Azura

Launched in 2010, Azura is one of the Grand-class PO cruise ships, together with ms Ventura.

History - construction and ownership

P&O Cruises is a subsidiary company and two brands owned by Carnival Corporation - P&O UK and P&O Australia. In 2000, P&O Cruises became subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises, which merged with Carnival Corporation in 2003. PandO is the world's oldest cruise company, starting passenger shipping operations in 1822 on the routes connecting England with Iberia.

The 115,055-ton, 3,100-passenger cruise ship Azura is the second vessel of this size for P&O Cruises (the first was sister ship Ventura, which was released in 2008). The design of the ship is orientated to the traditional passengers of the fleet. Azura was the first in the fleet to introduce an open-air cinema and 18 single staterooms. The wide cinema screen called SeaScreen is placed in front of the funnel.

Cruise itinerary program

Azura itinerary program is based on cruises from Southampton and Bridgetown, including Caribbean Islands voyages from Barbados; roundtrip sailings from Southampton to Baltic, Mediterranean and Canary Islands; "mini-cruises" to Belgium and Transatlantic repositioning crossings.

Cabins

P&O Azura staterooms (a total of 1557) include 28x Suite, 882x Balcony, 440x Inside and 18x studios (single-occupancy cabins) in 35 categories. Most staterooms are 165-ft2 (15-m2) sized Balcony cabins with step-out verandas. The largest passenger accommodations are the Penthouse Suites (410 ft2 / 38 m2).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Spanning two decks, Azura's Meridian is one of the main dining rooms, featuring pretty glass design and eye-catching central staircase. The restaurant serves good quality food in a sometimes pretty chaotic environment. Breakfast features everything one would expect, from light and healthy options to British fry-up. Lunch is a la carte, including soup, lighter dishes, and pies while afternoon tea serves tasty treats of sandwiches, scones, and cakes. At night the Meridian operates the usual dining system of two sittings, where guests dine each night at the same table. The upper tier is for those who have chosen Freedom Dining, which means you can turn up at any time.

Follows the complete list of Azura restaurants and food bars.

• Meridian Restaurant (2-level aft Dining Room; for Breakfast 7:30-9:00 a.m., and Lunch 12:15-1:45 p.m./3-course menu; Your Time dining at dinner 6:00 - 9.30 p.m.)
• The Oriental Restaurant (aft MDR, with fixed seating dining at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.)
• The Peninsular Restaurant (forward MDR, with fixed seating dining at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., open seating breakfast and lunch; also serving Afternoon Tea 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.)
• Sindhu (Indian specialty restaurant, by A. Kochhar)
• The Glass House (steakhouse/seafood specialty restaurant and wine bar, by Olly Smith)
• Verona Food Court (buffet-style; transformers into an Italian Trattoria restaurant in the evenings; complimentary)
• Venezia Food Court (buffet-style restaurant; complimentary; also serving themed dinners)
• Poolside Grill (fast food bar for burgers, baguettes, hotdogs; open 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. for casual lunch and dinner; complimentary)
• Poolside Pizzas and Ice Creams Bar (11:00 a.m. - 8.30 p.m.)
• Seventeen (dinner specialty restaurant; serves suite guests only for breakfast and dinner).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Azura is familiar to Princess Cruises' fans, as she definitely oozes P&O Cruises' classical style: complete dress codes, afternoon tea, deck games and ballroom dancing (dancing is very popular). Within twenty-four hours travelers can see passengers dancing together to a band in the atrium twice and dancing sessions featured prominently in the daily schedule. There is always something happening on one of the vessel's 3 dance floors, which include the wooden one in the atrium, that hosts regular dance evenings. Additional amenities include: Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Internet/WiFi access, supervised kids programme, laundry/self-serve laundromats.

Follows the complete list of Azura lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Azura Atrium (3-decks central open floor area and social hub); Atrium Shops (Regalia - clothes, souvenirs, gifts; The Wardrobe - brand fashion, watches, bags, hats); Chic - fashion boutique; Emporium - candy shop; Eternity - jewelry, Essence - perfumes)
• Java Coffee Bar (specialty teas and coffees, complimentary sweets and snacks)
• Brodie’s Pub; Karmala Room (multi-purpose lounge); Malabar Lounge (Indian themed, live music); The Blue Bar; The Planet Bar; Breakers Bar (sports bar)
• The Playhouse Theatre (800-seat, 2-decks, featuring grand scale productions, live performances, game shows)
• Manhattan Lounge (live entertainment venue and disco)
• Casino; Ivory Suite (vow renewal and wedding services)
• Photo Gallery and Shop; Art Gallery; The Library (with Internet computers)
• SeaScreen (outdoor LED screen for movies)
• Terrace Pool (adults only area, served by Terrace Bar); Aqua Pool and Bar; Coral Pool and Bar; 6 jacuzzis
• The Retreat (adults only area)
• Oasis Spa and Health Club (Treatment Rooms, Thermal Suite, Beauty Salon); Oasis pool & bar
• Gymnasium (complimentary equipment, Fitness classes; Yoga and Pilates at surcharge)
• Kids Venues (The Beach Hut; Frontiers; The Hub; The Sea Bed)
• Game On! (teen lounge with video games arcade); Apartment 16 (teen lounge)
• Shuffleboard; Sports Court (basketball, volleyball, tennis); Table Tennis; four Golf Net cages.