Azamara Experiences High Demand for 2021 European Sailings
Despite the fact that cruising has come to a halt for now, boutique cruise line Azamara is seeing high demand for guests to get back on the water. In a survey sent to 6,000 Azamara loyalty members, almost 50 percent are eager to take a cruise in the next 12-months and over 40 percent of participants are willing to take flights longer than 10-hours. Leading in destinations, Mediterranean sailings are proving to be most popular for 2021, followed by Australia and New Zealand, Iceland, Norway, and British Isles.
As cruisers begin to think about upcoming trips for 2021, guests of Azamara – along with its parent company Royal Caribbean Group – can take advantage of its Cruise with Confidence benefits. Offering flexibility to change any sailing booked by September 30, 2020 for cruises through April 2022, the program provides piece of mind during the planning process. Under the Cruise with Confidence program, thus far, the Lift and Shift option, which allows guests to simply ‘lift and shift’ their sailing to the same itinerary departing on a future date (most likely in the same month as the previous year), has seen two-thirds of the bookings for 2021 focused on Europe, while 75 percent of guest’s Future Cruise Credit has been used for Europe-focused itineraries. To view all of the benefits, please click here.
Highlights of Azamara’s most popular sailings are included below:
For travelers looking to explore iconic Italy, Azamara’s 7-Night Italy Intensive Voyage, beginning April 24, 2021, will provide access to the region’s most beloved destinations. Starting in Monte-Carlo – home to the legendary Grand Casino and the opulent Royal Palace – Azamara Journey® will then make it way to Santa Margherita, in which guests can discover Castello di Santa Margherita, a castle built in 1550 by the Republic of Genoa as a defense against pirate attacks, or stroll the main city square – Piazza Mazzini – which is lined with colorful palaces. Additional highlights include stops on the Amalfi Coast, where travelers can live la dolce vita in the land of limoncello, and end in Rome to admire Michelangelo’s masterwork or walks the steps of gladiators at the Coliseum.
Setting sail on September 9, 2021, the 10-night France Intensive Voyage will provide a total of four overnights in ports such as Honfleur, Paris, Nantes and Bordeaux, where guests can pay a visit to Pauillac, Sauternes, Margaux, and Saint-Émilion to learn wine production, and of course sample as glass or two. The itinerary’s late nights will take place in Cherbourg, where travelers could explore the gothic architecture and quirky, cool art installations, as well as Saint-Malo, located in Brittany and previously known as a stronghold for privateers (pirates approved by the king).
Aboard Azamara’s 12-night Greek Intensive Voyage – departing on October 13, 2021 – the immersive itinerary will take guests to 11 ports around Greece with five-late nights and conclude in Athens, where the ship will offer one overnight. Highlights of the itinerary include exploring Mykonos’ sun-bleached houses with beautiful blue shutters, vibrant bougainvillea, and 16th century Venetian windmills; the Thessaloniki, the cultural capital of Greece; and Rhodes, where guests will be transported back to the days of the Byzantine Empire from walking the cobblestoned Street of the Knights.
Azamara is an upmarket cruise line and the leader in Destination Immersion, with three mid-sized ships sailing to all seven continents of the world. The boutique-style ships allow them to reach marquee ports around the world and dock in smaller less-visited hidden gems. Azamara’s commitment to creating immersive experiences for travelers to connect with local cultures, allows guests to travel deeper with longer stays, more overnights, and night touring. Guests can experience a boutique hotel at sea with inclusive amenities such as gratuities, beverages, AzAmazing Evenings – an exclusive, bespoke evening designed specifically for Azamara guests to immerse themselves in their destination, and more.
