Boutique cruise line, Azamara Club Cruises, has appointed Richard Twynam as its first ever managing director in the UK and Ireland. He will lead a new 10-strong team dedicated to the destination immersive travel brand.
 
Twynam brings almost 20 years of experience in the travel industry with him, having held senior positions at companies such as Air New Zealand, Tui UK, Virgin Holidays Cruises and Kuoni UK.
 
The appointment follows a decision earlier this year by parent company RCL Cruises Ltd to evolve its UK and Ireland business structure in response to business growth. From 1 January 2014 there will be three dedicated businesses however Twynam will continue to work in the partnership with Stuart Leven, manager director Royal Caribbean International and Jo Rzymowska, managing director Celebrity Cruises. 
 
Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises, said:
 
“The UK and Ireland market continues to be one of the largest and most important for Azamara Club Cruises and is going from strength to strength. We are excited to welcome Richard Twynam to lead this evolution as we continue to grow and invest in our business in the UK. Now is a really exciting time for the business as the expansion continues.”

Supporting Twynam as commercial director is David Duff, formerly commercial planning and analysis for RCL Cruises Ltd. Duff is joined by a business analyst and an air and inventory team member. The new commercial team will aid agents in planning pricing, itineraries and strengthen the brand among British and Irish holidaymakers.

In addition Twynam will oversee a three-strong sales team and a marketing communications and PR manger.  The sales and marketing team will be supported by a trade marketing executive, the first time the cruise line has enjoyed this level of agent focus in the UK and Ireland.
 
Azamara Club Cruises offers distinct destination-immersive experiences for upmarket travellers. The cruise line features voyages with longer stays and more overnights at ports to provide guests the opportunity to experience night touring at some of the most compelling destinations of Europe, Asia, South America, West Indies, as well as Central and North America.

The dedicated team will start 2014 offering guests a record 45 new ports such as Osaka (Kyoto, Japan), Kuda Bandos Island (The Maldives), Manzanillo (Mexico) and San Juan Del Sur (Nicaragua), many of which are hard to reach for larger ships. Azamara Club Cruises continues to refresh its Azamazing Evenings event programme for 2014 with destination immersion activities including an evening with the Black Sea Navy Ensemble in Savastapol, Ukraine, for songs and folk dancing; or martial arts, dance, market crafts and food tasting bringing to life the culture the performances of Kerala when in the port of Cochin, India.

In addition, the cruise line is currently offering a complimentary Land Discovery excursion per Mediterranean port visited on selected 2014 Europe sailings booked up to 31st January 2014 (up to the value of £650 per person per cruise).  These bespoke tours allow guests to immerse themselves in the destination whilst offering an authentic experience.  Guests can choose excursions such as a walking tour through Portofino (Italy) and visit to the Brown Castle; an exploration of the traditional villages and cultural treasures of Kos (Greece); or wine tasting at Marsovin Vineyards in Valletta (Malta) as part of the offer.
 
On board the intimate Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, guests receive exceptional and personal service and the cruise line’s authentic, exclusive and bespoke AzAmazing Evenings events that showcase the unexpected colours and flavours of a destination. Guests also enjoy fine cuisine and boutique wines from around the world, as well as more inclusive amenities, such as included gratuities; complimentary bottled water, sodas, speciality coffee, and teas, as well as complimentary boutique wines, international beers and selected standard spirits in the ships’ bars, lounges and restaurants when open; complimentary self-service laundry; English Butler service for suite guests; and shuttle transportation to city centres in ports, where available.