Cruise lines continue to pour millions into upgrading their cruise ships. One recent upgrade saw a cruise line remove the casino and replaced it with a popular new lounge.
Azamara Club Cruises, a boutique luxury line owned by Royal Caribbean, has announced the refurbishment of Azamara Quest which recently went into dry dock in Singapore.
Following the success and positive feedback of Azamara Pursuit’s The Den, Azamara Quest’s casino has been transformed into a similar lively lounge, which is equipped with comfortable seating, a piano, light “live” music in the evening, and a lengthy bar. To further the brand’s commitment to Destination Immersion experiences, “The Den” will also have a concierge desk staffed with destination-focused travel experts to help plan land excursions. View Prices on Cruises on Azamara Quest
The cruise ship now offers the addition of six new Ocean View staterooms on deck four, port side. As a result, the ship can now accommodate 702 guests as opposed to its previous 690 guests.
In addition to “The Den,” Azamara Quest’s gift shop was re-designed and will provide guests with an immersive shopping experience, offering a variety of cosmetics, electronics, jewelry and perfumes, among other items to enjoy.
Azamara Quest’s top ten suites as well as its two specialty dining restaurants, Prime C and Aqualina, are now equipped with brand new furniture.
Azamara is currently sailing the brand’s first-ever 15-Night Circle Japan Intensive Voyage. The ship recently departed on April 27, and will be stopping at 8 maiden ports, totaling 12 altogether. Guests will have the chance to dive deep into Japan, from feudal Samurai towns to tech-driven Tokyo. This trip includes three late-nights and two overnight stays.
Azamara Quest will then set sail on May 25 for one of its first visits to Alaska on the 10-Night Alaska Intensive Voyage. Highlights of this sailing include exploring Icy Strait Point, with an array of activities indigenous to the area such as native dance performances, brown bear viewings, and whale watching, as well as discovering Ketchikan, dubbed the “Salmon Capital of the World.”
I think there are plenty cruisers that would be happy with ships like the Azamara that enjoy more entertainment & relaxation over casinos. When you are an empty nester or have no children many would prefer an all adult ship as well. A cruise for many means getting away from the hustle & bustle of everyday life, a vacation of seeing & enjoying beauty, relaxing, enjoying someone else cooking & cleaning, a nice evening out with fine dining, entertainment & letting someone do the driving. When talking with other cruisers regarding the casinos many do not go anyway because of the smoke. Disney is great for families with children as they enjoy fun vacations as well so why not offer cruises for both, family vacations & fun & all adult with fun.
Really? They take the biggest revenue generator off the ship and replace it with another lounge? How many cocktails are they going to have to sell every night in that lounge to make up for all the lost dollars the casino produces? This will ultimately translate into even higher cruise fares in the months and years ahead for those sailing Quest, and I don’t even use the casino! I am not a gambler, but in the nearly 3-dozen cruises I have taken in my life (I have three planned for this year alone) over the years, I have never seen an empty casino on ANY ship, especially “boutique” lines like Azamara. And PLEASE, don’t give me the line about how Disney does it… DISNEY is selling fantasy (no pun intended on the name of one of their ships, lol). They are focused on FAMILY-FUN cruising with YOUNG children. Many in that demographic don’t have the disposable income at that point in their lives to gamble, they are focused on their children and their children’s needs, not adult playtime. Azamara is aimed right at the empty-nester crowd; the exact crowd who DOES gamble.
Let’s see which lasts longer… The new lounge or the exec who made this bonehead move!