Disappointing but it could be us.

Azura Cruise Review to Europe

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 40

Overall rating:

3.8 out of 5
Azura

Central Mediterranean

Sail date: September 21, 2019

Ship: Azura

Cabin type: Inside

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

Monaco was not shown as a port, I wonder why? Probably due to negative comments expected. Suggest that the only way this should be visited is from villefranch sur mar, or if you can berth here. Cruise lines should not run cruises here on the week of the boat show. There is often tender issues. If you have a lot of people unable to get back on board, there is no hotel spaces to be had. Not sure if it was all the drama and missed or delayed ports. Or too many sea days. Or just us. We didn’t really enjoy this cruise. Second time with P&O and both times it was drama. The ship is in need of a refit. A bit smelly and tatty in places. Of course regulars love this ship, but it was all a bit “keep calm and carry on” I personally found it quite crowded. The crew were amazing on the ship and tender on our return from Monaco. We were on one at about 3pm. It was quite the rollercoaster ride to the ship. But horrendous when trying to get off. The crew were so caring in such difficult circumstances that I was overwhelmed once back on the ship. It was like shock. Whilst I have major sympathy for those left onshore, no sympathy was given to the people on the tenders who had a bad ordeal apart from the security staff who told us to go and rest! We just all got given a letter in our cabin telling us to claim missed ports from our insurance companies. Oh, and then P&O jetted in the Overtones and Beverley Craven to entertain us for the last couple of evenings to patronisingly make us feel better.!! So I am sure there will be people who will look at my review and instantly stick up for P&O it isn’t for me. I will commend the captain and crew who were amazing and heroic. But HQ needs to be a bit more aware.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5
Fitness gym good. But too busy trying to sell things

Entertainment

4 out of 5
The Gypsy Sun Duo were the best entertainment. Shows were ok. Comedians very funny.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5
Pervading sewage smell in areas. Men’s urinals backing up in places. Shower in our cabin almost overflowing regularly.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
Smaller than we have had before. Our steward, Ivie was great and sorted out our shower, which almost overflowed on several occasions.

Ship tip

If you want a table for 2 on freedom dining. Get down to restaurant really early.

Ports of call

Southampton (London), England

3 out of 5

Cadiz (Spain)

5 out of 5
Second visit. Walked to the Genoese garden. Beautiful.

Barcelona, Spain

3 out of 5
Shuttle bus to town, then got HoHo bus. Unfortunately because we were half a day late due to immigrant pick up, the two routes was too much. So only got 1.5 of the tours in. We like to be back for a dinner.

Marseille (Provence), France

4 out of 5
Lovely port, plenty to see. Cathedral amazing.

Ajaccio, Corsica Did not visit port

Port missed due to Monaco issues, very disappointing

Cartagena, Spain

5 out of 5
Lovely port, walked round to forum ruins and house of fortune museum. Fantastic

Gibraltar (U.K.)

3 out of 5
Ok but having been before we just walked and did a little shopping. Slow getting back on board because it was an early sail away

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
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1 Comment

dexter22    5 years ago

Yes I was on that cruise and agree with all you say. All three ports were lost to us due to cancelled tours.

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