Each ship carries about 700 guests. With about 350 waiters, bartenders, cabin stewards and crew, a two-to-one ratio, you can expect personal attention. Azamara focuses on fine food and elegant dining with two specialty restaurants on each ship. The Aqualina features Mediterranean-style cuisine, while Prime C specializes in steak and seafood. These restaurants are in addition to the Discoveries dining room, indoor and outdoor cafés, poolside grill and 24-hour room service.

Public rooms, such as the show lounge, bars, casino, library, Internet café, spa, fitness facilities and boutiques, have polished dark wood panelling, marble, granite, brass accents and plush carpeting. Traditional-style furnishings, artwork, wrought iron staircases with gold accents and faux fireplaces add to the old world ambience. Much of the décor features royal blue and gold to make you feel like royalty.

You don't have to dress like royalty though. Attire is resort casual and there are no formal nights.

The poolside furniture is a rare treat for cruise passengers: teak double-loungers on deck, for those who like to cuddle while cruising. Custom-made beach towels tuck neatly onto the extra thick chair pads and have passengers relaxing well past sunset.

The renovations eliminated many cabins to make staterooms more spacious.

On one deck, 48 cabins were renovated into 32 suites. About 93 per cent of cabins have ocean views and 70 per cent of those have a veranda.

Special in-stateroom experiences include the Romantic Indulgence package for an evening of candlelight, silk rose petals, sparkling wine, chocolate-covered strawberries and music provided on CD.

Although you may never want to leave your stateroom, with its Egyptian cotton bedding, thirsty bathrobes and towels, champagne, fruit and fresh-cut flowers, both ships sail around the world to more than 200 ports in 70 countries.

In 2008, the ships sail to the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, South America and the Panama Canal.

Around-the-world voyages begin in 2010. The ships are less than 600 feet long (183 metres) and can sail into ports larger vessels can't access.

An on-board expert will help you select shore excursions based on your personal interests, and serves as a destination guide offering information about the culture and history of each place.

For more, call 1-877-999-9553 or visit azamaracruises.com

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