Azamara Club Cruises is adding a third cruise ship to their fleet in March 2018. Launched in 2007, as Royal’s luxury brand, Azamara operates mid-size ships which offer guests extended voyages, port-intensive itineraries, and an immersive vacation experience.
Cruises on Azamara are all-inclusive and include select spirits, beer, wine, water, soft drinks, and gratituties. Guests in suites also receive English butler service, complimentary Internet minutes, laundry and specialty dining.
The line currently operates Azamara Quest, a 686 passenger ship and sister ship, Azamara Journey, a 694 passenger ship both launched in 2000. These two R-Class ships were built for the defunct Renaissance Cruise Line. In 2006, they were purchased by Royal Caribbean and deployed to their Pulmantur Cruises brand where they sailed until being transferred for the launch of Azamara in 2007.
This third ship that Azamara is purchasing is the 8th and final R-Class ship built for Renaissance. Shortly after her launch in 2001, Renaissance filed for bankruptcy and the ship was held by creditors before being purchased by Carnival Corporation in 2003.
While owned by Carnival she had quite a history. From 2003 – 2007 she sailed as Minerva II for the company’s Swan Hellenic line. In 2007 she was transferred to Princess Cruises and was renamed Royal Princess. In 2011, she made yet another move to the company’s P & O Cruises where she took on the name Adonia.
Five years later, Carnival Corporation announced they were creating a new, and shortlived, cruise line called fathom (lower case). fathom was unique in that it offered “social impact cruises” – a concept that didn’t quite catch on. Cruisers looking to take a “working vacation” booked their trip with fathom and set off on a journey where they could help locals in the Dominican Republic work on their farms, water systems, and other projects to benefit the local community.
Carnival transferred the P & O Adonia to launch the one-ship line and eventually, she became the first U.S. based cruise ship to call on Havana, Cuba in more than 50 years following the Obama administration’s decision to lift restrictions on travel to island time forgot.
In 2017, Carnival pulled the plug on fathom and Adonia returned to the P & O fleet.
Today, Azamara announced they are picking up the 777 passenger Adonia, giving her an extensive renovation to bring her up to the line’s luxury standards, and will be renamed Azamara Pursuit. Itineraries are expected to be announced in October with her maiden voyage set for March 2018.
More information on Azamara Pursuit can be found on the cruise line’s website where you can sign up for announcements related to the new addition to the fleet.