Azamara?

[SeaPeaInn]

So Jan tells us that Celebrity has created a new cruise line with the two R ships and given it a name only marketing could love.

 

Lets come up with a name for the new Oceania ships before their marketing people get a chance to name them the "Xzlmpt" and the "Tpmlzx".

[esther e]

Very good, Paul. I like the way you think!:)

Esther

[LHT28]

Don't they already have a name for one of the new builds?

The Marina

[mike35]

I'm currently attending training to be a CruiseOne Independent Cruise Specialist. X's press release just came into their office today. We're due to have an Oceania briefing tomorrow morning from the East Coast District Sales Manager. I'll be most anxious to hear his take on "Azamara", and I'll share his comments when I return to my hotel room tomorrow evening.

 

The press release certainly makes this new brand sound like a clone of "O". Some of the key lines:

 

"Itinerary details for Azamara Cruises' Asia and world cruises are yet to be announced, but once finalized, the line expects to visit more than 200 ports - most of them new to cruise travelers - in over 70 countries"

 

"Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest offer butler service in every stateroom and suite, as well as concierge-style amenities, including fresh-cut flowers, fresh fruit, Elemis toiletries, complimentary use of Frette cotton robes, two complimentary pairs of slippers, plasma TVs and plush European bedding". Note that these apply to all staterooms, not just "concierge and above". (my comments in italics).

 

"Azamara Cruises also presents a wine bar with a spectacular wine cellar offering wine and champagne tastings, seminars, and mini-pairings of food and wine..."

 

"Guests in suites can enjoy certain spa services in the privacy of their room. Both ships also will offer an outdoor spa relaxation lounge and an aesthetics suite offering acupuncture, laser hair removal and microdermabrasion".

 

"...each [ship] offers two specialty restaurants: On Azamara Journey, the Mediterranean-influenced "Aqualina" and the stylish steak and seafood restaurant, "Prime C".

 

"The ships will not require formal attire for dining, and will feature open seating in the main dining room".

 

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Richard Fain (Chairman and CEO of RCCL) sure seems to be flattering "O" big-time!

 

Mike

[orchestrapal]

Mike, thanks for the update, however you did not mention their smpking policy. Any news on that?:confused:

[LHT28]

Mike, thanks for the update, however you did not mention their smpking policy. Any news on that?:confused:

 

Same as Oceania !

1spot on pool deck & one in the Looking glass lounge(Horizons)

[Sharicruz]

Per Azamara(Celebrity)

 

"Journey/Quest have two designated smoking areas. These areas are located in the aft section of the Looking Glass Lounge on the port side, and on the starboard forward section of the Pool Deck. Smoking areas have signs indicating that smoking is permitted there.

All other areas of the ship are non-smoking. This includes Public Rooms, Restaurants, Pool Deck, Staterooms and Suites, Verandas and Halls."

 

Shari

[Mr. Tucker]

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Richard Fain (Chairman and CEO of RCCL) sure seems to be flattering "O" big-time!

 

Mike

 

Anybody interested in how long it takes Oceania to now become the "hunter" rather than the "hunted" (Franks words - not mine) and take these two ships into their fold. I would much rather that then getting these two new-builds at 1200 passengers per.

 

A copy of the original has always proven to be just that - a copy!!.

[NAS-KARR]

smoking...the next step. Will X disembark at the next port of call ? like O

[cborzill]

I am happy that RCI never got a chance to get their hands on Oceania. I understand they tried hard to buy them. I also think Oceania has nothing to worry about as far as competition, if RCI runs Azamara like what they managed to do with the Celebrity Brand. When RCI took Celebrity, Celebrity was a "deluxe" brand, but RCI managed to make Celebrity into a mass market cruise line. Over time, they will do the same with Azamara. As I see it, it is good that Apollo is giving the two giants, Carnival Corp. and RCI some competition. At least Carnival Corp. lets their luxury lines like Seaborn run on their own. The fact that Azamara and Celebrity will have the same Executives running it speaks volumes. I believe they will be constantly making their decisions on the bottom line, instead of growth of the brand. I believe that the Oceania executives are serious about the growth of the upper premium brand, while the Celebrity/Azamara executives are upset they never got to buy the Oceania brand and now they just want to compete.

A copy is never as good as the original. Is their any doubt that if were not for Oceania's success, Azamara would not even be a thought? Remember, when the former Renaissance "R" ships became available, RCI and Carnival Corp were not even interested in using them for luxury cruising. Princess took the two for the Tahiti business. But the others ended up with Swan Helinic (not a luxury brand) and Pulmantur (definitely not a luxury brand). It wan't until after the success of Oceania that Carnival Corp. decided to transfer the Swan Hellenic ship to Princess and RCI decided to transfer the Pumnantur ships to Celebrity, after RCI bought Pulmantur. I would not be surprised if Oceania now will also face more competition from Carnival Corp who would tansfer its R ships from Princess and also create a "deluxe" brand to compete with Oceania. Competition is a sincere form of flatery. It is also good for the consumer. But I fault Carnival Corp and RCI for letting the Princess and Celebrity brands runs down to mass market lines, and they themselves created an opportunity for Oceania to come into this needed nitche market. I would put my money on Oceania.

[bepsf]

I would not be surprised if Oceania now will also face more competition from Carnival Corp who would tansfer its R ships from Princess and also create a "deluxe" brand to compete with Oceania.

 

I was thinking the exact same thing this past weekend...

 

...since CCL owns the rights to the name, it wouldn't surprise me to see those 3 ships moved from Princess (where they don't really fit) and re-introduced as the new Royal Viking Line.

 

(One can only hope...)

;)

[SeaPeaInn]

I'm sure Carnival would not be capable of recreating the Royal Viking experience. Still I would sail on it at least once because of the name. On second thought the cost would put it in the luxury class. I would like to see that name back in the cruise business. What great memories.

[xplrcrzn]

Of course Carnival could re-create the Royal Viking experience--they own Seabourn.