The main Azura cabins to avoid are those directly below the pool decks and buffet, above or below the theatre and late-night bars, sea view cabins with lifeboats outside the window, and cabins at the very front or back if you are prone to seasickness. The best-value picks for most people are mid-ship balcony cabins on the quieter middle decks, with cabins above and below them, or a Superior Deluxe Balcony if you want much more space.
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Below we explain where each problem sits on the ship, what the different P&O Azura cabins actually offer, and how to check a specific cabin number before you pay the deposit.
Is Azura still sailing with P&O Cruises?
Yes. Azura entered service in 2010 and remains part of the P&O Cruises fleet as of October 2026. In October 2026 Carnival Corporation announced that Cunard’s Queen Anne will move to P&O in 2029 and Arcadia will leave for Holland America Line after her final P&O season (read our Carnival Corporation fleet shuffle news for the details). Azura was not part of that announcement, and P&O continues to sell her sailings for 2027 and 2028, including fly-cruises in the Mediterranean and Canary Islands.
Azura also had a three-week refit in March 2025. Standard cabins received new carpets, curtains, headboards, sofa beds and desk chairs; suites were redecorated with new lighting and USB charging points; and cabin corridors were recarpeted. So while the layout of the ship has not changed, the cabins feel fresher than older reviews may suggest.
P&O Azura cabins at a glance
Azura carries around 3,000 guests and P&O groups her accommodation into four types: inside, sea view, balcony and suites. Within those there are dozens of price grades, mostly based on deck and position. Approximate sizes from published deck plans are below.
| Cabin type | Approx. cabin size | Balcony | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside | 15 m² (164 sq ft) | None | Same floor area as most sea view and standard balcony cabins |
| Sea view | 15 m² | None | Some grades have partly or fully obstructed views |
| Balcony | 15 m² | About 4 m², larger on some aft cabins | The most common cabin on board |
| Superior Deluxe Balcony | About 26 m² | About 4 m² | Much more room inside; located on decks 8 and 9 |
| Suite | About 31 m² | About 15 to 17 m² | Includes two family suites and two large aft penthouses |
| Single (solo) cabin | About 13 m² | None | 18 single cabins on deck 6, inside and sea view |
One thing many cabin guides skip: inside, sea view and standard balcony cabins on Azura are all roughly the same size inside. You are paying for light and outdoor space, not floor area, which makes the jump to a Superior Deluxe Balcony the biggest single upgrade in living space.
Azura cabins to avoid (and why)
No cabin on Azura is genuinely bad, but some locations come with trade-offs you should know about before booking.
1. Cabins under the pool decks and buffet
The upper cabin decks, Riviera (14) and Lido (15), sit closest to the open-deck pools, sun loungers and the buffet area. Sun loungers being set out early in the morning, deck parties and trolleys can be heard in cabins directly underneath. If you are a light sleeper, look for a cabin with another cabin deck above it.
2. Cabins near the theatre, bars and nightclub
The public rooms on decks 5 to 7 hold the theatre, atrium, bars and late-night venues. Cabins directly above or below these spaces can pick up music and bass late into the evening. Deck plans make it easy to see what sits next to a cabin vertically, so always check one deck up and one deck down.
3. Sea view cabins with obstructed views
On deck 8 (E deck) a number of sea view cabins look out over or through the lifeboats. P&O sells these in separate grades marked as partly obstructed or obstructed, and they are usually cheaper. You still get daylight, but your view of the sea may be very limited. They are fine if you mainly want natural light at a lower price; avoid them if watching the sea from your cabin matters to you.
4. Balconies that can be overlooked
Some lower balconies, particularly around deck 8 near the outer promenade and where the hull steps out, can be seen from public deck areas or from balconies above. If privacy on your balcony is important, choose a balcony higher up the ship and check the deck plan for public open-deck space nearby.
5. Cabins near lifts, launderettes and crew doors
Being close to a lift lobby is handy, but these areas get busy, with doors and conversations in the corridor at all hours. Cabins next to launderettes and service doors can also be noisier. A cabin a few doors along the corridor gives you the convenience without the footfall.
6. Very forward or very aft cabins if you get seasick
Motion is felt most at the bow and stern and on higher decks. Azura often sails the Bay of Biscay and Atlantic routes, so if you are prone to seasickness choose a cabin mid-ship on a lower or middle deck. Some guests also report vibration in aft cabins when the ship manoeuvres in port.
7. Three- and four-berth cabins if you want a double bed
In many cabins with pull-down upper berths for a third or fourth guest, the two lower beds cannot always be pushed together into a double. If you are a couple booking a cabin for two, check the bed configuration with P&O or your travel agent before confirming.
Best Azura cabins to book
Best balcony cabins
For most couples, a mid-ship balcony on the middle cabin decks (around decks 10 to 12) is the sweet spot: well away from the pool deck and entertainment, with cabins above and below and less movement in rough seas. Aft-facing balconies at the back of the ship are prized for their wake views and are sometimes larger, but expect a little more motion and possible vibration.
Best for more space
Superior Deluxe Balcony cabins offer around 26 m² inside, almost double a standard cabin, which suits families or anyone on a longer cruise. Suites add a much bigger balcony and extra perks such as priority embarkation and a butler service, so compare the price difference carefully.
Best inside cabins
Inside cabins on a middle deck, away from lifts and with cabins above and below, give you the quietest night for the lowest fare. As there is no window, location matters even more than usual: an inside cabin under the buffet is a poor trade.
Best for solo travellers
Azura has 18 dedicated single cabins on deck 6, a mix of inside and sea view, priced for one guest so you avoid paying for an empty second berth. They are smaller than a standard cabin and sell out early on popular dates, so book as soon as itineraries open.
How to check any Azura cabin before you book
- Find the cabin on the deck plan on the official P&O Azura page. The first letter of the cabin number tells you the deck (for example E for deck 8, D for deck 9, C for deck 10).
- Look one deck up and one deck down. Ideally you want cabins on both sides, not a galley, buffet, pool deck or bar.
- Check the corridor. Note lift lobbies, launderettes and stairs near the cabin door.
- Read the grade description. Obstructed and partly obstructed sea view grades are labelled; if the price looks unusually low, this is often why.
- Confirm the beds. Ask whether the beds can be made into a double, especially in three- and four-berth cabins.
Is Azura the right P&O ship for you?
Azura is a mid-sized, traditional-feeling ship that suits guests who want classic P&O cruising with plenty of dining choice, without the scale of the newest ships. If you are still comparing options, our guide to the best P&O Cruises ships ranked by reviews shows how Azura stacks up against the rest of the fleet, and if you are tempted by the newer, larger ships, see our best and worst cabins on Arvia.
Azura has a sister ship with a very similar layout, and our guide to P&O Ventura cabins to avoid covers its quirks too.
FAQs
What is the best deck on Azura?
For a quiet, stable cabin, the middle cabin decks (roughly decks 10 to 12) are a good choice, as they sit between other cabin decks and away from the pools and entertainment venues.
Which Azura cabins have obstructed views?
A number of sea view cabins on deck 8 (E deck) look out over the lifeboats. P&O sells them in partly obstructed and obstructed grades, usually at a lower price.
Does Azura have single cabins?
Yes. There are 18 single cabins on deck 6, a mix of inside and sea view, designed for one guest.
Are Azura balcony cabins bigger than inside cabins?
Not inside. Standard balcony, sea view and inside cabins are all about 15 m²; the balcony adds roughly 4 m² of outdoor space. Superior Deluxe Balconies and suites are significantly larger.
Do the same cabins to avoid apply on P&O Ventura?
Mostly. Ventura is Azura’s near-identical Grand-class sister, so the same rules apply: avoid cabins under the pool and buffet decks, rooms near the theatre and nightclub, obstructed sea view cabins by the lifeboats, and very forward cabins if you get seasick. Check Ventura’s own deck plan for venue names and exact cabin numbers.
Is Azura leaving the P&O fleet?
There is no announcement of Azura leaving. The 2029 fleet change involves Queen Anne joining P&O and Arcadia moving to Holland America Line; Azura was not included.
