Destination-led cruise line Azamara has announced its biggest-ever enhancement programme for all four of its ships.
Called Azamara Forward, the enhancements include refreshed cabins throughout, a new permanent dining venue, a reimagined cocktail lounge and upgraded public spaces.
On Azamara Quest only, there will also be a new Penthouse Deck, with 10 new Grandview suites and two Panorama Suites (pictured) above the bridge.
Azamara Quest will be the first of the four ships to be refurbished, coming out of dry dock on 28 November 2026 for an eight-night cruise from Athens to Malaga. Azamara Onward will be next, in 2027, then Azamara Journey and Azamara Pursuit.
International Chief Sales Officer David Siewers said the line is aiming to refurbish one ship per year.
“We are starting with Quest so it will be ready for its World Cruise in 2027. We figured if guests have committed to this sailing with us, they deserve to be the first to experience the new look,” he added.
Guests booked on the World Cruise have the option to upgrade to the new suites being unveiled today.
What is changing?
Every cabin on every ship will be refurbished, with lighter, brighter carpets, curtains and décor. Bathrooms are not included in the upgrade, but there will be new balcony furniture.
Azamara is introducing a new, dedicated Chef’s Table, previously introduced on ships as a pop-up concept offering destination-inspired dining. “This consistently sells out so we wanted to give it a permanent home,” said David.
Chef’s Table (below), which can seat 18, with the possibility to extend to accommodate 34, will be in a space previously occupied by the Drawing Room on Deck 10.
Atlas Bar, introduced on Onward, will be placed on all four ships outside the reimagined Discoveries Restaurant (less mahogany, lighter tones, moveable furniture) on Deck 5 to provide a place for guests to drink before or after dinner.
“Atlas was super popular, but it was hard to find, giving it a speakeasy vibe, so we’re moving it to the heart of the ship, where it will be our new hip bar with cool cocktails,” said David.
The Cabaret Lounge has been ‘completely’ refreshed with lighter furnishings and a redesigned dancefloor.
Fleet-wide, public spaces including the spa and lavatories, will also be upgraded.
New Penthouse Deck
Exclusively on Azamara Quest, Deck 11 will feature the ship’s ‘most exclusive accommodation’ consisting of 10 Grandview Suites, which are an enhanced version of its existing suites, and two brand new Panorama Suites, the latter sleeping up to four guests and boasting 260-degree views.
To complement the addition, the ship’s Sun Deck will continue to be ‘an inviting open-air sanctuary’ above the new Penthouse Deck, said Azamara.
Grandview staterooms start from about $12,000 per person, while the lead-in for a Panorama stateroom is about $20,000 per person for a 10-night cruise.
“There has always been a high demand for our suites, so it only makes sense for us to build on that,” said David.
If the Penthouse Deck is a success on Quest, David said it could be rolled out to other ships. “We certainly remain open to that possibility,” he said.
When will agents get to see the changes?
Natalie said the cruise line is hoping to launch a booking incentive to take a number of UK agents to see the refurbishments on Azamara Quest when it comes out of the dry dock in November, though this has yet to be confirmed.
The 11 agents on Azamara’s new advisory panel might also be among the first to be invited onboard, she said.
After its cruise from Athens on 28 November, Quest will offer a 13-night cruise from Malaga to Miami, departing Spain on 3 December.
The Penthouse Deck will debut on a cruise from Miami, departing on 18 December.
What about new ships?
David said the launch of Azamara Forward doesn’t mean the cruise line isn’t going to expand its fleet. “This isn’t instead of investing in new ships, that remains a consideration, but we don’t have anything to announce in that respect,” he told Travel Gossip.
