Azamara Journey arrives in Australia for the first time after $25 million makeover

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Azamara Journey arrives in Australia for the first time after $25 million makeover

By Annie Dang
Updated
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Luxury boutique cruise ship Azamara Journey has arrived in Australia for the first time, cruising into Sydney Harbour on Sunday. Around 200 passengers on board toasted her maiden arrival with Mimosa cocktails on the deck as she sailed pass the Sydney Opera House and under the Harbour Bridge to dock at White Bay Cruise Terminal.

The luxury ship is the second of the Azamara Club Cruises brand, which is owned and operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises, to arrive in Australia. Sister ship, Azamara Quest was the first to arrive in Australia last year.

The 180-metre long, eight-deck Azamara Journey was completely refurbished last year, coming out of dry dock in February 2016. The $25 million makeover saw the addition of new "Spa Suites" featuring glass-wall showers and outdoor soaking tubs overlooking the ocean; a new-look Sanctum Spa; a new al fresco poolside dining area, The Patio and a new casual dining restaurant and bar, The Living Room.

Unlike the giant cruise ships in the Royal Caribbean family, such as Ovation of the Seas, the biggest cruise ship to arrive in Australia, the Azamara brand is about "boutique cruising" with longer stays in port including overnight stays.

Azamara Club Cruises Australia and NZ managing director, Adam Armstrong, says offering longer port stays past the standard 4pm departure time means guests can explore each city by night.

The brand's focus on longer stays and local experiences for passengers reflects shift in the travel interest of cruise passengers who are looking for more distinctive, more personalised on-shore cultural experiences. Local experience offerings include seeing cities by bike (the ship has 15 bicycles on board for passengers to borrow), cooking classes with locals and overnight stays with locals.

Azamara Club Cruises recently launched new itineraries to Alaska and Japan. It has also launched a 102-night cruise from Sydney to London. In 2018, RCI will bring both Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest to Australia for the first time.

Worldwide the average age for an Azamara passenger is 55 years old. In Australia that age is higher at 61 years old.

The 690-passenger Azamara Journey will depart at 5pm on Monday for a 16-night cruise to New Zealand.

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See also: Life aboard the world's biggest cruise ship

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