Azamara Cruises is elevating the art of exploration with its brand-new Destination Immersion® Elevated programme, designed to deepen guest connections with each port of call through enriched voyages, expanded excursions and innovative onboard experiences. Building on the success of Extended Destination Days, this dynamic initiative expands Azamara’s specialty offerings from six to twenty-two, introduces immersive Solar Eclipse cruises in 2026, and unlocks twenty-five new ports for the 2025–2026 season. Travellers can now expect more time ashore than any other cruise line, with over half of their port days featuring late-night and overnight stays for genuine cultural immersion.
Expanded Specialty Voyages & Solar Eclipse Cruises
Azamara’s commitment to pioneering immersive travel shines in the dramatic growth of its specialty voyage portfolio. The line is tripling its signature routes, unveiling twenty-two curated itineraries that place an emphasis on regional discovery. Among these are three rare Solar Eclipse cruises in 2026, offering guests the once-in-a-lifetime spectacle of total eclipses at sea.
Additionally, thirty-three Country-Intensive sailings will focus on in-depth exploration of heritage-rich destinations, ranging from the spice markets of Southeast Asia to the ancient ruins of the Mediterranean. By opening twenty-five fresh ports—many seldom visited by larger vessels—Azamara ensures that curiosity-seekers will uncover hidden corners of the world with the intimacy of a small-ship experience.
Enriched Culinary Journeys
Food is culture’s universal language, and Azamara’s Destination Immersion® Elevated takes this to heart with a revamped Authentic Local Cuisine Programme. Each day brings a new Destination Entrée: over 150 locally inspired dishes rotate across the fleet’s dining venues, crafted by regional guest chefs so that a Portuguese seafood cataplana today might yield to Japanese wagyu tataki tomorrow.
On voyages lasting nine nights or more, the pool deck transforms into a festival of flavours during Destination Events, where alfresco buffets showcase regional delicacies beneath the stars. Live performances and local artisans enhance the atmosphere, inviting guests to dine side-by-side with musicians, dancers and storytellers born of the places they explore.
Immersive Onboard Programming
Storytelling and celebration converge in Azamara’s revamped destination-themed entertainment. Stories Under the Stars invites travellers to cosy up by firelight on the pool deck, as one of over 250 Destination Speakers weaves local folklore while guests savour s’more-inspired desserts and spiked hot chocolate.
Beverage aficionados can sample twenty-one Destination Beers, from crisp Australian ales to tropical Caribbean brews, all included within the premium drinks package. For those seeking exclusive insider moments, the Curator’s Collection offers AzAmazing Evenings—intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experiences led by local experts, from private temple ceremonies to rooftop receptions against a skyline canvas. With these programmes, each evening at sea becomes an extension of the port’s narrative.
Elevated Ashore Excursions
Azamara continues to ‘own the night’ with an expanded lineup of shore experiences. The 2025–2026 season boasts over 13,500 Elevated Excursions, including 246 new evening and overnight tours that allow for deeper discovery beyond the typical daytime window. From moonlit photography safaris in the Sahara to overnight stays in historic European cities, these thoughtfully curated journeys let guests explore cultures on their own terms.
By enabling bookings up to eighteen months in advance, Azamara places flexibility—and anticipation—at the heart of expedition planning, ensuring that every traveller can tailor their adventure to fit their schedule and interests.
Connecting Guests with Authentic Culture
At the core of Destination Immersion® Elevated is the promise of meaningful engagement. With Extended Destination Days, guests spend 51% of port time as late nights or overnights, unlocking ample hours to uncover local rhythms when shops, eateries and landmarks pulse with life.
Collaborations with community partners—from family-run vineyards in Tuscany to tribal elders in the South Pacific—foster respectful cultural exchanges that surpass standard sightseeing.
By prioritising depth over distance, Azamara empowers its guests to witness traditions, taste heritage and forge genuine connections, turning each voyage into a transformative journey of the heart and mind.
Discover detailed itineraries, departure dates and unique ship amenities using the Cruise Finder. Fine-tune your search by region, voyage length or special-interest theme, and embark on a tailor-made odyssey.
Reserve Your Destination Immersion® Elevated Voyage Today
Ready to explore the world through the lens of Azamara’s most immersive programme yet? Contact S.W. Black Travel and let our specialists craft an experience that reflects your passion for authentic discovery.
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