P&O AZURA: When Benidorm meets Warner at sea
My first cruise P&O was a New Year 4-day voyage on Ventura, and I still remember how, by the last day, I promised myself I would never step on a P&O cruise ship again. However, I’ve always believed that everyone and everything deserves a second chance.
So, last year in November, I decided to book a second P&O cruise, determined to see if the line could offer a better experience this time around. I booked a 7-day fly-cruise on P&O Azura, sailing around the Canary Islands with a stop in Madeira. I have to admit, the price was the main driver behind my decision to give P&O a second chance. I paid £1,300 per person for a suite, with flights included, plus £382 for the Deluxe drinks package, and I received £215 back as onboard credit. When you do the math, £1,500 for a week-long cruise in a suite is an excellent deal. I opted not to use the Je2 charter flights offered by P&O and instead booked my own flights with British Airways, but that’s a story for another time.
Ultimately, the value for money was undeniable, and I was eager to see if this second cruise could offer a better experience. Now, it’s time to reflect on whether such a good deal is a strong enough reason to book a P&O cruise.
Let’s break down the key elements that define a memorable cruise experience
- EMBARKATION
Embarkation is often the first impression you get when stepping on board a cruise ship, and as we all know, first impressions count. P&O’s logistics for this fly-cruise package were impressive. I received all the necessary information about flights and embarkation in advance, and the online check-in process was smooth. Everything was clearly outlined, and I was able to print my documents without any hassle.
For those using the included flights, the expected embarkation time was set for 12:00 PM, which seemed quite reasonable. However, there was an unfortunate coincidence when I arrived at the cruise terminal in Tenerife at the same time as two Jet2 charter flights from Manchester. This caused a 30-40 minute wait for security screening, but this was more of a timing issue rather than a flaw in P&O’s process.
Once past security, the rest of the embarkation was smooth and efficient. I never print my luggage tags, but they were readily available in the terminal, and plenty of porters were on hand to collect luggage and send it on board. There were also enough check-in agents to make the process quick and easy. From passing security to unlocking my cabin door, it took no more than 30-40 minutes, which is impressive
The only thing missing from an otherwise smooth embarkation was the presence of the crew to create a welcoming atmosphere. Other cruise lines make sure that during embarkation, the animation team and other crew members are stationed along the check-in process to offer a warm “welcome on board” or “happy to see you again” vibe. This not only sets a positive tone for the cruise but also makes you feel expected and excited, as if the crew is eager to make your holiday unforgettable.
Unfortunately, this approach seemed completely absent on P&O Azura. There was no one greeting passengers or even guiding us through the embarkation process. The entire atmosphere felt like a tired, routine procedure. There was no sense of excitement or energy, and the only smile I encountered that day was my own reflection in the elevator mirror. While I was still happy to be on board, the lack of crew interaction left a noticeable gap in the experience. It would have been a small touch, but one that could have made the first impression feel a lot warmer and more engaging
2. DISEMBARKATION
Disembarkation is just as important as embarkation, as it leaves the final impression of your cruise. In this area, P&O Azura almost excelled. Disembarkation details were sent to my cabin two days prior, and while the information was lengthy—almost like an Open University essay—it was thorough and, after a couple of reads, easy to understand.
One significant advantage of being part of a fly-cruise package with independent flights was the absence of long lines to leave the ship. P&O also asked passengers to place luggage outside their cabins before midnight on the night before disembarkation, which was a reasonable request compared to other cruise lines that ask for luggage by 8 PM. For those with late departures, P&O offered the option to store hand luggage safely in the Theater, so there was no need to carry around bags for the rest of the morning.
The most pleasant surprise came after leaving my cabin at 8:00 AM. I was allowed to leave and return to the ship as many times as I wanted before the final disembarkation. This flexibility allowed me to enjoy some churros con chocolate in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which was a nice touch.
However, the human element was again lacking. There were no crew members around to say goodbye or offer a personal “see you next time.” The only smiling faces were the security guards in the cruise terminal, which felt like a missed opportunity to make the end of the cruise memorable.
3. ACCOMMODATION
On board P&O Azura, there are 1,549 cabins, including 439 inside cabins, 198 outside cabins, 882 balcony cabins, 30 suites, and 18 single cabins. I booked ORCADE suite on Dominica Deck (Deck 9), cabin D-736, and I was impressed by the spaciousness of the room. The suite featured a living area with plenty of space for comfortable seating or a snack, and the bedroom which was separated by curtains, offering a sense of privacy without feeling too enclosed. The bathroom was generously sized and divided into two areas: one with a bathtub and shower, and the other with a toilet and sink. Amenities were provided by The White Company, that added a touch of luxury.
