Azamara Onward

The 1999-built (as "Pacific Princess") cruise ship Azamara Onward was one of the two smallest vessels in the Princess Cruises fleet - together with Ocean Princess (Oceania Sirena since 2016). In January 2021, Princess sold the ship to Sycamore Partners (the new owner of Azamara Cruises) and the 22-years-old boat left the fleet - to join its new fleetmates Azamara Quest (2000-built), Azamara Journey (2000) and Azamara Pursuit (2001).

The vessel (IMO number 9187887) is currently Bermuda-flagged (MMSI 310504000) and registered in Hamilton.

History - construction and ownership

The ship's new name (Azamara Onward) was officially announced on March 19, 2021, following the handover (from Princess to Azamara) on March 15. On January 19, Sycamore Partners announced the acquisition of the Azamara brand from RCG-Royal Caribbean Group. A week later, Sycamore's Azamara fleet was expanded by buying Pacific Princess (Azamara Onward). The name "Azamara Onward" was selected to represent the "moving forward" concept (both in space and time) and meant to evoke feelings of positivity, resilience, endless possibilities of the future.

For 2021-2022, Pacific Princess had scheduled a total of 33 itineraries (departures June 28, 2021, through and including March 28, 2022) in the regions of the Mediterranean, Caribbean, South Pacific (homeporting in Tahiti French Polynesia), Transpacific repositioning from Australia to Asia. The last two planned voyages were repositioning cruises from Australia (Sydney NSW and Brisbane QLD) to Asia (Yokohama Japan).

For Princess Cruises, the vessel (IMO 9187887) was Bermuda-flagged (MMSI number 310504000) and registered in Hamilton. The boat was last drydock refurbished by Princess in 2017.

History - construction and ownership

Azamara Cruises was a fully-owned subsidiary company of RCG-Royal Caribbean Group until 2021. Founded in 2007 as "Azamara Club Cruises", the company was rebranded in 2009 (Azamara Cruises) and 2019 (Azamara). Azamara ships were originally built as R-Class vessels for Renaissance Cruises (company operational between 1989-2001).

In January 2021, Azamara's parent company RCG-Royal Caribbean announced an agreement to sell the brand for USD 201 million (~EUR 165,8M / ~GBP 147,6M / carve-out transaction) to Sycamore Partners. Sycamore Partners acquired the entire company and its 3 ships, plus all the associated intellectual property rights and goodwill. The all-cash transaction was closed in 2021-Q1. Sycamore Partners (shipowner) is a 2011-founded, NYC-headquartered private equity firm with USD 15+ billion in capital and assets under management. Among the largest of the Sycamore Partners-owned companies are Belk Inc (department store chain), Talbots (retailer of clothing-shoes-fashion accessories), Nine West Holdings (designer and wholesaler of branded clothing-shoes-accessories) and Staples Inc (office retailer).

The 672-passenger ship Pacific Princess operated some of the fleet's most exotic routes in Europe, Asia and South America, including 100+ nights long World Cruises (11 voyages total). The sisterships Pacific and Ocean were bought by Princess in 2002 from Renaissance Cruises (1989-founded / 2001-defunct) and were the smallest in the fleet. With its dark wood interiors, the liner resembles a manor house or country inn.

For Princess Cruises, Pacific Princess sailed 1,6+ million NM/nautical miles (~1,84 M mi / ~2,964 M km). The ship's inaugural season in Alaska (2003) started with the relocation voyage (in May) leaving out of San Francisco to Vancouver BC. In Alaska, the ship operated 7-day long one-ways between Vancouver and Whittier AK.

On January 21, 2021, the vessel left Port Civitavecchia-Rome en route to SARDINIA. On January 25 was announced that the ship was sold to Sycamore Partners and added to Azamara's fleet.

