Written by Liam Oliver, Concierge Manager at ROL Cruise
I have just returned from my seven-night sailing around the Canary Islands with P&O Cruises on board Azura. Azura underwent a refit in early 2025, so it was a fantastic opportunity to see the ship following her fresh update.
My first impression is that Azura offers outstanding value for money. She’s a wonderfully traditional ship that delivers extremely comfortable accommodation, a great choice of dining venues, attentive service and plenty of entertainment options to suit every type of traveller.
During my cruise, I dined in Sindhu, The Glass House, The Beach House, Epicurean and the main dining rooms. My standout favourite was Sindhu, which offered beautifully crafted dishes in a warm, elegant setting. I also really enjoyed the street-food style menu in The Beach House - relaxed, creative and full of flavour.
While onboard, I took the opportunity to explore all of Azura’s venues. The ship features an impressive spa complete with a private pool, and the gym is the largest I have personally seen at sea, boasting brand-new machines and a wide variety of equipment. Families are exceptionally well catered for, too: the children’s club offers everything from soft play and dress-up to iPads, table top football, PlayStations, a jukebox and movie nights. There is even an outdoor play area so younger guests can enjoy time in the fresh sea air.
Entertainment is another of Azura’s strengths. The Playhouse, a two-tier theatre, hosts a varied programme throughout the voyage. A particular highlight for me was the juggling comedian Jon Udry, who had the entire audience roaring with laughter.
Brodie’s, the ship’s sports bar, proved to be a popular meeting spot. It offers swift service, live football, a pool table, darts, a jukebox and a lively atmosphere. The nearby casino adds an extra buzz in the evenings.
Other evening venues include Malabar, Manhattan and Planet Bar, all of which feature live entertainment across the sailing, giving guests plenty of choice each night.
Azura’s outdoor spaces are just as impressive. The ship boasts four pools, plus a splash pool for little sailors. The SeaScreen shows movies throughout the day, so you can enjoy a film while sunbathing or relaxing in the hot tub. The convenient bar-side grill offers quick snacks, from burgers and hot dogs to vegetarian options, while the Pizzeria on the pool deck is perfect for grabbing a slice (or two!) between activities.
For guests who enjoy keeping active, deck 19 features golf nets and a sports court, where pickleball proved to be a firm favourite throughout my sailing.
