Azamara Cruises Review [Ships, Destinations, Dining, and More]

Azamara Cruises caters to travelers seeking smaller ships and more time in port without ultraluxe prices.

Its small ships carry around 700 guests and focus on immersive itineraries and extensive inclusive amenities. This cruise line appeals to travelers who want to spend time exploring destinations without dealing with typical cruise crowds. Instead of waterslides and high-energy attractions, Azamara has lengthy port stays, cultural programming, and relaxed onboard experiences.

Learn what you can expect on board, from ships and dining to activities, staterooms, and loyalty benefits.

Overview

Name: Azamara Cruises
Founded: 2007, based in Miami
Number of Ships: 4
Loyalty Program: Azamara Circle

What Makes Azamara Cruises Different

Azamara is known for its small ships, boutique-style cruising, and destination immersion. Think longer port stays, overnights, and access to ports that may be off limits to larger ships. Many itineraries feature overnight stays and late-night departures so guests have more flexibility to explore independently.

Cruise fares with Azamara typically include dining and 24-hour-a-day room service, standard beverages, celebration events, onboard entertainment, and daily gratuities. Extras such as shore excursions, spa treatments, and premium drink packages are available for an additional charge.

This cruise line appeals to culture- and destination-focused travelers who prefer smaller ships and quieter onboard experiences. It is less appealing for families with young children, guests seeking thrill attractions, and travelers who want nightlife and big entertainment.

Hot Tip:

See our guide to booking cruises with points to make the most of your rewards at sea.

Ships

Azamara has 4 R-Class boutique ships, originally built for Renaissance Cruises by Chantiers de l’Atlantique and later updated for Azamara. Each accommodates about 700 guests, with a low staff-to-guest ratio of 1.7 to 2. At approximately 30,000 gross tons, Azamara ships are significantly smaller than modern megaships, but they offer multiple dining venues, spa and fitness facilities, and entertainment spaces.

• Azamara Journey: Built in 2000 and joined Azamara’s fleet in 2008, this vessel underwent renovations for public spaces, dining, and staterooms, and is slated for a refurbishment in 2027.
• Azamara Quest: Built in 2000 and joined Azamara’s fleet in 2007, Quest underwent renovations for public spaces, dining, and staterooms, and is slated for a drydock modernization in late 2026.
• Azamara Pursuit: This ship was built in 2001 and joined Azamara’s fleet in 2018.
• Azamara Onward: This ship was built in 1999 and joined Azamara’s fleet in 2022. It features a refreshed design with expanded dining and lounge spaces.

Departure Ports

Azamara doesn’t have a fixed set of year-round home ports, as its 4 ships reposition and rotate depending on the season and itineraries. You can find Azamara cruises departing from North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Common embarkation ports include:

North America

• Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Miami, Florida
• New York City, New York
• San Diego, California
• Vancouver, British Columbia

Mediterranean

• Athens, Greece
• Barcelona, Spain
• Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

Northern Europe

• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Southampton, England
• Stockholm, Sweden

Asia-Pacific

• Auckland, New Zealand
• Singapore
• Seoul, South Korea
• Sydney, Australia

Other Regions

• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Cape Town, South Africa
• Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Onboard Activities

Azamara’s onboard activities have a more relaxed vibe than those on big ships. It doesn’t have big-ship thrills like waterslides, roller coasters, or surf simulators, and social activities are low-key, with lounges rather than big parties. Azamara emphasizes cultural programming, live music, and quiet evenings with conversation-friendly spaces.

Activities and entertainment include:

• Arts and crafts
• Bingo
• Board and card games
• Cabaret-style stage shows
• Culinary demonstrations
• Cultural performances
• DJ nights and dance parties
• Destination talks and guest speakers
• Enrichment lectures
• Full-service spa and salon
• Game shows
• Live musical performances
• Mixology classes
• Onboard casino
• Outdoor sun decks
• Pool and whirlpools
• Shopping and art auctions
• Trivia
• Wine tastings

Signature Azamara events include AzAmazing Evenings, which are shoreside cultural events on some voyages. Expect concerts and performances that connect you with local culture. White Night Party is Azamara’s deck celebration, and guests dress in white for dining, music, and dancing.

Each ship has a fitness center and classes for Pilates, cycling, nutrition, and more. The Sanctum Spa and salon offer treatments including massages, body treatments, facials, manicures, and acupuncture.

Azamara fares include:

• Dining and 24-hour-a-day room service
• Standard beer, wine, and spirits
• AzAmazing Evenings events
• Unlimited self-service laundry
• Fresh-cut flowers
• Shuttle service to and from port communities
• Concierge service
• Shoeshine service
• Onboard gratuities

Dining and Beverages

Dining is open seating with no fixed dining times or formal nights. Some onboard restaurants offer regional dishes inspired by ports of call. Expect smaller venues and no buffets at dinner.

