P&O Cruises offers the best of Britain at sea
| 1st September 2022
If you want to experience the world without feeling homesick then a cruise with P&O could be the answer.
P&O Cruises is a quintessentially British cruise line that has earned a legion of loyal British fans. VIVA stepped on board its ship Azura and found out that there’s a lot to love about cruising!
Since this was a ‘Fly-Cruise’, my trip began at Manchester Airport where P&O’s super helpful reps at the dedicated check-in desks welcomed me to the charter flight service and explained what to expect throughout my journey around the Mediterranean.
Flying direct to Malta with the airline partner Tui is seasonal. After landing, I was greeted to the island by even more reps from P&O who ushered a small group of us on to coaches for a short transfer to the ship that was docked in the port of Valletta. After another yet very brief check-in on the port-side, I was handed a cruise card and boarded Azura.
If you have never taken a cruise then I imagine this concept fills you with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. However, from check-in to embarkation – and disembarkation – the entire process is seamless and P&O’s crew are simply amazing. It put this first-time cruiser at ease ahead of this exclusive seven-night cruise that stopped at Korcula, Zadar and Split in Croatia and Koper in Slovenia.
The Ship
Poolside. @P&O Cruises.
Azura boasts all the bells and whistles that one would expect from a large ship, combined with a distinctively British vibe that P&O Cruises is known for.
The vessel first went into service in April 2010 and has since undergone a multimillion-pound makeover, catering for as many as 3,100 passengers with four swimming pools, 23 restaurants and bars across 14 decks.
It is one of the largest in the fleet offering holidaymakers an incredible choice of bars, restaurants, sports and spa facilities with plenty of British touches that make it ideal for a more relaxed voyage.
Offering fun for the entire family, it’s clear why she’s such a firm favourite among British travellers. From its traditional British décor to its classic British cuisine, Azura offers everything for the true Anglophile.
Think roast dinners, fry-ups in the morning, afternoon tea and there’s even classic London pub with British beers. Expect quizzes, live sport, live entertainment as well as karaoke and you are not too far off a perfect weekend back in Blighty, never mind seven-nights in the Mediterranean on a beautiful ship with a boatload of activities for everyone.
Life onboard
Life at Sea onboard Azura. @P&O Cruises.
P&O Cruises offers the absolute best in cruise entertainment. Days can be filled with as much or as little as you want, whilst evenings are the social highlight.
Set yourself up for the day before exploring and experiencing life onboard, be it continental breakfast in bed, or a full English at one of the ‘Freedom and Club’ restaurants.
If the sun loungers are calling with swimming pools and whirlpools to dip into, you’re sure to find the ideal spot to kick back and relax at sea.
If you fancy some lunch, grab a tasty plate from the poolside pizzeria and enjoy your meal under the sun, or if you prefer a long and lazy one in more sophisticated surroundings then the ‘Speciality Dining’ restaurants are the place to be.
What’s great is that all meals are included within the price you pay for a cruise with P&O, aside from those in a select number of restaurants where a cover charge is applied. And that can be less than a fiver, which is excellent value for money!
Life Onboard P&O Azura. @P&O Cruises.
If you fancy some shopping, then the onboard shops have lots of exclusive new products that you won’t find on the high street. From jewellery to watches, fragrances, technology, drinks, souvenirs, snacks and holiday essentials – you’ll find it at discounted prices. There’s a huge range of British and international brands to choose from including Estee Lauder, Ted Baker, Ray Ban, Joules, Chanel, Tissot among many others.
How about a divine treat? Master pâtissier Eric Lanlard’s afternoon tea takes the tradition to new heights with his decadent sweet and savoury surprises served alongside a thirst-quenching collection of 12 blends by teapigsTM.
The British theme continues with engaging and exciting seminars and award-winning collections at the Whitehall Galleries, offering original paintings, collectable editions and sculptures from some of the most iconic artists including L.S Lowry, Jack Vettriano, Sherree Valentine-Daines and Philip Gray.
