--- title: Azamara Extends APAC Focus as Australian Bookings Rise description: Azamara reports a 70% rise in Australian 2028 bookings as demand drives longer APAC deployments and a 139-night world cruise from Sydney. image: https://blog.swblack.com.au/hubfs/Azamara%20Extends%20APAC%20Focus%20as%20Australian%20Bookings%20Rise%20(1).png --- [![S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-white-high-res](https://blog.swblack.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-white-high-res.png?width=250&name=S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-white-high-res.png "S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-white-high-res")](https://swblack.com.au/) Search toggle - [Home](https://swblack.com.au/) - [Cruises](https://cruises.swblack.com.au/) Cruises - [Cruise Finder](https://cruises.swblack.com.au/) - [Cruises from Sydney](https://www.swblack.com.au/cruises-from-sydney/) - [Flights](https://www.swblack.com.au/airfares/) - [About Us](https://www.swblack.com.au/about-us/) - [Blog](https://blog.swblack.com.au) [Follow us on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkK3yOX5wHTHwm-FDUMq2TQ) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/swblack_travel/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://m.facebook.com/61555934000311/) [![S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-white-high-res](https://blog.swblack.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-white-high-res.png?width=250&name=S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-white-high-res.png "S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-white-high-res")](https://swblack.com.au/) - [Home](https://swblack.com.au/) - [Cruises](https://cruises.swblack.com.au/) Cruises - [Cruise Finder](https://cruises.swblack.com.au/) - [Cruises from Sydney](https://www.swblack.com.au/cruises-from-sydney/) - [Flights](https://www.swblack.com.au/airfares/) - [About Us](https://www.swblack.com.au/about-us/) - [Blog](https://blog.swblack.com.au) Search toggle [![S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-black-high-res](https://blog.swblack.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-black-high-res.png?width=250&name=S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-black-high-res.png "S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-black-high-res")](https://swblack.com.au/) - [Home](https://swblack.com.au/) - [Cruises](https://cruises.swblack.com.au/) Cruises - [Cruise Finder](https://cruises.swblack.com.au/) - [Cruises from Sydney](https://www.swblack.com.au/cruises-from-sydney/) - [Flights](https://www.swblack.com.au/airfares/) - [About Us](https://www.swblack.com.au/about-us/) - [Blog](https://blog.swblack.com.au) [Follow us on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkK3yOX5wHTHwm-FDUMq2TQ) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/swblack_travel/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://m.facebook.com/61555934000311/) Search toggle What are you looking for? Search # Azamara Extends APAC Focus as Australian Bookings Rise 24 Sept 2026 ![Picture of S.W. Black Travel](https://blog.swblack.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/S.W.Black%20social%20media%20kit%20template_profile%20picture%2001.jpg?width=40&name=S.W.Black%20social%20media%20kit%20template_profile%20picture%2001.jpg) [S.W. Black Travel](https://blog.swblack.com.au/author/s-w-black-travel) ![Azamara Australian bookings 2028](https://blog.swblack.com.au/hubfs/Azamara%20Extends%20APAC%20Focus%20as%20Australian%20Bookings%20Rise%20(1).png)  Australia is playing a larger role in [**Azamara’**](https://www.azamara.com/home)s deployment strategy, with the cruise line reporting a 70% rise in Australian bookings for 2028 compared with the same point last year. The stronger booked position has directly influenced plans for an extended presence across Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region. Azamara Extends APAC Focus as Australian Bookings Rise 9:00 The numbers behind [**Azamara Australia 2028**](https://www.azamara.com/cruises?destinations=AUSTRALIA_NEW_ZEALAND) also help explain why the cruise line is investing in longer regional deployments and a new Sydney departure for its world cruise programme. For travellers, the significance extends beyond additional sailings. Azamara sees Australia as a market willing to support its premium, inclusive cruise model across longer itineraries. ## Australian Demand Is Shaping Azamara’s Deployment Azamara’s Australian season generally begins between August and October and continues through April. This extended schedule puts its local investment on a similar seasonal footing to programmes from much larger cruise brands. Chief international sales officer David Siewers described Australia as one of the cornerstones of Azamara’s global growth. Strong forward bookings are giving the cruise line confidence to maintain its commitment to the market and pursue an extended APAC deployment. ![Azamara New Zealand](https://blog.swblack.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Azamara%20New%20Zealand.jpg?width=796&height=530&name=Azamara%20New%20Zealand.jpg) [Image courtesy of Azamara Cruises](https://www.azamara.com/destinations/australia-new-zealand) ### Bookings for 2028 Are Up 70% Australian bookings for 2028 are running 70% ahead of the equivalent point last year. Azamara has directly linked this performance with its decision to pursue an extended deployment across the Asia-Pacific region. The increase gives useful context to the cruise line’s Australian plans. Azamara is responding to confirmed forward demand as it decides how extensively to operate in the region. Siewers said the strong booked position has given the company confidence to continue investing in Australia. ### Australia Supports a Longer Seasonal Presence Azamara’s typical Australian programme begins between August and October and continues through April. This gives the cruise line a substantial seasonal presence rather than a short collection of local departures. Its investment places Azamara alongside seasonal programmes from larger names, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises. The comparison is significant because Azamara operates at a different scale. Its continued presence reflects the strength of its own Australian business rather than an attempt to match those larger operators by capacity. ### Australia Provides a Strong Booking Base Siewers said Australia has become a linchpin in Azamara’s wider deployment and revenue strategy. He explained that establishing