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3rd Aug 2026 | 17 nights | P&O Cruises | Azura
Why do we love this criuse holiday? A holiday that starts with three nights in sunny Malta and then sails off for a two-week cruise around the Med and Adriatic? That’s not just tempting – it’s ticking boxes left, right and centre. With stops in Greek gems like Mykonos, Crete and Athens, plus Croatian favourites like Split and Dubrovnik, there’s plenty of postcard-worthy scenery in the mix. And with return flights, hotel stay, a 14-night cruise (tips already sorted), and full financial protection all bundled in, it’s hard not to see the value. It’s an exclusive price just for us too, which always sweetens the deal. One simple booking and you’ve got island charm, historic cities and coastal cruising all lined up – no need to chase the sun, it comes to you.
What's included?
Cruise Circle Collection packages adhere to our 7 point charter:
Greek Island Discovery With Malta Stay
13th Jul 26 | 10 nights
P&O Cruises | Azura
from £1229.00
View Package
Greek Islands & The Adriatic With Malta Stay
13th Jul 26 | 17 nights
P&O Cruises | Azura
from £1899.00
View Package
Greek Island Discovery With Malta Stay
27th Jul 26 | 10 nights
P&O Cruises | Azura
from £1429.00
View Package
Italy & France Discovery With Malta Stay
3rd Aug 26 | 10 nights
P&O Cruises | Azura
from £1429.00
View Package
Greek Island Discovery With Malta Stay
10th Aug 26 | 10 nights
P&O Cruises | Azura
from £1399.00
View Package
Greek Island Discovery With Malta Stay
17th Aug 26 | 10 nights
P&O Cruises | Azura
from £1429.00
View Package
Greek Island Discovery With Malta Stay
24th Aug 26 | 10 nights
P&O Cruises | Azura
from £1199.00
View Package
Greek Islands & The Adriatic With Malta Stay
20th Jul 26 | 17 nights
P&O Cruises | Azura
from £1999.00
View Package
Greek Islands & Italy With Malta Stay
27th Jul 26 | 17 nights
P&O Cruises | Azura
from £1969.00
View Package
Ultimate Greek Islands & The Adriatic With Malta Stay
17th Aug 26 | 17 nights
P&O Cruises | Azura
from £1869.00
View Package
Ultimate Greek Islands & The Adriatic With Malta Stay
10th Aug 26 | 17 nights
P&O Cruises | Azura
from £2079.00
View PackageToday your holiday begins with an outbound flight to Malta.
Check-in to your 4* hotel for a 3-night stay on the island.
Spend today exploring this beautiful island.
Another day at your leisure.
Sailing into Valletta, Malta, is akin to stepping into the pages of a J.R.R. Tolkien fantasy; once you are in the protected harbour, it feels as though modern civilization has disappeared. Oh, you can see a car or two driving on the winding streets amid the limestone battlements, crenelated castles and hillside structures, but they seem terribly out of place and unexpected. Never mind that Malta, which owns 7,000 years of intriguing history, is fully modernized and contemporary. What you see when entering Valletta Harbour are the formidable defensive stone battlements of forts pockmarked by war guarding the strategic waterway. Cream-colored buildings and ancient church steeples grow out of the twisting streets and hillsides. In the bay and channels, Malta's colourful luzzo boats, fishing craft resembling an elf's shoe, ply the waters in the wake of modern giant cruise ships and tankers. Valletta was built by the Knights of St. John as a place to take care of wounded soldiers and pilgrims during the Crusades in the 16th century. Its unique landscape and ancient buildings have appeared in films such as "Troy," "Gladiator," "Captain Phillips" and "World War Z." This tiny Mediterranean country is part of an archipelago of five islands, only three of which are inhabited. Cruise ships visit the island of Malta and the port of Valletta (designed by a colleague of Michelangelo). Malta has been inhabited since 5000 B.C. and was colonized by the Phoenicians in 1000 B.C. Then, the islands went in turn to the Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans and the Spanish, who handed them over to the Knights of the Order of St. John in a "perpetual lease" in 1533; this lasted until Napoleon seized control in 1798. The Maltese did not like the French, however, and rebelled by seeking aid from Great Britain; Malta became a British protectorate in 1800 and a part of the British Empire in 1814. Later, it shook off the British, as well, and was granted independence in 1964. Since 1974, Malta is a republic under the British Commonwealth. The influence of all of these cultures is evident in Malta, with the Roman period seemingly taking precedence.
