azamara onward cruise 2023

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Azamara Onward Cruise Ship

Azamara: up to $500 to Spend Onboard*

Azamara Cruises Always Included Amenities

Azamara Mediterranean cruises from $2,009*

4 Ships in the Azamara fleet

Ship:  .

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Azamara Onward Overview

Immerse yourself in your travels aboard the newest member of the Azamara fleet, Azamara Onward . Bringing you the best of both worlds, Azamara Onward is not only built to cross oceans, but also to cruise the world’s most breathtaking waterways with the ability to dock at locations inaccessible to larger ships. Watch the sun set over the Amalfi coast, experience Greece and the Greek Isles like never before, or dive into the intimacy of a variety of other destinations and itineraries before retreating to the seaside sanctuary that is Azamara Onward . Azamara prides themselves on Destination Immersion and proves to have absolutely no shortcomings in this area. However, the buck does not stop at the destination with Azamara Onward . This brilliant new ship boasts luxurious staterooms and spacious suites for guests to cruise in unimaginable comfort, all the while equipped with 24-hour room service and five-star butler service (suite guests only). Whether onboard or on shore, Azamara Onward delivers an experience that is nothing short of magnificent.

• Passenger Capacity: 704 (double occupancy)
• Year Built: 2022
• Last Refurbished: N/A

• AzAmazing Evenings Azamara takes their Destination Immersion prerogative to the next level with cruise line’s patented AzAmazing Evenings. These exclusive nights are complimentary to Azamara Onward guests, and celebrate each destination with the goal of connecting guests to the heart of local culture.  

• English Butler Service for Suite Guests Azamara’s English butler service focuses on tending to your every need and ensuring a relaxing and stress-free vacation. Your personal butler can do it all – from providing drinks and treats to expertly planning parties and reservations, Azamara’s dedicated butlers serve as any guest’s all-around support system.  

Azamara Onward Cruise Destinations

What sets Azamara's cruises apart? Unique and diverse itineraries that offer destination-intensive vacationing. Azamara is perfect for the sophisticated traveler looking for genuine cultural experiences. With itineraries touching each of the seven continents, this deluxe cruise line makes sure you can see the world when you choose Azamara. Whether you are looking for a relaxing Mediterranean voyage or an adventurous cruise to South America, join the club and hop aboard a beautiful Azamara cruise ship.

Australia and New Zealand are much more than kangaroos, koalas and Kiwis. Discover their cultures and full beauty with Azamara.

Eastern Caribbean

Delve into the tropical vibes of the Eastern Caribbean with the ever-luxurious Azamara Cruises, with intimate vessels exploring hidden gems.

Fresh cuisine, gorgeous scenery, crystal clear water and adventure are waiting for you in Hawaii.

Mediterranean

The Mediterranean and Black Sea offer a cruise destination for those wishing for romance, culture, and fine artesian treasures.

Northern Europe

The history of royalty is as rich as the beautiful natural scenery when you take a Northern Europe cruise.

South America

Culinary perfection meets a gorgeous environment that will astound on a South America cruise with Azamara.

Southeast Asia

Get ready to immerse yourself in Southeast Asia with Azamara Cruises, as you tour temples and learn to appreciate some of the oldest cultural traditions in the world.

Transatlantic

Savor the ocean breeze and many special ports-of-call of the Grand Atlantic with a Transoceanic cruise.

Azamara Onward Departure Ports

From Mumbai to Miami and Rio de Janeiro to Rome, you can sail all over the world with Azamara. Experience their itineraries with longer stays, more overnights and night tours this year! Book a cruise with an expert cruise consultant from The Cruise Web.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is a modern city that people from all nationalities flock towards to indulge in designer clothes, fancy hotels and the high life.

The near perfect days, beautiful scenery, pristine beaches and sparkling water offer the perfect backdrop for any dream adventure in Sydney, Australia.

Hong Kong, Hong Kong Sar, China

One of the world’s most exciting modern cities, Hong Kong offers a true East meets West experience where you can shop for traditional Chinese cure-alls and attend high tea all in the same afternoon.

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is a unique city that blends its two distinct influences – from its founding as the Christian capital of Constantinople to the Ottoman ruled Istanbul. Today you can discover both eras and the modern beauty in this thriving city.

Singapore, Singapore

Southeast Asia’s most modern city, Singapore, also contains a lot of history and treasures from the past, along with a perfect tropical climate – all making Singapore a wonderful destination year round.

Learn about the Greek gods and the early philosophy of Socrates when you visit the incredible ruins left in Athens, Greece. At night, go out and take in the culture with the modern Athenians.

Auckland, New Zealand

The mild temperatures in Auckland enhance an outdoorsy cruise destination. Tour the many beaches, hike beautiful mountain ranges or just wander Auckland’s city streets.

Callao (Lima), Peru

The historical port city of Callao welcomes visitors with great beaches, rich history and open arms. 

Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia

This picture-perfect island is everything you ever dreamt of, from lush greenery inland and perfectly clear turquoise waters to the scent of gardenia from the coconut groves.

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon has deep cultural roots that are exposed through ruins and museum artifacts. Cruise to Lisbon and discover the culture and history of Portugal in its capital city.

Villefranche, France

Sometimes described as a small suburb of Nice, Villefranche is a perfect place to get away from the crowds and see the quiet life of the French Riviera.

A cruise to Civitavecchia is a chance for you to hop a quick train to Rome and explore the enormous history through ruins, galleries and The Vatican museums.

Experience the serene, romantic splendor of Venice, but don’t forget to check out its wonderful museums and neighborhoods located off the Grand Canal.

Discover imaginative architecture, impressive Spanish dishes and beautiful excursions into nature when you cruise to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia.

In Miami, you’ll enjoy a small taste of the tropical weather many of you will experience during your cruise, and you’ll see why Miami is one of the most popular places to live in America.

San Diego, California

Situated on the Pacific Ocean, San Diego is known for its near perfect weather, beautiful beaches and abundance of activities.

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Experience the life of the rich and famous with a trip to the glamorous spots of Monte Carlo in the tiny constitutional monarch of Monaco.

The cruise port of Southampton features tons of diverse attractions that provide insight into England’s culture and storied past, including fortresses, gardens and national parks.

Fusina (Venice), Italy

A short distance from Venice, this quaint neighborhood has the canals you know and love, coupled with a classic Italian feel.

Azamara Onward Deck Plans

Azamara onward staterooms.

Balcony (P1)

Balcony (p2), balcony (p3), balcony (v1), balcony (v2), balcony (v3), balcony (x), balcony (xp).

Inside (09)

Inside (10), inside (11), inside (12).

Oceanview (04)

Oceanview (05), oceanview (06), oceanview (08), oceanview (y).

Photo Gallery for Azamara Onward Cruise Ship

Just as you would have ample time to explore each and every port of call on an Azamara cruise, take your time as you scroll through this photo gallery. The pictures will help you get an idea of the adventure that’s awaiting you.

Aqualina on Azamara Onward

Cabaret on Azamara Onward

Atlas Bar on Azamara Onward

Grand Staircase on Azamara Onward

The Sanctum Reception on Azamara Onward

Top 10 Azamara Onward Cruises

• Azamara Onward 10 NIGHT Mediterranean CRUISE Departing From Barcelona, Spain (Oct 2024 - Jun 2025)
• Azamara Onward 12 NIGHT Transatlantic CRUISE Departing From Lisbon, Portugal (Nov 2024)
• Azamara Onward 14 NIGHT Caribbean - Eastern CRUISE Departing From Miami, Florida (Nov 2024 - Dec 2025)
• Azamara Onward 11 NIGHT Caribbean - Eastern CRUISE Departing From Miami, Florida (Dec 2024 - Dec 2025)
• Azamara Onward 17 NIGHT Caribbean - Eastern CRUISE Departing From Miami, Florida (Dec 2024)
• Azamara Onward 18 NIGHT Hawaii CRUISE Departing From San Diego, California (Jan 2025)
• Azamara Onward 87 NIGHT Southeast Asia CRUISE Departing From San Diego, California (Jan 2025)
• Azamara Onward 15 NIGHT Australia CRUISE Departing From Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia (Jan 2025)
• Azamara Onward 12 NIGHT Australia CRUISE Departing From Auckland, New Zealand (Feb 2025)
• Azamara Onward 22 NIGHT Southeast Asia CRUISE Departing From Sydney, Australia (Feb 2025)

Learn More About Azamara

Accessibility

Azamara offers handicap accessible cruises and accommodations for guests with special needs or disabilities.

Enjoy many dining options aboard Azamara, including the Prime C, Aqualina, The Wine Cellar, Discoveries Restaurant, Windows Café, The Living Room Lounge and room service.

Entertainment

Enjoy Azamara's onboard entertainment, like bars, poolside parties, live music, dancing and lounges.

Onboard Activities

Take advantage of Azamara's onboard activities, including culinary classes, enrichment programs, trivia, games, duty-free shopping, computer classes, guest lectures and more.

Service & Awards

Learn how Azamara takes care of your every need with an extensive list of onboard services, including butler service for suites. Plus, view Azamara's awards.

Spa & Fitness

Relax at Azamara's spa, salon, fitness centers and enjoy various treatments, including facials, massages and acupuncture. Azamara also offers personal trainer sessions.

Special Events

Learn about Azamara's special event cruises, including themed cruises and the President's Voyage, a sailing where Azamara's president hosts cocktail receptions and other events.

View Azamara's deluxe staterooms, including Club Suites, verandas, balconies, oceanview and inside staterooms, each with deluxe linens and toiletries.

Youth Programs

Learn about cruising with children aboard Azamara. There isn't a formal youth program, but Azamara welcomes guests of all ages.

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Cruise Ship   Azamara Onward

Cruises On Azamara Onward

5 things to love about Azamara Onward, the new cruise ship from upscale line Azamara

Are you looking for an intimate, upscale cruise vessel that can take you to some of the world's most spectacular destinations at a reasonable price?

If you're not too fussy about the size of the room where you'll be spending your nights, you might want to look at small-ship cruise line Azamara 's new Azamara Onward.

At 30,277 tons, Azamara Onward is just a small fraction of the size of the giant megaships that so many lines are building these days ( Royal Caribbean 's new Wonder of the Seas is nearly eight times larger) — and that means it can access lots of world-class destinations such as Amalfi, Italy, and Rovinj, Croatia, that are too small for bigger ships to visit.

Azamara Onward also sails with just 684 passengers at double occupancy, an unusually intimate number that means you'll never feel like you're traveling with a crowd.

The biggest drawback to a trip on Azamara Onward is that the ship has relatively small cabins — at least for a vessel that aims to play in the upscale cruise space.

This is mostly due to the fact that the ship's underlying design dates to an earlier era of cruising when cabins in general weren't as big as they are today.

Christened Monday in Monaco, Azamara Onward isn't actually a new ship. Originally built for Renaissance Cruises in the late 1990s, it's been sailing the world's oceans for nearly 23 years — first for Renaissance and later for Princess Cruises . Azamara bought it in 2021 and is just now adding it to its fleet after giving it a major makeover.

Related: The ultimate guide to Azamara ships and itineraries

Still, despite its age, Azamara Onward is an alluring vessel, as I saw over the weekend during a short non-revenue preview sailing for travel industry leaders, media and company employees. Here are five things you'll love about Azamara Onward.

Its small size

Many cruisers love big ships for all they have to offer — from large arrays of restaurants and bars to a smorgasbord of decktop amusements. But when it comes to upscale cruising, often smaller is better.

Like other ships of its size, Azamara Onward offers an intimate experience with spaces that never feel crowded, and it can get you into charming small port towns that are off limits to bigger vessels.

I experienced this myself over the weekend when Azamara Onward arrived at tiny Porto Venere, Italy (pop. 3,763), a picture-perfect hillside town along the Ligurian coast where you'll never find bigger ships. After Azamara Onward anchored just off shore, I rode a water shuttle to the UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed destination's dock for an Azamara-organized "AzAmazing Day" with live music performances at multiple locations and waterside drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Azamara offers such events at no extra charge once per cruise.

Some passengers, including me, later boarded a boat from Porto Venere for an Azamara-organized tour of the nearby, built-into-the-cliffs Cinque Terre villages — icons of Italy's northwest coast. The tour included a lovely and intimate private lunch and wine tasting at a winery just above one of the villages.

It was the sort of magical day that would be hard to organize for passengers on a ship much bigger than Azamara Onward — and that's a good chunk of cruise ships these days. There are relatively few cruise vessels left that are as small or smaller than Azamara Onward, other than specialized expedition cruise vessels designed to go to places like Antarctica and the Arctic.

Related: Why the addition of a new ship is a big deal for Azamara

Notably, Azamara's two most direct competitors in the upscale cruise space have been building ships lately that carry far more people. Two new ships on order for Azamara rival Oceania Cruises will carry 1,200 passengers apiece, and close competitor Viking 's ocean ships are all designed to carry 930 passengers.

Its upscale feel

Azamara Onward may be an older ship. But that doesn't mean it's run down. Azamara has spent millions of dollars on the vessel in recent months, revamping its public spaces to give them a new, contemporary and upscale feel.

Among essentially brand new spaces on Azamara Onward is The Den, an inviting lounge and bar area at the center of the ship that serves as a central gathering point during the day and night. It's a multipurpose space that is home to a shore excursion desk, loyalty desk and travel guide library, in addition to comfortable seating where you can kick back with cocktails in the evening with live piano music as a backdrop.

Also completely revamped is the Living Room, a spacious observation lounge at the top of the ship. Featuring a bar, lots of seating nooks and a large dance floor, it offers everything from trivia contests during the day to music and dancing at night.

But, to me, its greatest feature is its expansive window wall offering stunning views over the bow. I sat, mesmerized, for more than an hour on Sunday looking out from this window wall as the ship glided into the port of Monaco. The entire principality with its yacht-filled harbor, palace-topped Old Town and glitzy downtown district spread before me like a movie set.

Both The Den and the Living Room are venues you'll find on Azamara's three other vessels (all of which are sister ships to Azamara Onward that were originally built for Renaissance Cruises). But Azamara Onward also offers one all-new venue: the Atlas Bar.

Located at the top of the ship in a space that houses a library on other Azamara vessels, it's a stylish artisanal cocktail lounge of the sort that is all the rage in places like New York and Los Angeles. You'll find all kinds of crafty concoctions made with smoking domes, nitro infusions, fresh-squeezed juices and handmade syrups.

The Atlas Bar also serves up a premium menu of scrumptious small plates such as beef tartare topped with caviar and shaved truffle, and smoked lobster carpaccio.

Note that while house drinks are included in the fare on Azamara ships, the over-the-top offerings at Atlas Bar come with a hefty extra charge of $17.95 a piece (or you can upgrade to Azamara's Ultimate Beverage Package, which costs $24.95 per day and includes unlimited drinks at the Atlas Bar). The food items will come with an extra charge, too, that had yet to be set when I visited the ship but will likely be around $6.50 a plate.

To be clear, not every area of the ship has the same level of upscale feel. As noted above, the biggest shortcoming of Azamara Onward as a ship that is playing in the high-end cruise space is that its cabins are relatively small. The typical balcony cabin on Azamara Onward offers just 175 square feet of interior space. That's about 22% less than the typical balcony cabin on a Viking ocean ship.

The small size of Azamara Onward cabins is particularly noticeable in cabin bathrooms, which are very tight. Be warned that the showers in bathrooms are narrow and set off with clingy shower curtains. I found it a challenge to fully soap up without some Twister-like contortions.

The sleeping areas of cabins have been heavily renovated but still show their age in places (while carpeting, bedding and other soft goods are all-new as are other elements including bedside lighting with built-in USB ports, built-in cabinetry is from an older era).

Bottom line: Azamara Onward isn't a ship that you necessarily book for its rooms.

Its port-intensive itineraries

Azamara Onward may not be a ship that you book for its rooms. But it's definitely a vessel that you should consider for its itineraries. Like all Azamara ships, it'll be operating a wide variety of port-intensive "destination immersion" voyages over the coming year that offer a lot of time in ports, often including late-night stays and even overnight stays. That's not always the case in the cruise world.

By way of example, an 11-night Mediterranean itinerary that Azamara Onward will operate for the first time in June will start and end with overnight stays in Ravenna, Italy, and Istanbul, Turkey, respectively. During the same trip, the ship also will make day stops in Santorini, Greece, and Koper, Slovenia, that start early in the morning and continue to 9:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., respectively.

In addition, the ship will make day stops in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and Corfu, Greece, that last until 8:00 p.m., among six other port calls.

Such lengthy port stops that last into the night are the Holy Grail for cruisers who seek the deepest dive possible into the places their ships go, as they allow for seeing a different side of a destination. In addition to touring by day, they offer the chance to sample the local cuisine of a port over dinner and take in the local nightlife.

Related: What it's like sailing an Azamara ship in the Mediterranean

Azamara Onward will spend the next six months sailing seven- to 15-night trips in the Mediterranean that, like the above itinerary, are chock full of late-night stays and overnight stays in ports. The ship then will reposition to the Caribbean and South America for the winter for sailings that include late-night stays in places like St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Fuerte Amador, Panama (the port for Panama City).

The ship also is scheduled to do an epic, 155-day world voyage in 2024 that will feature an enormous number of late-night and overnight stays in ports.

Its affordability

Among intimate, upscale vessels that offer destination-rich itineraries, Azamara Onward is debuting as one of the great values. This may not always be the case. As Azamara absorbs the massive 33% increase in capacity that is occurring at the line as a result of the ship's addition, its pricing is likely to rise. But for now, at least, you can get on board Azamara Onward at fares that are significantly lower than some of its closest competitors.

As of the publishing of this story, 11-night Mediterranean sailings on Azamara Onward for the coming months were starting at $1,499 per person, based on double occupancy — or about $136 per night. Compare that to current starting rates of around $230 per night for Mediterranean sailings in the coming months on Oceania ships. Starting rates for Mediterranean sailings in the coming months on Viking ships are significantly higher at around $500 per night.

For the coming fall, there are seven- and eight-night sailings around Italy and Spain, respectively, available starting as low as $1,199 per person — the latter just $150 per night. There's also an 11-night transatlantic voyage starting at $1,199 per person — or $109 per night.

Keep in mind that such pricing is for the very smallest cabins on Azamara Onward, and as noted above cabins on Azamara Onward in general are small. Azamara's entry-level fares also generally will just get you an "interior" cabins that has no windows — a type of cabin that doesn't even exist on Viking ships.

Still, booking one of these low-priced cabins gets you access to all of the same onboard amenities and destination experiences that come with any other cabin type. It'll be the same cruise that you would experience in a fancier cabin, with the only difference being the cabin itself.

Such fares are an even better value than they might initially seem when you consider that Azamara includes several things in its fares that sometimes cost extra at other lines, such as gratuities for crew and drinks. Select house spirits, beer, wine, bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas are available around the clock on Azamara ships at no extra charge.

Its happy vibe

With small ships, the allure of the onboard experience often comes down to the vibe (and related service level) that you get from the crew. And the vibe on Azamara Onward is a happy one.

When I boarded Azamara Onward on Thursday for the preview, the ship had yet to operate for a single night with passengers under the Azamara banner. Furniture for the pool deck had yet to be unpacked, and some cabin amenities such as hairdryers had yet to arrive. But if the crew was feeling stressed or even overwhelmed, it didn't show. At every turn, I was met by smiling, upbeat and welcoming staff that were delivering service at a high level.

It was a staff that notably was made up of lots of veteran Azamara crew who have been with the line for years, and they knew what they were doing. They were on top of their game.

Up at the Atlas Bar — as noted above, a new-for-the-line venue — a phalanx of bartenders were shaking up strawberry vodka martinis and smoking whiskey sours with a flair that made it seem like they had been working in the venue for years. My room steward, Chang, quickly got every little start-up flaw that I noticed in my room — from faulty power outlets to a nonworking television — fixed in a jiffy.

Azamara is a line that is particularly known for the service levels on its ships, and Azamara Onward is no exception.

Bottom line

Azamara Onward isn't a built-from-scratch new ship. But many of its interior areas have a new-like feel after a major overhaul in advance of its debut as an Azamara vessel.

Like Azamara's three other ships (Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest and Azamara Pursuit), it's not quite as snazzy, design-wise, as some newer vessels in the upscale cruise space. Most notably, its cabins are relatively small as compared to newer ships in its market and — for those who look closely — reveal signs of the ship's age. (We couldn't help but notice the scratched-up sink basin in our cabin bathroom and some dings in the sleeping area's built-in cabinetry.) But in the grand scheme of things, these seem like minor quibbles.

Azamara is all about offering intimate, upscale cruises that will give you a much more in-depth experience in the destinations its ships visit than many other lines, and for that, Azamara Onward is a wonderful vehicle. Its small size is just what you want for a cruise that will take you to lots of smaller and lesser-visited places, and its affordable pricing (at least for now) is a major draw.

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Azamara Journey completes major dry dock overhaul in Greece

The Azamara Journey has successfully completed an extensive dry docking at the Elefsis Shipyard in Greece, undergoing a series of significant upgrades. Key technical improvements included enhanced propulsion systems , upgraded thrusters, and stabilizers, while the vessel’s interiors were refreshed with new carpets and furnishings, enhancing guest comfort. This dry dock is part of Azamara's broader strategy to modernize its entire fleet, with all 4 ships scheduled for dry docking in 2024.

Earlier this year, Azamara announced plans to dry dock its entire fleet of sisterships, each 30,277 gross tons, between 1999 and 2001. These vessels are renowned for offering intimate, destination-immersive experiences worldwide. The comprehensive fleet upgrade schedule includes:

• Azamara Quest : July 28th - August 10th at Damen Ship Repair, Amsterdam
• Azamara Pursuit : August 26th - 31st at CNdM, Marseille
• Azamara Journey: September 9th - 13th in Greece (shipyard TBC)
• Azamara Onward : November 7th - 12th at Navantia Shipyard, Cadiz, Spain

Each ship will undergo a rigorous maintenance program, including hull cleaning, painting, and underwater inspections. Vital systems such as stabilizers, rudders, propellers, and bow thrusters will also be inspected and updated to ensure optimal performance. In addition, aging systems will be replaced or upgraded to boost operational efficiency and enhance the onboard guest experience.

Fuel efficiency is a critical focus of these refurbishments. All 4 ships will receive silicone-based hull coatings to reduce drag and improve fuel economy, aligning with Azamara’s commitment to more sustainable operations. Further enhancements include the modernization of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, with new chillers and upgraded air-handling controls ensuring improved climate control and passenger comfort. Onboard lighting and dimming systems will also be upgraded to enhance energy efficiency and create an inviting ambiance in public spaces and staterooms.

This ambitious dry docking schedule is part of Azamara’s commitment to maintaining its fleet at peak performance, ensuring passengers enjoy seamless, comfortable voyages while the ships continue to meet evolving environmental standards.