PLANNER PERSPECTIVE Delving deeper into destinations Azamara’s Mike Pawlus explains to Rebecca Gibson how longer port stays and carefully curated shore excursions help the brand to deliver immersive and transformative itineraries Travellers embarking on Azamara Onward’s world voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in January 2024 will be able to visit more than 75 destinations in over 40 countries on six continents and explore “more than the Seven Wonders of the World” over 155 nights. Some of the highlights of the itinerary will include 27 late nights in port, 22 overnight stays, 13 exclusive cultural events, 10 AzAmazing Celebrations experiences, and visits to iconic sites such as the Galápagos Islands, Petra in Jordan, and Machu Picchu in Peru. According to Azamara’s head of itinerary planning Mike Pawlus, the world voyage epitomises the type of authentic, immersive and unique travel experiences the brand aims to offer to every guest sailing on its four boutiquestyle ships. “Azamara continues to lead the industry in destination immersion and small-ship cruising,” he says. “We prioritise giving our guests more time to explore on land – for example, our Extended Destination Days give guests 10 or more hours in port. With the time to travel further and feel relaxed rather than rushed, guests can discover hidden local hotspots and connect with different communities.” Country-intensive sailings are central to Azamara’s destination immersion offering. They provide an in-depth “ Azamara continues to lead the industry in destination immersion and small-ship cruising” 54 Azamara’s country-intensive itineraries to destinations like Japan, with ports of call in Takamatsu in Kagawa, have become increasingly popular with guests
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