A few questions about Azura

Hello cruisers

Hubby and I are setting out on our first ever cruise together on the Azura on 30th May and having never sailed with P&O I wonder if any of you could answer a few questions.

It will be my birthday whilst we are away and I'd like to know what kind of shops there are on board. Should hubby bring a sparkly gift with him or could something gorgeous be bought on the ship?

Do people ever wear their Military Mess Dress for formal dining evenings...we are getting very mixed messages from friends and colleagues.

Are there places where we can fill water bottles?

Is there an indoor swimming pool?

Any other tips of things to bring?

Many thanks to any of you who can take some time to give us any information.

There are shops with sparkly things but there will be more choice at home. The answer to 2 is most certainly. Not sure who you are talking to but Mess Dress goes down very well. Fill water bottles in the cabin and put them in the fridge. Or just buy water. No indoor pool

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Thank you daiB,

Some of Hubby's fellow officers think it may seem pretentious for him to wear his Mess Dress and others say he should be proud to wear it....difficult to know what is best. Hubby is not one to 'show off' but likewise is proud of his service.

Thanks for the other information too.

Thank you daiB,

 

Some of Hubby's fellow officers think it may seem pretentious for him to wear his Mess Dress and others say he should be proud to wear it....difficult to know what is best. Hubby is not one to 'show off' but likewise is proud of his service.

 

Thanks for the other information too.

Have definitely seen men in mess kit. Love to see it and I think many others to too. Not at all pretentious.

Tips of things to bring:

a couple or more small fridge magnets to hold up the daily ship's newspaper with details of all the activities, dress code for dinner, all aboard time in port, etc. The cabin walls are magnetic and dressing table/bedside table space at a premium (in a standard cabin - don't know about suites), so if you have it pinned up on the wall it's easy to consult and change every day.

Small extension socket if you can fit it in your luggage. There are not many sockets - 3 I think - so if you have smartphone/camera/iPad/iPod to charge you will struggle. Also I seem to recall not much room between a socket above the dressing table and the dressing table top - we had a battery recharger and it wouldn't physically fit into the socket because there wasn't enough depth between the socket and the dressing table. But P&O ask that passengers don't leave things charging while you go off to sunbathe all morning or go ashore, because of the risk of devices overheating and fires.

Large clips/pegs to hold towels onto sunbeds.

Types of shops - duty free, small shop selling essentials (toothpaste, paracetamol, shampoo, that kind of thing), sweets, souvenirs, books, small selection of electrical goods. Clothes (cruisewear, formal wear). Handbags, jewellery, perfume and cosmetics.

Re sparkly stuff - there is a Pandora on Britannia (don't know if the store has been introduced on other ships) and my daughter did find the prices were quite a bit better there than on land, but don't think other jewellery prices are much different (captive market). P&O do lots of "sales" of costume jewellery (almost certainly bought in for the purpose) during a cruise, but I've never seen a sale of the real stuff.

I've seen several gentlemen wearing mess dress or dress tartan over the course of 3 P&O cruises. They always look fab and attract lots of admiration. Tell hubby to go for it!

Most importantly, remember to have a wonderful time. We really liked Azura and hope you will too. Enjoy your holiday.

Thank you daiB,

 

Some of Hubby's fellow officers think it may seem pretentious for him to wear his Mess Dress and others say he should be proud to wear it....difficult to know what is best. Hubby is not one to 'show off' but likewise is proud of his service.

 

Thanks for the other information too.

Absolutely, wear it with pride!!

Hi

Thank you so much for all the useful information. No going to be sunbathing as we are off to the Fjords but will definitely pack an extension lead and a couple of magnets! We are really looking forward to it all mow...only 17 days to go!

The tap water is perfectly fine and safe to drink. Whatever you do, DO NOT fill up bottles from the water points in the buffet for health and hygiene reasons. The water in the buffet and restaurant is the same as comes out of your taps!