The capital city in the land of Leonardo, Michelangelo and the popes is
today a living museum with gorgeous artwork, amazing architecture and
inspiring ancient sites. At the same time, it's alive and vibrant in a
21st-century way. It's an unforgettable city to visit, and we'll warn
you right now that once you've experienced it, you'll want to go back
for more.
One of our favorite things to do there is walk and ogle. On a recent
visit, we took one day to do the route from Vatican City and St. Peter's
Basilica -- with its jaw-dropping art, statuary, and religious
significance -- to Via del Corso, where our quest for the latest Italian
fashions was more than fulfilled amidst the well-dressed crowd of Roman
shoppers. The next day, we went on an ancient history quest past ruins
and columns, traversing the same streets Julius Caesar strode (and rode)
to the Colosseum, where gladiators once battled. Walking on, we were
awed by the Pantheon, the well-preserved ancient symbol of Rome and now a
great hangout spot.
First-time visitors, many envisioning Rome as big and congested, will be
surprised by the scenic layout, with its famous seven hills and the
Tiber River running through the city. (Cleopatra famously made her grand
entrance from the river.) And the senses may be shocked by the general
energy, hustle and bustle. With cars, taxis and scooters roaring here
and there, crossing the street can be a challenge. (Don't worry; there
are quiet piazzas aplenty with lovely cafes where you can get away from
it all and unwind.)
The food is, of course, wonderful -- we can't eat enough pasta -- and
the spirit of la dolce vita (the good life) abounds. Whenever we do such
a quest in Rome, we do regular gelato stops (try the yummy pine nut
flavor) or coffee breaks. And the shopping scene serves up Prada, Gucci,
Armani and more. (High style can be found in more affordable brands
like Furla, as well.) What could be better than that?
No question, Rome has one of the world's most important collections of
once-in-a-lifetime sights to see, including St. Peter's Basilica and the
Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Forum and on and on
and on. And for those historic monuments alone, the city is worth a
visit.
But if you're on an itinerary where Rome is just a port of call for the
day, you won't see everything. Either resign yourself to that fact, or
book a tour that will at least drive you by the main sights. Be aware
the port for Rome, Civitavecchia, is about 1.5 to 2 hours from the city.
(There is decent train service.) If you're beginning or ending your
cruise there, plan to stay at least a couple of nights to explore the
Eternal City; it's likely to steal a piece of your heart. Make sure to
drop a coin in Trevi Fountain, which is said to assure you'll come back
again.
On any Western Mediterranean itinerary, Florence is an absolute highlight -- the gem of the early Italian Renaissance. In the 15th century, when great artists like Giotto, Ghiberti, Brunelleschi and Michelangelo worked there, they created magnificent examples of painting and sculpture that today still fill Florentine churches, civic buildings, grand palazzi and world-class museums like the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia. Architecture prospered in Florence, too. The city's signature work of art is the masterful Brunelleschi-designed dome of its cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, known as the Duomo. No question, Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. However, for cruise travelers with just one precious day on a six-hour port of call, it's impossible to see it all. We should note that, as lovely as Florence's famous River Arno is, it's nowhere near big enough (and its bridges are far too low) to allow any kind of ship inside the heart of the city -- and here we include low-slung river vessels along with more traditional cruise ships. As such, it can be confusing to see a cruise itinerary that calls on Florence when ships actually dock at the huge commercial port of Livorno, a good hour-plus drive from the Renaissance City. However, the charmless city of Livorno (it was badly bombed during World War II) serves as a jumping-off point for daytrips elsewhere. And while Florence is no doubt the richest destination of all, Livorno's north Tuscan locale means that other cities -- Pisa, with its famous leaning tower; the walled city of Lucca; and San Gimignano, with 14 of its medieval towers still intact -- are also options.
Poor Cannes, so underappreciated.
Gertrude Stein once said of Oakland, California: "There's no there there." Cannes, sadly, seems to suffer from a similar character flaw. Consider this arch comment from travelmeister Rick Steves: "Cannes has nothing unique to offer the traveller, except a mostly off-limits film festival. You can buy an ice cream cone at the train station and see everything before you've had your last lick."
Clearly, Steves has no affinity for Cannes' je ne sais quois -- insisting the French Riviera resort offers little to visitors apart from luxury brand shopping and a day at the beach. But given a chance, Cannes does deliver. Granted, the Palais des Festivals, which houses the International Film Festival, looks like a no-name warehouse, and its signature red carpet is absent except during the festival's annual 10-day run in May, so there is a sense of a let-down. But dig deeper and you'll uncover some rich history, fabulous food, a modest and sweet Old Town called Le Suquet, and La Croisette, a glitzy palm tree-lined boulevard that makes up for the missing red carpet.
