MIAMI — Azamara Cruises is taking its hallmark concept of Destination Immersion to a new level with the introduction of Destination Immersion Elevated, a suite of onboard and shore-side enhancements designed to deepen travellers’ connection to the destinations they visit.

The small-ship cruise line, known for Extended Destination Days and immersive itineraries, is significantly expanding its specialty voyages, growing from six to 22 itineraries. New offerings include three Solar Eclipse cruises in 2026, alongside 33 Country-Intensive voyages and 25 new ports added for the 2025-2026 seasons.

Azamara continues to offer guests more time ashore than any other cruise line, with 51% of port visits featuring late nights or overnight stays – allowing for deeper exploration and meaningful connections.

“Azamara Cruises is the pioneer cruise line in destination immersion, and we take great pride in being the industry leader and continuing to push the envelope in immersive travel,” said Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises. “Destination Immersion Elevated has been designed to deepen our guests’ connection to the places we visit. With an enhanced culinary program, increased onboard programming, extended shore excursions, and more, we’re once again delivering richer, more meaningful experiences. We can’t wait for our guests to see what’s in store.”

Enhanced Onboard Experiences

Azamara’s Destination Immersion Elevated initiative brings a variety of new onboard experiences, including:

• Destination Events: On voyages of nine nights or longer, the pool deck transforms into an alfresco dining venue with an elaborate buffet of regional dishes. Local entertainment, from traditional music to cultural performances, creates a fully immersive evening.
• Daily Destination Entrées: Through an expanded Authentic Local Cuisine Program, Azamara will feature over 150 new locally inspired dishes across its main dining venues. For 2025 European voyages, chefs from Croatia, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain have curated multicourse menus showcasing each destination’s culinary traditions, from Portuguese seafood stews to Japanese wagyu tataki.
• Stories Under the Stars: This fireside-style event, held on the pool deck and led by one of over 250 Destination Speakers, will bring local folklore and myths to life, complemented by s’more-themed desserts and spiked hot chocolate under the night sky.
• New Beverage Offerings: Guests can now enjoy a curated selection of regional wines and 21 Destination Beers as part of Azamara’s premium beverage package, featuring brews from Australia, the Caribbean and beyond.

Deeper Exploration Ashore

Beyond the ship, Azamara is expanding its shore experience portfolio with over 13,500 Elevated Excursions available during the 2025-2026 season.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

New programming includes 246 evening and overnight tours, furthering Azamara’s commitment to “own the night.” Guests will be able to book these immersive experiences up to 18 months in advance, allowing for greater flexibility and deeper cultural engagement.

Adding to its unique offerings, Azamara is launching the Curator’s Collection, a series of once-in-a-lifetime experiences curated by the team behind the brand’s celebrated AzAmazing Evenings. Led by local experts, these intimate excursions offer unparalleled access to the heart of each destination.

Destination Immersion Elevated will also include 34 new AzAmazing Evenings, the highest number in Azamara’s history. These exclusive cultural engagements, guided by Destination Speakers native to the regions visited, promise guests experiences they might not encounter through independent travel.

For more information, visit www.azamara.com.