PREMIUM CLASS CRUISE LINES

Welcome to recently re-defined...‘PREMIUM’ Class Cruise Lines...

The popularity of this 'niche' cruising market has grown significantly in recent years.

At one end of the market, you have the luxury clientele looking for a small ship experience at a more reasonable cost - without significantly sacrificing service levels. Then there are the large ship past guests looking for a more intimate & casual cruise experience offering unique itineraries & upscale service levels. Similar to the luxury lines, both lines are more adult-oriented, offering scaled-down onboard dynamics. Wind Star Cruises is in a league of its own, offering a casually elegant sailing ship experience. The ships are amazing & highly stable, though many
fear the opposite! Most clients who have sailed with them, will only sail on Wind Star!

Azamara Club Cruises & Oceania Cruises are in direct competition offering very similar products. Azamara does offer more complimentary onboard amenities (read below). Oceania has a great track record & now has presented her newest ship ~ the 'MARINA'...If you have not sailed with either of these cruise lines yet, we suggest that you give them serious consideration for future vacations... you will not be disappointed!

"Azamara Club Cruises" &"Oceania Cruises"

Until this 2011, both Oceania & Azamara employed the exact same sister ships purchased from bankrupt Renaissance Cruise lines. Both lines offer a smaller/medium-size (30,277 tonne) cruise experience with a staff & crew of 390 servicing a passenger load up to 710, establishing both lines in a growing niche market that is distinctly separate from the expensive small ship/luxury market & of the large (2,000 passengers +) market... Azamara & Oceania extend similar onboard experiences as Silversea & Seabourn, but at a lower price-point. The onboard dynamics are scaled down compared to larger ships, but are off-set with unique & enviable itineraries, superb dining services & overall ambience.

Oceania was first to enter this smaller ship market, placed below luxury prices & offering a smaller & more intimate cruising experience ~ It worked! In-fact, Celebrity (like Princess, Holland America etc) noticed a significant exodus of past guests looking for this very thing & went about purchasing 2 ships from Renaissance as well. With this acquisition came the birth of Azamara Cruise Lines. Princess was soon to follow...

Oceania launched the highly impressive (66,084 Tonne/785 Passenger) Oceania ‘MARINA’ in the spring of 2011, further establishing her leadership in this market! The sister ship ~ Oceania ‘Riviera’ will follow in 2012. It was not until Azamara hired former Seabourn C.E.O. Larry Pimentel a year or so ago that things really developed. Azamara has re-invented itself under his leadership and has now established itself as a major contender! Their strength is that they offer significant & parallel distinctions with Seabourn, but at lower prices. Pimentel’s Seabourn influence can be felt with a list of complimentary onboard amenities including gratuities, wines at lunch & dinner, dry cleaning etc... All of a sudden Azamara is a serious player in this market! In-fact, we have booked far more Azamara in the past 6 months than in the last 3 years... and we have a growing list of testimonials to back it!

All AZAMARA Guests enjoy these Inclusive Amenities:

Boutique red and white wines with lunch and dinner
Gratuities included for housekeeping, dining and bar staff
Complimentary shuttle bus service in many ports
Bottled water, soda, specialty coffees and teas throughout the day
Complimentary self service laundry
True English butler service for suite guests
Specialty dining available (complimentary for suite guests)

All AZAMARA Staterooms & Suites amenities:

Egyptian cotton bed linens with duvet
Tote bag
Terry bathrobes and slippers
Complimentary use of umbrella and binoculars
24-hour room service
Complimentary shoe-shine service
Welcome fruit basket at embarkation
Turndown treats
Fresh-cut flowers
Daily news bulletin

Additional amenities for N1 & N2 ‘Club Suite’ Guests!

English Butler service
En-suite dining from restaurant menus for departure breakfast, lunch and dinner
Priority check-in and
Unpacking and packing of luggage
Complimentary seating throughout the voyage in specialty dining restaurants
Complimentary garment pressing for two items
Welcome sparkling wine and fruit basket
opportunity to book en-suite spa services
Daily savories between 4-6 pm
One bottle of Vodka and one bottle of Scotch Whiskey (or your choice...)
En-suite afternoon tea service