We’ve just come back from a 2-week Canary Islands cruise with P&O Cruises on Azura and honestly, this trip completely changed our opinion after a few disappointing post-Covid cruises. This was a bit of a “last chance” for them… and they absolutely smashed it.

The service from start to finish was exceptional. It finally felt like the P&O we used to love. Yes, the cabins are a bit dated, but they’re perfectly functional – and let’s be honest, if you’re spending loads of time in your cabin on a cruise, you’re doing it wrong. They’ve clearly invested in the areas that actually matter, like the bars and restaurants, and that’s where your holiday really comes alive.

The food was delicious throughout. We’re not big breakfast people so only went a handful of times, but every time it was quick, friendly, and spot on. And for the first time ever on any cruise we’ve done… the toast was actually edible, which says a lot!

There were some extra hygiene measures in place during the first week due to illness on the previous sailing, but it was all handled really well. Nothing felt over the top or intrusive. Just small, sensible things like menus not being left out, salt and pepper removed from tables, and constant cleaning of handrails and lift buttons. The cleaning team worked incredibly hard and it never once impacted our enjoyment.

Entertainment-wise, there was always something going on. The party band Pulse were hands down the best we’ve ever seen on a cruise. James on electric guitar was a standout moment of the whole holiday, and Lucy, the lead singer, was just incredible. Would love to see them again on future cruises. If live music wasn’t your thing, there was still loads to do – quizzes, shows, and we especially loved spending time in Manhattan.

What really made the holiday though was the bar staff. They were on another level, and there are three people who genuinely made our trip unforgettable.

Christ in Manhattan was just amazing – always smiling, always friendly, and nothing was ever too much trouble. Even though I ordered something different pretty much every time, he handled it effortlessly. We kept going back mainly because of him. He’d always stop to say hello wherever we saw him around the ship, despite clearly being rushed off his feet most of the time.

Zidane in the Glass House was such a character – always singing when bringing drinks or food and making everyone laugh. What really stood out was how he made the effort to learn and use people’s names instead of the usual “sir” or “ma’am”. It’s such a small thing, but it made a big difference.

Marlou, also in the Glass House, was just a genuinely kind and thoughtful guy. Always up for a chat and gave us some great wine recommendations that we probably wouldn’t have tried otherwise.

Honestly, the whole teams in both the Glass House and Manhattan were faultless. You could tell they cared and took pride in what they were doing.

We’re so glad we gave P&O one more chance because this cruise reminded us exactly why we loved cruising with them in the first place. We’re already booked again for next year and can’t wait to be back onboard.