Vive Cannes!
Sailing into Valletta, Malta, is akin to stepping into the pages of a J.R.R. Tolkien fantasy; once you are in the protected harbour, it feels as though modern civilization has disappeared. Oh, you can see a car or two driving on the winding streets amid the limestone battlements, crenelated castles and hillside structures, but they seem terribly out of place and unexpected. Never mind that Malta, which owns 7,000 years of intriguing history, is fully modernized and contemporary. What you see when entering Valletta Harbour are the formidable defensive stone battlements of forts pockmarked by war guarding the strategic waterway. Cream-colored buildings and ancient church steeples grow out of the twisting streets and hillsides. In the bay and channels, Malta's colourful luzzo boats, fishing craft resembling an elf's shoe, ply the waters in the wake of modern giant cruise ships and tankers. Valletta was built by the Knights of St. John as a place to take care of wounded soldiers and pilgrims during the Crusades in the 16th century. Its unique landscape and ancient buildings have appeared in films such as "Troy," "Gladiator," "Captain Phillips" and "World War Z." This tiny Mediterranean country is part of an archipelago of five islands, only three of which are inhabited. Cruise ships visit the island of Malta and the port of Valletta (designed by a colleague of Michelangelo). Malta has been inhabited since 5000 B.C. and was colonized by the Phoenicians in 1000 B.C. Then, the islands went in turn to the Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans and the Spanish, who handed them over to the Knights of the Order of St. John in a "perpetual lease" in 1533; this lasted until Napoleon seized control in 1798. The Maltese did not like the French, however, and rebelled by seeking aid from Great Britain; Malta became a British protectorate in 1800 and a part of the British Empire in 1814. Later, it shook off the British, as well, and was granted independence in 1964. Since 1974, Malta is a republic under the British Commonwealth. The influence of all of these cultures is evident in Malta, with the Roman period seemingly taking precedence.
Nearly 20 years ago when we first sailed to Kuşadası, our gulet, a traditional Turkish sailing vessel, docked in a modest marina across from a row of open-air shops. We came to explore nearby Ephesus, one of the Mediterranean's most impressive ancient sites whose ruins detail life in the once-powerful Greek and later Roman city. Upon returning to Kuşadası, our guide herded us into what he swore was "the best carpet shop in Turkey." In between sips of thick Turkish coffee, we haggled with the owner, eventually settling on a blue Hereke, which we stowed in the yacht before dining at the simple dockside eatery.
Remarkably, our rug's much the same, but everything else has changed. Now the former seaside village's population hovers around 50,000, streets bustle with tourists, rug shops bloom in high-rise buildings, and an air-conditioned shopping mall with sleek jewellery stores and European fashion boutiques anchors the modern port.
What Kuşadası lacks in charm it makes up for in locale. At Ephesus, about nine miles from town, you'll travel back thousands of years. The Terrace Houses, now open to the public, make the centuries-old city even more enthralling.
Despite Kuşadası's crowds, you can still find an outdoor cafe to sip Turkish wine, savour just-caught fish and enjoy the sea breezes.
Named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom, Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world -- built around its namesake deity's temple, the Parthenon, which still stands today. But Athens feels far from an ancient city. While it has done an excellent job at preserving sites like the Acropolis (where the Parthenon is located) and Greek Orthodox churches, it has evolved into a hip and modern metropolis and homeport for ships sailing the Greek Islands. The city's recently overhauled Metro system also provides a cheap, safe and easy way to get around for sightseeing if you have extra time before or after your cruise. Aside from major landmarks, even once-dingy neighbourhoods like Plaka and Thissio have been restored, boasting fresh pastel-coloured painted facades and chic restaurants, bars and shops. Syntagma Square -- Athens' central square -- also has been reborn as a tree-filled haven from which to take in the city's gorgeous neoclassical Parliament building and catch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. (Yes, that means you get to watch those men in frilly skirts, elaborate waistcoats and bobbled shoes do their high-kicking thing.) Athens, once (in some parts, still) one of the most frenetic and traffic-polluted cities in the world, now owns a real buzz and is well worth spending a few days in if your cruise starts or ends there.
