Boutique upper-premium ocean cruising built around longer port stays
Azamara is small-ship upper-premium cruising specialising in Destination Immersion® — longer days in port, frequent overnight stays and access to smaller ports that the big lines can't reach. Four R-class sister ships at 702 guests each, sailing Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, Australia/NZ, Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean with 200+ itineraries a year. Their hallmark AzAmazing Evenings® — complimentary cultural events ashore in iconic local venues — are included on every voyage.
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Six reasons we recommend this line to the right kind of traveller.
Azamara's defining feature: 10+ hour port days and frequent overnight stays in port. You sleep in Venice, Hong Kong, Istanbul or St Petersburg rather than waking up sailing out at dawn. More time for evening dining ashore, second-day excursions, neighbourhoods bigger ships never see.
At 702 guests, R-class ships dock in places the megaships physically cannot — Bonifacio (Corsica), Portofino, Hvar, the Greek small islands, Hoi An, Cartagena harbour. Less queue, no tendering, walk directly off the gangway into the old town.
One complimentary cultural evening per voyage — typically ashore in an iconic local venue (a private palazzo in Italy, a Berber feast in Morocco, traditional music in Vietnam). Late-port nights tie in seamlessly. Conceived by Azamara in 2011 and unmatched on competitor lines at this price point.
Azamara specialises in deep single-country voyages — Greece Intensive, Italy Intensive, Japan Intensive — that sail one country slowly with multiple smaller ports rather than skimming six countries in 10 days. The contra-intuitive answer to the "everything once" cruise.
R-class ships were originally built as Renaissance Cruises six-star vessels — wood panelling, butler service on suite categories, country-club casual feel. Refurbished as Azamara took ownership in 2007. Closer in feel to small-luxury (Silversea) than to mass-premium (Celebrity, Holland America) — at upper-premium pricing.
Azamara offers extensive pre- and post-cruise land tours through their Cruise Global, Land Local® programme — multi-night stays in Florence, Beijing, Cape Town, Cusco etc. Add 3-7 nights either side of a cruise to make a complete trip rather than just a cruise.
No cruise line is for everyone. Here's where Azamara Cruises might not fit. We'll point you elsewhere if so.
R-class ships at 702 guests have three restaurants, one main lounge, one small theatre, one casino, one pool deck. No water park, no specialty bars, no Broadway-style shows. The trade-off for the deeper port programme. For big-ship variety look at Celebrity, Royal Caribbean or Princess.
Azamara's base fare includes one AzAmazing Evening, gratuities, standard wine/beer/spirits at meals, soft drinks, bottled water and select coffee speciality. Premium spirits, vintage wines, premium dining covers and shore excursions are charged extra. For everything-in-one-price luxury at sea look at Regent, Silversea or Seabourn.
No dedicated kids' club, no children's programming, no waterslide. Azamara welcomes families but the on-board atmosphere is firmly adult — most guests 50+. For multi-generational family cruising look at Royal Caribbean, NCL or Disney.
Azamara itineraries skew longer — typically 7-21 nights with many 10-14 night voyages. The destination-immersion model rewards longer voyages. Short city-break cruises are not a fit; for 3-5 night escapes look at NCL or MSC.
The Azamara Cruises fleet at a glance.
The newest of the four Azamara R-class sister ships, joining the fleet in 2022. Refurbished to current Azamara standards. The natural choice for a first-time Azamara guest looking for the latest interiors.
Refurbished and rebranded into the Azamara fleet in 2018 — broader Asia, Australia/NZ and South America itineraries. Identical R-class layout to the other three sister ships.
One of the two founding Azamara ships when the brand launched in 2007. Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Asia focus.
The second founding Azamara ship from 2007. Year-round worldwide deployment including Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Country-club casual throughout. Main dining room with full menu rotation, two reservation-required speciality restaurants (Aqualina Italian, Prime C steakhouse) included with the Chef's Table tasting experience optional. Casual buffet for lunch, room-service stateroom dining 24/7.
The main two-deck show lounge hosts nightly singer/dancer cast productions, headliner guest entertainers, classical recitals and destination-themed evenings. Smaller-scale than mega-ship Broadway productions — closer to a polished private cabaret. Live music in The Living Room lounge and Den jazz bar throughout the day.
Sanctum Spa offers full-service treatments, thermal lounge, sauna, fitness centre with sea-view cardio and weights. Hair/nail/manicure salon. Premium spa packages and tonsorial treatments charged à la carte.
Heated outdoor pool with adjacent jacuzzis, sun loungers and outdoor cabana day-rentals. Pool Patio Grill for casual lunch. Quiet aft pool area for adult-only sunbathing. Generous outdoor decks given the R-class ship size.
Daily lectures and enrichment sessions during sea days — destination experts, regional cuisine demos, language basics for upcoming ports, regional history, photography workshops. Aligns with the Destination Immersion® approach.
Every Azamara Cruises fare bakes these in.
One complimentary cultural shoreside evening per voyage
Select wines, beer, spirits, soft drinks and bottled water at meals
Standard cabin steward/dining gratuities included on most fares
Lattes, cappuccinos, espresso — included throughout the day
Complimentary on every ship
Azamara Circle benefits from first voyage onward
Recognition-based programme with double points for solo travellers, exclusive offers, onboard loyalty parties and a dedicated onboard host.
A Travel Designer who knows Azamara Cruises will pick the right ship, the right itinerary, and the right cabin tier for you. No call centres.