As P&O’s largest cruise ship, Azura is a family friendly resort ship, with a huge choice of bars, restaurants and unique entertainment options.
Explore the shipValletta, Malta's capital, has ornate palaces and museums protected by massive fortifications of honey-colour limestone. The main entrance to town is through the City Gate (where all bus routes end), which leads onto Triq Repubblika (Republic Street), the spine of the grid-pattern city and the main shopping street. Triq Mercante (Merchant Street) parallels Repubblika to the east and is also good for strolling. From these two streets, cross streets descend toward the water; some are stepped. Valletta's compactness makes it ideal to explore on foot. Cruise ships dock in the Valletta Waterfront, a short distance from the centre of the city – however, the route is uphill, so bare in mind if you're going to walk from the ship.
Put firmly on the map by Jackie O in the 1960s, Mykonos remains the Saint-Tropez of the Greek islands. The scenery is memorable, with its whitewashed streets, Little Venice, the Kato Myli ridge of windmills, and Kastro, the town's medieval quarter. Its cubical two- or three-story houses and churches, with their red or blue doors and domes and wooden balconies, have been long celebrated as some of the best examples of classic Cycladic architecture. Pink oleander, scarlet hibiscus, and trailing green pepper trees form a contrast amid the dazzling whiteness, whose frequent renewal with whitewash is required by law. Any visitor who has the pleasure of getting lost in its narrow streets (made all the narrower by the many outdoor stone staircases, which maximise housing space in the crowded village) will appreciate how its confusing layout was designed to foil pirates—if it was designed at all. Most cruise ships dock in nearby Tourlos, around one mile outside of Mykonos Town. Some ships will anchor at sea and tender their passengers direct to Mykonos Town.
The second-largest city in Crete and capital of the Homonym Prefecture, Chania is located in Minoan Kidonia at the end of the Homonym Gulf between the Akrotiri and Onicha peninsulas. Chania City is divided into two parts; the Old Town, which is comprised of several connected districts built around the old Venetian Harbour, and New Town, a larger, more modern city whose centre is situated next to, and south of, the Old Town. The Old Town is home to Venetian buildings and Turkish elements that combine to create a unique architectural style, and is considered to be the most beautiful urban district on Crete. It was once surrounded by old Venetian fortifications that separated it from the New Town; however, only the eastern and western parts remain today. Due to its compact size, Skiathos can be easily explored in just a single day.
Athens is the birthplace of the modern western world, home to magnificent wonders including the Parthenon, the Acropolis, the Temples of Olympian Zeus and Athena Nike, and the most impressive collection of ancient artefacts at the Archaeological Museum. Athens effortlessly blends its ancient historic landmarks with a youthful, modern energy with chic rooftop bars, eclectic shopping destinations and a bustling art scene. Piraeus is the gateway to Athens for cruise visitors, which is easily accessible by public transport.
Undoubtedly the most extraordinary island in the Aegean, crescent-shape Santorini remains a mandatory stop on the Cycladic tourist route—even if it's necessary to enjoy the sensational sunsets from Ia, the fascinating excavations, and the dazzling white towns with a million other travellers. Fira, the capital of the island, is a busy city packed with shops, museums, bars, tavernas, resorts, and nightclubs. Cruise ships anchor at sea and tender their passengers to the base of the Caldera Cliffs in Fira – warning: it's a steep walk up, many opt for the cable car instead!
Valletta, Malta's capital, has ornate palaces and museums protected by massive fortifications of honey-colour limestone. The main entrance to town is through the City Gate (where all bus routes end), which leads onto Triq Repubblika (Republic Street), the spine of the grid-pattern city and the main shopping street. Triq Mercante (Merchant Street) parallels Repubblika to the east and is also good for strolling. From these two streets, cross streets descend toward the water; some are stepped. Valletta's compactness makes it ideal to explore on foot. Cruise ships dock in the Valletta Waterfront, a short distance from the centre of the city – however, the route is uphill, so bare in mind if you're going to walk from the ship.
The Croatian island of Hvar bills itself as the "sunniest island in the Adriatic." Not only does it have the figures to back up this claim—an annual average of 2,724 hours of sunshine—but it also makes visitors a sporting proposition, offering them a money-back guarantee if there are seven consecutive days of snow (snow has been known to fall here; the last time being February 2012).
Up until the end of World War I, Trieste was the only port of the vast Austro-Hungarian Empire and therefore a major industrial and financial center. In the early years of the 20th century, Trieste and its surroundings also became famous by their association with some of the most important names of Italian literature, such as Italo Svevo, and English and German letters. James Joyce drew inspiration from the city's multiethnic population, and Rainer Maria Rilke was inspired by the seacoast west of the city. Although it has lost its importance as a port and a center of finance, it has never fully lost its roll as an intellectual center. The streets hold a mix of monumental, neoclassical, and art-nouveau architecture built by the Austrians during Trieste's days of glory, granting an air of melancholy stateliness to a city that lives as much in the past as the present.
