Nice ship, needs refurb

P&O’s service to the Caribbean is second to none. We flew out on a chartered Dreamliner with Thomson Tui Airways and were transferred straight from the plane to ship in Barbados, with our baggage arriving at the cabin later. We quickly felt at home on Azura. It is similar to Ventura, and to a number of ships in the Princess fleet. Tailored to the British market with British bacon and sausages at breakfast, Sky News on TV, and tea maker in every cabin. Pity the only teas on the ship were PG Tips – not a luxury statement, and even in the “authentic” Sindhu Restaurant, Indian teas like Darjeeling and Assam were not available. The ship is looking tired in both public areas and cabins, and the planned refurbishment for 2020 needs to be extensive. Dining generally ok, but with most passengers now going for Freedom dining, there was always a wait. In the Peninsular Restaurant, tables for two are mainly in rows of seven or eight, uncomfortably close together. Once seated, service is fairly rushed – more fast food than fine dining. Wait staff are clearly told not to engage with diners, although they are perfectly pleasant. For a relaxed meal, you need to pay the extra and go to Epicurean, Sindhu, Beach House or The Glasshouse – all of which are excellent, but add to your costs. The food is better too. Overall a good average for P&O, which lacks the rather more “premium” feel of Celebrity or Princess.