Azamara Launches ‘Discover What the Locals Know’ for 2026–27 Mediterranean Season

Azamara is set to elevate destination immersion program with the launch of ‘Discover What the Locals Know’, designed to offer guests a deeper, more authentic connection to each port of call though the eyes of locals.

For travel advisors, the new campaign offers a chance to promote Mediterranean itineraries during the shoulder and off-season months, appealing to culturally curious clients looking for slower, more meaningful travel.

“Travel expectations are evolving, with a growing desire for genuine, immersive experiences that go beyond the typical tourist view,” said Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises. “Today’s travellers want to connect more deeply by sharing meals where locals gather, celebrating regional traditions, and exploring everyday life with a fresh perspective. That’s what ‘Discover What the Locals Know’ offers: a reimagined approach to cruise travel that brings guests closer to the heart of each destination.”

Available across Azamara’s 2026–2027 Mediterranean sailings, which now span fall through spring, the program introduces a curated collection of small-group excursions, cultural festivals, artisan experiences, and local-led culinary journeys. Guests will enjoy exclusive access to:

• European film festivals and behind-the-scenes moments
• Hands-on workshops with local artists and craftspeople
• Regional food tastings and cooking classes
• Iconic landmarks explored during off-peak hours for a more personal experience

These immersive experiences are seamlessly paired with Azamara’s hallmark late departures and overnight stays, allowing guests to embrace seasonal traditions—from exploring charming winter markets to taking part in community celebrations rarely seen by mainstream tourism.

Highlights of the ‘Discover What the Locals Know’ cultural experiences include:

• Sail on the 7-Night Best Of The Mediterranean Cruise: Florence, Genoa & Marseille and settle into one of Florence’s historic cinemas during Festival dei Popoli, where locals gather to watch powerful documentaries and connect over real stories from around the world.
• Travel to Catania, Sicily on the 7-Night Best of the Mediterranean Cruise: Saranda, Catania, & Amalfi Coast and find yourself celebrating composer Vincenzo Bellini’s birthday on November 3rd with a citywide musical tribute known as Maratona Belliniana.
• Enjoy a double overnight on the 9-Night Spain Intensive Cruise: Valencia, Cartagena & Seville and join the locals at Seville’s European Film Festival, where the city hums with creativity and culture.
• Travel to Santa Margherita on the 8-Night Italy Intensive Cruise: Portofino, Florence & Porto Santo Stefano and follow locals as they harvest olives in the crisp autumn air, then visit a family-run frantoio to taste the season’s first pressings straight from the source.
• Enjoy the festive season on the 7-Night Christmas Cruise: Florence, Mahon & Palma and experience the Piazza del Duomo Market: A festive setup offering handcrafted gifts, holiday sweets, nativity displays, choirs, and more, right in the heart of Florence, Italy.

“Whether it’s walking the quiet waterfront in Gythion, Greece, or visiting the hillside village of Şirince, Turkey, these unscripted moments create lasting impressions, and Azamara is proud to make them possible,” added Ritzenthaler.