We stayed Saturday night at the Holiday Inn in Southampton. This is located adjacent to the waterfront with views of the arriving and departing cruise ships. At the reception desk we were asked which ship we were on and were allocated an appropriate room with a view.
After the disappointment of England's defeat in the football I could do with some cheering up and the view of the Azura when I opened the curtains certainly achieved this.
We decided to check out of the hotel at 11.00 and make our way to the ship even though our official boarding time wasn't until 2.00pm. After a small wait in line to drop off the car we entered the departure hall. P&O have a very efficient check in process and within a very short space of time we had filled in the medical questionaire, had our identity photos taken, credit card swiped, passed through security (after the obligatory embarkation photograph) and we were heading for the buffet. By 12.10 we both had our first plate of Azura buffet food - a new World Record!!!
This trip will be our third trip on this ship and in addition we sailed on the Crown Princess last year which has an identical configuration. It was just like returning to an old friend and almost immediately we knew our way around. After the muster drill it was time for some champagne........
....and the famous P&O Sailaway party.
As we were sailing out from the docks the Red Arrows display team could be seen performing their routine over the Isle of Wight. Unfortunately they were a little too far away to get a decent photo but Sylvia, Win and Jim enjoyed the spectacle.
After dinner this evening, with a very sociable table, we went to the theatre for the first show. The singers and dancers from the Headliners gave a great rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water and Iforone am looking forward to seeing them perform later on in the cruise.
A great first day, tomorrow is a sea day so it will give us a chance to try out some of the daytime entertainment. Jim & Win are keen to visit the gym so I may join them, then again I may just stick to the table tennis.
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