7 night Azura Canaries Cruise

[sweep2907]

Airport and Flying from UK.

 

I hope this will help those coming on a fly cruise to Canaries soon.

 

Flew Jet2 from Bristol and greeted by cheerful check in staff as well as cabin crew. Second time with Jet2 and do like them and they have a good seat pitch in comparison to other airlines for tall people. All you require at check in is passport and they asked us to put cabin no on bags before check in as Jet2 had two flights to Tenerife. Boarding time was 650am but having got to gate at 640am,they'd already allowed everyone to board and by 7am it was almost full and we pushed back before 730 scheduled start time which is unheard of.

 

4 hour flight ✈️ to Tenerife where we picked cases up and walked straight onto a bus for the port which is around 50 minutes transfer. Arrived at port and all we needed to do is walk to check in as suitcases all handled by staff from coach to ship. Checking in was painless and quick with no queue and we were on board within 15 minutes of arrival at port. Have your passport and boarding pass for cruise at check in port. Cruise cards await at cabin and we quickly went to muster stn on way to cabin. Bags arrived around an hour or so later after we had visited the buffet for lunch. First drink of the cruise of course which is obligatory after lunch! 

 

We arrived on Friday 15th so would not leave Tenerife until Saturday evening. 

 

 

[sweep2907]

Day 1 - Tenerife

 

After lunch we wandered into Tenerife and browsed the shops,but I had been here before and knew it well. There was a lovely big nativity scene in town and this close to Christmas it really is worth wandering out after dark to see all the lights.

 

Ate in Peninsular Freedom dining tonight and found the food much better than Britannia last year. P&O have definitely produced excellent puddings this cruise as well,as I've never found them much to write home about previously. Lovely apple crumble tonight after braised rump of beef. 

 

We had an early night as did many as bars were quiet at 9pm,where half way through the football, we lost signal as tends to happen in Tenerife. We had been up since 330am as had many and the other half of ship were going home in the morning.

 

One little grumble is why P&O are one of those companies who do Baileys at 25ml rather than 50ml! A double isn't cheap and it's a thimble full. I'm sure it doesn't help we've come from home where we have large free pours whilst watching Christmas movies 😀

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sweep2907]

Day 2 - Tenerife

 

Had breakfast in Peninsular and sadly food and service was rather off and has to be one of the worst dining experiences of my time with P&O. I addressed this with head of restaurant afterwards to give feedback. Knowing the ship would be half empty until lunchtime onwards, we chose to go for a stroll. A big recommendation from me for the coffee lovers is a lovely coffee shop called We The North and reasonably priced compared with the UK.

 

Got back to ship about midday as the days coaches were turning up from the airport. We headed for a sun bed and plenty to be found due to everyone not having arrived yet.

 

Glasshouse for dinner, was easy to get a table tonight and food was as good as ever and it remains my favorite. Maria and her team looked after us well and i simply love those big Prawns for starter!

 

We did Headliners after dinner who did a great performance of their film and musical numbers which finishes with a James Bond medley. Finally we were on our way from Tenerife which we saw from the back of the boat around 930pm. Day at sea and a little lie in tonight as we set sail for Funchal.

[sweep2907]

Day 3 - Sea Day / Celebration Night

 

Was up early to secure a decent sunbed around the pool for the day and before you shoot me down in flames I stay with it and observe the goings ons....... another hot day around 25c for the third day running. This time of year sun appears around 8am and if you are worried about sun and temperatures it has been mid 20s most days and not lower than 21c. Can be hit and miss of course as two weeks ago we heard the weather was not so great.

 

Had the usual live signing at lunchtime around Coral Pool and Jukebox Hero where you guess the songs and artists. The usual 38/40 won it which left us way off the pace. Service for drinks excellent and never had to wait long before someone took your order. The queue for burgers and hot dogs was quite long at peak lunch time so grab it early doors or later in afternoon.

 

Celebration night so got all dressed up and had couple of glasses of bubbly in atrium as Cpt gave a short speech. Apparently 1100+ new people to P&O this cruise out of 3000.

 

Epicurean for dinner and wow just blew me away again. I'm glad as always loved this place but had a bad experience last year on Britannia and this more than made up for thst blip. Superb service and food and couldn't fault it and it was very busy which was nice to see. Pre covid these places really were quite empty but seems all speciality places are busy at the moment.

