The cruise industry is ushering in the new year with the optimism of record sales, with Cyber Monday sales and high-pitched itinerary announcements. Azamara Cruises also reported its best one-day performance in the history of the company yesterday, as new bookings increased 5% over the old record. This swell highlights a strong surge and increasing demand for immersive sea travel among international travellers.
The Black Friday to Cyber Monday sale by the Miami-based line, which ended late Wednesday, was among the top five booking periods in the history of Azamara. The executives ascribe the success to the accumulated demand of prolonged destination-driven experiences after the pandemic.
Users are seeking more intimate relationships with the world, and our intimate ships provide them, said one of the company spokespeople. By the beginning of November, Azamara had sold more than 96% of the 2025 capacity, which is an indication of the confidence in the continued momentum into 2026 and beyond.
This sales extravagance is coincidental with the aggressive unveiling of Azamara 2028 World Cruise, a 175-night trip on the Azamara Onward. Leaving Miami on January 5, 2028, the cruise will be the most unforgettable world tour of six continents, visiting 40 countries and 91 ports.
On a range of between $50,000 per individual in a veranda room, the itinerary combines cultural activities with lodging and unique land explorations, starting with the bustling markets of Aruba up to the historic ruins of Cartagena, Colombia.
The New Ambitious Itinerary Sets the Standard of Luxury Cruising
The cruise would start in the sunny Southern Caribbean and pass along the beaches of the Latin American coast with its route before going through the Panama Canal, which is an architectural wonder. Travellers will follow the Pacific coasts of Mexico and Central America, exploring the sights of indigenous heritage and untouched rainforests.
The pathway continues to curve north to the rugged fjords of Alaska and the Bering Sea with a view of wildlife plaguing the waters of freezing ice. The mid-voyage features such as going through the locks of the Panama Canal, the bustling Honolulu, and the volcanic marvels of French Polynesia.
Out of the Tahitian lagoons of turquoise, the vessel follows the course across the South Pacific to the dramatic scenery of New Zealand and the symbolic harbours of Australia. The Indian Ocean route includes exotic destinations in Sri Lanka and the Seychelles, with emerald islands coming out of the blue seas.
The Onward circumnavigates the Cape of Good Hope to introduce the safari retreats of Africa as game drives in Namibia and cultural festivals in Cape Town.
The Atlantic voyage brings about the treasured jewels of Europe- Lisbon with its tiled exteriors, Morocco with its crowded bazaars and the antique olive-trees of the Mediterranean. Lastly, the ship comes back through the Canary Islands, and Miami is the final place with a celebratory atmosphere.
What makes this cruise more than a circumnavigation is the classics of the Azamara brand, its Destination Days programming.
These are the long port calls, lasting up to three nights to explore at leisure, e.g. private dinners in Colombian haciendas, early mornings in New Zealand in Milford Sound. There will be in-flight lectures by historians and chefs who will enhance the experience as the journey turns into a deep exploration rather than a mere sightseeing.
The Signals of a Rush Industry-Wide
The successes of Azamara can be traced to larger patterns that are shaking the industry. Port Canaveral, Florida, secured the position of busiest cruise hub in the world in fiscal year 2025, recording a total of more than 8.6 million passenger transactions, which is an increase of 13% compared to previous figures.
This tops Miami, which outlines the superiority of Florida in the North American departures. At the same time, the Grandiosa of MSC Cruises is heading to the Mediterranean before heading off to its new destination in Port Canaveral to prepare a maiden North American voyage with Bahamas escapes and Eastern Caribbean journeys.
The period of awards brought a shine, with the 2025 Best in Cruise awards by Cruise Critic declaring Virgin Voyages as the best ocean line in innovative and adults-only cruises.
Explora journeys and Avalon Waterways also made the light in the luxury and river category, respectively. These awards are based on professional reviews and more than two million reviews on cruisers, which prove the shift of the industry towards personalised and sustainable travel.
However, not every news can be smooth sailing. The Senate of France passed a EUR15 per-passenger cruise head tax per port call that has brought controversy on the environmental effects versus tourism income. According to the proponents, it finances greener operations, whereas the operators threaten to increase fares on European routes.
The cruise sector is looking forward to growth as the year 2025 approaches. TUI Cruises Mein Schiff Relax and MSC World America are planned as newbuilds, which launch in 2025 with LNG propulsion and increased wellness. In July, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection enters the scene with its Luminara, which is ultra-luxury with only 456 guests.
Today, Azamara lovers can book their 2028 World Cruise, and early shoppers receive new benefits such as complimentary business-class air travel. In a world of short-lived escapes, this is an uncharted voyage in adventure which welcomes a chosen few to travel around the world in a fashionable way. The message is obvious now that the sound of Cyber Monday is still ringing; the high seas have never been as tempting as they are represented now.
