Surprised by the positive reception from both local and international guests, Azamara Club Cruises has announced a third season sailing from Australasian waters.
The announcement comes as the luxury cruise line prepares for Azamara Quest’s inaugural season in Australasia later this year.
The 702-passenger ship will arrive in Darwin on 28 December for a series of itineraries departing from Australia and New Zealand.
Azamara Quest will arrive in Australia later this year.
Azamara Journey will succeed her, visiting for the first time in 2017 before Azamara Quest returns for the line’s third season from Australasia in 2018.
Speaking to KarryOn, Chief Executive Larry Pimentel said the line was ‘surprised’ by how aggressively the seasons have sold.
“I didn’t anticipate it, but on the other hand it’s the first time we’re in the region and the company is known for unique itineraries and destination immersion.”
Larry Pimentel, Azamara Club Cruises CEO
If you have any clients keen to sail on the line’s first season in Aus, then they need to move quickly.
So far, itineraries for the 2015/16 season are 91 percent full and subsequent seasons are selling equally as fast.
What makes Quest and Journey so popular?
They have fine dining, elegance, top entertainment, but Larry says it’s the company’s unique cruising style.
He said while the ships are incredible, it’s the way the line introduces guests to destinations that really sets it apart.
AzAmazing Evenings give guests the chance to experience a destination’s culture and nightlife.
Each Azamara Club voyage features the exclusive AzAmazing Evening events.
There’s one on each itinerary and sees guests enjoy a complimentary night tour to experience the destination’s culture and character.
For example, in Darwin guests will be treated to an evening at Crocosaurus Cove where they will meet the world’s largest captive reptile collection, including nearly 200 saltwater crocodiles.
In Newcastle, there will be an evening with local entertainment featuring Aussies artist, Olivia Chindamo at Fort Scratchley.
Larry said AzAmazing and the focus on destination immersion gives guests something they can’t expect on any other line.
“Some people may refer to us as the ‘no cruise, cruise’ – the reason is because of our destination immersion and exclusive deployment.”
Larry Pimentel, Azamara Club Cruises CEO
While the USA and Canada make up the line’s biggest customer base, Aussies are among their longest cruisers.
Australians on average will cruise a minimum of 13 nights with the line and many will do back-to-back itineraries.