Azura – Western Mediterranean May 2014

#1

So, a fantastic 14 days of cruising and came back thoroughly relaxed. We picked this one because of the ports of call, not so much the main ports of call but more on the lesser known ones we had not visited before. Now, you will see from the review we did a lot of walking and with the temperature during the day at our ports varying between 21 – 24C, it was perfect for a nice stroll, any warmer and we would have struggled in the heat, as we did in Rome in July. The evenings were a little colder with a brisk wind and this stopped us doing our normal stroll around the prom after the main evening meal, but with the amount of walking we did whilst in ports I was quite grateful.

Anyway back to the Cruise.

First Port of Call – A Coruna: what a beautiful place and a very easy DIY destination. We disembarked at 9 am and feeling fit walked straight through the town to the far side. Here is a nice beach if you fancy a swim. We followed the road around to the right and up the hill passing the Aquarium and kept going until we reached the Tower of Hercules, a 2000 year old light house, still working. You can go to the top but the desk was not open, so after a stroll around its base we then walked around the extensive gardens to its front and side. After this we carried on around the bay for a short while and headed back through the old town to Maria Pita Square where we stopped for a drink and some tapas, 4 tapas, 2 wine and a water €12. A little more exploring of the town, some shopping and we boarded Azura at 2pm for a 3pm sailaway. There is a lot to do here, unusual statues to find and plenty of tours available for the DIY person if that is what you want, but nearly everything is within walking distance, except the lighthouse, it is a fair way from the ship and if you do fancy the walk, do not follow the road around to the right, go the way we did much shorter.

Onto – Gibraltar: We had been here once before, but because it was our 20th Anniversary we stayed on ship and pampered ourselves. However, this time we disembarked at 8:45 am and walked into town, very straight forward, only one road and it took us about 20mins. A cool drink in Casements and catch our bearings, and off we went to the Alameda Gardens, another 30 mins walk, passing the Trafalgar Cemetery and the Cable car into the gardens, these are beautiful, in full bloom and nice to walk around in the shade. If you have never been here give it a try. Along the way we saw some of the crew, they were doing the rock run for Macmillan Cancer trust, rather them than me. After a pleasant stroll we walked back to town, a little shopping, bought a Pewter Monkey from a silver shop, only €7, a little souvenir. Saw lots of passengers in the local Duty Free shops stocking up for the voyage and a few coming back from the Morrisons Supermarket near to where the ship berths carrying carrier bags of stuff. Sailaway was at 1:30pm.

Onto – Villefrache: This is a Tender port. Now this was a change, P&O had swapped Ajaccio, our intended 3rd port and Villefrache, intended 5th port, around and the first we knew was in the information pack. The reason we believe was the Monaco Grand Prix was the week we should have visited and there could have been a problem with the crowds. Anyway, it did not spoil another fantastic port.

Again, for all you cruisers an easy DIY. Monaco, Monte Carlo, Nice are all within striking distance and the train station is not a far walk, and many went off to them, we stayed around the port. As you get off the tender there is a Tourist Information centre for maps etc. If you want a swim, follow the road around to the right from here and about 10min away is a nice beach with amenities just behind it. The streets are narrow and mainly on a hill but they are very pleasant with lots of little niche shops and cafes. We visited the Citadel and found there was a flower and craft show on, entrance fee a massive €0 and an abundance of colour. There are also great views over the town and small museums inside, also free. There is a little train that goes around the town but we did not try. The trip is not that long. It was at the first stop when we got off the tender and by the time we had walked to the beach, here it passed us, and back it was back at the first stop. I forgot to mention that just outside the drop off point for your tender is a flea market, anything and everything. Sailaway was at 6pm.

Next stop – Liverno and for us Florence: Here was our only P&O excursion. Florence On Your Own, £44pp. So, coach into the city, this took 1 ½ hrs, from the drop off point a short walk brought us to Santa Croce square and we were on our own. Now, I already had a route planned, and I knew it was Monday, why you ask, well most of the big museums are shut on a Monday, something many of the passengers on our coach did not know, it does pay to do some research. Our first walk, I told you we did some walking, took us to Piazza Michelangelo, now this is a long walk, uphill all the way and many many steps, but worth every step. From here the views over the city are fantastic and you can see almost every site and building, there is also a copy of the Statue of David here. This place does get packed but there is still plenty of room to walk around, take in those views and of course the photo opportunities. For the less able the HOHO bus comes up here and there are taxis, but I do not know the prices. The tour coach does come this way after you are picked up at the end of the day, but it does not stop for photos, just a straight drive past with the guide pointing out the views. No chance of taking photos because the road is about 50 mts from the viewing point with many people in between, much to the disappointment of the passengers, but you need to book a place to stop, even for 10 mins and this is not included in the Florence On Your Own tour.

