Azamara Cruises, cruise line review, ships of Azamara.
Azamara Cruises is separate brand under the Royal Caribbean International umbrella. The two ships in the company were acquired as part of the acquisition of Spanish cruise operator Pulmatur in 2006. The ships are two of the former Renaissance R-ships, of which eight were built (all identical). At first, the ships were assigned to the Celebrity Expeditions branch of Celebrity Cruises (another cruise line under the Royal Caribbean International umbrella), but it was later decided, quite suddenly, to give these ships their own brand name in order to differentiate what they offer from Celebrity.
As discussed above, Azamara is a spinoff from Celebrity which is owned by Royal Caribbean. Unlike Carnival Corp, where every compnay in the fold is truly independently operated, in this case almost the decision making is done at the very top of the corporate ladder. So, as a brand, Azamara is designed to appeal to the more adventurous traveler who wants the sophistication of the Celebrity ships with the more exotic and adventurous itineraries a smaller ship can offer. Think of a smaller Celebrity ship where every passenger receives suite-like amenities.
This is not to say every stateroom is a suite. The ships each have the usual assortment of inside, oceanview, balcony and suite categories. But the ships themselves (there are only two of them) only carry 694 passengers, and each stateroom comes with butler service, a daily fruit basket, fresh cut flowers, 24-hour room service, a sweet surprise on your pillow each evening, afternoon canap???s, complimentary shoe-shine service, a 23" plasma television, personal stationery, Elemis bathroom products, two nights of complimentary specialty dining, new European bedding, and complimentary use of binoculars, umbrellas and plush robes.
People who book suites get, in addition; three nights of complimentary specialty dining (one night in each specialty restaurant), complimentary pressing of their laundry, a 23" plasma television, amenity bar, complimentary in-room nonalcoholic specialty coffees, soda and water, expanded Elemis bathroom amenities, afternoon tea service, a complimentary bottle of champagne and more. All suites have also been updated to include all new carpet and fine furniture.
Azamara focuses on the worldly passenger interested in knowledge and self-improvement. Even on the balmiest afternoon, far fewer fellow passengers are likely to be sunning by the pool than inside listening attentively to a guest expert lecture about destinations, technology, cultural explorations, art, music or design. Topics on tap usually relate to your destination or else cover a topic of more universal interest. Count on lectures on food and wine.
Entertainment options are simple yet diverse musical offerings that range from upbeat dance bands to intimate piano bar entertainers. The showcase theatre features a talented cast of singers and dancers as well as a host of variety entertainers.
Mostly widely-traveled couples in the 40 to 65 age group looking for good service and unusual destinations. Don't expect to see many if any children at all, especially on longer voyages.
The dress code is always resort casual with no scheduled formal nights. Formal attire is welcomed if the guest desires to wear it. No bare feet, tank tops, caps, bathing suits, or jeans are allowed in the dining room or specialty restaurants. Additionally, no tuxedo rentals will be available onboard.
Examples of resort casual attire include sportswear, shorts, casual dresses, skirts, and pants in light fabrics such as linen, cotton, silk and wool gabardine for the women. For the men the line recommends sportswear, golf shirts, shorts, pants, and a sportcoat if desired, (but not required) in light fabrics such as linen, cotton, silk and wool gabardine.
The focus for Azamara is adventure or intellectual destinations; itineraries will offer the far-reaching corners of the world. Azamara's shore excursions are said to go far beyond an ordinary tour; one must be prepared to be totally and completely immersed in local cultures, cuisines, history and lifestyle.
The brand boasts that each excursion is an experience unto itself solely because the ships visit the ports and cities that larger cruise ship rarely see. Let experienced guides take you down cobblestone streets; or relax in local haunts that far off the beaten path; taste authentic, local cuisine. "Experience life around the world" is part of the new brand identity.
Azamara Cruises will not offer any formal children's programming or have youth staff onboard. If you choose to take your kids, which obviously is not encouraged, you will be pretty much on your own. When in port the shore excursions deemed "easy" are said to be most suitable for families with children. The only other solace kids can look frward to on these ships will be rentals of Sony PSP (Portable PlayStation) units.
Celebrity's Captain's Club will extend to guests who become loyal guests of Azamara. Captain's Club members on Azamara will receive benefits similar to Celebrity. Reciprocal benefits apply between Azamara, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean whose Captain's Club program has been extended to cover the new brand, reciprocity benefits remain unchanged. Azamara guests who are Captain's Club members will be credited on their Celebrity's Captain's Club account.
The rewards program for Azamara Cruises is the same as for Celebrity Cruises, you can redeem credit card rewards points for onboard credits or cruise discounts with the exception of having the ability to redeem points for complimentary upgrades and cruises. If you are using your Celebrity Rewards credit card, you will receive double points for any dollars spent while onboard.
For your convenience, a gratuity in recognition of outstanding personal service of $12.25 per Guest, per day, will be automatically added to your SeaPassSM Account. This covers your Butler & Stateroom Attendant as well as all restaurant staff. Since our ships offer multiple open-seating dining venues and you will likely be served by many different staff members during the course of your stay onboard, the restaurant staff allotment is evenly distributed among them.
Please note that Bar & Wine personnel are acknowledged with the standard 18% of the beverages and wines billed for the service rendered.
Carnival Dream - Discount Cruises, Last-Minute Cruises, Short Notice Cruises - Vacations To Go
Travel aboard the innovative Carnival Dream, the largest vessel in the Fun Ship fleet. With elaborate facilities for children of all ages and high-occupancy cabins, the ship is perfect for families. Among the ship??s highlights are the two-level miniature golf course, WaterWorks aqua park, the Piazza??s live music venue and dance floor, and several lounges and bars. Three children??s programs include Camp Carnival for ages 2-11, Circle C for ages 12-14, and Club O2 for teens 15-17. While the kids are enjoying all these programs have to offer, adults have plenty to choose from as well. Visit the elaborate Cloud 9 spa, the resort-style pool or one of several scenic whirlpools extending beyond the ship's beam. For a little privacy, adults on board can also enjoy Serenity, an adults-only retreat. In addition to a variety of traditional staterooms, the Dream offers a new category of cove balcony staterooms, located closer to the water line.
Bequia, Grenadines
Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
Cabrits, Dominica
Cancun (Calica), Mexico
Cancun (Playa del Carmen), Mexico
Cartagena, Colombia
Catalina Island, Dominican Republic
Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic
Charlestown, Nevis
Costa Maya, Mexico
Cozumel, Mexico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Curacao, Netherlands Antilles
Fort-de-France, Martinique
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands
Gustavia, St. Barthelemy, Guadeloupe
Iles Des Saintes, Guadeloupe
Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands
Key West, FL
La Romana (Casa de Campo), Dominican Republic
Labadee, Haiti
Majahual, Mexico
Margarita Island, Venezuela
Mayreau, Grenadines
Merida (Progreso), Mexico
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Nevis, British West Indies
Norman Island, British V.I.
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Port Antonio, Jamaica
Portsmouth, Dominica
Roseau, Dominica
Saba, Netherlands Antilles
Samana, Dominican Republic
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
St. Barts
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Kitts
St. Lucia
St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
St. Martin
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Vincent
Tobago Cays, Grenadines
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
