This big one didn’t disappoint!

Having thus far only experienced the small-yet-perfectly formed Marco Polo first-hand, I jumped at the chance to experience a bigger one! So this weekend I travelled down to the port of Southampton, where I was able to sample the delights of one of P&O’s vessels.

Initially I was expecting to enjoy a ‘one-day-holiday’ and ship visit aboard P&O’s Britannia, however due to her delayed arrival from Gibraltar, instead we were privy to a behind the scenes tour of the beautiful Azura, fresh from her Norwegian Fjords voyage.

At over 115,000 gross tonnes the Azura is the third largest of P&O’s fleet and following disembarkation during her turnaround in Southampton, the 3,597 passenger vessel felt eerily quiet as a handful of us explored her decks.

Starting at the top we ventured out to the various open areas and pool decks and enjoyed the ‘Promenade’ which follows the full circumference of the ship.

We spent time at the Aqua Pool which boasts two jacuzzi whirlpools as well as it’s own bar and ‘SeaScreen’; a giant cinema-style screen showcasing videos and open-air movies beside the pool. This is definitely the place-to-be for enjoying all the activities & water-related fun onboard, and scored top marks with my kids when looking at the photographs from my visit.

Just along from the pizzeria and ice cream parlour is another large pool area; the Coral Pool which offers a poolside bar and two whirlpools.

…& my personal favourite; the Oasis Pool which is located in the ship’s spa area, offers a much more tranquil setting and a counter-current-pool for exercise, as well as two further whirlpools.

Top tip: I found that the Terrace Pool area, toward the rear of the ship, is a good choice cabin-wise for those who like a morning dip before breakfast, or enjoy the ease of being able to nip back and forth to their cabins easily. Cabins located near to the Terrace Pool area mean you are only ever a few steps from the water, and with the buffet restaurant nearby and a dedicated bar, it seems these cabins are already a popular choice for those in-the-know.

The Azura truly does offer something for everyone, with a fully-equipped nursery & babysitting facilities, fabulous kids club areas and dedicated areas for teens to enjoy their own space.

I was particularly taken with The Retreat; an adults-only area complete with premium loungers, waiter service and cabanas where guests are able to enjoy a massage or spa treatment out on deck. This area offers true relaxation and I could see myself unwinding here with my hubby, whilst the children enjoy the various activities at the kids club.

The Oasis Spa and Health Club turned out to be another of my favourite places on board…

The health club offers a varied range of spa treatments, as well as offering a thermal suite and a fully equipped gym, which overlooks the bow of the ship. However for me, the main draw was the delightful smell; an intoxicating blend of essential oils, accompanied by tranquil music and calm decor, which created an air of pure luxury and relaxation, where I would have been quite happy to stay for the rest of our visit.

… yet there was much more to discover as we made our way toward the Atrium.

Extending across three decks, the Atrium of the Azura is of course the heart of the ship and it is here that you will find facilities such as; the guest reception, the internet cafe, library, gallery and various shops and bars.

…& when it comes to bars, dining and entertainment venues, the Azura certainly satisfies every appetite.

The Blue Bar offers live piano music and appears to change colour throughout the day due to it’s mood lighting.

Brodie’s, named after one of the founders of P&O, is designed to feel like a London Pub and offers live music & sporting events throughout your voyage. Adjacent to the Casino, Brodie’s is a popular choice for those seeking a relaxed atmosphere in a pub-like venue and proudly flies the flag for the traditional British nature of P&O.

The Planet Bar, overlooking the stern of the ship, is a sophisticated venue with fabulous views from the large picture windows, as well as a video screen showcasing images from around the world; this would certainly be my choice for pre-dinner drinks or a nightcap following a little speciality dining, for example.

& for wine lovers, there is nowhere better than The Glass House; Azura’s dedicated onboard wine bar which offers wine tastings, accompanied by a selection of food put together by TV wine expert Olly Smith. As someone who enjoys a glass or two or red, and appreciates the pairing of good food & wine, The Glass House rates highly on my list.

In terms of further dining options, The Azura offers three main dining rooms; The Oriental Restaurant , The Peninsular Restaurant and the Meridian Restaurant; all of which feature P&O’s silver service. In addition, there is a buffet restaurant split into two sections; The Verona – which switches to table service in the evening and The Venezia which is open 24hrs and offers buffet service throughout.

Also on board are the Poolside Grill, Restaurant Seventeen located on deck 17, and my personal favourite, ‘Sindhu’; a restaurant developed by Michelin-starred celebrity chef Arul Kochhar, which features a menu centred on British-Indian fusion within an opulent setting.

After dark the Azura has plenty of options from live music in the piano bar, to fun at the casino and a show in one of two show lounges; ‘Malabar’ which is styled with Indian decor, and ‘Manhattan’ which features a New York City vibe – both of which showcase cabaret acts, tribute bands, quizzes and fun activities.

‘The Playhouse’ is Azura’s largest entertainment venue and is host to visiting acts such as stand up comedians and magicians, as well as aerial acrobatics, cabaret performances, interactive gameshow-style quizzes, talent shows and multiple nightly performances of West End style productions!

My time aboard Azura offered a special insight into the delights this ship has to offer; this big one certainly didn’t disappoint! In fact, I am already looking into opportunities to book a few days for myself and my family aboard P&O in the not too distant future, to enjoy the facilities and experience the ultimate in British cruising…

…& of course if this has whet your appetite for a P&O cruise from the port of Southampton, be sure to get in touch for expert advice and the highest levels of service at the best rates.