Azamara Club Cruises’ all-inclusive
ships are skyrocketing
in popularity with Australians,
with a local maiden visit tipped
for 2015-16.
Although its two ships have never come
closer than Asia, Royal Caribbean’s sister brand
counts Australia as its third biggest market
after the US and UK.
Since it rebranded as Azamara Club Cruises
in 2010, the company’s Australian sales have
grown by a whopping 480 per cent, so it is
understandable why the Aussies are expected
to overtake the Brits.
“Very soon,” predicts Edie Bornstein,
senior vice president marketing & sales, who
last week visited Sydney (twice), Adelaide,
Melbourne and Brisbane in six days.
Bornstein told Cruise Weekly that one of its
ships would sail in Australia “in late 2015, early
2016”, with Sydney the only port of call she
could confirm.
“That is our goal and our hope,” she said.
Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, which
Bornstein calls her “two jewel boxes, our
twins”, are positioned to appeal to Australians.
“The dress code is casual – you don’t have to
dress up, no tie and jacket required – and we
have a full open bar,” she said.
Fares also include all meals, gratuities, shuttle
services, self-service laundry and one evening
shore excursion per cruise.
“Our itineraries are strategically designed
to be combined, so Australians, who tend to
travel for long periods, can book two or three
back-to-back sailings without seeing the same
port twice,” Bornstein added.
The 2015 program has 157 consecutive
nights with no repeats, she said.
Azamara also offers reciprocity status with
the loyalty programs of its sister brands Royal
Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.
“We honour passengers at the same level,
even if it is their first time on Azamara,”
Bornstein said.
“If you haven’t tried it, you should – it’s an
‘OzAmazing experience.”
For details, contact a travel agent or see
www.azamaraclubcruises.com.