A walk downhill via the Gardens of Boboli and the Pitti Palace, again beautiful gardens well laid out. Just down from here we stopped for lunch, 2 large pizzas, 2 wine, water, tea and coffee €16, the prices of meals in the main areas are very expensive and you do not have to go too far away to find good deals, our small restaurant was 100 mts from Ponte Vecchio Bridge in a small square, Pza Felicita. After our meal we walked onto the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, leave your credit cards on the ship, followed by a stroll through the shopping district towards the Duomo, a beautiful Cathedral building built with marble. By now the queues to go into the main buildings & museums that were open were getting longer and longer, but we were quite happy with outside views, next onto Piazza della Signoria, statues of David, Hercules, Fountain of Neptune, Perseus & Medusa head to name but a few. Then back towards our pick up point in Santa Croce square, here we stopped for a coffee and cake in a small side street. We were met at 4pm and taken back to the coach arriving back in Livorno at 5:45pm. A fantastic day, Florence is a very easy DIY all the main attractions are within walking distance of each other with the exception of Piazza Michelangelo. To prove a point our walk around the city was a total of 3 ½ miles, according to Google, but you do need to plan your visit; there is so much to see. Sailaway was at 7pm.

Next Port - Ajaccio: Another DIY location. You arrive into a lovely harbour and berth very close to the town with plenty of bars and restaurants facing the sea, although there is some building work being done here at present. We disembarked at 8:45am and exited through the Tourist Information place and onto the main road. Opposite you will find the little train, and this time in we jumped, €7pp for a short trip around the town with a 20min stop for photos at the statue of Napoleon. Now, if you did not know Napoleon was born in Ajaccio when you arrive you will defiantly know by the time you leave, his statues are everywhere. The train is well worth the money. There is also a tourist bus here. After our train ride we took a quiet stroll around town and on the far side, left off the ship, is a small beach. What I did notice was in every park, and there are a few, there is free Wi-Fi. There is also free Wi-Fi in the shopping centre just outside the port. Sailaway was at 4pm.

Barcelona: Depending on what you want this again is a DIY stop. The ship will berth far away from the town, so either a shuttle or taxi is needed. Now if you are thinking about a taxi from the port they do charge a premium, about €10 extra.

Us, off ship at 9am and took the shuttle to town, everyone’s cruise card is swiped on getting onto the coach, Select/Saver, and you are dropped off near the World Trade Centre from here if you want the town it is a 10 mins walk to the bottom of Las Ramblas near the Christopher Columbus monument. We picked up a taxi to Parc Guell, €15, we did look at the HOHO and Metro but for us and our plans this was the better option. Parc Guell: the main park is free to explore, however, if you want to go into the monumental zone there is now an entrance fee of €8pp. We planned our arrival to be about 9:45am, it opens at 10am. This proved to be a good idea and after purchasing our tickets we walked straight in. The rule is you can enter at your given time only and can stay as long as you like, but when you leave you cannot re-enter, tickets are checked. After opening only 400 visitors can enter every 30 mins. There is some beautiful architecture and quirky areas in there and it shows how Gaudi thought and built, worth a visit. When we decided we were leaving the zone was packed.

Now, this is where we made a small error of judgement. We decided in our wisdom to walk back via Sagrada Familia and then onto the Ramblas. Seemed a good idea at the time, downhill, stops on the way, but although overcast it is about 5 miles and we were a little tired and hot at the end. Jennifer wanted a jewellery box from Corte Ingles so a small detour here after which we made our way back to the Shuttle point, cards swiped again and back to the ship. Sailaway was at 5pm. I must point out at this time we were on a select booking so no charge was added to our account for the shuttle.

Finally it was Cartagena: If you want to see steering a ship at its best get on top for the sail in, it is like threading a needle. The entrance to the port is very narrow, through two break walls and the captain/pilot has to guide the ship on a zigzag course through the harbour entrance to your berth.

