NEWS SPECIAL REPORT
Ship launch: Azamara Club Cruises launched Azamara Pursuit last week, with Travel Weekly editor Lucy Huxley christening the ship as a co-godmother. Harry Kemble reports from Southampton
Larry Pimentel:
‘This ship is sharp and fresh
Azamara Pursuit could sail for 30 years, says Pimentel
Azamara Club Cruises’ latest addition to its fleet, Azamara Pursuit, will operate for another 30 years after its multimillion‑pound refit, the line’s president believes.
Larry Pimentel said of the
vessel, which first set sail in 2001: “Most people look at the lifespan of a ship as upwards of 25 years, some people go as far as 30. “Pursuit could easily be in the
market for another 30 years.” The ship was refurbished in
Belfast’s Harland & Wolff shipyard
Azamara Pursuit has ‘the best new technology’
in the spring. Pimentel said: “This ship is sharp and fresh. We are very keen, and have done a good job, to maintain it.” Azamara has replaced a casino
on deck five with a lounge. Other major changes include the installation of 16 Continental suites on deck eight. Pimentel, who is also
chief executive of Azamara, acknowledged that maintaining pace with technological advances could pose problems in the future. “The biggest issue with ships
from this time is they were built in an era where the technology was different,” he said. “When we are rebuilding a ship
like this, we are looking at the best new technology. It now has the best new kit that no other ship has. “While this was a revitalisation,
we treated it as a new-build. We looked at it differently.”
Pimentel said: “[Azamara Pursuit’s launch] confirms Royal Caribbean Cruises’ commitment to the brand. There is always a period where you have to prove yourself [after a ship launch] and I think we have done that.” Azamara bought the ship from
P&O Cruises, for which it sailed as the 777-passenger Adonia. The vessel was the last of eight
R-class ships built by Renaissance Cruises, which folded in 2001. Azamara owns three of those
eight ships. Pursuit has capacity for 702 passengers. Pimentel insisted there was
“no reason” why more ships of a similar size might not be added
to Azamara’s three-vessel fleet, if Azamara Pursuit proved a success.
14
travelweekly.co.uk 6 September 2018
From left: Larry Pimentel, Lucy Huxley, Ellen Asmodeo-Giglio and Richard Fain (Royal Caribbean)
Twynam is handed EMEA region to add to his UK role
Azamara Club Cruises has promoted UK and Ireland managing director Richard Twynam to an expanded role that encompasses the EMEA region. Twynam began his new role on September 1. Responsibility for Europe and the Middle East was previously split across different offices. Twynam, who has been with Azamara for nearly five years, will now work more closely with Stuart Leven, managing director and vice-president of EMEA at parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises. Larry Pimentel, Azamara’s
Richard Twynam, Azamara
president and chief executive, said the expansion of Twynam’s role would help to better “orchestrate” the relationship between the brands and fill Azamara’s ships more efficiently. “I am very happy for Richard because he has provided really great leadership and the brand has grown under him.”
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