Big things are in store for Azamara Club Cruises later this year when the Azamara Quest is expected to go into drydock in Cadiz in November, followed by the Journey in Singapore in Feb. 2013.

Larry Pimentel, CEO, told Cruise Industry News: “Harri Kulovaara and his team of architects have been working on the revitalization plans for the Azamara ships for six months. We will do the normal drydocking work, but also refresh the ships and add some new elements, some ‘wow’ factors.” Pimentel promised that further details and confirmation of the yard schedule will be forthcoming soon.

Destination driven, Pimentel said that in 2012 Azamara will be calling at 181 ports in 55 countries. Of its two ships, the 684-passenger Journey started the year in Antarctica and South America before working her way up the Caribbean and across to Europe for the summer. At the end of November, the Journey sails for the Far East.

The Quest started the year in the Far East before sailing to the Mediterranean via the Middle East. Switching deployment with the Journey, the Quest will be heading to the Caribbean and South America in late fall and winter.

The European deployment represents 60 percent of Azamara’s passenger capacity. Bookings for 2012 show that approximately 53 percent of the passengers come from outside the U.S., according to Pimentel, who also noted that 22 percent has never taken a cruise before, but are attracted by the long port stays and overnights.