Azamara Cruises has set dates for the next stage of its fleet-wide refresh: the Azamara Journey will head into drydock on 16 November 2028 and return on 30 November, undergoing a full Azamara Forward renovation across dining, entertainment, staterooms, suites and public areas.
The headline changes sound substantial. Discoveries Restaurant, the ship's main dining room, will be reimagined, and a dedicated Chef's Table experience is being added for passengers who want a more formal, curated meal. A new Atlas Bar joins the lineup, the Cabaret Lounge gets a transformation, and the Sanctum Spa will be completely refreshed. Notably, the Penthouse Deck concept stays exclusive to the Azamara Quest — it won't be coming to the Journey.
The Journey isn't going first. The Azamara Quest debuts its own upgrades after a drydock in November 2026, with its first post-renovation sailing departing 18 December 2026. The Azamara Onward follows in 2027, making the Journey the third ship in line. CEO Dondra Ritzenthaler has framed the programme as a way to modernise the ships without losing the intimate, residential feel regulars associate with the line.
For travellers, the interesting bit is what happens straight after the work ends. The refreshed Journey re-enters service on 30 November 2028 with a 12-night Greece and Egypt itinerary sailing round-trip from Athens. Azamara says booking details and fuller information on that sailing will follow in the coming weeks, so anyone eyeing a first look at the new spaces should keep an eye on when it opens for sale.
Why it matters: Azamara positions itself as the destination-focused, small-ship alternative to the mega-lines, and itineraries like an Athens-based Greece and Egypt loop are exactly the kind of port-heavy sailing its fans book around. A refitted ship with a new Chef's Table and upgraded spa, on top of a regional itinerary hitting two countries, could be a sweet spot for travellers who want a more boutique cruise experience in the eastern Mediterranean. If you've cruised Azamara before, expect familiar bones with sharper interiors; if you haven't, late 2028 may be a good moment to try the brand with its product at its most current.
