Tiny Cruise Lines Azamara and Cunard Are Finally Growing


Skift Take

One new ship for most cruise lines wouldn't make a world of difference, but for these niche brands, the expansion will be significant.

Two of the cruise industry's smallest lines — the two-ship Azamara Club Cruises and three-ship Cunard Line — are getting a bit larger. Azamara, which is owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises, and Cunard, part of Carnival Corp., both announced last week they are adding a single ship. The Azamara addition, set to be delivered in March, will look familiar to fans of the boutique brand: It is a sister to the two vessels already sailing, Quest and Journey. The three were the final ships built for Renaissance Cruises, which went out of business more than 15 years ago. Royal Caribbean bought what is now called Adonia — a 704-passenger vessel that sailed as part of Carnival's now-defunct Fathom line from April of 2016 to June of this year and now is part of P&O Cruises — to join the Azamara fleet. "I think the brand excitement and enthusiasm is difficult to describe," said Larry Pimen