Azamara is brining Azamara Quest back to the Middle East for the 2022/23 cruise season out of Dubai, with the ship scheduled to sail just one roundtrip voyage in the Arabian Gulf.

Azamara Quest will depart Dubai on November 15th, 2022 for an 11-night cruise around the Arabian Gulf, returning to Dubai on November 26th, when she will depart on a 14-night repositioning cruise to Singapore.

While Azamara has previously spent a full cruise season in the region, the cruise line has not committed to a full homeport season in Dubai for the coming cruise season, or the 2023/24 cruise season, when it is due to sail a similar set of two cruises, but with Azamara Onward instead of Quest.

Azamara Quest

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The 11-night roundtrip Dubai cruise departing November 15th, 2022 is a Golf-themed voyage, with Azamara teaming up with PerryGolf, an international leader in golf vacations.

“We begin and end with astounding Dubai, an oasis in the desert that features an enormous skyline of massive towers that create a futuristic city in the sky,” says Azamara. “After a relaxing day at sea where you can indulge the Sanctum Spa or lounge by the pool, we come to Muscat where you’ll want to shop at Muttrah Souq, the city’s oldest market, as we enjoy our first overnight in port.”

The overnight stay in Muscat gives Golfing passengers the time to play at the Almouj Golf Club, a Greg Norman design ranked the number two course in the Middle East, as well as Education City designed by Jose Maria Olazábal and a new addition to the European Tour.

Muscat waterfront, Oman

After Muscat, the ship spends two nights and a day at sea cruising for Doha in Qatar, where passengers will play at the Doha Golf Club, the annual host for the Qatar Masters.

“Doha is a bustling cosmopolitan city know for its Corniche, the long seaside promenade that curves around the bay and the Museum of Islamic Art designed by noted architect IM Pei that showcase more than 1,400 years of Islamic art,” says Azamara.

Here too, the ship stays overnight, before setting off for Abu Dhabi, where guests will play at Saadiyat Beach Club designed by Gary Player.

“The game exists here unlike any other place on Earth, where no expense has been spared and the setting is spectacularly futuristic,” says the cruise line.

Saadiyat Beach Club in Abu Dhabi

After another overnight stay in port, its back to Dubai, where the cruise ends, but not before another golf experience at some of the city’s other world-class courses.

“Chief among our collection is The Majlis Course at the Emirates Golf Club, site of the Dubai Desert Classic, where you’ll play with Dubai’s towering skyline as your backdrop,” says Azamara.

Every aspect of the golf program is fully managed by PerryGolf staff onboard and ashore. Passengers’ clubs will be ready and waiting at each venue, tee times and pairings are arranged and posted in advance, and carts are always included, subject to availability. A snack lunch is included at the course along with an open bar after the round.

The 14-night repositioning voyage from Dubai, departing November 26th, is a more traditional cruise experience, with the exotic destinations of India and Asia front and centre. Before the cruise departs, Azamara suggests passengers explore merchant stalls in the Dubai Gold Souk and go skiing in the desert at Ski Dubai in Mall of the Emirates.

The ship spends three days at sea cruising for Mumbai in India, giving passengers the chance to experience specialty dining, exciting entertainment, and more aboard their boutique hotel at sea.

Mumbai is known as the Gateway to India

“Mumbai is big in every sense of the word,” says Azamara. “From the flashy Bollywood and the bustling Chor bazaar, to swirling saris along Fashion Street, its chaotic energy thrills at every turn and late into the night.”

After Mumbai, Azamara Quest spends another day at sea, before arriving in Cochin, where she will stay in port until late at night to give passengers more time ashore. “Rise early to see fishermen casting massive Chinese 14th century fishing nets, then head to nearby stalls to sample the day’s catch,” suggests Azamara.

The next port of call will be Colombo, Sri Lanka, where the ship will remain overnight, giving passengers a choice of the famous elephant orphanage and ancient Kandy, where Buddha’s tooth is said to be housed in a sacred temple, or the more local sights and sounds of the island nation’s capital city.

Azamara Quest will then sail for Hambantota, Sri Lanka, where sprawling national parks are home to leopards, elephants, wild buffalo, and many more creatures great and small.

Sabang in Indonesia is the penultimate port of call before Singapore. It’s a colonial era town and small fishing village where timeless traditions are kept alive by locals.

After a final day at sea, Azamara Quest arrives in Singapore on December 10th, 2022. Considered the food capital of the world, Singapore is a city of tranquil gardens, inspiring natural surroundings, and sci-fi architecture.