Carol Marlow, Olly Smith and Atul Kochhar
Greetings from Azura,
I've just had the pleasure of catching up with Carol Marlow - our Managing Director - after her time on board during the maiden voyage, and wanted to share our conversation with the readers of this blog. I asked her:
Did you have a good time on board?
Yes it was wonderful to be on board and welcome everyone to Azura. We have so many regular passengers on board her Maiden, many of whom I have previously met on our other ships, that it was like a reunion! I also had the pleasure of meeting some newcomers to P&O Cruises, from a young honeymoon couple on their first cruise (congratulations again to them!) to cruisers that have been with other lines but never travelled with us before, so I was able to welcome them too.
How did you think the ship looked?
I was very pleased with the way the ship was looking - our teams on board have done a great job to prepare her for her first cruise, and I was delighted that so many people picked up on the link in style between her and Aurora - we tried to model her as the next Aurora - some really classic touches and rich decor on a very modern ship.
How did you find our new style restaurants on board? Did you have time to try them?
I was able to eat in Sindhu and The Glass House whilst I was on board. And both were spectacular! In Sindhu I enjoyed some dishes I had never had before (normally being a fan of chicken tikka masala at my local Indian restaurant!) so was delighted to discover some new tastes that I am sure will become favourites. I subsequently asked Atul about how they were prepared, and learnt more about the mixing of Indian spices with some of our well known British flavours. In the Glass House Olly suggested a wine I might try, which was delicious, and I had an excellent combination of 3 of the Small Plates - which didn't look very small to me when they arrived (!) plus a dessert with a Canadian sparkling dessert wine - which was very refreshing. So a very tasty meal there too.
Did you see the first Headliners Theatre company show?
Yes I saw most of it (I'll tell you why not all in a minute!) ....... and I thought they were fabulous. The first time performing to a ship full of passengers must always be nerve racking but they looked poised and professional, and as though they were enjoying every minute - which makes such a difference. Our passengers reaction afterwards was delightful, too.
So why didn't you see all the show?
Well, I needed to fly back to the UK from Malaga, along with Olly Smith and Atul Kochhar, but the local authorities closed the port due to high winds, so as you know the Captain pulled a rabbit out of his hat, and we were off to Palma instead and my colleague back in the office kindly rearranged our flights from Palma instead. Then the volcanic dust stopped all flights to the UK, and we were stuck again. Now Olly and Atul definitely needed to get back, as they had some important engagements coming up, so I spent most of Thursday evening on the phone to our emergency service trying to find some flights and a way back to the UK (hence unfortunately not seeing all of the show) . We finally succeeded in arranging a route and after leaving the ship at 9 am on Friday, I arrived back on my doorstep in the UK at 6am on Saturday! Well, on balance I think we did very well considering the press are saying this is the worst disruption to European travel since the second world war! It was a shame we couldn't just stay on board and enjoy the cruise with our passengers, but unfortunately our celebrities have busy schedules!
So, when are you next on board one of our cruise ships?
Oh, very soon. I will be out and about around the fleet over the spring and summer months - to see how our passengers are enjoying their cruising and how our officers and crew are doing. It would be very difficult to do my job well if I sat behind my desk the whole time. (.....And much less enjoyable!). And I also need to be back on Azura again soon, to try all the areas I didn't get round to this time!
Any message for our passengers on Azura's Maiden Cruise?
My best regards, and I hope you continue to enjoy this special cruise, and all Azura has to offer. It was a pleasure meeting up on board, as always. Till next time!
I was delighted that Carol found time in her busy schedule to be interviewed, and I look forward to updating you again from Azura!
Did you have a good time on board?
Yes it was wonderful to be on board and welcome everyone to Azura. We have so many regular passengers on board her Maiden, many of whom I have previously met on our other ships, that it was like a reunion! I also had the pleasure of meeting some newcomers to P&O Cruises, from a young honeymoon couple on their first cruise (congratulations again to them!) to cruisers that have been with other lines but never travelled with us before, so I was able to welcome them too.
How did you think the ship looked?
I was very pleased with the way the ship was looking - our teams on board have done a great job to prepare her for her first cruise, and I was delighted that so many people picked up on the link in style between her and Aurora - we tried to model her as the next Aurora - some really classic touches and rich decor on a very modern ship.
How did you find our new style restaurants on board? Did you have time to try them?
I was able to eat in Sindhu and The Glass House whilst I was on board. And both were spectacular! In Sindhu I enjoyed some dishes I had never had before (normally being a fan of chicken tikka masala at my local Indian restaurant!) so was delighted to discover some new tastes that I am sure will become favourites. I subsequently asked Atul about how they were prepared, and learnt more about the mixing of Indian spices with some of our well known British flavours. In the Glass House Olly suggested a wine I might try, which was delicious, and I had an excellent combination of 3 of the Small Plates - which didn't look very small to me when they arrived (!) plus a dessert with a Canadian sparkling dessert wine - which was very refreshing. So a very tasty meal there too.
Did you see the first Headliners Theatre company show?
Yes I saw most of it (I'll tell you why not all in a minute!) ....... and I thought they were fabulous. The first time performing to a ship full of passengers must always be nerve racking but they looked poised and professional, and as though they were enjoying every minute - which makes such a difference. Our passengers reaction afterwards was delightful, too.
So why didn't you see all the show?
Well, I needed to fly back to the UK from Malaga, along with Olly Smith and Atul Kochhar, but the local authorities closed the port due to high winds, so as you know the Captain pulled a rabbit out of his hat, and we were off to Palma instead and my colleague back in the office kindly rearranged our flights from Palma instead. Then the volcanic dust stopped all flights to the UK, and we were stuck again. Now Olly and Atul definitely needed to get back, as they had some important engagements coming up, so I spent most of Thursday evening on the phone to our emergency service trying to find some flights and a way back to the UK (hence unfortunately not seeing all of the show) . We finally succeeded in arranging a route and after leaving the ship at 9 am on Friday, I arrived back on my doorstep in the UK at 6am on Saturday! Well, on balance I think we did very well considering the press are saying this is the worst disruption to European travel since the second world war! It was a shame we couldn't just stay on board and enjoy the cruise with our passengers, but unfortunately our celebrities have busy schedules!
So, when are you next on board one of our cruise ships?
Oh, very soon. I will be out and about around the fleet over the spring and summer months - to see how our passengers are enjoying their cruising and how our officers and crew are doing. It would be very difficult to do my job well if I sat behind my desk the whole time. (.....And much less enjoyable!). And I also need to be back on Azura again soon, to try all the areas I didn't get round to this time!
Any message for our passengers on Azura's Maiden Cruise?
My best regards, and I hope you continue to enjoy this special cruise, and all Azura has to offer. It was a pleasure meeting up on board, as always. Till next time!
I was delighted that Carol found time in her busy schedule to be interviewed, and I look forward to updating you again from Azura!
Neil
Olly Smith, Ronnie Corbett and Atul Kochhar
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1 comments:
Hi Neil,
Fantastic, I wish I was stuck on board unable to fly home!!!I'd make the most of every minute.It's a shame you missed Malaga, but I much prefer Palma, especially the beach in Palma Nova and eating out in Binnacles.Looking forward to your next instalment.
Normaxx
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