Azamara Cruises is set to make waves Down Under, announcing an extended return to Australia and New Zealand for the 2027/2028 season — arriving earlier and staying longer than ever before. With 23 thoughtfully designed itineraries and the inclusion of new ports, Azamara is reinforcing its commitment to the Australasian market.
The boutique cruise line’s Azamara Pursuit® will arrive into Asia via Hong Kong in August 2027, sailing through to April 2028 showcasing its dedication to the region. Among the exciting highlights are two brand-new Australian ports — Fraser Island (K’gari) and Gladstone — as well as a two-night stay in Hobart over New Year’s Eve (30–31 December), celebrating Tasmania’s Taste Festival and Sydney to Hobart festivities. Guests can also look forward to Azamara’s return to Brisbane and a round-trip New Zealand journey, offering more depth and discovery than ever before.
Victoria Chigwidden, Director of Sales – Australia and New Zealand, said the news is a testament to Azamara’s strong regional partnerships and growing presence:
“This is fantastic news for our Australian and New Zealand travellers, and for our valued trade partners who have helped drive such strong demand for immersive, small-ship cruising. The extended 2027/2028 season — including new ports, longer stays, and more local sailings — reflects our genuine commitment to this region. We’re delighted to welcome Azamara Pursuit® back for an extended season and look forward to seeing Azamara Onward® join her in early 2028.”
Azamara Cruises, the small-ship cruise line celebrated for its Destination Immersion® and Extended Destination Days, is excited to unveil its highly anticipated Winter (summer in the southern hemisphere) 2027/2028 itineraries. Spanning from October 16, 2027, to April 28, 2028, this new season of 87 cruises continues Azamara’s commitment to more late nights and overnights. Offering more than 150 late nights and 60 overnights across its four-ship fleet, these itineraries are designed to allow travelers to savor destinations after the crowds have gone, providing authentic local experiences and memorable moments that extend well beyond daylight hours.
“We’re incredibly excited to unveil our Winter 2027/2028 cruises, a season that truly embodies Azamara’s commitment to destination immersion,” said Michael Pawlus, Head of Itinerary Planning at Azamara. “From new maiden ports and rare journeys through Egypt to more combinable cruises, these itineraries were crafted to give guests more time to connect with each destination, creating experiences that linger long after the journey ends.”
Featuring six exciting new maiden ports and rare itineraries exploring the wonders of Egypt to a record number of combinable cruises that allow travelers to craft extended journeys, Azamara’s Winter season offers unparalleled opportunities for discovery and authentic local immersion. Highlights of the 2027/2028 Winter cruises include the following:
- Tailor Your Journey with Combinable Cruises: Azamara is offering more pre-designed combinable cruises than ever before—giving travelers greater freedom and flexibility to experience more of the world in one seamless journey. These thoughtfully curated itineraries have been carefully connected by Azamara and are available to book as pre-combined opportunities on the website, making it effortless for guests to explore multiple regions without having to piece together their own itinerary. With 30 unique combinations spanning diverse destinations and cruise lengths, travelers can discover more ports, enjoy longer stays, and dive deeper into each region’s culture, cuisine, and character. For example, travelers can follow the trail of cherry blossoms across Asia by booking a 28-night cruise comprised of a 14-night Vietnam & Hong Kong Cruise with a 14-Night Japan Intensive Cruise, discovering 20 captivating ports along the way.
- Discover New Maiden Ports: This season, Azamara’s Winter cruise itineraries debut six new captivating maiden ports: São Francisco do Sul and Paranaguá in Brazil, Fraser Island and Gladstone in Australia, Bimini in the Bahamas, and Algiers in Algeria. Each destination offers its own allure, such as Bimini, known as the sport fishing capital of the world; Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island with crystal-clear freshwater lakes; and Algiers, home to UNESCO World Heritage sites, offering unique shore excursion opportunities to explore.
- Explore Rare Itineraries to Egypt: Experience the magic of Egypt with Azamara’s exclusive, thoughtfully crafted cruises. Sail during the best time to visit, from October to February, when Egypt’s cooler season brings warm days, mild nights, and ideal conditions for sightseeing. These itineraries offer a rare chance to explore the country’s ancient wonders, vibrant markets, and rich cultural heritage through extended stays and visits to lesser-known ports. Highlights include exploring the historic Valley of the Kings in Luxor while stopping in the port city of Alexandria, providing a deeper, more authentic connection to Egypt’s timeless treasures.
- Revisiting Beloved Destinations: Azamara is proud to return to several distinctive ports it hasn’t visited in years. This Winter 2027/2028 season will feature long-anticipated returns to Porto Belo and Rio Grande, Brazil; Sandakan, Malaysia; New Orleans, USA; and Coron, Philippines. Each destination offers guests the chance to reconnect with places celebrated for their rich heritage, warm hospitality, and natural splendor, whether it’s the rhythm of New Orleans’ jazz scene, the coastal beauty of Brazil, or the tropical tranquility of the Philippines.
Guests who plan ahead and book early can enjoy Azamara’s Early Booking Bonus, with 30% off all newly released itineraries plus $4,500 USD in value through Always Azamara inclusions.
