Helen our Cruise Sales and Loyalty Manager is all prepared for the sales launch of our new cruise ship Azura. Karen and I were giving her some support!
Good Day Everyone,
This is always great excitement with the launch of a new ship, just like a baby arriving - all the hopes and dreams and good wishes that go with the occasion. I had the great pleasure of working on the launch of Oriana and Aurora, and the maiden seasons of Oceana and Arcadia. Apart from the excitement there is a lot of hard work and planning to ensure that all goes well on the day.
Here is a news release that I received today, so I thought I would share it with you.
Itineraries announced for Azura’s maiden programme.
Passengers sailing on P&O Cruises latest superliner Azura will be able to enjoy exotic Indian cuisine from Atul Kochhar in Port Everglades or sip fine wines chosen by Saturday Kitchen star Olly Smith in St. Petersburg. These and many more unique experiences will be available on board the latest addition to the P&O Cruises fleet following her introduction in April 2010 and which will be listed in the Azura preview brochure available from 16 March 2009.
Holidays on Azura can be booked from 30 March 2009.
Azura will be based in Southampton from April 2010 to October 2010, offering holidays of between two and 16 night duration in the Mediterranean, Baltic and Canary Isles. 15 night fly-cruise holidays from Barbados will be offered from October 2010 to April 2011.
P&O Cruises managing director Nigel Esdale said, "For Azura we’ve gone ‘back to the future’. We’re looking back at how travelling at sea really should be; sophisticated, relaxing, indulgent and exciting, whilst we are also looking forward at the same time. Our firsts for P&O Cruises will include an outdoor cinema, an exclusive al fresco spa retreat and single staterooms."
Azura’s maiden voyage departs from Southampton on Saturday 12 April 2010 and is a classic 16 night central Mediterranean cruise featuring calls in Venice and Dubrovnik. Prices starting from £1,524* per person.
An Early Bird price tariff is valid for bookings made before 18th April 2009 whilst on board spending money and free car parking is valid on all bookings up to 30th June 2009.
Azura will feature an Indian fine dining restaurant, Sindhu, the creation of celebrated Michelin starred Chef Atul Kochhar. Sindhu means meeting point, amalgamation or fusion, and the menu will offer a fusion of fine British and Indian cuisine. Dishes such as pan-fried lobster tail in coconut milk and tamarind sauce will tempt passengers through the doors of this – just one of 11 – dining venues on board.
TV wine expert Olly Smith has also been enlisted to help create a new wine bar and restaurant concept – The Glass House. A must for wine lovers, The Glass House menu will feature different wines recommended with each course, all served by the glass and expertly matched by Olly.
The Saturday Kitchen star will act as consultant in the creation of the drinks menus for Azura’s other bars and restaurants and will travel regularly throughout the year to host light hearted tasting sessions in his own irreverent style.
Other highlights of the inaugural programme include:
14-night Baltic cruise, 26 May – 9 June 2010 including two full days in St. Petersburg. Prices starting from £1,529* per person.
29-night Christmas and New Year cruise holiday, 10 December 2010 – 7 January 2011 which calls into Port Canaveral for tours to Orlando, Port Everglades for tours to Miami and two days in New Orleans. Prices from £1,999* per person.
7-night Fjords cruise, 25 June – 2 July 2010. Ports of call include Stavanger, Olden and Geiranger. Prices start at £799* per person.
3-night cruise break, 14 – 17 October 2010 visiting Bruges (from Zeebrugee) and La Havre for tours to Paris. Prices from £264* per person.
Bookings on Azura can be made from Monday 30 March 2009. To order a copy of the brochure and Azura DVD call P&O Cruises on 0845 3 555 333 or to download an e-brochure and book an Azura holiday visit http://www.pocruises.co.uk/ or http://www.pocruises.co.uk/azura
Pack your bags and step on board!!
Best wishes to everyone working on the Azura project for a smooth introduction to what will be another spectacular ship for P&O Cruises. Once again more choice than ever for our customers.
Yours,
James
One Ship, endless Stories
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7 comments:
So it seems Arcadia's path will cross with Azura's Maiden on her way home from next year's World Cruise. I'll have to make do with seeing her from afar then, as I am all booked up for next year. Maybe 2011 - goodness that sounds so far away!
Gill
Just so people aren't disappointed, can I correct the link to the Azura web site to http://www.pocruises.co.uk/azura not http://www.pocrusises.co.uk.azura/
Well spotted. Thanks Peter
James - have enjoyed your blog so much - seeing the trip through your eyes is really interesting.
Very disappointed when I logged on today to find it appeared to have lost the plot and become just another Azura advert!?
We also were disappointed with todays blog which was just an advert. We look forward to your exciting words and photos every day, and can't wait to join you for the 2010 World voyage. It has been interesting seeing behind the scenes. Joan & Roger
It's a shame the Carnival influence has meant that she's not only a clone stamp externally of other Princess vessels and Ventura (i.e - not original like Oriana and Aurora) but also doing repetitive itineraries.
Hi to all on Arcadia, its funny the comments that have been made, as when i first saw Ventura i thought she looked more like a princess ship than a P&O vessel. My evil mind thinks that one day if the Ventura is not so popular with the British market she may be rebadged as a Princess liner?
Anyway still enjoying the blog, enjoy Singapore tomorrow, looking forward to the next instalment.
Geoff Witts Perth
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