The Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd-owned brand has unveiled its most comprehensive selection of itineraries yet, with sailings in 54 countries and calls at 174 ports for its two vessels: Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest.

The 694-passenger Azamara Journey begins its programme with a transatlantic voyage from Miami in April 2011 and finishes 12 months later in the Caribbean, via the Mediterranean and South America.

Highlights include a four-night Monaco Grand Prix sailing from Nice on May 26, 2011, and wine-themed Mediterranean cruises.

Azamara Journey will also offer the Antarctic Sound, the Falkland Islands and the chance to view New Year’s Eve fireworks at the Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro plus two days in Rio during its famous Carnival.

A first-ever call to see the active volcano Krakatoa is the highlight of unusual ports and sights visited by Azamara Quest for 2011-12.

Also new is a 10-night Red Sea itinerary from Suez and a selection of India itineraries.

Larry Pimentel, Azamara Club Cruises president and chief executive, said: ‘Azamara Club Cruises is built around four key pillars: extraordinary service, cuisine and wines of the world, wellness and vitality, and destination immersion. But what distinguishes our brand most is our ability to deliver the destination, and our new itineraries were precisely built around that commitment.’

This is a cruise blog entry by Phil