Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted January 19, 2021 #1 Share Posted January 19, 2021 New article on Cruise Critic: Royal Caribbean Group to Sell Azamara I've been expecting this sale for some time, as RCG clearly had no interest in maintaining Azamara. But it seems even less likely to prosper as a standalone under Sycamore, which has a reputation as a vulture. My best hope at this point is that this is a holding action until Sycamore can sell Azamara to another cruise operator – and Windstar seems best positioned (IMHO) for that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted January 21, 2021 #2 Share Posted January 21, 2021 (edited) Good God I hope not. I can't imagine any Windstar passenger being even remotely interested in ships that large. Most are 600-800 or so passengers, and with what I understand they are quite long in the tooth. I suspect that they will go to one of the Asian operators. They might be perfect for a Chinese line. Edited January 21, 2021 by ducklite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r&rd Posted January 21, 2021 #3 Share Posted January 21, 2021 i am a loyalist to both brands but for different reasons. I have over 300 nights on Windstar and over 100 on Azamara. They both focus on the itinerary, on more time ashore than on the ship, on service, and on happy crew membersI don't find the 600 people too large given the space available on the ship but I go on Azamara for different reasons than I go on Windstar. I hope they don't combine because I wouldn't want either brand diluted. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNgardens Posted January 21, 2021 #4 Share Posted January 21, 2021 I too have cruised on both and liked them both. Azamara gets a lot of people being grumpy about the size of the bathrooms. Coming from the Wind Spirit and Wind Star, the Azamara bathrooms are fine. Like on the Windstar ships, there were never any lines for events or dinners. It was quiet by the pool. No tacky contests or pervasive drunkeness. I have happy to entertain this day dream. It could be a match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milepig Posted January 22, 2021 #5 Share Posted January 22, 2021 Interesting. I continue to hear rumors that WS is looking for a river cruise like they can pick up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted January 22, 2021 Author #6 Share Posted January 22, 2021 1 hour ago, milepig said: Interesting. I continue to hear rumors that WS is looking for a river cruise like they can pick up. The trifecta would be ocean, river + expedition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redtravel Posted January 22, 2021 #7 Share Posted January 22, 2021 Like Azamara. Love Windstar. 180 degrees different Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strenz Posted January 23, 2021 #8 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Absolutely not. The last thing WS needs is a larger, used, motor ship. WS needs to purchase the new full rigged clipper ship that the British travel company Tradewinds is leasing named Golden Horizon. She is drop dead beautiful and from the little I know Star Clippers decided not to buy her due to lengthy delays in being built. She is for sail so I read. What a great ship, that would add more character and even more excitement. She would be a great enhancement to the brand. Happy Sailing 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petoonya Posted January 23, 2021 #9 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Golden Horizon really looks like a beautiful ship and agree would add more excitement (not that anymore is needed) to the line. I was excited to hear others think that Azamara could fit with the WS brand. Haven't sailed Azamara, but have Oceania and love the R ships. 680 passengers but still feel cozy and very comfortable. Yes they are long in the tooth but last sailed one of the retrofitted ones a little over a year ago, Sirena, and it was lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strenz Posted January 23, 2021 #10 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Typo on my last entry. Golden Horizon is " for sale". Happy Sailing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrycat Posted January 23, 2021 #11 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Probably more a Freudian slip than a typo but a good one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msears101 Posted January 24, 2021 #12 Share Posted January 24, 2021 On 1/22/2021 at 10:46 PM, Strenz said: WS needs to purchase the new full rigged clipper ship that the British travel company Tradewinds is leasing named Golden Horizon Or club med 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strenz Posted January 24, 2021 #13 Share Posted January 24, 2021 I do think unfortunately at this point Med 2 is too old. WS needs NEW blood. I recommended to WS but Club Med 2 for years, sadly too late I am afraid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinaro44 Posted January 25, 2021 #14 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Sycamore Partners is buying the Pacific Princess to be refurbished and added to the Azamara fleet. Will sail in Europe for the 2022 season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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