AZURA REVIEW (cruise 22nd April)

[STEPHEN LARKIN]

As an experienced cruiser I was looking forward to sailing with P+O for the first time. I am 49 and was accompanied by my father who is 72, he too is very well used to cruising.

 

We flew in from Northern Ireland at 8.00am and after a breakfast at the airport and a few coffees to give P+O time to get the ship ready we headed for the terminal at 11.30am. Boarding was the usual cattle market you get with all cruise lines - everyone turns up at the same time but to be honest after standing in a queue and weaving up and down the taped lines we were on-board and in our stateroom for 12.30.

 

Right away I noticed that we had no information in the cabin for what was on that day - more important was that we had no notice of when the lifeboat drill was either. ( I got this info from reception myself, the muster station was on the back of the cabin door as per usual)

 

ALL of the service crew were Indian, give or take a few exceptions, this I do not mind on some ships but it was clear to see that they needed a lot of customer relations training - some even had attitude problems.

 

The food on-board was excellent in every restaurant, we had food everywhere except for 17, the reason for this is that they wanted £28.00 for a steak, this I find to not only be extravagant but obscene !

 

Shop staff, Casino Staff and the entertainment staff were all of an average standard and cracked a smile when looked directly in their eyes. The ship was clean and tidy but lacked organisation - some examples are below ;

 

I went to reception to let them know I would need to leave the ship at the earliest possible time when we docked back in Southampton, the gentleman on duty informed me that I would not need any sort of ticket or pass to do this and all the info would be in my cabin that evening. On returning to my cabin I read that I did require to register to leave the ship early and would need documentation - So Yet another journey to reception was needed.

 

On asking the staff for opening times for shops and casino we were told the wrong times over and over again.

 

On the Tender day for Guernsey we picked up a ticket for a tender in Malabar, only to sit and wait for an hour and a half before being called. The captain came on to say that there was a problem with fog and the boats had to slow down for safety. If that was the case why did he not put more boats on ( was this P+O penny pinching again ) Over 1,500 people were waiting in Malabar, the Blue Bar and in the Atrium to get ashore, it was terrible organisation.

 

Security were that slow they nearly fell asleep at their station, I did comment to one that she would need a good shake to waken her up.

 

In general they all need a wake up call, or they will lose passengers.

 

I could go on and on about this and that but I am not the type of person to slag everything off...The entertainment was good, food was excellent, cleanliness was excellent, what P+O have is a new ship with a 20 year old design, they have a stalwart English following that will be happy with a top class Butlins on the sea but P+O do fall very short of Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Fred Olsen and even Princess - their sister company.

 

Will I cruise again with P+O - NEVER ! :cool:

[Josy1953]

As an experienced cruiser I was looking forward to sailing with P+O for the first time. I am 49 and was accompanied by my father who is 72, he too is very well used to cruising.

 

We flew in from Northern Ireland at 8.00am and after a breakfast at the airport and a few coffees to give P+O time to get the ship ready we headed for the terminal at 11.30am. Boarding was the usual cattle market you get with all cruise lines - everyone turns up at the same time but to be honest after standing in a queue and weaving up and down the taped lines we were on-board and in our stateroom for 12.30.

 

Right away I noticed that we had no information in the cabin for what was on that day - more important was that we had no notice of when the lifeboat drill was either. ( I got this info from reception myself, the muster station was on the back of the cabin door as per usual)

 

ALL of the service crew were Indian, give or take a few exceptions, this I do not mind on some ships but it was clear to see that they needed a lot of customer relations training - some even had attitude problems.

 

The food on-board was excellent in every restaurant, we had food everywhere except for 17, the reason for this is that they wanted £28.00 for a steak, this I find to not only be extravagant but obscene !

 

Shop staff, Casino Staff and the entertainment staff were all of an average standard and cracked a smile when looked directly in their eyes. The ship was clean and tidy but lacked organisation - some examples are below ;

 

I went to reception to let them know I would need to leave the ship at the earliest possible time when we docked back in Southampton, the gentleman on duty informed me that I would not need any sort of ticket or pass to do this and all the info would be in my cabin that evening. On returning to my cabin I read that I did require to register to leave the ship early and would need documentation - So Yet another journey to reception was needed.

 

On asking the staff for opening times for shops and casino we were told the wrong times over and over again.

 

On the Tender day for Guernsey we picked up a ticket for a tender in Malabar, only to sit and wait for an hour and a half before being called. The captain came on to say that there was a problem with fog and the boats had to slow down for safety. If that was the case why did he not put more boats on ( was this P+O penny pinching again ) Over 1,500 people were waiting in Malabar, the Blue Bar and in the Atrium to get ashore, it was terrible organisation.

