SOUTHAMPTON, England -- Azamara Club Cruises' first ship in
over a decade was christened the Azamara Pursuit here in a dockside ceremony on
Tuesday.
The godmothers of the 702-passenger ship were two
influential executives in the travel trade media: Ellen Asmodeo-Giglio,
executive vice president and chief revenue officer of Afar Media and Lucy
Huxley, editor in chief of Travel Weekly UK.
They each hit a button sending a yoked pair of champagne
bottles to break on the side of the Pursuit. Videos featuring officers and crew
from sister ships Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey were played welcoming
Pursuit to the family.
All three ships were originally built in 2000-01 as the
sixth, seventh and eighth R-class vessels delivered to Renaissance Cruises.
Azamara acquired two in 2007 when the line launched operations. Until recently,
the Pursuit had been sailing for P&O Cruises as the Adonia.
Azamara CEO Larry Pimentel said the addition of a third ship
will enable Azamara to visit all seven continents next year and go to 400 ports
annually.
The three ships will undertake a joint cruise together going
from Slovenia to Venice in 2020.