P&O Cruises - 175th Anniversary Cruise - AZURA (Canary Islands).

With 7 ships expected to arrive and depart in Southampton on the same day, and the movement of some 15,000 passengers, we decided to come to the city a day earlier just in case of traffic problems on the 3 July 2012. We managed to find a hotel room after much searching at the Southampton Park Hotel. The hotel is adequate for a one night stay. It is handy to the city centre and a short taxi ride to the cruise terminal. The hotel is clean and comfortable but is in need of update and re-decoration in some areas. The breakfast served is good.

Tuesday 3 July 2012 - "The day of the Grand Event." We left the hotel at 10.45am for the Ocean Terminal at Dock Gate 4. Traffic was fairly heavy, but the experienced taxi driver used side streets to get us to our destination. Whilst the terminal was busy, our luggage was immediately taken from us and we moved inside the building for check-in. From the time that we arrived at the terminal, checked-in, went through security, we were on board the ship at 11.50am. Well done to P&O - this is an area where they excel. (Embarking and dis embarking passengers) Read more