 

I went to 1030pm performance of Badness which was packed. Best Madness tribute I've seen and I've never seen a P&O audience get so involved and plenty up and dancing as you have to do with Madness tunes. Bravo P&O for something a little different.

 

 

[sweep2907]

Day 4 - Madeira 

 

First time for me and absolutely loved it! Up early as I'd seen late availability for cable car and toboggan trip with madeira wine thrown in. Queued for 20 minutes at cable car as didn't open until 845am but once it opened, the queue moved quickly.

 

Amazing views on the 15 minute trip up to the top and then a good chance to take some good photos which included Azura in port. Then it's a short 5 minute stroll to toboggan place where there was already quite  queue due to another ship being in port. We queued for around an hour before settling in and taking the 10 minute trip down to halfway.

 

Quick coffee and custard tart as you do in Madeira and wow very cheap considering it is a chance to fleece tourists! Off on bus to a great lookout for half hour and chance to see island 360 degrees. Then onto taste some Madeira wine which was two samples of dry and sweet.

 

We decided to be dropped off back at ship and come out later to see christmas lights which turned on at 630pm. It is probably 25 minutes stroll into town,past Ronaldo's museum and statue, how big are his hands? The lights are so beautiful and christmas market and we tried some local drinks and delicacies and took loads of photos of the lights. Visiting Madeira at christmas is magical and thoroughly recommend.

 

 

[sweep2907]

Day 5 - Sea Day / Formal Night or Christmas jumpers

 

Another sea day as we headed south back to Canaries and Gran Canaria. I was up early again to see plenty of sunbed reserving and good to see P&O staff removing towels around 930am that had been left first thing without anyone there.

 

There was very little sun around Coral Pool today as sun was front of ship and very low trajectory which meant 60% of beds were in shade all day so always worth doing your homework at start of day as to direction of travel, sun, proximity to bar etc 😀

 

Live music and jukebox hero around pool again and I chose to do individual quiz today and was packed like I'd never seen score for 515pm quiz where score of only 14 won today. Highest grossing Xmas movie of all time was Grinch huh? Who'd have known.

 

Lovely meal again in Mandarin at 8pm where we happily shared table of 6. Food lovely where I had lamb rump tonight even if service was so slow,we never got out until nearer 10pm and hardly anyone left in there. Not to worry, we headed to Manhattan where Pulse performed some Christmas hits mixed in with other classics such as Reach by S Club! 

[sweep2907]

Day 6 - Gran Canaria

 

Another first time visit for me personally, and met with cloudy skies and a cooler 20c. Many passengers chose to wear jackets and we did hop on bus on the red route and it's pushing it a bit to say there are enough sites to have such a bus but there you go. First of all we browsed around the shopping mall called Muelle right next to where ship was docked. Good supermarket to buy tonics and cokes for our room on way back too! 

 

We saw glimpse of the lovely long sandy beach Playa de las Canteras which is easily walkable from the port. Parque de Santa Catalina is a short stroll across the road from port where there are cafes,bars and shops to buy cheap after shave and perfume etc. 

 

Headed back at around 1pm and clouds were dark and it soon began to rain just as we began to watch National Lampoon Xmas Movie around pool. Didn't last long though but as I write this at 5pm, the sun has rarely shown its face today. Last full day tomorrow in Lanzarote and will write final update tomorrow. 

 

Never did find a a Ron Miel today to try....this is apparently a local honey rum drink.

[purplesea]

As we are flying out to join Azura the middle of next month, also from Bristol with Jet2 it is an interesting and informative read.

Enjoy the rest of your cruise and have a safe journey home.

[sweep2907]

15 minutes ago, purplesea said:

As we are flying out to join Azura the middle of next month, also from Bristol with Jet2 it is an interesting and informative read.

Enjoy the rest of your cruise and have a safe journey home.

Bristol was super quick to navigate. 730am flight and arrived check in at 5am and straight through to desk. Security was 15 minutes then relaxing in the main lounge. Enjoy your cruise as its been one of my favorites on P&O going back a while!

[purplesea]

4 minutes ago, sweep2907 said:

Bristol was super quick to navigate. 730am flight and arrived check in at 5am and straight through to desk. Security was 15 minutes then relaxing in the main lounge. Enjoy your cruise as its been one of my favorites on P&O going back a while!

