Azamara Cruises recently kicked off its largest ever ship visit programme for UK travel agents.  The summer programme will see the UK Sales Team welcome more agents onboard than ever before. It is giving over 500 travel advisors the chance to experience the product first-hand and enhance their brand expertise. A total of eleven visits will take place at eight different ports, across England, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Stuart Pearce, Head of Trade Sales UK & Ireland said: “We’re really excited to be reaching a record number of travel agents this summer and welcoming many advisors onboard for the very first time”. "We look forward to these visits every year - they are a great opportunity for agents to immerse themselves in the Azamara Cruises offering to sell successfully”. The group visits will include a full tour of the ship, from staterooms to the entertainment and dining venues, as well as a three-course lunch at the specialty restaurant, Aqualina. Agents will also receive a brand update with tips on how to use Azamara Cruises’ new booking system. Visits will then take place in Dublin (1 July), Cobh (3 July) and Belfast (8 July). Azamara Quest will arrive in Greenock (21 July) then make her way to Leith (14-15 August), before travelling to Aberdeen (16 August), Liverpool (22 August) and finally Southampton (3 September), meeting with Azamara Onward. Azamara Cruises launched a new UK Call Centre that launched this month to offer more tailored support to agents and consumers. The team will also host an additional ship visit onboard Azamara Quest at CLIA’s oversees trade event in Gibraltar on the 15 September. 

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Small ship line Azamara Cruises has welcomed Dondra Ritzenthaler who has officially started her role as the new Chief Executive Officer.  Ritzenthaler has more than four decades of travel industry experience, including extensive experience in the cruise sector. "I'm thrilled to be officially joining the incredible Azamara team," she said. "I am very proud of what Azamara has already built and their growth as an independent cruise line, and I plan to drive our company's growth even further." Dan Hanrahan, Chair of Azamara Cruises, said: "We are confident that she will lead our team to into a new phase of growth continuing our commitment to exceptional guest experience.” 

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Azamara Cruises has hired Peter Ryan as new Business Development Manager, UK & Ireland. He brings more than 25 years' travel industry experience. His previous roles were at Thomas Cook, Classic Travel Worldchoice and most recently, Celebrity Cruises. At Celebrity Cruises, he held the role of Regional Sales Manager for the Southeast, responsible for managing trade partner head office accounts and driving commercial targets. Ryan also played an integral role in ship launches such as Celebrity Beyond and hosting ship visits with trade partners throughout the summer season in Southampton. Prior to Celebrity Cruises, he spent 14 years at Thomas Cook, managing sales and profitability across retail branches. Stuart Pearce, Head of Trade Sales UK, at Azamara said: "His connections within the cruise sector will help us continue to support and build our network of independent, consortia and retail travel agents ". "I have been a fan of the Azamara brand for many years, and so look forward to help drive further growth for the company in the UK market".

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Azamara Cruises ship Azamara Onward' has completed a rare port call at remote Pitcairn Island during its 2024 World Cruise. It is a first for the cruise line to a place where few cruise ship guests get the opportunity to visit. The island is known for unpredictable weather patterns. "The weather usually does not cooperate, and there are no bays or coves for the ship to anchor in," said Michael Pawlus, Head of Itinerary Planning at Azamara. "This is the very first time in my career that I have seen the weather allow for guests to go ashore on Pitcairn Island." The island is home to only about 50 residents – descendants of the HMS Bounty mutineers and Polynesians. Azamara's 2025 World Cruise is on sale. The 155-night expedition explores 37 countries. 

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Small ship line Azamara has waved off Azamara Onward on its first-ever world cruise. The ship is on a 155-night journey that will visit 40 countries. It was marked by a World Cruise Welcome Party at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale before officially setting sail. During the next five months, Azamara Onward will call at six continents with Extended Destination Days comprising 22 overnight stays and 27 late nights in port. The sold-out sailing also features 11 AzAmazing Celebrations and three exclusive World Cruise events for guests. The demand for the 2024 World Cruise has led Azamara to introduce additional world cruises for 2025 and 2026, both of which are on sale.

Azamara has debuted a new referral program, 'Refer-a-Friend'. It provides an easy and lucrative way for Azamara advocates to bring their friends and family onboard to experience cruising the Azamara way. Both referrers and referees get rewards like a $200 digital Visa gift card. Referrers can share their personal referral link with travellers who have not previously sailed with the cruise line in the last five years. This can be shared via email, text message, or through social media platforms. Once the referees have booked an Azamara cruise through the respective link, the advocate will receive a $200 digital Visa gift card. The new guest will receive a $200 digital gift card 90 days before their Azamara cruise date. Guests can make up to two referrals per year.  

Small ship line Azamara has announced a leadership shakeup with a new cruise line CEO named. It unveiled two senior executives tasked with leading the company in its next phase of growth. Dondra Ritzenthaler has been named incoming cruise line CEO. Ritzenthaler is a travel industry veteran who was most recently the Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Services for the Americas for Celebrity Cruises. Prior to her 20 years with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, she spent nearly 20 years with American Airlines in a number of sales and marketing leadership roles. Ms. Ritzenthaler will start her role at Azamara in May 2024. Until then, Chair of Azamara, Dan Hanrahan will provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of the team. " I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the company into its next chapter," said Ritzenthaler. President Carol Cabezas has stepped down, Azamara confirmed. Alain Ferzli joins Azamara as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Ferzli has more than 20 years of experience. He served as the acting Chief Financial Officer for Virgin Voyages and in various financial leadership roles with Royal Caribbean. Hanrahan said, "Our team has worked diligently to maintain a solid foundation for Azamara amid unique industry-wide challenges over the last several years.” Dondra and Alain's deep knowledge will support the focus of realizing Azamara's full potential."

