While I was sailing between Antigua and Grand Turk yesterday on board Ventura, P&O bigwigs in London were announcing details of her new sister, Azura.
Now being built in Italy, the Azura will be similar in appearance to Ventura, but as forecast, will be less focused on catering for families with young children, so there’s no mention of Noddy or Scalextric this time round.
Instead there will be extended spa facilities, including private cabanas in The Retreat, and some treatment rooms with balconies, for massages in the open air.
There will be big screen by the Aqua Pool, following Princess Cruises’ lead in offering Movies Under the Stars,
“Azura will provide a contemporary, glamorous, serene and sophisticated holiday experience for adults and couples,
About the Author: John Honeywell
John Honeywell is a travel writer specialising in cruise ships and cruise travel. Winner of CLIA UK's Contribution to Cruise award 2017.
now all those singles can enjoy cruising again after the qe2 , i think it will be a good ship
nigel
Was looking to book the Azura for Christmas 2010. Do we know if it will be doing the Caribbean or not. It does not seem very child friendly. Are familes welcome on this ship
P&O tell me that, like Ventura and Oceana, Azura is expected to spend the winter season in the Caribbean, so your Christmas 2010 cruise would be where you want to be.
You will be able to book from March 30, when a new brochure is released, and itineraries are announced for the first time.
While the ship will not have Noddy and Scalextric, and the other attractions which Ventura added to make it child-friendly, it will still cater for families.
Apartment 16, with its arcade games and Wii consoles, will be the meeting place for 13 to 17-year-olds, and The Hub, with a jukebox and Playstations, will be where 9 to 12-year-olds will want to be.
Take a look at what Azura promises here:
http://www.pocruises.com/azura
You might even win a free cruise on the maiden voyage.
Supposed to be registering to obtain a copy of the brochure. Don’t know what an URL is. Have cruised with P&O on three occasions aboard Princess liners
Patricia
A URL is an internet address. To register for Azura updates, and for an opportunity to win a free cruise, type this address into your internet browser.
http://www.pocruises.com/azuracompetition/new.axd
we have been regular users of the qe2 including christmas trips to the caribbean etc., we are looking for anew ship??
Having enjoyed previous cruise holidays with Cunard, Royal Caribbean and Thomson, who knows, next time it may be P&O.