Cruise ship Azura celebrated its first birthday yesterday, with a signed card from godmother Darcey Bussell. A picture of the ballerina, who named the ship in Southampton a year ago, was on the front of the card and inside she wrote: “Happy 1st Birthday Azura! I wish I could be with you all. Have a wonderful celebration. Love Darcey.”
The ship reached Cadiz in Spain today on a 14-night cruise to the Mediterranean which will see birthday celebrations including a gala night party.
Managing director Carol Marlow (seen above handing over the card to Captain Keith Dowds) said: “One year ago we welcomed Azura into our fleet with a sparkling naming ceremony. Darcey Bussell was a perfect Godmother and gave Azura a wonderful entry into our fleet. Since then, Azura has had a very successful first year in service, and has received consistently excellent feedback from our passengers. May there be many more years to come!”
That first year in numbers:
• 103,469 nautical miles sailed, equivalent to almost five times around the world or 653 trips between London and Manchester
• 65,000 passengers entertained at the Captain’s Welcome parties
• 3,573 portions of Crayfish and Lobster cocktail served in XVII
• 3,400 Wine Flights sampled in Olly Smith’s Glasshouse
• 515 massages enjoyed in The Retreat
• 507 bottles of Veuve Cliquot enjoyed
• 154 Champagne breakfasts in bed served
• 40 renewal of vows ceremonies conducted
April 10 is also the anniversary of another significant date in maritime history: it was the day in 1912 that RMS Titanic left Southampton on its ill-fated maiden voyage.
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.
our cruise to the baltic last year was the hottest sumer experienced in that part of st petersburg & helsinki for over 70 years and it was a cruise to remember, thanks for the experience!!