Azura to Spain, Sicily and Greece. September 2019

[bobbyoscar]

Well, after our horrendous experience last year on Oriana, this cruise was make or break for P & O. So what was the result? For that, dear readers, you will need to read on.

We were greatly impressed with the food for us veggies. A veggie menu is now in place which is changed daily both for lunch and dinner. It usually consisted of 3-4 choices for each course and we could not fault it (although some non veggies we spent time with thought the main menu was not as good as previously.) The Head Waiter we were allocated for Andy’s dietary requirements was excellent, nothing too much trouble and an asset to the Company.

Our cabin was the same grade as previously (HB) although this time on deck B instead of deck C. So, same size cabin but much smaller balcony. It did seem smaller but this time we had the hoist in the cabin, otherwise identical to before. As regards the hoist, we had hired it from Mobility at Sea as it is now too dangerous for Andy to transfer without it. It was a godsend although it was a challenge to use it on carpets (we have wooden floors at home), even more so when we were leaving Crete faced with wind speeds of 55knots and Andy dangling from the hoist, hanging on for dear life as I tried to reposition it for transferring him into bed!

Unlike Captain ‘invisible’ from last year, this Captain, Stephen Howarth, was seen regularly around the ship talking to passengers and was always the voice from ‘The Bridge’. I did accuse him at one point of ‘stalking us’ as we kept bumping in to each other. Other officers were very visible chatting to passengers and being seen in the public places.

Most other passengers were very kind to us by being helpful (without being asked) when we needed to get to the outside - either holding doors open or holding the lift doors open (what a refreshing change from last year).

So, would we cruise with P & O again???????

Hmm, if it was a destination we really wanted to go to but, it would need to be on either Azura or her sister Ventura. This is also the second 19 nighter we have sailed and we would not do another. With Andy’s health, 19 nights is pushing it to be away from home for so long.

The only real negative was disembarkation which was a complete and utter shambles, they really do need to sort that out.

[Gillzajoker]

Glad to hear you had positive aspects of this cruise, Glynis, particularly with the food, and that -in general - the hoist worked well. Also refreshing that this time you had lots of courtesy and kindness from other passengers. Perhaps a 10 or 12 day cruise would now suit you better!

[Camela]

It is good to hear that your needs were met so you could enjoy this cruise. Like you I'm critical of the officers on a ship that aren't visible or rarely heard so well done to your crew. Cruise lines pay homage to their officers so I think they should be seen and heard.

[Dave]

Thanks for the report Glynis. It's good to hear that vegetarians are now sufficiently mainstream for some cruise lines to recognise the fact!

[grannyM]

Very glad to hear that there were more positives than negatives this time with P&O Glynis.

[bobbyoscar]

Thanks for your responses and yes, much improved since last time.

Dave, we were very surprised at what was on offer for us veggies, they have really made an effort to improve that area so, now, it's beyond recognition. Previously there were two menus, A and B. Each menu was in place for 7 nights BUT was extremely limited in what was on offer; and two of the four main courses tended to be curries. I don't like curry so my choices were even more limited. Saying that, veggie food on Celebrity is better but P & O have made a real effort to try to close the gap.