 

Security were that slow they nearly fell asleep at their station, I did comment to one that she would need a good shake to waken her up.

 

In general they all need a wake up call, or they will lose passengers.

 

I could go on and on about this and that but I am not the type of person to slag everything off...The entertainment was good, food was excellent, cleanliness was excellent, what P+O have is a new ship with a 20 year old design, they have a stalwart English following that will be happy with a top class Butlins on the sea but P+O do fall very short of Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Fred Olsen and even Princess - their sister company.

 

Will I cruise again with P+O - NEVER ! :cool:

Everything is subjective, we have travelled 25 times wuth Princess but because the standards have dropped so much over the last few years we have have switched to P&O and Cunard for our last 4 cruises and both lines are in my opinion way ahead of Princess now.

[Bobbyjean]

We were on Ventura last year and would have to agree with you - standards really are quite poor (I can compare it with Royal Caribbean and Carnival (!)) ... not been on any others yet.

 

We hoped that it was a one-off experience and that we were unlucky - but reading things like this suggest otherwise.

 

Our suite was pretty much falling apart - doors which did not catch and swung open and shut all night, broken radio, missing DVD player ... we would have rather been in a balcony cabin which was properly maintained. The staff were hard-working but seemed depressed, as if their jobs were quite miserable and we felt guilty for asking them to do anything.

[STEPHEN LARKIN]

I totally agree with Bobbyjean, the staff seem to be either too tired and unwilling to help or it is just in their nature - they ALL seemed to be quiet/ stand-offish and generally of a poor standard for the job they had to do.

I'm not an American but there is a lot to be said for the old 'tipping' service. Now that we all 'pre-pay' the money they say is shared equally between all staff, somehow I don't think this actually happens, however the old system of giving a waiter a quick $10 dollar bill got you great service while you were in that bar. It also worked for the cabin stewart as he/she tended to interact with you more asking if they could do anything else for you - In the hope of a good tip at the end of the cruise.

P+O You have a staffing issue on Azura and you need to address it. :cool:

[davecttr]

If the staff appear not to be happy being there the company are not managing them properly. Tipping issues are not important as the happiest and most friendly and welcoming crews i have experienced are on Thomson, and they have tips included in the headline price.

 

I have heard elsewhere that P&O staff have been told not to get too chatty with the passengers. It is important to maintain the correct master - servant relationship you know :rolleyes:

 

The passengers are to blame too. Treat the crew like human beings in a respectful and friendly manner and you will get a positive response ;)

[jackieo]

I don't think it is the auto tips that make crew this way. We have just come off the Azura and i felt the difference in crew interaction. We usually travel on princess and the auto tipping has been in places for years (at present $11 a day). The bar staff waiters and rooms stewards are all really friendly, and will go that extra mile for you. As the OP said if you chat with them and we usually enquire about their family, the length of their current contract etc. they at very receptive. We even brought on chocolate for 'trick and treat' last year for our waiters and room steward! A small kindness goes a long way.

[Host Sharon]

I have travelled twice on P&O since auto tipping was put in place and have not noticed any difference. The crew were exemplary and friendly, but this was Oriana, not Azura. i think there can be a big difference between ships.

[kersh]

We have cruised a number of times on Azura. The most recent at the end of March this year. The crew were very friendly and the service was excellent. I do think there is a difference between very short 2 or 3 night cruises and the longer ones. The staff do not enjoy the short cruises as they do not get chance to get to know their pax properly.

 

Our friends were on the same cruise as the OP. they have cruised extensively with P & O, Princess, Cunard and Royal Caribbean. They had a fantastic mini cruise and have not reported any problems. As another poster has said it is all subjective.

 

Sue

[Essexlass2]

i think there can be a big difference between ships.

 

But surely there should not be a difference!

[davecttr]

But surely there should not be a difference!

There may be slight differences but the company should be striving to offer a consistent product on all its ships.

 

Take food for instance. a review might say ???? ship has rubbish food. If the passenger surveys reflect this the company will be down on the executive chef like a ton of bricks :eek:

[teddymouse53]

After reading some of the above posts, I wondered if I was on the same ship. Azura 22nd April yes. I found the staff friendly and very helpful. I had chats with a few. If I needed help (I have mobility issues )I got it without asking most times , with one young waiter coming over and offering to be my work donkey, and carrying my dinner tray and drinks. Staff on recipiention desk were very helpful on the couple oftimes I had to use them.yes you had await for tenders, I waited 20 minutes. Because of rolling fog and the sea being a little unsettled, that was understandable. The only thing I found alittle off putting, was the size of my cabin, but for 3nts, it was bearable. I enjoyed the playhouse acts, Ruthy Hensall was wonderful. As it was during term time, and not many children on board, there wasn't much going on in the Hub for my 12yr grandson to join in with. I hated the way the muster drill was done, being crammed into the playhouse like cattle, it surely didn't fill me with confidence if there was an emergency.

