Azura November 14

Just returned from Caribbean Cruise aboard Azura. Can highly recommend service, catering, cleanliness and overall standard of accommodation. New ‘restricted smoking areas’ policy of P & O is especially welcome. Previous cruises have been spoiled by clouds of smoke billowing across our balcony and public areas aboard both Azura and Ventura. Smoking is now banned from cabins and private balconies and this seems to be working. I would like to see this extended to all enclosed deck areas, including the Promenade Deck, but no doubt this would set up a howl of protest from those addicts who have to sneak out of the nearby dining rooms for a quick drag between courses.The itinerary was excellent, but St Vincent (our first time here) was a disappointment. A fleet of water taxis was on hand to transfer to a nearby beach which was dirty and very overcrowded. To be avoided at all costs. The arrangements to tender ashore at Tortola-a new cruise pier is under construction-was particulary impressive. How P & O managed to get 3000 souls ashore and back again so efficiently was staggering. As usual, P & O’s flights, transfers and ground arrangements were of the highest order. We flew by Thomson Dreamliner from Manchester. Great airplane, shame about the dreadful food and poor service.