NI fit-out company MJM wins major cruise ship contract

Tuesday 21 April 2026

Northern Ireland ship fit-out company MJM Marine has announced a major new contract with Azamara Cruises.

Staff of MJM Marine, which is part of Rathbane Group, are to carry out a substantial refit on board the Azamara Quest cruise ship.

The project will take place in Greece as part of Azamara Forward, the cruise line’s largest fleetwide renovation to date.

A spokesperson for MJM Marine said the refit, announced during Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami today, would “elevate the onboard experience while honouring the hallmarks that have long defined the brand”.

MJM Marine will carry out improvements, including renovating staterooms, redesigning public spaces, and adding new dining concepts and social venues.

And MJM Marine will add a new penthouse deck to the ship, with 12 new suites — a significant expansion for the vessel.

This latest contract builds on MJM Marine’s previous work with the brand, including the refit of the Azamara Pursuit in Belfast in 2018.

Now under new ownership, Azamara Cruises said it continues to invest in its fleet of four ships. And it said the decision to work with MJM Marine again “reflects the strength of the relationship established during earlier projects, and the confidence in MJM’s delivery capability”.

Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises, said: “This partnership with MJM Marine reflects our commitment to thoughtfully evolving the Azamara Cruises experience while delivering the highest-quality enhancements for our guests.

“Their deep understanding of our brand and our standards made them the natural choice to support the Azamara Forward programme.

“Together, we are excited to bring the next phase of our fleet’s transformation to life, creating new spaces that will deepen connection to both the ship and the destinations our guests explore.”

Gary Annett, CEO, MJM Marine, added: “We are delighted to be continuing our relationship with Azamara Cruises on this significant Azamara Forward programme for Quest.

“Our previous work together in Belfast on the Pursuit established a strong foundation upon which to build. This latest investment with MJM is a clear reflection of the trust built between both teams.

“It also allows us to continue to recruit and offer further employment opportunities in this growing sector.

“We look forward to delivering a successful outcome and helping bring Azamara Forward to life.”

Tuesday 21 April 2026