy certain spa services in the privacy of their room. The Journey offers an outdoor spa relaxation lounge and an aesthetics suite offering acupuncture, laser hair removal and microdermabrasion.

To stay fit on your vacation, the Azamara Journey has many options. Located adjacent to the Spa is the fitness center offering weights and various exercise equipment. If you would like to run, the Azamara Journey has a jogging track which encircles the upper level of the pool.

Pool Deck

The Azamara Journey has a very impressive pool area. The ship's moderate size pool is surrounded by wooden recliners with thick deep blue cushions. The deck chairs are meticulously arranged to provide a picture perfect atmosphere. Located next to pool are 2 Jacuzzi's for relaxing on deck.

Enrichment Programs

Azamara's onboard Enrichment Programs are chocked full of knowledge, know-how, and unexpected fun. Each sailing, Azamara invites guest speakers and renowned experts to enlighten our guests in a wide variety of topics, including destinations, technology, cultural explorations, art and music, and design.

For instance, one evening you may attend a lecture about the Oriental culture, or the food of the Caribbean, or how to get all the photos out of your digital camera, the proper way to pair wine (taught by our resident sommelier), or even the latest financial advice from those in-the-know. Azamara's Enrichment Programs are customized to suit our guests and you are sure to find several that pique your interest. Join us and enrich your cruise experience tenfold.

Public Rooms

In addition to the Cabaret Lounge (Described above), the Azamara Jouney has numerous other gathering places. Just adjacent to the Discoveries Dining Room is the Discoveries Lounge. Decorated in rich wood tones, this venue's decor compliments the dining room. This room is ideal for a pre-dinner cocktail or afternoon drink.

Michael's Club, with it's fireplace, serves dual functions as the ship's library and piano bar. The lounge has the feel of a country manor's den or study. The room is ideal for enjoying piano music or afternoon tea.

The ship has a moderate size casino - the Casino Luxe - for your gaming pleasure. The room has all of the standard table games and slot machines.

The signature Cova Cafe Coffee Shop is ideal for various variations of coffees, teas, liquors and other beverages as well as cakes, cookies and pastries.

High above the ship, looking forward, is the Looking Glass Lounge. This lounge has large floor to ceiling windows, providing panoramic views of the ocean. The room is adorned with numerous decorative glass creations including platters and even birds of blown glass. These glass artworks add color and design to the lounge. Here you can also find binoculars mounted to floor stands for passengers to use for their viewing pleasure.

While at sea, enjoy shopping at any of the ship's three upscale shops featuring jewelry, liquor, golf shop and more.

The ship has an internet cafe with 15 terminals and the entire ships is wireless internet enabled. Internet access is available at an additional charge.

Service

I found the crew to be very friendly, dedicated and always willing to please. I was always greeted with a smile and a good afternoon. Shortly after the introduction of the Azamara Journey, the crew count has increased from 370 to 408 to help address gaps in service and provide a more refined experience. I found the service and attitude of the crew to be superior when compare to most mass market ships.

Itineraries

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.

Both ships will feature an onboard “excursion expert” who will help guests select shore programs based on their personal interests and serve as a destination guide, offering information about the culture and history of each port of call.

Azamara ships will occasionally sail from New York/Cape Liberty Bayonne New Jersey.

Kids Program

The Azamara Journey is a sophisticated, adults only experience and not recommended for children. Although there was a children's program on her 7-day Bermuda sailings, there will NOT be any structured children's program on future sailings.

Attire

Attire onboard is resort casual.

For the ship's dining rooms, the attire is Sophisticated casual.

• Ladies: Dress Pants suit or sporty outfit.
• Gentlemen: Sports Shirt and slacks (Jacket and Tie Optional).
• NO jeans, caps, tank tops are permitted in the these area. Shorts are not allowed during dinner.

Windows Cafe/Breeza: No Bare feet, tank tops or caps allowed during dinner.

Conclusion

The Azamara Journey did encounter some issues initially, as the crew was trained, food service perfected and some of the kinks worked out.  Azamara Cruises has worked aggressively to get these issues resolved and provide one of the highest quality cruise experiences available. The Azamara Journey feels more like a European hotel than a cruise ship. The decor and color schemes are pleasing to the eye and inviting.

The crew is always willing to help and the onboard service is very attentive. The food is very good, with the right combination of variety and selection. The presentation of the food is exceptional.

There are many special touches on the Azamara Journey - from the moment you step aboard and receive your welcoming mimosa. And what could be better than canapés each afternoon and a nightly treat on your pillow? For those wishing to stay fit, the Azamara Journey offers yoga at sunset, Pilates classes, and a world-class Spa and Wellness Center featuring exclusive Elemis treatments (there also happens to be an outdoor spa and relaxation room). If you choose, enrich yourself with lectures by renowned speakers or simply retire to your stateroom, filled with brilliant touches.

The cabins are nicely appointed and have an air of sophistication, Cabins are moderate in size with adequate storage. Much like any other ship, the bathrooms are quite compact but functional.

There is, of course, butler service to satisfy your every whim, and  in-room spa services, too. Those with a passion for delectable dining will adore our two onboard specialty restaurants; they're the finest at sea. Or, you may find a quiet corner in the piano bar and reminisce about your day. Live entertainment rivals those in big cities and offers a variety of music and genres.

According to Azamara Cruises President Dan Hanrahan,  "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."

Overall, the Azamara Journey provides a high quality experience and  interesting itineraries at slightly higher per diem.