Hi all,

It’s so lovely to read your comments. Thanks so much for taking the time to tell me all of your thoughts.

Azura is on her way to Katakolon in Greece today (we’ll be docking there at about 8am tomorrow morning) and the sun is desperately trying to shine.

I have to say, Azura is incredible at handling herself in unpredictable sea conditions. I find that a lot of ships this size roll a little when the wind whips up the water, but Azura seems to just cut straight through it with very few problems at all.

I hosted a table at the Portunus gold tier lunch today which I always love. In the years that I’ve been hosting tables at this event, I’ve met some of the most wonderful people, eaten some fabulous food, and laughed a great deal.

For those of you who aren’t members of the Gold tier yet, the Portunus lunch is one of the benefits of cruising regularly with P&O Cruises (along with a 10% discount from your onboard account, an invitation to an exclusive cocktail party onboard, dedicated priority check in on arrival, a private embarkation lounge upon arrival, a Portunus gift, and the Portunus Club magazine).

The food today was fabulous and the company on my table was thoroughly enjoyable. Here’s a copy of the menu (which is always personalised for each guest to keep as a souvenir if they’d like to).

Traditional Oak Smoked Salmon, Salmon Terrine & Lobster Medallions
with a light saffron mayonnaise
(V) Tempura of Mozzarella Cheese and Basil leaves
with roasted cherry tomato fondu and avocado salsa
(V) Cream of Courgette and Parmesan Soup
with Ciabatta Croutons

___________

Medallion of Grass Fed Beef
with boxty potato cake and a creamy green peppercorn and brandy sauce
Roasted Halibut Supreme
with creamed leeks, lentils and chorizo stew with a Barolo wine reduction
(V) Roasted Pumpkin and Savoy Cabbage Roulade
With hazelnut gnocchi and a cider cream sauce
____________

Chocolate Delicacies
White chocolate cheesecake, chocolate mille-fieulle and a milk chocolate pannacotta
Selection of British Cheeses with date and walnut bread
Cornish Brie, Stoney Cross, Cashel Blue and Woolsery goats cheese with dried fruits and nuts
____________

Tea & Coffee served with Chocolate Truffle

Argentinean White Wine
P&O Cruises Private Label Verdelho Cristobal
Chilean Red Wine
P&O Cruises Private Label Casa Silva Carmenere Coleccion

I had salmon, beef and cheese (all the calorie free options, obviously! Haha). What an incentive to join the Portunus club isn’t it?!

Sarah Jane (Azura’s Loyalty and Future Cruise Sales manager) has told me that to become a Gold Tier member, you need to obtain 1501 points. (10 points are earned for every night onboard a P&O Cruises ship, and 5 points are earned for every night onboard a Princess Cruise ship or Ocean Village cruise ship. If you ask me, it’s worth it just for the lunch!

In response to some of your recent comments:

Jay – Yes you’re right. Azura is absolutely loved by Aurora/Oriana passengers. She’s got exactly the same kind of personality (very sophisticated, beautiful decor, and a lovely warm atmosphere). She’s just on a bigger scale.

Here’s a couple more pictures of her for you to have a look at.....

Mick/Sue – You’ve picked a wonderful ship and a wonderful itinerary to try out your first ever cruise. Be prepared to be completely spoilt! As soon as most people do one holiday with P&O Cruises, they’re hooked forever. It’s such a wonderful experience to wake up every morning in a different part of the world, and a Baltic itinerary is a real education. We’re visiting some incredible cities during your cruise with us and how lovely to spend 2 full days in St Petersburg in Russia! (always a favourite of mine).

If you want some advice, book one of the evening tours on the first night in Russia (they’re experiences you won’t get anywhere else in the world), and book an extra few days off work for when you get back to the UK. You’ll be trying to see and do so much during your cruise, you’ll need a holiday by the time you get home! :o)

Neil / Norma – As requested, here are a few pointers for a great day in Corfu.....

Corfu makes for a fabulous cruise ship port of call because it’s renowned for being the greenest and most fertile of all the Greek Islands. There are no huge roads on Corfu, so anywhere that you try to get to will take quite some time. Saying that though, all of the twisting, mountainous roads that you do follow, always offer some of the most incredible views at every turn.

I think that pretty much any type of holiday maker could be catered for on Corfu, because within an hour’s drive, you can pass secluded coves, stretches of wild coastlines, big bustling, entertaining resorts (designed specifically for the mass tourism market), quiet fishing villages (that have hardly changed for decades), and old, traditional farming communities that line the picturesque mountain sides.

All of P&O Cruises' ships dock in Corfu Town, which is the capital of the island, and is a beautiful old Venetian town (that’s been declared by UNESCO as a world heritage site). There are 2 fortresses in Corfu Town; the new fort which is the site of the local market nowadays, and the old fort which offers some incredible views (along the coastline and over the little nearby marinas – which are the haunts of many a Greek shipping magnet!).

If you want to head further afield than the pretty Venetian main town with its balconies, park areas, winding flower lined streets, and exquisite architecture, then I’d suggest making your way towards Paleokastritsa.

Paleokastritsa is on the western coast of the island (about 14 miles North West of Corfu Town), and this is probably one of the prettiest holiday resorts on the island. Although it’s home to a few large, popular hotels, the natural beauty of the area means that this place has still retained a very traditional Greek atmosphere. Here are a couple of pictures of paleokastritsa. Look how incredibly clear the water is!

Public buses run from Corfu Town to Paleokastritsa, although if it’s an area that appeals to you, I’d definitely recommend taking a tour instead. Local transport in Greece is somewhat to be desired and although buses may be advertised as a regular service, ‘regular’ means that a bus will arrive at some point that day. It’s a bit of a lottery as to whether you’ll be waiting 5 minutes or 5 hours! – and this is not ideal if you’re on a cruise and have to be back onboard the ship by 17.30!

If you’d generally prefer a half day tour so that you can explore a little on your own during the day too, I’d recommend the ‘Glimpse of Corfu’ tour. This takes you through the Ropa valley (a true emerald gem) to Paleokastritsa, and on a guided walking tour of the old Venetian Corfu Town as well. A fabulous tour for photo opportunities!

Otherwise, if you don’t mind being accountable to a guide for the day, then the ‘Best of Corfu’ tour is just wonderful. This tour is similar to the half day option, but includes, as well, a visit to the Achilleon palace (which will take your breath away if you’re a budding photographer), and a delicious local lunch as well.

If you’re a first time visitor, either of these excursions will give you a lovely overview of the island and they are both scheduled to operate on the day of Oriana’s call in August.

I hope this has at least gone in some way to giving you an idea about what to expect from Corfu. There’s so much incredible natural beauty on Corfu island, that you’ll be spoilt for views in every direction that you turn.

Aurorabore - I've just worked out who DD is. Great news to hear that she's on your favourite ship. I hope she's having a lovely time.

Well I need to go and get ready for a busy day ashore tomorrow, so I’ll finish up now and post another instalment for you in the next day or so. If there are any other ports that you’d like to know about, fire your requests over to me and I’ll offer any knowledge that I’ve got.

Have a brilliant day, and I look forward to hearing all your comments over the next few days.