The two small ships of Azamara Club Cruises sail to exotic destinations around the world.  Rarely repeating their unique itineraries from one year to the next, when the boutique cruise line releases deployment for upcoming seasons, fans take notice.  In their just-released 2016 lineup, those fans have extra reason to be excited with the line sailing to some of the most intriguing locales in Australia and New Zealand, the Far East and Southeast Asia, the Arabian Gulf, and the West Indies.

Pay attention, there will be a test on Azamara 2016 later.

Totaling 204 ports of call in 70 countries, 2016 will see Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest making 44 new maiden calls,  immersing their passengers in more authentic experiences with the cruise line’s hallmark longer stays and more overnights in ports for night touring.

Australia
During the line’s first Australia season, Azamara Quest will sail five voyages, ranging from 10- to 17-night itineraries, delivering the culture and nightlife of Australia and New Zealand.  First, a Christmas and New Year’s voyage on Dec. 22, 2015 sails from from Bali, Indonesia, to Cairns, Australia, followed by four voyages in 2016 that visit coastal cities along the Coral Sea and in New Zealand and Tasmania.

Travelers also can combine consecutive itineraries for an Azamara Extended Voyage that spans multiple regions and an expansive array of destinations. For example, travelers can embark on the Dec. 12, 2015 voyage from Singapore to Auckland, New Zealand, on a 50-night, one-of-a-kind odyssey that delivers a juxtaposition of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand’s marquee ports and cities, as well as multiple smaller ports and towns that are not accessible to larger ships, or a unique sailing covering the very best of New Zealand, Australia, and the Far East to the Arabian Gulf and the Mediterranean, which departs Auckland on Jan. 31, 2016, on a 107-night itinerary to Athens, Greece.

The Far East
Azamara Quest will then sail three voyages on 13- and 16-night itineraries that visit intriguing destinations throughout Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. The ship will then transition in April to the Mediterranean on a fascinating voyage spanning the Far East, the Arabian Gulf, and Aegean Sea, arriving in Athens (Piraeus), Greece, on May 17.

The Arabian Gulf
Travelers can join Azamara Journey in late 2016 for  a 10-night Arabian Nights itinerary round-trip Dubai voyage featuring overnight stays in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, and Muscat, Oman. Combined with visits to Qatar, Bahrain and Khasab, Oman

Authentic Europe
From late-April through September, Azamara Journey will sail five- to 13-night itineraries, most of which can be combined to create uniquely individual voyages of 24 nights and longer that do not repeat a port of call.

• The July 3 and Sept. 9 voyages sail roundtrip from Venice for seven nights and offer a full-day visit to the seldom-visited Albania, plus an opportunity to visit the capital city of Tiranë.
• The Aug. 9, 10-night voyage from Athens to Istanbul is the perfect summer holiday exploring the hidden jewels along the Turquoise Coast with stops at charming Kas, Fethiye, Marmaris and Cesme in Turkey, as well as less-frequented Sitia, Crete and Patmos, Greece.  Via Cesme, guests will be particularly enchanted by an opportunity for a night-time visit to the village of Alacati, famous for its traditional and unspoiled architecture.

Mediterranean, North and Baltic seas
From May through November, Azamara Quest will offer longer voyages ranging from eight to 15 nights. The ship will begin its Europe season on May 25, with the cruise line’s annual sell-out Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix voyage, which features a new stop in Livorno, where guests have easy access to Florence, Pisa and Lucca.

Azamara Quest will then set out from Nice on May 30, which includes an overnight stay and dock in the city of Seville, walking distance of the famous Cathedral.  No other ship can travel closer and, instead of a 90 minute bus ride (each way), Azamara Quest guests also will uniquely enjoy a scenic river cruise through the Andalusian countryside and make passage through a very narrow drawbridge and lock just prior to Seville.

Azamara Quest will then ply the North and Baltic seas on a series of Northern Europe voyages, the peak time for experiencing the White Nights in Copenhagen, Stockholm and some of the most romantic Hanseatic cities in Germany – Luebeck and Rostock.

• Guests on the popular annual British Open voyage, sailing July 11, will visit charming Isle of Man and Guernsey, as well as popular favorites such as Dublin, Belfast and Waterford, Ireland.  The highlight will be a visit to the Championship finals of the British Open in Scotland at the Royal Troon Golf Club.
• The ship’s Nov. 11 voyage will then span three continents, crossing from Athens to South Beach with stops in Tunis, Tunisia and Huelva, Spain – gateway of Christopher Columbus to the West Indies – and cross the Atlantic to St. Maarten and the British Virgin Islands.

Charms of the West Indies and Beyond
Throughout the spring and winter seasons, travelers also can take in the vibrant colors and cultures nestled among the Caribbean, The Isthmus from Panama to Mexico, and Baja California to Los Angeles.

• Azamara Journey will take guests on 10- and 11-night West Indies voyages, roundtrip from Miami, to visit idyllic islands that combine modern chic with colonial charm.
• In February, the ship will transit through the Panama Canal by day to the Pacific and provide guests the opportunity to explore to the rain forest of secluded Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica; the colonial city of Antigua, Guatemala; the Cerro Verde National Park in El Salvador and the lovely beaches of Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas in Mexico.
• Travelers can choose to combine these voyages into an exciting Extended Voyage of 33 nights from Miami to Los Angeles, departing Jan. 27 or a 36-night return voyage on Feb. 29.

Azamara Quest also will sail eight- to 12-night West Indies voyages from Miami starting in late-November. On a holiday voyage, sailing on December 27 from San Juan, Puerto Rico, guests will herald in the New Year in Virgin Gorda, B.V.I.

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