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JULY 2010
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Dear Travel Partner,
There is no shortage of exciting news this month, as Azamara Club Cruises continues to assert our position as the value leader in up-market travel and expand our list of destinations. With updates to our ChoiceAir program, a new group policy, special travel partner rates and compelling consumer feedback about Azamara’s service, our team is constantly striving to improve the customer experience and value provided.
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Cruise critics are beginning to take note of this, as Azamara was recently cited in the top five of the “Large Ship Cruise” category in Travel + Leisure magazine’s “World’s Best Awards 2010.” We take pride in the recognition, but this does not affect our motivation to improve the guest experience. Earning this acknowledgement so quickly after our 2007 launch is an honor, yet given our plans for the coming seasons, we are confident the critics will be further wowed in next year’s rankings.
Some of our future improvements include voyages planned for 2011-12 that will feature 174 ports in 54 countries. That's 57 new ports, a 27% increase over 2010-11. In addition, we will have overnight stays in 38 ports (22% of total ports visited), a 31% increase over 2010-11 and 63 late night stays of 10 pm or later (36% of total ports), which is a 133% increase on 2010-11. By offering so many more overnights and late nights in port, we assure that clients have time to be immersed in destinations, not simply visit ports.
Read on below to learn about some other interesting happenings at Azamara Club Cruises for both your clients and travel partners alike. Our early booking savings and Europe promotions from last month's newsletter are still available, and have been extended to August 31, 2010. With these new offers, it is clear that Azamara Club Cruises delivers more value than competitors can offer.
As always, visit CruisingPower.com for the most up to date information on pricing and itineraries. If you haven't been there lately, you might sign on to check out the new secured home page. The CruiseMatch widget is now more prominent having been moved to the left side of the page. We have also simplified the main body area with three simple tabs, and you can customize the home page with icons for the areas that are most important to you.
Warm regards,
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Edie Bornstein
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
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Finally, Azamara received one of its most impressive accolades yet with our inclusion in the Top 5 of Travel + Leisure magazines "World's Best Awards 2010" in the Large Ship Cruise Category. The stunning and quick success that earned Azamara a place on this list after just three years of sailing is a watershed achievement for our young cruise line, and only reinforces our desire to be ranked number one next year.
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Destination Guide Video
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If a picture is worth a thousand words, then it might take a million to describe the new Azamara Club Cruises Destination Guide Video. Rich with photos and footage of our unique destinations, the video highlights each of the four pillars of the Azamara experience: destination immersion, cuisine and wine, extraordinary service and wellness and vitality. In addition, the video provides a taste of the exciting itineraries to come in 2011-2012 and the cultural immersion these voyages will provide. Take a look at this video and see the unique experience available only on an Azamara Club Cruises Voyage.
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Click Here to Watch
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The Perfect Score
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Azamara continues to garner rave reviews from satisfied clients for both our service and value. With the changes to the Azamara experience this year, perfection of the butler service was a priority, and our accredited English Butlers' hard work has come to fruition. Our butler ratings have consistently been in the 290s out of 300 with several voyages scoring a perfect 300. Suite guests aren't the only clients being pampered though, as overall service scores have consistently fallen in the 285-295 range.
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Our own President and CEO, Larry Pimentel, has been aboard the Azamara Journey recently to interact with guests and gauge reactions to the new inclusions and amenities on Azamara. He has good news to report: guests love the value of Azamara Club Cruises, and our ratings are phenomenal. Larry has been greeted with numerous guest comments about how much is offered for the fare, particularly with regards to service. "I don't have enough fingers to count the number of comments about our staff," said Larry, personally impressed with the professional and friendly nature of the staff. Azamara is truly establishing itself as the value leader in up-market travel.
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ChoiceAir Now has
More Choices
Azamara's ChoiceAir program has been updated to include a wider range of options for travelers. Your clients still have full airline booking capabilities, such as frequent flyer miles, special services and seat assignments, but now ChoiceAir FlexFares and ChoiceAir Plus offer clients more flexibility and service.
ChoiceAir FlexFares allow you to reserve flights up to 75 days prior to departure without purchasing on behalf of your clients. FlexFares are guaranteed, refundable, and flexible to changes in booking dates. Additionally, ChoiceAir Plus offers your clients airline-booking services with the concierge style touch they have come to expect from Azamara. It replaces Custom Air with equal or lower fees, and also features more flight options and lower fares than Custom Air
For more information on the updated ChoiceAir program click here
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Updated 2011 Group Policy
Azamara is setting a new industry standard with our updated group policy. Beginning with European voyages in March and April 2011, group bookings will now have a tour conductor ratio of just 1:10 for all groups, a 5-stateroom minimum for group status, 150 days of frozen rates to assemble a group and an improved GAP program with points redeemable for private parties, wine tastings, onboard credits and numerous other amenities. Each of these features is superior to the current industry standard, making Azamara the logical choice for group sales.
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Sell Five and Sail Program
As a special thanks to our loyal travel partners, Azamara is continuing its "Sell Five and Sail" promotion. For every five staterooms sold on an Azamara European voyage between now and September 30, 2010, you can sail on one of several Azamara European voyages by November 20, 2010. If you take care of Azamara, we are more than happy to return the favor.
For more information, click here
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Single Occupancy Rates
There's no need for a lack of travel companions to stop your clients from experiencing an Azamara Club Cruises Voyage. On select voyages to destinations around the globe, single occupancy rates are just 125% of the total cabin fare. With over 15 itineraries still featuring 125% single occupancy rates in 2010, there are numerous opportunities for your single clients to love where we take them.
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© 2010 Azamara Club Cruises℠. Ships' Registry: Malta.
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