Some people don't like the taste of the tap water (its tastes fine to me!) - if you are at all bothered then boil it first and then when cooled down fill up your own small water bottles and put it in the fridge as someone else suggested.

No going to be sunbathing as we are off to the Fjords

You never know, Norway can shock you with some really excellent weather... :) We did a fjord cruise last year, and the scenery was simply stunning, you'll love it!

My other half wore his kilt outfit for formal night, and it definitely is a conversation starter as he was only 1 of 2 people we saw that was wearing tartan. I'm sure I saw someone in a Royal Navy outfit too, so whilst there may not be many others wearing something similar, definitely go for it! :)

We were on Ventura last year (Azura's sister ship) and in the jewellery shop there was a specialised Pandora stand, there were also some very nice sparkly bits on sale. I see that you are going to Stavanger and Bergen which are largish towns and will have many shops there, but prices in Norway are eyewatering!!!

The other ports of call are very small and are scenic villages with a few artisan shops, premium pricing again.

The fjords was our first cruise 2 years ago, was wonderful and has started us on an expensive hobby! I hope you enjoy yourselves on your cruise and have a happy birthday :)

Regards

Last cruise I went on we had a table for eight. There were two couples travelling in a group with one couple being experienced and the other first timers. Myself and daughter were together and the newcomers said they were not doing jackets and formal which was a pity. On formal night I donned my tuxedo as per usual and sitting there tolerating things with the cardigan men when who should arrive to raise the ante but the missing couple. Man wearing a military tuxedo and mini medals accompanied by his wife. Made my day.

Regards John

100% wear it with pride, shame I'm not on the cruise or I'd be buying the drinks too, can't thank them guys enough!

When we were on Azura I brought my wife a Pandora bracelet and my Mum and Dad brought us a Tag watch each as a 'Honeymoon present'(never heard of that but I wasn't complaining hahaha) and even though they were cheaper, about 10% I'm sure Duty Free prices are supposed to be better than that.

I'd buy water rather than filling a bottle up, there's a few threads about Norovirus, I'd rather pay the extra and stay well.

Enjoy Azura, she's amazing, we're on the Navigator of the Seas in May which is in Southampton on the 21st and 30th and can't wait to see her! (Hopefully, I have no idea where the ships dock)

Dean

Indianabones

Please tell your other half to wear his Military Mess Dress with pride.

On a couple of cruises we have been on seen a couple of our fellow passengers in RAF Mess Dress , very smart.

I always take my Scottish formal wear with me and have numerous pleasant comments from fellow passengers.

Yes there's definitely Pandora on Azura and I think Swarovski too so you will something sparkly :)

Thanks so much for your reply. Better take the credit cards with us!!

I love Pandora...so I will be happy

Tips of things to bring:

 

a couple or more small fridge magnets to hold up the daily ship's newspaper with details of all the activities, dress code for dinner, all aboard time in port, etc. The cabin walls are magnetic and dressing table/bedside table space at a premium (in a standard cabin - don't know about suites), so if you have it pinned up on the wall it's easy to consult and change every day.

 

Small extension socket if you can fit it in your luggage. There are not many sockets - 3 I think - so if you have smartphone/camera/iPad/iPod to charge you will struggle. Also I seem to recall not much room between a socket above the dressing table and the dressing table top - we had a battery recharger and it wouldn't physically fit into the socket because there wasn't enough depth between the socket and the dressing table. But P&O ask that passengers don't leave things charging while you go off to sunbathe all morning or go ashore, because of the risk of devices overheating and fires.

 

Large clips/pegs to hold towels onto sunbeds.

 

Types of shops - duty free, small shop selling essentials (toothpaste, paracetamol, shampoo, that kind of thing), sweets, souvenirs, books, small selection of electrical goods. Clothes (cruisewear, formal wear). Handbags, jewellery, perfume and cosmetics.

