26 November 2008

P&O Cruises to spice up cruising with Azura

A third celebrity chef has been recruited by P&O Cruises as the line prepares for the launch of its newest Ã&#pound;350 million ship Azura in 2010.

Michelin starred chef Atul Kochhar joins Gary Rhodes and Marco Pierre White working with the line.

Kochar will oversee an Indian fine dining restaurant called Sindhu on board Azura, companyââ¬â¢s seventh ship, marking a shift back to more traditional P&O Cruisesââ¬â¢ territory.

Although a sister ship to family-friendly superliner Ventura, the new vessel is being aimed at ââ¬Åâœsophisticated customersââ¬~ to offer an ââ¬Åâœauthentic large ship experienceââ¬~, according to managing director Nigel Esdale.

Azura will feature 18 single cabins, the first on a P&O Cruises ship, and two large suites for extended families or groups of friends to share.

The vessel will offer a record 900 cabins with private balconies and a number of spa cabins, offering exclusive access to the Oasis Spa and added in-cabin extras.

P&O Cruises has taken a leaf out of US sister company Princess Cruisesââ¬â¢ book by installing an open air cinema.

An on deck spa area called The Retreat will have private cabanas for al-fresco massages, sun loungers and personal waiter service.

Treatment rooms within the spa will also have balconies, to enable passengers to be pampered in the open air.

Azura will also seek to cater for families with innovations such as a dedicated Nintendo Wii room.

The ship will feature a modern interpretation of a classic London pub, a New York-style show lounge and a dance floor in the atrium, designed to become the social hub of the ship. 

TV wine expert Olly Smith will help create a new ââ¬ËœSelect Diningââ¬â¢ restaurant and wine bar concept called The Glass House, featuring different wines recommended with each course. This will be located in the space dedicated to the Ramblas tapas bar on Ventura.

The Saturday Kitchen personality will also support the drinks menus for Azuraââ¬â¢s other bars and 11 restaurants. Smith will travel regularly throughout the year to host tasting sessions.

Details of a second fine dining restaurant, situated where the White Room is located on Ventura, have yet to be disclosed.

Cruises on board Azura are due to go one sale next spring, when prices and itineraries will be unveiled.

Esdale said: ââ¬ÅâœWe have a rich heritage of providing British cruise passengers with an exceptional holiday experience, and it is this unprecedented experience that gives us a unique insight into their needs and tastes. We are perfectly positioned to design a ship to appeal to todayââ¬â¢s sophisticated consumers and have done exactly this with Azura.

ââ¬ÅâœModern travellers have diverse needs and require more than a ââ¬Ëœone size fits allââ¬â¢ approach.

ââ¬ÅâœAzura will cater for every kind of consumer, from newcomers to cruising to our more experienced repeat customers; from singles and couples to families and multi-generational groups, empty nesters to parties or simply friends reunited ââ¬' Azura will deliver them all with an authentic, large ship experience.

ââ¬ÅâœAmong the new developments Azura also features all the qualities inherent in the P&O Cruises experience, such as fine dining, a world-class spa, extensive family friendly facilities and specially commissioned works of British art.ââ¬~

He described Azura as providing a ââ¬Åâœcontemporary, glamorous, serene and sophisticated holiday experience for adults and couplesââ¬~.

Esdale said: Ã¢â¬ÅâœThe emphasis will be on the highest levels of service with extraordinary attention to detail.ââ¬~

by Phil Davies 

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