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Azura makes splash in Southampton
Slate grey skies greeted P&O Cruises’ new ship Azura as it sailed into its home port of Southampton for the first time this morning.
The seventh vessel in the British line’s fleet was greeted by managing director Carol Marlow as it arrived with a fire tug streaming water high into the air.
The 3,100-passenger Azura sailed to the UK from the Italian shipyard where it was built.
Carnival UK CEO David Dingle was transferred on board as the giant ship gently slipped into the Solent before docking in the port.
Many sightseers were up early to greet the 115,000-ton superliner on its arrival.
A series of on board events for travel agents are planned ahead of the formal naming ceremony by former ballet star Darcey Bussell on Saturday in front of a VIP audience of more than 1,200.
The line’s executives will be hoping for better weather than today for the ceremony which is to be held on deck on Saturday evening.
Azura, which has a crew of 1,200, then departs on Monday for its 16-night maiden voyage to the Mediterranean.
The ship features the first single cabins on a P&O Cruises ship. There are 18 solo cabins, 12 of which have outside views.
Of the 1,557 cabins, 910 have balconies and 440 are inside.
The ship also has a giant outdoor cinema screen – the first on a P&O Cruises’s ship – together with an spa area on deck.
Carol Marlow welcomes Azura
by Phil Davies
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