Travel Agent - August 13, 2007 - (Page 32)

Cruises Continued from page 30 9. (Jacques Van Staden, the new vice president of food and beverage for Celebrity and Azamara, tells us that gyros will soon be offered at the grill.) the presence of our king-size bed. A cool effect: mirrored walls facing the bed, so eyeing your appearance doesn’t have to be limited to the small bathroom mirror. A smart-looking flat-screen TV was adroitly hung on the wall, while closets offered ample space (make sure to make use of the fluffy robe provided). traffic, though you’ll always be able to find a lounge chair (Azamara just outfitted the ship with new ones, so make sure to wear enough SPF because, invariably, you will fall asleep, they are so comfortable). The AquaSpa on Deck 9 offers all the normal treatments. The spa is not huge and the locker rooms are spartan (if you like privacy, take advantage of the steam room; nary a person was there each day I went in). Rating the Digs Azamara Journey formerly sailed under Renaissance Cruises until the line went belly up. With the backing of Celebrity and its parent, Royal Caribbean International (www.royalcaribbean.com), the ship has been transformed and much of this can be seen in the rooms. There are 42 suites altogether, including six penthouse suites measuring 560 square feet each. We had a deluxe ocean view with veranda room, which complemented the space provided perfectly. (Do tell your smoking clients that puffing on the verandas is prohibited, as it is at many of the spots throughout the ship.) A small couch fit into the room even in Hot Spots and Entertainment Okay, so here’s the rub. Being that the ship is positioned at a price point that mostly attracts an older, more affluent crowd, nightlife is at a minimal pitch. Yes, there’s a casino, but each night I went down it was never overcrowded. Entertainment is provided in the Cabaret, and while the shows are nice, they are nowhere near the productions you’ll get on Carnival or Disney. I will say they are more intimate. Journey is more a day ship, and the pool on Deck 9 bears the brunt of the Editor’s Gleanings My favorite part about the ship is how easy it is to get around. No dead ends and if you forget your camera in the room, it doesn’t take an hour to walk back and get it. This is not a ship for families (I spotted only a few children); it is a ship for couples or groups looking to cruise free from formality and visit less-traveled ports, which will be a hallmark of the Azamara experience. Globally, we’re local. Our 31 offices around the world provide local expertise and traveler assistance. www.BookTravelBound.com FIT 800-808-9541 · FIT@BookTravelBound.com Groups 800-808-9547 · Groups@BookTravelBound.com 32 TravelAgent August 13, 2007 Interested? Request #012. http://www.royalcaribbean.com http://www.booktravelbound.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - August 13, 2007

Contents Editor's Letter News You Can Use Agenda: Fam Trips, Calendar of Events, Deal of the Week Cover Story: Open Skies PACIFIC ASIA: New Zealand Tourism Update CARIBBEAN AND BAHAMAS: One&Only Ocean Club’s Slow Season Package MIDDLE EAST: Middle Eastern Airlines ALASKA: Cross-country Skiers Flock to Fairbanks CRUISES: Azamara Assails The Sea HONEYMOON AND ROMANCE: Honeymoon Survey Results Agent Profile Luxury Travel Expo Update Classified Marketplace Advertisers’ Information People & Places

Travel Agent - August 13, 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.