Azamara Cruises Relaunches Land Programs For Unforgettable Cultural Immersion

Azamara Cruises, renowned for its luxury travel experiences, has reintroduced its Azamara Ashore land programs, designed to provide guests with deeper, more meaningful interactions with destinations before and after their cruise. The initiative is set to offer an expanded selection of immersive travel experiences from 2026 to 2028, giving travelers the chance to truly engage with the places they visit, allowing them to connect with local cultures in a more personal and unhurried way.

Azamara’s commitment to providing enriching, destination-centric journeys continues to grow, with the cruise line responding to traveler demand for longer, more authentic experiences. The relaunch of Azamara Ashore comes as the company works to further differentiate its offerings, ensuring that guests have an opportunity to go beyond typical sightseeing and truly understand the heart of each location.

A Commitment to Authentic, Immersive Travel

Azamara Cruises has long prided itself on offering travelers the chance to explore destinations in depth, and the new Azamara Ashore land programs align with that ethos. According to the company, every journey is meant to be more than just a brief stop. It’s an opportunity for guests to connect deeply with the locations they visit and the people who live there. Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises, explained that the relaunch of Azamara Ashore was a direct response to feedback from guests who wanted to spend more time in each destination and engage in more natural, relaxed exploration.

Through these programs, Azamara is enhancing its offering by allowing guests to explore new destinations with local guides, enjoy authentic cultural experiences, and take in the sights in a more leisurely, meaningful way. The relaunch also emphasizes the company’s ongoing focus on making travel more enriching and fostering deeper cultural connections.

New and Expanded Land Programs: A World of Opportunities

Azamara is introducing 17 new pre- and post-cruise land programs between 2026 and 2028, with six of those launching in 2026. These new offerings expand Azamara’s previous selection of land programs, bringing the total to 84 core experiences available across the globe. The new itineraries offer a wide variety of destinations and experiences in Africa, Oceania, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

For those who want to explore at a slower pace and immerse themselves in the local culture, Azamara offers two main options: Hotel Stays and City Stays. Hotel Stays offer the convenience of transfers and logistics being handled from start to finish, simplifying the travel experience. City Stays provides guests with two-night immersive cultural experiences at each turn port, allowing them to dive deeper into the destination’s essence.

These programs are complemented by the AzAmazing Journeys, which offer guests longer stays of three to six nights. These journeys give travelers the chance to enjoy unique experiences such as local cuisine tastings, cultural activities, and exploration of historical sites.

Featured Azamara Ashore Destinations

The Azamara Ashore program offers an exciting range of travel destinations, allowing guests to explore some of the most sought-after locations across the world. Among the highlighted destinations are:

• Victoria Falls & Chobe National Park with Micato Safaris: A journey into the heart of Africa, where guests can experience the breathtaking views of Victoria Falls and embark on a safari in Chobe National Park, home to an abundance of wildlife.
• Machu Picchu, Cusco & Hiram Bingham Train with Coltur Peru: A journey to the iconic Machu Picchu, taking guests on a scenic ride aboard the luxurious Hiram Bingham train, combining history, culture, and natural beauty.
• Wondrous Cappadocia with Tura Turizm: A journey through the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia in Turkey, where guests can explore the region’s unique fairy chimneys, ancient cave dwellings, and experience the thrill of a hot-air balloon ride.

These exclusive programs not only allow guests to visit iconic landmarks but also provide the opportunity to engage in local experiences and learn about the cultural heritage of each destination.

Streamlined Travel Experience with Ship&Play Partnership

As part of the Azamara Ashore relaunch, Azamara Cruises has also partnered with Ship&Play to enhance the convenience of traveling to and from the cruise. This partnership enables guests to send their luggage directly from their home or a carrier location to their stateroom or hotel. The service is designed to make the arrival and departure process more seamless, allowing guests to focus on enjoying their trip rather than dealing with the logistics of baggage handling.

The service is available for both pre-cruise and post-cruise, ensuring that luggage arrives at the destination before or after the cruise, and it is supported by a dedicated seven-day cruise concierge team. This new offering adds an extra layer of convenience and enhances the overall guest experience, particularly for travelers looking for an easy and stress-free way to manage their luggage.

A Focus on Personalized, Leisurely Travel

The launch of the new Azamara Ashore land programs reflects a growing trend in the cruise industry toward more personalized and leisurely travel experiences. In an era where travelers are increasingly seeking deeper connections with the destinations they visit, Azamara Cruises is positioning itself as a leader in providing meaningful, immersive experiences that cater to those desires.

By offering extended stays in key locations, Azamara ensures that its guests can enjoy each destination at a more relaxed pace, taking the time to absorb the local culture, try authentic cuisine, and truly experience the essence of the places they visit. This approach goes beyond the typical cruise excursion, offering a deeper, more enriching travel experience.

Conclusion: Expanding Horizons for Azamara Guests

With the relaunch of its Azamara Ashore land programs, Azamara Cruises is offering guests an exciting new way to explore the world. The expansion of the program, which now includes over 80 core destinations, is a testament to Azamara’s commitment to providing immersive, cultural travel experiences that go beyond the typical cruise. By focusing on deep, meaningful connections with the places and people visited, Azamara is ensuring that its guests have a truly transformative journey.

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