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7th May 2026 | 21 nights | Azamara | Azamara Onward
Why do we love this cruise holiday? Winding your way to the sun-kissed Canaries from the southern tip of Africa, this 18-night journey with Azamara blends thoughtful planning with great value. It’s not just the cruise, though sailing into rarely visited ports like Saint Helena and Luderitz is a treat in itself, but everything that’s wrapped into the experience. An overnight stay in Walvis Bay on your cruise allows for deeper exploration, while your time in Cape Town is extended with three nights in the city and a full-day safari already included. With so much taken care of, accommodation, travel, and a unique excursion, it becomes less about logistics and more about enjoying the journey. It’s a clever way to see parts of the world that aren’t often within easy reach, all in one seamless holiday.
What's included?
Additional amenities for Balcony Plus guests:
Cruise Circle Collection packages adhere to our 7 point charter:
Today your holiday begins with an overnight flight to Cape Town.
Welcome to Cape Town! This morning you will disembark the ship and check-in to your 4* hotel for a 3-night stay.
Today you will leave the city and head on a full day tour for an African safari experience.
Lying at the end of a decommissioned railway, Luderitz was once a German outpost, which can be evidenced in the bavarian and art nouveau-style buildings. The town has a charming museum where you can learn more about the area's diamond mining history, and if you climb up to Felsenkirche, a hilltop church, you will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the bay. For nature lovers, the rocky coastline is home to colonies of flamingos and penguins.
Praia, Santiago is the most African of all the islands, a characteristic which stands out especially during traditional festivals and music. The island has a mountainous interior with two large mountain chains, the highest point being Pico d'Antonia at 1392m. The coastline is mainly rugged with small sandy beaches. Variety can be found through beautiful landscapes, rural villages, botanical gardens, colourful markets, palm fringed beaches and the lively nightlife of the capital city of Praia. The old Portuguese capital of Cape Verde, Cidade Velha Lies about 6 miles (10km) from Praia. It has a grand cathedral, a magnificent fort and ruins of a 14th century Jesuit college. Cidade Velha's fortunes were built on the slave trade between African and Europeans. For over 200 years merchant galleons visited Santiago to barter and buy manpower imported from West Africa. Captain Cook, Sir Francis Drake and Vasco de Gama also docked in Cidade on their voyages of discovery. The town of Tarrafal situated on a hillside a few metres above sea level has traditionally been devoted to fishing. The green valley full of coconut palms opens out into a blue bay across a beach of white sand.
Gran Canaria is a prime choice for the sun worshippers and water babies who flock to its abundant soft-sand beaches. Its port, Las Palmas, is the biggest city in the Canary Islands chain, and it's often visited by cruise ships. The island enjoys a spring-like climate year-round. Expect sunny days, warm water and an average annual temperature of a mild 69 degrees. Gran Canaria gets just about 10 days of rain each year. Like most Canarian cities, Las Palmas owns a distinctly Spanish feel and a rich history (the Canary Islands are an autonomous region of Spain). Conquistadors -- attracted by palm groves and a broad bay -- founded the city in 1478, and Christopher Columbus called there during his famous voyage of 1492. The port's palm tree-lined streets are clean, well laid out and richly endowed with fabulous floral displays -- the city's gardeners make the most of the balmy climate. And you don't have to travel far to find a pleasant beach; the honey-sanded Playa de las Canteras lies just northwest of the downtown area and has the distinction of being one of the longest city beaches in the world. The port also lies close to the internationally famous sea resort Playa del Ingles and the spectacular desert scenery of Maspalomas. Both are popular resorts year-round, so you will find plenty of dining and lazy beach options. Farther afield, visitors can discover quaint old towns like Arucas and Teror or explore Gran Canaria's volcanic interior -- a surreal moonscape of craggy gorges and gaping craters.
Today your holiday comes to and end as you take your return flight to the UK.
Azamara Onward joined destination-focused cruise line Azamara in March 2021. The ship was purchased from Carnival Corp. -- having sailed for Princess Cruises as Pacific Princess since 2002 -- and underwent extensive refurbishment work before entering service in May 2022. Constructed in 1999, Azamara Onward began life as R Three, part of the defunct Renaissance Cruises R-Class ships, along with Azamara Journey (formerly R Six), Azamara Quest (formerly R Seven), and Azamara Pursuit (R Eight).
Azamara Onward Deck Plans
The reimagined 670-passenger Azamara Onward bears the same blueprint and deck plans as fleetmates Journey, Quest and Pursuit, and has the same layout and upmarket feel onboard. Accommodation on Azamara Onward features inside, outside, balcony and suite-class cabins, starting at 143 square feet. There are two categories of balcony cabins: Club Balcony and Club Balcony Plus. Both measure 175 square feet, plus a 40-square-foot balcony. There are four categories of suites, and the entry-level Club Continent Suites measure 266 square feet with a 60-square-foot balcony. Club Spa Suites, located by the spa, measure 414 square feet with a balcony measuring 60 square feet, and the Club Ocean Suites measure 478 square feet with a balcony measuring 173 square feet. The largest cabins are the Club World Owner's Suites, which measure 603 square feet with a 233-square-foot balcony and feature separate living and bedroom areas.
