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Join us on the beautiful small ship, Azamara Journey, as we sail round trip from Athens (Piraeus), Greece exploring ports in the Black Sea with stops in Mykonos, Ephesus, Burgas, Varna, Constanta, Odessa, Istanbul, and Canakkale from September 29 - October 13, 2021.
Azamara believes in connecting people to people, people with cultures and people with themselves, bringing you closer to new experiences that help form who you are and give you a fresh perspective of life. The Azamara crew do this through their Destination Immersion® experiences, the philosophy behind every Azamara voyage. They have carefully curated immersive itineraries, featuring longer stays, more overnights and unique night touring, allowing you to travel deeper and absorb more of the history, arts, cuisine and local customs that make each place unique. Continuing to expand their Destination Immersion® experiences by land, they have created unique pre- and post- voyage options. Through partnerships with some of the most renowned land tour operators, the Land & Sea Packages take you behind the scenes of local life with one inclusive price. It is land travel, by ship. Are you ready to Explore Further℠?
Azamara Journey Highlights
The 690 passenger boutique small country-club casual ship has seven restaurants, cafes and lounges, two pools, sun decks, a spa, fitness center, jogging track, hair salon, shops, casino, cabaret lounge, concierge desk, not to mention a couple hundred wonderfully appointed staterooms and suites—plus a whole lot more to discover. Last refurbished in January 2018.
Dining & Wines
Azamara proudly features two specialty restaurants, Prime C and Aqualina*. Aqualina offers fabulous Mediterranean cuisine. Prime C is Azamara's classic wood-paneled steakhouse with stunning views and lush decor. The Wine Cellar will delight your palate with an 8,000-bottle collection of limited production, small label and rare vintage wines. The knowledgeable sommeliers will help you pick the perfect wines for your evening meal. Discoveries restaurant is the main dining room on the ship. It offers an elegant yet lively dining scene and is available to all passengers. For casual dining and snacks there is Windows Café, The Patio, Mosaic Café, and Living room. 24-Hour room service is available
*Specialty dining is complimentary for suite guests. For others, there is a $25 per-person cover. Reservations are highly recommended.
Note: Aqualina will feature Itilian-inspired cuisine and Prime C will feature a steak and seafood.
Azamara Journey - The Black Sea Itinerary
Two weeks exploring the exotic ports around the Black Sea, the largest inland body of water. The Black Sea straddles both Europe and Asia and is bordered by Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.
Day 1 - September 29, 2021 - Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Start your journey in Piraeus with an archaeological walk past landmarks like the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Ancient Agora, and of course, the Acropolis. Afterwards, head to the Central Market for a feast of fresh fruit and veggies, nuts, olives, and Grecian cheese. Finally, check out a local taverna where you can rub elbows with the locals well into the wee hours of the night.
Day 2 - September 30, 2021 - Mykonos, Greece
Picture perfect is the best way to describe Mykonos. Idyllic in every way, from the brilliant blue water in its harbour to the rows of 16th-century Venetian windmills. Mykonos is a postcard come to life! Spend your days strolling delightful cobblestone streets and visiting artisan craft shops. And when the sun goes down, discover why locals refer to this hedonistic city as the Ibiza of Greece.
Day 3 - October 1st, 2021 - Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey
Kusadasi has many charms, but let us talk Turkey: The star attraction is Ephesus. Once the second largest city in the Roman Empire, its marble-made Arcadian Street stretches from the 24,000-capacity Great Theatre (St. Paul use to preach there) to the harbour. Nearby sites include the Temple of Artemis, Basilica of St. John, and House of Virgin Mary, where Mary is supposed to have spent her last days.
Day 4 - October 2nd, 2021 - Bosphorus Strait (cruising)
A natural, strategic waterway, the Bosphorus Strait connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, and thence through the Aegean to the Mediterranean. As such it is the only sea link between the eastern European countries of the Black Sea and the rest of the world. It also separates the European and Asian parts of Turkey, and along its entire course is a profusion of palaces, fortresses, old wooden houses, gardens, and seaside cafes. A busy corridor, its shipping lanes are used by some 50, 000 vessels annually.
Day 5 - October 3rd, 2021 - Burgas, Bulgaria
Burgas is a city on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. At its heart, the Church of Saint Cyril and Methodius is known for striking stained-glass windows over its main entrance. Nearby, the Ethnographic Museum explores Bulgarian folk culture, with colourful costumes and everyday items. Along Burgas Bay is the Sea Garden, with broad promenades, performances at its Summer Theatre and a viewing platform at the end of its pier.