 

Re sparkly stuff - there is a Pandora on Britannia (don't know if the store has been introduced on other ships) and my daughter did find the prices were quite a bit better there than on land, but don't think other jewellery prices are much different (captive market). P&O do lots of "sales" of costume jewellery (almost certainly bought in for the purpose) during a cruise, but I've never seen a sale of the real stuff.

 

I've seen several gentlemen wearing mess dress or dress tartan over the course of 3 P&O cruises. They always look fab and attract lots of admiration. Tell hubby to go for it!

 

Most importantly, remember to have a wonderful time. We really liked Azura and hope you will too. Enjoy your holiday.

Have you claimed your forces on board spend ?? Hopefully its not too late for your cruise. Take proof of service career with you to information desk; might get lucky. Take some small pegs for hanging up your unmentionables for overnight drying

100% wear it with pride, shame I'm not on the cruise or I'd be buying the drinks too, can't thank them guys enough!

 

When we were on Azura I brought my wife a Pandora bracelet and my Mum and Dad brought us a Tag watch each as a 'Honeymoon present'(never heard of that but I wasn't complaining hahaha) and even though they were cheaper, about 10% I'm sure Duty Free prices are supposed to be better than that.

 

I'd buy water rather than filling a bottle up, there's a few threads about Norovirus, I'd rather pay the extra and stay well.

 

Enjoy Azura, she's amazing, we're on the Navigator of the Seas in May which is in Southampton on the 21st and 30th and can't wait to see her! (Hopefully, I have no idea where the ships dock)

 

Dean

The thought of contracting norovirus scares me (****)less. If I took my own empty plastic bottles about 100ml size with me, would P+O refill them (with anti-bac gel) when they became empty, after all I would think that it would be in the ships interest to know that all passengers are taking precautions.

If I ever see anyone in a Military Mess Dress I always offer them a drink. He should wear it with pride.

The thought of contracting norovirus scares me (****)less. If I took my own empty plastic bottles about 100ml size with me, would P+O refill them (with anti-bac gel) when they became empty, after all I would think that it would be in the ships interest to know that all passengers are taking precautions.

Never really enquired, but if the gel on board is just anti bacterial, then it's not going to work on norovirus, as the name suggests it's a virus, so you need anti virus.

I use boots antivirus foam when I go to the gym at home. It's anti bac and anti virus, costs about £4. I am considering taking on our cruise week after next. It's not as messy as the gel and claims to give 4 hours protection. I'll still use the gel at meal times and ships gyms as well, because I think you need to be seen to be using it. I witnessed someone on the Ventura once refuse the gel claiming they use their own. But the doubt was there

Never really enquired, but if the gel on board is just anti bacterial, then it's not going to work on norovirus, as the name suggests it's a virus, so you need anti virus.

 

I use boots antivirus foam when I go to the gym at home. It's anti bac and anti virus, costs about £4. I am considering taking on our cruise week after next. It's not as messy as the gel and claims to give 4 hours protection. I'll still use the gel at meal times and ships gyms as well, because I think you need to be seen to be using it. I witnessed someone on the Ventura once refuse the gel claiming they use their own. But the doubt was there

On Ventura, entrance to breakfast area, the crew member dispensing the anti-bac foam was overwhelmed by the numbers making their entrance. Needless a lot of the passengers ,mainly british, by passed the anti-bac station and went directly to the breakfast area. Its people like that who I want to protect myself from. Afterall, 3 days combined to cabin with NV is no joke

On Ventura, entrance to breakfast area, the crew member dispensing the anti-bac foam was overwhelmed by the numbers making their entrance. Needless a lot of the passengers ,mainly british, by passed the anti-bac station and went directly to the breakfast area. Its people like that who I want to protect myself from. Afterall, 3 days combined to cabin with NV is no joke

Thanks so much for your reply. Better take the credit cards with us!!

You will only need the credit card when checking in. Once on board everything you buy will be charged to your onboard account via your cruise card which is your key card and charge card. (For shopping in Norway you will need a mortgage) :eek: