The Azura cruise ship is P&O Cruises’ established Mediterranean fly-cruise specialist. She is a large family ship, but her role is different from Southampton-based Ventura or the newer Excel-class vessels: Azura is commonly used as a warm-weather base from Malta or the Canary Islands, reducing long sea crossings and placing more emphasis on ports and outdoor life.
Azura works best for passengers who want a familiar British ship combined with a fly-cruise itinerary. She offers four pools, a large family programme, several dining choices and the open-air SeaScreen cinema. Her weaknesses are age, busy public areas and a layout that can feel crowded when the weather pushes everyone indoors.
Why choose the Azura cruise ship?
Choose Azura when the destination matters more than sailing from the UK. Starting in Valletta, Tenerife or another seasonal fly-cruise base can place the ship directly into a stronger Mediterranean or Canary Islands itinerary, avoiding several transit days from Southampton.
This makes Azura especially attractive for a seven-night cruise with a high proportion of port days. The trade-off is the flight, transfer and luggage process. Passengers who prioritise a simple no-fly holiday should compare Ventura or Britannia.
Azura is a social family ship
Azura has a lively, mixed-age atmosphere rather than the adults-only calm of Aurora or Arcadia. The Reef children’s programme, multiple pools, sports, theatre and SeaScreen give families enough variety, while bars and dining venues provide adults with alternatives.
The experience is strongest in warm weather when passengers can spread across the outer decks. On a cool or wet day, the atrium, buffet and entertainment routes feel busier. This is another reason to judge Azura alongside her usual deployment rather than as a route-neutral ship.
SeaScreen is a genuine point of difference
The open-air SeaScreen cinema gives Azura a recognisable identity, particularly on warm evenings. It is an enjoyable facility for families and couples who like informal entertainment without committing to a theatre performance.
Cabins close to the pool deck or outdoor screen may experience more sound, so the feature is not an unqualified advantage. Check the deck plan carefully when booking accommodation beneath active public areas.
Dining: broader than the older adults-only ships
Azura has three main dining rooms, buffet provision, poolside food and several additional-cost venues, including Sindhu, Epicurean, The Beach House and The Glass House. This gives a useful balance between included routine and occasional speciality meals.
The ship still has fewer headline concepts than Iona or Arvia, but on a port-intensive fly-cruise that may not matter. Many passengers eat ashore or return late from excursions. The P&O Cruises guide covers the line-wide position on drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities and fare inclusions.
Cabins and solo provision
Azura offers inside, sea-view, balcony and suite accommodation, including some single cabins. The design predates the newest family and Conservatory-style options, but it covers the main needs well. Balcony cabins are valuable on warm itineraries, although the price premium should be judged against how much time the itinerary leaves aboard.
Location matters because Azura is a long ship with several active public areas. Check lift access, theatre and pool-deck proximity and what sits directly above the cabin. A lower-priced cabin in a practical position can be a better choice than a poorly placed balcony.
Azura has a library
Azura retains onboard library provision, giving readers a quieter option away from the atrium and pools. It is useful on sea days, although the ship’s core character remains social and family-friendly rather than hushed.
Where Azura usually sails
Azura is strongly associated with Mediterranean fly-cruises from Valletta and seasonal Canary Islands programmes. The ship’s outdoor facilities, SeaScreen and family atmosphere are better matched to those climates than to a winter northern-Europe itinerary.
Azura compared with Ventura
Azura and Ventura are close relatives, but the itinerary often decides between them. Choose Azura for fly-cruise access to the Mediterranean or Canaries. Choose Ventura for regular Southampton departures, simpler travel arrangements and a broader no-fly programme. Both can feel busy and both reward careful cabin selection.
What passengers tend to praise and criticise
Praise commonly focuses on warm-weather itineraries, SeaScreen, family facilities and a sociable atmosphere. Criticism tends to concern dated areas, buffet congestion, crowding around pools and inconsistency between venues or sailings. Azura is strongest when the itinerary keeps passengers moving between the ship and attractive ports.
The fly-cruise journey is part of the decision
Azura’s itinerary advantage comes with a more complicated travel day. Flights, airport waiting, luggage arrangements and the transfer to the ship all need to be weighed against the extra Mediterranean ports gained by starting closer to the action. For a seven-night holiday, the value can be excellent; for passengers who dislike airports or need control over luggage and timings, it may be the decisive drawback.
Allow enough time around privately arranged flights and hotels. A packaged fly-cruise offers stronger coordination, while independent travel may justify arriving a day early. The ship guide cannot remove that trade-off: Azura is most attractive when the port-rich itinerary is worth the additional journey.
Azura’s port-day rhythm
On a typical Mediterranean week, passengers may be ashore for much of the day and use the ship mainly for breakfast, late-afternoon pool time, dinner and entertainment. This reduces the importance of having the fleet’s largest restaurant or attraction list. It also means cabin comfort and efficient embarkation after excursions can matter more than sea-day spectacle.
Official information
CruisePing verdict
Azura is the best P&O choice for families and couples who want a familiar British ship on a port-rich Mediterranean or Canary Islands fly-cruise. Book her for destination access, outdoor life and SeaScreen. Look elsewhere for a pristine new ship, quiet public areas or the easiest no-fly journey.