Sailing into Valletta, Malta, is akin to stepping into the pages of a J.R.R. Tolkien fantasy; once you are in the protected harbour, it feels as though modern civilization has disappeared. Oh, you can see a car or two driving on the winding streets amid the limestone battlements, crenelated castles and hillside structures, but they seem terribly out of place and unexpected. Never mind that Malta, which owns 7,000 years of intriguing history, is fully modernized and contemporary. What you see when entering Valletta Harbour are the formidable defensive stone battlements of forts pockmarked by war guarding the strategic waterway. Cream-colored buildings and ancient church steeples grow out of the twisting streets and hillsides. In the bay and channels, Malta's colourful luzzo boats, fishing craft resembling an elf's shoe, ply the waters in the wake of modern giant cruise ships and tankers. Valletta was built by the Knights of St. John as a place to take care of wounded soldiers and pilgrims during the Crusades in the 16th century. Its unique landscape and ancient buildings have appeared in films such as "Troy," "Gladiator," "Captain Phillips" and "World War Z." This tiny Mediterranean country is part of an archipelago of five islands, only three of which are inhabited. Cruise ships visit the island of Malta and the port of Valletta (designed by a colleague of Michelangelo). Malta has been inhabited since 5000 B.C. and was colonized by the Phoenicians in 1000 B.C. Then, the islands went in turn to the Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans and the Spanish, who handed them over to the Knights of the Order of St. John in a "perpetual lease" in 1533; this lasted until Napoleon seized control in 1798. The Maltese did not like the French, however, and rebelled by seeking aid from Great Britain; Malta became a British protectorate in 1800 and a part of the British Empire in 1814. Later, it shook off the British, as well, and was granted independence in 1964. Since 1974, Malta is a republic under the British Commonwealth. The influence of all of these cultures is evident in Malta, with the Roman period seemingly taking precedence.
This morning disembark the ship and at the scheduled time take your return flight to the UK.
Azura is a ship that has been tailor-made for the British market. From the entertainment roster of former TV stars to the excellent range of ales and gins served in the ship's numerous bars. The prices on board are in pounds sterling, too.
The ship offers something for everyone: from Brodie's sports bar playing Premier League football around the clock (as well as evening bingo and pub quizzes) to ballroom dancing lessons in the impressive atrium and a posh curry in Sindhu. Azura is a versatile ship that is able to cater to a range of different passengers -- as long as they are Anglophiles.
In April 2015, Azura underwent its first refurbishment since coming in to service in 2010. The multimillion pound renovation saw improvements to many areas of the ship not visible to passengers (pipes carrying drinking water were replaced) as well as more obvious improvements to soft furnishings in the corridors, staircases and main restaurants. The buffet areas were also updated (although the questionable layout remains) while the restaurant Seventeen became The Epicurean, after sister ship Britannia's high-end for-fee eaterie.
The most obvious change to come from the refurbishment, however, was the giant Union Jack livery that was painted on the ship’s hull as part of a fleet-wide branding. A not-so-subtle reminder of P&O Cruises' uniquely British brand of cruising.
With 3,100 passengers onboard, the ship can feel crowded -- especially on sea days when the sun loungers are packed tightly on deck -- exposing a real lack of shaded areas. However, passengers wanting a more luxurious experience can book themselves in to the much quieter Retreat (Deck 17, forward) --a private VIP area with comfier loungers and waiter-service. The Retreat is the line's take on the popular ship-within-a-ship concept that has become popular on both MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line. A two-week pass costs £350 for two passengers, which is pricey enough to mean that it never gets too busy.
The décor in the public areas feels fresh, with plenty of modern artwork lining the walls; however the cabins do feel slightly dated, given that the ship was only built in 2010. Life onboard revolves around the classy central atrium, from which Azura's many amenities -- including a lot of retail outlets -- can be reached.
Housekeeping and restaurant staff are friendly and work tirelessly, trying their best to cope with any number of queries. However, staff on reception were often harried and unhelpful.
Azura, along with sister-ship Ventura, represents a sea-change for P&O Cruises since it started to launch bigger and bigger ships packed full of bars, pubs, lounges and restaurants aimed at attracting first-time cruisers. While this has caused some friction within the company's traditional fanbase (who were also disappointed to see the line's smallest ship, Adonia, be sold off to Azamara in 2018), it has meant a far more relaxed style of cruising. Azura benefits from this with everything from an informal pizza bar to an extended kids' club -- plenty for the modern family to enjoy.