Storage space was ample, with enough room for all my belongings, and I appreciated the space under the bed for my four suitcases. The décor was a blend of brown, beige, and light wood, creating a neutral atmosphere without being an Instagram moment
The balcony, located on the corner, was quite spacious, but unfortunately, it felt cramped. It had two sun loungers, two chairs, a coffee table, and even a dining table for four. This gave the feeling that it was more of a storage space for excess furniture rather than a functional, comfortable outdoor area. To make matters worse, the balcony was covered in unsightly green webbing designed to prevent passengers from slipping. While the safety aspect was understandable, it didn’t exactly contribute to the glamorous vibe one might expect from a luxury cruise experience.
In their marketing materials, P&O promises passengers staying in suites an “adventure of a lifetime” with all the comfort and space needed to relax and explore. According to their website, suite guests should enjoy perks like daily breakfast in a premium restaurant, tea and coffee making facilities, canapés on embarkation and Celebration Nights, a White Company gift, and even butler service. However, the reality didn’t quite align with these promises. While I did have access to a comfortable and spacious suite, some of the advertised luxuries fell short
For example, the daily breakfast in the premium restaurant, The Epicurean, was a nice touch, but it didn’t quite meet the high expectations that come with staying in a suite. The coffee served was only filter coffee, which was often kept too long on the heating plate, resulting in a strange taste every morning. It certainly didn’t match the high-quality coffee you might expect at a premium venue. The breakfast menu itself was fairly limited, and there were some odd alterations to the classic dishes. One particularly disappointing example was the Californian toast, which had the original crushed avocado replaced with guacamole—an unfortunate change that really missed the mark. The service also didn’t reflect the level of exclusivity promised for suite guests. It felt more like a buffet routine, with staff going through the motions, rather than offering the refined and attentive service one would expect in an exclusive dining venue
In theory, the Orcade Suite included a butler to make your holiday effortless, offering services like unpacking and packing your cases, booking shore experiences, making dinner reservations, and more. However, the reality was far from what was promised. We saw our butler, Colin, only on the first day when he provided us with a long list of things he would not do. Ironically, many of these duties were actually listed as part of the butler’s responsibilities in the official P&O materials. I contacted Colin twice during the cruise: first, to request a printout of my dining reservation and shore excursion details, and second, to change the colour of my luggage tags. Both times, he seemed irritated and directed me to the Reception Desk for assistance, which felt far from the level of personalized service you’d expect from a suite butler. The last time I saw my butler was just before disembarkation. He came to my cabin specifically to remind me that gratuities for the butlers were not included in the suite fare. Oops! I’m afraid I forgot to leave his envelope on the bed at departure
It’s clear that P&O falls behind other cruise lines when it comes to the level of service, amenities, and add-ons for suites, especially considering the top-end prices for these cabins. While the space in the suite itself was generous, much of what was promised in terms of premium service and perks simply wasn’t delivered. The money you pay for a suite on P&O primarily goes towards more space rather than enhanced service or luxury experiences. Other cruise lines that offer suites often go above and beyond with personalized service, exclusive amenities, and attention to detail, creating an elevated experience for suite guests. Unfortunately, with P&O, the expectation of premium service seemed to be more of a formality than an actual part of the experience. The lack of consistent butler service, limited dining options, and lackluster attention to detail in many areas made it feel like the value wasn’t quite there compared to competitors. If you’re seeking a more refined and pampered suite experience, other cruise lines might offer better value for the price
4. THE SHIP
Azura, as part of the Ventura Class and a subset of the Grand-class, is designed with a modified layout that sets her apart from earlier ships of the same class. However, from the moment I laid eyes on her from the shore during embarkation, I wasn’t particularly impressed. I had previously thought that the Norwegian Epic was the ugliest ship at sea, but Azura somehow felt even more uninspiring. It resembled a council flats building from the outskirts of a big city, with little to set her apart in terms of aesthetics. The Union Jack painted on the front of the ship is the only nod to personality, a signature of P&O’s obsession with British patriotism.