Dalmatia's capital for more than 1,000 years, Zadar is all too often passed over by travelers on their way to Split or Dubrovnik. What they miss out on is a city of more than 73,000 that is remarkably lovely and lively despite—and, in some measure, because of—its tumultuous history. The Old Town, separated from the rest of the city on a peninsula some 4 km (2½ miles) long and just 1,640 feet wide, is bustling and beautiful: the marble pedestrian streets are replete with Roman ruins, medieval churches, palaces, museums, archives, and libraries. Parts of the new town are comparatively dreary, a testament to what a world war followed by decades of communism, not to mention a civil war, can do to the architecture of a city that is 3,000 years old. A settlement had already existed on the site of the present-day city for some 2,000 years when Rome finally conquered Zadar in the 1st century BC; the foundations of the forum can be seen today. Before the Romans came the Liburnians had made it a key center for trade with the Greeks and Romans for 800 years. In the 3rd century BC the Romans began to seriously pester the Liburnians, but required two centuries to bring the area under their control. During the Byzantine era, Zadar became the capital of Dalmatia, and this period saw the construction of its most famous church, the 9th-century St. Donat's Basilica. It remained the region's foremost city through the ensuing centuries. The city then experienced successive onslaughts and occupations—both long and short—by the Osogoths, the Croatian-Hungarian kings, the Venetians, the Turks, the Habsburgs, the French, the Habsburgs again, and finally the Italians before becoming part of Yugoslavia and, in 1991, the independent republic of Croatia. Zadar was for centuries an Italian-speaking city, and Italian is still spoken widely, especially by older people. Indeed, it was ceded to Italy in 1921 under the Treaty of Rapallo (and reverted to its Italian name of Zara). Its occupation by the Germans from 1943 led to intense bombing by the Allies during World War II, which left most of the city in ruins. Zadar became part of Tito's Yugoslavia in 1947, prompting many Italian residents to leave. Zadar's most recent ravages occurred during a three-month siege by Serb forces and months more of bombardment during the Croatian-Serbian war between 1991 and 1995. But you'd be hard-pressed to find outward signs of this today in what is a city to behold. There are helpful interpretive signs in English all around the Old Town, so you certainly won't feel lost when trying to make sense of the wide variety of architectural sites you might otherwise pass by with only a cursory look.
Nothing can prepare you for your first sight of Dubrovnik. Lying 216 km (135 miles) southeast of Split and commanding a jaw-dropping coastal location, it is one of the world's most beautiful fortified cities. Its massive stone ramparts and fortress towers curve around a tiny harbor, enclosing graduated ridges of sun-bleached orange-tiled roofs, copper domes, and elegant bell towers. Your imagination will run wild picturing what it looked like seven centuries ago when the walls were built, without any suburbs or highways around it, just this magnificent stone city rising out of the sea. During the 20th century, as part of Yugoslavia, the city became a popular tourist destination, and in 1979 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the war for independence, it came under heavy siege. Thanks to careful restoration, few traces of damage remain; however, there are maps inside the Pile and Ploče Gates illustrating the points around the city where damage was done. It’s only when you experience Dubrovnik yourself that you can understand what a treasure the world nearly lost.
Valletta, Malta's capital, has ornate palaces and museums protected by massive fortifications of honey-colour limestone. The main entrance to town is through the City Gate (where all bus routes end), which leads onto Triq Repubblika (Republic Street), the spine of the grid-pattern city and the main shopping street. Triq Mercante (Merchant Street) parallels Repubblika to the east and is also good for strolling. From these two streets, cross streets descend toward the water; some are stepped. Valletta's compactness makes it ideal to explore on foot. Cruise ships dock in the Valletta Waterfront, a short distance from the centre of the city – however, the route is uphill, so bare in mind if you're going to walk from the ship.
As P&O’s largest cruise ship, Azura is a family friendly resort ship, with a huge choice of bars, restaurants and unique entertainment options.
Dining takes centre stage on board Azura. Enjoy three main restaurants offering a choice of Club Dining - the same table at the same time each evening - or Freedom Dining with no fixed seating or dining times. There’s also the opportunity to visit the Select Dining venues of Sindhu, the first restaurant at sea from master of spices Atul Kochhar; Epicurean, where a sense of occasion is always on the menu; and The Glass House, a wine bar and restaurant created in partnership with award-winning wine guru Olly Smith.
Like to escape the usual routine on holiday? Then you’ll love the flexibility of Freedom Dining at the Meridian Restaurant. Opt for an... Read more
Java coffee bar has an almost dual personality. Its comfortable seating and sofas set a relaxing atmosphere during the day, serving speciality... Read more
The main self-service restaurant offers high quality dining throughout the day in a relaxed, informal environment. So if you've just returned to... Read more
During the day this family-friendly venue is a self-service food court offering everything you need for a relaxing meal.
In the evening, it... Read more
If you enjoy a glass of wine with your meal you'll want to visit to The Glass House.
On the venue's signature menu,... Read more
Sindhu will showcase an elegant fusion of Indian and British cuisine featuring sublime flavours. The Soft Shell Crab and Squid Salad is... Read more
Freedom Dining at the Peninsular Restaurant- Enjoy elegant surroundings, silver service and a warm, convivial atmosphere. This is classic P&O Cruises dining at... Read more
Take your seat in the Oriental Restaurant- Choose a particular Club Dining seating and you’ll dine at the same time and table each... Read more
Treat yourself to a classic English afternoon tea, served daily in the main restaurants. You can enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches,... Read more
Peckish by the pool? All that swimming and lounging can be hungry work, but there's plenty of pool side snacks to choose from...
... Read more
A sense of occasion is permanently on the menu at The Epicurean. Here you will find a selection of much loved classic dishes.... Read more
There's never a dull moment...
P&O Cruises offers the very best in cruise entertainment. Days can be filled with as much or as little as you want, whilst evenings are no doubt the social highlight. When the sun goes down your ship begins to come alive with the hum of conversation and music, and you can be sure of a memorable night.
Imagine watching a film under a starry, night sky, while being magically transported to another new destination. SeaScreen is one of the... Read more
As soon as you enter Azura's 800 seat, two tier theatre immediately your expectations begin to build. And rightly so. With multiple... Read more
Enjoy spectacular cabaret performances, fun quiz shows, tribute acts, family shows and glittering discos. With so much to see and do on... Read more
The exotic vibe of Malabar is inspired by the contemporary hotels on Marine Drive, Mumbai. It's a blend of modern Indian sophistication.... Read more
The Monte Carlo Casino it a great place to continue a fun night out after post dinner drinks or a show. It... Read more
A Classic London inspired pub with a contemporary twist. With its intimate atmosphere, stylish design and great selection of beers and ales,... Read more
This chic venue boasts a unique audiovisual plasma wall screening iconic, man-made and natural wonders from the world's continents. While your eyes... Read more
Located proudly at the top of the Atrium, The Blue Bar is well positioned in the social hub of Azura. Featuring a... Read more
From the revitalising hydrotherapy pool, to the state of the art gymnasium, there's plenty of facilities onboard to refresh your mind, body and soul. Passengers can enjoy luxury massages and treatments in the Oasis Spa, or head out to the top deck sports court for a spot of tennis.
Whether you enjoy the friendly competition of an organised tournament or prefer to play casually with your own party, short tennis, football,... Read more
Spa treatments with a sea breeze. The Retreat is an alfresco spa terrace. By day, sit back and relax on one of... Read more
Putting the aah in spa. Think luxurious spaces to relax in, thermal suites, salon treatments and the aroma of scented oils...
Some of... Read more
It’s easy to keep active on Azura. Work out in her gym, take a spinning class, or a nice walk around deck.... Read more
The fully equipped salon is the perfect place for those who want to look their best. Located in the spa, passengers can... Read more
Get ready for some family fun on deck...
Azura family friendly pools;
As a family friendly ship, Azura offers a wide range of options for the whole family, including a variety of just-for-kids activities.
The Reef children’s club caters for all ages, combining fun with education and a whole host of activities organized daily by qualified... Read more
The Night Nursery is a complimentary service available for children aged between 6 months and 4 years of age, and is open... Read more
The ship's fantastic New Horizons programme offers to passengers the chance to leave their cruise with a new hobby, skill or passion. With classes ranging from cookery, and ballroom dancing, to feng shui and tai chi, passengers can search for true enlightenment.
The ship's well-stocked library is perfect for finding a great book to enjoy by the pool. Choose from an extensive range of... Read more
A whole range of tours have been designed especially for families, meaning your time ashore will be as stress free as the... Read more
There are coupled dance instructors onboard who offer a variety of dance lessons. The main types of dance offered are ballroom and... Read more
The ship can cater for the following diets; vegetarian, low /no fat, low salt /no salt, lactose intolerant /dairy free, gluten /wheat... Read more
Fully accessible adapted cabins and suites are available, which are suitable for wheelchair / mobility scooter users. Passengers with a disability which... Read more
They are unable to carry babies under the age of six months on any of their holidays. Children under the age of... Read more
The ship operates three styles of dress code: Smart, Evening Casual and Black Tie.
On Smart evenings ladies typically wear tailored trousers and... Read more
There are dedicated areas onboard where smoking is permitted. Smoking is not permitted in any public room, inside cabin or on cabin... Read more
We know these are uncertain times, but don't fret. All bookings are covered by our Financial Protection Guarantee and we only work with cruise lines that are members of ATOL and ABTA. For more information about cancellation cover, visit the Coronavirus Cancellation Policies page.