Mediterranean with P&O cruises on Azura

Two weeks of adventure and fun exploring the Mediterranean with P&O cruises on Azura. This is the perfect way to spend a holiday with kids.

We fell in love with cruising when we travelled on P&O’s Ventura around Italy and Croatia. So we were really excited to be back again on board Ventura’s sister ship, Azura.

This time for a two-week cruise around the Mediterranean. And we had been counting down the days for the voyage to begin.

We are total cruise converts, really believing that cruises are perfect for families. They’re an opportunity to explore destinations around the world and still have time to come together as a family and relax.

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Life on board P&O’s Azura – our cabin – Mediterranean with P&O cruises on Azura – two weeks of fun, our review

As a family of five, we had two cabins (a maximum of four people can be registered to any room). And we took a superior balcony room and an inside cabin.

This is a great way for a larger family to travel. We primarily spent time in the balcony room but liked having the additional space of the inside cabin.

The superior balcony cabin had a really good sized bedroom area.

And a lounge area which during the day contained a large sofa and seating area.

Lounge on board Azura

While we were at dinner in the evening this would be transformed into a sleeping area for the children.

The balcony was a great space to sit out and read on the warm Mediterranean days.

Balcony on board azura

And the bathroom was a really great size with a bath, shower over it and lovely White Company products.

Bathroom on Azura

In addition, there was a dressing area with wardrobe space and drawers. And within the room we had two televisions – one for the bedroom area and one for the lounge.

There was a fridge and lots of drawers as well as an area with a kettle and mugs.

We really felt that the superior balcony cabin was a great space for families.

Across the hallway we then had our inside cabin which had two single beds.

Inside cabin on Azura

The room also had a bathroom with a shower and the same White Company products and a dressing area.

Food on P&O’s Azura

The food on board P&O’s ships really is outstanding, it’s like eating in a five-star restaurant every single night.

We ate so well.

There is fixed time dining – where you’re given a time and a dining room to be at every evening. Or freedom dining where you can choose which time to visit but are allocated a restaurant.

The Peninsular

We opted for freedom dining and each evening would wander down to The Peninsular restaurant for fantastic three-course meals.

There was never a wait to be seated and the space was large and airy.

We also ate here for lunch on many of the ‘at sea’ days.

There was everything at The Peninsular from mushroom stroganoff to Portuguese sardines and cauliflower tempura to roulade of plaice. The food was delicious.

Food on board Azura

They have a separate vegetarian menu – although there is always a veggie option on the main menu which changes daily. And they can deal with many food allergies and intolerances, bringing out the same quality food with separate chefs who just deal with specific diets.

And there were some delicious desserts including creme de cacao chocolate pot and mango and kiwi pavlova.

The children had their own menu (including fish fingers, chips, pasta, grilled salmon etc) or they could choose from the main adult menu.

Children’s Tea – Mediterranean with P&O cruises on Azura

There was also a brilliant children’s tea on board between five and six pm. This had sandwiches, hot foods, cookies, cheese and biscuits, juices, cakes and ice cream.

Our children would often go to this and then run off to the kids club and we would eat as a couple.

Children's tea

Breakfast

We loved breakfast in the Peninsular where the children would always have the smoothie of the day and then bowls of fruit, cereal and occasionally pancakes.

I was in love with the veggie breakfast which had vegetarian bacon, sausages, sautéed potatoes, grilled tomatoes and sausages. What a way to start the day.

Azura's breakfast

Meals included in the cost of our Mediterranean with P&O cruises on Azura

It’s worth saying that all of these are included in the cost of the cruise. Ao no additional charges for these amazing meals.

As if these dining options weren’t enough there were a number of other places you could dine on board. These included a complimentary pizzeria on the top deck, a grill station for burgers and fries and also a 24 hour buffet style option in the Verona (again both complimentary).

Pay extra meals

In addition to this, there were some options you could pay a little extra for. These included American-style the Beach House which served some great American-style classics like fajitas and pulled pork with wonderful ocean views.

The Beachhouse

There is also Marco Pierre White’s Epicurean on board. This was an amazing 7-course meal of fantastic food.

The menu is playful and absolutely delicious and we sat having such a memorable meal whilst looking out over the coastline of the Cote d’Azur.

Marco Pierre White’s Epicurean

And there’s wonderful Asian-inspired food from Atul Kochar.

We absolutely loved our meal here which was subtle but at the same time packed full of flavour. I think this was my favourite meal of our time on board.

Atul Kochar

The entertainment on board P&O’s Azura –

Kid’s clubs

To start with there’s a fantastic range of Kid’s Clubs in the Reef which are sorted by age group from two year olds right up to teenagers.

Our children spent quite a bit of time here and there was always something different going on. From superhero days to chocolate fun.

They took part in arts and crafts, quizzes, sports activities and discos. The kid’s clubs are completely free, included in the cost of the cruise and a great way for them to make friends on board.

And they’re great for being entertained on sea days or in the evenings if parents want to eat alone or take in some entertainment of their own.

