Third Azamara ship was officially christened at the Port of Southampton on 28 August
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Azamara Club Cruises’ new ship Azamara Pursuit has embarked on her inaugural cruise season following her official christening ceremony at the Port of Southampton, UK on 28 August.
Azamara Pursuit, which formerly sailed as P&O Cruises’ Adonia was revitalised by MJM Group at Belfast’s Harland and Wolff shipyard this spring and is the third vessel to join Azamara’s boutique fleet. The ship was christened by two godmothers: Ellen Asmodeo-Giglio, executive vice president and chief revenue officer of AFAR Media, and Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly UK. Other ceremony attendees included Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of Azamara; the board of directors; and other invited guests.
“Since the announcement of Azamara Pursuit in September 2017, we have eagerly awaited this special moment to celebrate the ship’s debut,” said Pimentel. “Azamara Pursuit's two godmothers both have a fearless dedication to adventure, and we could not be more pleased for them to lead us in this ceremony.”
Following her naming ceremony, Azamara Pursuit set sail for a two-night cruise to Cherbourg, France, during which guests were able to enjoy an AzAmazing Afternoon event. The event included a trip to a French market that was set up next to the ship’s gangway and a performance by a 15-piece orchestra, dancers and a solo singer at La Cité de la Mar cabaret hall. Guests also had the opportunity to participate in several shore excursions, such as viewing the Bayeux Tapestry and taking a tour of some of Cherbourg’s historic landmarks, including a 12th-century Catholic monastery and former marine hospital.
The voyage concluded with a White Night celebration, an evening soirée where guests were able to enjoy a poolside dinner served by Azamara's officers and crew.
Azamara Pursuit has since embarked on her maiden cruise – a 13-night ‘Wine & Romance Voyage’ from Southampton to Barcelona, Spain. During her inaugural season, Azamara Pursuit will visit 15 ports that have never been on Azamara’s itineraries, including Seyðisfjörður, Iceland and Maceió, Brazil. She will also be the first Azamara vessel to sail to the Chilean Fjords and Antarctica.