Azamara markets itself as a destination-immersion line with a substantial level of inclusion built into the fare. The question most guests ask before booking is what “included” actually means: which drinks, which dining, which excursions, and which extras are charged separately. The honest answer is that Azamara includes more than a standard premium line but less than a true all-inclusive luxury operator. Whether the fare is good value depends on how you would actually use the inclusions.
This guide walks through what is and is not included. For live availability and pricing on specific sailings see our Azamara page. For the drinks-specific detail, our Azamara drinks packages page covers every tier.
Call our specialists on 020 7947 0270 once you have a shortlist.
30-second view: what is included in an Azamara fare
| Included as standard | Charged separately |
|---|---|
| Selected spirits, wines and beers across bars and dining | Premium spirits, fine wines, Champagne |
| Soft drinks, teas and speciality coffees | Speciality dining cover charges (where applicable) |
| Main dining venues (multi-course) | Onboard purchases and gift shop |
| Gratuities (standard fare) | Most shore excursions (Azamara Choice Air and excursion packages vary) |
| AzAmazing Evenings cultural event on most voyages | Spa treatments |
Drinks: what is included and the Premium and Ultimate upgrades
The standard Azamara fare includes a generous range of drinks: selected spirits, house wines, beers, soft drinks, teas and speciality coffees, served across bars, lounges and dining venues. That covers most everyday drinking on the cruise.
Two upgrade tiers extend the selection:
Premium Beverage Package opens up a broader wine list, additional cocktails and a wider range of spirits.
Ultimate Beverage Package includes top-shelf spirits, fine wines and Champagne served across all bars and dining venues. From 1 April 2026, many suite guests will receive the Ultimate Beverage Package as part of their fare. For non-suite guests, the upgrade is worth it on longer voyages where you would consistently order premium drinks.
Dining: what is included
Multi-course dining at the main restaurants is included at no charge. The food quality is high for a premium line, with menus that change daily and emphasise European and global flavours. Smaller speciality restaurants may carry a cover charge depending on the ship, though this varies by sailing.
The boutique scale of the four Azamara ships, Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest, Azamara Pursuit and Azamara Onward, means dining venues are smaller and feel more intimate than on larger lines. Reservations are usually unhurried.
Destination immersion: the AzAmazing Evening and overnight ports
Azamara’s editorial promise is destination immersion rather than the ship-as-the-destination model that bigger lines lean on. Two specific inclusions support this:
AzAmazing Evenings are complimentary cultural events held in destination, often featuring local performers, food and traditions. One AzAmazing Evening is typically included on most voyages.
Overnight ports and late departures are a defining feature of Azamara itineraries. Sailings frequently include overnight stays in ports like Bordeaux, Istanbul or Reykjavik, giving genuine time ashore in the evening and morning. This is where the destination-immersion claim actually pays off: most lines leave by 6pm.
What is not included
The fare does NOT cover:
- Most shore excursions (separate booking via Azamara or independent operators)
- Premium spirits, fine wines and Champagne (covered by Premium or Ultimate Beverage Package)
- Spa treatments and salon services
- Speciality dining cover charges where the venue charges them
- Wi-Fi on standard fares (included in higher fare tiers and on most Paramount Cruises packages)
- Flights and pre-cruise hotels (sold separately or as a tailor-made Paramount Cruises package)
Compared to a true all-inclusive luxury line like Regent Seven Seas or Silversea, Azamara is closer to a premium-plus model than full all-inclusive. The headline fare is correspondingly lower.
Azamara’s strength is the destination programme. Late-night port stays, AzAmazing Evenings shore events, and longer time in cultural-heavyweight cities than mainstream lines offer. The all-inclusive layer takes the budget thinking out of the daily decision-making. Best fit for guests who want their cruise to behave like a deep-dive land holiday with a floating hotel.
Jess Hartley, Marketing Manager, Paramount Cruises
FAQs
Not in the strict luxury-line sense. The standard fare includes selected drinks, dining, gratuities and one AzAmazing Evening, but most shore excursions, premium drinks and Wi-Fi are charged separately on the entry fare. The Ultimate Beverage Package and inclusive shore excursion bundles bring the experience closer to all-inclusive at higher fare tiers.
Pricing varies by voyage length. Our specialists quote the differential for your specific sailing. On 10+ night voyages where you would regularly drink Champagne or premium spirits, the Ultimate upgrade usually pays back.
Most are not. The line offers Azamara Choice Air air-and-excursion bundles, plus a range of pre-booked excursions on each voyage. Booking a tailor-made Paramount Cruises package often includes selected excursions as part of the itinerary.
Yes. Daily crew appreciation is included in the standard Azamara fare.
It sits one tier below luxury operators like Regent Seven Seas, Silversea or Seabourn. The fare is lower but more is charged separately. The reverse view: if you would not use the top-tier drinks or all the excursions a luxury fare bundles in, Azamara may be better value.
Plan your Azamara voyage with Paramount Cruises
Browse our full range of Azamara voyages for current itineraries and prices, or call our specialists on 020 7947 0270 to compare standard, Premium and Ultimate fares against your travelling pattern.
Browse Azamara voyages · Azamara drinks packages · Call our cruise experts on 020 7947 0270
By Josh Harris. Last updated: 20 May 2026.
