Azamara Quest to Add Penthouse Deck in Fleetwide Refresh

Azamara Cruises has selected MJM Marine to carry out the Azamara Forward enhancements aboard Azamara Quest, the first ship slated for the line's largest fleetwide renovation. The project will add a new Penthouse Deck with 12 suites and update staterooms, public spaces, dining concepts and social venues across the ship.

The agreement extends Azamara's relationship with MJM Marine after the contractor's earlier refit work on Azamara Pursuit. Azamara did not disclose financial terms or announce a start date for the Quest work.

MJM Marine returns for the first Azamara Forward ship

Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises, said the partnership fits the company's plan to "thoughtfully evolve" the onboard product while maintaining its standards for guest-facing spaces. MJM Marine's familiarity with Azamara, she said, made the company "the natural choice" for the Azamara Forward program. The work is intended to create new spaces that connect guests more closely with the ship and the destinations on its itineraries.

Gary Annett, CEO of MJM Marine, said the companies' earlier work together on Azamara Pursuit "established a strong foundation" for the Quest project. He said MJM Marine expects to help deliver the next phase of Azamara Forward as the program moves through the fleet.

The scope is broad. Azamara Forward includes refreshed accommodations, redesigned public areas, new dining concepts and reworked social venues. The most prominent addition on Azamara Quest will be the new Penthouse Deck, which expands the ship's suite inventory with the 12 new accommodations.

Suite names will draw from Azamara destinations

Azamara is also using the Quest project to involve guests and its wider commercial network in naming the new suites. Through a global contest called A Suite Story, the line invited guests, crew members, travel advisors and employees to submit the name of a city that mattered to their Azamara cruise experience, along with the personal story behind that connection.

Ritzenthaler said Azamara's brand has been built around destinations and the connections guests form while traveling. With the contest, she said, the company is asking its community to share places and experiences that stayed with them after their voyages.

The contest window ran from March 23 to April 19. Azamara's team will review submissions to help determine the final names for the new suites. One grand prize winner will receive a one-night preview cruise on Dec. 17, 2026, after the refurbishment work.

Fleet rollout remains partly unscheduled

Azamara Quest is the first vessel scheduled for Azamara Forward. Azamara Onward is slated to follow in 2027.

Timing for Azamara Journey and Azamara Pursuit under the program has not been announced. Final suite names and the grand prize winner are scheduled to be revealed May 8.