Azamara Cruises Joins CLIA

Azamara Cruises, Celebrity Cruises' deluxe brand that launched in May, has joined the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), becoming the organization's 24th member line. With Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, Celebrity's parent company, already CLIA members, it was only natural for Azamara to join, said Dan Hanrahan, who serves as president of both Celebrity and Azamara. Azamara, which translated means "blue sea," was created to fill a category between premium and luxury, which Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean International said is underserved. "Azamara is a perfect example of a unique market with strong potential that a cruise line identified and then developed a product to specifically serve those guests," said CLIA's president Terry Dale. Azamara currently operates two ships--Journey and Quest--which cater to roughly 710 passengers each.