Two weeks of adventure and fun exploring the Mediterranean with P&O cruises on Azura. This is the perfect way to spend a holiday with kids. If you’re considering a Mediterranean cruise with P&O Cruises on Azura, this detailed review covers everything from cabins and food to entertainment, kids’ clubs and port stops – all from a real family perspective.
We fell in love with cruising when we travelled on P&O’s Ventura around Italy and Croatia. So we were really excited to be back again on board Ventura’s sister ship, Azura.
This time for a two-week cruise around the Mediterranean. And we had been counting down the days for the voyage to begin.
We are total cruise converts, really believing that cruises are perfect for families. They’re an opportunity to explore destinations around the world and still have time to come together as a family and relax.
For families looking for a stress-free holiday where everything is organised, cruising offers a fantastic balance of adventure and relaxation.
Why not see our complete guide to cruising with kids
👩💻 About the author – Nichola is a family travel expert and has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, Lonely Planet Magazine and Wanderlust, amongst many others. She’s spent over a decade travelling the world with her children, finding the best places for you to explore too.
*AD / This post contains affiliate links & as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also have been compensated in this post either financially or with products / stays. To read more see our Disclosure Policy.
Table of Contents
Life on board P&O’s Azura – our cabin – Mediterranean with P&O cruises on Azura – two weeks of fun, our review
As a family of five, we had two cabins (a maximum of four people can be registered to any room). And we took a superior balcony room and an inside cabin.
This is a great way for a larger family to travel. We primarily spent time in the balcony room but liked having the additional space of the inside cabin.
If you’re travelling as a larger family, booking two cabins on P&O Azura is a really practical solution and gives everyone a bit more breathing space.
The superior balcony cabin had a really good sized bedroom area.
And a lounge area which, during the day contained a large sofa and seating area.
While we were at dinner in the evening this would be transformed into a sleeping area for the children.
The balcony was a great space to sit out and read on the warm Mediterranean days.
Having a balcony cabin really enhances the cruise experience, giving you your own private outdoor space to enjoy sea views and quiet moments.
And the bathroom was a really great size with a bath, shower over it and lovely White Company products.
In addition, there was a dressing area with wardrobe space and drawers. And within the room we had two televisions – one for the bedroom area and one for the lounge.
There was a fridge and lots of drawers as well as an area with a kettle and mugs.
We really felt that the superior balcony cabin was a great space for families.
Across the hallway we then had our inside cabin which had two single beds.
The room also had a bathroom with a shower and the same White Company products and a dressing area.
Food on P&O’s Azura
The food on board P&O’s ships really is outstanding, it’s like eating in a five-star restaurant every single night.
We ate so well.
Food is one of the standout features of cruising with P&O and Azura absolutely delivers in terms of quality, variety and choice.
There is fixed time dining – where you’re given a time and a dining room to be at every evening. Or freedom dining where you can choose which time to visit but are allocated a restaurant.
The Peninsular
We opted for freedom dining and each evening would wander down to The Peninsular restaurant for fantastic three-course meals.
There was never a wait to be seated and the space was large and airy.
We also ate here for lunch on many of the ‘at sea’ days.
There was everything at The Peninsular from mushroom stroganoff to Portuguese sardines and cauliflower tempura to roulade of plaice. The food was delicious.
They have a separate vegetarian menu – although there is always a veggie option on the main menu which changes daily. And they can deal with many food allergies and intolerances, bringing out the same quality food with separate chefs who just deal with specific diets.
And there were some delicious desserts including creme de cacao chocolate pot and mango and kiwi pavlova.
The children had their own menu (including fish fingers, chips, pasta, grilled salmon etc) or they could choose from the main adult menu.
Children’s Tea – Mediterranean with P&O cruises on Azura
There was also a brilliant children’s tea on board between five and six pm. This had sandwiches, hot foods, cookies, cheese and biscuits, juices, cakes and ice cream.
Our children would often go to this and then run off to the kids’ club and we would eat as a couple.
This is such a great feature for families, giving parents the option to enjoy a quieter dinner while children are happily fed and entertained.
Breakfast
We loved breakfast in the Peninsular where the children would always have the smoothie of the day and then bowls of fruit, cereal and occasionally pancakes.
I was in love with the veggie breakfast which had vegetarian bacon, sausages, sautéed potatoes, grilled tomatoes and sausages. What a way to start the day.
Meals included in the cost of our Mediterranean with P&O cruises on Azura
It’s worth saying that all of these are included in the cost of the cruise. Ao no additional charges for these amazing meals.
This all-inclusive style of dining makes budgeting for your holiday much easier and adds to the relaxed experience onboard.
As if these dining options weren’t enough there were a number of other places you could dine on board. These included a complimentary pizzeria on the top deck, a grill station for burgers and fries and also a 24 hour buffet style option in the Verona (again both complimentary).
Pay exta meals
In addition to this, there were some options you could pay a little extra for. These included American-style the Beach House which served some great American-style classics like fajitas and pulled pork with wonderful ocean views.
There is also Marco Pierre White’s Epicurean on board. This was an amazing 7-course meal of fantastic food.
The menu is playful and absolutely delicious and we sat having such a memorable meal whilst looking out over the coastline of the Cote d’Azur.
And there’s wonderful Asian-inspired food from Atul Kochar.
We absolutely loved our meal here which was subtle but at the same time packed full of flavour. I think this was my favourite meal of our time on board.
These speciality restaurants are well worth trying for a treat meal during your cruise.
The entertainment on board P&O’s Azura –
Kid’s clubs
To start with there’s a fantastic range of Kid’s Clubs in the Reef which are sorted by age group from two year olds right up to teenagers.
Our children spent quite a bit of time here and there was always something different going on. From superhero days to chocolate .
They took part in arts and crafts, quizzes, sports activities and discos. The kid’s clubs are completely free, included in the cost of the cruise and a great way for them to make friends on board.
And they’re great for being entertained on sea days or in the evenings if parents want to eat alone or take in some entertainment of their own.
It is a wonderful provision and the staff are fantastic at keeping the pace just right. Older children can get to enjoy time on Xboxes and Playstations too.
The Reef kids’ clubs are one of the biggest reasons why P&O cruises are so popular with families.
Pools
There are also six swimming pools on board from a small children’s pool to the main ones on the top deck.
Sea days were often spent by the pool, relaxing, swimming and enjoying the sunshine – a real highlight of the cruise experience.
Other entertainment – Mediterranean with P&O cruises on Azura – two weeks of fun, our review
There was so much entertainment on Azura with free workshops. For example on using your digital camera to dancing and from yoga to chats about each of the port stops.
There was so much going on in the evening and we caught comedy, musicians and brilliant tribute bands.
For those who enjoy sports, there was a full gymnasium and there was also a basketball court and golf practice nets.
We loved the shuffleboard which we played on sea days.
Or if you just want to be pampered there was a huge spa with every range of treatments going.
There really is something for everyone on board, whether you want to be active, entertained or simply relax.
Azura’s shops
Azura’s range of shops had everything you could need and more.
There was a provisions shop with sweet treats, toys and games. It also had anything you might have forgotten from toothpaste to the washing powder we bought to use the free washing machines.
There was also ‘The Wardrobe’ for clothes, a perfume and cosmetics shop and a fantastic jewellery shop.
We really liked the library on board where you can check out books (or swap your own with fellow passengers on the table placed outside).
Our children loved picking out books and taking them back to the cabin to read. They even have kindles you can borrow.
The port stops on P&O Azura two week Mediterranean Cruise
One of the biggest benefits of a Mediterranean cruise is being able to visit multiple destinations without the hassle of packing and unpacking.
This was our ship’s itinerary. After departing from Southampton we spent a day at sea before stopping at Vigo.
Vigo, Spain
Vigo is a beautiful Spanish town, green and breezy. Here you could take excursions to Santiago de Compostela, Cies Island Nature Reserve or the charming fishing town of Bayona La Real.
We loved wandering through Vigo and stopping for some tapas in the town. This is definitely one we would return to spend longer in.
Also see our complete guide to Spain with kids for more.
Lisbon, Portugal
The Portuguese capital didn’t disappoint. And you could take excursions to visit to the Medieval town of Obidos or the popular resort of Cascais as well of lots of opportunities to explore Lisbon itself.
We love this city.
🔎 Read more: A three day itinerary for Lisbon and our top things to do in Lisbon with kids.
Gibraltar
Here we really enjoyed this quirky British region where we stood and looked out over the mountains of Africa.
It was possible to take excursions around the rock or go out dolphin watching in the sea.
🔎 Read more: A day in Gibraltar with kids
At sea
We then had another day at sea to swim in the Mediterranean sunshine on deck and relax a little before stopping at –
Monte Carlo, Monaco
From here you could explore the towns of the Côte d’Azur including Cannes, Nice and Antibes.
Monte Carlo is a fun city to explore in its own right.
🔎 Read more: A day in Monte Carlo with kids
La Spezia, Italy
We loved this port stop and from here you could take trips to – Florence, Pisa or the fantastic excursion we took to the Cinque Terre.
Read our complete guide to Italy with kids
Civitavecchia, Italy
The port stop for Rome or the beaches.
🔎 Read more: Colosseum in Rome with kids, Rome in a day and the best things to do in Rome with kids.
Ajaccio, Corsica
Here you could find out more about the tortoises in one of only three tortoise sanctuaries around the world or explore Ajaccio or the interior of Corsica.
We then had another day at sea to rest our feet and relax before the final port stop.
Cadiz, Spain
My favourite port stop, Cadiz is a beautiful Spanish town packed full of character. From here you could also discover take excursions to Seville.
Read our guide to the best things to do in Seville with kids.
And then two more days at sea to enjoy the restaurants and entertainment before being dropped back at Southampton.
Two weeks of adventure and fun exploring the Mediterranean with P&O cruises on Azura – our verdict
We absolutely loved our time on Azura. This is a beautiful ship that has so much to offer families it’s hard to know where to begin.
We felt really well catered for on board from the three year old up to the grown ups. And P&O is a classy, friendly company that really is brilliant at cruises.
The Mediterranean itinerary was also fantastic and we visited the Colosseum in Rome, played in the same park as Napoleon as a child in Corsica, visited Europe’s largest aquarium in Lisbon and watched the monkeys leaping about in Gibraltar.
We ate tapas in Spain, pizza in Italy, custard tarts in Portugal and chips in Gibraltar.
Some of our favourite memories were simply being on board together, watching jellyfish from the balcony and strange looking Sun Fish coming to the surface.
But I think the stand-out memory has to be pulling into Gibraltar and watching literally hundreds of dolphins jumping and diving in the sea right in front of us. A magical, emotional moment that none of us will ever forget.
What an amazing, wonderful time and we’ve done it all in two weeks.
Watch our video of our time on our Mediterranean with P&O cruises on Azura
We hope you’ve enjoyed our review of the Mediterranean with P&O cruises on Azura.
Overall, this Mediterranean cruise with P&O Azura exceeded our expectations and confirmed why cruising is such a brilliant option for families.
If you’re considering your first family cruise, Azura is a fantastic place to start.
FAQ – P&O Azura Mediterranean cruise
Is P&O Azura good for families?
Yes, with kids’ clubs, pools, entertainment and family-friendly cabins, it’s an excellent choice.
What is included on a P&O cruise?
Accommodation, main dining, entertainment and kids’ clubs are all included in the price.
Is a Mediterranean cruise good with kids?
Absolutely – it combines sightseeing with relaxation and plenty of onboard activities.
You can find out more about P&O Cruises at their website here and don’t forget to check out our ultimate guide to cruising with kids.
Oh WOW I would love to go! The ship looks amazing, the cabin really plush and comfortable and the food excellent. My brother i marketing director for a cruise line so maybe one day….
It really was amazing – the Azura is a beautiful ship. I hope you get to cruise soon – it’s such a great way to travel as a family!
Ooh we adore cruising and reading your post brought it all back from our past holidays! We have sailed on Ventura and were on the Britannia in March this year during its maiden season. There was an Epicurean restaurant on the Britannia too but I didn’t realise it was Marco’s restaurant! No wonder it was so posh! We did go to Marco’s restaurant on the Ventura – The White Room. I could read your post all day long – so many happy cruising memories:-)
Oh lucky you!! I was on board Britannia for the naming ceremony and thought it was so beautiful, I would love to cruise on her. Thank you so much for your lovely comments – it’s great to hear from someone else who loves it as much as we do!
So much blue! I’ve never been on a cruise but I can definitely see the appeal, especially with everything on offer for kids. You’ve really sold it! What an experience!
WOW what an absolutely amazing sounding time, I have never been on a cruise but I often think about it. x
I echo the others in wow. My only problem is the 4 people in a room – I would need at least 5 of us. I do keep considering a cruise but my boys are travel sick and not sure if they’d be affected.
This cruise sounds great – and you stopped at so many interesting places. I went on my first cruise last year and really enjoyed it.
That looks amazing – we are going on a cruise next year and are so looking forward to it
Going on a cruise is something that has always appealed to me – just need to get ourselves booked onto a ship 😀 Perhaps for one of our wedding anniversaries!
wow I can’t believe you got to stop and experience so many places! the video is fantastic! I also had no idea the cabins were so big, that’s brilliant x
Oh wow! A cruise appeals to me but sadly not to my husband. Maybe I should make him read this and see if he can be converted.
It looks like you had an amazing time. How wonderful. I think I’d like to go on a cruise now x
We’ve been bitten by the cruise bug, been on 4 cruises so far! Never been on P&O though and it definitely looks worth a try
OOOH I wouldn’t mind going on a cruise it looks very luxurious
looks amazing, you have sold me to cruising and this sounds perfect! gorgeous video at the end, you guys did so much!
We had such a great time Nisbah, so much to see and do! Thank you!
Really enjoyed reading this and got me in the mood for our 2nd trip on Azura. The first was 1 wk in Norway which was amazing and going soon on 14 day med cruise. Superior rm with a balcony is a must, we loved it. And i never wanted to go on a cruise !
Thank you! I was the same, never sure about cruising but now I’m hooked! Have a great 14 day one on Azura….we loved it so much!