Azamara Quest Adds Suite Deck in October Greece Drydock

Azamara Cruises is launching a fleetwide refurbishment program called Azamara Forward, an initiative the line describes as the most extensive set of ship upgrades in its history. The multi-year effort begins with Azamara Quest, which is scheduled to enter drydock in Greece in late October 2023 and return to service in early December.

Azamara CEO Dondra Ritzenthaler said the upgrades are rooted in guest feedback and are intended to elevate the onboard experience while keeping the brand’s identity intact. “This transformation reflects years of listening to our guests and travel partners,” Ritzenthaler said, adding that the project involved collaboration across teams.

Azamara Quest drydock: new deck, new suites, and a December return

Azamara Quest, built in 2000, is the first ship to receive the Azamara Forward updates and the only vessel currently planned to get an added deck. During the drydock, the ship will receive a new “penthouse deck” that will become Deck 11, dedicated entirely to suites.

The added deck is set to bring 12 new premium suites, including two suites located above the bridge with panoramic views. Ritzenthaler said the expansion responds to demand at the top end of the product. “Our guests have told us they want to book suites and they are all sold out,” she said.

• New top-deck layout: A new Penthouse Deck added during drydock, which becomes Deck 11 once installed.
• Suite count and placement: 12 new suites in total, including two above-the-bridge suites with panoramic views.
• New suite categories: New Panorama Suites and 10 Grandview Suites are planned as part of the added inventory.

Azamara expects the new suites to be available for a Dec. 18, 2023, holiday sailing. The ship’s 2027 World Cruise is scheduled to depart in January from San Francisco.

Dining and bar changes: Chef’s Table, Discoveries, and Atlas Bar

Azamara Forward includes updates to core dining venues and new concepts designed to reshape how guests use key spaces onboard. Plans call for a revamped Chef’s Table, a reimagined Discoveries Restaurant with a brighter, more modern look, and the rollout of the recrafted Atlas Bar concept across all four ships.

On Azamara Quest, the Chef’s Table will be located on Deck 10 and is planned to host 18 guests per night. Ritzenthaler said there will also be one evening per cruise when the space shifts to a special dining experience for guests staying in the ship’s top suites.

Atlas Bar is also slated for an operational shift, moving from what Ritzenthaler described as primarily a pass-through space to becoming a destination venue. The bar is also tied to a beverage-package change that frequent cruisers often track closely. “Today you can buy specialty drinks but can’t go there and use your beverage package. That will change,” Ritzenthaler said, explaining that guests will be able to use the regular beverage package to order cocktails at Atlas Bar.

Public spaces, staterooms, entertainment, and spa upgrades

Beyond the new suites on Azamara Quest, the refurbishment scope includes stateroom and suite updates throughout the fleet, along with renewed public restrooms and refreshed public spaces. Azamara has said the stateroom plans include new furnishings, new tables, and updated balcony furniture, as the company works to create what it describes as “calming, sophisticated sanctuaries.”

Entertainment venues are also part of the plan. The Cabaret Lounge is slated for a comprehensive overhaul that includes upgraded chairs, refreshed lighting, a new stage, and updated audio-visual systems. Ritzenthaler said the changes are intended to support expanded programming, including 10 new production shows.

In wellness areas, The Sanctum Spa is set to receive redesigned treatment rooms, and Azamara’s plans also include the addition of a couples massage room.

Fleet rollout: Onward targeted next as Azamara keeps its positioning

Azamara has linked the Quest refit to preparations ahead of the 2027 World Cruise, positioning it as the first visible step in the Azamara Forward program. The next ship slated for refurbishment is Azamara Onward in 2027, although Ritzenthaler said a shipyard for that work had not been finalized at the time of the announcement. Plans for Azamara Journey and Azamara Pursuit are in preliminary stages, with details to be announced later.

Ritzenthaler said Azamara’s market positioning is not changing alongside the refurbishment push, describing the brand as “upper premium.” She also said the line’s future cruise sales are at their highest level to date, as Azamara moves toward the Dec. 18 return-to-service milestone for Azamara Quest and the January 2027 departure of its World Cruise from San Francisco.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will Azamara Quest return to service after the drydock?

Azamara Quest is scheduled to enter drydock in Greece in late October 2023 and return to service in early December. The ship’s first sailing after the refit is planned for Dec. 18, 2023.

What is being added on the new Deck 11 on Azamara Quest?

The drydock plan adds a new penthouse deck that becomes Deck 11, dedicated entirely to suites. Azamara says the project adds 12 new premium suites, including two suites above the bridge with panoramic views, with new categories that include Panorama Suites and 10 Grandview Suites.

Will the regular beverage package work at Atlas Bar after Azamara Forward?

Yes. Ritzenthaler said guests will be able to use the regular beverage package to order cocktails at Atlas Bar once the Azamara Forward changes are implemented.

Which ship is scheduled to be renovated after Azamara Quest?

Azamara Onward is planned to be the next ship to receive Azamara Forward renovations in 2027, although the shipyard had not been finalized at the time of the announcement. Timelines for similar work on Azamara Journey and Azamara Pursuit have not yet been announced.