Decks and Cabins

Azamara Onward staterooms (335 total, in 24 grades) include 62 Suites, 170 Balcony, 80 Oceanview, 23 Inside. Handicap/wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers) are only 5 (2x Balcony, 3x Interior). A total of 247 staterooms have private, step-out balconies. Most cabin balconies are sized 45-60 ft2 / 4-6 m2. The largest accommodations are the World Owners Suite (600 ft2 / 56 m2 plus 215 ft2 / 20 m2 terrace).

The boat has 11 decks, of which 9 are passenger-accessible and 6 with cabins.

Four elevators (2x Forward and 2x Aft passenger lifts) interconnect all decks.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

For a small ship, Azamara Onward features plenty of options for each meal. The passengers are also encouraged to explore local cuisine when ashore. The line plans to add a complimentary tapas bar when the ship goes into dry dock in 2016. Overall, the food on board is quite good. There are rotating themes in the buffet and the tables there are spruced up at night with soft glowing orbs. The main dining room pampers with an entree salad every night.

Follows the complete list of Azamara Onward restaurants and food bars.

• Discoveries Restaurant (aft Dining Room, complimentary, with waiter service, open seating Breakfast 8-9:30 am, Lunch 12-1:30 pm, Dinner 6-9:30 pm)
• Pool Grill (lunch-only casual dining restaurant with the fast-food menu, made-to-order - pizza, pasta, burgers, fries, salads; complimentary)
• Windows Cafe (complimentary buffet restaurant; has indoor seating and portside/starboard terraces; open between 6:30 am - 9:30 pm; offers early, buffet and late breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, and casual dinner)
• Aqualina (dinner-only specialty restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine and seafood; offers free dining for Club Suite passengers; reservations recommended)
• Prime C (dinner-only specialty restaurant with seafood and steakhouse menu; operates at surcharge, but it's free of charge for Club Suite guests; outside the Prime C there is a Wine Cellar with 8000+ bottles collection; hosts the Wine Corner evening events and offers wine-tastings and private dinner arrangements).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Because the ship focuses very much on destinations, Azamara Onward doesn't have as many daily activities as passengers might find on mainstream cruise ships. There are a couple of trivia sessions each day and some other pastimes, such as origami and Bridge. The Cabaret Lounge is the ship's show lounge, with risers behind, as opposed to a true theater. As the ceilings are low-slung, this space feels more cramped and the type of shows offered there is limited.

Follows the complete list of Azamara Onward lounges, bars, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Le Boutique (duty-free luxury shop for bags, gifts, brand jewelry)
• Cabaret Lounge & Bar (theatre and main show lounge for musical and show productions, cabaret performances, comedy acts; hosts the "AzAmazing Evenings" enrichment program; serves as a nightclub in the evenings)
• Casino Luxe (also serves as sports bar)
• PhotoShop (photo-video services, accessories, equipment)
• The Onward Shop (convenience goods store)
• Indulgences (luxury boutique shop)
• Mosaic Cafe (complimentary patisserie & bar; in the evening becomes a nightclub with live music - Mosaic@Night)
• Discoveries Lounge & Bar (Martini Bar)
• Atlas Bar (hot and cold dishes, artisanal cocktails, 
• Thalassotherapy Pool (saltwater pool, part of the Spa complex; with water jets; operates at a surcharge)
• Hair salon (Beauty Salon offering hair and barber services, manicure, pedicure, massages)
• Astral Spa (wellness center featuring Elemis Spa products and treatments)
• Gym (starboard Fitness Room with panoramic windows and modern equipment; also hosts various complimentary group classes)
• Acupuncture Room (serviced by NCCAOM certified acupuncturists)
• eConnections (24-hour Internet computers room)
• Pool area (with an outdoor swimming pool, 2 Whirlpools, poolside bar, loungers, Tennis tables; served by Grill station; hosts themed pool deck parties)
• Sunset Bar (outdoor bar; serves the Windows Cafe terrace area)
• Looking Glass (observation lounge & bar with panoramic windows, sculptures made of Murano glass, comfortable leather sofas; in the evenings becomes a nightclub; serves afternoon tea with sandwiches, pastries, champagne - complimentary)
• The Drawing Room (library)
• Sun Deck (open-air area with sun loungers)
• Shuffleboard (Deck Games playing area)
• Jogging/Power Walking Track.

