Azamara's New "Celebrity" - Pimental To Take The Reigns -UPDATED

Since its launch Azamara Cruise Line has been neither fish nor fowl.  It is a wonderful product, but has been stuck in sort of abyss between Celebrity (its premium brand "owner") and Oceania (an ultra-premium competitor operating virtually identical ships but with a much stronger brand identity). 

With limited marketing on top of that, I unfortunately have heard "What is Azamara?" much more than "Great Itineraries.  Great Price." Royal Caribbean (owner of Celebrity and, therefore, Azamara) has, obviously, also heard the same things and had decided to shake things up a bit.

Although not officially announced yet (now it is!), the word is that Larry Pimental, the former head of SeaDream Yacht Club, is going to be taking over the reigns (or, better, finally someone will specifically be taking them!) and will report directly to Royal Caribbean, while Celebrity will merely be providing the operational support.  He is now the President and CEO of Azamara Cruises.

While there is no question that operating a 648 passenger upscale ship is far different from the 100 passenger luxury SeaDream Yachts, Pimental also brings his experience as the head of Seabourn (when it was in its infancy) and the decision to bring in the ill-matched 748 passenger Seabourn Sun onboard.  As a result, there can be no question that Pimental "gets" the differences and understand how the product needs to be differentiated from both the luxury market and the 2,000 - 3,000 passenger cruise ship market.

I have listened to Pimental's energetic approach and almost gospel-like enthusiasm for SeaDream (before the financial problems of its owner caused a relationship-ending riff), so I have no question that he has some sort of vision and will be working hard to make it happen.  My concern, though, is how he will meld with a cruise behemoth when he has spent so many of the last years working in a boutique setting.

I am looking forward to the formal announcement and hearing what the vision is.

The Sojourn of the Seabourn Odyssey Pre-Inaugural Cruise - Exterior Spaces...Lots of Them!

One of the concerns for those who have not been on the Seabourn Odyssey is whether the ship will be crowded with double the a guests who enjoy the triplets.  It is bit ironic because with the Seabourn Odyssey being about three times the size of the Seabourn Pride, Legend and Spirit, there not only is more space, there are many innovative spaces.

Starting on the bow is the favorite "Secret" Whirlpool (an improved version over the triplets).  There are lounges surrounding the whirlpool as well.

Up high, overlooking the bow, is the Sun Terrace.  It is wonderful space that, surprisingly, is fairly sheltered from the wind.  A perfect place to supervise the Seabourn Odyssey's navigation.  I do not know if it will be available for use in the evenings, but I could definitely see taking a whiskey (and a cigar?) after dinner and staring at the stars.

Moving aft is The Retreat, a sheltered area with nice lounge seating, shuffleboard and...two Putting Greens:

As you walk aft there is a smaller area above the Sky Bar with comfortable seating and a couple of tables and chairs.  I will not discuss, again, the Sky Bar, Patio Bar, Patio Grill or Main Pool area, though you have to by now understand that crowds are not something to be concerned about.  Seabourn has well and truly designed the Odyssey to have many comfortable, smaller, areas.

One of my favorite areas - if not a bit unusual - is the Second Pool which is behind The Club lounge.

This is the view from the Colonnade on Deck 8 looking down on the Seabourn Square's small outside deck on Deck 7 (sneaked that in on you, didn't I...'err, I mean, Seabourn) and the Second Pool area on Deck 5 outside The Club (which clearly is quite private save the few lounges on the arched area). 

Personally, I think there not only is a remarkable amount of deck space, but a unique mix of wonderful spaces that provide a multitude of opportunities to sun, relax, play, eat, drink or socialize.

A Possible Last Minute Opening - 2009 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise

I may have a last minute opening for my 2009 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit departing September 26, 2009 roundtrip Venice.

You can get much of the infomration here:  2009 Food & Wine Cruise

I have some additional information concerning our walking wine tour in Venice pre-cruise, suggested shore excursions and hotel, if you are interested.

Email me if you are interested in this really great itinerary to places which are new to most and great for exploring new wines and foods.

Keewaydin's 100th Anniversary - Iamboatman Jr.'s (And Iamboatmanette Jr.'s) Summer On The Water

With all the discussion about luxury cruising and who wears what when, I was thrilled to see the following video celebrating the 100th anniversary of the camp where my son spends a good part of his summer:  Keewaydin.  My daughter now goes to the sister camp close by:  Songadeewin.

The best part of the camp is that kids get to be kids.  The boys live in tents, use handmade wood canoes, kayak, hike and just have lots of fun.

