10 UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS FROM THE LATEST AZAMARA CRUISE
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — the best way to explore the world is aboard a cruise ship. And when it comes to the perfect balance between luxury cruising and truly immersive itineraries, Azamara stands in a class of its own. I’ve just returned from my fourth Azamara voyage, and after letting the thousand memories gently settle, I can now share the 10 moments on my latest Azamara Cruise that stood out the most from this extraordinary journey.
This particular itinerary was a 13-night voyage that drifted dreamily from France to Portugal, then to the UK (via Gibraltar), and down along the sun-kissed southern coast of Spain. Somewhere between the vineyards of Bordeaux, the tiled facades of Lisbon, and the luminous glow of Seville — a city that now holds my heart entirely — I remembered why Azamara continues to be the brightest thread in my tapestry of travel. Here are the 10 unforgettable moments from my latest Azamara Cruise.
With Azamara, every voyage feels less like a holiday and more like a love affair.
10. A Wedding in Cartagena
I have to admit, the stop in Cartagena, Spain wasn’t initially among my favorites. Besides its Roman Theatre, ancient city walls, and Punic archaeological sites, there isn’t much to explore in the city itself compared to other ports of call. (Though history lovers should note: Cartagena was founded in 227 BC by the Carthaginians and later became one of the most important Roman ports on the Iberian Peninsula.)
That morning, I wasn’t particularly in an explorer’s mood. Instead, I took a slow walk through the city, enjoyed a light, healthy lunch at a café along the main boulevard, and indulged in one of my forever favorite activities: people watching.
And then, as often happens when you least expect it, something truly magical occurred.
Stepping into a nearby church to escape the heat, I found myself in the middle of a wedding ceremony. The groom — likely a military officer — stood proud in his uniform, surrounded by men in similar uniforms, women in elegant gowns, and children dressed like little angels. The music, the joy, the sheer humanity of the moment — it all filled my heart to the brim.
Before leaving the church, I silently thanked the newlyweds for letting a stranger share in their happiness. Love, after all, is everything.
9. A Quiet Morning on the Beach in Valencia
When the ship docked in Valencia early on a Sunday morning, I decided to skip the usual sightseeing — after all, it was my fourth time here (twice with Royal Caribbean, twice with Celebrity Cruises).
Instead, I hailed a taxi and, ten minutes later, found myself at one of the quietest and most beautiful beaches near the city — in Pobles del Sud, a charming little village just outside the urban area.
By the time I arrived, it was barely 9 AM. The beach was vast, golden, and completely empty. The water still held summer’s warmth, and for two blissful hours, I had it all to myself. Just me, the sea, and the slow rhythm of the waves — pure paradise.
8. The White Party on Azamara
Every Azamara cruise has its own signature magic, but nothing quite compares to The White Party.
Held under the stars on Deck 9, this all-white celebration has become a beloved tradition. The atmosphere is electric — live band playing, cocktails flowing, and hundreds of guests dressed head-to-toe in white, dancing as the ship glides through the night.
This time, the White Party unfolded as we departed Málaga, the Spanish coastline glowing golden in the distance. As the sea shimmered beneath the ship’s lights, I remember thinking: this is joy distilled to its purest form.
7. The Picasso Museum, Málaga
Visiting the Picasso Museum in Málaga had long been on my list, and this cruise finally gave me the chance.
Housed in the Buenavista Palace, a 16th-century Andalusian building, the museum celebrates Málaga’s most famous son — Pablo Picasso, who was born here in 1881.
Inside, more than 200 works trace the evolution of Picasso’s genius: paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and sketchbooks that span from his early academic years to his bold experiments with Cubism. Standing before those works in the city that shaped his beginnings felt almost spiritual — a reminder of how art and place intertwine.
6. Switching the Ocean for the River — Sailing into Seville
One of the most extraordinary moments of the entire trip came on a quiet Monday afternoon when our ship left the open Atlantic Ocean and entered the Guadalquivir River, navigating inland towards Seville.
Few ocean ships can make this journey — it’s a rare treat reserved for smaller vessels like Azamara. The river winds for nearly 80 kilometers through changing landscapes: fertile fields, sleepy villages, Moorish farmhouses, and wild marshlands.
The five-hour river journey was mesmerizing — the transition from the vast ocean to the gentle rhythm of the river felt almost poetic.
5. Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
It’s fascinating how a single building can revitalize an entire city.
When the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao opened in 1997, designed by the visionary Frank Gehry, it transformed this former industrial town into a global cultural landmark. The titanium-clad curves of the building seem to shimmer like liquid metal under the Basque sky.
Inside, you’ll find masterpieces by Jeff Koons, Anselm Kiefer, Mark Rothko, and more — but the building itself is the true masterpiece. It’s a place where art, architecture, and emotion blend seamlessly.
4. Praia da Bela Vista, Lisbon
Lisbon is no stranger to me — it’s one of my favorite cities on Earth.
When we docked there on a Sunday in late September, I took a short Uber ride (about 15 minutes) to Praia da Bela Vista, one of the most stunning beaches on the Costa da Caparica.
Kilometers of golden sand, rolling Atlantic waves, and a horizon that seems infinite — this beach is never crowded, even in August. It’s the perfect place to breathe, read a good book, and simply be grateful for the present moment.
3. The Old City of Bordeaux
Our Azamara cruise began in Bordeaux, and what a magnificent city it is — perhaps the most beautiful in France after Paris.
Docked right in the city center, along the Garonne River, we had two full days to explore. The Place de la Bourse reflected beautifully in the Miroir d’eau, while the Gothic Saint-André Cathedral towered above the charming cobbled streets.
Bordeaux is also a cyclist’s paradise, with over 1,200 km of bike trails — the longest network in Europe — and at any hour, you’ll see locals jogging or biking along the promenade.
At the Musée des Beaux-Arts, I was deeply moved by the sculpture “Mozart expirant” by Italian artist Rinaldo Carnielo — a haunting depiction of the composer’s final moments. It now ranks among my top three favorite sculptures, alongside Michelangelo’s David and The Veiled Christ in Naples.
2. Praia de Doniños, Ferrol
One of our first stops in northern Spain was the small city of Ferrol — a place I hadn’t heard much about. But what a hidden gem it turned out to be.
Thanks to Azamara’s mid-size ships, we could dock in ports like this. From there, a short 15-minute taxi ride took me to Praia de Doniños — a stunning Atlantic beach surrounded by dunes, forests, and rolling hills.
Surfers challenging the waves, the air smelled of salt and pine, and I felt an instant connection to the place. I even made a silent promise to return next August, rent a small villa nearby, and live like a local for a month.
1. Everything About Seville
The grand finale of this unforgettable cruise was our two-day stay in Seville, and it was nothing short of magical.
From the majestic Plaza de España (built in 1929 for the Ibero-American Exposition), to the city’s three UNESCO World Heritage sites — the Seville Cathedral, the Alcázar, and the Archivo de Indias — every corner of the city exudes history and passion.
Wandering through the gardens of the Royal Alcázar, where scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed, felt like stepping into a dream. The Cathedral — the largest Gothic cathedral in the world — left me in awe, especially knowing it holds the tomb of Christopher Columbus (though this is still debated with the Dominican Republic).
As we departed, the ship passed under Seville’s bridges, which lifted one by one to let us through. Locals waved from the banks, the evening sky turned violet, and I stood on deck feeling nothing but gratitude — for travel, for beauty, and for Azamara, which continues to offer the most memorable journeys of my life.
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