Azura Cabins

Azura has five different types of staterooms: inside and outside single cabins (about 130 square feet), inside and outside cabins (about 160 square feet), balcony cabins (about 233 square feet), superior deluxe balcony cabins (about 324 square feet) and suites (between 489 and 742 square feet, depending on category). Decor in all of the cabins is clean and neutral, featuring varying color schemes that include burgundy, red, blue, yellow and green curtains and bed spreads. Furnishings are made of light wood. Azura's cabin artwork is very classy; each cabin is kitted out with nautical canvas pictures -- a nice touch.

As this is a British ship, a kettle and tea- and coffee-making facilities are standard in Azura's staterooms. Twinings tea bags and coffee are replenished every day.

Power supplies include two British three-pin plugs and a couple of U.S. plug sockets. As already mentioned, the 18 single cabins, all situated on Deck 6, are one of the biggest standout features on Azura. Each cabin has a single bed, a flat-screen television and a vanity/writing desk and drawers, plus a bathroom with a shower. There is plenty of storage space within cubbyhole-type units. It's interesting to note that we found the inside single cabins to be much larger than the outside single cabins.

The double-occupancy inside, outside and balcony cabins are pretty standard in size, with twin beds that can convert to doubles, desk and drawer space, flat-screen televisions and bathrooms with showers. (Toiletries include shampoo, conditioner and body lotion from the White Company.) Hair dryers are in desk drawers, and they're powerful!

The interactive flat-screen televisions offer a good range of shows -- including "Gavin and Stacey," "The Office" and "Absolutely Fabulous" -- as well as pay-per-view films that you can watch on demand. The televisions also give the options to see your bill, order room service and check daily announcements.

The superior balcony cabins are very spacious (classed as mini-suites on Princess ships) and include bathtubs in the bathrooms. Balcony furniture in each of these cabins consists of a small table, two metal recliner chairs and a footstool.

All suites include lounge areas, separate bedrooms, walk-in dressing areas, and bathrooms with whirlpool baths and showers. Suite residents also receive butler service, complimentary mineral water, Champagne and chocolates on arrival, exclusive access to Seventeen for breakfast, bathrobes and slippers, fruit, a coffee machine and daily canapes.

P&O Cruises hasn't jumped completely on the spa cabin bandwagon, but with Azura, the line is offering passengers travelling in certain category cabins -- inside category JD, balcony category OD, all superior deluxe staterooms and suites -- to upgrade to the "spa stateroom package." The price of the package varies per cruise -- £249 per person for three to seven nights, £299 per person for eight to 15 nights and £399 per person for 16 nights or more. This includes perks like access to the Retreat sun deck, two facials and full body massages, unlimited access to fitness classes and access to the Oasis Pool -- the adults-only pool adjacent to the spa. In-cabin extras include spa bathrobes, slippers and towels, fruit baskets, MP3 players and docking stations, and welcome gifts of spa products from the Oasis Spa.

Next: Azura Dining

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