Day 6 - October 4, 2021 - Varna, Bulgaria
Varna is handsomely laid out along the contours of the bay of the same name, and this cosmopolitan city is perfect for strolling amidst baroque, turn of the 20th-century, and contemporary architecture. Varna has long been a popular seaside retreat from the Bulgarian nobility to young party-going holidaymakers for more than a century. For the more adventurous the Aladzha Monastery is an incredible Orthodox cave monastery complex that have been purposely carved from the face of a 25-meter high karst cliff. Inside you can discover mosaics that have survived as well as some medieval frescoes.
Day 7 - October 5, 2021 - Constanta, Romania
Founded by the Greek in 600BC and a place of legend, Jason and the Argonauts are said to have landed here after finding the Golden Fleece. Constanta is now a repository of archeological treasures. Constanta is Romania’s largest and most important port city on the Black Sea and is also the oldest continuously inhabited city in Romania.
Day 8 + 9 - October 6 + 7, 2021 - Odessa, Ukraine
Relatively new as far as European cities go, Odessa was founded in 1794 by Catherine the Great, and went on to become an important commercial and cultural center, as well as the Black Sea's greatest seaport. Odessa is Ukraine's favourite holiday escape for its culture, mild climate and beaches. Many of the golden age architectural wonders have been preserved from palaces, cultured parks, boulevards, ceremonial stairways and the spellbinding opera house - one of the finest in all of Europe.
Day 10 - October 8, 2021 - Sailing the Black Sea
Spend the day sailing in style aboard your boutique hotel at sea. Indulge in a treatment at the Sanctum Spa, stay ship shape with a class at the fitness center, or lounge the day away at the sunny pool deck.
Day 11 + 12 - October 9 + 10, 2021 - Istanbul, Turkey
East meets West in the storied city where Europe and Asia meet. Start in Sultanahmet Square and you can easily explore the intricate architecture of Topkapi Palace, the cathedral-turned-mosque-turned-museum of Hagia Sofia, and the brilliant blues of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Sample kebaps, mezes, Turkish delights, and more at the city's endless restaurants, and taverns where you are sure to meet friendly locals and be caught up in their infectious love of life.
Day 13 - October 11, 2021 - Canakkale (Kepez), Turkey
Çanakkale is a city in northwestern Turkey in the Marmara region, on the Dardanelles Strait. It’s a gateway to the Gallipoli WWI battlefields, north of the narrow strait. On the grounds of the 15th-century Çimenlik Castle, Çanakkale Naval Museum Command contains historical artillery. The archaeological site at Troy, including an ancient theater, is southwest of the city.
Day 14 + 15 - October 12 + 13, 2021 - Athens (Piraeus), Greece
The Azamara Journey returns into the port of Piraeus at 1PM on Day 14 (October 12th) for an overnight stay. This gives you the ability to take an early flight out on October 13th or to extend your stay in Greece or continue on to another exciting destination. As previously mentioned there is a lot to see and do in Athens and a must is to take in the night view of the Acropolis from one of the many outdoor terrace restaurants.
What is Included on the Azamara Journey
Azamara Cruises is proud to offer an extraordinary value in luxury cruising, thanks to their all-inclusive pricing. Spend more time enjoying your cruise vacation and less time worrying about every little detail when it’s all been taken care of—from gourmet dining to onboard gratuities, and so much more.
When you travel on board Azamara, you’ll enjoy:
Complimentary AzAmazing Evenings® event
Gratuities
All shipboard meals, in your choice of venues*
Select standard spirits, international beers and wines
Bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas
Self-service laundry
Shuttle service to and from port communities, where available
Concierge services for personal guidance and reservations
All shipboard entertainment, including performers and live music in the evenings
Presentations by onboard experts
*Specialty dining is complimentary for suite guests. For others, there is a $25 per-person cover. Reservations are highly recommended.
Additional amenities for VERANDA PLUS* guests:
Complimentary Internet (120 minutes or 25% off the unlimited internet package) per guest*
One free bag of laundry service per stateroom, every seven days*
One night of complimentary specialty dining for two, each seven days
Priority embarkation and debarkation
Complimentary in-room spirits
Even more amenities for SUITE guests:
English butler service
240 complimentary Internet minutes per guest
One free bag of laundry service per suite, each seven days
Complimentary seating in the specialty restaurants dining
Priority embarkation and debarkation
Complimentary in-room spirits
In-suite afternoon tea service
$300 in Onboard Credit per person (Club World Owner’s Suites, Club Ocean Suites, Club Spa Suites categories only)
Award Winning
At Azamara®, they immerse you in the world’s most captivating destinations—all while providing unparalleled service, the finest dining at sea, glorious spa and wellness treatments, and innovative approaches to travel such as their Destination Immersion® experiences.
They are exceptionally proud that their efforts to create voyages of a lifetime have received a great deal of attention. Click here to discover what makes Azamara…AzAmazing! Join us on Azamara and experience their award winning warm hospitality for yourself.
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