Complimentary Dining

• Discoveries Restaurant
• Mosaic Cafe
• The Patio
• Swirl & Top
• Windows Cafe

Room service is available 24/7. Lounges, bars, and clubs include Michael’s Club, Martini Bar, and Looking Glass.

Specialty Dining

• Aqualina
• Prime C

Bars and Beverages

Complimentary beverages include soft drinks, coffee, tea, and some spirits, beer, and wine. Packages for premium drinks and wine are available.

Accommodations

Azamara Cruises offers various staterooms and suites, from interior staterooms to the new Panorama and Grandview suites on the Penthouse Deck of Azamara Quest (debuting in December 2026).

Staterooms range from 158-square-foot interior rooms to Veranda Plus rooms with a 175-square-foot room and 46- to 64-square-foot veranda.

Amenities in most staterooms include:

• Bedside USB ports
• Cotton linens
• Desk
• Flat-screen TV
• French bath products
• Hairdryer
• Phone
• Refrigerator with minibar
• Safe
• Terry bathrobes and slippers

Stateroom categories include:

• Interior: 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, windowless
• Oceanview: 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed (some with a sofa bed), window or porthole
• Veranda: 40 square foot veranda, 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, sitting area
• Veranda Plus: 46 to 64 square foot veranda, 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, sitting area, complimentary internet service (120 minutes or 25% off the unlimited package per guest), 1 complimentary bag of laundry service per stateroom every 7 days, 1 night of complimentary specialty dining for 2 every 7 days, priority embarkation and debarkation, complimentary in-room spirits

Suites offer more space, a veranda, and upgraded amenities, including butler service, specialty dining, in-room spirits, and priority embarkation and debarkation.

Full suite-level amenities start at:

• 2 laundry service bags per room per week
• Afternoon in-suite tea service
• Bedside USB ports
• Butler and concierge service (including personalized service for spa appointments and shore excursions)
• Complimentary specialty dining and exclusive Aqualina breakfast
• Desk
• Hairdryer
• In-room premium spirits and Champagne
• Phone
• Priority check-in
• Refrigerator with minibar
• Safe
• Sitting area with a flat-screen TV
• Sliding glass doors
• Spa Suites and higher offer full in-suite dining and daily evening hors d’ouevres, ultimate beverage package, unlimited wash and fold, and an exclusive Acamar Experience dinner
• Thalassotherapy pool access
• Unlimited basic Starlink Wi-Fi

Suite levels include:

• Continent Suite: 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed
• Grandview Suite: King-size bed, full in-suite dining and daily evening hors d’ouevres
• Spa Suite: 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, bathtub and rain shower
• Ocean Suite: Master bedroom with 1 queen-size bed, dressing area, living room with a table and flat-screen TV, master bathroom (some with a tub)
• World Owner’s Suite: Master bedroom with 1 queen-size bed, dressing area, living room with a table and flat-screen TV, master bathroom (some with a tub)
• Panorama Suite: Master bedroom with 1 queen-size bed, dressing area, living room with a table and flat-screen TV, master bathroom (some with a tub)

Azamara Circle

Azamara’s rewards program is Azamara Circle. Benefits include:

• Complimentary Wi-Fi minutes or discounts on full-voyage packages
• Discounts on select sailings
• Double points for singles (earn just like a double-occupancy stateroom while traveling solo)
• Free laundry service at higher tiers
• Onboard loyalty host
• Onboard loyalty party
• Savings on beverage and spa packages

Higher-tier members also earn complimentary cruise nights, can access additional onboard savings, and get priority check-in at some ports.

The Cruise Again benefit is one of the most valuable benefits available to Azamara Circle members. If you book a future sailing while on board, you can get up to 10% off depending on your tier and receive an onboard credit of up to $300. There’s a 50% reduced deposit (except on certain suites).

Final Thoughts

Azamara is in a distinctive middle ground within the cruise industry, offering an inclusive and immersive experience that sets it apart from most mainstream lines, without the formality and high price point of ultraluxury cruise lines. Small ships, a calm pace, and a focus on the destination are expected on Azamara ships.

This cruise line may be a good fit if you want a boutique cruise experience without an ultraluxury price tag and want to enjoy cultural experiences and extended time in port. It’s also great if you value included laundry, drinks, gratuities, and signature events.

Azamara may not be a great match for families with young children seeking kids programming or for guests who want nonstop entertainment, but it’s a thoughtful alternative for those who prefer destination-rich itineraries and a relaxed onboard environment.