Falling in love with amazing Azamara

Amy, our Digital Marketing Manager, was very lucky to be invited onboard the beautiful Azamara Quest for a three night Seminar at Sea, hosted by Stuart Pearce, Azamara’s Director of Sales for UK & Ireland, alongside a small group of industry partners. The aim was to experience Azamara exactly the way our customers do, and after three unforgettable nights onboard, she completely understood why guests fall in love with this luxury brand:

Azamara Quest was sailing the 9-night Portugal & Spain itinerary, and I joined in Seville, visited Gibraltar and disembarked in Malaga. Although my time onboard was short, it was packed with experiences that truly showcased what makes Azamara so special. If I had to sum up Azamara in a few words, they would be: Relaxed. Destination-focused. Exceptional service.

- A Truly Relaxed Atmosphere

From the moment I stepped onboard, the atmosphere felt different to any cruise I’ve experienced before. Everything about Azamara feels calm, unhurried and refreshingly relaxed. There’s no rush, no crowds, and no pressure to follow a rigid schedule. Guests are encouraged to slow down, soak up the surroundings and enjoy the journey at their own pace. One of the biggest reasons for this relaxed feel is Azamara’s signature longer stays in port and overnight visits. Even while onboard, the ship feels spacious and peaceful - more boutique hotel than traditional cruise ship.

- Destination Immersion at Its Finest

Azamara’s unique selling point is Destination Immersion®, and seeing this first-hand was a real highlight of the trip. A perfect example of this is Seville - while many cruise lines dock in Cadiz and transfer guests to the city, Azamara ships are small enough to sail right into the heart of Seville. Stepping off the ship and straight into the destination felt incredibly special - and perfectly sums up Azamara’s philosophy of bringing guests closer to the places they visit.

Azamara offers more late nights in port than any other cruise line, over 380 overnight stays across their itineraries, complimentary shuttles when docking outside city centres and smaller shore excursions (average group size of just 15 guests) with expert local guides. Evenings in port give guests the chance to experience destinations when they come alive - from dining and culture to nightlife and local entertainment.

- Service That Feels Like Family

The standout highlight of my trip was, without a doubt, the crew. Every single team member I encountered was warm, attentive and genuinely passionate about what they do. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble; from 24-hour room service to chefs happily adapting dishes to guest preferences. Many crew members have worked with Azamara for over 10 years, and that loyalty really shines through. There’s a strong sense of community onboard, and as a guest you genuinely feel part of it.

And its not just the crew – my fellow guests were all of the same mindset and so friendly - conversations flowed easily, smiles were everywhere and the ship never felt crowded or overwhelming.

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My Personal Highlights Onboard

Although my time onboard was short, it was packed with unforgettable moments that perfectly captured the Azamara experience:

The Food onboard was genuinely outstanding, but one standout moment was the Officers BBQ. Watching senior crew members serving guests created such a warm, friendly atmosphere - it felt personal, relaxed and incredibly special.

One of my most memorable days was in Gibraltar, where I climbed the famous Rock and clocked up over 21,000 steps! The views were incredible and it perfectly showcased Azamara’s focus on active, immersive travel experiences. Don’t worry though - you don’t have to hike! Taxis can take you to the top, and the cable car will be another great option once it reopens following its refurbishment, currently scheduled until 2027.

The highlight of the entire trip was the AzAmazing Evening held inside St Michael’s Cave. This exclusive event for Azamara guests featured an 18-piece string ensemble, and the acoustics inside the cave were simply breathtaking. It was one of those magical travel moments where photos just can’t do the experience justice.

Even when we weren’t ashore, evenings onboard were full of fun and variety - from silent discos and karaoke to performances from talented local singers.

Who is the Azamara Traveller?

Azamara attracts a very specific type of traveller, and it’s easy to see why. Typical guests are:

• Culturally curious and destination-focused

• Active travellers seeking experiences over sightseeing checklists

• Often first-time cruisers who love the idea of a boutique hotel at sea

• Empty nesters with an explorer mindset

• Typically, aged 45+

Most voyages are fly-cruises, and many guests extend their trip with pre- or post-cruise stays to make the most of the destinations. It’s the perfect blend of immersive travel with the comfort and ease of cruising.

One of the biggest surprises for many travellers is how much is included. Azamara’s “Always Azamara” promise includes over $4,500 worth of added value, including a variety of dining venues, beer, wine and spirits all day and night, 24-hour room service, gratuities, unlimited self-service laundry, the famous AzAmazing Evenings® (on voyages 9+ nights) and the iconic White Night Party under the stars on every cruise - it’s a truly all-inclusive experience designed to make travel effortless.

There’s never been a more exciting time to consider Azamara. The Azamara Forward programme is bringing ship-wide enhancements and new experiences across the fleet. The exciting updates include:

• A brand-new Atlas Bar concept

• Refurbished restaurants, lounges and spa

• Upgraded staterooms and suites

• New Penthouse Deck and Sun Deck

• New Grand View and Panorama Suites

• A permanent Chef’s Table dining experience

Following dry dock in Athens, the refreshed Azamara Quest will relaunch in December from Miami - marking the start of an exciting new chapter.

With around 700 guests onboard, Azamara ships feel intimate, welcoming and personal. It truly feels like staying in a boutique hotel that just happens to sail the world. Azamara often describe themselves as “A different kind of cruise for a different type of traveller.” After experiencing it first-hand, I couldn’t agree more!

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