Update: Azamara acquires the Pacific Princess

The Pacific Princess ship will join Azamara’s fleet as the line’s fourth ship, and the first to be added under its soon-to-be owner, private equity firm Sycamore Partners. 

The ship will be a “sister” to Azamara’s other three former R-ships, the Azamara Journey, Quest and Pursuit, and will expand the fleet’s overall capacity by 33%. Carnival Corp. said last week that it had sold the 1999-built R-class Pacific Princess, which had been operated by Princess Cruises, to an undisclosed buyer. It had been the only remaining R-class ship not sailing for Azamara or Oceania.

Following a full-ship renovation, the fourth vessel will embark on its inaugural season with Azamara in Europe in 2022, the cruise company said, and will be renamed at a later date. 

Sycamore entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Azamara from the Royal Caribbean Group for $201 million, a deal that is expected to close in Q1 of this year. Last week, Royal and Azamara executives said that Sycamore planned to grow the brand.

“The addition of this ship is an important milestone and reflects Sycamore Partners’ commitment to supporting Azamara in its next phase of growth,” Stefan Kaluzny, managing director of Sycamore, said in a statement. “Expanding the fleet will allow Azamara to continue to serve loyal customers as well as those new to the brand, with more unique Destination Immersion programming and itineraries.”

Carol Cabezas, president of Azamara, said “this is just the beginning of an exciting growth phase for Azamara.”

Prior to launch, the fourth ship will undergo an extensive refurbishment to match its sister ships and Azamara’s brand position, the line said, as well as offer unique onboard elements, similar to the renovations introduced most recently on the Azamara Pursuit.

This report was updated Jan. 25 to note that the ship Azamara acquired is the Pacific Princess.