[saltypeer]

Stephen......we were on the same cruise as you and your father and we also did the following 2 nighter aboard Azura.......and we have to say, we totally agree with everything you have said.

 

Our 2 cruiselines of choice are Princess and P&O, and guess what? in that order. P&O is slipping as far as we are concerned. Surly staff, poor choice of food in main dining room, and unorganised reception staff were our main bug-bears.

 

I must praise 3 people though for their terrific service. They are 'Vincy' our cabin steward, George & Vikas our 2 table waiters in Oriental dining room. The rest of the staff, officers and crew included, avoided eye contact and had their heads down whenever they entered public areas.

 

We won't stop cruising with P&O but our preference is most definitely Princess.

 

Pete & Sally.

[Gilpet]

ALL of the service crew were Indian, give or take a few exceptions, this I do not mind on some ships but it was clear to see that they needed a lot of customer relations training - some even had attitude problems.

 

 

I last sailed on Azura three years ago so I was interested to read your review. Sadly, although most of the review was interesting I found the quote above quite offensive - what on earth has the nationality of the service crew got to do with their need for customer relations training?

 

Gill

[daiB]

But surely there should not be a difference!

 

That's because there is no difference. We have been on all the ships in the last 3/4 years and have found no difference at all. We always get excellent service from all the crew.

 

Simple manners works a treat. A please and thank you and a smile works wonders.

 

I know that it is working when the staff use my name as I approach them and are already smiling.

 

In the next 12 month we are on Oriana, Aurora and two cruises on Azura and I guatentee the excellent service will continue.

 

 

 

Gan Canny

 

 

 

Dai

 

:cool:

[daiB]

I last sailed on Azura three years ago so I was interested to read your review. Sadly, although most of the review was interesting I found the quote above quite offensive - what on earth has the nationality of the service crew got to do with their need for customer relations training?

 

Gill

 

Exactly.

 

But the OP has it wrong they are from Goa. P&O have had crew from his country for over 150 years. They are well trained in a college in Mumbai. However there training is to be of service and not to be to familiar, and certainly not in your face as can happen on other ships. However when you show that you wish to be friendly they do open up considerably.

 

 

 

Gan Canny

 

 

Dai

 

 

:cool:

[Cristaltips]

I totally agree with Dai. I have always found the staff to be polite and efficient. We always have a couple of waiters in our regular bars who love a chat and will always know what we are drinking!

 

On the other hand, I have heard the most awful rudeness to them from fellow cruisers and they have to smile and be polite and carry on.

 

I personally can't fault their professionalism

[BandBlady]

Daie

I agree 100% .looking forward to our next cruises , I know I will be greeted by a smile and always always staff remember you .my husband and I always make a point of reading name badges on the staff and calling them by their names .

We were recently on a Princess cruise and left a breakfast table appalled at the way the waiter was being spoken too by a fellow passenger.

Manners maketh a man!!

Happy cruising to all :

[UK Cruiser2]

We too have cruised a few times on other lines. We were on this cruise and found the staff to be not as friendly. In the dining room for example there were no greeting saying "hello I'll be your waiter,my recommendations are"....etc etc I dont think it should matter that it was only a 2 night cruise as in our case first impressions matter. Also we didnt see any staff cleaning handrails,door handles,lift call buttins etc for hygiene reasons. We are always polite to staff and have always been welcomed. On otrher lines even when staff pass you on your travels around the ship always have a greeting,this was lacking on this cruise.

[STEPHEN LARKIN]

Hi Guys,

 

I started this thread so I would like to wind it up with a few points mentioned above. It would seem that we are split 50/50 for those who where actually on-board for this cruise, some agreeing with me 100% and others saying they had an excellent cruise - It would be interesting to know if the latter had many past cruises to compare this one to ?

 

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I will leave you with mine ( this is also aimed at P+O ) :

 

Do you think to crew an entire ship with people from just one nation was wise, I have found that this breeds laziness, contempt, a slack attitude to the work ethic as well as not being fair to other working nations.

 

May I also make it very clear to everyone including Cruise Critic " I AM NOT A RACIST ", I simply am stating an opinion that is backed up when you sail with Cunard, Princess and especially Royal Caribbean you will have host of amazing crew members from all over the world - working together in harmony and actually looking you square in the eye for a change, not hiding their heads when you look in their direction.

 

My next cruise is booked, it is with Royal Caribbean on the Independence of the Seas, she is an excellent vessel with a wonderful attentive staff of whom I am really looking forward to meet. :cool:

 

I wish everyone who is happy to sail with P+O many happy future cruises, but if you haven't done so yet, try any other line, any line, give yourself something to compare P+O (average cruises) to. :cool:

[bolton belle]

Hi Guys,

 

I started this thread so I would like to wind it up with a few points mentioned above. It would seem that we are split 50/50 for those who where actually on-board for this cruise, some agreeing with me 100% and others saying they had an excellent cruise - It would be interesting to know if the latter had many past cruises to compare this one to ?

 

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I will leave you with mine ( this is also aimed at P+O ) :

 

Do you think to crew an entire ship with people from just one nation was wise, I have found that this breeds laziness, contempt, a slack attitude to the work ethic as well as not being fair to other working nations.

 

May I also make it very clear to everyone including Cruise Critic " I AM NOT A RACIST ", I simply am stating an opinion that is backed up when you sail with Cunard, Princess and especially Royal Caribbean you will have host of amazing crew members from all over the world - working together in harmony and actually looking you square in the eye for a change, not hiding their heads when you look in their direction.

 

My next cruise is booked, it is with Royal Caribbean on the Independence of the Seas, she is an excellent vessel with a wonderful attentive staff of whom I am really looking forward to meet. :cool:

 

I wish everyone who is happy to sail with P+O many happy future cruises, but if you haven't done so yet, try any other line, any line, give yourself something to compare P+O (average cruises) to. :cool:

 

Didn't expect all that from someone who, prior to the cruise, was very concerned about the brand of crisps on board.

[saltypeer]

Well said Stephen.....you are right to bring this thread to a close (not sure it will be the end though).....everyone has a right to their own opinion.

 

We too have our next cruises booked....as you can see from our signature, we will be boarding the Crown Princess and we can't wait.

 

Pete

[daiB]

Well said Stephen.....you are right to bring this thread to a close (not sure it will be the end though).....everyone has a right to their own opinion.

 

We too have our next cruises booked....as you can see from our signature, we will be boarding the Crown Princess and we can't wait.

 

Pete

 

Just because you start a thread does not give you ownership it gains a life of its own.

 

Stephens comments cannot go unchallenged. I think he is wrong P&O have done well with this mix of staff members for over 150 years so they must be doing something right.

 

So Stephen has his opinion and I have mine. Nothing wrong with that at all.

 

I have been on all the current ships bar Adonia and found the staff to be excellent and the service consistent over the fleet.

 

 

Gan Canny

 

 

Dai

 

 

:cool:

[Gilpet]

Didn't expect all that from someone who, prior to the cruise, was very concerned about the brand of crisps on board.

 

I don't like crisps so the brand of crisps on board doesn't bother me - but how they make the coffee does - so I don't think Stephen's earlier question was at all unusual or out of place :) just information gathering prior to the cruise and nothing to do with the current topic!

 

I still don't agree with Stephen's original post but I'm glad it was on the P&O board and not RCI - at least it's all been very civilised :D. I do agree, however, that the staff on P&O, whilst being very polite and good at their jobs, lack the friendliness of RCI staff - I suspect this has more to do with their training and the "style" of P&O as opposed to any nationality issues.

 

Happy Cruising

 

Gill

[saltypeer]

Just because you start a thread does not give you ownership it gains a life of its own.

 

Stephens comments cannot go unchallenged. I think he is wrong P&O have done well with this mix of staff members for over 150 years so they must be doing something right.

 

So Stephen has his opinion and I have mine. Nothing wrong with that at all.

 

I have been on all the current ships bar Adonia and found the staff to be excellent and the service consistent over the fleet.

 

 

Gan Canny

 

 

Dai

 

 

:cool:

 

Quite right Dai.....we can all have an opinion and can agree to disagree if such is the case.

 

Being respectful does not cost anything to anyone.

 

The world would be a boring place if we all had the same opinions about the same things, but we can all be civilised about it and everyone can carry on enjoying their cruising.....whichever line / company they choose.

 

Good luck.

 

Pete

[STEPHEN LARKIN]

What is the point of me telling you of my experience when you just look for something to slag me off with.

I have done quite a lot of cruising and yes as this was a so called 'British' cruise line I was asking did they serve British crisps on-board, sometimes it is the little attentions to detail that make a cruise. :confused: