Signature small ship cruiseline, Azamara Cruises, will undertake a host of enhancements across its fleet of four in the largest renovation investment in the company’s history under its Azamara Forward transformation plan.
In a global first, the series of ship-wide upgrades starting with Azamara Quest, was revealed at an intimate trade and consumer media lunch in Sydney, hosted by ANZ director of sales, Victoria Chigwidden, at Chowder Bay French restaurant l’Heritage.
The revamped will offer reimagined lighter and brighter dining and bar venues, plus a range of upgraded suites, including new deluxe penthouses, which will debut exclusively aboard Azamara Quest in December 2026. Locally, Quest will arrive in Auckland on 7 February 2027, before heading to Hobart (17 February), Melbourne (19 February) and Sydney (22 February).
The remaining three Azamara ships will also be upgraded over the next few years.
Azamara has shortened the season of Azamara Quest, with the ship dry-docked in a Greek shipyard for the first of the transformations.
“Every girl deserves a little bit of sparkle,” Chigwidden said. “So we’re literally adding a bit of shine, a bit of a nip and tuck to our ships.”
Azamara Cruises will offer the upgrades to existing passengers and travel partners before the new fitout is offered to the wider market, Chigwidden said.
Chigwidden said the refurbishment added “a lot more than probably what we had planned” but hopefully offered an insight in the future of the line. While not ruling out a new ship for Azamara, Chigwidden said the refurbishment offered a template of what could be if the line, owned by private equity firm Sycamore Partners, decided to invest in building a new ship.
Average 10-day cruises on the refurbished Azamara Quest will be around US$12,000pp (AU$18,000) for staterooms and US$20,000 (AU$29,000) for suites putting the offering firmly in the upper premium to luxury category.
Big ticket upgrades
Onboard enhancements include a new Chef’s Table experience, which will now be able to seat 18 (from an original 10), a reimagined and a brighter cocktail lounge in addition to other upgraded public spaces. And while Azamara’s focus continues to be on its Destination Immersion, the biggest impact on board will be the debut of the 12 all-new Grandview and Panorama Suites, in addition to refreshed staterooms.
The new Penthouse Deck will replace the existing Sundeck on deck 11, which will soon be the ship’s highest and most exclusive accommodation deck, with the two Panorama Suites offering 270-degree views over the bow. The 10 Grandview Suites also offer oceanfront living at sea. Meanwhile, the Sun Deck will move to deck 12 above the new Penthouse Deck.
The renewed Discoveries Restaurant, a recrafted Atlas Bar and Cabaret Lounge, will also be seen across all four ships.
The reveal came ahead of the official announcement in Miami.
“Azamara Forward is Azamara Cruises’ vision for thoughtfully elevating the onboard experience while honouring the hallmarks that have long defined the brand,” Azamara Cruises CEO Dondra Ritzenthaler said.
“This transformation reflects years of listening to our guests and travel partners and an extraordinary amount of creativity and collaboration across our teams. From the new Panorama and Grandview Suites aboard Azamara Quest to reimagined dining and ship-wide enhancements across our fleet, Azamara Forward is designed to deepen destination immersion, elevate comfort, and create even more meaningful moments at sea. It’s celebrating our heritage while introducing new experiences to take us into the future.”
Timed to debut ahead of its highly anticipated 2027 World Cruise, Azamara Quest was the natural choice to introduce the Azamara Forward plan. Azamara Onward will be the next ship to receive Azamara Forward renovations in 2027, with timelines for Azamara Journey and Azamara Pursuit to be announced at a later date.
The suite life
Panorama Suites: The crown jewel of Azamara Quest, the new Panorama Suites are the ship’s most expansive and luxurious accommodations. Located on both forward corners of the Penthouse Deck, these top-tier suites offer spectacular 270-degree panoramic ocean views, separate living, dining and bedroom spaces, a walk-in closet, and an oversized spa-inspired bathroom. Guests enjoy Azamara’s highest-tier suite privileges, including personalized butler service, Starlink Wi-Fi, ultimate beverage package, specialty and exclusive dining experiences, and bespoke onboard touches, delivering an unparalleled sense of space, serenity, and connection to the sea.
Grandview Suites: Also debuting on the Penthouse Deck, the new Grandview Suites offer a refined, contemporary retreat designed for guests seeking elevated comfort and privacy. Grandview Suites feature a new and elegant design, including refined, modern finishes, and beautifully spacious bathrooms with dual sinks and walk-in showers. With unobstructed floor-to-ceiling ocean views from their elevated vantage point, Grandview Suites provide an intimate, sophisticated sanctuary paired with Azamara’s suite amenities, including complimentary specialty dining and premium beverage package, and more.
Culinary & Ship Enhancements
Chef’s Table: Located on Deck 10, Chef’s Table expands its French, Italian, and Signature concepts, with the new venue introducing a series of themed menus inspired by the regions Azamara visits. Programming will expand to include globally inspired culinary journeys, celebrity and destination-focused guest chefs, winemaker’s dinners, and select market dining experiences that take guests from local markets to bespoke onboard menus.
Atlas Bar: Now positioned at the heart of each ship next to Discoveries Restaurant, Atlas Bar becomes a central gathering point where evenings begin. Guests will now be able to enjoy complimentary beverages, crafted cocktails and premium spirits.
Cabaret Lounge: Modern furnishings, refreshed carpeting and a redesigned dance floor set the stage for lively evenings and unforgettable social moments onboard.
Sanctum Spa: enhancing comfort and tranquility.
Public restrooms: Renewed throughout, ensuring every detail reflects Azamara’s commitment to comfort, thoughtful design, and warm hospitality.
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