Cruise Details
Cruise Line: P&O Cruises
Ship: Azura
Ports: Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura & Santa Cruz de La Palma
Highlights of the Days: Relaxing sea day, exploring Puerto del Rosario and the beach, La Palma beach promenade and the old town
Next Stop: Sea Day, Fuerteventura & La Palma
After an incredible day exploring Madeira, the next part of our cruise brought a perfect balance of relaxation and island adventures — from a peaceful sea day to discovering the beauty of Fuerteventura and La Palma.
A Relaxing Day at Sea
After an active day exploring Madeira, this sea day was exactly what we needed — a chance to slow down and fully relax.
We started the morning leisurely, soaking up the sunshine on the top deck loungers with a good book and beautiful ocean views. It was one of those simple cruise days that feels incredibly easy and carefree. We made time for a gym session, enjoyed a midday nap, and spent the afternoon moving between the loungers and the pool deck live music — the perfect balance of relaxation and recharge.
As the day wound down, we took a walk along the promenade deck to catch the sunset, which was absolutely beautiful. There’s something special about watching the sunset dip below the horizon at sea — it never gets old.
Before dinner, we stopped into the Manhattan bar for drinks and a few rounds of Monopoly Deal while waiting for the evening’s entertainment. Unfortunately, the scheduled electronic violinist was unwell, which meant a shuffle in the entertainment lineup, and we ended up missing it due to our dinner reservation.
That said, we had something even better to look forward to.
Dinner at The Beach House — inspired by South American, Caribbean, and Stateside cuisines — was absolutely fabulous. We had one of the last reservations of the night, and it turned out to be perfect. The restaurant was quieter, the atmosphere felt a little more intimate and romantic, and the service was excellent.
For starters, my husband had the island-spiced chicken wings served with macaroni and cheese bites, while I chose the crab tostadas. Both were packed with flavor and perfectly portioned, leaving just enough room to look forward to the mains.
For our main courses, I ordered the steak fajitas, which arrived sizzling with fresh tortillas — tasted just as delicious as they smelled. My husband went for the slow-cooked curried goat pot, served with pilaf rice, toasted coconut, and roti bread. I could tell from his reaction after the first bite that it was something special — he said it was one of the best he’s ever had, with the meat perfectly tender and full of flavor.
We couldn’t resist dessert and decided to share two. The deep-fried apple pie with vanilla yogurt sorbet and the coconut and chocolate budino — a rich chocolate mousse with a salted caramel center on top of a vanilla waffle — were both incredible. We finished every last bite.
For such a small additional charge for a three-course meal, The Beach House is absolutely worth it and definitely one to add to your list.
After dinner, we caught the stand-in entertainment for the evening — a performance by Ben Francis, who delivered a mix of songs and stories inspired by his career on stage and screen. It was a great way to round off a wonderfully relaxing day at sea.
Exploring Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura
Our next stop brought us to Puerto del Rosario on the island of Fuerteventura — a perfect destination for a slower, more relaxed day.
We spent the morning wandering through town before making our way toward a beautiful coastal path just beyond the convention center. The views along the coastline were absolutely stunning, with the deep blue ocean stretching out beside us and the fresh sea air making it all the more enjoyable. It was a simple walk, but one that really allowed us to take in the natural beauty of the island.
After some exploring, we headed back to the ship for a quick lunch and a change before making our way toward the beach right next to the port. It turned into the perfect afternoon — relaxing in the sunshine, enjoying the calm atmosphere, and taking in the views just steps from the ship.
That evening, we had planned to dine in the main dining room, but after waiting a little too long in the virtual queue, we decided to switch things up and try the buffet for dinner for the first time. It turned out to be a great decision — quick, easy, and exactly what we needed after a full day in the sun.
I especially lucked out as it happened to be ice cream sundae night, which was so much fun with plenty of toppings to choose from — the perfect sweet ending to the day.
With plenty of steps behind us and another full day ahead in La Palma, we decided to skip the evening entertainment and call it an early night, ready to wake up refreshed and energized for our next destination.
A Beautiful Day in Santa Cruz de La Palma
We woke up to one of the most incredible views of the trip — pulling back the curtains to see mountains rising right in front of our balcony as we arrived in Santa Cruz de La Palma. It’s moments like this that make cruising so special — waking up somewhere completely new and instantly in awe of your surroundings.
We started our day with a walk into town, making our way first toward the island’s unique black sand beaches. Formed from volcanic rock that has broken down over time, the dark sand is a reminder of the island’s volcanic origins — and it was surprisingly beautiful. The way the sunlight shimmered off the sand, contrasted by the turquoise water, with colorful buildings and mountains in the background, made for such a striking scene.
From there, we wandered along the beach promenade, lined with cafés and shops, before continuing into the old town, which was just as lively and full of charm. It was the perfect place to stroll, explore, and take in the local atmosphere.
To finish off our time ashore, we found a small beach hut where we settled in to relax and soak up the sunshine. With a refreshing piña colada and a tinto de verano — a popular Spanish summer cocktail made with red wine and lemon-lime soda or lemonade — in hand, it felt like the perfect way to end a truly beautiful day.
That evening, we had reservations at Sindhu, one of the ship’s specialty restaurants, and it turned out to be another highlight of the trip. We had one of the first seatings of the evening, which meant a quieter atmosphere and a lovely booth by the window overlooking the ocean as we sailed away from La Palma — an ideal setting for dinner.
The service was fantastic, and for a very reasonable additional charge, we opted for the three-course menu. To start, I had the Dakshin Murg — tikka grilled chicken served with coconut and chickpea salad, along with mint and tamarind dips — which was bursting with flavor and left me wanting more. My husband chose the Gosht Murtabak, a spicy ground beef flatbread with onion relish and curry sauce, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
For our main courses, I ordered the Murgh Irani Korma — a beautifully spiced, cardamom-infused chicken korma served with cashew nuts and raisin pilau rice — while my husband had the Akkah Gosht, a roast lamb rump served with keema matar, pak choi, baby carrots, and a rich Rogan jus. Alongside our mains came a selection of dal, vegetable thoran, and Indian breads, which completed the meal perfectly. Everything was absolutely delicious, and the entire experience felt special from start to finish.
To finish, we shared two desserts — a banoffee apple pie and a dark chocolate sphere filled with white chocolate mousse served with a warm chocolate sauce to pour on top. Both were incredible and the perfect ending to an already fantastic meal.
To round out the evening, we headed to The Playhouse Theater for a performance by the Headliners Theater Company. Their show, Center Stage, was a high-energy tribute to some of the most popular modern musicals, including 9 to 5, Tina, Matilda, Frozen, and Moulin Rouge. It was an incredible performance and such a fun way to end another amazing day on board.
Wrapping Up & Looking Ahead
As our time exploring these beautiful islands came to an end, this part of the journey perfectly captured everything we love about cruising — a balance of relaxation, incredible destinations, and unforgettable experiences both on and off the ship. From peaceful sea days to wandering new places like Fuerteventura and La Palma, each day brought something unique.
Up next, we return to Tenerife for one final day before disembarkation — soaking in the last moments on board and preparing to head home after such a memorable trip.
Plates n Places 