Azura - Good idea for Germans and other questions

[carlmm]

I am considering a Canary Islands cruise aboard the Azura in March.
Is this a good idea for a German? I have enjoyed my frequent trips with Cunard, will it be very different with P&O?
How comfortable is it for solo travellers? Shared tables? Socializing? 
How long is there live music in the evenings? Well frequented bars?

[lebreos]

P&O is less formal than cunard. There are options for shared tables on freedom dining - or club dining if available on that ship. There are single traveller meet ups on the daily program. Depends on the ship but venues, atrium, some bars have live music until late. Id say the bars are quite busy until 10 -11pm. I hope  that helps - only ever travelled as a couple or family myself.

[tring]

You will find the vast majority, if not all, passengers will be British rather than an international clientele, (I think Cunard have a lot of Americans, though not travelled with them ourselves).  The only onboard language is English as you will no doubt expect.  I understand prices are a lot more expensive on board Cunard with service charges added as well.  No evening room service on P&O now and a lot of people seem to think standards are not as good as on Cunard, but P&O is fine by us and is good value for money.  There are formal evenings when the MDR and certain bar areas need formal attire, but only once or twice a week now.  On other evenings, smart casual is requested in the MDR  

 

The flights from the UK are included in the price of the P&O fly cruises, (apart from a few last minute cruises when flights are not available anymore), and there is no discount if you take a cruise only without the flight - it is not clear if you live in the UK or on Germany.  You will find a number of single travellers on the ship, but we only travel as a couple, so cannot comment any further on that.

 

Edited January 12 by tring

[molecrochip]

P&Os stats say that they carry 95% British guests.

You may know that the Carnival family have their brand focused on German passengers, Aida. Aida carries 98% German passengers.

 

Don’t’ let the stats put you off as all are made very welcome whatever nationality.

 

[GOQ]

13 hours ago, carlmm said:

I am considering a Canary Islands cruise aboard the Azura in March.
Is this a good idea for a German? I have enjoyed my frequent trips with Cunard, will it be very different with P&O?
How comfortable is it for solo travellers? Shared tables? Socializing? 
How long is there live music in the evenings? Well frequented bars?

My main comment here on your query "How comfortable is it for solo travellers".

I first started cruising with P&O  as a "Solo Traveller" just after corvid in 2021 and in that time I have done 7 cruises with P&O and I have another 6 cruises booked, so obviously I like P&O as a Solo Traveller. Some points:

 

1. The solo traveller cost supplement  is very reasonable compared with other cruise lines.

2. P&O list a solos meetup in the daily news sheet Horizon every day, usually tea and coffee are provided so you get to meet other solo passengers and make friends.

3. Apart from dinner, when you visit the dining room for breakfast and lunch you are asked if you would like to share a table, if you say yes you get to meet lots of nice people to socialise with. The restaurants staff are very good and when they realise you are by yourself will place you with other solo cruisers. Also they get to know you and call you by your first name when entering the restaurant, I always get to be called Mr Paul or even Sir Paul.☺️

4. Dinner might be either Freedom dining, dine when you wish but the approach will be the same as breakfast and lunch do you want to share, or club dining where you are allocated a time and table for each night. P&O tend to group singles on the same table, so again over the cruise you make friends.

5. Being non British will not be a problem, it might even be an advantage as everyone well in the solos groups anyway, will want to make a fuss of you. You will be welcome.

 

I don't know what cruise you are on, but I will be on Azura in March, I am an old unsteady bloke with a beard, on a stick bouncing off walls.

 

 

Edited January 12 by GOQ
Added

[Fionboard]

3 hours ago, GOQ said:

My main comment here on your query "How comfortable is it for solo travellers".

I first started cruising with P&O  as a "Solo Traveller" just after corvid in 2021 and in that time I have done 7 cruises with P&O and I have another 6 cruises booked, so obviously I like P&O as a Solo Traveller. Some points:

 

1. The solo traveller cost supplement  is very reasonable compared with other cruise lines.

2. P&O list a solos meetup in the daily news sheet Horizon every day, usually tea and coffee are provided so you get to meet other solo passengers and make friends.

3. Apart from dinner, when you visit the dining room for breakfast and lunch you are asked if you would like to share a table, if you say yes you get to meet lots of nice people to socialise with. The restaurants staff are very good and when they realise you are by yourself will place you with other solo cruisers. Also they get to know you and call you by your first name when entering the restaurant, I always get to be called Mr Paul or even Sir Paul.☺️

4. Dinner might be either Freedom dining, dine when you wish but the approach will be the same as breakfast and lunch do you want to share, or club dining where you are allocated a time and table for each night. P&O tend to group singles on the same table, so again over the cruise you make friends.

5. Being non British will not be a problem, it might even be an advantage as everyone well in the solos groups anyway, will want to make a fuss of you. You will be welcome.

 

I don't know what cruise you are on, but I will be on Azura in March, I am an old unsteady bloke with a beard, on a stick bouncing off walls.

 

 

Good summary. I have been travelling solo for a long time, all types of holiday, but exclusively cruising for the past 10 years or so. It is definitely the best option for solos, especially on the smaller ships. 

[Winifred 22]

3 hours ago, Fionboard said:

Good summary. I have been travelling solo for a long time, all types of holiday, but exclusively cruising for the past 10 years or so. It is definitely the best option for solos, especially on the smaller ships. 

I would agree. I have done many cruises solo and it’s the only type of holiday I would take as a solo. 

[carlmm]

@lebreos @tring @molecrochip @GOQ @Fionboard @Winifred 22,

 

Thank you all for you valuable input!

 

Everything sounds encouraging.

[HalifaxYorksCruiser]

Suggest you avoid last week of March as that will be first week of School Easter holiday.

[Interestedcruisefan]

13 hours ago, carlmm said:

@lebreos @tring @molecrochip @GOQ @Fionboard @Winifred 22,

 

Thank you all for you valuable input!

 

Everything sounds encouraging.

Go for it. Just avoid the school holidays