Visitors to the 2012 London Olympics could have a choice of two luxury cruise ships to stay on.
Royal Caribbean-owned Azamara Club Cruises says it expects to be given permission to dock two 500-passenger vessels, Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey, in the Thames in east London for the event.
A number of cruise operators are vying to have ships in London for the Games but Azamara chief executive Larry Pimentel appeared confident his line would get the green light from Games’ organisers next month.
Speaking to UK media today during a visit from Azamara’s Miami head office he said the indications were that officials were warming to the idea of allowing ships to be berthed close to the Olympic park.
“The location of the ships is absolutely critical”, he said. “Officials were very restrictive but as time goes on I think we are going to be given permission. I think we will hear within a month.”
Pimentel added that he thought other lines also interested in having ships in London for the Games had lost interest as the time neared to find the funding that will be required by the organisers.
Azamara, an upper premium line that specialises in destinations, believes it will be more cost-effective for some visitors to stay on its ships, taking advantage of its all-inclusive offering, than to pay London hotel prices.