Azamara Club Cruises, the “upmarket” cruise line owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., announced plans to renovate its two boutique 694-passenger twin ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest. Both ships are scheduled separately to enter drydock in 2012 and 2013, respectively, where each will receive a complete facelift and a new profile with new dark-blue hulls.

In addition, Azamara unveiled plans to augment its “destination immersion” concept where ships either overnight in port or stay very late so guests can enjoy local dining and nightlife experiences. “Azamara Club Cruises is offering up-market travelers more of what they love about our brand,” said Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises. “Our distinctive destination-immersion proposition and the warm and authentic personal service from every staff and crew member have really resonated with up-market travelers. Guest satisfaction has consistently pushed 100 percent, and we are going to continue to deliver travel in a way that will surmount all guest expectations -- on land and on board.”

Shipwide renovations will include new carpets, upholstery, and a new color palette in public spaces reflecting the cruise line’s inviting atmosphere. The ships also will feature new mattresses and upgraded veranda furniture for suites and staterooms, as well as a resurfaced pool, and new sun loungers and pool towels on the outer decks.  The Casino Bar will be expanded and enhanced with new furniture, while the Spa and fitness center will be refreshed with a new steam room, showers, and state-of-the-art Life Fitness cardio equipment. In addition, a range of enhancements will be made behind the scenes in the staff and crew area.

On the culinary front, guests will soon enjoy a new caviar and champagne bar within Aqualina, one of the ships’ two specialty dining venues, as well as a new Chef’s Table concept featuring three wine degustation menus -- Italian, French and Californian. At Mosaic Café, the ships’ central gathering spot, guests will be able to purchase a freshly brewed cup of bespoke coffee.

Azamara Quest will spend eight nights in drydock at Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain, starting Nov. 7, 2012. With renovations complete, Azamara Quest will then sail a 13-night Madeira and Canary Islands voyage, beginning Nov. 15, followed by a four-night Spanish and Northern Africa voyage on Nov. 28. The ship then departs on Dec. 2, to embark on a 16-night, trans-Atlantic voyage to Rio De Janeiro for its South America season.

Azamara Journey will enter Singapore’s Sembawang Shipyard (a subsidiary of Sembcorp Marine Ltd.) on Jan. 6, 2013, for a seven-night renovation drydock. The ship will then continue its Asia season with a 13-night Indonesia voyage round-trip from Singapore on Jan. 13.

Guests aboard Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest enjoy more inclusive amenities, such as included gratuities for housekeeping, dining and bar staff; complimentary bottled water, sodas, specialty coffee, and teas, as well as complimentary red and white boutique wines to accompany lunch and dinner; complimentary self-service laundry; English Butler service for suite guests; and shuttle transportation to city centers in ports, where available.

Azamara sails European destinations, including the Baltic and Scandinavia, British Isles, Western Europe, French and Italian Rivieras, Greek Isles, Croatia, Holy Land and Black Sea, as well as Asia, South America and islands of the West Indies, with more overnight and late-night stays in every region. Guests also can choose even more immersive experiences with Azamara cruise-tours some of the world’s top destinations, including Buenos Aires, Istanbul, India and China. For more information, travel agents can click on CruisingPower.com.