Miami-based Azamara Cruises has joined the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), making it the association`s 24th cruise line member. The new, deluxe cruise brand was announced by Celebrity Cruises in May with the launch of Azamara`s first vessel.

Azamara Cruises is designed to offer exotic, destination-driven travel experiences on two 710-guest vessels. Azamara Journey set sail May 5, and sister ship, Azamara Quest, will enter service in October. The cruises present a more intimate onboard experience, while allowing access to the less-traveled ports of call experienced travelers want to visit. Together, the ships will visit 175 ports in over 60 countries around the world.

Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited, said Azamara Cruises was created to fill an area of the market that they believe is underserved. This new line falls into what we consider the deluxe category - a category between premium and luxury.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited is the parent company to Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, which operates Azamara Cruises. Dan Hanrahan serves as president of both Celebrity and Azamara brands; however, the Azamara brand is a separate cruise line from Celebrity.

It`s a natural fit for Azamara Cruises to become part of CLIA, with our corporation`s other cruise brands as long-time members, said Dan Hanrahan, president of Azamara Cruises. We`re thrilled to introduce Azamara as a new product in a new cruise category that our invaluable travel agent partners can sell to their clients to grow their business and ours, while expanding the industry as a whole.

While CLIA is always energized with the addition of a new cruise line into our membership, Azamara is particularly exciting, said Terry Dale, CLIA`s president and CEO Azamara is a perfect example of a unique market with strong potential that a cruise line identified and then developed a product to specifically serve those guests.