Azamara Onward is a destination-focused small cruise ship operated by Azamara Cruises. The 30,277gt vessel carries approximately 690 guests and combines the intimate scale of the R class with Azamara's emphasis on longer port stays, overnight visits and late departures.
Built in France in 1999 as R Three, the ship spent almost two decades sailing as Princess Cruises' Pacific Princess before joining Azamara in 2022. It became the fourth vessel in Azamara's all-R-class fleet and introduced several venues not found in exactly the same form aboard its sisters.
Built as R Three
Chantiers de l'Atlantique constructed the vessel at Saint-Nazaire as the third of eight near-identical R-class ships ordered for Renaissance Cruises. It entered service in December 1999 as R Three.
The class was designed to provide upmarket, destination-led cruising on a manageable scale. A length of approximately 181 metres, beam of 25.46 metres and draught of about 5.8 metres allow the ship to reach smaller ports and sail waterways that cannot routinely accommodate larger modern vessels.
Renaissance Cruises ceased trading in 2001 and its fleet was dispersed. The ship was subsequently chartered and then acquired by Princess Cruises, beginning the longest chapter of its career.
Almost two decades as Pacific Princess
The vessel entered Princess Cruises service as Pacific Princess in 2002. Its name revived that of the ship made famous by the television series The Love Boat, although the R-class vessel was not the original ship seen in the programme.
Pacific Princess developed a reputation for extended, port-intensive voyages. Its deployments included the Mediterranean, Alaska, the South Pacific, Australia and lengthy world cruises, often reaching destinations beyond the practical range of Princess's larger ships.
The ship also operated seasonally for P&O Cruises Australia during its earlier Princess years. Carnival Corporation announced its sale in January 2021 as Princess reshaped its fleet following the global suspension of cruising.
Acquisition and conversion for Azamara
Azamara's new owner, Sycamore Partners, acquired the vessel to expand the cruise line from three ships to four. It briefly carried the interim name P Prince before becoming Azamara Onward.
An extensive conversion programme prepared the ship for its new operator. Work included technical maintenance, refreshed accommodation and public areas, restaurant changes and the creation of venues aligned with Azamara's contemporary product.
The ship was officially named in Monte Carlo on 2 May 2022, with entrepreneur and business leader Beth Santos serving as godmother. Its inaugural Azamara voyage then sailed along the Italian coast.
Size, guests and accommodation
Azamara Onward measures 30,277 gross tonnes and approximately 181 metres in length. It has 11 numbered decks, nine of which are accessible to passengers, and carries approximately 408 officers and crew.
Current material lists 352 staterooms and markets the ship for approximately 690 guests. Historic technical data for the vessel records 688 lower berths and a maximum of 826 passengers when all additional berths are occupied. Deck7 therefore uses 690 for the public profile and retains 826 only as the Ship Index technical maximum.
Accommodation includes interior and ocean-view rooms, veranda staterooms and a range of suites. The ship's compact cabins reflect its original R-class design, but the Azamara conversion and later maintenance periods have renewed furnishings, finishes and guest technology.
Dining and distinctive Atlas Bar
Discoveries Restaurant is the main dining room, while Windows Café provides a more casual buffet-style option. The Patio serves informal poolside dishes and transforms into an evening grill.
Specialty venues include Prime C steakhouse and the Mediterranean-influenced Aqualina. Onward also introduced Atlas Bar, a sophisticated cocktail venue created specifically for the ship. Its menu combines crafted drinks with small plates in an intimate setting.
Mosaic Café serves speciality coffees and light refreshments. Other social spaces include Discoveries Bar, The Living Room and the Cabaret Lounge, which hosts live music, production performances, visiting entertainers and enrichment programming.
Life on board
The pool deck contains a swimming pool, whirlpools and open-air seating. The Sanctum Spa offers treatments and wellness facilities alongside a fitness centre, while an outdoor track provides space for walking and jogging.
The Drawing Room functions as a quiet library, and the ship also provides a card room, shops and gathering spaces. The atmosphere is aimed primarily at adults and destination-led travellers rather than families seeking large-scale attractions.
Azamara includes selected drinks, gratuities and self-service laundry in its standard fare. Longer calls, overnight visits, AzAmazing Evenings and other destination events are central to the experience, encouraging guests to treat the ship as a base for exploration.
2024 refurbishment
Azamara Onward completed a scheduled dry dock in November 2024. The work refreshed the vessel and maintained areas created during its comprehensive conversion two years earlier.
That 2024 project remains the latest completed refurbishment at this profile's verification date. Public references sometimes list 2021 or 2022 instead, reflecting the acquisition and initial conversion period rather than the more recent completed dry dock.
Azamara Forward enhancements due in 2027
Azamara has selected Onward as the second ship in its $80 million Azamara Forward fleet programme, following Azamara Quest.
The ship is scheduled to debut its enhancements on 16 October 2027 with a 12-night Greece and Egypt sailing. The programme is expected to renew accommodation and public spaces while developing dining, bar and entertainment experiences across the fleet.
Because the Onward project was still planned rather than completed when this record was verified, Deck7 has retained 2024 as the refurbishment year and has not altered current technical or accommodation figures in anticipation of the work.
World voyages and global deployment
Azamara Onward operates an itinerant schedule across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia and the Americas rather than remaining at a single permanent homeport.
The ship was selected for Azamara's 175-night 2028 World Cruise. That voyage is scheduled to span six continents, 40 countries and 91 ports, demonstrating the value of the ship's small dimensions on a programme combining major cities with less frequently visited destinations.
Identification and environmental record
The ship's permanent identifier is IMO number 9187887. Following Azamara's fleet transfer to the Republic of the Marshall Islands register in 2025, current AIS data records MMSI 538012042 and call sign V7A3883.
Azamara Onward uses conventional diesel-electric propulsion and is not LNG-powered. Authoritative public sources reviewed for this profile do not provide adequate ship-specific confirmation of operational shore-power capability or an exhaust-gas cleaning system. Both Ship Index fields therefore remain Unknown pending a technical disclosure.