Azura March 2023 Live Blog

[Ardennais]

Looks lovely. Looking forward to ‘joining’ you on the cruise! 

[Tracyjj0]

We’re onboard with you 😁

Usually we have an inside cabin, or at best an ocean view, but thanks to me loitering on this forum, back in 2021, we snagged an Aft Suite at a bargain price (I saw a thread where people were pre registering for them and “accidentally” booked 😂). 
Wow! How the other half live eh? 
I shall enjoy your musings. By the way, you should try The Epicurean, we love it! (Going tonight)

[gsmt47471015]

Will be interested to see what you thought of Triptonic, saw them once and then avoided them on our next two cruises, personal choice of course😃

[Red Ray]

Excellent blog - Azura is probably our favourite P&O ship. We always try to eat twice at Sindhu on a 14 nighter but Epicurean has never appealed. I like the idea of the buffet choices for the day being displayed - never had any complaints about the buffet.

[carlanthony24]

To carry on from our Lanzarote port day gangways were taken up just after 5:15pm and Neil Turnball was pleased to say that everyone had made it back onboard and won’t have to burn extra fuel. He also said if all goes to plan he will be handing over to the new captain in Madeira. 

 

We attended the TagHeur new watches being unveiled with a chance to win an Azura ship model signed by the captain. Unfortunately we did not win has soon as the draw had finished the shop quickly became empty. Watches are priced over £1000.

 

Food consisted of the pan fried chicken breast with garlic and chips, Steak and chips and Veal Portions seemed okay. We found a waiter who served us all the time back in October 2022 who remembers us, he has let his team know who we are and has also told us a table number to ask for, If you want more portions they are more than happy to give you. 

 

In the end we did not attend the show TripTonics too busy browsing and spending.

 

Since leaving Lanzarote Azura sailed south to begin with and route in between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura then made our way north towards Madeira at an average speed of 8 knots sea state was moderate throughout the night and Into the next day sea state stayed the same throughout with cloudy skies

 

First impressions cards are back. We have gave it a 10 but have said for them to bring back themed buffet nights E.G Indian, Thai, pillow chocolates and new Headliners theatre shows.

 

Celebration night onboard dress code applies from 6pm and is enforced in all main dining rooms, Blue Bar, Planet Bar, and the Epicurean. Other venues such has the buffet, Glasshouse, Theatre etc evening casual dress code is the minimum that is expected and from what we saw most were dressed in formal attire.

 

During dinner in the MDR a table opposite us being shared with other guests, a gentleman became rowdy and argumentative after a disagreement about drugs and sexuality etc. A comment that we did overhear was the male passenger being disruptive did say to the older gentleman “you are getting older and you will die before me” He did like the sound of his own voice. The partner of the male ended up coming back to pull him away from the table. Staff were quick to attend and offer assistance. The matter was dealt with quickly and efficiently. Before anyone asks I do not know what happened after. 

 

Food wise I did not get any pictures but starters involved Tomato soup and the New England Clam Chowder. Mains we had were the Lamb Cutlet & Pressed Lamb Shoulder and the Corn Fed Chicken. Portions were decent again. Myself did ask for some extra chicken which was brought out. Deserts we chose were  Baked Alaska it was that good my sister asked for Seconds. Vanilla Ice Cream, Italian Zuccotto Cake and the Champagne Sorbet

 

The evening entertainment was The Headliners Theatre Company with Evolution which we have seen before and do like, so we attended the 10:30pm showing. Like most shows they do we normally go and see them we found this group to be in sync and not shouting when singing.

 

Today we are in Madeira and berthed at the front part of the harbour. Docked behind is Norwegian Sun berthed behind her is Azamara Pursuit formally known as P&O Adonia and across from us is Aidasol

 

Arrival was 7am with an all onboard time of 5.30pm departing at 6pm temperature 20 degrees. Shuttle bus service in operation again from the ship to Marina shopping mall with a charge for saver guests. Same price from our day in Lanzarote. Last time we came to Madeira we was dropped off by the Cable Car Station not sure if this is the new permanent place at the mall.

 

From 10am crew are in a full crew drill and it sounds like Neil Turnball relieve has turned up.

 

We normally do the cable car return trip but with three ships being in and around ten thousand passengers the line was quite long. So we just had a stroll around the town and having a drink on the seafront.

 

Leanne Mitchell is performing in the Playhouse. She appeared in The Voice so we see what she is like and will attend the 10:30pm showing.

 

Another sea day tomorrow before we reach Cadiz.

[ScotchBoy]

Hi, loving your posts. We're back on Azura later this year, after a 6 year hiatus, doing a 7 night in/out of Tenerife. Can't wait! We love the Glass House; is it as good as it always was?

[carlanthony24]

8 minutes ago, ScotchBoy said:

Hi, loving your posts. We're back on Azura later this year, after a 6 year hiatus, doing a 7 night in/out of Tenerife. Can't wait! We love the Glass House; is it as good as it always was?

We have not yet had a meal at The Glass House but what what we have seen it looks good.

[Cathygh]

3 hours ago, carlanthony24 said:

 

To carry on from our Lanzarote port day gangways were taken up just after 5:15pm and Neil Turnball was pleased to say that everyone had made it back onboard and won’t have to burn extra fuel. He also said if all goes to plan he will be handing over to the new captain in Madeira. 

 

We attended the TagHeur new watches being unveiled with a chance to win an Azura ship model signed by the captain. Unfortunately we did not win has soon as the draw had finished the shop quickly became empty. Watches are priced over £1000.

 

Food consisted of the pan fried chicken breast with garlic and chips, Steak and chips and Veal Portions seemed okay. We found a waiter who served us all the time back in October 2022 who remembers us, he has let his team know who we are and has also told us a table number to ask for, If you want more portions they are more than happy to give you. 

 

In the end we did not attend the show TripTonics too busy browsing and spending.

 

Since leaving Lanzarote Azura sailed south to begin with and route in between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura then made our way north towards Madeira at an average speed of 8 knots sea state was moderate throughout the night and Into the next day sea state stayed the same throughout with cloudy skies

 

First impressions cards are back. We have gave it a 10 but have said for them to bring back themed buffet nights E.G Indian, Thai, pillow chocolates and new Headliners theatre shows.

 

Celebration night onboard dress code applies from 6pm and is enforced in all main dining rooms, Blue Bar, Planet Bar, and the Epicurean. Other venues such has the buffet, Glasshouse, Theatre etc evening casual dress code is the minimum that is expected and from what we saw most were dressed in formal attire.

 

During dinner in the MDR a table opposite us being shared with other guests, a gentleman became rowdy and argumentative after a disagreement about drugs and sexuality etc. A comment that we did overhear was the male passenger being disruptive did say to the older gentleman “you are getting older and you will die before me” He did like the sound of his own voice. The partner of the male ended up coming back to pull him away from the table. Staff were quick to attend and offer assistance. The matter was dealt with quickly and efficiently. Before anyone asks I do not know what happened after. 

 

Food wise I did not get any pictures but starters involved Tomato soup and the New England Clam Chowder. Mains we had were the Lamb Cutlet & Pressed Lamb Shoulder and the Corn Fed Chicken. Portions were decent again. Myself did ask for some extra chicken which was brought out. Deserts we chose were  Baked Alaska it was that good my sister asked for Seconds. Vanilla Ice Cream, Italian Zuccotto Cake and the Champagne Sorbet

 

The evening entertainment was The Headliners Theatre Company with Evolution which we have seen before and do like, so we attended the 10:30pm showing. Like most shows they do we normally go and see them we found this group to be in sync and not shouting when singing.

 

Today we are in Madeira and berthed at the front part of the harbour. Docked behind is Norwegian Sun berthed behind her is Azamara Pursuit formally known as P&O Adonia and across from us is Aidasol

 

Arrival was 7am with an all onboard time of 5.30pm departing at 6pm temperature 20 degrees. Shuttle bus service in operation again from the ship to Marina shopping mall with a charge for saver guests. Same price from our day in Lanzarote. Last time we came to Madeira we was dropped off by the Cable Car Station not sure if this is the new permanent place at the mall.

 

From 10am crew are in a full crew drill and it sounds like Neil Turnball relieve has turned up.

 

We normally do the cable car return trip but with three ships being in and around ten thousand passengers the line was quite long. So we just had a stroll around the town and having a drink on the seafront.