The feeling of something missing continued as I explored the ship’s interior. Normally, cruise lines carefully curate a design theme to create a cohesive personality for each vessel. On Azura, however, it felt as though different designers were given free rein, leading to an inconsistent mishmash of styles. The ship seemed to have been furnished with items from stores like THE RANGE and B&Q, and there was little unifying vision across the public spaces. Faux rich fabrics and dark tones dominated much of the design, with glaring contrasts in the different venues. The Playhouse Theatre had reddish fabric seating, while “The Glass House” mixed light oak and lime greens with chocolate browns and burnt oranges. “Malabar” aggressively assaulted the senses with lime green seating, brass lights, and palm tree décor. After spending 7 days aboard Azura, I felt more like I had been on an upgraded ferry rather than a luxury cruise ship. The interior design left me confused, and while there was a 2015 refit, it didn’t feel like the ship had reached the level of sophistication or elegance I expected from a premium cruise line.
5. THE GASTRONOMY
Gastronomy is undoubtedly an essential part of the cruise experience, and after spending 7 days on board P&O Azura, I can say the food was neither the worst I’ve encountered nor the best. It was somewhere between mediocre and decent—nothing offensive, but equally, nothing particularly memorable.
In the Meridian Restaurant, the five-course menu (six courses on Gala Nights) often felt like an upgraded school dinner. The food was serviceable but lacked any real finesse or creativity.
Sindhu, which promised an elegant fusion of Indian and British cuisine with sublime flavours, unfortunately felt more like a corner Indian takeaway. The dishes were underwhelming and didn’t live up to the lofty expectations set by the restaurant’s concept.
Even The Epicurean, a venue where a sense of occasion should have been the norm, was disappointingly underwhelming. The restaurant aimed to offer classic, refined dishes, but everything was dominated by a forced sense of Britishness. For example, who would serve Lobster Thermidor with a bland salad? And when I ordered a steak to be cooked blue/rare, it arrived medium done—another sign of the kitchen’s lack of attention to detail.
The Poolside Grill, offering self-service burgers, hot dogs, chicken, chips, and salads, was on par with what you’d expect from a basic snack bar. Similarly, the Grab and Go service, offering pre-prepared food like sausage, egg, and bacon rolls or salads and sandwiches, resembled a Subway just before closing time—uninspiring and lacking in freshness.
The only real standout for me was the Poolside Pizzeria, which served freshly made pizzas, offering a refreshing break from the otherwise underwhelming dining options.
Overall, the food experience on P&O Azura left much to be desired. While it wasn’t terrible, it certainly didn’t reflect the level of culinary excellence one might expect from a premium cruise line. The dining felt routine, with few exciting or memorable dishes to elevate the experience.
6. DRINKS PACKAGE
The 4 drink packages available on board P&O Azura ranged from £14.45 per person per day for the Refresh Package to £60.50 per person per day for the Deluxe Package. As a big supporter of all-inclusive drinks packages when cruising, I had high expectations, but I ultimately regretted paying such a high price compared to other cruise lines.
The selection of spirits was particularly disappointing. The brands on offer were typically those you’d find on the bottom shelves of a supermarket—far from the premium choices you might expect for the price. Even when a particular cocktail or drink was listed on the menu, the answer from the staff was often, “We don’t have that on board.” That was frustrating and left me feeling like I wasn’t getting the value I’d hoped for.
On the plus side, The Glass House was a highlight, offering a much better selection of wines and being the closest thing to a wine connoisseur’s paradise on board. The wine choices were much better, and I could appreciate the effort put into this venue.
P&O operates a rule of a maximum of 15 drinks per day (which, in the grand scheme of things, isn’t a huge issue) and a 15-minute wait between orders. This was likely implemented to prevent passengers from sharing their package between friends, but it felt a bit restrictive. Some cocktails were good, but only if the bartender could be bothered to make them properly. It also became a bit tiresome having to ask for lime or lemon with every gin and tonic, as if that’s somehow not a standard ingredient. And despite being on a ship, nobody seemed capable of making a proper Bloody Mary—you had to mix the ingredients yourself, which defeated the purpose of having a cocktail made for you in the first place.
In summary, while the drinking package provided some variety, it didn’t feel like it offered the value or quality I expected from a premium cruise experience. The inconsistency of the drink offerings and the lack of attention to detail were noticeable drawbacks.
7. ENTERTAINMENT
P&O Azura’s entertainment offerings fall short of expectations, especially in the competitive cruise market where many lines are investing heavily in unique and high-quality performances. Unfortunately, the entertainment on board felt more like what you’d expect from a 3-star all-inclusive resort in Turkey or Spain. The “production shows” were notably amateurish, lacking both professional execution and staging, which was especially disappointing given the elegant Playhouse Theatre. Live music scattered around the ship was decent but often drowned out by the noise of the crowd and the clatter of dinner service, with no real standout performances.
