{"id":4404,"date":"2023-06-23T14:37:12","date_gmt":"2023-06-23T14:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.paramountcruises.com\/?p=4404"},"modified":"2026-06-04T20:59:01","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T20:59:01","slug":"cruise-review-po-azura","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.paramountcruises.com\/blog\/cruise-review-po-azura\/","title":{"rendered":"P&O Azura Review: What to Expect On Board"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Azura is one of P&O Cruises<\/a>‘ larger ships and a popular choice for family and Mediterranean fly-cruises. This review covers what to expect on board: the entertainment, dining, cabins and the day-to-day experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the wider P&O fare structure (Select Price, Early Saver, Saver, and the Classic and Deluxe bundled packages) see our P&O Cruise Fares guide<\/a>. For the beverage package detail specifically, our P&O drinks packages<\/a> page covers Classic, Deluxe, Refresh and Alcohol Free options. Call our specialists on 020 7947 0270 once you have a shortlist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April, Charlotte spent 7 nights onboard P&O Cruises<\/a> Azura<\/a> which was a return trip to Valletta, Malta sailing to destinations in the Mediterranean such as Split, Dubrovnik, Trieste, and Zadar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite it only being April, the weather at this time of year was fantastic with the sun shining every day of the cruise and I still caught a good tan. It is a great option for families who want a little bit of Easter sun whilst having a great time on one of P&O\u2019s favourite ships. A Mediterranean or Canary Islands itinerary really is perfect for any time of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Itinerary<\/strong>: Valletta, Split, Trieste, Zadar, Dubrovnik, Valletta<\/p>Mediterranean from Valletta, Malta<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our experience on board beat mine and my family\u2019s expectations, the ship is fantastic and with this being my second time onboard, I can safely say Azura<\/a> is one of my favourite P&O Cruises<\/a> ships and contributed to where my love for cruising began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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P&O Azura: The 30-second view<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ship class<\/strong><\/td>Grand-class<\/td><\/tr>
Built<\/strong><\/td>2010<\/td><\/tr>
Most recent refit<\/strong><\/td>2025<\/td><\/tr>
Capacity<\/strong><\/td>3,100 guests (double occupancy)<\/td><\/tr>
Crew<\/strong><\/td>Around 1,250<\/td><\/tr>
Tonnage<\/strong><\/td>115,055 GT<\/td><\/tr>
Length<\/strong><\/td>290 m<\/td><\/tr>
Guest decks<\/strong><\/td>14<\/td><\/tr>
Sails from<\/strong><\/td>Mediterranean and Canary Islands ports (fly-cruise format)<\/td><\/tr>
Bars and restaurants<\/strong><\/td>22<\/td><\/tr>
Entertainment venues<\/strong><\/td>8<\/td><\/tr>
Swimming pools<\/strong><\/td>4<\/td><\/tr>
Best for<\/strong><\/td>Families, fly-cruise sun-and-sea holidays<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How was the Fly-Cruise embarkation process with P&O Cruises?<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Our embarkation process went seamlessly with everything being taken care of from stepping off the plane in Valletta, Malta we were onboard the ship just over an hour later. We waited for our bags for around 20 minutes and once we received these and made our way out of the airport towards the exit we noticed after bag collection there were lots of signs and P&O reps directing people towards the exit where we got the P&O shuttle bus from outside the airport which was waiting for us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was extremely well organised and there weren\u2019t any queues to get out of the airport or onto the shuttle buses. Once onto the shuttle buses, it was a 20-minute journey to the cruise terminal, through the outskirts of Valletta. After arriving at the cruise terminal, we entered a fantastic old building that was part of the fort\/sea defences of the city where all the check-in desks for the cruise were located. The terminal was almost empty when our coach arrived as we were one of the first planes in. This process was again efficient and well organised, and it took no longer than 20 minutes to check in and get through security before boarding the ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are going to make your own way to the cruise ship from the airport or you\u2019re having a pre-cruise Malta stay, then all you need to do is step outside the airport the exact same way that we went and there were endless amounts of taxis that you can catch which were also cheap and from what we heard don\u2019t take advantage of us tourists. As avid lovers of cruising from Southampton, my family were very impressed with how smoothly the embarkation process was in comparison to it being a fly cruise rather than going directly from Southampton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We didn\u2019t need to have any testing for Covid-19 or any proof of vaccinations for Covid-19 plus Malta and the rest of our itinerary didn\u2019t require a health declaration form to be completed before departure. For this cruise, the only documents we required were the usual cruise documents which you print out from the My P&O Cruises<\/a> online portal as well as passports, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Split<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Valletta<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tell us about the accommodation on P&O Cruises Azura<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

