Azura refit

[Hobson1754]

I believe that Azura is going in for a refit in April - does anyone have information as to what this refit may entail, bearing in mind I’ve seen a lot of posts stating that she’s in need of a lot of TLC! We’re booked to go on her next January & the forthcoming refit was a part of the reason I chose Azura over another cruise on Britannia.  

[2BACRUISER]

Well it cant be major refit as shes due to go to the baltic on 17th may? 

Edited February 1, 2020 by 2BACRUISER

[Harry Peterson]

This might help - picked up on Facebook a couple of days ago, where it didn't go down too well!

 

 

[Hobson1754]

Thanks for that.  I would assume (or hope) that they will also be addressing the source of the bad smell I’ve read about in a few posts.

[Britboys]

13 minutes ago, Hobson1754 said:

Thanks for that.  I would assume (or hope) that they will also be addressing the source of the bad smell I’ve read about in a few posts.

Never assume anything with today's P&O 😁.  I would hazard a guess that she is not in as bad a condition as some reviews suggest.  I have often seen reviews saying that a ship is falling apart and then sailed on them shortly afterwards and not noticed anything significant.  It sometimes feels like some people wander around a ship looking for faults.  Azura is a 10-year-old workhorse of a ship, so perfection is a high expectation.  There have been so many new ships constructed over the last few years that some people expect everything to look like a new pin.  That's not to say P&O are 100% with regard to general maintenance - they're not - but I have never sailed on one of their ships and thought it was really in need of urgent attention.

[Harry Peterson]

30 minutes ago, Hobson1754 said:

Thanks for that.  I would assume (or hope) that they will also be addressing the source of the bad smell I’ve read about in a few posts.

That’s one of the key concerns on FB, where that smell is a major topic. I’ve experienced the smell (basically raw sewage), and it’s not pleasant. It’s apparently been going on for years, and it’s odd that it’s not mentioned in the refit - though that would involve an acceptance that it exists!

[Hobson1754]

9 minutes ago, Britboys said:

Never assume anything with today's P&O 😁.  I would hazard a guess that she is not in as bad a condition as some reviews suggest.  I have often seen reviews saying that a ship is falling apart and then sailed on them shortly afterwards and not noticed anything significant.  It sometimes feels like some people wander around a ship looking for faults.  Azura is a 10-year-old workhorse of a ship, so perfection is a high expectation.  There have been so many new ships constructed over the last few years that some people expect everything to look like a new pin.  That's not to say P&O are 100% with regard to general maintenance - they're not - but I have never sailed on one of their ships and thought it was really in need of urgent attention.

Yes I think you’re probably right.  Whilst on Britannia we did meet some moaners but didn’t think there was a lot to moan about. We also met a lot of people who were singing praises of Azura (even some of Brittania’s crew) which prompted us to book on her so think she can’t be that bad even now.

[grapau27]

4 hours ago, 2BACRUISER said:

Well it cant be major refit as shes due to go to the baltic on 17th may? 

Refit is from April 3rd 2020

[P&O SUE]

I’m going in October so looking forward to seeing her all spruced up. She is the ship I’ve sailed on the most and I’ve only once noticed the slight smell (near the art gallery?) but I haven’t cruised on her since 2016.

I would hate that smell if it was anywhere near my cabin so can understand concerns but we’ve always had lovely holidays on her. Let’s hope it’s sorted.

[terrierjohn]

There was a recent post on FB, a reply from P&O, giving some details which included major carpet renewals, new cabin furnishings, including curtains and bedding, but I can't remember everything and can't find the post now either.

[Harry Peterson]

5 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

There was a recent post on FB, a reply from P&O, giving some details which included major carpet renewals, new cabin furnishings, including curtains and bedding, but I can't remember everything and can't find the post now either.

I’ve posted it above. 

[Mewat]

We are on Azura on 3rd May, just before the Baltic cruise on 17th, and I believe there is also one other cruise before ours - so not a lot of time for anything major.

 

Should hopefully looking pretty good when we go though😊

 

Michele

[terrierjohn]

25 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said:

I’ve posted it above. 

Sorry Harry I missed your post.  However it looks like a very in depth refresh, but no mention of tracking down the infamous smell.

[Son of Anarchy]

I think the refit is scheduled to take two weeks.  We were on Arcadia before she went in for a refit and they did a talk about what happens.  A lot gets done.  Crew stay on board, and contractors are embarked at Southampton.  Over to Hamburg, work starts en-route.  At Hamburg pots, pans & crockery go into an on-shore dining facility so that the restaurants and galleys can be deep cleaned/refitted etc.  The crew & contractors stay on the ship re accommodation.

 

Whilst we were on that pre-refit cruise, some contractors joined the ship doing behind the scenes stuff.  On disembarkation day, contractors were boarding before we got off, some were already measuring stuff up.  When we went to actually get off, we noticed that the lower section of the MDR was already set up for buffet style service and the all the fruit machines were out of the casino.

