Posted on 18th Aug, 2026
Expanded 2027 AzAmazing Evenings: A total collection of 121 destination-immersive experiences, featuring 36 brand-new shoreside cultural events and onboard activations.
Official WSET® Wine Certification: An exclusive partnership with the American Wine School® offering guests the chance to earn a globally recognised wine qualification at sea.
Exclusive Cultural & Culinary Access: Highlights include private performances in Honolulu, Rio Carnival spectacles, Jameson distillery evenings, and curated regional wine pairings.
Azamara Cruises has announced a double wave of immersive travel experiences, reinforcing its signature commitment to deep destination discovery.
Known for its fleet of boutique-style ships that access hidden harbours and stay longer in port, the luxury cruise line has revealed a fresh collection of 36 new AzAmazing Evenings for 2027, alongside a pioneering onboard wine certification programme in partnership with the American Wine School®.
From private theatrical performances in world-famous cultural landmarks to earning an internationally accredited wine qualification while sailing between ports, Azamara continues to elevate what it means to connect authentically with global destinations both on land and at sea.
Azamara’s signature evening programmes are expanding significantly for the 2027 season, bringing the total collection to 121 AzAmazing Evenings.
Designed around the cruise line's promise to "Own the Night," the full lineup consists of 101 bespoke shoreside events and 20 immersive onboard cultural activations.
By prioritising late-night departures and overnights in port, Azamara allows travellers to experience local nightlife, historic venues, and cultural traditions long after the daytime crowds have dispersed.
Under the updated programme structure, voyages of 9 nights or longer include an exclusive AzAmazing Evening ashore, while sailings of 7 to 8 nights feature a specialised, high-energy cultural performance brought directly on board.
An exclusive private performance by three-time Grammy Award winner Kalani Pe'a at the historic Hawaii Theatre in Honolulu, featuring soulful native Hawaiian melodies and story-driven music.
An energetic evening at Pier Mauá featuring live percussion, Capoeira demonstrations, Samba de Gafieira, Frevo, and an interactive, high-octane Rio Carnival finale.
A private evening gathering and guided tasting at the legendary Midleton Distillery, the historic home of Jameson Irish Whiskey nestled in the Irish countryside.
An intimate private concert held inside the magnificent Estonian National Opera, performed by the world-renowned, Grammy-winning Estonian National Male Choir.
The Quest for the Sacred Pearl, a custom-designed theatrical production blending traditional Vietnamese folk instrumentation with modern contemporary dance.
In addition to its shoreside cultural lineup, Azamara is introducing an exclusive onboard enrichment programme in partnership with the American Wine School®.
Starting in December 2026, guests will have the rare opportunity to earn their official WSET® (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 1 Award in Wines while travelling between celebrated winemaking regions.
Led by Marianne Frantz, founder of the American Wine School, Advanced Sommelier, and WSET-certified educator with over two decades of experience, the course combines expert classroom instruction with guided tastings.
Participants learn about major grape varieties, winemaking techniques, storage, service etiquette, and food pairing principles before sitting the official WSET® Level 1 exam right on board.
The WSET certification programme will officially debut on two select itineraries:
The course debuts aboard Azamara Quest during her Panama Canal Holiday & New Year's Eve Cruise, departing on 18th December 2026.
Guests on this sailing will also be among the first to experience the new fleet-wide Azamara Forward renovation enhancements, featuring refreshed staterooms and upgraded public spaces.
The certification will subsequently be offered aboard Azamara Journey during her South America Cruise, departing on 10th March 2027.
Priced at $275 per guest, the course offers exceptional value, representing a 20% to 30% savings compared to standard land-based WSET® programmes.
To maintain an intimate, high-touch learning environment, class sizes are strictly capped at 24 guests per sailing, with advance booking recommended prior to departure.
The destination-inspired wine experience extends beyond enrolled certification students. All guests aboard the featured sailings can participate in complimentary wine enrichment sessions led by Marianne Frantz.
These include pop-up wine tastings, cellar talks, and destination-inspired food-and-wine pairing workshops designed to highlight the regional flavours and viticultural traditions of each port visited.
By pairing world-class, private cultural access on land with accredited educational opportunities on board, Azamara continues to set the benchmark for immersive luxury cruising.
Whether sipping Jameson at its historic source in Ireland or mastering wine pairing fundamentals while crossing the Panama Canal, these new additions ensure every moment of your journey is rich, memorable, and deeply rewarding.
Author: Naomi Allen
Role: Junior Content Editor