Azura to the Greek islands

[Ray B]

Here are my thoughts from Azura.
We took the P&O option to fly jet2 out of Stansted. Bag drop and boarding the plane went smoothly but it was a bit cramped in the seating.After picking up our bags at Malta airport, there were plenty of P&O people guiding us to the lorry for the bags and then on to the coaches.
Check in at the ship was a breeze then made our way to the ship and logged in at our muster station.
Once in the cabin the cases followed not long after and all was put away before dinner.


[ ] So how was Azura looking after her dry dock. We were in balcony cabins on deck 10, C deck, all the outside was gleaming white with no rust visible. It looked as if most of the carpets had been renewed, certainly they had in our cabin. In the shower room a new basin had been installed to replace the tired old looking ones.
A lot of the public areas had new carpets and no doubt a freshen up as didn’t notice anything bad that caught the eye which was looking tatty.
Only entertainment we have done is Pulse the resident band in Malabar and on top deck with various singers. We watched those participating in the silent disco on top deck, it was more noisier than an ordinary disco.
I have been very pleased with the evening meals in the MDR and our two lovely waiters, they do spend time with you and have a chat and a laugh.
Weather has been Hot Hot Hot.
To be continued.

[Stephen]

Have they stained the balcony hand rails yet Ray. When we were onboard not long ago the whole ship length of the hand rail had been sanded down and left.
We to had replacement basin in the bathroom but it must have been a Friday afternoon fit as the edging tiles along the back of the basin were missing leaving unhygienic gaps.

[Ray B]

Hi Stephen from Kefalonia, rails have varnish and our basin is nicely finished.
The bucket was out in the piggery catching drips coming from the ceiling, other than that, not noticed anything else.

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[Stephen]

Enjoy Ray.

Kefalonia is beautiful

[Portsmouth]

Good to read about your first day onboard.....great to hear you have such nice waiters

[barney]

Cheers Ray
Also on C deck balcony in five weeks for the repositioning cruise.
Malta to Tenerife

[Ray B]

Returning to the new basins, not all cabins have them.My daughter and granddaughter are three cabins along from us and the have the original basin which is in a tidy order. The new basins do not have a slot for the tissue papers.

[Ray B]

So to continue.
At 78 in a few days time, as some of you know at this age, drinking alcoholic drinks is not the same as 40 year's ago. I have said to Sarah, when you say I have had enough that's it. I have been very good so far and kept to that. She knows that if I have half a bottle of tonic left, I don't like to waste it and put another gin with it and call it a day.
Now here is where I let my halo slip, Caribbean Dinner.
I should think that there were less than 50 at the dinner. We had a table of six and they were great fun, and we started clinking glasses with the sparkling wine and then the red wine came along. It was like every time I took a sip the wine, the waiter refilled the glass. The more I tried to drain the glass the wine waiter filled it, it was impossible to beat him. It was at this point when Sarah was not amused, I was steadily getting a bit merrier
We were by a long shot, the last to leave the restaurant, as the waiters waiting to set the table for evening dinner.
The afternoon was spent laying back and resting and sobering up ready for dinner followed BY THE PENISULAR CLUB PARTY. I have been given instructions that at dinner tonight NO alcohol to be consumed.
This is were I finish as it's time to get the glad rags on for tonight's formal evening events.
To be continued.

[Stephen]

You know your big mistake Ray..........you brought Sarah along on the cruise. Doesn't she have some washing and ironing she could have been getting on with back home

Just looking for my tin hat.

[CaroleF]

You sound to be having a great time! I'm the same age and I certainly can't drink as much alcohol as n I was younger. I find that if I stick to Champagne or possibly a Crement or Prosecco I'm ok. Not so good with white wine and definitely not red wine. I used to love red wine, especially with beef or a steak, no more I'm afraid. At the Caribbean lunch on Arcadia that my sister-in-law went to back in June we were unlucky in that we were put on a table for 6 but two were no shows. The other couple were Mr. and Mrs. Miserable and Discontented. The husband was complaining about all sorts of things, the wife just looked miserable. They were happy to respond to our questions but didn't start any conversation of their own. So whatever we mentioned about the cruise, the ship, the crew, there was always something to moan about. What was really annoying was that the table next to us, a table of eight, were obviously having a wonderful lunch. The food and drink were great but not, I'm afraid, the company!

[Ray B]

Carole, sounds like you had the fun table
I don't know what I would do on a table like that.

As for Stephen, I will pass on your suggestions to Sarah for her consideration.

