Azamara Goes All-Inclusive & Rebrands as Azamara Club Cruises

In the crowded cruise marketplace, it's imperative that each line differentiate itself from the competition. That's why Azamara Cruises is launching a major rebranding effort so you and I will better understand what they're all about.

To begin with, the cruise line's name has changed from Azamara Cruises to Azamara Club Cruises with the tagline, "You'll love where we take you." This change points to the refined focus on destination exploration.

According to Larry Pimentel, President and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises, "This isn't a strategy of going from 'good to great.' This is about taking an already great product and making it exceptional."

A lot of interesting changes are on tap and most go into effect in April 2010.

• House wines will now be complimentary at lunch and dinner
  
  
• Complimentary coffee (including specialty coffees), soda, and bottled water
  
  
• Gratuities for cabin stewards and dining staff will be included in the cruise fare
  
  
• More late nights and overnights in ports, even on 7-night itineraries
  
  
• Overnights in Istanbul, Turkey; Sorrento, Italy; St. Petersburg, Russia; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Bangkok, Thailand; Singapore; and Hong Kong
  
  
• New shore excursions will place more emphasis on the local community and culture
  
  
• Some new excursions include a Ferrari driving tour in Civitavecchia, Italy and a "In the Steps of the Beatles" tour in Liverpool, England
  
  
• Free shuttle service to/from port communities, where available
  
  
• No need to pack quarters! The self-service laundry is now complimentary.
  
  
• Suite guests may dine at no extra charge at Prime C steakhouse and the Mediterranean-inspired Aqualina
  
  
• Butlers will receive additional training at English butler schools; butlers will only be deployed to suite guests
  
  
• Azamara Club Cruises will launch a dedicated guest loyalty program, called Le Club Voyage, in April 2010

Azamara Club Cruises will continue to be one of the best deals available, but cruise fares will rise. In fact, you'll notice that pricing has been going up over the past few months and will do so again as of December 14, 2009.

Azamara has some brilliant itineraries and the new management team, focusing solely on Azamara Club Cruises, invites you to sail with them and experience their unique strengths. As they're fond of saying, "You'll love where we take you."

For more information about Azamara Club Cruises, talk with your travel agent or Azamara at 1-(877) 999-9553.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com