If you are looking to meet new ship mates, then you should join a team and have giggle at the pub quiz as well as game show challenges at Brodie’s Bar where there is plenty of British beers, ciders and ales as well as traditional bar snacks to choose from.
If you’ve the energy to burn, head to the sports hub to book a court. And whatever the weather, the pool deck will keep you out of mischief with its lively holiday vibe.
Evenings on Azura are just as fun and fabulous. When the sun goes down, the ship comes alive with the hum of conversation and you can be sure of a memorable night.
There’s even an outdoor cinema to watch spellbinding movies in the open air on deck.
Astonishing Revolutionary @P&O Cruises.
Enjoy sundowners at Breakers Bar, discover your favourite cocktail at Blue Bar or try a perfectly poured glass of vino matched to your meal at The Glass House. The other options for dinner will leave you spoilt for choice. It’s a tough call with a wide range of food & drink options onboard.
Celebrate the return of theatre, great comedy and guest vocalists by watching a live show. Be dazzled by song and dance in The Playhouse Theatre, Azura’s 800 seat two-tier theatre with showstopping performances by the Headliners Theatre Company with creative direction by Jonny Wilkes and Garry Barlow. There are multiple performances on selected nights, so you can plan your evenings however you like.
Whatever your musical tastes, there’s something to suit your mood. From chilled spaces and acoustic sounds to a music list curated to suit the backdrop of the deck, you’ll find it in different venues across the ship.
The Manhattan lounge provides a late-night New York inspired clubbing experience, while the imperial and exotic touches of Malabar set the scene for a memorable night with live music, as well as dance classes, workshops and tribute acts.
If you love the sense of excitement as the roulette wheel spins, then pay the casino a visit. It’s a great night out, whether you’re having a flutter or sipping on your favourite tipple.
It’s easy to keep active on Azura too. If you are feeling energised then you can work out in the state-of-the-art gym or learn new skills at a class where you’ll find everything from spinning to yoga.
If you’re looking for a well-deserved pampering, then there’s the Oasis Spa or if you are in the mood for a makeover, the ship’s team of hair and beauty technicians are on hand to make you feel gorgeous from top to toe. There’s a wide range of massages and treatments with luxurious British beauty brand Elemis at the helm of this world class spa at sea.
Passengers can also search for enlightenment thanks to the ship’s fantastic horizon programme that offers guests a chance to leave the cruise with a new hobby, skill or passion. Choose from cookery classes and ballroom dancing, to feng shui and tai chi.
Cabins
Cabins Onboard Azura. @P&O Cruises.
No matter what type of traveller you are, there are cabins to suit all from solos and pairs to families.
There are 1,557 cabins onboard, including 434 inside, 195 sea view, 700 balcony, 182 superior deluxe balcony, 26 suites, 18 single and two family cabins.
There’s nothing quite like opening floor to ceiling doors onto your own private balcony with endless sea views, and you can travel in style and luxury with butler-service suites too, where a personal cabin steward will look after your every need.
All cabins are air-conditioned and well designed for the modern traveller with high-end furnishings of a hotel, featuring Egyptian cotton sheets, free tea & coffee making facilities, refrigerator, hairdryer, safe, in-cabin television and good sized en-suite bathrooms with toiletries from British bath and beauty brand The White Company.
Morning, noon, and through the night, you can enjoy a bite to eat in your cabin from the mouth-watering room service menu for a small supplement as little as three quid aside from breakfast, which is included in the price of your holiday.
Food & Drink
The perfect steaks and sides onboard Azura. @P&O Cruises.
Dining certainly takes centre stage on board Azura. From fine dining to all day buffets or even a light lunch, stopping for ice cream or grabbing a slice of poolside grill – there’s a world of variety on board.
You can enjoy three main restaurants offering a choice of ‘Club Dining’ – the same table at the same time each evening – or ‘Freedom Dining’ with no fixed seating or dining times.
P&O Cruises is also known for offering passengers its celebrity chef ‘Food Heroes’ programme, where you can sample delicious menus at ‘Select Dining’ venues for a small supplementary fee.
