Late sailing from Kuşadası: a safari plan for Azamara Onward

Azamara Onward keeps long hours in Kuşadası. The ship, on the port schedule as of early October 2026, stays until 22:00. That is the case on two of her three calls, Wednesday 14 October 2026 and Tuesday 20 April 2027, both from 08:00. On those days both of our safari sessions fit, and the choice between them is yours.

Her third call, Thursday 1 July 2027, is listed with an 08:00 arrival but no departure time yet. We cover that one separately below. The full list of Azamara Onward calls always shows the latest hours.

Fourteen hours in port

Azamara Onward is a small R-class ship, built in 1999 and run by Azamara, with about 684 guests on board. A day from 08:00 to 22:00 gives you more room than most passengers get here. The question is not whether a ride fits but where in the day you want it.

The two clock rules we apply to every ship:

• 11:00 session: the ship must be in port by 10:10 and leave at 15:15 or later.
• 16:00 session: the ship must be in port by 15:10 and leave at 20:15 or later.

Both come from the same rule. You need to be back at the port at least 60 minutes before departure. With a 22:00 departure both sessions pass easily.

Riding at 11:00

Choose the morning if you want the ride done early and the rest of the day free.

You have just over two hours after arrival before meeting us at 10:10 at the Kervansaray meeting point (The Big Ottoman Palace), around 50 m from the cruise port exit (see the map). The drive to the trailhead behind Pamucak beach takes about 15 minutes. You ride for about two hours from 11:00, with 30 minutes on Pamucak beach, and you are back at the port between 13:45 and 14:15. After that the afternoon and the whole evening are open until 22:00.

Riding at 16:00

The afternoon session suits people who want a slow morning in town and the ride as the last thing they do ashore.

Spend the morning as you like, then meet us at Kervansaray at 15:10. The ride starts at 16:00 and follows the same route with the same beach stop. You are back at the port between 18:45 and 19:15. That leaves 2 h 45 min before a 22:00 departure, more than the hour our rule requires.

Whichever you pick, check the all-aboard time in the ship's daily programme. It is usually earlier than the departure time, and it is the one you must meet.

Thursday 1 July 2027: waiting for a departure time

For this call the departure time has not been announced yet. We will not guess it. Once it appears on the ship page or in your cruise documents, you can work out the answer yourself from the arrival at 08:00:

• If she leaves at 15:15 or later, the 11:00 ride fits.
• If she leaves at 20:15 or later, the 16:00 ride fits as well.
• If she leaves before 15:15, neither session works on that day.

The cruise day planner will apply the same checks as soon as the time is published.

Choosing a ride

The horse safari is open to beginners from age 8, and to younger children riding with an experienced companion. Riders go out in a small group with a riding guide and wear helmets we provide. Swimming at Pamucak beach on the horse tour depends on the season, worth bearing in mind in mid-October and late April. Both months are open for us, though: the trails close only between 1 December and 31 March, and the first rides of the new year go out on 1 April. If you would rather drive, the quad safari and the buggy safari need no licence, just a driver aged 16 or over. You can choose single or double vehicles, and after a safety briefing the group follows a guide in convoy, in helmets and goggles. Children under about 2 years cannot join the quad or buggy tours.

Booking either session

In the cruise day planner, pick Azamara Onward and your date. On the 22:00 days it offers both sessions; choose one, and it fills in the booking form. You can also go directly to the reservation page.

Before you sail, take one more look at the Azamara Onward ship page. It shows the current schedule, including the July departure time once it is announced.