 

Leanne Mitchell is performing in the Playhouse. She appeared in The Voice so we see what she is like and will attend the 10:30pm showing.

 

Another sea day tomorrow before we reach Cadiz.

Chicken twice as a choice of main course? Why don't they just bring back the always available menu? It will be interesting to see if you get chicken offered as a main in your second week.

[carlanthony24]

17 minutes ago, Cathygh said:

Chicken twice as a choice of main course? Why don't they just bring back the always available menu? It will be interesting to see if you get chicken offered as a main in your second week.

Yeah it seems the always available is the pan fried chicken breast and the sirloin steak.

[carlanthony24]

[carlanthony24]

Every port call they keep painting and making her look clean.

Edited March 21, 2023 by carlanthony24

[Interestedcruisefan]

5 hours ago, carlanthony24 said:

We have not yet had a meal at The Glass House but what what we have seen it looks good.

Didn't think Glass House menu on Arvia was  as good as previous cruises. All small plates. I'm sure we were able to order steaks etc in the past?

 

Desserts werent great either

[Interestedcruisefan]

Great blog!

 

I see you go to the 10.30pm shows ?

 

We are tucked up in bed by then!!

[carlanthony24]

12 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

Great blog!

 

I see you go to the 10.30pm shows ?

 

We are tucked up in bed by then!!

We do we are late owls. After speaking to my friend working onboard we are booked into the Glass House tomorrow with him. Menu seems a little different to last year so we shell see never had a problem before.

[carlanthony24]

[Britboys]

5 minutes ago, carlanthony24 said:

IMG_1429.MOV

Now that's a ship I'd be very happy to sail on...

[carlanthony24]

Norwegian Sun dropped her lines and started moving off but has now re docked. Quite a lot of smoke was coming from behind her has she was moving away. Not sure what is happening. Its delaying us since the lines people are the ones that need to do our gangways has well. Now it seems the machine to lift the gangways shoreside is broken…

 

They have managed to get another machine to lift the gangways 

Edited March 21, 2023 by carlanthony24

[zap99]

2 hours ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

Didn't think Glass House menu on Arvia was  as good as previous cruises. All small plates. I'm sure we were able to order steaks etc in the past?

 

Desserts werent great either

Same as Iona. Glass house is very good on Azura and Britannia,  but a bit tapasy on Iona ( predictive had a fit with tapasy.)🤣

Edited March 21, 2023 by zap99

[carlanthony24]

The only possibility it looked like Norwegian Sun decided to leave a load of passengers behind since tour buses turned up.

[Interestedcruisefan]

32 minutes ago, zap99 said:

Same as Iona. Glass house is very good on Azura and Britannia,  but a bit tapasy on Iona ( predictive had a fit with tapasy.)🤣

Thought so 

 

 

[kalos]

1 hour ago, carlanthony24 said:

The only possibility it looked like Norwegian Sun decided to leave a load of passengers behind since tour buses turned up.

We were watching all the ships departures online and the Sun ship dropped her lines and pushed off and was a couple of meters out , when they decided to throw an aft line back to the dockside and go back in . The smoke you saw could have been the tug shoving her aft back in port.

As you say a bus then turned up dumping a few passengers dockside ,where they stood for quitea while .The clue from what you say, the steviedores were now with the Azura dropping your lines.

No sooner were your off dockside ,the Sun passengers were boarding .

Not sure what has gone wrong as it's now 19.10pm and the ship is still tied up .

 

Enjoying your posts ,enjoy the rest of your cruise . 

 

Edited March 21, 2023 by kalos

[carlanthony24]

Tomorrow’s horizon with another formal night and one of the most dangerous airports Madeira airport or known as Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport. We are currently heading east at 16knots and seems to be increasing so a fast run to Cadiz.

[Bill Y]

2 hours ago, Britboys said:

Now that's a ship I'd be very happy to sail on...

Yes we had happy cruises on her before P&O sold her. She could get into places that the Panamax ships couldn't, not in bad shape for 28 years old.

[carlanthony24]

Clocks advance one hour tonight to be one hour ahead of the UK (GMT+1) 

 

For dinner we had Tomato soup and Chicken Noodle soup. Mains included Prime Roast Beef Sirloin which we all had. 

[Interestedcruisefan]

That beef looks great

 

I'm missing cruising!!!