Formal nights (known as black tie nights) onboard Azura are pretty serious affairs with most men opting for tuxedos or dark lounge suits. Women typically opt for ball gowns, cocktail dresses or trouser suits. Those not wanting to dress up are welcome to do so but are restricted to buffets and certain bars, which operate as evening casual. On formal nights, black tie dress is required in the Blue Bar, Planet Bar, Sindhu and the three main dining rooms. On other nights (which are known as evening casual on board) it is advised that a dress or casual separates are fine for ladies while an open-necked shirt and tailored trousers or smart jeans are fine for men. Shorts are not allowed during the evening.
Theatre
The Playhouse Theatre seats almost 900 people and typically offers two shows per night to give both early and late diners the chance to watch the ship's main entertainment. The productions can be anything from "Dusty"(a musical about Dusty Springfield) to "My Generation"(about the music of the sixties). The venue is also used by the changing roster of comedians, ventriloquists and musicians that are brought onboard by the line for a few nights at a time.
Daily Fun
With thousands of guests to entertain during the day, Azura offers activities across the ship. There are art lectures (there was one on Lowry while we were onboard) for the culture vultures and pool parties, led by the entertainment team, for those wanting a bit of fun. The ship's daily planner Horizons delivered to every cabin and outlines all of the events going on around the ship. There are films shown on the huge outdoor screen (SeaScreen) and plenty of games and competitions going on including quoits, shuffleboard or killer pool. The spa and gym team also host yoga classes, for a fee, as well as some introductory classes for free.
At Night
Evenings on board Azura typically revolve around the entertainment in one of the ship's bars. There is a small casino (offering blackjack, three card poker, roulette and slots) that shares a space with Brodie's sports bar (where you can find pub quizzes and bingo at night, as well as a legendary karaoke night) while musicians and entertainers grace the stages in Malabar and Manhattan. Ballroom dancers get the chance to waltz through the night in the main atrium, hosted by two professionals, while a late-night film is often shown on the outdoor screen.
There is an impressive amount of booze on offer across the bars on board Azura. From an amazing selection of wines in The Glass House to an almighty amount of regional ales in Brodie's. Gin lovers can rest easy too as a number of the drinking holes on board stock P&O Cruises famous gin menu, which includes 18 specialist gins (plus five that are available around the ship).
Brodie's (Deck 6): Brodie's is one of the most popular bars on the entire ship. Serving tried-and-tested beers such as Marston's Pedigree and Stella Artois, as well as regional brews like the Tyne Bank Brewery's Silver Dollar, it is also packed full of TV screens playing sport around the clock. That heady concoction -- with Brodie's pub-like atmosphere -- means that Azura's karaoke nights are a night to behold.
Blue Bar (Deck 7): Located at the top of the atrium, with some tables giving a nice view of the entire area, the Blue Bar is one of the Azura's more sophisticated drinking spots. There's a grand piano in the corner and plenty of cocktails from an extensive menu packed with classics like Cosmopolitans and Singapore Slings. A nice touch is the tasty bowl of vegetable crisps you get served with your drinks.
Manhattan (Deck 7): The show lounge is Azura's second biggest venue and offers a more intimate setting to watch the evening's entertainment. With lots of neon lights, and a rather bizarre layout involving barriers between tables, it's a fun place to go to catch one of the cruise's after-dinner show, which was pretty varied while we were onboard -- anything from a ventriloquist to an Eric Clapton cover band. Always pretty popular.
Malabar (Deck 7): This north African inspired lounge, complete with palm trees, has live music on every night -- be it the house band or one of the singers brought on for the occasion.
Glass House (Deck 7): With wine selected by TV wine expert Olly Smith and some lovely small plates to choose from on the food menu, the Glass House is one of the nicest places to stop for a pre-dinner drink, especially on formal nights.
Coral Bar (Deck 15): One of Azura's four pool bars -- and one of two that are on Deck 15 midship -- the small Coral Bar sits next to the poolside grill and Coral pool, which is flanked by two whirlpools.
Aqua Bar (Deck 15): Located just under the SeaScreen, and next to the Aqua Pool and two more whirlpools, the Aqua Bar is the larger of the two Deck 15 midship bars.
Terrace Bar (Deck 15): This bar is the most secluded outdoor drinking hole on board -- tucked away beyond the Verona buffet at the aft of Deck 15. The small area surrounds three quarters of the Terrace Pool, providing great views of the ship's wake.
Breakers Bar (Deck 16): If there was a party bar onboard then Breakers would be it. Perched near the top of the ship, and offering plenty of tables for those wanting to sit outside on a sea day, the area overlooks the pools below. If you get a bit peckish it's just upstairs from the grill and poolside pizza too.
