On Tuesday, February 10 at 2 pm ET, Jose Vilarinho, Captain of the Azamara Quest will be joining us to co-host a special edition of #CruiseChat LIVE from the ship! Learn more about Captain Jose below, and submit your questions for him to answer during this #AzAmazing #CruiseChat by emailing us at cruise@cruisechatlive.com
Introducing Master José Vilarinho
You could say that José Vilarinho knows Azamara Club Cruises inside and out. Not only as ship Master, but as part of the original team that oversaw construction of Azamara’s two ships.
Raised in Aveiro, Portugal, José began working in his family’s cod fishing business at a young age and became acquainted with all aspects of boating. He wanted a life at sea, but after completing nautical school in Lisbon discovered that working on a fishing trawler was very different from what he’d imagined. Over the next decade, his career led to increasing responsibilities on cargo ships, tankers, and eventually cruise ships where he found his true calling. “I love new places and people. For me there’s nothing better than being on a cruise ship where you get to enjoy both,” he says.
José worked with several cruise companies, then joined Renaissance in 1999 as it launched construction of eight new ships including two that now carry the Azamara name. From there, he worked as Master for several cruise companies including AIDA Cruises/Carnival in the UK. When a position with Azamara Club Cruises came along, he didn’t hesitate. “These ships are just the right size,” he says. “Not too big and not too small.”
José still calls Aveiro home, and in his free time he loves to mountain bike, jog, garden and enjoy his quiet town. “I consider myself a very lucky guy, doing what I love. I’ve worked on fishing trawlers, tankers, cargo ships and huge cruise ships, and this is the best of all.”