Who Owns Azamara

Azamara is owned by private equity firm Sycamore Partners, which purchased the line from Royal Caribbean Group in 2021.

The 201 million dollar deal made Azamara an independent company for the first time since it launched under Royal Caribbean ownership in 2007.

Azamara itself is known for destination immersive voyages, with ships that stay in port longer and overnight more often than typical mainstream cruises.

Its small ships carry fewer than 700 guests, allowing access to smaller ports that larger cruise lines cannot reach.

Sycamore Partners is a New York based private equity firm known for acquiring retail and consumer brands rather than travel companies.

Azamara represented one of the firm rare moves into the cruise industry, taking on both the ships and the brand as a standalone business.

Have you ever wondered why a private equity firm best known for buying struggling retail chains decided to purchase a small luxury cruise line instead?

In this guide we will cover who owns Azamara, how the 2021 sale from Royal Caribbean came together, what the brand is known for, and how it compares with similar small ship lines.

Lets take a closer look.

What Is Azamara?

Azamara is a small ship cruise line built around long port stays and destination immersive itineraries.

The brand launched in 2007 when Royal Caribbean transferred two ships from its Pullmantur Cruises division to create a new upscale offering.

Those first ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, were later joined by Azamara Pursuit and Azamara Onward.

The company is headquartered in Miami, Florida, and markets its cruises toward experienced travelers who prioritize destinations over onboard entertainment.

Who Owns Azamara?

Azamara is owned by Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm based in New York.

Sycamore Partners purchased the brand and its entire fleet from Royal Caribbean Group in a deal announced in January 2021 and completed in March 2021.

The purchase price was reported at approximately 201 million dollars, covering both the Azamara brand name and its four ships.

Is Azamara Publicly Traded or Privately Owned?

Azamara is privately owned.

Sycamore Partners is a private equity firm, meaning Azamara does not have publicly traded shares available on any stock exchange.

This differs from many of its larger competitors, such as Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which are both publicly traded.

How Has Azamara Ownership Changed Over Time?

Royal Caribbean created Azamara in 2007 by moving two ships out of its Pullmantur Cruises division to launch a new premium brand.

The line was briefly known as Azamara Club Cruises after a 2009 rebrand before returning to the simpler Azamara name.

In January 2021, Royal Caribbean announced it would sell the brand as part of a wider effort to streamline its portfolio.

The sale to Sycamore Partners closed in March 2021 for approximately 201 million dollars, ending Royal Caribbean ownership of the line.

Azamara Fleet

Azamara operates four small ships, each carrying a maximum of about 686 guests.

Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest both entered service in 2000 and were transferred from Royal Caribbean sister brand Pullmantur Cruises.

Azamara Pursuit joined in 2018 as a former P&O Cruises ship, while Azamara Onward joined in 2021 as a former Princess Cruises vessel.

Where Does Azamara Sail?

Azamara builds itineraries around longer port stays and overnight calls rather than quick one day stops.

Popular destinations include the Mediterranean, Asia, South America, and extended voyages that combine multiple regions.

The brand markets a program called AzAmazing Evenings, offering complimentary evening events in select ports.

What Is Azamara Known For?

Azamara is best known for staying in port longer than most cruise lines, often docking overnight so guests can experience nightlife ashore.

Its small ships can access harbors that larger vessels cannot reach, opening up less common ports of call.

The brand competes for the same experienced, destination focused traveler that lines like Oceania Cruises also target.

How Does Azamara Compare With Other Cruise Lines?

Azamara competes most directly with Oceania Cruises in the destination focused, small ship segment of the market.

Compared with its former parent Royal Caribbean International, Azamara sails vastly smaller ships with a much quieter onboard atmosphere.

As a private equity owned company, Azamara does not publish detailed financial results the way publicly traded competitors like Royal Caribbean Group must.

Customer Service And Official Contact Information

Guests with booking questions or onboard concerns should start with Azamara official channels rather than third party booking sites.

The official website is azamara.com, which lists current phone support, live chat, and travel advisor resources.

For background on how other cruise companies are structured, see WhoMakeThis guide to who owns Royal Caribbean and the related breakdown of who owns Silversea Cruises.

Frequently Asked Questions About Azamara

Who owns Azamara cruise line?

Azamara is owned by Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm that purchased the brand and its four ships from Royal Caribbean Group in March 2021.

Was Azamara ever owned by Royal Caribbean?

Yes. Royal Caribbean created Azamara in 2007 and owned it until selling the brand to Sycamore Partners in 2021 for about 201 million dollars.

Cruise industry standards are set by the Cruise Lines International Association at cruising.org.

Is Azamara a publicly traded company?

No. Azamara is privately owned by Sycamore Partners and does not have shares listed on any stock exchange.

How many ships does Azamara have?

Azamara operates four small ships, Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest, Azamara Pursuit, and Azamara Onward, each carrying under 700 guests.

Additional company history is available on Wikipedia.