Azamara Club Cruises, the cruise line formerly known as Azamara Cruises, has unveiled some exciting features along with their new name. Last week, Jo Kling, CEO of Seasite.com and Joyce Landry, CEO of Landry & Kling, were among the 40 seasoned cruise and travel professionals invited to tour the Azamara Journey in Miami.

Recognizing that the 684-passenger Azamara Journey and sister ship Azamara Quest are ideal for full-ship charters, Azamara President and CEO Larry Pimentel told the group “We’re going to be one of the most charter-friendly companies to deal with.”

In an effort to meet the demands of  meeting and group event planners, shorter 7-day itineraries and a quicker quote process are in the works. Jo Kling was pleased with the news, commenting “There were some very positive messages for our sector of the business – wanting to be the most charter friendly, turning quotes around quickly. They really get it: that these groups need custom services.”

Joyce Landry remarked, “The ship reminded me of the original Royal Viking ships… smaller, deluxe vessels. They’re also adding more overnight stays in port, so you can see St. Tropez at night, for example, which is how it should be seen. I would like to cruise on this ship myself – and that says a lot for someone who has been on as many ships as I have.  It reminded me of the type of cruising that lured me into this industry 30 years ago.”

Beginning in early April, 2010, guests sailing on the casually sophisticated, country-club style ships will enjoy these enhanced amenities:

• Complimentary bottled water, sodas, and specialty coffees
• Select wines included with lunch and dinner
• Gratuities for housekeeping and dining included
• Shuttle bus service to/from port communities, where available
• Specialty dining in Prime C and Aqualina Restaurants complimentary for suite guests, ($15 cover for other guests)
• True butler service for suite guests
• Destination-influenced entertainment and enrichment programs
• Complimentary self-service laundry

Azamara Club cruises are destination-focused to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The ships will visit 140 ports in 50 countries; and with more overnight stays in cities like Nice, Venice, and Dubrovnik, Croatia; your attendees can immerse themselves in local culture and nightlife.

More active excursions will tie in with the onboard food and wellness themes, such as hiking and visiting local markets. A few of the specialty tours sure to wow your group include: a Ferrari driving tour in Civitavecchia, Italy; a visit to Liverpool “In the Steps of the Beatles”; Croatian liqueur tasting in Zadar; an Imperial Russian Court evening in St. Petersburg; and an evening gondola serenade in Venice.

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