“Onward” is the latest “R” class ship to join the Azamara Fleet. The “R” class ships were originally operated by Renaissance Cruises. When Renaissance Cruises went belly up in 2002 the “R Three” as she was known was taken over by Princess Cruises along with “R Four” being renamed “Pacific Princess” and “Ocean Princess”. In 2021 Princess announced that “Pacific Princess” had been sold. Azamara was the buyer and “Azamara Onward” came into service in 2022.

Like most refitted ships she was not without her problems for the first few months, so it was with trepidation that I boarded “Onward” for my second Azamara Cruise in January this year. My first Azamazing Cruise on “Pursuit” was a Spain Intensive last year and I just loved what Azamara had to offer.

“Pursuit” and “Onward” are almost identical, but not quite. The main difference is the Drawing Room (library/quiet space) has been replaced by the Atlas Bar, more about that later. Read more