Drove up to Bristol airport the night before and stayed in the Hilton on the airport.
P&O said that you couldn't use the Twilight Bag Drop on charter flights which was disappointing as it works really well.
While in the Hotel, we spoke to a couple who were on our cruise and were off to drop their cases.
I said that we were told we couldn't and he said the same but was just chatting to a couple who did, so he was going to try it.
We grabbed our cases and joined them and to our surprise, Tui desk accepted them, which meant in the morning, straight to security.
Dinner & sleep.
Excellent start !
The plane took off bang on time (6.00 am) and we were on Azura at 11.30 their time , 10.30 ours. Brilliant !
We went straight to our cabin and dropped off our hand luggage.
Our very accommodating Steward had no problem with that even though our cabin wasn't ready.
Changed into shorts and out to Valletta.
A nice mooch around and back on board about 4.30.
We then heard a tannoy message saying that although the itinerary shows the following day in Malta, the ship was leaving at 5.00am and it would be a sea day.
That was disappointing but we weren't overly bothered.
So, sea day then Catania.
We really likes Catania. I think shabby chic is the best description but very bustling and atmospheric.
Very hot.
Next was Palermo.
Chaotic and manic but great.
We did a Street Food tour which was enjoyable.
Very hot.
Then Cagliari.
Far more upmarket than Sicily.
a middle class town and again we had a good stroll around and liked it.
Very hot.
Sea day and then Palma.
We walked around and enjoyed it very much including the Cathedral.
Very hot.
Sea day then Malaga.
A good old mooch around. A lovely ambience.
Very hot.
Sea day and through the Straits of Gibraltar during the day which is unusual and a great experience.
Very hot.
Cadiz
Couldn't believe it.
Wet and windy.
Still walked about, had tapas and drinks and enjoyed it.
Two sea days to Lanzarote.
First day was a bit cloudy but ok.
Second was clear and hot.
Lanzarote was hot.
Walked around, had taps and was back on board by about 3.00 to sunbathe.
Tenerife for two days.
We spent the day at the Parque Maritime, swimming and sunbathing.
Very hot.
Flew back.
Hour and half delay on the flight.
Arrived back to Bristol to total chaos at the airport because the A38 south was closed due to an accident.
After a long route, we got to the hotel we'd booked , ate and slept.
Drove back the following day.
So, about the cruise.
I'll be honest, we are a bit long in the tooth for much of the entertainment so rarely bother.
We prefer a meal and then drinks either in one of the bars or preferably up on deck.
We saw the Tribute acts who were both very good and a couple of the others, but we are a bit take it or leave it.
The food was generally very good.
We did
Sindhu x 2
Beach house x 2
Glass house x 3
Buffet x 1
The rest in the MDR except for one night.
We'd been sunbathing on the balcony until the sun dropped and then couldn't be bother to go to dinner so ordered room service and ate on the balcony.
Mrs B ordered something called a Bango box or something.
Anyway, it was Indian.
Samosas, Barghis and some other stuff. all very nice.
Then just went for a drink.
We met some really nice people on this cruise. and went to dine a couple of times with the same couple.
Almost everyone we came into contact with was nice and enjoying themselves.
We obviously heard a bit of whinging, but that's normal everywhere now.
Mrs B did encounter possibly the rudest man we've ever come across in our lives on the shuttle bus in Lanzarote.
She held her own.
Top girl !
He did look at bit sheepish when I asked her quite loudly what 'that miserable old bu**er just said'
Summary .
Another excellent holiday.
Good value for money.
Great weather.
Great company.
We're back on in January.
