Azamara Forward: Azamara Quest Leads $80m Fleetwide Makeover with New Penthouse Deck and Suites

Azamara Cruises is launching its largest-ever renovation program, Azamara Forward, a multi-year, fleetwide upgrade that will transform suites, bars, restaurants and entertainment spaces across all four ships. Leading the way is Azamara Quest, which will debut an all-new Penthouse Deck with brand-new Grandview and Panorama Suites in December 2026, ahead of the line’s 2027 World Cruise.​

Azamara Forward: A New Era for the Fleet

Azamara Forward represents the most ambitious enhancement investment in the company’s history, with a focus on elevating comfort, deepening destination immersion and refreshing every key guest touchpoint on board. CEO Dondra Ritzenthaler describes the project as a way to “thoughtfully elevate the onboard experience while honouring the hallmarks that have long defined the brand,” driven by years of guest and trade partner feedback.​

The program will roll out first on Azamara Quest and then across Azamara Journey, Azamara Pursuit and Azamara Onward over the following years, with each ship entering dry dock for tailored enhancements aligned with the Azamara Forward vision.​

New Penthouse Deck, Grandview and Panorama Suites

Exclusive to Azamara Quest, a brand-new Penthouse Deck will be constructed on the ship’s highest accommodation level, adding 12 ultra-premium suites. The new deck will feature 10 Grandview Suites and two forward-facing Panorama Suites, positioned for sweeping 270-degree ocean views and designed as the most elevated accommodation on board.​

Panorama Suites will offer expansive living, dining and bedroom zones, a walk-in wardrobe and an oversized spa-inspired bathroom, plus top-tier inclusions like butler service, premium beverage packages and exclusive dining experiences. Grandview Suites will feature floor-to-ceiling ocean views, contemporary décor and larger bathrooms with dual sinks and walk-in showers, along with Azamara’s suite-level perks such as complimentary specialty dining.​

Reimagined Dining: Chef’s Table and Atlas Bar

Culinary and bar experiences sit at the core of Azamara Forward. A newly dedicated Chef’s Table restaurant will be introduced across the fleet, evolving from the line’s existing French, Italian and Signature Chef’s Table concepts into a standalone venue with rotating themed menus inspired by the regions Azamara visits.​

The much-loved Atlas Bar, currently exclusive to Azamara Onward, will be rolled out fleetwide and completely reimagined as a destination bar just outside Discoveries Restaurant, replacing the Discoveries Bar space. Guest-favourite craft cocktails and elevated small plates will sit alongside new destination-led creations, reinforcing Azamara’s “country club” ambience with a stronger sense of place.​

Fresh Looks for Staterooms, Discoveries and Cabaret Lounge

Staterooms and suites across all ships will undergo a full refresh, with lighter colour palettes inspired by sea and sky, updated soft furnishings, plush carpets and modernised décor. The goal is to create a brighter, more contemporary feel while retaining the boutique warmth that long-time guests associate with Azamara.​

Key public venues are also being transformed:

• Discoveries Restaurant will be redesigned with improved sightlines, new lighting and updated furniture for more flexible seating and a more elegant dining atmosphere.​
• The Cabaret Lounge will receive new furnishings, carpeting, a refreshed dance floor and a redesigned entrance to enhance the “wow factor” and intimacy of evening entertainment.​
• The Sanctum Spa will see updated treatment rooms and a more serene, restorative design, while public restrooms will be upgraded with modern fixtures and finishes.​

What Azamara Forward Means for Guests

For guests, Azamara Forward promises a more refined yet familiar experience: the same destination-intensive itineraries and small-ship atmosphere, paired with upgraded suites, refreshed social spaces and cuisine more closely tied to the regions visited. The enhancements aim to create more meaningful onboard moments, whether that is a panoramic sail-away from a new suite, a regionally themed Chef’s Table dinner, or a nightcap at a redesigned Atlas Bar.​

Azamara Quest will be the first to showcase the full Azamara Forward transformation on her 18 December 2026 sailing, with the rest of the fleet following in phased dry docks through to the end of the decade. For loyal Azamara cruisers and curious new guests alike, the program marks the start of a new chapter in the line’s boutique-luxury story.​