Azamara Journey

(Redirected from MS R Six)

Azamara Journey is an R-class cruise ship owned and operated by Azamara Club Cruises. Gross register tonnage is 30,277, with a capacity of 694 passengers (double occupancy), plus 390 crew members. She was built in 2000 for Renaissance Cruises as R Six. After the bankruptcy of Renaissance Cruises, she sailed for Pullmantur Cruises who renamed her Blue Star in 2003 and Blue Dream in 2005.

Azamara Journey in Fremantle, Australia, in 2018
History
Malta
Name
  • 2000–2003: R Six
  • 2003–2005: Blue Star
  • 2005–2007: Blue Dream
  • 2007-present: Azamara Journey
Owner
Operator2000-2001: Renaissance Cruises

2001-2003: laid up

2003-2007: Pullmantur Cruises

2007-present: Azamara Cruises
Port of registry
Ordered1997
BuilderChantiers de l'Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire
Laid down20 September 1999
Launched17 January 2000
Completed24 June 2000
Acquired2000
Maiden voyage2000
In service2000
Renamed2007
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Class and typeR-class cruise ship
Tonnage30,277 GT
Length181.00 m (593.83 ft)
Beam25.46 m (83.5 ft)
Draught5.8 metres
Depth5.80 m (19.0 ft)
Decks11
Propulsiontwo propeller shafts and two fixed pitch propellers
Speed18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph)
Capacity694 passengers
Crew407

History

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Azamara Journey in her previous livery, as seen at leaving Hamilton, Bermuda in August 2007
 
Azamara Journey sailing under the Sydney Harbour Bridge after leaving White Bay Cruise Terminal in 2024
 
Azamara Journey at Cartagena, Spain, docked at the main cruise terminal in September 2024

The ship was built in 2000 by the Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, the sixth ship of the comprehensive eight ships "R-Class" for Renaissance Cruises shipping company and was named R Six. The ship was sold in early 2001 to the Cruise Company Invest. Due to illiquidity turned Renaissance Cruises end of September 2001 the operation and the R Six was launched mid-2003. She was then chartered to the cruise line Pullmantur Cruises and use of this under the marketing name for Blue Star Cruises (but not yet officially renamed). Since July 2005, the ship was called the Blue Dream.

From 2006, the ship was used by Pullmantur. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the parent company of Pullmantur, transferred the Blue Dream on 15 December 2008 its new subsidiary Azamara Cruises, where it was renamed Azamara Journey; and since then with her sister ship Azamara Quest, the former R Seven, and since 2018 with her sister ship Azamara Pursuit, the former R Eight, is used worldwide for cruises.[3][4] Azamara Cruises has been renamed Azamara Club Cruises.

In 2015, the Azamara Journey and the Azamara Quest were the ships used by television presenter and biologist Nigel Marven for his UKTV documentary/travel programme "Cruise Ship Adventures with Nigel Marven", during which Nigel showed areas with outstanding wildlife that can be visited in popular cruise destinations.[5]

During the COVID-19 pandemic Journey and two of her sisterships Azamara Pursuit and Azamara Quest berthed in Glasgow's King George V Dock between June 2020 and July/August 2021 with Journey being the last to leave on 9 August 2021.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Azamara Journey Shipinfo". Equasis. May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  2. ^ Sebastian, Dave (19 January 2021). "Royal Caribbean to Sell Azamara Luxury Cruise Line for $201 Million". Wall Street Journal.
  3. ^ Staff, CIN (2018-03-14). "Azamara Signs for Ownership of Pursuit". Retrieved 2018-03-14.
  4. ^ "MJM Putting Final Touches on Azamara Pursuit Conversion". July 13, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  5. ^ "Reasons To Cruise Blog - Cruising Tips For First Timers". Reasons To Cruise. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  6. ^ Stewart, Catriona (9 August 2021). "Final Glasgow cruise ship Azamara Journey sets sail tonight". Retrieved 2022-11-18.
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