27.05.2008

Azamara Cruises debuts in Central London

First port of call for newly formed luxury cruise brand

Azamara Jouirney in central London

Monte Carlo, Rio de Janeiro, and now London – just some of the destinations visited by luxury cruise line Azamara Cruises as the 694-guest Azamara Journey sails up the Thames and docks in London for the first time today, 27th May 2008.

At 593 feet long, 95 feet wide and 30,000 GRT, Azamara Journey is one of the largest cruise ships ever to come into central London and will be moored in the centre of the River Thames, under the shadow of Tower Bridge for two nights. The call into London is part of a 16 night cruise that departed Barcelona on the 16th May 2008.

Summer 2008 is the first European season for the premium cruise brand Azamara Cruises. The deluxe cruise line, part of the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line family, was formed in May 2007 to allow worldwide travellers to enjoy first-class ships that can visit less traditional cruise destinations because of their smaller size. 

Features onboard Azamara Journey include 42 suites and 311 staterooms, butler service with every stateroom and suite, two speciality restaurants, Prime C and Aqualina with complimentary dining, four alternative dining areas and an AquaSpa by Elemis. 

Azamara Journey was refurbished in Spring 2007 undergoing a $19million makeover. The ship previously sailed with Pullmantur, a Spanish cruise and tour operator, acquired by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in 2006. Azamara Journey entered service originally in May 2000 as Renaissance R6 and following extensive renovation in 2007 has sailed as Azamara Journey under the Azamara Cruises brand for the last year. 

Azamara Journey passing the Dome

As part of its European season, Azamara Journey will return to the London skyline in August 2008 as part of a two-night stay in the city for guests on a 16 night Western Europe cruise from Copenhagen.

Azamara Journey will also visit other ports in the UK and Ireland including Edinburgh, Inverness, Oban, Belfast, Dublin and Falmouth.

Following the 2008 European summer season, Azamara Journey will sail to the Caribbean before returning to Europe in 2009. Azamara Cruises’ series of seven to 15-night Europe itineraries in 2009 will visit 91 ports in 36 countries, and depart from five different homeports: Athens, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Rome and Venice. Overnight stays will be offered in Barcelona, Edinburgh, Florence, Istanbul, Ravenna, St. Petersburg, and Stockholm. Late-night (10 pm or after) departures will be offered in 10 further ports of call. Azamara Journey will be joined by sister-ship Azamara Quest in Europe in Summer 2009.