Another easy DIY port of call. When you get off the ship go to the information booth for a map and then take a gentle walk, to the centre. We had nothing planned and just let the day take us. In town we found the entrance to the Museum and Roman Theatre, a ticket costs €6pp, you start in the museum and walk through the history of the theatre this leads you through passages and into the roman theatre were you are free to wander around at your leisure. After leaving here we wandered the back streets and came across a panoramic lift, €2pp to the top, including the castle gardens, but we combined this with a trip to the castle as well, €4.25pp. At the top of the lift you get out onto a viewing platform with some limited views over the city, however across the passageway, open to the elements and you need a head for heights, you come to the gardens. We made our way to the castle and from here you have great views over the town and your cruise ship in the harbour below. A short walk back through the gardens and into town where we stopped for a meal, just off the main streets, 4 tapas, small beer and water €14. There are plenty of small tapas bars around so take your choice. Now with the attractions you can combine tickets so if you are thinking about 4 museums the cost is €12pp, 5 museums is €15. A little digress here, that night in dinner we were talking to a couple who went on the Tapas Trail with P&O and could not praise the trip enough and thought it was good value for money. This consist of a walking tour along the sea front, a stop at 5 tapas bars for a tasting dish at each, followed by a visit to the roman theatre, cost £45.50pp. We did the same walk along the front and into town, visited the theatre, the castle (not included in tour), had tapas, ok maybe not as many, for a grand total of €34.50 for both of us. P&O’s trip in euro was €112 per couple, a slight difference. We did not have the heart to tell them. Sometimes it pays to DIY. Sailaway today was at 6pm. This was a good old British sailaway with the entertainments team leading the way. It was very well supported by the passengers and a good sing along and flag waving time was had by all. Next stop Southampton.

The Cruise: Our second time on Azura and it does not fail to please. Lots to do in the day and a good evening’s entertainment package. Leon de ste Croix was our Cruise Director.

Room: I always go down early to try and drop off our hand luggage. Azura means C deck cabin. This time our steward Ritesh said if we wanted we could access our cabin straight away as long as we kept quiet, so we were in our cabin by 1:15pm, cases arrived soon after, we were almost unpacked, missing one case, and sorted by the time the announcement came that cabins were now ready. Last case arrived at 2:30pm.

Dining: No issues at all. We dined Freedom, our second time doing this and a much preferred option because you can enjoy the sailaways and get ready at leisure. Dined in Sindhu twice, Glass house twice, Trattoria once. It was our first time to dine in Trattoria and would recommend this to anyone. However, it opens at 6:30pm, you cannot book and you need to queue, this starts at about 6pm and they only take in the first 20 couples with anyone who is left being informed to come back in an hour. Atul was on board for the first 2 days. Although we ate in Sindhu on day 1 he did not come around the tables. However, he gave a great talk on day 2 about how he got into cooking and did book signing after, so 2 books signed and a photo with him. The food in these areas is of a high quality, Glass House Fish & Chips is 10/10 and we thoroughly enjoyed. The remainder of our time we went to the MDR and I must say that we like the new plated meals option, different accompaniments with every main dish, good choice in the evenings and always hot.

Entertainment: A very good selection throughout the cruise. In the evening we did not see the Headliners preferring the Malabar and Manhattan nightclubs. Out of all the evening artists John Ellis (Elton John) and Andrew Browning (George Michael) stand out, especially when they sang together. The daytime entertainment again was excellent and we saw some good lectures, for us Leon de ste Croix our Cruise Director talks about Astronomy stand out here.

Bars: well we frequented most so enough said about that.

Overall an excellent cruise and we really enjoyed it. We met some fantastic passengers on our trips and in the evening and were a little sad to see Southampton.

On the plus side, for those of you due to travel soon and are worrying about the Gate 4 delay and road works saga, then do not worry. We made our way from the west and just before Gate 4 there is now a filter lane for that gate only, no more going around the park. We experienced no hold up and we were in Ocean Terminal by 12 noon. It was packed.

On arriving back you now leave through Gate 5, again no problems straight out and on our way.

#2

Thanks Peter, enjoyed that - and some great DIY tips

#3

Great review Peter and very useful information for D-I-Y at any of the ports.
Many thanks.
Jenny.

#4

Thanks Peter, we are doing the western med on azura in august. Some good tips for the ports I haven't already done.

#5

Thanks Peter. We were on this trip also and thoroughly enjoyed it. The entertainment was excellent throughout. We did see the Headliners shows and thought them to be the best group we have seen so far.
The comedian Peter Piper went down a storm and most people seemed to love the singer Paul Emanuel.
I found it very easy to get around the ship in both my wheelchair and scooter and managed to get off at the ports (except Ville Franche). We will certainly sail on Azura again.

Val

#6

What a fascinating report Peter. Although we have done most of these ports before there are some interesting tips there for DIY tours. I'll be making a note of them.

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