Launching an exciting new era of cruising, Azamara Cruises has revealed an enhanced cultural program offering exclusive access to local experiences, activities and events.
Cruising has always provided a unique window into destinations that no other form of travel offers. Even more so with the kind of small ship cruising offered by Azamara Cruises. In placing cultural experiences at the heart of each voyage, Azamara’s voyages combine the luxury of onboard facilities with genuine cultural immersion onshore. Now, these cultural experiences have been enhanced under the banner of Destination Immersion® Elevated.
Azamara is well known for offering experiences that no other cruise company comes close to replicating. Like their exceptional AzAmazing Events (not avail on Trans-Atlantic or voyages less than 7 nts) which are exclusively curated for guests and are unique to each destination. Or their dine-beneath-stars White Party, when the pool deck is transformed with chef stations and cocktails bars and live music keeps the dance floor lively well into the evening.
Now, Destination Immersion® Elevated raises the bar further, featuring cultural immersion of a destination’s unique highlights. The enhanced program is designed specifically for travellers seeking deeper connections to global destinations.
What’s so special about the Destination Immersion® Elevated program?
Azamara’s voyages appeal to travellers seeking connection and cultural immersion, rather than impersonal consumption of destinations. The Destination Immersion® Elevated program transforms cruising into an extraordinary cultural exchange. Each experience is carefully curated to create memories guests will treasure for years.
Imagine watching Portuguese chefs prepare tantalising seafood paella beneath starry skies. Or exploring ancient Japanese temples long after the crowds have departed. Perhaps settling into trackside seats at Monaco’s F1 Grand Prix is more your thing. Or sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with an Italian artist as they share insights into the inspiration behind their craft. The program differs depending upon the destination.
What sets Azamara apart?
In a word, plenty.
Azamara delivers what sophisticated travellers increasingly demand—authenticity and depth of experience. Travellers are looking for more than bucket lists – they know that travel has never been about ticking off destinations like a shopping list. They want to understand, to learn and to travel in a way that provides a connection to place. A connection that benefits both sides of the cultural exchange. Azamara guests seek more than simply visiting a destination – they seek to temporarily become part of them.
Azamara has dramatically expanded its immersive offerings, more than tripling specialty voyages from 6 to 22—including rare Solar Eclipse cruises in 2026. This enhanced program represents a significant opportunity with exclusive experiences unavailable elsewhere.
Highlights of Destination Immersion® Elevated program
Extended time ashore: Guests enjoy more than half of port time during evening hours or overnight stays. This translates to meaningful exploration rather than rushed sightseeing determined by port regulations.
Culinary authentication: Over 150 destination-specific dishes crafted by local experts from Croatia, France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain transform onboard dining into a gastronomic journey. Clients taste the destination before setting foot ashore, setting up a tantalising anticipation for shore excursions.
Evening events and overnight excursions: The new collection of 246 evening and overnight excursions delivers access to cultural landmarks when day-trippers have departed.
Exclusive cultural engagement: The expanded AzAmazing Evenings program (now with 34 new events) provides complimentary access to performances and cultural experiences typically unavailable to individual travellers.
Features unique to Azamara Cruises
Azamara’s onboard offering is exceptional, with unique inclusions only available to Azamara guests:
- Daily destination entrées throughout main dining venues featuring local cuisine from expert Chefs
- Stories Under the Stars events showcasing local folklore and mythology that bring the destination alive through entertaining storytelling
- 21 destination-specific beers included in the premium beverage package to enhance the ‘taste’ of each destination
- Over 13,500 elevated shore excursions designed for cultural immersion, including where Azamara aims to ‘own the night’with exclusive evening events
- Four small ships that allow access to ports unavailable to larger vessels
- AzAmazing evenings led by Destination Speakers native to the destination to provide exclusive access and insights into the experience
Book now for 2025-2026 departures
The 2025-2026 season features 25 new ports and 33 Country-Intensive voyages—perfect for cruisers seeking depth over breadth in their travels where specialised itineraries focus on single-country immersion.
Secure your preferred voyage early, as specialised voyages with extended port stays typically sell quickly.