Itineraries

Azamara Onward itinerary program for the inaugural cruise season (2022) was announced in early-June 2021. The schedule included a total of 22x itineraries in Europe (Mediterranean, Black Sea) and featured 3x new (for the brand) land tours, 85x late-night and 21x overnight port stays.

The Maiden Voyage (11-night "Christening and Maiden Voyage" itinerary, priced from EUR 3055 / USD 3725 pp) was planned to depart on May 2, 2022, from Monte Carlo Monaco and end in Venice Italy.

The ship's 2022 schedule also included itineraries in the Adriatic Sea (7-8-night roundtrips from Venice and between Venice-Athens), Greece and Greek isles (7-night roundtrips from Piraeus-Athens), Black Sea (11-night roundtrips from Istanbul Turkey), 10-night voyages between Istanbul and Athens, as well as 8-15-night voyages between homeports Barcelona-Civitavecchia/Rome-Piraeus/Athens.

In mid-November 2021 was announced Azamara Onward's first World Cruise (2024). The 155-night itinerary departs from Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale (Florida USA) on January 5, 2024.

As an R-Class (Renaissance) vessel, Azamara Onward has sisterships also in the Oceania Cruises fleet - Insignia, Nautica, Regatta, Sirena.

The R-Three ship was operated by Renaissance Cruises and later was owned by a group of French investors. In 2001, Renaissance bankrupted and Princess Cruises purchased the vessels R-Three (Pacific Princess/Azamara Onward) and R-Four (Ocean Princess/Oceania Sirena).

Pacific Princess' godmother was Gabi Hollows - wife of Fred Hollows (eye surgeon, founding director of Fred Hollows Foundation). The naming ceremony was held in Port Sydney (NSW Australia) on December 8, 2002.

Azamara Onward's godmother is Beth Santos (seasoned traveler, speaker, entrepreneur, marketing consultant, Founder and CEO of "Wanderful"/global lifestyle brand targeting women's travel). The 2009-launched travel blog Wanderful (blog.sheswanderful.com) currently has subscribed ~45000 women and organizes group travel and events. In 2014, Beth Santos created WITS (Women in Travel Summit) and launched the annual "Bessie Awards" (honoring women with a significant impact in the global travel industry). In 2022, she established Wanderfest - the first major outdoor travel festival by/for women.

The ship's christening ceremony was on May 2, 2022, held dockside in Port Monte Carlo (Monaco), right before the 11-day Maiden Voyage to Ravenna Italy. The naming ceremony was attended by Beth Santos (godmother), Carol Cabezas (Azamara's President), the ship's Master (Captain Mikael Palmroos), major media representatives, travel agents, Azamara investors, VIP guests.

Next table shows Azamara Onward's inaugural cruise in 2022 (11-days, priced from US$2595 / EUR 2460 per person).

Godspeed!

Azamara Onward 2022 refurbishment review

On January 11, 2022, Azamara signed with Somec SpA (Somec Gruppo, Italy) a contract for the ship's drydock refurbishment scheduled for April 2022 (at Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam).

The EUR 14 million (USD 15,9M) project was conducted by Somec via its subsidiary TSI (Total Solution Interiors) which specializes in designing and manufacturing/installation of interiors for cruise ships, superyachts, luxury hotels and residential properties worldwide.

The extensive renovations done during the Amsterdam drydocking included all staterooms (passenger and crew), all crew areas, Pool Deck, wellness complex, outdoor decks, all indoor public areas, hull cleaning and repainting, steelworks (reconstruction of arrangements on decks 8-9, cabin balcony structures), steel reinforcements for the spa pools, creating new Suites (with outdoor Jacuzzies).

