Cape Town features in Azamara’s expanded 2028 world cruise programme

Cape Town is set to play a key role in Azamara Cruises’s expanded 2028 deployment, with South Africa prominently featured in the line’s 175-night world cruise and a series of longer regional voyages designed around extended stays and destination immersion.

The deployment forms part of what Azamara describes as one of its most ambitious seasons to date, combining a new spring, summer, and autumn programme with flexible booking options linked to its 2028 world cruise aboard Azamara Onward.

The cruise line’s 2028 programme will see 87% of sailing time spent in port, with more than 360 late-night departures and overnight stays accounting for over half of all port days.

Africa features prominently within the world cruise itinerary, which spans six continents and approximately 40 countries over 175 nights. The voyage includes extended stays in destinations such as Cape Town, alongside calls throughout Australia, Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific.

The world cruise will also be available in smaller segments, allowing guests to book portions of the voyage rather than the full circumnavigation.

In addition, Azamara has introduced nine Grand Voyages of 35 nights or more and six Combination Cruises that link multiple world cruise segments into longer regional itineraries.

“We are constantly refining our itineraries to deliver thoughtfully curated experiences for our guests,” said Michael Pawlus, Head of Itinerary Planning, Azamara Cruises.

“Our country-intensive sailings in regions like Greece and Italy remain a core part of what we offer, and with the addition of Asia-focused itineraries in 2028, we’re expanding the range and depth of destinations guests can experience across our deployment,” he said.

The wider 2028 programme includes 85 cruises in Europe and, for the first time in the company’s history, a full season in Asia. The Asian deployment will feature 33 sailings aboard Azamara Pursuit, including itineraries through Japan, South Korea, and China.

The cruise line is also introducing 12 maiden ports across Europe and Asia, including calls in France, Greece, Latvia, South Korea, and Japan.

Several itineraries will incorporate extended scenic cruising and river transits, including the Guadalquivir River to Seville, the Seine to Rouen, the Yangtze River to Shanghai, and the Mekong Delta to Ho Chi Minh City.

Across both the world cruise and the wider seasonal deployment, Azamara continues to focus on what it calls Destination Immersion, emphasising longer stays, overnight calls, and smaller ports that are often inaccessible to larger vessels.

For Africa, the inclusion of Cape Town in both the full world cruise and associated Grand Voyage programmes highlights the city’s growing importance within long-haul luxury cruise itineraries. The port has increasingly featured as a turnaround and overnight destination for premium and luxury operators seeking to offer more in-depth regional experiences.

The 2028 deployment also follows refurbishment programmes completed aboard Azamara Quest and Azamara Onward as part of the line’s ongoing Azamara Forward initiative.

Examples of Azamara’s 2028 World Cruise segments

Peru, Chile, Pitcairn & French Polynesia (19 January – 4 February 2028)

Australia & Indonesia (1–17 March 2028)

Vietnam, Thailand & Singapore (28 March – 10 April 2028)

World Cruise highlights

175 nights aboard Azamara Onward

Six continents and approximately 40 countries

Extended stays in destinations including Cape Town and Singapore

Nine Grand Voyages of 35 nights or more

Six Combination Cruises linking multiple world cruise segments

360+ late nights and overnight stays across the wider 2028 deployment