From Italian “slow food” and Slovenian salt to the French vineyards of Sauternes and Graves, Azamara Cruises’ slate of culinary-themed shore excursions offer travelers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the richness of Europe’s culture. Azamara also has begun offering packaged shore excursions on certain itineraries.
This summer and fall, the 694-passenger Azamara ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, are sailing the Baltic and Mediterranean seas, respectively, for the first time. Onboard, guests enjoy complimentary meals in the ships’ restaurants, including two specialty restaurants, as well as various wine-themed workshops and activities. On land, the offerings are no less tantalizing. Examples of Azamara Cruises’ food- and wine-related Europe shore excursions include:
• “Slow food” tours in Livorno, Civitavecchia, and Venice, Italy; designed for those who love tastes that have endured through the ages, and who appreciate traditional ways of preparing and savoring meals, these tours feature wine tastings, olive oil tastings, cooking demonstrations and serene countryside walks.
• A sampling of Koper, Slovenia’s wine, olives and salt during a tour that begins with a drive through the Slovenian Mediterranean coast to the salt plants that date back more than 700 years; there, guests see the salt houses, where raw salt is processed and packaged, and continue their journey to a farmhouse known for its olive-oil production and its depiction of Istrian farm life, as well as to a Slovenian wine cellar for a tasting.
• A “Vineyards of Sauternes and Graves” tour in the Bordeaux region of France, where guests travel through acres of vineyards before visiting the underground winery at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, known for its red wines; the region of Sauternes, where the world-renowned dessert wine is vented; and chateaux Y’Quem and Suduiraut, which offer outstanding tastes as well.
• An exclusive cooking workshop at Amsterdam, Holland’s Michelin-2-star Ron Blaauw restaurant, where guests have the opportunity to learn from a culinary master before enjoying a gastronomic four-course lunch paired with select wines.
• A “pasta party” at Country Relais due Laghi in Civitavecchia, featuring a visit to the medieval village of Anguillara by the lake of Bracciano before a trip to Tuscia, where local chefs demonstrate the traditional art of pasta-making three ways: with water and flour, with eggs, and with potatoes, before inviting guests to try their hand at it before enjoying a five-course gourmet meal.
• A celebration of the colors, tastes and smells of Turkey in Kusadasi, during which guests experience a visit to Sirince, known for its incredibly fragrant and flavorful apricots and peaches; a trip to the mountainous area of Kirazl Koy, where guests can visit the local primary school, nap beneath a tree, or stroll through the village sipping Turkish coffee; a freshly prepared special lunch of gozleme, keskek and manti; and even a chance to help the locals pick seasonal fruits.
Azamara also has introduced select shore excursion packages during its European season, that make it easy for guests to enjoy an in-depth, immersive experience in the region in which they are cruising. “Capitals of the Baltic,” for example, offered on some of Azamara’s Scandinavia/Russia sailings, includes a slate of excursions such as “Berlin’s Cultural Splendors,” “Porvoo, Hirvihaara Manor and Helsinki Highlights,” “The Best of St. Petersburg,” “Hermitage Splendor,” “Moscow and the Mysterious Kremlin,” “Historic Stockholm and Sigtuna,” and ‘Drottingholm Palace, Residence of the Swedish.” The packages, which guests can book before sailing, are offered on 18 different sailings. Booking these tours as a package individually costs guests less than it would to book all of them separately.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Azamara Cruises Posted by Michael on 06/02/08
No, we didn’t give up on the show. We really did plan on doing more than just one show for the entire month of May. Unfortunately a crisis disrupted our production schedule, but we’re getting back on track and have a brand spanking new show for you this week.
First was just a few stories from while we were gone that we wanted to touch on.
Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara have revised their infant and pregnancy policies.
We’ve got to stop calling it Project Genesis, Royal Caribbean’s newest will now be Oasis of The Seas and Allure of The Seas, both of the Oasis Class.
Norwegian Spirit caused minor damage to a pier while docking in New York and the hull for Seabourn Odyssey has been delivered to the shipyard as construction continues.