The Planet Bar (Deck 18): With large screens showing images of destinations, and the bar serving cocktails to match, the Planet Bar is a one of the quieter bars, probably because it's in a remote spot. However, given the bar's extensive gin menu (23 different types including the delicious Two Birds gin from Market Harborough and P&O Cruises very own Anderson's Gin, named after the company's co-founder); it's worth the journey.
Pools
Azura has five swimming pools, including one within the kids' club (and only accessible through the kids' club) and one just outside the spa, the Oasis pool. The two main pools , Coral and Aqua, are on Deck 15 midship, with the latter being the much bigger of the two, and there is plenty of deck space around them. The Oasis, Coral and Aqua pools are all flanked by hot tubs. The Oasis and Terrace pools have less seating around them, with staggered benches being used to make the most of the space.
Recreation
Recreation on Azura is more traditional than on some other ships -- there are no climbing walls or bumper cars here -- but there is still plenty to keep passengers occupied. There is a sports court, which can be used for basketball or small games of football, and golf nets up on Deck 19 as well as an area for shuffleboard on Deck 16. Not to mention a gigantic gym that includes all manner of machines and free weights.
Sun Decks
Azura's three sun decks are located on Decks 15, 16 and 17. There are plenty of sun loungers, although on sea days they fill up quickly. Those who want a more peaceful experience might consider heading to The Retreat, a paid for area with better quality loungers than the standard type on deck. The Retreat also includes a healthy breakfast and lunch too, although many people nip down to the buffet and bring their own plates up. It'll cost you £350 for a couple's pass for two weeks.
There is an enormous amount of space dedicated to retail therapy onboard Azura. There is a jewellery store next to The Glass House; souvenir, clothes and perfume shops around the atrium on Deck7. Any passengers who needs to stock up on holiday essentials, from sunblock to a bestseller, are catered for too on Deck 6. They even sell washing machine capsules for £1 a piece.
The ship has a decent sized card room, Karmala, and a library located next to the shore excursion desk. The latter's staff are a good source of knowledge for every destination and are happy to answer questions even if they don't relate to shore excursions. The library has some computers but you'll need an internet package to use them. Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship. Prices start at £7.75 for 24 hours or 65p per minute for pay as you go.
Spa
The Oasis Spa on Deck 16 offers a range of treatments in a light, airy environment, with a number of single and couples rooms available. There are medi-spa treatments available (dermal filler and anti-ageing treatments) and a good selection of male grooming treatments using luxury Elemis products. A gent's Elemis deep cleanse grooming treatment with shave costs £51 for 45 minutes. The ship's spa staff includes a licenced acupuncturist, who charges £93 for a 50-minute session. It's worth noting that a 10 percent gratuity will be added to your bill and passengers have to be 18 to use the spa. Anyone wanting to get their nails or hair done for a formal night is also well catered for here.
Fitness
The gym, also on Deck 16, is huge, with enough treadmills, bikes and rowing machines to keep everyone happy. The cardio and weight machines surround an area where exercise classes take place such as yoga (45 minutes for £7), Pilates (60 minutes for £7) and spinning (three 45-minute classes for £21). There are also personal training (60 minutes for £47) and nutritional consultations (60 minutes for £47) available to help stave off any excess cruise weight.
Free Dining
The included options on board Azura are fantastic. Meals in the main dining rooms offer a great amount of choice with the cuisine typically rooted in hearty British fare.
Meridian (Deck 5), Peninsular and Oriental (both Deck 6): Passengers are allocated one of three dining rooms upon arrival depending on whether they choose Club Dining (a fixed meal time of either 6:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m.) or Freedom Dining (where guests can choose when they wish to eat between 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.). The Meridian restaurant is reserved for Freedom diners while the other two are for Club. If given the choice, we would plump for the beautiful Oriental, which feels far more like a luxury hotel restaurant than either the Peninsular or Mandarin, both of which feel a bit more casual in comparison. All, however, have the same menu, which has a choice of six to seven main courses with options such as steak, a roast and chicken breast always available. A British cheeseboard can be ordered every day for dessert.
The Peninsular and Oriental are open for breakfast (7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on sea days) if you prefer to order from the menu rather than head for the buffet. Options include a brilliant "full English" (with British-style bacon), Bircher muesli and pancakes -- there are also daily specials including eggs benedict. Toast is the one thing that the kitchen does not seem to have mastered and is always served cold.
Restaurant staff are friendly and work tirelessly, trying their best to cope with any number of queries (including those from my fussy vegetarian wife).