Technical upgrades included restructuring of the ballast-water and fuel tanks (to increase bunkering capacity), piping works, engine room, new grey water tanks, overhauled stabilizers (starboard and portside) and thrusters, new shaft seals, tail shaft and propeller seals.

World Cruise 2025

In Nov 2022 was announced "2025 World Voyage" (January 6 thru June 11). The 155-night itinerary departs from San Diego (California USA) and ends in Southampton (England UK). The voyage visits ports and destinations in 37 countries and features 13 complimentary excursions, 15 overnights and 31 late port departures.

The voyage was also offered in 9x segments:

• San Diego to Papeete Tahiti (Jan 6-24)
• Papeete to Auckland NZ (Jan 24 - Feb 8)
• Auckland to Sydney NSW Australia (Feb 8-20)
• Sydney to Singapore (Feb 20 - Mar 14)
• Singapore to Klong Toey/Bangkok Thailand (Mar 14 - Apr 3)
• Bangkok to Mumbai India (Apr 3-20)
• Mumbai to Piraeus-Athens (Apr 20 - May 8)
• Athens to Civitavecchia-Rome (May 8-22)
• Rome to Lisbon (May 22 - Jun 1)
• Lisbon to Southhampton (Jun 1-11)

Prices started from US$40,000 (interior cabin), inclusive of gratuities, US$4000 in OBC/onboard credit, US$3000 SEC/shore excursion credit, laundry service (weekly/one bag pp), upgrade to premium beverage package for two, unlimited Wi-Fi (one device, 

World Cruise 2024

In mid-November 2021 was announced Azamara Onward's first World Cruise (2024). The 155-night itinerary departs from Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale (Florida USA) on January 5, 2024.

The voyage visits ports/islands in 40 countries (6 continents) and features 22c overnight port stays and 27x port late-night stays.

Signature destinations include Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Ecuador's Galapagos Islands, Europe's Mediterranean and Black seas, China's Tianjin (port to Beijing City for the Great Wall of China 3-night excursion), Egypt's Port Said (for the Giza Pyramids tour from Cairo City), Mexico's Cozumel (for the Chichen Itza Pyramid tour), Jordan's Port Aqaba (for the Petra City tour), India's Cochin (port to New Delhi City for the Taj Mahal 3-night excursion), Brazil's Rio de Janeiro, Italy's Port Civitavecchia (for Rome City's Colosseum tour).

Promo prices for Azamara Onward's World Voyage 2024 started at ~USD 22,000 per person (with double occupancy), inclusive of US$7000 OBC (onboard credit), business class flights, pre-cruise hotel stay (Fort Lauderdale FL), premium beverage package for two. Shore excursions and land tours cost extra.

Azamara Onward inaugural itineraries 2022

The boat's inaugural season (2022) was announced in early-June 2021. The schedule included a total of 22x itineraries in Europe (Mediterranean, Black Sea) and featured 3x new (for the Azamara brand) land tours, 85x late-night and 21x overnight port stays.

Next table shows the Maiden Voyage in 2022 (11-day from Monte Carlo to Venice).

Prices started from USD 2730 (EUR 2300 / GBP 1975) per person with double occupancy.

Next table shows the 8-day "Croatia Intensive Voyage" itinerary (US$ 2240 pp)

Next is the 7-day "Greece Intensive Voyage" itinerary (US$ 1750 pp)

Next is the 11-day "Black Sea Intensive Voyage" itinerary (US$3250 pp)

Next is the 15-day "Holy Land Cruise" (US$4250 pp)

Pacific Princess itineraries

Pacific Princess's itinerary program was based on more exotic destinations, in comparison to the larger-sized fleetmates. Around The World Cruise (out of Fort Lauderdale Florida USA) started each year in January.

In early-July 2019, Princess announced the boat's homeporting in Australia for season 2020-2021. The new itinerary program coincided with the 45th-anniversary celebration of the company's inaugural roundtrip from Australia (May 8, 1971) with the ocean liner SS Pacific Princess (IMO 7018563, 1970-built/2014-scrapped, best-known as "The Love Boat" from the popular TV series).