We quickly recapped Seasocks ‘08, it was an eventful sailing to say the least. Be sure to check out among others the CraftLit podcast, and their friends over at NPR’s Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me (we’re so not worthy of some of the folks we got to hang out with 
). For the knitting inclined you should also check out our friends at CastOn and of course Knitty too. A very big thanks also to the kind folks at Churchmouse Yarns & Teas and of course Beehive Wool Shop and all of the other yarn stores that graciously hosted the group over the week.
Now that we’ve wrapped up Seasocks ‘08 we can announce the details for Seasocks ‘09. You’ll find them all here.
Watch this Podcast over the next few months too… We’re going to be on one of the final sailings of Queen Elizabeth 2 as she bids her farewells to Britain and the Cunard fleet. More details will be coming over the next several months.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)
Filed under: Azamara Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Podcast, Royal Caribbean International, The Yachts of Seabourn Posted by Michael on 05/06/08
The following two policies have been put into immediate effect for all sailings on Azamara CruisesSM, Celebrity Cruises® and Royal Caribbean International®:
Infant Policy
Infants sailing on a cruise must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise/cruisetour. However, for Transatlantic, Transpacific, Hawaii, select South American cruises/cruisetours and other selected cruises/cruisetours, the infant (as of the first day of the cruise/cruisetour) must be at least 12 months old.
As of April 22, 2008, the list of cruises to which the 12 month minimum age requirement applies (in addition to all Transatlantic, Transpacific, and Hawaii cruises) is as follows:
- Celebrity Infinity - January 31, 2010, February 14, 2010;
- Mariner of the Seas® - January 4, 2009, January 19, 2009, February 3, 2009;
- Splendour of the Seas® - March 30, 2009;
- Legend of the Seas® - October 23, 2009, November 4, 2009.
Any cruisetours associated with these cruises are also subject to the 12 month minimum age requirement. Denial of boarding for infants who do not satisfy these minimum age requirements may also result in the denial of boarding for one or more guests sailing with that infant. No refunds or other compensation shall be due from the cruise line to anyone as a result of the denial of boarding to an underage infant or other accompanying guests.
Pregnancy Policy
Azamara CruisesSM, Celebrity Cruises® and Royal Caribbean International® cannot accept guests who will have entered their 24th week of pregnancy by the beginning of, or at any time during, the cruise or cruisetour. A physician’s “Fit to Travel” note is required prior to sailing, stating how far along (in weeks) the guest’s pregnancy will be at the beginning of the cruise and confirming that the guest is in good health and not experiencing a high-risk pregnancy.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Azamara Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International Posted by Michael on 04/28/08
It’s been one of those weeks here at Mail Buoy Central. We’ve been dealing with some recently introduced uncertainty about just when Celebrity Infinity will arrive in Seattle on the 9th.
We also revisited the Central Park announcement on the Genesis ships. We’re still not sure that we like the idea.
There was some other news this week - Port Canaveral continues it’s transformation into a bustling cruise port with the announcement that Carnival Dream will call the port home starting in the fall of 2009.
The keel was laid for NCL’s first F3 ship - and NCL announced what the staterooms will be like onboard… We’re less enthusiastic about the new staterooms than we are about Central Park over on Genesis…
One thing that did catch our eye though was the entertainment offerings coming to Norwegian Jade. Between the off-Broadway shows and the Second City Comedy Troupe in a cabaret like setting, we think we could be seeing the Freestyle Concept move to the “next level.”
While we’re on the subject of NCL, Norwegian Dream and Norwegian Majesty have been sold to Louis Cruise Lines.
Oceania raised their fuel supplement and Royal Caribbean did the same across all of their brands.
Finally - Cunards three Queens were together for the last time in Southampton…
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Azamara Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line, Podcast, Royal Caribbean International Posted by Michael on 04/24/08
For first and second guests in a stateroom, the revised fuel supplement will be $8 (U.S.D.) per-person, per-day, and no more than $112 (U.S.D.) per-person, per-cruise. Additional guests in a stateroom will be charged $3 (U.S.D.) per-person, per day, and no more than $42 (U.S.D.) per-person, per-cruise.
The revised fuel supplement will apply to bookings made throughout the world on or after May 1, 2008, onboard three Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises.
1 comment so farFiled under: Azamara Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International « Previous Page — Next Page »
