In some Blogs, I can take a couple of paragraphs and tell you the whole story. On this one, not a chance. This will take a while but you will find it interesting.
When I was on Azamara’s Journey a month ago, executives from Azarmara Club Cruises were raving about more late-night stays in ports and a lot more overnight stays. The 2012 schedule is out and Azamara has lived up to its bold promise.
For example, 51 per cent of all port calls in 2012 feature late-night or overnight stays. Altogether, there are 54 itineraries from 5 to 16 nights between March 2012 and February 2013.
The new voyages complete the cruise line’s 2012 deployments, which total 64 sailings that visit unique destinations and call at 181 ports in 57 countries throughout the Mediterranean Sea, Northern Europe, South America, India, the West Indies, and South America.
One of the things I like about the South America plans is that there is a couple of interesting Christmas cruises on the Journey and the Quest (below) over the next two years. Then, early in 2013, one ship will be in
Rio de Janeiro for its famous Carnival and the tickets cover various price ranges.
There are several cruises in Asia but Vietnam is one place I haven’t been and I’d like to make that journey soon. On December 23, 2012, Azamara Journey embarks on a 14-night Southeast Asia voyage to Hong Kong, offering 2-night calls at Bangkok (Klong Toey), Thailand and Ho-Chi Minh City (Vietnam), plus an overnight at Hanoi in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay.
The Mediterranean continues to be the most popular cruising area on the other side of the Atlantic, and Azamara has 27 voyages planned.
One that will create interest if you’re into car racing leaves Nice on May 24, 2012. It offers an overnight at and midnight departure from St. 
Tropez, France, and two late-night departures from Monte Carlo, Monaco, and Portofino, Italy. Guests sailing this voyage will have the option to purchase tickets to the Monaco Grand Prix.
Here are some of the new destinations for the Baltics, all for 2012:
• On the 7-night, round-trip Belgium and South England voyage from Paris (Rouen), departing April 29, the Journey will make maiden calls at and midnight departures from Bruges (Zeebrugge), Belgium, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Dover, England and Portland, Dorset in the UK; and conclude with an overnight in port.
• The 11-night Mother’s Day sailing, departing May 6, includes a maiden call at the Isles of Scilly in the U.K., a midnight departure from the medieval walled city of St. Malo, France, and overnights in Antwerp, Belgium and Amsterdam.
• Are you into gardening? The 12-night Chelsea Flower Show voyage departs May 17, and begins with an overnight in Amsterdam; features first-time calls at Flushing (Vlissingen) in the Netherlands, and Southampton, England; and includes stays for two nights in Antwerp, Paris, and London (Greenwich), offering guests the opportunity to attend the annual RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
• The May 29, 12-night British Isles in Bloom voyage overnights in Dublin, Ireland, and Edinburgh (Leith), Scotland, and includes maiden calls at Isle of Skye (Portree) and Invergordon, Scotland.
• On July 28, there’s a Castles, Distilleries & Pubs voyage from Edinburgh (Leith), and guests enjoy two-night stays at and post-midnight departures from Dublin, Ireland, and Paris (Rouen).
They should have named the last two cruises Gardeners’ Delights.
Azamara Journey continues eastward for three voyages that explore the vibrant Nordic cultures and Baltic jewel cities:
• A 10-night voyage from Amsterdam on June 10 offers guests overnights in Copenhagen, Denmark and Stockholm, Sweden; a maiden call at and late departure from the charming Danish-island Ronne, Bornholm; and an overnight at and late departure from St. Petersburg, Russia, for guests to join in the city’s annual White Nights Festival.
• The 9-night Scandinavia Russia voyage, departing June 27, features a maiden call at Visby, Sweden, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Scandinavia and another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and concludes with two nights in Copenhagen.
It all looks interesting, doesn’t it? Now how do get I get to Monte Carlo for the Grand Prix?
All for now.