The Cruise Director and animation team also failed to impress, offering uninspired, “pub-style” humor and childish routines that felt more suited for a budget holiday club than a premium cruise experience. The lack of creative themed nights and poorly executed events further highlighted the lack of imagination, with a particularly lackluster Silent Disco event that didn’t live up to its initial success. The Ballroom Dance Ball in the Atrium was the most bizarre, with two instructors seated on highchairs, looking disinterested while guiding passengers through basic steps to recorded music.
The cruise did have a few redeeming moments, with the live band Pulse and the DJ offering some relief from the otherwise uninspiring entertainment. But overall, P&O Azura’s entertainment was disappointing, failing to match the quality and creativity seen on other cruise lines. It’s clear the cruise line needs to invest more into its entertainment offerings to remain competitive.
8. THE SERVICE
The service on board P&O Azura was, unfortunately, one of the most disappointing aspects of the entire cruise experience. From embarkation to disembarkation, the staff appeared overworked, disengaged, and indifferent to providing any semblance of quality customer service. In the dining venues, bars, and even the buffet, it was rare to encounter a genuine smile or feel truly welcomed as a guest. The service was rushed in the restaurants, painfully slow in the bars, and the housekeeping department lacked attention to detail, making the service feel sloppy and unprofessional. While a few staff members stood out with their efforts, they were far too few to offset the general sense of apathy that pervaded.
P&O Azura did send out a mid-cruise online survey, but no follow-up was made, rendering the feedback process meaningless. On the ship, it was baffling to encounter a butler with no duties, a bartender who had to be asked for basic cocktail ingredients, and waitstaff who confused orders and served meals improperly, such as stretching across the table to serve a plate. These experiences might be forgivable at a local pub or fast food joint, but they’re certainly unacceptable on a cruise ship.
When I inquired about the attitude of the staff, I was told they felt there was little incentive to provide high standards, as most passengers were Brits on discounted fares with low tipping expectations. This attitude was deeply disappointing and left a lasting negative impression of the overall service on board. In such a competitive cruise market, it’s hard to understand how P&O Azura can afford to neglect customer service to this extent.
9. FELLOW PASSENGERS
The demographic of passengers on P&O Azura was heavily skewed towards Brits, which, given the cruise line’s history, wasn’t surprising. This particular cruise was marketed with discounted fares and numerous incentives like on-board credit, gratuities, and drinks packages, attracting a specific type of traveler. And it was evident everywhere on board. From the conversations by the pool—often loud and repetitive—to the “traditions” like men draping tuxedo jackets over their chairs on Gala Night, it quickly became clear that this wasn’t the refined cruise experience I expected.
The night club saw ladies dancing barefoot in circles around their handbags, while passengers proudly flaunted their oversized eyelashes and bottle tans on decks. Early risers staked their claim to sunbeds at 6:00 AM, marking them with towels and pegs, and the buffet scene was dominated by people treating serving utensils and hand sanitizers as mere decor. Add to that a karaoke star lurking in nearly every third passenger, and the picture of P&O Azura was becoming clear.
P&O’s marketing campaigns paint a glamorous, upscale image of their ships, but the reality on board felt more akin to a “glorified Butlins on the sea.” The overall atmosphere, from the crowd to the behaviour, didn’t match the refined cruise experience I had imagined. If anyone asked whether P&O Azura is just a floating Butlins, my answer would be a resounding “Yes!”
THE VERDICT
Bottom line: P&O clearly has a very specific target market. If discounted fares are your main deciding factor when choosing between a cruise, a 3-star all-inclusive resort, or a holiday caravan park, and you’re okay with the atmosphere that comes with it, you’ll likely have a great time. For some, the appeal of saying they spent a week on a cruise instead of at a Warners Hotel or a Costa Blanca resort is enough, even if the food is mediocre, the ambiance is driven by beer and loud voices, and you’re flying a low-cost charter.
For me, however, and I’m sure for many other dedicated cruisers, the experience means more than just getting a good deal. Quality should always come before quantity, and P&O Azura just didn’t meet my expectations. There are plenty of cruise lines that strike a better balance between excellent food, service, and accommodations—creating an experience that is truly memorable for the right reasons. Sadly, P&O Azura didn’t make the cut, and I won’t be choosing P&O again!
Leonard Miron 