9/12/23 - Birmingham- Tenerife
Early start for a 6.15am flight to Tenerife to join Azura. Breakfast in Bottega, but too early, even for us, for a drink. Short 4 hour flight and we arrived in Tenerife. Once we picked up our bags, we boarded a coach for the 50 minute transfer to Santa Cruz. First impressions of Azura was that she seemed a little tired and dated in comparison to Arvia and Iona, especially the cabins and bathrooms. However, the sun was shining so it was straight on deck to make the most of the glorious weather and our drinks package. We soon reacquainted ourselves with the ship and found ourselves falling for her more intimate feel. Drinks in the Blue bar, before dinner in the MDR. Early night as we were shattered from the travelling.
10/12/23
Sea day
After breakfast in the main dining room we explored the ship. We had a very leisurely lunch in the Glass House, with lots of wine and good food. We tried Madeira wine with our cheese to get us in the mood for the next port. Still feeling the effects of the previous day’s travel (and probably the wine!) we had a siesta in the cabin. Tonight was formal night so we put our glad rags on and went for drinks before dinner in The Blue bar. After dinner we went to the Playhouse to watch a comedian who was decidedly average.
11/12/23
Madeira
Early start as we were booked on a trip at 8.30am, so quick breakfast in the buffet. Once off the ship we were met by our guide and taken by coach to the cable car station. We were there before it opened at 8.45, so first on for the panoramic trip to the top. From there it was a short walk to the famous, wicker toboggans. The queue seemed huge, but we only waited 30 minutes. This is a must do, we hurtled down a very steep road for 2km, the toboggan is controlled by two men with ropes , standing on the back using their boots as brakes. It was great fun. Next was a coach ride to a panoramic view point of the harbour and our ship. Final stop was Blandy’s wine lodge for Madeira wine tasting. Beautiful Christmas poinsettias planted everywhere, apparently a big export of Madeira. We decided to go back to the ship for lunch and a spot of sunbathing as the weather was so great. Around 4.30pm we went back into Funchal for the Christmas lights and market. And of course an iconic Portuguese custard tart. The whole town was very festive and the lights were beautiful. Back onboard for Christmas jumper night, after drinks and dinner we went to the Playhouse for a festive performance by the Headliners theatre group of deck the halls. We were shattered after such a fun packed day.
12/12/23
Sea Day
My excitement for the day was using the ship’s launderette. Not so many facilities as Arvia and older machines, but I do love a launderette!!! Breakfast in the MDR again, before relaxing and reading on deck. Another very leisurely lunch in The Glass House, which meant another siesta. We sat on our sunny balcony to enjoy the late afternoon warmth. Formal night meant to got all dressed up for drinks and dinner. We rounded a lovely relaxing day off with a night cap in Planet Bar.
13/12/23
La Palma
Decided to try breakfast in the buffet. Big mistake, really crowded and full of rude people pushing and shoving, lived up to my nickname for it of the trough! So a more civilised coffee at Costa. We went for a stroll around Santa Cruz the capital of La Palma which is very pretty and has lots of shops and bars. We stopped at the Banana Garden just up a side street from the Main Street. We enjoyed cold beer, salmon and cream cheese bagels and olives watching the world go by. Glorious weather so back to the ship for a spot of sun bathing on deck and cocktails. Drinks in the Planet Bat followed by dinner in the Beach House. Nachos, fajitas and banana split for dinner, was absolutely gorgeous.
14/12/23
Fuerteventura
Lovely breakfast in the Oriental restaurant this morning. We decided to have a relax in the room with the crossword, before heading ashore. Puerto Del Rosario is not as picturesque as the other ports we have visited and it was very windy today, so a quick walk around the city and the shopping centre before heading back to the ship via a lovely beach. Cool beer on the balcony. More wine in The Glass House before dinner in the MDR. We then went to the Manhattan club to watch the Headliners theatre group performing Hitsville USA. Night cap in the Planet Bar before bed.
15/12/23
Santa Cruz Tenerife
Our last port. Last minute visit to the launderette before breakfast in the Oriental, which is our favourite MDR for brekkie. Stroll around the lovely city of Santa Cruz, which included beers and a light lunch of Papas Bravas at a street cafe. Back onboard for a spot of sunbathing around the pool, wonderful temperature this afternoon and clear blue skies. Back to our favourite The Glass House for some pre dinner drinks. Dinner in the MDR and a final nightcap in The Planet bar.
16/12/23
Time to leave the ship. We were in L231 on Lido deck. Great position, very quiet and very close to the Coral bar and pool. Our steward Gladys was absolute lovely and worked hard looking after us. Breakfast in the Oriental and then a 50 minute transfer to airport. Our flight was on time, we even landed 20 minutes early. A fabulous pre-Christmas break on Azura, we will definitely look to book this again next year.
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