Expansion plans - new ships?

[JVNYC]

Hi Larry. Any expansion plans in the future with new ships that you can share? Thanks.

[JVNYC]

Very odd that my question was the only one that was ignored. Not cool!

[BBMacLaird]

Hi JVNYC,

I'm sure no offense was intended. The Q&A was specifically on our new Destination Immersion programs, called "Stay Longer. Experience More." The instructions said..."So post any questions or thoughts relevant to Stay Longer, Experience More. We want to hear from you."

 

Discussing any possible expansion plans were not on the agenda on this forum. Sorry for any misunderstanding on our part in the instructions.

 

Bonnie

[JVNYC]

Hi JVNYC,

I'm sure no offense was intended. The Q&A was specifically on our new Destination Immersion programs, called "Stay Longer. Experience More." The instructions said..."So post any questions or thoughts relevant to Stay Longer, Experience More. We want to hear from you."

 

Discussing any possible expansion plans were not on the agenda on this forum. Sorry for any misunderstanding on our part in the instructions.

 

Bonnie

 

Ah! Understood! No offense taken. Thanks.

[Larry Pimentel]

Hi JVNYC,

Thanks for the question. Our growth is a question often asked.

As you may have seen on the Cruise Critic forum in the past, I never came to Azamara for 2 ships. That hasn’t changed. Having stated this, there are always “circumstances” to be considered. Before being able to expand, our first priority was to make this little line profitable. Few corporations will invest and build a brand that cannot prove their potential. We have accomplished that, something that I – and the Azamara team – are very proud of. Our brand has distinguished itself as a cruise line specializing in a concept called "Stay Longer, Experience More". Azamara is about cruising global and connecting local. Essentially 50% of our port visits have a late night or an overnight stay. We are a destination immersion specialist. This has placed us into a position to "carefully" consider growth. We will grow when the opportunity is right from a financial perspective. Probably when everyone least expects it!

Also keep in mind we are in a large global shipping company and most of the new build investment has been in much larger ships. Why? They have historically produced more profit. It is not more complicated.

In my view, the timing of additional upmarket capacity at this point may be challenging for our category given the unprecedented growth rate and geopolitics. I’m not sure you realize, but when our team came together in 2009 to create Azamara Club Cruises®, there were 2 ships on order for the entire high-end category. Today there are 20 ships in the sector on order. That is a substantial amount of inventory when you're at the upend of the market. The high-end category is currently growing at nearly 9% annual rate of inventory versus about 5% for the industry as a whole. This may create a situation where the high-end segment has a quick capacity surge not met by a demand surge. I'm hoping I'm very wrong. In some ways, the result is already in - as our category segment already competes too much on price, not enough on brand values, and in this scenario risk is created. Having stated this, I am not worried about Azamara Club Cruises as our time will come.

Finally, there is something to be said about unique, boutique and intimate. Like small unique hotels in the world, some are simply wonderful and do not have an equal. In fact, some of the best known hotels in the world stand proud and alone. Yet they are well known and loved by their guests. In our case, outside of our unique brand character our officers and crew are truly respected by our guest. It is hard to properly articulate crew quality, but those of you who have traveled the Azamara Journey® or Azamara Quest® know exactly what I'm referencing.

[jos12]

The atmosphere onboard Azamara is good most of the time. (not always).

But when the office is not honest to the guests, even 12x Azamara-cruisers like me will not come back when rude behaviour is the only reaction after a complaint. This way you don't need more ships.

After more than 3 years I'm still waiting for apologize.

[BBMacLaird]

The atmosphere onboard Azamara is good most of the time. (not always).

But when the office is not honest to the guests, even 12x Azamara-cruisers like me will not come back when rude behaviour is the only reaction after a complaint. This way you don't need more ships.

After more than 3 years I'm still waiting for apologize.

 

Hello jos12,

Welcome to our Cruise Critic forum. I deduce you are new (only 10 posts), that you joined CC in 2016, and that you most likely are from the U.K. (by the 'u' in behavior).

Have you been in contact with our U.K. MD Richard Twynam? He is very helpful when someone has a complaint or criticism. His email is rtwynam@azamaraclubcruises.com.

Best regards,

Bonnie

[Bodger]

Cudos to Mr. Pimental for (a) taking the time to answer the question and (b) for providing the incites in to the direction of the cruise line.

 

Thank you,

 

John

[jos12]

Hello jos12,

Welcome to our Cruise Critic forum. I deduce you are new (only 10 posts), that you joined CC in 2016, and that you most likely are from the U.K. (by the 'u' in behavior).

Have you been in contact with our U.K. MD Richard Twynam? He is very helpful when someone has a complaint or criticism. His email is rtwynam@azamaraclubcruises.com.

Best regards,

Bonnie

 

 

Mr Twynam wrote to me:

I havespoken at length with my colleagues in Miami, and have been told by them thatthey have dealt with your matter to the best of the ability.

 

I amsincerely sorry if this is not the answer you would like, however based on thefeedback I have had from senior management, I am sorry this is nothing else Ican do.

 

 

Once the very nice Hotel Director Philip Herbert wrote in an Azamara brochure: be always honest to your guests....

Probably not understood at the office. Or isn't it their ability?