Azamara cruise executive reveals plans for Europe Club

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Azamara cruise executive reveals plans for Europe
Late-night departures, overnights added

I first met Claudius Docekal, director of deployment and destinations for Azamara Club Cruises, in January on board the Journey.

With great passion and no notes, he was in high gear while talking to a group about cruise ports of the world, and the changing itineraries soon to be added to Azamara Club Cruises for the Journey and its sibling, the Quest.

Like company president Larry Pimentel, Docekal came from SeaDream as one of the first hires when Royal Caribbean created a separate management team for Azamara Club Cruises (azamaraclubcruises.com).

That was in January 2010. This year, Docekal has created a schedule that begins with the Mediterranean season and includes more overnights, more late-night departures, and more variety.

Perfect, for a man who can tell you the highlights of where to eat and how to get around in just about any port in the world.

I caught up with Docekal again earlier this week to ask about what's coming up next.

Q: How are you doing at following the boss's orders?

A: So far so good. We have added close to 50 per cent more overnights and late-night departures to our schedule, as well as more two-night layovers. On some overnights we arrive early in the morning on Day 1 and don't leave till late at night on Day 2.

However, it's not always about how long you stay in port. Sometimes just a few hours will allow you to see that port's main attraction, then you move on to have more time at a port with more to offer.

Q: How about examples of your favourite creations?

A: We are shooting for more seven-day cruises for those with limited time. By starting in Stockholm this July, we are able to offer a couple of Baltic cruises with plenty of time in St. Petersburg. The cruise starts on July 14 with an overnight in Stockholm, a stop in Helsinki on the 16th, then St. Petersburg on the 17th through the 19th, Tallinn on the 20th, arriving back in Stockholm on the 21st.

Q: One more?

A: OK, this one is actually the President's cruise and it gives us the opportunity for very interesting shore excursions.

tiffiant

Azamara Cruises new schedule includes more overnights, more late-night departures, and more variety

tiffiant

We start in Dublin, followed by Cork (Ireland) and then an overnight in Bordeaux (France), where we will hold wine tastings at two famous chateaux followed by a dinner on shore, then several Spanish ports before finishing with an overnight in Lisbon.

Q: The hottest cruising area now?

A: The Mediterranean in its various forms is still the most popular destination.

Q: What about 2012 and beyond?

A: For 2012, with the Olympics in London we will be adding a few British cruises. As far as 2013 goes, we are looking at Central America as an alternative to the Caribbean and we will continue to add sailings that coincide with major events around the world.

Q: It looks easy, just pick out some great ports, but what goes into selecting an itinerary?

A: With fuel prices rising, that plays a big part in the creation of the itinerary, we also have to consider port security, immigration restrictions and, of course, a port has to really want you in the first place.

The marketing team at Azamara is making Claudius into a video star. Go to his hosted port tours at www.azamaradestinationimmersion.com and click on YouTube.

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