Azamara Unveils 2028 Schedule Featuring First Full Asia Season, 360+ Overnight Stays, & 12 Maiden Ports

Small-ship destination immersion line Azamara Cruises has unveiled its spring, summer, and autumn 2028 program, headlined by the brand’s first full season in Asia aboard Azamara Pursuit. The deployment prioritizes extended port stays, with 87% of total itinerary time spent docked and over 360 late-night and overnight calls across Japan, South Korea, China, and Europe.

[MIAMI] — Destination-focused ocean cruise line Azamara Cruises has announced its complete 2028 sailing schedule, introducing 12 maiden ports of call and expanding its signature extended-stay operational model. The small-ship line confirmed that 87% of its total 2028 fleet deployment will be spent in port rather than at sea, with late-night and overnight port stays accounting for 53% of all operational port days across its four-ship fleet.

The headline expansion of the 2028 deployment is Azamara's first dedicated full-season presence in Asia. Operating aboard the 702-passenger Azamara Pursuit, the company has scheduled 33 Asian itineraries connecting cultural capitals and coastal destinations across Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Inaugural Full-Season Asia Program Aboard Azamara Pursuit

The 2028 Asian season marks a major operational expansion for Azamara, moving beyond seasonal repositioning transits into dedicated country-intensive and regional combination sailings. The small physical footprint of Azamara Pursuit enables access to shallow rivers, historical harbors, and secondary coastal ports inaccessible to larger mega-ships.

Key highlights of the 33-sailing Asia deployment include:

• 24-Night Grand Asia Combined Voyages: Multi-country itineraries connecting Japan, South Korea, and mainland China in a single continuous sailing.
• 14-Night Japan & South Korea Itineraries: Regional sailings linking Kagoshima, Sokcho, and Tokyo with extended stays in historic coastal hubs.
• Cultural Festival Alignments: Over 10 Asian sailings explicitly timed to coincide with major regional cultural celebrations, such as Tokushima’s Awa Odori dance festival in Japan.
• Historic Waterway Navigation: Scenic river transit along major Asian rivers, including sailing up the Yangtze River directly toward Shanghai and navigating the Mekong Delta toward Ho Chi Minh City.

Regional Debut: New Asian Destination Gateways

Azamara's 2028 schedule introduces several maiden Asian ports designed to provide alternative perspectives on East Asian heritage:

1. Sokcho, South Korea: Located on South Korea’s northeastern coast, Sokcho serves as a maritime gateway to Seoraksan National Park, Naksansa Temple, and local seafood markets.
2. Tokushima, Japan: Situated on Shikoku Island, Tokushima offers access to the Naruto whirlpools, mountain hiking trails, and historical sections of the 88-temple Shikoku Pilgrimage.
3. Aburatsu (Miyazaki), Japan: Located on Kyushu’s eastern coast, Aburatsu provides access to ancient samurai districts, coastal shrines, and subtropical parks.

Europe Remains Backbone of Fleet Deployment

While Asia represents the primary growth vector, Europe remains Azamara's largest operating theater, accounting for 85 planned cruises in 2028. The European program focuses on country-intensive sailings throughout Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Ireland, and Croatia.

The 2028 European lineup features several notable maiden ports of call:

• Caen, France: Navigating the Canal de Caen à la Mer to provide direct access to Normandy’s historic WWII landing beaches and medieval architecture.
• Itea (Delphi), Greece: Docking in the Gulf of Corinth to offer convenient shore access to the UNESCO World Heritage site of ancient Delphi.
• Porto Empedocle, Sicily: Providing gateway access to the Valley of the Temples near Agrigento.
• Dún Laoghaire, Ireland: Serving as a coastal gateway to Dublin while providing a scenic maritime entry to Dublin Bay.
• Liepāja, Latvia: Introducing passengers to Baltic coastal heritage and Art Nouveau architecture.

Official 2028 Deployment Parameters and Metrics

The table below outlines key operational statistics, regional vessel allocations, and port-stay parameters for Azamara's 2028 season:

Deployment Parameter	Official 2028 Program Specification
Fleet Total Deployment	Spring, Summer, & Autumn 2028 Sailings
Percentage of Deployment in Port	87% of Total Sailing Time
Late-Night & Overnight Port Calls	360+ Stays (53% of Total Port Days)
Total Asia Sailings (Azamara Pursuit)	33 Dedicated Sailings
Total European Voyages	85 Country-Intensive & Grand Voyages
Total Maiden Ports Introduced	12 New Ports (Europe & Asia)
Maiden Asian Ports	Sokcho (South Korea), Tokushima (Japan), Aburatsu (Japan)
Maiden European Ports	Caen (France), Itea (Greece), Porto Empedocle (Sicily), Dún Laoghaire (Ireland), Liepāja (Latvia)

Managing Destination Impact Through Extended Port Stays

The emphasis on extended evening and overnight calls reflects ongoing discussions within international tourism management regarding sustainable port operations. Guidelines published by UN Tourism (World Tourism Organization) emphasize that dispersing passenger arrival times and extending shore hours helps prevent congestion in popular historic centers.

For passengers, overnight calls transform the port experience. Remaining docked after 6:00 PM allows guests to dine at local landside restaurants, attend evening theater performances, explore night markets, and participate in nightlife without rushing back for evening ship departures. For host communities, longer stays distribute visitor spending to evening hospitality businesses, local taxis, and independent cultural venues.

FAQ: Azamara Cruises 2028 Itineraries

What ship will operate Azamara's 2028 Asia season?
The 702-passenger Azamara Pursuit will operate Azamara's first full season in Asia, featuring 33 sailings across Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, and Thailand.

How much time will Azamara ships spend in port during 2028?
Azamara ships will spend 87% of their total 2028 deployment time in port, with more than 360 late-night and overnight stays accounting for 53% of port days.

What are the key maiden ports introduced in the 2028 program?
Maiden ports include Sokcho (South Korea), Tokushima and Aburatsu (Japan), Caen (France), Itea/Delphi (Greece), Porto Empedocle (Sicily), Dún Laoghaire (Ireland), and Liepāja (Latvia).

Which major European regions are featured in Azamara's 2028 schedule?
Azamara will operate 85 European sailings, featuring country-intensive and Grand Voyages across Greece, Italy, France, Croatia, Ireland, and the Baltic States.

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