Verona and Venezia (Deck 15): Azura offers passengers two buffets in the form of neighbouring Verona and Venezia. The latter acts as the main buffet and is available virtually around the clock serving salads and cold cuts as well as an ever-changing roster of Italian, Chinese and Indian-inspired classics. Verona, which is decked out in reddish wood, serves up the same food during the day but becomes the Beach House in the evening, a fee restaurant. The food here is good -- although not quite as good as in the main dining rooms-- and there were plenty of grumbles from tray-laden passengers about how complicated the buffet area was in Venezia.
Poolside Pizzeria (Deck 15): Simple and fun, the Poolside Pizzeria is open most of the day (1 p.m. to 8 p.m.). The counter always had two pizzas, one margherita and one slightly more exotic flavour, available for guests to pick up and take away on one of the red plastic trays.
Poolside Grill (Deck 15): The grill serves up burgers, hot dogs and chicken strips, as well as small pots of fries for passengers who don’t want to stray too far from their sunbeds. There is a small salad bar too. The burgers were pretty lifeless and the hotdogs limp. However, on certain sea days the kitchen team puts on special buffets and barbeques around this area, weather permitting, which make for a much more exciting experience.
Fee Dining
The fee dining on Azura (called Select Dining in P&O parlance) offers a solid variety of gourmet options rooted in British classics -- be it small plates in The Glass House or an upmarket curry in Sindhu.
Java (Deck 5): Azura's coffee station, located in the atrium serves up high street favourite Costa Coffee. A coffee card is available for £22 (getting you 10 coffees) and includes primo sized lattes mochas as well as iced drinks to cool you down on those summer days.
Sindhu (Deck 7); £20-£25 depending on length of cruise:Originally associated with Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar (but no longer), Sindhu is where guests on Azura go if they're looking for a posh curry. The deep red carpet and dark wooden walls conjure up a luxurious, almost colonial-feeling restaurant with exotic artwork on the walls and waiters in sophisticated, and tasteful, black uniforms to match.
While offering traditional sounding starters such as vegetable samosas or chicken tikka, they are a world apart from your local takeaway. The gourmet mini-papadams and onion bhajis went down a treat. My beef tenderloin main was one of the nicest curries I've ever had, although I was still jealous of my wife's Atul's Signature Plate (vegetarian option) which included something with aubergine and spinach-- although I didn't get a look in.
The wine list is also pretty exciting, with a Sauvignon Blanc from the holy city of Nashik in India. There's some great English fizz too -- including bottles of Wiston sparkling wine, a bottle of which was used to christen the P&O Cruises flagship Britannia. Open from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Glass House (Deck 7); small plates individually priced: The Glass House (with wines chosen by TV wine expert Olly Smith) is a popular spot. Guests sit amongst cabinets full of various bottles and work their way through the menu. The food offering is fab too, with options like a trio of classic, broad bean and red pepper houmous or an 8oz sirloin steak. There is no booking available for the Glass House, but we always found a table. Open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Ice Cream (Deck 15); individually priced: Located next to Poolside Pizza, the ice cream parlour serves delicious Jude's Ice Cream by the cone or tub. You can buy an ice cream card for £28 for 20 ice creams.
Beach House (Deck 15); £7.50-£10 depending on length of cruise: The Beach House takes over Verona (a buffet during the day) from 6:30 p.m. and is the most relaxed of the onboard fee dining options. Serving American classics (fried chicken, mac 'n' cheese, beef brisket) it could benefit from having its own dedicated space. It should also be noted that while much of the menu is included in the price there are many items that are extra -- for instance the rib combo (£3.95) or beef brisket (£2.95). The slow cooked New Orleans suckling leg of lamb (for two) costs £7.95. No booking required. Open from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The Epicurean (Deck 17); £28-£30 depending on length of cruise: The Epicurean (sometimes referred to as The Epicurean at 17) offers a molecular gourmet twist on classic British fare. The restaurant itself is the most sophisticated onboard and gives you a rare the opportunity to eat outside, with great views of the ship's wake.
The menu is packed with interesting combinations such as wild boar with black pudding or lamb rack with a mini shepherd's pie. If you like creative dining experiences with a bit of theatre (the salmon is carved at your table) then this is the restaurant for you. Booking is recommended but not always necessary. Open from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Eric Lanlard's Afternoon Tea at the Epicurean costs £15. This is a real treat. Available only on sea days each mountainous cake stand comes packed with a range of savoury sandwiches such as beef brioches and cheese eclairs as well as sweet treats like pop cakes, meringues and, of course, beautiful scones. It's like being in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory with waiting staff even spraying edible perfume before you can tuck in. Booking is recommended as seats are limited. Open from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
There are 1,549 cabins: 439 insides, 198 outside, 882 balcony cabins and 30 suites, and 18 single cabins.
