Azamara Cancels World Cruise Planned for 2010

[Host Andy]

Hi Everyone !

I just read on Seatrade that Azamara has dropped the World Cruise Planned for 2010. They also said that 2010 itineraries for Journey and Quest will be announced in March or Early April.

Here is the link for the story. You need to subscribe (but it's free !)

http://www.cruise-community.com/ShowStory.asp?ID=13332

I thought you would like to know this news.

[florisdekort]

http://media.azamaracruises.com/azamara/content/images/about_azamara/press_room_details_hdr.gif

Azamara Cruises Announces New Deployment for Azamara Journey


Miami - (January 08, 2008 ) - Deluxe cruise line Azamara Cruises has announced new itineraries for Azamara Journey beginning in the fall of 2008. On November 12, 2008, the ship will sail a new, 12-night Western Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Barcelona. On December 3, 2008, the ship will sail from Barcelona on a 15-night transatlantic voyage concluding in Miami, where Azamara will present two new, 16-night Panama Canal sailings, followed by a series of 12-night exotic Caribbean cruises through March 2009, when the ship will relocate to Europe. Azamara Journey will retain its current, published itinerary lineup until the November 12 sailing. The new deployment replaces the itineraries previously announced for Azamara Journey in South America from December 2008 through March 2009. "Demand from both our travel agent partners and guests for our new Asia and exotic Caribbean cruises has led us to focus on these markets in lieu of South America and a world cruise," said Azamara’s President and CEO Dan Hanrahan.

These changes will replace Azamara's previously announced 2008-2009 sailings in South America and world cruise in 2010. Azamara Cruises plans to announce details of its 2010 cruise itineraries for both Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest in late March or early April.

The name "Azamara" is a coined term, rooted in Romance language references to blue ("aza"), the sea ("mar"), and a lesser-known word, "acamar," which, in Classical times, was the southernmost bright star that could be seen from the latitude of Greece. Azamara Cruises views its brand as "a bright star on the deep blue sea." Azamara Cruises unlocks the hidden corners of the world for those who desire to immerse themselves in the rich details of every voyage. The deluxe ships – Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest – offer an intimate experience, while allowing access to exotic destinations experienced travelers long to reach. For the 694 guests on each Azamara Cruises ship, every moment at sea embodies the pinnacle of luxury, and each footstep on shore accentuates the difference between visiting a place and getting a true sense of place. Visit Azamara Cruises website for more information. This year, Azamara Cruises presents the best of South America and the Panama Canal, elite Asia, the most captivating Caribbean and enchanting Europe. To book cruises, guests are invited to call their travel agents or contact an Azamara Certified Vacation Planner at 1-877-999-9553.

[florisdekort]

Bummer :(

[RLM77]

Hmmm. Should we give management credit for cutting their potential losses and regrouping? Or should we be critical for another example of the apparent indecision that has plagued Azamara for much of its first year? This line needs to decide what it wants to be going forward and decide what demographic that it is targeting. Is it head to head with Oceania or is it a slightly enhanced, small-ship version of Celebrity? [Or maybe they want to be Crystal Lite.:D Sorry, I couldn't resist!] They need to figure this out rather quickly. The "right" itineraries are an outgrowth of this core decision.

On a somewhat unrelated subject, I note that the new schedule spends about the shortest time possible outside Europe - out in December, back in March. This is a small ship that won't impact European cruise capacity in a meaningful way, but I still have to wonder if that market isn't becoming as saturated as the Caribbean was a few years back? Just a thought...

Rich

[Host Andy]

Hmmm. Should we give management credit for cutting their potential losses and regrouping? Or should we be critical for another example of the apparent indecision that has plagued Azamara for much of its first year? This line needs to decide what it wants to be going forward and decide what demographic that it is targeting. Is it head to head with Oceania or is it a slightly enhanced, small-ship version of Celebrity? [Or maybe they want to be Crystal Lite.:D Sorry, I couldn't resist!] They need to figure this out rather quickly. The "right" itineraries are an outgrowth of this core decision.

On a somewhat unrelated subject, I note that the new schedule spends about the shortest time possible outside Europe - out in December, back in March. This is a small ship that won't impact European cruise capacity in a meaningful way, but I still have to wonder if that market isn't becoming as saturated as the Caribbean was a few years back? Just a thought...

Rich


Hi Rich !

I agree with you. I give Azamara a lot of credit for realizing that some itineraries were not selling, and putting the ship where they have had success.

As you may know, I have been quite vocal for some time, about the possibility of Europe being overdeployed. I feel it may become an even bigger issue, now that the economy is on the decline, and some may be re-thinking their plans to travel overseas. While it may not affect Azamara much, this could have been a part of their thinking. I am very curious to see how Europe's sucesss (or not) plays out in 2008 and 2009. Only time will tell.