The boss of Azamara says her team is trying to support UK agents as much as possible to ensure sales stay ahead of pre-pandemic booking levels.
Speaking ahead of Azamara Onward’s pre-inaugural sailing today (May 28), the line’s president Carol Cabezas told Travel Weekly that UK 2022 bookings were currently tracking more than 50% ahead of the same period in 2019.
She confirmed the UK was a strategic market within Azamara’s portfolio and her team were working hard to maintain the high booking volumes.
“I’ve always looked at UK as a wonderful balance within our portfolio,” Cabezas said. “Right now, our 2022 bookings are running over 50% up on the same period pre-Covid in 2019, which demonstrates that wonderful loyalty guests in the UK have.
“With our travel partners who have stayed there with us, we’re certainly trying to be as supportive and helpful as we can.”
Cabezas added that around half of Azamara’s passengers had already sailed with the line, which will have all four of its ships back operating by the end of May.
Recently, she has seen passengers booking back-to-back cruises during their current sailing, but she admitted ships were not operating at full capacity so berths were available.
“That’s why we have been able to have some space for guests to stay on board,” she explained.
Asked how she reflected on her 16 months in charge of Azamara, she said: “Last summer that was probably one of the more challenging times.
“Now every day you see another country taking away restrictions and that makes things so much better and easier for the guests.
“It’s really all about making sure the guest has a simple, enjoyable experience getting to the ship, as well as while they’re onboard and enjoying that cruise.”
A cocktail bar – called Atlas Bar – is one of the new features on Azamara Onward.
Explaining why the line tried to be “consistent” with its onboard offering, rather add several new features with each ship launch, she said: “We’re always trying to find some things that make it fresh and special from one ship to another.
“But the general experience is going to be something that we’ve tried to maintain.
She added: “The one venue [on Onward] that is different and new is the Atlas bar. And I think the guests are going to be really surprised with the kind of creativity that we’ve put into this. It is not your ordinary bar.”
The ship will operate a mix of Mediterranean itineraries during its maiden season, departing from ports such as Ravenna, Italy and Piraeus, Athens.
Onward will reposition to Miami in November.