One of P&O Cruises’ newest and joint-largest ships will sail its first round-the-world cruise in 2013, underlining the growing popularity of longer voyages.
Although the operator has not confirmed the decision, Azura is due to sail in Europe until the end of 2012, its final departure from Southampton being an 11-night Canary Islands cruise on December 27.
This means the ship will not reposition to the Caribbean, as would normally be expected for the winter season, like sister vessel Ventura. Instead Travel Weekly understands it will embark on a world cruise, leaving from P&O Cruises’ home port of Southampton in early January. Circumnavigations typically last between 70 and 110 days.
This year P&O Cruises is offering world cruises on four of its smaller ships – Adonia, Arcadia, Aurora and Oriana – visiting 55 countries. Azura’s planned sailing will be the first by one of its two ‘superliners’.