The new Australian program featured a 90-day roundtrip from Sydney NSW (homeport) around South America (January 3, 2021), a 13-day roundtrip to New Zealand's north and south islands (December 21, 2020) and a 21-day voyage to remote locations in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands (April 3, 2021). The liner was scheduled to make a total of 15 maiden port calls - including to Kaikoura NZ, New Plymouth NZ, Stewart Island (Oban) NZ, Wewak PNG, Madang PNG, Gizo Island (Soloman Islands). The program also included a 24-day Australia to Asia repositioning from Sydney to Tokyo Japan (April 24, 2021) visiting ports in PNG and The Philippines.

In the Australia-New Zealand region, Pacific Princess was planned to join the fleetmates Sapphire, Sea (now Dream Charming), Sun (now Pacific World), Majestic and Regal. General customer bookings on Pacific Princess Australian itineraries opened on July 12, 2019.

The canceled Spring 2021 program (through April) included a 15-day "Panama Canal Connoisseur" voyage from Florida to California (Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles), with transition through the Panama Canal's old locks.

Pacific Princess ship review

As opposed to Princess' larger vessels, Pacific Princess doesn't feature a versatile dining option. There are early and late shifts at 6 and 8:15 pm. But the vessel offers line's popular alternative dining venues: Sabatini's, the signature Italian restaurant, asks passengers to choose their main entree only, and a parade of hot and cold appetizers, salads, and pasta are automatically served; The Sterling Steakhouse offers traditional favorites, focusing on top-quality steaks complemented by an international wine list. (Note: Due to the small size of the cruise ship, the dining venues alternate the nights they are open).

Follows the complete list of Pacific Princess restaurants and food bars.

• Club Restaurant (aft Dining Room; offers open-seating Breakfast and Lunch, Afternoon Tea 3:30-4:30 pm, and formal dining for Dinner with 2 fixed seatings at 6 pm and 8:15 pm; hosts "Chef's Table" private dining)
• Deck BBQ (fast food bar, poolside; complimentary)
• Pizzeria (open for Lunch and Dinner; complimentary)
• Panorama Buffet Restaurant (self-service casual eatery open for Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea and Dinner "Anytime Dining" - open seating 6-11 pm)
• Sterling Steakhouse Restaurant & Bar (specialty, dinner-only restaurant; offers steaks and seafood; reservations recommended)
• Sabatini's Restaurant & Bar (Italian specialty restaurant, reservations recommended; open for Dinner /all passengers, and for Breakfast /Suite guests only)

Evening entertainment revolves around the Cabaret Lounge, equipped with a state-of-the-art lighting and sound system. It presents a full schedule of options, such as variety shows, live music, first-run movies. Live piano music is offered at the Casino Bar. The adjacent casino provides slot machines and table games. Sea days include destination-specific lectures, as well as classes on computer technology and photography (all part of Princess' ScholarShip@Sea program).

Follows the complete list of Pacific Princess lounges, bars, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Cabaret Lounge (forward show lounge for grand show productions)
• Pacific Casino
• Club Bar (piano bar, serves the Club Dining Room)
• Pacific Lounge & Nightclub (also serves British Pub Lunch)
• Princess Fine Arts Gallery, Photo Gallery and Shop, Pacific Boutiques (shops)
• Princess Pacific Lotus Spa & Gym (with four Treatment Rooms, two Steam Rooms, Beauty Salon, Fitness Center, Thalasso Spa Pool, Sauna)
• Card Room (board games), Library (sudoku, board games)
• Internet Cafe (24-hour Internet computers room)
• Swimming Pool area (served by Pool Bar and Lido Bar), 3x Jacuzzis
• Jogging Track; Sun Deck area; Golf Driving Net; Shuffleboard.

Pacific Princess refurbishment 2017 review

The ship's 2-weeks long drydock refurbishment (May 30 - June 8) was conducted in Freeport Bahamas (at Grand Bahama Shipyard).