The accommodation does not feel as fresh as the décor that runs through the ship's public spaces. The rooms are a melange of brown, beige and light wood trimming. That being said, all cabins are well appointed with British three-point plug sockets, a fully stocked mini-bar, safe, kettle (with tea and coffee), writing desk and a hair dryer. There are also small TVs, which could do with being updated, although you can access your bill through them. Each cabin also includes plenty of drawer and wardrobe space. A large bottle of mineral water is provided upon arrival but only the suites will get this replenished.
The spotless bathrooms also have plenty of storage (including a rack of shelves to the right of the large mirror) and are supplied with cosmetics from the White Company, which is a nice touch. Shampoo, conditioner and body lotion, as well as a shower cap and soap are included. There is also a large bottle of White Company shower gel attached to the wall inside the decent power shower. However, the clingy curtain isn'’t sturdy enough to stop the bathroom flooding.
Interior: Inside cabins range from 137-181 square feet. They typically come with two single beds running flush to each wall, separated by two bedside tables. However, the beds can be joined up if requested. Above the bed on the wall is a large mirror, which helps make the rooms seem far bigger.
Oceanview: While also ranging from 137-181 square feet benefit from a picture window in place of the interior cabins' large mirrors. The beds can be joined up to create a king-sized bed.
Balcony: Space starts to become more abundant with Azura's balcony cabins (178-317 square feet, including balcony). They benefit from also having a sitting area with chair and table next to the floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. However, be warned that some of the ship's balconies are overlooked. All balconies have also been installed with an ugly green webbing to stop passengers slipping. It's safer but doesn't fit in with the idea of a glamourous cruise.
Suite: The best cabins onboard Azura range from 449 to 753 square feet including a large balcony. All of these cabins come with optional butler service as well as other benefits, such as magazines, a fruit bowl, mineral water, flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival as well as daily canapes. Bathrooms include a whirlpool bath as well as a shower with glass door while the bigger layout means that well-heeled passengers also benefit from having their own lounge with dining table.
The biggest cabins are the two penthouse suites, which include a sofa, armchairs and a dining table. The entrance to the bedroom is framed by heavy curtains too, which is a nice touch and gives the room a more luxurious feel.
Accessible: Azura has 31 adapted cabins for wheelchair users, which are usefully situated close to the lifts.
Family: There are also family suites available -- where a balcony cabin and an inside can be connected to sleep a maximum of six guests.
Single: Azura has six inside and 12 outside single cabins, which are located on Deck 6 by the casino.
Brits keen to sail with their fellow country people, who want a home-from-home atmosphere
Non-English speakers; late-night partyers or those who want lots of outdoor entertainment options
The line is aimed squarely at Brits, and that's pretty well the only nationality you'll find abroad at any time of year, wherever the ship is based. The demographic varies drastically depending on the type of ship and time of year. The adults-only ships tend to attract couples of 55-years plus; the family-friendly ones will attract families during the holiday periods, and then revert to 55+ couples outside of school holidays. Age will skew lower on the mini-break cruises to Europe and the Channel Islands. P&O Cruises is also aimed squarely at Middle England -- it's not upmarket and not "bucket and spade". The line is about as typically British as you can get.
P&O cruisers veer on the side of smart during the evening (not Cunard smart, but certainly not casual or scruffy), with casual during the day -- shorts, T-shirts, baseball caps and flip flops are perfectly acceptable day wear. On Gala nights passengers tend to make an effort and you'll see a range of clothing from ball gowns and black tie to and dark suits and long dresses and heels.
No, though tips are included in the price of the cruise and you won't find the rampant up charging you get on US lines. You'll pay extra for speciality restaurants, adults-only relaxation areas, the spa (treatments and thermal suite access), alcoholic and soft drinks.
P&O Cruises does not go in for adrenaline-filled activities like the US ships, so you won't even find a climbing wall even on the largest ships, let alone simulated skydiving, dodgems or simulated surfing. Daytime activities across the fleet consist of Daily activities range from the old-time favourites such as deck quoits, shuffleboard and table tennis to line dancing and party dance classes plus plenty of quizzes throughout the day including a pub challenge.
