Azamara Cruises recently hosted an exclusive preview event
aboard the Azamara Quest at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, offering
guests a first look at the ship before it repositions to Alaska for the 2026
sailing season.
On Saturday, October 25 marked the highly anticipated return
to the region for Azamara, which last offered Alaskan itineraries in 2019.
The Azamara Quest, a mid-sized premium vessel,
embodies the line’s hallmark blend of elegant relaxation and intimacy. The ship
features seven distinctive restaurants, cafés, and lounges, multiple pools and
decks, a full-service spa, boutique shops, and theaters.
Guests at the preview
event were treated to an extensive tour showcasing the ship’s amenities and the
thoughtful design that caters to Azamara’s hallmark “Destination Immersion”
experience.
The event was hosted by Azamara Cruises CEO Dondra
Ritzenthaler and Katie Gerhard, Associate Vice President of Sales for Eastern
USA, Canada, and Inside Sales. The evening was organized in collaboration with
Visit Anchorage, highlighting the line’s renewed partnership with Alaska as a
premier destination for immersive travel.
A highlight of the evening was a six-course Alaskan-themed
dinner, featuring ingredients freshly flown in from Alaska. The menu, created
and prepared by award-winning chefs Laura Cole and Jason Chaston, celebrated
the flavors of the region with fresh seafood and local produce. Each course was
artfully paired with fine wines, providing guests with a taste of what
Azamara’s culinary experiences at sea are known for: refinement, creativity,
and authenticity.
Following dinner, guests were treated to a taste of one of
Azamara’s signature experiences: an “AzAmazing Evening.” The special preview
performance, titled Stories Under the Stars, transformed the ship’s pool
deck into an open-air theater. Through dance, drumming, and storytelling,
performers brought to life Alaska’s people, nature, and spirit, all under the—albeit,
totally void of stars—Manhattan sky. Guests sipped hot cocoa and enjoyed
dessert bites as they took in the performance. It was an evening that perfectly
encapsulated Azamara’s dedication to creating meaningful cultural connections
for travelers.
Juneau, Alaska. (Photo Credit: Azamara Media)
With its upcoming Alaskan season, Azamara continues to
emphasize what sets it apart in the cruise industry: a commitment to small-ship
exploration and itineraries that are never repeated. Each voyage is designed to
offer something new, ensuring that no two experiences are ever the same.
As the Azamara Quest prepares to head north for 2026,
the preview event in Manhattan served as both a celebration of what’s to come
and a reminder of why Azamara remains a leader in destination-focused cruising.
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