It is a wonderful provision and the staff are fantastic at keeping the pace just right. Older children can get to enjoy time on Xboxes and Playstations too.

The Reef

Pools

There are also six swimming pools on board from a small children’s pools to the main ones on the top deck.

Swimming pool

Other entertainment – Mediterranean with P&O cruises on Azura – two weeks of fun, our review

There was so much entertainment on Azura with free workshops. For example on using your digital camera to dancing and from yoga to chats about each of the port stops.

There was so much going on in the evening and we caught comedy, musicians and brilliant tribute bands.

For those who enjoy sports, there was a full gymnasium and there was also a basketball court and golf practice nets.

We loved the shuffleboard which we played on sea days.

Playing shuffleboard on board P&O's Azura
Playing shuffleboard on board P&O’s Azura

Or if you just want to be pampered there was a huge spa with every range of treatments going.

Azura’s shops

Azura’s range of shops had everything you could need and more.

There was a provisions shop with sweet treats, toys and games. It also had anything you might have forgotten from toothpaste to the washing powder we bought to use the free washing machines.

Shop

There was also ‘The Wardrobe’ for clothes, a perfume and cosmetics shop and a fantastic jewellery shop.

Shop - P&O cruises Azura

We really liked the library on board where you can check out books (or swap your own with fellow passengers on the table placed outside).

Our children loved picking out books and taking them back to the cabin to read. They even have kindles you can borrow.

The port stops on P&O Azura two week Mediterranean Cruise

This was our ship’s itinerary. After departing from Southampton we spent a day at sea before stopping at Vigo.

Vigo, Spain

Vigo is a beautiful Spanish town, green and breezy. Here you could take excursions to Santiago de Compostela, Cies Island Nature Reserve or the charming fishing town of Bayona La Real.

We loved wandering through Vigo and stopping for some tapas in the town. This is definitely one we would return to spend longer in.

Vigo, Spain
The streets of Vigo, Spain

Lisbon, Portugal

The Portuguese capital didn’t disappoint. And you could take excursions to visit to the Medieval town of Obidos or the popular resort of Cascais as well of lots of opportunities to explore Lisbon itself.

We love this city.

🔎  Read more: A three day itinerary for Lisbon and our top things to do in Lisbon with kids.

Gibraltar

was This quirky British region where we stood and looked out over the mountains of Africa.

Here you could take excursions around the rock or go out dolphin watching in the sea.

🔎  Read more: A day in Gibraltar with kids

We then had another day at sea to swim in the Mediterranean sunshine on deck and relax a little before stopping at –

Monte Carlo, Monaco

From here you could explore the towns of the Côte d’Azur including Cannes, Nice and Antibes.

Monte Carlo is a fun city to explore in its own right.

🔎  Read more: A day in Monte Carlo with kids

Monte Carlo, Monaco and the P&O Cruises Azura ship in the background

La Spezia, Italy

We loved this port stop and from here you could take trips to – Florence, Pisa or the fantastic excursion we took to the Cinque Terre.

Civitavecchia, Italy

The port stop for Rome or the beaches.

🔎  Read more: Colosseum in Rome with kids, Rome in a day and the best things to do in Rome with kids.

Ajaccio, Corsica

Here you could find out more about the tortoises in one of only three tortoise sanctuaries around the world or explore Ajaccio or the interior of Corsica.

We then had another day at sea to rest our feet and relax before the final port stop.

Cadiz, Spain

My favourite port stop, Cadiz is a beautiful Spanish town packed full of character. From here you could also discover take excursions to Seville.

And then two more days at sea to enjoy the restaurants and entertainment before being dropped back at Southampton.

Two weeks of adventure and fun exploring the Mediterranean with P&O cruises on Azura – our verdict

We absolutely loved our time on Azura. This i sa beautiful ship that has so much to offer families it’s hard to know where to begin.

We felt really well catered for on board from the three year old up to the grown ups. And P&O is a classy, friendly company that really is brilliant at cruises.

The Mediterranean itinerary was also fantastic and we visited the Colosseum in Rome, played in the same park as Napoleon as a child in Corsica, visited Europe’s largest aquarium in Lisbon and watched the monkeys playing in Gibraltar.

We ate tapas in Spain, pizza in Italy, custard tarts in Portugal and chips in Gibraltar.

Some of our favourite memories were simply being on board together, watching jellyfish from the balcony and strange looking Sun Fish coming to the surface.

But I think the stand-out memory has to be pulling into Gibraltar and watching literally hundreds of dolphins jumping and diving in the sea right in front of us. A magical, emotional moment that none of us will ever forget.

What an amazing, wonderful time and we’ve done it all in two weeks.

Watch our video of our time on our Mediterranean with P&O cruises on Azura

We hope you’ve enjoyed our review of the Mediterranean with P&O cruises on Azura.

You can find out more about P&O Cruises at their website here and don’t forget to check out our ultimate guide to cruising with kids.

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A travelogue diary of our time travelling on Azura

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