Keewaydin 100th Anniversary Celebration Video 

Venice or Vermont...a tough (but excellent) choice!

Cat Calls From The Cruise Critic Wannabes - Get Over Yourselves...Seriously

You know I am a huge critic of Cruise Critic and, honestly, since I stopped posting over there (Thank You!!!!) the board has devolved into little more than a catty obnoxious clique where actually very little of substance is ever discussed and, frankly, much of what is being discussed is, well, disgusting.

I cannot tell you the number of emails I am presently receiving worried if these obnoxious and cliquish people is what Seabourn is about. Thank heavens I know it is not. Those that are upset by this little, actually insignificant Cruise Critic clique, need to understand - these self-absorbed people make up much less than 0.5% of the Seabourn guest list.

Do the math: Most Seabourn cruises have no (zero) Cruise Critic posters. Some have 2 or 3. A few, such as a Crossing have maybe 6 or 8. Out of 100 suites, that is a very significant minority. Take those same numbers and put them on the Odyssey and these folks are essentially invisible to everyone...but themselves.

The most recent absurdity is over how people were dressed that were arriving for, or attending the, Maiden Voyage.  Who cares? Why?  The answer, which is going to piss 'em off, is that those obnoxious and insulting posters are almost exclusively "wannabes".  (Notice I used green - envy.)

They wannabe able to afford the Maiden Voyage, but probably cannot afford it.  (And they weren't considered for the Inaugural filled with the top brass of Carnival Corp. and Seabourn.  Some even had to falsely devolve sailing with Mr. Arison, Mr. Frank, Ms. Conover, etc. into being a junket rather than an honor.)

They wannabe able to fly in from their European home the same day, but they don't own one and/or they are xenophobic Americans who forget that Seabourn  is an international cruise line with many non-US guests who consider flying within Europe similar to taking a bus (and who gets dressed up for that?).

They wannabe able to wear whatever the damn well please, but actually worry that someone who has anointed themselves the fashion police might realize that "the clothes actually don't make the person".

But the reality is that this specific VERY SMALL GROUP on Cruise Critic (most certainly not all who post or read Cruise Critic) tend to be the ones that book the lowest available suite at the highest discount...or they cannot afford to go (or simply will not go).   Read their posts and you will see they are the very same ones complaining that if Seabourn doesn't give away the cruises to them - especially single suites - they are going to other cruise lines. They tend to sail for 7 days...maybe 14...once a year, possibly skipping a year hear or there.

The Seabourn demographic is changing to be younger, but one thing is clear:  There are many guests that cruise multiple times a year and do so for far longer than 7-14 days. 

Another things to keep in mind:  Everyone on Seabourn is treated exactly the same.  I have rarely heard anyone wanting to boast about who they are or what they are worth.  It tends to be exactly the opposite because, in a sophisticated world, it just doesn't matter.  What matters is that you are respectful of the other person and friendly enough for the then situation.

So how did people dress on the Inaugural - for those that want to know?  With a few exceptions (there always are):  Elegantly or Country Club Casual.  After reading this post that you feel insulted you, "Do you now think my compliance with the expected dress code makes me a better person than the one that do not dress as well as me?"  Didn't think so. 

Get the message?

Postscript: A Cruise Critic post (captioend Cruise Critic Dangers) on the Regent Board expressing the problems with rudeness and misinformation...and insignificance of Cruise Critic:  http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?s=0ebdcd2fdacacfe08d05103bf423f2d5&t=1016471

A Request of My Clients and Potential Clients (and You Are All My Friends!)

I just received a request for submissions to Travel Agent Magazine for the top travel agents of 2009. One of the bits of requested information is client endorsements by clients who are willing to be identified and, potentially contacted.

Therefore I am SHAMELESSLY requesting anyone who is interested in providing such an endorsement, if any ;-) to send them to me at info@goldringtravel.com. Any specifics you want to include would be greatly appreciated.

I will not use any endorsement for any other purpose without your express written consent; I promise.

I must note that it is uncomfortable for me to solicit endorsements, but something I was taught (and my clients regularly remind me) is that "If you don't ask, you don't get." (As opposed to "Be careful what you ask for!")

Sorry for the intrusion and Thank You!

Eric

Silversea Cruises is Really Getting Tarnished

I have heard from reliable sources that today Silversea terminated its:

- West Coast Regional Manager
- One of its Los Angeles Sales Managers, and its
- Colorado Sales Manager.

If you consider that the West Coast of the United States has historically been on of Silversea's stronger sales areas, and considering the wealth in Colorado, this is extraordinarily troubling news.