 

We're on Azura the day she returns from refit.  We did the TA in October and also noticed the sewage smell a couple of times on deck, but also one day inside the ship.  We were on B deck aft and the smell, which was pretty foul, was around the lift area.  Didn't extend to our cabin, but may have affected those cabins near the lifts.  Only lasted for a day, certainly they hope resolve it.

[davecttr]

They will be doing the usual mechanical stuff and the rest is basically what we call redecoration. I can't see any major changes as the ship already has all the usual venues etc.

 

[Harry Peterson]

38 minutes ago, davecttr said:

They will be doing the usual mechanical stuff and the rest is basically what we call redecoration. I can't see any major changes as the ship already has all the usual venues etc.

 

You’re right, I’m sure, but on the strength of our experiences last year it needs a lot more than that. I’d assumed, obviously incorrectly, that these refits included refurbishing cabins and suites to a good standard, but perhaps not.

[jeanlyon]

I have to smile.  We were on her 3 months after her launch.  Most of the public loos were out of order.  We had a flood on the deck with the buffet.  Maybe they never cured it?

[Clodia]

I've been on Azura 4 times and always enjoyed it; she's really the only one of the larger ships I like. Booked for May 31st after the refit and looking forward to that. I don't have a clue why, but I like Azura and absolutely hate Ventura which is supposedly so similar.

[AndyMichelle]

If they get her up to the current standard of Ventura since her refit, everybody should be happy. 

We found her in very good nick throughout at New Year. 

Andy 

[majortom10]

1 hour ago, Clodia said:

I've been on Azura 4 times and always enjoyed it; she's really the only one of the larger ships I like. Booked for May 31st after the refit and looking forward to that. I don't have a clue why, but I like Azura and absolutely hate Ventura which is supposedly so similar.

We are very similar have sailed on Azura 5 times including maiden cruise and always had excellent cruise. We sailed on Ventuta maiden and have never been on her since.

[majortom10]

There was no P&O ship worse than Oriana for defective toilets and buckets catching water and on one occasion left our cabin and the whole corridor for about 50yds  was covered in plastic sheeting including floors, walls and ceiling and water everywhere. But did the "traditionalists" moan about P&O selling her when she was well past her sell by date.

[Britboys]

12 hours ago, majortom10 said:

There was no P&O ship worse than Oriana for defective toilets and buckets catching water and on one occasion left our cabin and the whole corridor for about 50yds  was covered in plastic sheeting including floors, walls and ceiling and water everywhere. But did the "traditionalists" moan about P&O selling her when she was well past her sell by date.

But I guess it is hit & miss depending on which cruise you are on.  I have sailed Oriana more than any other P&O ship and only once saw a significant problem - which was actually in my cabin!

[majortom10]

2 hours ago, Britboys said:

But I guess it is hit & miss depending on which cruise you are on.  I have sailed Oriana more than any other P&O ship and only once saw a significant problem - which was actually in my cabin!

We only cruised on her twice and had major problems on both cruises. One affecting the ship regarding water leaks and defective toilets throughout the ship for the whole of the cruise and the second was a more significant problem with our cabin which they failed to rectify for the whole duration of the cruise even after many complaints from me. On returning home received a phone call from a senior manager in Southampton who apologised profusely and without any prompt from me offered me significant compensation as she knew I had an excellent case if I took further legal action.

[Britboys]

1 hour ago, majortom10 said:

We only cruised on her twice and had major problems on both cruises. One affecting the ship regarding water leaks and defective toilets throughout the ship for the whole of the cruise and the second was a more significant problem with our cabin which they failed to rectify for the whole duration of the cruise even after many complaints from me. On returning home received a phone call from a senior manager in Southampton who apologised profusely and without any prompt from me offered me significant compensation as she knew I had an excellent case if I took further legal action.

Sorry to hear of your poor experience.  When I couldn't get any cold water in my cabin, although it took them a few days, they did move me to another cabin.  Oddly, the original cabin was actually relatively new - having been in the previous children's facilities area.  No problems on my other 5 Oriana cruises I am pleased to say.

[majortom10]

3 hours ago, Britboys said:

Sorry to hear of your poor experience.  When I couldn't get any cold water in my cabin, although it took them a few days, they did move me to another cabin.  Oddly, the original cabin was actually relatively new - having been in the previous children's facilities area.  No problems on my other 5 Oriana cruises I am pleased to say.

We never had clean water in our cabin in either shower or taps for whole cruise. They didnt do anything until the last morning of the cruise when we went for breakfast bathroom floor was flooded with brown liquid being soaked up by towels and tools everywhere but no workman. They just didnt want to know for the whole duration of the cruise and we were glad to see the back of Oriana she should have been baked bean cans years ago