Thank you. We've visited some of the islands on Iona and flown out of Bristol on other occasions. This time we staying overnight at the airport hotel, so will there ready for checking in when it opens instead of driving up overnight.

[bobstheboy]

Thanks for review. Travelling from Manchester on 6th Jan, can't come soon enough !

[waggie]

Thanks so much- new to P&O and joining Azura on Friday 5 January.Glad to read that you can take coke onboard from ports of call not just embarkation. Hoping to ‘ ‘ get a look in’ for speciality dining when booking opens- any tips?

[sweep2907]

11 minutes ago, waggie said:

Thanks so much- new to P&O and joining Azura on Friday 5 January.Glad to read that you can take coke onboard from ports of call not just embarkation. Hoping to ‘ ‘ get a look in’ for speciality dining when booking opens- any tips?

You just turn up glasshouse and can't book but a must try. Other big one is Epicurean,they book up fast but worth every penny of £30pp. Not done Beach House this time but usually good meal. I personally love Sindhu as lover of Indian food. Epicurean and Glasshouse if had to choose two. Will open up 14 days before.

[waggie]

3 minutes ago, sweep2907 said:

You just turn up glasshouse and can't book but a must try. Other big one is Epicurean,they book up fast but worth every penny of £30pp. Not done Beach House this time but usually good meal. I personally love Sindhu as lover of Indian food. Epicurean and Glasshouse if had to choose two. Will open up 14 days before.

Thanks - really helpful. Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

[Cathygh]

Thank you

Your comment about the food being bette than Britannia earlier in the year caught my eye. IMHO the food for me can influence how much I enjoy the cruise

I have come to the conclusion that who ever is in charge of a particuar kitchin has great influence over the quality of the cooking. So If I were to rank the MDR food on the 3 P&O cruises I have done this year I would say

Iona (May) Excellent

Britannia (November) Very good

Arcadia (August) improvement required

Yet now I am reading complaints elsewhere that the food on Iona is below par and it seems like Britannia has improved since you were on board.

All comments are IMHO.

[sweep2907]

4 hours ago, Cathygh said:

Thank you

Your comment about the food being bette than Britannia earlier in the year caught my eye. IMHO the food for me can influence how much I enjoy the cruise

I have come to the conclusion that who ever is in charge of a particuar kitchin has great influence over the quality of the cooking. So If I were to rank the MDR food on the 3 P&O cruises I have done this year I would say

Iona (May) Excellent

Britannia (November) Very good

Arcadia (August) improvement required

Yet now I am reading complaints elsewhere that the food on Iona is below par and it seems like Britannia has improved since you were on board.

All comments are IMHO.

I totally agree and always one person's opinion can be different from another. Food a massive improvement on Britannia 2022 and not had one bad meal so far. Britannia was so bad we ended up eating in speciality dining 10 nights in the two weeks which shouldn't have to be the case.

 

However the downside to great food this cruise is pretty miserable waiting staff. I always try have laugh and interact with them but most simply not in the mood for it and not experienced this unfriendliness in all my years with P&O. Not all of them of course as some have been lovely but too few. 

[elmsliebev]

On 12/20/2023 at 8:31 PM, bobstheboy said:

Thanks for review. Travelling from Manchester on 6th Jan, can't come soon enough !

our experience travelling from Manchester with Jet2 in October mirrors the OPs from Bristol. Got through bag drop and security very quickly (the newly refurbished T2 is fully open now) and the flight was very good. 

Also echo the OPs comments re The Glass House (those prawns!!) and Epicurean. Both excellent as was Sindhu.

We flew out to Malta but back from Tenerife and really liked the shops at Tenerife airport - some great deals on perfume. 

Edited December 22, 2023 by elmsliebev

[sweep2907]

Day 6 - Gran Canaria (continued)

 

Ate in sindhu tonight which was as lovely as ever being a lover of Indian food. I definitely preferred it when Atol Kocher had his name to it and all dishes individually priced. Having booked before we left and paid deposit, they didn't charge for the main courses.

 

Went next door to see comedian Manuel Martinez who we really enjoyed and is very amusing. He was doing 3 shows and this was the early one so only 50 or so in the Manhattan for this show and he struggled with lack of audience enthusement but played on that well like a true pro.

