Deck Space

[Teepers]

Can anyone advise what the deck space is like on Azura?

We usually sail on Oceana but our Cruise out of Malta this year has been cancelled. We have re-booked for the end of next August on Azura. However, looking on line at photos and video clips it appears to be really crowded on the open decks! The retreat is not an option as our son will be 17.

Has anyone any advise for quieter areas of the decks to chill and read on sea days?

Thank you

[Manoverboard]

Our one and only cruise on Azura, back in 2010, went to the Canaries. It rained every day until we reached Gran Canaria and then seemed to rain thereafter. We had a SDL balcony cabin and that was the only space where we could sit, every available spot was taken up within the ship. If you have nice weather it should be a much better experience.

Fingers crossed

[Stephen]

It's a case of just looking and parking Teepers. There is always a quiet space to be found on any ship. Obviously it can depend on factors such as time of day, and of course when there are tours and allot of passengers are ashore you shouldn't have much problem finding a nice area.

[david63]

Has anyone any advise for quieter areas of the decks to chill and read on sea days?

A lot will depend on the passenger demographic for the cruise but being August I would expect there to be quite a few children (of all ages) and probably many younger passengers than you would get in March.

If that is the case then I would expect the pool areas to be very busy and quite honestly the way they put the sunbeds out (sardines have more room!) they are areas that I would avoid. If you look at the deck space away from the pool areas then you should have little problem in finding some quiet(er), less crowded spaces.

[Teepers]

We don’t tend to go anywhere near the pools - sardines and seals spring to mind!

Just somewhere sunny where we can relax, read, listen to music with a glass of something sparkly and watch the sea or view.

I’m sure we will be fine.

But any other tips re Azura would be greatly appreciated.

[Mervyn and Trish]

As others have said it can get crowded close to the pools but less so elsewhere and we always use our balcony anyway unless we're actually swimming. Most balconies on Azura and Ventura are bigger than Oceana, especially if you go for the D Deck Superior Deluxe Cabins that we like (and I know Stephen does too) or the C Deck standard balconies.

I never understand why some people laying fully clothed reading a book or asleep feel the need to be right by the pool. I wish they'd reserve the first row or two by the pool for those who are swimming to dry off in the sun after.

[Kendhni]

We were on the last Azura cruise and had no real problems finding sun loungers. There are many areas giving a lot of choice
- the deck outside the retreat (our favourite)
- the upper deck
- around the main pool
- at the cinema screen
- at the rear
They all got busy but we usually found loungers were we wanted them - maybe not our first choice of spot, but they are there.

[Kendhni]

One tip I will give you is to book Sindhus early

[Manoverboard]

.... and don't even think about going for coffee 'n' cake if it's raining

[Stephen]

As others have said it can get crowded close to the pools but less so elsewhere and we always use our balcony anyway unless we're actually swimming. Most balconies on Azura and Ventura are bigger than Oceana, especially if you go for the D Deck Superior Deluxe Cabins that we like (and I know Stephen does too) or the C Deck standard balconies.

I never understand why some people laying fully clothed reading a book or asleep feel the need to be right by the pool. I wish they'd reserve the first row or two by the pool for those who are swimming to dry off in the sun after.

Merv, I'm pretty sure C deck cabins have a bigger balcony but standard cabin size on Ventura and Azura. They always looked bigger, certainly on Ventura when I look up from our D deck SD cabin. Unless my old mincers are playing tricks on me

[screwy]

We’ve had both c & d SD cabins and can confirm C deck balconies are bigger. We always go for C deck.

[Mervyn and Trish]

As others have said it can get crowded close to the pools but less so elsewhere and we always use our balcony anyway unless we're actually swimming. Most balconies on Azura and Ventura are bigger than Oceana, especially if you go for the D Deck Superior Deluxe Cabins that we like (and I know Stephen does too) or the C Deck standard balconies.

I never understand why some people laying fully clothed reading a book or asleep feel the need to be right by the pool. I wish they'd reserve the first row or two by the pool for those who are swimming to dry off in the sun after.

Merv, I'm pretty sure C deck cabins have a bigger balcony but standard cabin size on Ventura and Azura. They always looked bigger, certainly on Ventura when I look up from our D deck SD cabin. Unless my old mincers are playing tricks on me

They have. I meant C Deck standard balcony cabins also have big balconies. Indeed bigger than D Deck. Huge.

[Manoverboard]

With sun and shade to sit / lie in ... and not overlooked like the ones on D Deck are.

[towny44]

We’ve had both c & d SD cabins and can confirm C deck balconies are bigger. We always go for C deck.

The other advantage of C Deck over D, is that C offers shade and sun at about 50/50, but D balconies have no shade at all.

[Manoverboard]

Is there an echo .....

[towny44]

Is there an echo .....

Ta
That will teach me to read a thread to the end before I reply, but unfortunately I am a slow leaner.

[Stephen]

We’ve had both c & d SD cabins and can confirm C deck balconies are bigger. We always go for C deck.

The other advantage of C Deck over D, is that C offers shade and sun at about 50/50, but D balconies have no shade at all.

Depends if you want more cabin space or more balcony space. As for shade on D cabins, never had a problem.

[Ray B]

C deck cabins balconies are 89 Sq ft(9ft x9ft) the first 5ft is covered by balcony above.
D deck balconies are 49 Sq ft
Standard balconies are 46 Sq ft

[Mervyn and Trish]

We’ve had both c & d SD cabins and can confirm C deck balconies are bigger. We always go for C deck.

The other advantage of C Deck over D, is that C offers shade and sun at about 50/50, but D balconies have no shade at all.

Depends if you want more cabin space or more balcony space. As for shade on D cabins, never had a problem.

It's the cabin space that clinches it for us.

[gilly88]

C deck cabins do not have extra beds though.

[Stephen]

The other advantage of C Deck over D, is that C offers shade and sun at about 50/50, but D balconies have no shade at all.

Depends if you want more cabin space or more balcony space. As for shade on D cabins, never had a problem.

It's the cabin space that clinches it for us.

Same here

[towny44]

Depends if you want more cabin space or more balcony space. As for shade on D cabins, never had a problem.

It's the cabin space that clinches it for us.

Same here

Not a problem for us, accessible cabins are 50% bigger than standard anyway.

[barney]

We don’t tend to go anywhere near the pools - sardines and seals spring to mind!

Just somewhere sunny where we can relax, read, listen to music with a glass of something sparkly and watch the sea or view.

I’m sure we will be fine.

But any other tips re Azura would be greatly appreciated.

Sun deck or aqua deck are always the quietest Teepers.

We also cannot understand the need to be squashed around the pool area

There are nice quiet areas if you search them out.

We tend to do the same on land based holidays.

Should you opt for a balcony cabin, the C deck ones are a very good size, assuming the sun is in the right position.

[screwy]

C deck cabins do not have extra beds though.

Yes they do, they have the Pullman bunks.We had one in October on Ventura.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Depends if you want more cabin space or more balcony space. As for shade on D cabins, never had a problem.

It's the cabin space that clinches it for us.

Same here

I need somewhere to keep out of the way while Ma'am slaps on the war paint for dinner.