When this boutique cruise line was formed by Royal Caribbean in 2007 it had two ships, Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey. Both carry under 700 guests and are R-class vessels that had been launched a half-decade earlier by the former Renaissance Cruise Line. Another identical ship was acquired in 2018 and christened Azamara Pursuit and a fourth joined the fleet in 2022 as Azamara Onward. By the time the latter ship was christened, Azamara had been sold by Royal Caribbean to investment group Sycamore Partners (the deal closed in March 2021) and the cruise line severed all connections with its former parent company.
Azamara’s ships, with their elegant wood detailing and elaborate central staircase, were known for having a country club-style ambiance and a casual dress code. While these lavish touches remain, the ships’ décor has since been given a more contemporary feel in neutral shades of gray and taupe. Think of Azamara as "luxury light" at sea: The onboard experience has some of the hallmarks of luxury ships — including excellent food and service — but without the spacious, more modern suites and the higher price tag.