 

Stayed in Manhattan for The Pinnacle game which is P&Os version of 1% club. You all get a clicker and was good fun with 80 participants all playing along. Another fun innovation for the company we both said.

[sweep2907]

Day 7 - Lanzarote

 

Awoke to clouds and cloudy forecast all day. Had hour of blue skies 9am and patchy thereafter. I decided to stay on ship and make the most of my last sunbathe before going home. My partner strolled into the marina which was apparently lovely and nice spots for cheap drink.

 

Did the 515 individual quiz today and was joint 1st with 14 and then back to room to pack! Did 7pm quiz in Brodies and went for dinner. Sadly due to the most movement of the cruise, my partner left the dinner table before ordering to return to the room. Even I felt the sway tonight.

 

Dinner lovely again in MDR and had venison and cheese board. Good service tonight with drinks order taken promptly. On the whole can't fault the service considering it was 3,000 + guests.

 

That was end of night for me after 8pm dinner as had to go back to room and check on partner and get bags out. Awoken 1am by announcements about smoke on board and turned out to be Air con unit. Mistakenly someone came on into cabins to say no issue and all sorted, soon followed by cpt who didn't announce in cabins so I'm guessing that woke most people up! Woke up in panic at 5am as had forgotten to set any alarm and we were due to leave shop 840am. 

 

Final cruise summary to follow...

[amurray88]

9 minutes ago, sweep2907 said:

Day 6 - Gran Canaria (continued)

 

Ate in sindhu tonight which was as lovely as ever being a lover of Indian food. I definitely preferred it when Atol Kocher had his name to it and all dishes individually priced. Having booked before we left and paid deposit, they didn't charge for the main courses.

 

Went next door to see comedian Manuel Martinez who we really enjoyed and is very amusing. He was doing 3 shows and this was the early one so only 50 or so in the Manhattan for this show and he struggled with lack of audience enthusement but played on that well like a true pro.

 

Stayed in Manhattan for The Pinnacle game which is P&Os version of 1% club. You all get a clicker and was good fun with 80 participants all playing along. Another fun innovation for the company we both said.

Is Sindhu not pay per item any more? Sorry, if you're able to give prices it would be great, it's still showing on the sample menu as pay per item for my cruise in 2 weeks. Thanks!

[sweep2907]

30 minutes ago, amurray88 said:

Is Sindhu not pay per item any more? Sorry, if you're able to give prices it would be great, it's still showing on the sample menu as pay per item for my cruise in 2 weeks. Thanks!

Yes pay per item. 

[amurray88]

21 minutes ago, sweep2907 said:

Yes pay per item. 

Ah sorry, I must have read it wrong.

[RA10]

6 hours ago, sweep2907 said:

Ate in sindhu tonight which was as lovely as ever being a lover of Indian food. I definitely preferred it when Atol Kocher had his name to it and all dishes individually priced. Having booked before we left and paid deposit, they didn't charge for the main courses.

 

Hi Sweep. Thank you for your review.  Some useful info I am picking up from this as we are on the Azura in a couple of weeks.

 

I have a question regarding your booking for Sindhu.  You mention that you booked in advance and paid deposit. You say that they didn't charge for main courses. Was there a special offer where you didn't have to pay for mains?  When we went on Iona in the summer we had a 20% discount for booking in advance but don't see that on the Azura this time. Thanks.

[sweep2907]

1 hour ago, RA10 said:

 

Hi Sweep. Thank you for your review.  Some useful info I am picking up from this as we are on the Azura in a couple of weeks.

 

I have a question regarding your booking for Sindhu.  You mention that you booked in advance and paid deposit. You say that they didn't charge for main courses. Was there a special offer where you didn't have to pay for mains?  When we went on Iona in the summer we had a 20% discount for booking in advance but don't see that on the Azura this time. Thanks.

No I think £20 prepayment was taken as payment for two mains which came to just over £20 and also 20% off the starters.

[waggie]

7 hours ago, sweep2907 said:

Yes pay per item. 

Hi, I booked last night when the booking opened - is it a deposit for all the restaurants ?- it read as if only Sindhu was price per item, but the majority of dishes on the other menus were included in the price I paid. Have I misunderstood?