I was staying in a Standard Balcony cabin on Azura,<\/a> which was on deck 11 towards the mid-aft of the ship. This balcony has a capacity of two people as there is no sofa bed just a double bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The d\u00e9cor was bright although slightly dated compared to my previous trip on Iona<\/a> (read my Iona<\/a> Review blog here<\/a>), but it was all cleaned immaculately and presented very well. One of the best things about Azura<\/a> is the storage space, there is a separate walk-in wardrobe area just before the bathroom to hang and store your clothes, so this gives more space in the bedroom, which is better than the design on Iona<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The room had a good-sized bedroom area, and it was well furnished with light woods and hints of green, blue, and beige around the room. One of the best features was the size and comfort of the bed, which was excellent, I never had any issues sleeping at all. The balcony size was also great, and it allowed me enough room to sunbathe before getting ready for dinner most evenings plus it was great for having sunset drinks as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was also a lot of storage space which was handy in comparison to when we were onboard Iona<\/a> last year, we found storage space was a little bit difficult to access and there wasn\u2019t a huge amount of it available whereas onboard Azura<\/a> we had more than enough storage space with the walk-in wardrobe area and lots of cupboards and drawers. Although this did mean that the bathroom was small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Trieste<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Trieste<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

How did you find the ship in general?<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Azura<\/a> is a lovely ship, she is very easy to get around and there are so many outdoor and indoor spaces where you can spend your days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main areas of the ship where a large percentage of guests spend their days is up on decks 15 &16 where both main pools are. Both areas have a bar and plenty of sun loungers so you can soak up the sun rays and get your tan (remember to put sun cream on as despite there being a breeze the sun is still very strong over the sea). For those wanting a bite to eat there is a takeaway pizza, burger and hot dog stand so getting a quick lunch is nice and easy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the day the entertainment team provide a wide range of activities here such as movies on the big screen, DJs by the pool and live singers so you definitely won\u2019t be bored. There is a quieter area at the aft of the ship where there is a smaller pool, bar, and further sun loungers, this is a great place to read a book, play cards and enjoy the views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those wanting to stay out of the sun or if you get a rainy day, then there are plenty of things inside the ship to keep you entertained. Throughout the day there are numerous quizzes in Broadies, The English Pub, Bingo in Manhattan, dance classes in the atrium and more. All areas of the ship are well-designed and despite her age don\u2019t look tired. Renovations and maintenance have kept Azura<\/a> looking great, especially the atrium which although doesn\u2019t have the large glass windows of Iona<\/a> is still a great place to chill out during the day and get a coffee at the Costa Coffee onboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those wanting to be a little more active, there are outside sports courts up on deck 18 which include tennis, basketball, and golf. The equipment is all supplied by P&O but golf lovers beware some of the clubs are fairly old! Other games also include table tennis (deck 15), pool and darts which are in Brodies pub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What was the food like on P&O Cruises Azura?<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

There were two main dining restaurants onboard, the Meridian and the Peninsular. I mainly ate at our allocated main dining restaurant the Peninsular throughout our time on Azura<\/a> and the food was great. The menus changed daily and so did the food. As a vegetarian, there were at least 3 veggie and vegan options for soup, starter, main, and pudding every night which were all delicious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Azura<\/a> there are two dinner sittings each night one at 6:30 and one at 8:30, so you will choose when booking which time you would like to eat. This can be changed during your time onboard. You will also be assigned a dinner table so each night you dine in the same place. The aspect of this I like is that you will be served by the same staff members, so you do get to know them which is nice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We were on the second seating which was at 8:30 pm, in comparison to when we were onboard Iona<\/a> we were on freedom dining, and we realised that we prefer going to the freedom dining restaurant rather than the set dining restaurant as sometimes you might want to go and watch a show or do another activity at a certain time, which means you are slightly restricted by the allocated dinner time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Azura does have a set freedom dining restaurant, but it was fully booked on our cruise, so I would recommend if you want freedom dining onboard Azura<\/a> request this when you book your cruise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Venezia buffet served a variety of lovely food for breakfast lunch and dinner, the lunch and dinner changed each day, and the food was of good quality. This buffet also did late-night hot and cold food from 11-1 AM every night which is great for those late-night post-disco cravings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Personally, I preferred to go to the main dining restaurants and the pizzeria & grill for meals as they have a few more bespoke options that the buffet doesn\u2019t. The buffet also seemed very busy during peak times such as lunch and breakfast so if you choose to go here be prepared to do a little bit of queuing. When the buffet was busy, they seemed to run out of a lot of things, especially at breakfast time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want a quick bite for lunch or dinner then head to the Poolside Pizzeria & Grill where you can find stone-baked pizzas or juicy burgers, fries, and delicious hot dogs being cooked right in front of you, which can be consumed by the pool or on a sun lounger. These are good fast-food options that you can grab and go and are available throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although I didn\u2019t eat at the speciality dining restaurants, I did speak to other guests who really enjoyed them and said the overall quality of food was well worth the extra spend. The Epicurean offers sweeping ocean views, exquisite dishes inspired by classic British ingredients and given a modern twist by expert chefs. The Beach House is perfect for those wanting Caribbean and South American classics. Sindu is a stylish Indian with a British twist and a firm favourite with many options and The Glass House is a sophisticated wine bar also offering classic English dishes and tapas-style dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst we were on board there was one afternoon tea in the main dining restaurants, I felt like they could have done this more often as when we went it was lovely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ports of Call<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