The Atrium was modernized - new millwork, renovated grand staircase, new ornamentation and a stained glass ceiling.

Sterling Steakhouse (on deck 10) was redecorated (new upholstery to chairs, new silk draperies, new artworks / B&W movie stars photos).

Sabatini's Restaurant (deck 10) was updated (repainted walls, new Italian furnishings, reupholstered chairs, new carpeting, new lounge area, new millwork, arched windows).

The Club Bar Restaurant (deck 5, Club Dining Room) was updated and redecorated.

The Panorama Buffet (deck 9) was completely renovated (new tile work, new draperies and carpeting, updated furniture).

Lido-Pool Deck 9 was renovated (new teak flooring and tiling, new lounge furniture/lounge chairs, pool chaises, sofas).

All passenger cabins were upgraded with Princess Cruises signature "Princess Luxury Beds", new plush linens, new plush carpeting, upholstered headboards, new draperies, new decorative lamps, wall sconces with USB ports. All Suites were updated with contemporary furniture (dining tables, chairs, lounge chairs, sofabeds, desks).

A new cabin category was introduced (Club Class Mini-Suite") offering exclusive perks and VIP amenities (dining, preferred seating. priority embarkation/disembarkation).

Pacific Princess 2021-2022 itineraries (CANCELED)

Following the announcement about the ship's sale (on January 21, 2021), were canceled a total of 33x Pacific Princess itineraries scheduled between June 28, 2021, and March 28, 2022.

Next tables show some of the canceled itineraries (by theme).

24-days "Grand Mediterranean Connoisseur" (from US$4600 per person with double occupancy)

24-days repositioning from Florida to Tahiti ($3340 pp)

10-days roundtrip from Tahiti ($2050 pp)

(2022) 15-days repositioning from Tahiti to Australia ($1790 pp)

(2022) 21-days roundtrip from Australia to PNG

(2022) 4-days "Australia Getaway" ($440 pp)

(2022) 24-days repositioning from Australia to Asia/Japan ($1690 pp)

The last scheduled voyage (March 28, 2022) was the 22-day relocation itinerary from Brisbane to Yokohama.

Pacific Princess South America Cruise 2021 (CANCELED)

In late-August 2020, due to COVID-related international travel restrictions and port closures were canceled Island Princess' "World Cruise 2021" and Pacific Princess' "Circle South America Cruise 2021". Next is listed the ship's canceled 90-day itinerary planned as a roundtrip from NSW Australia (New South Wales). Prices started from USD 14800 per person (double-occupancy cabin rates).

The voyage was also available as an 82-day roundtrip from Auckland NZ (Jan 7 - Mar 30) priced from $14250 pp.

Travel agents' commissions on all canceled bookings were paid in full.

Pacific Princess World Cruise 2020 (CANCELED)

In January 2020, Princess Cruises started the 112-day World Cruise on Pacific Princess (January 5 through April 26), leaving from the USA (Port Everglades Florida) with ~670 passengers plus 375 crew. The itinerary included 38 ports on 5 continents (26x countries, 20x UNESCO sites), total cruising 63500 km (39500 mi), maiden calls for Princess Cruises (Kaikoura, Praslin Island, Mayotte Island, Zanzibar), 12x late-night port stays and 1x overnight (Cape Town).

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the itinerary was first significantly altered (with several call port cancellations) and eventually terminated in Fremantle AU on March 21st.

World Voyage 2020 was also offered as 112-day roundtrip from Los Angeles (itinerary January 20 through May 11).

Pacific Princess World Cruise 2015

In January 2015, Pacific Princess started its first World Cruise leaving from Los Angeles CA. World Cruise 2015 itinerary visited ports in Australia, Asia, Europe (Mediterranean) and the Caribbean, with Suez Canal and Panama Canal transits, plus a Transatlantic crossing. Next table shows the ports sequence and times (arrival/departure) of ship's "World Cruise 2019" (112-day itinerary roundtrip from homeport Long Beach/Los Angeles.