[Ray B]

True as my word, no wine at dinner. The Penisular Club Party had a lot more members attend, and I had a couple of G&Ts, although the drinks didn't seem to flow as the dinner did.
Anyhow, the Captian was welcomed in and it was just about ,where all the P&O ships were, and then the cruiser with the most nights followed by the draw, made by the Captian, both winning the big bottle of bubbly. A word of thanks to the members for continued support of P&O and that was it. No news or other information.
Another very warm evening so we went to top deck where the Sax player was doing his turn. We enjoyed the evening there before we turned in for the night, the Clocks going back one hour.
[ ] Final port of the first week was Catania, Sicily. The town as a whole doesn't have much going for it IMO, but there are some nice squares and shopping streets. Maybe most of it's history was destroyed by Etna, we enjoyed a few hours looking around before rejoining Azura and our next port Valletta.
[ ] We dined in Sindu's, and really enjoyed the meal, but, time and money has dictated the service now.
[ ] In the early years it was all a bit of theatre, a young girl would introduce herself to say she would be serving us tonight and looking after our needs.
[ ] A folding table would be set next to your table,and an assistant would bring the tray of food, the assistant would pass the dishes to the waitress who would present each dish and a description of it would follow.
[ ] Now, our waiter said hello and took our order, the food was brought in and set down with another table between us, and the food carried two dishes at a time and set down on our table a description of the food was then given.
[ ] It didn't have the, you were special, service of old.I know, things do change.
[ ] We are off for a stroll into beautiful Valletta today.
[ ] Any questions, feel free and I'll try to answer
[ ] If none, I'll do more scribbles.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Bring on the scribbles. We liked Valletta, a highlight of our land based Malta holiday last year.

[Stephen]

We also liked Valletta, but not in June. Waaaaay too hot for me.

[Ray B]

For followers of 'the bucket ' it was to be found in the Costa Coffee catching more drips.

[Ray B]

Well we finaly made it to Athens, we had been before but just explored Piraeus. We decided not to go up the hill on a tour, but took the HoHo bus to the Parthenon.
It costs 20€ and you are dropped at the Base of the hill . A nice park to stretch the legs and slightly down hill from the bus is a restaurant with what must be one of the best views ever. Have a beer/ coffee and admire the Parthenon from your table and take photos. If you are worried about walking this is the place for you. People with walking difficulties get the bus and enjoy the world heritage site from the restaurant.
Back on the bus, the queues can be long but they move quickly, and back at the Port.
So far the food has been good at dinner and we'll presented, I have no complaints in that department, a vast improvement.

[Portsmouth]

For followers of 'the bucket ' it was to be found in the Costa Coffee catching more drips.

Am I going to be the only one
Perhaps you can say what colour the bucket is and if it's a large or small bucket ?

[Portsmouth]

I see you're in Mykonos today.....What a lovely port to be stopping at

[Ray B]

It certainly is Pompey, you can certainly get yourself lost in the narrow alleyways that go in all directions. We are now having lunch at a bar overlooking the windmill houses, it's all very nice. But, a 330ml beer at 12€ is a tad on the expensive side, I think I'll just be having the one.
I've taken note of your bucket request, and will certainly report back on further sightings.

[Portsmouth]

Quick question.....formal nights were the majority of men in suits or were many with tux & bow ties in the restaurant & bars ?

[Ray B]

Formal nights were well attended more by the men, as in a dinner suit they do look smart. As for the ladies, it may be their frocks etc may be to much for the weight limit on the aircraft, I have seen a better turn out for ladies. Strict rules applied in bars if no correct dress code.
The lonely sun lounger is in operation and if caught after 30 minutes, your belongings are removed to the table of shame.

[Onelife]

Formal nights were well attended more by the men, as in a dinner suit they do look smart. As for the ladies, it may be their frocks etc may be to much for the weight limit on the aircraft, I have seen a better turn out for ladies. Strict rules applied in bars if no correct dress code.
The lonely sun lounger is in operation and if caught after 30 minutes, your belongings are removed to the table of shame.

It sounds like the Staff of Azura should be in charge of UK illegal immigration

[Stephen]

I can never understand a woman’s idea of dress code on formal nights and how they always seem to get way with it. Men on the other hand are turned away for the slightest thing being incorrect.

I’ve yet to see a woman turned away from a bar or restaurant for being incorrectly attired on a formal night.

[Onelife]

I can never understand a woman’s idea of dress code on formal nights and how they always seem to get way with it. Men on the other hand are turned away for the slightest thing being incorrect.

I’ve yet to see a woman turned away from a bar or restaurant for being incorrectly attired on a formal night.

I don’t know if this is the case but it could be that on formal nights men have the choice of three outfits e.g. Dress suit, suit, or jacket trousers, whereas women can mix and match with any outfit of their choosing…besides you would have to be a brave man to turn to a woman and say…” Hey! darling, that outfit looks bloody awful".

[Stephen]

I suppose you could call jeans and a tatty old cardy or a skirt up your a*se with your tits hanging out formal attire……not.

And I’d have no qualms telling her that looks bloody awful…….from a distance and preferably near the door.