Azura Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We chose this cruise as it was one of the few sailing from Southampton during my 60th birthday.I decided to treat ourselves to a suite and having never sailed with P&O didn't know what to expect. I had looked for reviews on this particular room, which only showed one with positive comments, back in 2014. though a more recent review from the room next door C750 showed a less glowing report.I decided to keep the room I had chosen and will give you my honest opinion later.
Embarkation went very well. we were able to have a buffet lunch in the Meridian restaurant before our room was ready.
We were leaving at the tail end of Storm Hannah, but thankfully our Captain decided to set sell at 9.30pm instead of 5.30 to let the storm ebate. It was still rather choppy, but I had taken some seasickness tablets so was fine.
Cabin Review
Suite with Balcony
As I have said, I had looked for reviews on Oronsay suite and only found one from 2014 which was quite positive, though a more recent review on the suite next door wasn't so.
Most reviews show the positive first and then the negative. I will do it the other way round, ( as I like to think I am a nice person!!!!
When we first opened the door we were impressed with the size of the room, though it was a little dark due to the brown voile on the two patio doors.I imagine these 'net' curtains are very handy in sunnier, hotter climes than ours ( being in the middle of storm Hannah did make it very dark).
We opened these and instantly made a difference to the light.
We then opened the patio doors and was hit by an awful smell of fatty food and a very loud noise to what we first thought was engine noise, but later discovered our room was right next to the food extractor fan from the kitchens below. Yes, reviewer who wrote about C750, you were right, though our room was even closer and the vibration did come through to the headboard on our bed and was probably worse than room c750!!. Rooms C749 and possibly C751 and all the rooms above would have suffered the same fate.
Now I have a very strong nose for bad smells, whereby my husband wasn't too bothered with it and obviously the previous C748 reviewer did't have a problem either!!
As for the noise, I had earplugs to go to sleep with, but you did get used to it.
I mention these things, because as I was hoping to have a fantastic suite, having paid a lot more than if I had booked my usual Balcony room, you would think these expensive rooms would be better positioned around the ship, not where you will be suffering with the problems of noise and smells, but these things aside the view was fantastic right at the Aft of the ship and the extra space was brilliant.
The shower floor tiles need replacing as the grout kept coming out when we showered, but the whirlpool bath was very large and comfy and a real treat on a ship.
The beds when separated into two are only 2" foot 6" so maybe having them as one 5" foot bed would be better!!
Our steward Mecqueen was very good and informative.
Even though we didn't ask for a butler Elvis, was there every evening with canapes and did help us with our table problem. Thanks to you both.