{{Short description|Cruise ship owned by Carnival plc}} {{pp-move}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = Azura departing Port of Tallinn 12 June 2016.jpg | image_caption = ''Azura'' in Tallinn, 2016. }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | country = Bermuda | flag = {{shipboxflag|Bermuda|civil}} | name = ''Azura'' | owner = border|20px Carnival Corporation & plc<ref name=Fakta/> | operator = border|20px P&O Cruises | registry = * {{flagicon|Great Britain}} Southampton, UK (2010-2011) * {{flagicon|Bermuda}} Hamilton, Bermuda (2011–present) | ordered = | builder = Fincantieri, Italy | original_cost = million | yard_number = 6166<ref name="Fincantieri">{{cite web |url=http://www.fincantieri.it/CMS/Data/prodotti/000288.aspx?cms640909ff=e4261bd0ec564b6bb1db359954adae25&menu_key=64dc64b6&CMSKEY_categoria=CRUISE&CMSKEY_tipo=&CMSKEY_armatore=UCZP&CMSKEY_anno=&CMSKEY_sottotitolo= |title=Cruise Ships > 6166 |access-date=30 November 2008 |publisher=Fincantieri}}</ref> | way_number = | laid_down = 27 October 2008 | launched = 26 June 2009 | christened = 10 April 2010 | completed = 1 April 2010 | acquired = | maiden_voyage = 12 April 2010 | in_service = 2010 | identification = *Call sign: ZCEE2 * {{IMO Number|9424883}} | fate = | status = In service | notes = <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digital-seas.com/vessel_search/vessel_details/on/2cub5_azura_q2025628.html?tx_fleetmonportal_pi1 |title=Vessel Database - Discover more than 510000 ships |website=Digital-seas.com |access-date=2016-01-17 |archive-date=2011-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004195337/http://www.digital-seas.com/vessel_search/vessel_details/on/2cub5_azura_q2025628.html?tx_fleetmonportal_pi1 |url-status=dead }}</ref> }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | class = ''Ventura''-class cruise ship | tonnage = {{GT|115,055}} | displacement = | length = {{convert|290.0|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|36.00|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | height = | draught = {{convert|8.7|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | depth = | decks = 19; 14 passenger accessible | deck_clearance = | power = Six Wärtsilä diesel engines, four 12V46C and two 8L46C, 67.2 MW total | propulsion = Two 21 MW (28,350 HP) electric motors with two fixed-pitch propellers, three bow thrusters, three stern thrusters | speed = {{convert|24|kn}} | capacity = *3,096 double occupancy *3,597 maximum passengers | crew = 1,226 | notes = <ref name=Fakta>{{cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/azura_2010.htm |title=M/S AZURA. |publisher=Fakta om Fartyg |language=sv |access-date=20 June 2010}}</ref><ref name="Fincantieri" /><ref name="pocruises.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.pocruises.com/Cruise-Ships/Azura/Ship-Webcams/ |title=P&O Cruises | Azura Webcam | Azura Cruise Ship |website=Pocruises.com |access-date=2016-01-17}}</ref> }} }}
'''MS ''Azura''''' is a cruise ship operated by P&O Cruises and owned by Carnival plc. The ship was built by Fincantieri at their shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. She officially entered service in April 2010, and was named by Darcey Bussell.<ref name="pocruises.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.pocruises.com/Cruise-Ships/Azura/Ship-Webcams/ |title=P&O Cruises | Azura Webcam | Azura Cruise Ship |website=Pocruises.com |access-date=2016-01-17}}</ref>
== Delivery == ''Azura'' is a Ventura Class ship, a subset of {{sclass|Grand|cruise ship|0}}, with a modified design which distinguishes her from early ships of the same class. Construction of ''Azura'' began in 2008 when her keel was officially laid on 27 October 2008.<ref name="Echo">{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/3793831.P___O_reveal_name_of_new_Southampton_cruise_ship/ |title=City's latest cruise ship to be named Azura|last=Hamilton|first=Keith|date=27 October 2008 |work=Southern Daily Echo |access-date=5 November 2008}}</ref> A ceremonial float out took place on Friday 26 June 2009, with Amanda Dowds, wife of the ship's captain, acting as her godmother.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/news.cfm?ID=3295 |title=P&O Cruises Floats Azura in Italy - P&O Cruises |publisher=Cruise Critic |date=2009-06-26 |access-date=2016-01-17}}</ref> The formal handover took place on 26 March 2010.
