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Azamara charts first winter Europe cruises, China return in 2026/27Azamara charts first winter Europe cruises, China return in 2026/27

The line is meeting demand for more off-peak travel, according to itinerary planner Michael Pawlus.

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

January 3, 2025

1 Min Read
Azamara's small ships can sail the Guadalquivir River to Seville and dock in the heart of ShanghaiPHOTO: AZAMARA CRUISES

Azamara Cruises will offer its first winter program in Europe and return to China during the 2026-27 season.

The line unveiled 66 new cruises and eight 'grand voyages' of more than 35 nights.

Europe without the crowds

'For the first time ever, we are pleased to offer cruises to Europe during the wintertime so guests can delight in beloved destinations without peak-season crowds and during cooler weather,' said Michael Pawlus, head of itinerary planning at Azamara. 'Additionally, we are thrilled to return to China with its rich culture and history.'

The 2026/27 voyages touch 20 countries on five continents.

With winter travel on the rise, Azamara is meeting the growing demand by deploying Azamara Onward there. Winter cruises facilitate easier admittance to museums and landmarks at a less crowded time. Experiences include sailing up the Guadalquivir River (which can only be accessed by small ships) to a double-overnight stay in Seville, Spain.

Back to China

Azamara Pursuit's size enables passengers to sail into the heart of Shanghai, and a 15-night China-intensive itinerary from South Korea to Hong Kong in October 2026 provides overnights in multiple ports and calls at destinations in Japan and Taiwan as well as China.

Grand voyages

These extended sailings give opportunities for in-depth exploration and span a variety of continents and destinations including Canada to Australia, Australia to Japan, Canada to Japan, Buenos Aires to Miami, and more.

About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

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