This cruise started and finished in Valletta, so it is great for the early summer sun. Our ports of call were Split, Trieste, Zadar, & Dubrovnik. I had never been to these cities\/towns before, and I was struck by how beautiful they all were. My personal favourite was Dubrovnik as the old town is filled with history and bustling with energy. It is definitely a place I would want to visit again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the destinations were fantastic and the cruise port in Split and Trieste were within walking distance of the town centre. For Zadar and Dubrovnik, it was around a 20-minute shuttle bus. I would recommend getting the bus as early as possible to avoid the queues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubrovnik<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Dubrovnik Boat Trip<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Dubrovnik<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is the entertainment like on the P&O Azura?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The entertainment was fantastic when we were on the ship. As always the Headliner Theatre Company put on 4 fantastic shows and they were excellent to watch. There was also a solo female singer and a George Michael impersonator who were brilliant. One of my favourites was an Irish boy band who sang some traditional Irish music but also new songs with an Irish twist. They were fantastic. The theatre was the main location for the shows but Manhattan and Malabar also had entertainment throughout the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those wanting something a bit more gentle the pianist in the Crows Nest was excellent and it was a great place to go before or after dinner for a cocktail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I found the Azura<\/a> was great for dancing which is popular on cruises, Penny & Ian put on two dance sessions a day and these were great for beginners or anyone who is advanced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Azura offer any fitness & recreational facilities?<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

There is a great gym and fantastic spa on board which also has a separate pool and hot tubs. It is filled with Technogym equipment, free weights, resistance machines and cardio machines. If you want to do classes then there is a wide range from Spin, HIIT, Yoga, Pilates, and mindfulness. The Spa on Azura<\/a> is also extensive, with a thermal suite, a range of destination-inspired treatments as well as a number of handy Salon services for the formal nights on board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Split<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Any tips for someone looking to cruise on P&O Azura?<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

For breakfast in the mornings the queues can be a little long so make sure to give yourself plenty of time when going to the main dining restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep an eye out for the afternoon tea in the main dining restaurants as it is only on once a week and I think it is well worth going to. You will find out which day afternoon tea will be on as it will be shown in the Horizon daily newsletter that gets delivered to your cabin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final thoughts on Azura<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

I had a great cruise on Azura<\/a>, the ship is well-maintained and the food was delicious. The staff are always so helpful so I couldn\u2019t ask any more from them. The ship is a little smaller than the newest P&O vessels such as Iona<\/a> and Arvia<\/a> so if you prefer a slightly smaller ship then this could be the one for you. It is great for families, friends, couples and solo travellers. This cruise, in particular, was fantastic because the ports we stopped off at were impressive, I would definitely recommend this itinerary on Azura<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Book Your Next Cruise On Azura Today!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Frequently Asked Questions About P&O Azura<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Where does P&O Azura sail from?<\/strong>

Azura is a fly-cruise ship. P&O Cruises positions her in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands, with sailings typically departing from Mediterranean ports rather than Southampton. You fly from the UK to your embarkation port.<\/p> <\/div>

Is P&O Azura suitable for families with children?<\/strong>

Yes. Azura has The Reef kids’ club for under-17s, four swimming pools, the SeaScreen open-air cinema, and a wide family-friendly entertainment programme. P&O Cruises markets Azura as a social paradise at sea, well suited to multigenerational holidays.<\/p> <\/div>

When was P&O Azura last refurbished?<\/strong>

Azura completed her most recent refit in 2025. Bars, restaurants, cabins and suites all had refreshed furnishings and styling.<\/p> <\/div>

What cabin types are available on Azura?<\/strong>

Inside, Sea View, Balcony and Suite categories, including dedicated single-occupancy cabins and accessible options. Cabin grade affects view, size and amenities rather than the dining and onboard experience.<\/p> <\/div>

Is food included in the P&O Azura cruise fare?<\/strong>

Yes. Full board is included: three main dining rooms, the buffet, and afternoon tea sit inside the base fare. Speciality restaurants such as Sindhu and Epicurean and most beverage packages are paid extras.<\/p> <\/div>

How does Azura compare to other P&O ships?<\/strong>

Azura sits in P&O Cruises’ family-focused mid-size band. Smaller than the newest ships Iona and Arvia, but larger and more facility-rich than older ships in the fleet. The fly-cruise format suits guests who want Mediterranean or Canary Islands sun without a long sea voyage from the UK.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Plan your P&O Cruises sailing with Paramount Cruises<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Browse our full range of P&O Cruises<\/a> sailings for current itineraries and prices, or call our specialists on 020 7947 0270<\/strong> to plan an Azura sailing around your dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Browse P&O Cruises<\/a> \u00b7 Call our cruise experts on 020 7947 0270<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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