AZAMARA CRUISES UNVEILS ENHANCED DESTINATION IMMERSION® FOR WINTER 2026-2027

At Select Travel Holidays, our team has first-hand experience sailing with Azamara Cruises – including time spent on board Azamara Quest® – which means we’ve personally witnessed how this boutique cruise line brings destinations to life in ways few others can. With decades of expertise in luxury travel and cruise planning, we’re passionate about helping our clients discover the cultural heartbeat of every port, and Azamara’s Destination Immersion® philosophy aligns perfectly with our approach.

By Amy, Blogger-in-Chief at Select Travel Holidays | CLIA Master Cruise Agent

Discover What the Locals Know

Azamara Cruises has announced an exciting evolution to its world-renowned Destination Immersion® programme for the Winter 2026–2027 season, introducing ‘Discover What the Locals Know’.

This innovative collection of cultural experiences is designed for travellers who want to go beyond the standard highlights and instead live each destination as the locals do.

From sharing meals in authentic neighbourhood tavernas to joining in seasonal traditions and stepping behind the scenes at artisan workshops, Azamara brings a fresh, meaningful perspective to small-ship cruising.

Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises, summarises it perfectly:

“Travel expectations are evolving, with a growing desire for genuine, immersive experiences that go beyond the typical tourist view. Today's travellers want to connect more deeply by sharing meals where locals gather, celebrating regional traditions, and exploring everyday life with a fresh perspective. That's what 'Discover What the Locals Know' offers: a reimagined approach to cruise travel that brings guests closer to the heart of each destination.”

View all Azamara Cruises Itineraries

Sunset over Florence, Italy. Buildings, Arno River, Duomo, and Ponte Vecchio silhouetted against fiery sky.

Cultural Highlights of the 2026–2027 Azamara Programme

With itineraries stretching from autumn through spring, the enhanced Destination Immersion® programme gives guests unparalleled access to Mediterranean cultural experiences. Thanks to Azamara’s late nights and overnights in port, travellers can take their time to connect with local life, without rushing back to the ship.

Some of the unique cultural moments awaiting guests include:

Festival dei Popoli, Florence (7-Night Best of the Mediterranean: Florence, Genoa & Marseille)
Experience Italy’s longest-running documentary film festival in a historic Florentine cinema, mingling with locals as they connect over real-world stories.

Maratona Belliniana, Catania (7-Night Best of the Mediterranean: Saranda, Catania & Amalfi Coast)
Join Sicilians in a citywide celebration of Vincenzo Bellini’s birthday, where music and heritage fill the streets on 3rd November.

European Film Festival, Seville (9-Night Spain Intensive: Valencia, Cartagena & Seville)
With a double overnight in port, guests can immerse themselves in one of Europe’s most vibrant film festivals alongside residents.

Olive Harvest, Santa Margherita (8-Night Italy Intensive: Portofino, Florence & Porto Santo Stefano)
Stroll the olive groves during the autumn harvest, before tasting the season’s first pressings at a family-run mill.

Christmas Markets, Florence (7-Night Christmas Cruise: Florence, Mahon & Palma)
Wander through the Piazza del Duomo’s festive market, where handcrafted gifts, nativity displays, and carol choirs bring Italian tradition to life.

View all Azamara Cruises Itineraries

Ornate arched walkway with view of a tall brick tower in Seville, Spain, under a blue sky.

Why Sail Azamara in Winter?

The quieter months are the perfect time to experience the Mediterranean’s authentic side. Without the crowds of summer, guests can savour seasonal cuisine, attend local festivals, and wander historic cities in a more intimate and unhurried atmosphere. Azamara’s small ships are uniquely placed to dock in hidden harbours as well as marquee ports, giving you the best of both worlds.

For culturally curious travellers seeking something deeper than a standard cruise, Azamara’s ‘Discover What the Locals Know’ is the ultimate way to connect with Europe’s soul.

Azamara’s 2027 World Cruise : Explore The Ultimate Adventure

About Azamara Cruises

Azamara Cruises is a small-ship cruise line and leader in Destination Immersion® experiences. With a fleet of four boutique-style ships, Azamara offers an intimate “hotel at sea” atmosphere and the ability to dock in both major ports and hidden gems worldwide. Guests benefit from Extended Destination Days (10+ hours in port), inclusive drinks, dining, gratuities, cultural events, and more through the Always Azamara promise.

Azamara’s fleet includes:

Azamara Cruises operates a fleet of four boutique ships—Azamara Journey®, Azamara Quest®, Azamara Pursuit®, and Azamara Onward®

To book your next Azamara Cruise,

call the Azamara experts at Select Travel Holidays on 01234 326 778, contact them, or send an email.

Or view all Azamara Cruises Itineraries

About Amy

Amy is one of the Marketeers at Team Select, where she combines her lifelong passion for travel with her love of writing as Blogger-in-Chief. Since joining Select Travel Holidays full-time in 2015, Amy has become the driving force behind much of the content on both the Select Travel Holidays website and Cruise Select, as well as the Select magazine.

A third generation of her family in the travel industry, Amy has been cruising since childhood and has a particular love for small-ship voyages. Her commitment and knowledge have been recognised across the industry: she is a Master CLIA Cruise Agent, an Advantage Connoisseur Agent, and winner of the ‘Most Engaged Agent’ Award at the 2021 ATAS Awards. She was also honoured with the ATAS Ambassador Award at the Agent Achievement Awards and was part of the team named among the TTG Top 50 Travel Agents in the UK & Ireland.

From Machu Picchu to the Mekong, Amy’s personal travels have taken her across the globe, continually inspiring her writing and deepening her understanding of the destinations she recommends. Whether researching the latest itineraries or sharing insider tips, she’s passionate about helping clients discover extraordinary journeys.

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