Azamara Cruises will return to South Africa and the wider African coast in 2028 and 2029 as part of a newly announced programme of 85 cruises across its four-ship fleet.

The deployment will see Azamara Onward return to Africa and the Indian Ocean following a multi-year absence, with itineraries covering South Africa, East Africa, West Africa, and several Indian Ocean island destinations.

The ship will visit 27 countries during its regional deployment, including calls in the Seychelles, Mauritius, Réunion, and Madagascar, as Azamara expands its presence in the region.

One of the programme’s more unusual destinations will be Jamestown, Saint Helena, where Azamara Onward is scheduled to call on 12 December 2028.

The remote South Atlantic island is associated with the exile of Napoleon Bonaparte and is rarely included in mainstream cruise itineraries.

The African deployment forms part of Azamara’s newly announced October 2028 to May 2029 season, which includes 85 cruises visiting 210 ports across 81 countries.

The programme, running from 29 October 2028 to 19 May 2029, will feature 94 overnight port stays and more than 200 late-night departures, reflecting the cruise line’s focus on longer periods ashore.

The itineraries will be operated by Azamara Onward, Azamara Journey, Azamara Pursuit, and Azamara Quest, with deployments covering Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.

“These newly announced cruises reflect what makes Azamara so special, allowing guests to go beyond the expected and experience destinations in a more meaningful way,” said Mike Pawlus, Head of Itinerary Planning, Azamara Cruises.

“We’re especially excited to offer guests more opportunities to explore Africa and the Indian Ocean, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, with itineraries featuring destinations such as Western Australia and the Kimberley Coast.”

Beyond Africa, Azamara Journey will operate a Mediterranean and European programme visiting 65 ports in 16 countries, including destinations in Iberia and the Canary Islands.

Selected itineraries will feature three consecutive days in Alexandria, Egypt, providing additional time for excursions to Cairo and Luxor.

The programme will also include overnight calls in Marseille during Christmas Eve and Çanakkale, Turkey.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Azamara Pursuit will operate cruises around Australia and New Zealand before moving to Japan for a series of spring itineraries.

Highlights include a voyage along Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast with an overnight stay in Broome, as well as a Sydney-to-Singapore sailing featuring ports providing access to the Great Barrier Reef.

From late March through May 2029, the ship will operate five consecutive Japan Intensive cruises, timed to coincide with the country’s spring season and the opportunity to experience cherry blossoms across multiple destinations.

Meanwhile, Azamara Quest will operate Mediterranean, transatlantic, and Caribbean cruises between 29 October 2028 and 1 January 2029.

Its programme will conclude with a Panama Canal holiday and New Year’s sailing before the vessel transitions to Azamara’s 2029 World Cruise.

The company is also offering combination cruises and Grand Voyages, allowing passengers to link selected itineraries into longer journeys.

An early booking promotion offering a 30% bonus is available across all stateroom categories on eligible cruises, although the offer does not apply to Grand Voyages reservations.

For the South African cruise market, the return of Azamara Onward will add another international luxury cruise deployment to the region’s 2028-29 season, with the ship’s wider African and Indian Ocean programme providing opportunities for extended regional itineraries.

Azamara has not yet detailed the individual South African ports of call in its announcement.

Azamara Cruises 2028-29 deployment highlights

Azamara Onward – Africa and Indian Ocean

• Returns to Africa following a multi-year absence
• Visits 27 countries across South Africa, East Africa, West Africa, and the Indian Ocean
• Jamestown, Saint Helena: 12 December 2028
• Indian Ocean destinations include Seychelles, Mauritius, Réunion, and Madagascar

Azamara Journey – Mediterranean and Europe

• 16 countries and 65 ports
• Mediterranean, Iberia, and Canary Islands itineraries
• Selected three-day calls in Alexandria, Egypt
• Christmas Eve overnight in Marseille
• Overnight call in Çanakkale, Turkey

Azamara Pursuit – Australia, New Zealand and Japan

• Kimberley Coast itinerary with overnight in Broome
• Sydney-to-Singapore sailing via Great Barrier Reef gateway ports
• Five consecutive Japan Intensive cruises from late March to May 2029

Azamara Quest – Mediterranean, Atlantic and Caribbean

• Sailings from 29 October 2028 to 1 January 2029
• Holiday and New Year’s Panama Canal cruise
• Followed by the 2029 World Cruise

Fleetwide programme

• 85 new cruises
• 81 countries
• 210 ports of call
• 94 overnight stays
• More than 200 late-night departures
• Season: 29 October 2028 to 19 May 2029