Azamara Onward's seven dining venues include Discoveries Restaurant, the ship's main dining room which offers flexible dining at breakfast, lunch and dinner, with no assigned seating. It is also the place for the line’s Destination Immersion dinner buffet featuring local flavours from the ship’s ports of call. Other eateries include the Windows Cafe casual buffet and The Patio, a casual pool grill option by day and the Swirl Top candlelit alfresco restaurant serving Destination Immersion menus in the evening. The two speciality restaurants are Aqualina, serving a six-course Italian menu, and the steak and seafood restaurant Prime C. There is also 24-hour room service. Public areas include five bars and lounges, the Drawing Room Library and Cabaret Lounge. Azamara's signature White Nights party, with canapes, drinks and a live DJ on the pool deck, will also take place on voyages of seven days or more.
Azamara Onward Excursion Program
As with the rest of the fleet, guests can expect a focus on the destination, with excursions and activities that go way beyond standard city tours. Azamara Onward features overnight stays and docks at smaller, less-travelled ports. The excursion program is curated with independent, local tour operators and features experiences such as making mozzarella cheese by hand at the home of an Italian family and visiting food markets frequented by locals with the ship's executive chef. Back onboard, Azamara Onward will also showcase AzAmazing Evenings focused on destinations the ship visits.
Azamara Onward's Maiden Voyage & Itineraries
Azamara Onward entered service in May 2022. Azamara Onward 2022 itineraries will focus on Europe, sailing in the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Aegean and Black Sea to destinations including Italy, Greece, Croatia, France, Turkey and Africa.
Azamara Onward Specs
Azamara Onward is 30,277 gross tons and carries 670 passengers at double capacity, with 400 crew.
Azamara may have smaller ships that other cruise companies, but their entertainment and onboard activities live up to the standards of the mega cruise ships on the oceans of today.
Discover Broadway-styled shows, musicals and performances as you sit back and enjoy with your favourite cocktail in hand. Their wonderful performance schedule will keep you entertainment throughout your cruise. Don't forget their special performances and shows such as comedy, magicians and unique instrumentalists. If you want something a little more relaxing, there are plenty of choices available around the ship in their many bars and socialising areas.
If you want to treat your mind, body and soul to some special treatment, the onboard spa and fitness centre is the perfect place to visit on your voyage. Treat yourself to a luxury treatment or massage at the Sanctum Spa or why not experience a memorable moment as you enjoy an ocean front massage, manicure or acupuncture treatment with stunning views.
If keeping active on your holiday is important to you, then you will find all you need at the well-equipped onboard gym and fitness centre. Go solo with professional gym equipment or why not join in one of their fitness classes such as Pilates, cycling, yoga or nutrition talks. If you want to push boundaries then you can take advantage of the personal training plans available from the resident fitness instructor.
Azamara brings to all guests remarkable experiences and memorable moments with their creative destinations and itineraries. They also serve mouth-watering, freshly made cuisine inspired by the destinations on your holiday.
There is a restaurant for every mood and occasion. From their Steakhouse (Prime C) to their Italian inspired restaurant (Aqualina), they offer delicious food at every meal. If you are looking for a casual dining experience, they have a number of cafes and grills to indulge in the wide variety of mouth-watering food available.
Walking into the staterooms and suites onboard Azamara Onward, you will be welcomed by the contemporary polished style and stellar service of your own retreat at sea. From the Club Staterooms to the Suite life, discovery the true luxury of each voyage and experience the memorable boutique at sea.
Baby boomers, older Gen Xers and foodies who prize destination immersion and experiences rather than things
Big-ship cruisers looking for lots of onboard activities and late-night parties
Azamara primarily attracts baby boomers who are active and well-travelled, and looking for port-intensive itineraries that include marquee cities and offbeat places. About 60 percent come from North America, 18 percent from the U.K., 11 percent from Australia and New Zealand, and the remainder from the rest of the world.
Yes and no. The dress code does prohibit bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps, bathing suits and shorts in the dining room or speciality restaurants, and jeans are not permitted anywhere after 6 p.m., but formal wear is never required. In general, most women wear sundresses and trouser and blouse outfits in the evening, while men will put on nice pants and collared shirts. In the casual Windows Cafe, cruisers can dress more casually even at dinner but are always required to wear shoes and a cover-up or shirt.
No, but the fare is semi-inclusive, with items like select standard spirits, international beers and wines, gratuities, bottled water, soft drinks, speciality coffees and teas, self-service laundry, shuttle service to and from port communities (where available) and concierge services for personal guidance and reservations all included. All cruises, except transatlantic and transpacific sailings, also include one special evening shore excursion, referred to as an AzAmazing Evening, a private onshore experience that is specially arranged by the cruise line for its passengers. On top of all the standard inclusions, suite passengers also receive English butler service and free dining in speciality restaurants. Extra costs include speciality dining, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, spa treatments and retail store purchases.
Azamara's shoreside activities are the real attention-getters. Shore excursions are divided into different types (Taste Local, Bike Local, Meet Local) and often sell out. Many passengers take advantage of overnight excursion options to inland cities like Berlin, Madrid and Moscow or to UNESCO World Heritage sites like Bagan and Angkor Wat that require full days or longer. In the evening, passengers gather for shows, one of which is an at-sea version of New York supper club and cabaret, Feinstein's 54 Below with Broadway talent, along with local dancers and musicians from the destinations. Enrichment lectures with the World Wildlife Fund Guest Speaker Series are well attended, and foodies hit the culinary demonstrations and wine tastings. There are ship parties, like ABBA Night, dancing in the Living Room and occasionally karaoke, but destination immersion rules.