Azamara, has launched a 'Work & Wander' package targeting nomadic business professionals. Aiming to lure remote workers looking to combine business with exploration, Azamara is touting speedy, stable high-speed cruise ship Wi-Fi from Starlink. It includes office equipment and dedicated IT support. For leisure, guests can enjoy extended destination days, including late nights and overnights in port. "The 'Work & Wander' package gives professionals the opportunity to take their work with them as they set sail." said Carol Cabezas, President of Azamara. "Our guests already consider our ships to be a home away from home, and now our ships can be their floating office too." With the package inclusive of Starlink high-speed cruise ship Wi-Fi and access to monitors, mice, keyboards, and adapters, guests can easilystay connected with colleagues andattend virtual meetings. Azamara cruises boast extended destination days with 10 or more hours in port, allowing guests to balance work and travel experiences.

Azamara is launching longer, more immersive Grand Voyages. These longer sailings spend more time in port and include added amenities, like airfare and up to $1,200 in shore excursion credits. Azamara extended journeys cross continents, from destinations such as Tasmania, to Niigata, Japan. "Over the past few years, we've seen more of our guests opting for longer itineraries and back-to-back sailings," said Carol Cabezas, President of Azamara. "In response, we've created Grand Voyages to encourage our guests to travel farther and delve even deeper into the cultures, cuisines, and traditions.” Ships will offer voyages from South Africa to Portugal, or from Japan to Greece. Each Grand Voyage offers extended destination days, providing 10 or more hours in port including late and overnight stays. Some itineraries featuring more than 30 extended destination days. Azamara's Grand Voyages have added amenities: complimentary economy class air, and up to $1,200 in shore excursion credits. Additionally, there is an upgraded premium beverage package, Wi-Fi for two devices, and weekly laundry service. This is in addition to normal inclusions on every sailing with Always Azamara: five dining options, beverages including alcohol 24/7, gratuities, and exclusive cultural events. Azamara's 11 Grand Voyages for 2024 and 2025 include the 37-night South Africa to Portugal Grand Voyage on Azamara Pursuit, departing February 8, 2024 and the 41-night Japan to Greece Grand Voyage on Azamara Journey, departing April 18, 2024

 

From Seville’s April Festival to end-of-the year celebrations in Singapore and Vietnam, travellers can experience the world’s rich cultures with added itineraries

  Azamara – the small-ship cruise line and leader in Destination Immersion® experiences – is excited to announce four new voyages, each offering unique and immersive cultural experiences that will take guests even deeper into the heart of a destination. With more time to explore through Extended Destination Days, offering 10 or more hours in port, and overnight stays, guests can enjoy each city at their own pace.   “We are thrilled to offer these new sailings, giving our guests the opportunity to experience some truly special celebrations around the world,” said Michael Pawlus, Head of Itinerary Planning at Azamara. “With these new itineraries, we invite our guests to spend even more time in port with us as they enjoy local festivities in wonderful countries such as Spain, Portugal, Singapore, Vietnam, and beyond.”   Travellers can now book Azamara’s new itineraries, which include:  

• 7-Night Asian Holiday Voyage onboard Azamara Journey
  • Setting sail from Singapore on 5^th December 2023 and offering 92 hours in port, guests will enjoy two overnight stays in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s largest city, to stroll through local markets ahead of the famed Vietnamese festival celebrating the Lunar New Year, Tet Nguyen Dan. Guests will also have an overnight stay in Singapore to attend Christmas on Great Street, with sparkling lights, decorations, and local holiday performances.
• 7-Night St. Patrick’s Day Iberian Voyage on Azamara Pursuit
  • Sailing from Lisbon, Portugal on 16^th March 2024 to give guests 80 hours in port, travellers can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day exploring Irish pubs alongside locals in Portimão, Portugal. With a total of four Extended Destination Days and an overnight stay in Lisbon, guests will have ample time to uncover the hidden gems of each destination.
• 7-Night Celebration of Spanish Culture & History Voyage on Azamara Quest
  • Guests onboard this Spain intensive voyage embarking from Lisbon, Portugal on 1^st April 2024 will have 66.5 hours in port and the unique access of small-ship cruising for an overnight in Seville to visit the Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and home to historic treasures, including the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Travellers will also be able to explore one of the few circular castles in Europe, Bellver Castle in Palma, Majorca.
• 7-Night Spanish Wine Discoveries Voyage on Azamara Quest
  • Travellers can celebrate the first day of Feria de Abril, the largest and most colourful festival in Seville with traditional music, flamenco dancers, and traditional meals. This Spain intensive voyage will set sail on 8^th April 2024 from Barcelona, Spain, giving guests 83 hours in port, and concluding with an overnight stay in Lisbon, Portugal.