Sindhu, P&O Azura.
The Glass House
Headed up by the award-winning wine expert and BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, Olly Smith, The Glass House is the perfect location for a light bite, lunchtime tipple, afternoon aperitif or a tastefully informal evening. Take your pick from a wide variety of wines carefully selected by the master himself, complemented by an exciting menu of small plates, such as, tempura king prawns, Thai beef salads and mushroom pates as well hearty traditional British main courses like steak and chips and delicious sticky desserts.
Sindhu
Prepare your tastes buds for a flavour-filled adventure in the stylish and sumptuous surroundings of Sindhu. It’s the first restaurant at sea from master of spices and Michelin-starred chef, Atul Kochar. The spice odyssey celebrates the best of contemporary British-Indian cuisines with food menus that offer perfectly balanced spices, delicate textures and wonderful aromas. Sindhu is a firm favourite among foodies since there were queues outside the door of this restaurant every night, but don’t worry, if you don’t like waiting in line then you can log on to the ship’s ‘My Holiday’ app and wait in a virtual queue until your table is ready. British convenience at its best!
The Epicurean
Dining experiences don’t come any finer than The Epicurean. Marvel as each exquisite dish inspired by British ingredients are given a modern twist by expert chefs, prepared table-side in extravagant performances. The experience is complete with fine wines, flawless service, elegant surroundings and stunning sea views. Menu options include seared king scallops and Canadian cold-water lobster tail with caviar. Delish!
The Beach House
Inspired by South American, Caribbean and Stateside cuisines, you can tuck into steaks, ribs, grills, burgers and hanging kebabs as well as range of sharing dishes like ceviche and nachos at this popular informal eatery.
In total, there are 23 dining and bars on board with an unbeatable choice and value if you opt for ‘The Ultimate Drinks’ package.
For just £39.95 per day, you can enjoy anything you fancy, whether that’s saying ‘yes’ to an intriguing cocktail or simply savouring ‘the usual’. Nearly every drink that’s served on board is included and all for a fixed price per person each day.
Additionally, there’s even more reasons to say ‘cheers’ with a wide range of wine packages starting from £69 for a selection of six wines from all over the world.
Explore Ashore
If the excitement of life on board isn’t enough, then there’s always an opportunity to explore ashore when the ship is docked at one of the many ports that it stops at along the way.
A wide range of excursions are available depending on your interests and are bookable through its excursions team, 24/7.
You can discover new destinations and experiences, or relax and roam, knowing every measure has been taken care of to protect your health and wellbeing.
From wine tasting and truffle hunting to enjoying river rapids, or even ziplining through canyons to walking tours, there’s something for everyone in all destinations and there’s an incredible choice of experiences on offer.
VIVA Verdict: It’s easy to see why so many British travellers choose P&O Cruises. It’s a brilliantly-British brand that serves up exceptional service with attention to detail and delicious cuisine at affordable prices ensuring that passengers experience the absolute best of Britain at sea.
P&O Cruises sails throughout the Mediterranean during the Summer months before switching to the Caribbean for the Winter.
These last-minute deals are an absolute bargain and you should book now before they go!
Fly Mediterranean, 7 nights (A220A) from £699pp
P&O Cruises is offering a 7-night cruise on Azura (A220A) from £699 per person for an inside cabin. Departing September 29th 2022, the price includes return flights from selected UK airports, full board meals, kids club and entertainment. Departing and returning to Malta, ports of call are Athens, Kusadasi, Rhodes and Chania. Link – https://www.pocruises.com/find-a-cruise/A220A/A220A
Fly Mediterranean, 7 nights (A220B) from £699pp
P&O Cruises is offering a 7-night cruise on Azura (A220B) from £699 per person for an inside cabin. Departing October 06th 2022, the price includes return flights from selected UK airports, full board meals, kids club and entertainment. Departing and returning to Malta, ports of call are Taranto, Corfu, Dubrovnik and Split. Link – https://www.pocruises.com/find-a-cruise/A220B/A220B