Azamara Quest Enters Drydock for First Forward Refit

Azamara Quest will be the first ship to enter drydock under Azamara Cruises’ Azamara Forward program, with work scheduled to start Oct. 31 and service expected to resume Nov. 26 ahead of the ship’s 2027 World Cruise. MJM Marine will carry out the refurbishment, which covers staterooms, public areas and technical upgrades on the 2000-built vessel.

The $80 million plan covers four vessels. Azamara Quest is a 30,277-gt ship with capacity for 702 guests at double occupancy, and Azamara lists 352 staterooms aboard the vessel.

Stateroom redesign and noise work

Azamara executives and MJM Marine representatives recently boarded Azamara Quest in Seville, Spain, to review design plans and walk the spaces slated for work. “Every one of our rooms is getting completely refreshed with new curtains, carpets, furniture and bedding,” said Dondra Ritzenthaler, chief executive officer of Azamara Cruises.

Martha Brabham, Azamara’s vice president for design and revitalization, said the stateroom design uses “a very light and fresh color palette” with blue and light-gray tones while preserving what she called an “elegant yet relaxed” onboard aesthetic.

Technical work is also part of the scope. “We’ll install a number of technical solutions, including a floating floor,” said Minas Miliaras, chief maritime officer of Azamara Cruises. He said investment in the lounges’ sound elements is intended to give passengers quieter staterooms.

Forward also reaches the suites, dining venues and spa

Beyond the room refresh, Azamara has said Forward includes upgraded suites, dining and bar venues, lounges and spa areas across the fleet. Quest-specific plans include a new Penthouse Suite Deck with 12 suites, while venues named for the wider program include a new Chef’s Table, changes to Discoveries Restaurant, updates to Atlas Bar across the fleet and work in the Cabaret Lounge.

The spa portion is being developed under Azamara’s nearly 20-year relationship with OneSpaWorld Holdings. THESANCTUM will gain two treatment rooms, one for couples and one single room, plus wellness retail at the spa entrance. The menu is also expanding to Medi-Spa and IV services, including physician-administered treatments such as Thermage, Restylane, Dysport and microneedling.

For that wellness package, first installations are scheduled aboard Azamara Pursuit on Aug. 18, followed by Azamara Quest on Nov. 25, with additional ship enhancements planned in 2027. Renovation windows for the spa work are expected to run two to four weeks per vessel, depending on scope.

The next Forward phase

Azamara announced Forward in January 2026 as a fleetwide program. Azamara Onward is slated for the next full-ship phase in 2027, while timing for Azamara Journey and the broader Azamara Pursuit refurbishment remains to be announced.

Azamara Quest is scheduled to debut the completed Forward work on its Dec. 18, 2026 sailing.

See current Azamara Quest fares and itineraries on Cruise Lookup.