Azamara Club Cruises raises a toast to the Golden State

Up-market Travelers can Immerse Themselves in California’s Rich Winemaking Region

MIAMI, Jan. 9, 2014 – Azamara Club Cruises is doing what it does best and immersing guests on its Coastal California Voyage in the world-famous wine region of California.

Sailing roundtrip from Los Angeles, February 10, 2014, Azamara Quest will hug the California coast calling on picturesque favorites such as Monterey and Santa Barbara, before making a grand entrance into San Francisco by sailing under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

San Francisco will serve as the region’s gateway to renowned winemakers and delectable cuisine when Azamara Quest remains for three full days to offer guests ample time to visit favorite vineyards or discover new ones through exclusive opportunities.
“The breadth of programs aboard Azamara’s California coastal voyage is representative of the culturally and destination-immersive experiences that our guests enjoy on every voyage,” said Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises.

“We’ve created a range of onboard and shoreside programs that will delight oenophiles and enrich their appreciation of the region’s vineyards. Our ships stay longer and overnight more in ports to offer guests the opportunity to also join in the vibrant nightlife of these wonderful Californian destinations.”

Onboard, guests can join in enrichment lectures presented by experts and representatives from area-vineyards Cline Cellars, Grgich Hills Estate, Trinchero Napa Valley, Wente Vineyards, HALL Wines, WALT Wines and Rocca Family Vineyards. Guest also can sign up for onboard wine tasting seminars and more intimate, hosted dinners and Chef’s Tables for six to 12 guests.

Azamara's signature AzAmazing Evenings event, the exclusive, complimentary evening for all guests will be held at the historic Inglenook Winery in Napa Valley on Feb. 13. Owned by Francis Ford Coppola, the beautiful 19th century estate will be open exclusively to Azamara guests that evening for a rare wine tasting complemented by canapés, cheeses, desserts and live music.  Guests will be invited to explore the wine caves, barrel room and historic photos on two floors of the old mansion.

Additional excursions include a Wine Maker Farm-to-Table Valentine’s Dinner; guests opting for this Land Discoveries shore excursion, will be whisked away to Duckhorn Vineyards, Napa Valley, for an intimate wine country dinner hosted by their winemaker.

Enjoy a custom designed menu prepared by a top private Napa Valley chef, who sources ingredients from the best local purveyors, to complement their portfolio of wines. Guests who are looking for something more in-depth can choose the You Can Be a Winemaker Land Discoveries shore excursion, where guests visit Trinchero Napa Valley’s luxury winery, tucked into the northern foothills of the breathtaking St. Helena appellation of Napa Valley and join distinguished Winemaker Mario Monticelli for a rare opportunity to BYOB – Build Your Own Bordeaux-style blend.

Azamara Club Cruises offers distinct destination-immersive experiences for up-market travelers. The cruise line uniquely features voyages with longer stays and more overnights at ports to provide guests the opportunity to experience night touring at some of the most compelling destinations of Europe, Asia, South America, West Indies, as well as Central and North America.

On board the intimate Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, guests receive exceptional and personal service and the cruise line’s authentic, exclusive and bespoke AzAmazing Evenings events that showcase the unexpected colors and flavors of a destination.   Guests also enjoy fine cuisine and boutique wines from around the world, as well as more inclusive amenities, such as included gratuities; complimentary bottled water, sodas, specialty coffee, and teas, as well as complimentary boutique wines, international beers and select standard spirits in the ships’ bars, lounges and restaurants when open; complimentary self-service laundry; English Butler service for suite guests; and shuttle transportation to city centers in ports, where available. 
         
For more information, travelers can call their travel professional, dial 1-877-999-9553, or visit www.AzamaraClubCruises.com. Connect with Azamara Club Cruises on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AzamaraClubCruises, on Twitter @AzamaraVoyages or follow President and CEO @LarryPimentel. Travel agent professionals can access more information and make reservations at www.CruisingPower.com.

Azamara Club Cruises is a brand of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE/OSX: RCL), a global cruise vacation company that also owns Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, and CDF Croisières de France, as well as TUI Cruises through a 50 percent joint venture.  Together, the six brands operate a combined total of 41 ships with four under construction.  They operate diverse itineraries around the world that call on approximately 460 destinations on all seven continents.