== Maiden voyage == ''Azura''{{'}}s maiden voyage began on 31 March 2010, when she departed from the Fincantieri shipyard en route to Southampton. She arrived in the UK on 7 April 2010. ''Azura''{{'s}} first cruise with passengers began on 12 April 2010.<ref>[http://www.bestcruisedeal.co.uk/news_detail.asp?newsid=497/po-azura-handed-over-today] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100502030826/http://www.bestcruisedeal.co.uk/news_detail.asp?newsid=497%2Fpo-azura-handed-over-today|date=May 2, 2010}}</ref><ref>[http://www.pocruises.com/en/Cruises-2009-2010/CruiseUploadFolder/Mediterranean-A002/?mode=overview&Search=true] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213213501/http://www.pocruises.com/en/Cruises-2009-2010/CruiseUploadFolder/Mediterranean-A002/?mode=overview&Search=true|date=February 13, 2010}}</ref>
== Naming == thumb|left|''Azura'' at the Ocean Terminal ahead of her christening ''Azura'' was formally named on 10 April 2010, by godmother Darcey Bussell. As well as performing the traditional bottle breaking ceremony, as a former principal dancer of the Royal Ballet, Bussell presented a dance performance by Royal Ballet School as part of the celebrations. ''Azura'' was originally registered in her homeport of Southampton, UK, but in November 2011 she was re-registered to Hamilton, Bermuda to enable wedding ceremonies to be conducted on board.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.equasis.org/EquasisWeb/restricted/ShipInspection?fs=ShipInfo | title=Equasis - Azura | access-date=8 February 2011}}</ref>
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== Facilities == The ship's facilities include a dance floor in the atrium, a show lounge and an interpretation of a London pub.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gocruisewithjane.co.uk/index.php/2008/11/po-azura-is-to-launch-with-added-spice/#more-323 |title=P&O ''Azura'' is to launch with Added Spice! |access-date=30 November 2008 |date=26 November 2008 |work=Go Cruise With Jane |archive-date=27 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227062607/http://www.gocruisewithjane.co.uk/index.php/2008/11/po-azura-is-to-launch-with-added-spice/#more-323 |url-status=dead }}</ref> An open-air cinema screen is situated in front of the funnel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pocruises.com/azura/#/azuraDays/seaScreen/seaScreenPage1 |title=P&O Azura: SeaScreen |access-date=1 March 2009}}</ref>
In total, the ship has eleven restaurants and eating areas, twelve bars and places to drink, four pools, a gym, two spas, outdoor cinema, a theatre and two show lounges.<ref name="Keaton">{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/cruises/cruiseexperts/7543885/PandO-Cruises-Amazing-Azura.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | title=P&O Cruises: Amazing Azura | first=Rhona | last=Keaton | date=1 April 2010}}</ref>
== Design, refits and COVID-19 ==
thumb|left|MS Azura, stern view. ''Azura'' is the only ''Grand''-class ship to feature a "Duck Tail" stern.
She completed a minor refit in April 2015 at Blohm and Voss's shipyard in Hamburg.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/po-cruises-azura-cancels-port-emergency-repairs/|title=Electrical fault aboard P&O Cruises' Azura delays return to…}}</ref> This included painting P&O's large Union flag design on to the bow, repainting the funnel in blue with P&O's "sunburst" logo plus minor interior updates.
''Azura'' was berthed out of use at Port of Tyne International Passenger Terminal, North Shields, Tyne and Wear from 21 January 2021 to June due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She left for Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 29 June 2021 at 06:45 BST where she remained until returned to service.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}
''Azura'' went in for an extensive refit in March 2025 with updates to restaurants, bars, cabin decor and carpets, corridor carpets, lifts and outdoor furniture. <ref>{{Cite web |title=P&O ¦ Azura Refit In Focus |url=https://www.pocruises.com/blog/azura-refit-in-focus}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category|IMO 9424883}} * [https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-ships/azura/ P&O Cruises official website for ''Azura'']
{{List of ships built by Fincantieri}} {{Grand class}} {{P&O Cruises Ships}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Azura}} Category:2009 ships Category:Passenger ships of Bermuda Category:Ships of P&O Cruises Category:Ships built in Monfalcone Category:Ships built by Fincantieri