Azamara has purchased Pacific Princess from Carnival Corp-owned Princess Cruises, expanding its fleet to four ships just days after being sold to new owners by Royal Caribbean.

Pacific Princess, which was the smallest cruise ship in the Princess Cruises fleet, is a sister ship to the three vessels already owned and operated by Azamara, she will give the small, luxury line the ability to offer a wider array of cruise itineraries from 2022.

Pacific Princess will be refurbished and enter service with Azamara in 2022.

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“This addition, pending the close of the transaction announced earlier this month that Sycamore Partners has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Azamara, marks our new future of growth as well as new opportunities to reach more destinations and communities than ever before,” said Carol Cabezas, Chief Operating Officer, Azamara, in a letter to guests.

“Sycamore Partners has purchased the Pacific Princess, a former R-class ship comparable in size to our three sister ships. Just like Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest, and Azamara Pursuit, our newest addition will be able to sail into intimate rivers, visit smaller, as well as less-crowded ports other vessels can’t access,” she said. ”

Sycamore Partners is a private equity firm that purchased Azamara in full from Royal Caribbean for around US $250-million earlier this month. The addition of a fourth R-class ship to the fleet expands its capacity by 25%.

In a press release, the new owners of the cruise line said Pacific Princess “will provide an excellent space for special connections to form while never feeling overcrowded”.

Pacific Princess is a sister ship to the other R-class cruise ships in the Azamara fleet.

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“Prior to our return to service, we will complete a bow-to-stern refurbishment that will echo the soft, natural tones and elegant touches of her sister ships with a few new onboard elements,” the statement added.

“And, of course, you can expect those same intimate experiences and personalized touches Azamara is known and loved for,” it said.

Pacific Princess will sail her inaugural season under Azamara colours in Europe in 2022, with further details on itineraries and the changes to the ship, as well as her name, to be announced at a later date.

The addition of Pacific Princess to the Azamara fleet comes as the cruise line expands its presence in the South African and Middle Eastern cruise markets, and may lead to even more cruises being offered in these regions by either Pacific Princess or her sister ships.