Azamara Cruises is committed to boutique ships, extended port stays, and exclusive cultural experiences to discover each destination beyond the usual tourist spots. This philosophy is reinforced by new offerings for 2027 and a fleet embarking on a new phase of renewal.
At a time when the travel experience is increasingly important, Azamara Cruises maintains a proposition based on a simple idea: spending more time at destinations allows you to truly get to know them. The company, specializing in premium cruises with smaller ships, has built its identity around the opportunity to reach less frequented places, spend more time in port, and discover local life even after nightfall.
This philosophy is encapsulated in the concept of Destination Immersion, which forms the core of its product and which the cruise line has once again placed at the heart of its strategy with the global campaign "The Next Big Thing is Small," launched in June 2026. The message highlights the advantages of boutique ships compared to a way of traveling focused solely on accumulating ports of call. The goal is to offer a more intimate experience, with ports that provide direct access to cities and towns of interest, less crowded onboard spaces, and personalized service.
The size of the ships also facilitates access to certain ports that aren't always part of the usual itineraries. Added to this are extended stays, late departures, and nights in port, allowing you to make the most of your time ashore and discover a different perspective of each destination. A dinner at a local restaurant, an evening stroll, or a cultural visit after hours can thus become an essential part of the trip.
Experience destinations even after sunset
AzAmazing Evenings are one of the most representative expressions of this commitment to cultural immersion. These are free and exclusive experiences for Azamara passengers that bring local traditions, music, and arts closer through events organized in unique settings.
The program can include everything from musical performances in historic theaters to celebrations that highlight the customs and identity of the communities visited. The aim is for the traveler not only to see a destination but also to have the opportunity to connect with its culture in a unique way.
Azamara will expand this offering in 2027 with 36 new AzAmazing Evenings, bringing the total to 121 cultural experiences throughout the year. The program will encompass destinations in various regions of the world, from the Mediterranean and Northern Europe to Asia and the Americas. New European offerings include experiences in Tallinn, Cork, and Gibraltar, with options such as choral music at the Estonian National Opera, a visit to the Midleton Distillery in Ireland, and a musical performance in St. Michael's Cave in Gibraltar.
These activities are part of a broader strategy designed to extend the onshore experience. Cruises of nine nights or more include an AzAmazing Evening at the destination, while seven- and eight-night sailings incorporate cultural celebrations onboard. In this way, the program adapts to the length of the voyage without sacrificing the cultural component that characterizes the company.
The immersion can also last for several days. Overland Experiences allow passengers to temporarily leave the ship for a land-based experience before rejoining the cruise line in another port. The planned collection for 2027 includes 18 offerings in seven countries, with accommodation, transportation, guided tours, and certain meals organized by the cruise line. These include a stay in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora, a tour of Laos and Vietnam, and a visit to some of China's main historical sites.
A new stage for the onboard experience
Product evolution is not limited to excursions and land-based activities. With the Azamara Forward, the company has also launched a fleet renewal that includes improvements to cabins and suites, dining spaces and common areas, as well as new restaurant and cocktail offerings.
The project will debut aboard the Azamara Quest on December 18, 2026, and will continue on the Azamara Onward during 2027. The initiative seeks to update the spaces and elevate the onboard experience, while maintaining the intimate character of the ships and the personalized service that are part of the brand's identity.
Gastronomy and personal enrichment also have their place in this evolution. The company has announced the addition of wine-related programs that will allow passengers to obtain WSET Level 1 international certification on select cruises, in collaboration with the American Wine School. These are complemented by wellness, entertainment, and golf offerings, with specialized itineraries that expand the possibilities for enjoying the trip according to each passenger's interests.
From the Mediterranean to the great journeys of 2027
The 2026-2027 winter program offers diverse ways to discover the Mediterranean and its neighboring regions, with itineraries combining historic cities, coastal enclaves, and stops in North Africa. The Azamara Onward includes itineraries through Spain, France, and Italy, as well as cruises linking Greece, Egypt, and other Mediterranean destinations. The program also features voyages around the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands, departing from Lisbon and Barcelona.
The Azamara Quest, meanwhile, will cross the Atlantic before embarking on a Caribbean and Panama Canal itinerary. An 18-night cruise will depart from Miami on December 18, 2026, and conclude in San Francisco on January 5, 2027, with stops at various destinations in Central America and Mexico. The departure will coincide with the debut of the Azamara Forward upgrades on board the ship.
Looking ahead to summer 2027, Azamara has unveiled 68 new itineraries, including six grand voyages and 22 cruises linked to the PerryGolf program. The offerings encompass destinations across five continents and combine iconic ports of call with less frequented ones. Among the planned experiences are the opportunity to attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, The Open Championship golf tournament at St Andrews, or the Monaco Grand Prix, as well as itineraries to discover the cherry blossom season in Japan and the landscapes of Alaska.
The company thus maintains the same approach throughout its different seasons, offering time to explore, to get closer to the local culture and to enjoy each stop without rushing, with a way of understanding the cruise in which the value of the trip lies in everything that is offered at each port arrival.
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