39 experiences where our guests can truly unpack, both emotionally and physically. Today’s travellers don’t want to just visit Rome; they want to cook with an Italian nonna and hear her stories. That’s what we are striving to deliver.” Azamara Cruises has launched ‘Own the Night’ voyages, which allows guests to spend more time in some of the most famous ports around the world. They spend two consecutive nights in port, where they can enjoy smaller crowds, curated night tours and a new ‘Stories Under the Stars’ programme, during which they are invited to gather on the pool deck for an evening of regional myths, folklore and storytelling. “Picture yourself sipping local wine by lantern light in a secret Croatian garden, watching flamenco dancers under the stars in Spain or hearing ancient legends by moonlight on the deck of Azamara’s intimate ships,” says Ritzenthaler. By the end of the 2025-2026 season, Azamara Cruises will have delivered destination immersion experiences in six continents, 92 countries and 318 ports. In 2026, the brand will launch three new solar eclipse cruises, where guests will have the opportunity to witness the summer eclipse from European waters. In addition, the cruise line is also introducing 14 new two-night city stays that will provide guests with more time to explore a variety of destinations, including Bangkok, Thailand; Bridgetown, Barbados; Malaga, Spain; Mumbai, India; and New York City, USA. “We are all about extended days in destinations, allowing guests to have an authentic experience at a relaxed pace, with lots of opportunities to immerse themselves in the culture of where they are visiting,” says Ritzenthaler. Beyond 2026, Azamara will continue to prioritise the development of its offerings as well as its partnerships with travel trade partners. “Working closely with travel agents is at the very heart of our strategy, and currently around 86 per cent of our business is booked via the trade,” explains Ritzenthaler. “They understand their clients’ dreams and help us turn them into unforgettable memories, and that partnership is at the heart of everything we do at Azamara. “I genuinely believe we have terrific momentum right now, and I feel incredibly optimistic about what the future holds.” “ Today’s travellers don’t want to just visit Rome; they want to cook with an Italian nonna and hear her stories” Azamara Cruises’ sister ships sailed side-by-side in Barcelona
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