a strong base load helps the cruise line maintain its premium as it moves forward. This makes the Australian market important beyond the number of local departures available in a single season. Strong bookings provide Azamara with a valuable foundation for its broader deployment plans. The 2028 increase gives the cruise line another reason to keep Australia central to its regional strategy. ## Premium Demand Strengthens Australia’s Position Booking volume tells only part of the story. Azamara also sees value in the type of cruise product Australian guests are choosing and the amount they are prepared to spend when the product delivers the inclusions they want. Siewers said the market is willing to pay a premium for a fully inclusive product when travellers see suitable value. He also identified Australia as producing Azamara’s highest international average per diems, and potentially its highest globally. ### Inclusive Pricing Fits Australian Demand Azamara’s assessment points towards Australian guests responding strongly to an inclusive premium cruise product. Siewers linked this willingness to spend with the value and inclusions provided from the beginning. This distinction matters when assessing the strength of the market. Higher pricing alone does not explain the performance. Azamara sees Australian travellers accepting premium pricing when the overall cruise product provides suitable value in return. ![Azamara Sydney](https://blog.swblack.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Azamara%20Sydney.jpg?width=796&height=531&name=Azamara%20Sydney.jpg) [Image courtesy of Azamara Cruises](https://www.azamara.com/destinations/australia-new-zealand) ### Average Per Diems Add Commercial Weight Siewers said average per diems from Australia are the highest across Azamara’s international markets. He added that he believes Australia produces the cruise line’s highest average per diems globally. That performance gives the 70% booking increase added commercial significance. Azamara is seeing both strong forward demand and high daily revenue from the market. Together, those factors help explain why Australia continues to receive attention in the cruise line’s deployment strategy. ### Azamara Is Maintaining Its Australian Investment Azamara’s position also stands out against a changing Australian cruise market. Siewers said the line is continuing to invest at a time when many other cruise companies are pulling out of the country. Its extended seasonal programme reflects a different response to current market conditions. Azamara sees enough demand and value in Australia to support its continued presence. For travellers, this means the line’s Australian commitment is being backed by booking performance rather than being treated as a short-term regional experiment. ## Sydney Is Reshaping Azamara’s World Cruise Plans The clearest example of Australia influencing Azamara’s product planning is a 139-night world cruise departing from Sydney. The itinerary is a shortened version of the line’s 195-night full world voyage and gives Australian travellers a local starting point. Azamara created the option specifically in response to the performance of its Australian business. The decision shows local demand influencing the structure of one of the cruise line’s longest journeys. ### A 139-Night World Cruise Will Start in Sydney The 139-night voyage gives Australian guests the option to join an Azamara world cruise from Sydney. This removes the need to take an international flight before boarding the ship. Siewers directly linked the decision to the strength of the Australian market. Azamara wanted a starting point suited to its growing local customer base. Sydney, therefore, becomes part of the cruise line’s response to the booking momentum it is seeing in Australia. ![Azamara Southern Australia & Tasmania](https://blog.swblack.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Azamara%20Southern%20Australia%20%26%20Tasmania.jpg?width=785&height=523&name=Azamara%20Southern%20Australia%20%26%20Tasmania.jpg) [Image courtesy of Azamara Cruises](https://www.azamara.com/destinations/australia-new-zealand) ### The Voyage Offers a Shorter World Cruise Format The Sydney itinerary is 56 nights shorter than Azamara’s 195-night full world voyage. It gives travellers another way to participate in an extended global journey without committing to the complete itinerary. A 139-night voyage still represents a substantial travel commitment, but its structure serves a different audience from the full sailing. The local departure also removes another stage from the journey for Australian guests. Both changes reflect Azamara’s attempt to adapt its world cruise programme around the market, supporting it. ### Australian Demand Is Influencing Global Itineraries The Sydney departure shows Australian demand affecting more than Azamara’s seasonal local programme. Booking performance is now influencing how the cruise line structures a major global voyage. That makes **Azamara Australia 2028** relevant to travellers considering both regional cruises and longer journeys. Australia is contributing to decisions around APAC deployment, seasonal investment, and world cruise planning. The market has become a significant part of how Azamara approaches its future programme. --- Azamara’s growing regional commitment gives travellers more reason to compare departures by date, duration, and starting port. [S.W. Black Travel’s Cruise Finder](https://cruisefinder.swblack.com.au/) provides a practical way to review available cruises and compare itineraries around your travel plans. The tool is also useful when weighing a conventional voyage against an extended journey. Compare your preferred region, travel window, itinerary length, and departure point before narrowing your options. ## Choose the Azamara Itinerary That Fits Your Plans Australia’s importance to Azamara now extends from strong forward bookings into the cruise line’s broader APAC deployment strategy. A 70% increase in Australian bookings for 2028, strong average per diems, and demand for an inclusive premium product are supporting continued investment in the market. The 139-night Sydney world cruise puts this strategy into practical terms for travellers. If you are considering an Azamara voyage in Australia, Asia-Pacific, or further afield,  [speak with the S.W. Black Travel team](https://www.swblack.com.au/contact-us/) to compare itineraries around your preferred dates, departure point, and travel priorities. 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