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Exclusively for adults - Mid-sized Aurora is a world-class ship, bringing you the joys of classic cruise travel. In April 2019, she enjoyed a refit and started an exciting new chapter as a ship that caters exclusively for adults. With a skydome over her inviting Crystal Pool you’ll enjoy stylish surrounds whatever the weather. At her heart a 35 foot sculpture dominates the atrium while The Crow’s Nest offers panoramic views.
The smallest but friendliest ship I have cruised on. Embarkation was an absolute breeze. Cabins ready early. Bags at room before us! NEVER short of seats or sun beds. Always got a seat in theatre even at 5 mins to go. Theatre company the best I have experienced. Dining in MDR was a little disappointing. Portion size - tiny. 3 out of 7 main menu dishes vegetarian and usually 2 fish/seafood so not much choice. Even less on formal nights. The food we got was nice but so limited in choice. MDR Alexandra’s was a little cramped and often very warm. Cabin absolutely fine if a little dated. Bathrooms need updating. I was in an accessible cabin and the automatic doors took so long to close anyone could have entered so had to wait until closed before heading off. Adult only always a bonus!! Friendliness of staff was the best thing. Disembarkation also a breeze. Have booked again!
Very easy to board loads of staff to help. Easy drop cases off. Through customs and on. Muster was as you get on so done quick. Cabin great. Bathroom needs update but clean,and white company handwash etc. nice fridge that kept wine cold. We bought bottle wine on each. You can bring some cans coke we bought 6 each. Easy to find way round ship. Always somewhere to sit. Buffet we loved, you must be fussy if you can’t find something to eat! The restaurants included were excellent. Staff amazing is I can say. So nice made our holiday. We didn’t get drinks package as had couple of cocktails which were delicious Pimms ! And took a glass of wine from our bottle in room to dinner. The silent disco was funny. We played bingo. Had dance. About 12 am we went to buffet which people seemed to do. Which I loved. Our cabin was looked after by lovely man every day. Booking another for next year. We’ve been on MSc and the breakfast in aurora restaurant was better than yacht club on MSc ! Nice to have a pool with steps going in as had 2 hip replacements. I think it’s being refurb next year. We loved it.
Just returned from a 21 day Iceland/Norway cruise on the Aurora. Before I delve into the experience I would like to preference this by pointing out that We are US citizens sailing on a cruise line that targets UK citizens almost exclusively..... And that can make a BIG difference. First, the ship. At 1800 passangers it is considered "small" in todays world. Even though we were full, the only time we EVER felt crowded was at the buffet. The ship has a LOT of quaint and comfortable rooms/nooks and bars, three pools, and more than enough seating by them for everyone. It also has many of the "traditional" amenaties that are slowly dissapearing from modern ships, such as the full library, the LARGE crows nest, and the full (wide) wrap around promanade deck. As this is an "adults only" ship, there is no kids area, and (especially on a 21 day cruise) the average age aboard was somewhere above 60. In terms of upkeep, the ship was in surprisingly good condition, especially as it is due for an overhaul next year. Dining..... For us (Yanks) this was the one down side..... The food was EXCEEDINGLY bland, and hardly varied at all from one day to the next. This is particularly true in the buffet, where not a single menu item EVER changed over the course of the cruise. Yes, there are three "specialty" venues, (One tropical, one tapas inspired, and one Indian food) but they are expensive. Main dining room (there are 2, one set seating, one "come when you please" ) was a pleasent surprise. We chose the come as you please, and never once had a wait, weather we asked for a two top or to be seated with others. Unlike many other cruise lines, P&O got things right on this ship, with excellent souondproofing throughout, so you can actually hear your tablemates. Bar. Lots and LOTS of bars, and very helpful bartenders and bar staff. If there is one negative in this area it would be selection. EACH bar has their own cocktail menu, and EACH bar has it's own beer/wine selections, and you can NOT order something you got at one if drinking at another. (And sometimes the selection is limited) Other passangers..... Brits, Brits, and more Brits. Nothing wrong with this, just a bit of a culture shock to be two of only 8 Americans on board. As well, we found ouselves some of the younger passangers, (and we are in our late 60's) Do not let ANYONE belittle Holland America as being the "geriatic" cruise line..... Of course this may also be swayed by the length of the cruise. Crew. The usual mix of Philipino/Indoneasian/Indian food service and housekeeping, but shockingly (for us at least) was the large number of "true" Brits in management, staff, and engineering. Entertainment..... Surprising (And I mean SURPRISINGLY ) good. Main stage productions were right up there with Royal Carribean, LOTS of smaller acts, solo artists, and "enrichment" talks. In summery, we chose this particular cruise based solely on the itenerary, and were pleased to be the ONLY ship in most of the ports we visited. Would I cruise on P&O again? Yes, DEPENDENT on the itenerary, and with theknowledge that we would be spending a LOT of extra cash eating ashore whnever possible.
This cruise has redeemed P&O in my eyes after a rather nasty Caribbean cruise on Arvia in March this year. The experience was so much better on Aurora. She's smaller, the smallest in the fleet in fact, adults only, and run along much more traditional lines. The design of the ship is clever, and she has more venues than you would expect on a ship of her size. She is, however, in need of refurbishment. The balcony door in our otherwise lovely cabin was buckled and had some kind of fibrous material spilling out of it. The food got better as the cruise went on. One or two items on the early menus turned out to be distinctly substandard or somewhat diminutive. The service in the Medina restaurant was mostly excellent, but there was one area which we nicknamed "chaos corner" where items arrived late, service was slow and orders were muddled. For some reason they kept sending us there! The speakers were good, and a special accolade should be awarded to our Entertainment Manager, Leon de Ste. Croix, who delivered two excellent astronomy lectures. The Theatre Company was excellent, and there were lovely classical concerts, but these were often timed to clash with other activities. The itinerary was extensive, covering 4 ports in Iceland, the North Cape, and several ports in Northern Norway, with a stop in Scotland on the way up. We were sad to miss the Lofoten Islands due to bad weather, but were compensated with an extra stop in Trondheim. Disembarkation was slick and well-managed.
From inside cabins to balcony cabins and luxurious suites, you will find a room for every budget and taste.
All cabins are air-conditioned and well designed, to give you as much space as possible and to help you relax into your surroundings. Many feature balconies to give you additional outside space. All feature Egyptian cotton sheets, free tea & coffee making facilities, refrigerator, hairdryer, safe, in-cabin television and good sized en-suite bathrooms with toiletries pack. You will also enjoy the services of a personal cabin steward who will look after your every need, and can enjoy room service from early morning until late evening at no extra cost.
Guests are spoilt for choice on Aurora with two main restaurants, as well as three Select Dining venues: Sindhu, The Glass House, a wine bar and restaurant created in partnership with award-winning wine guru Olly Smith; and The Beach House, which offers fun and informal dining alongside ocean views.
There's never a dull moment...
P&O Cruises offers the very best in cruise entertainment. Days can be filled with as much or as little as you want, whilst evenings are no doubt the social highlight. When the sun goes down your ship begins to come alive with the hum of conversation and music, and you can be sure of a memorable night.
From the revitalising hydrotherapy pool, to the state of the art gymnasium, there's plenty of facilities onboard to refresh your mind, body and soul. Passengers can enjoy luxury massages and treatments in the Oasis Spa, or head out to the top deck sports court for a spot of tennis.
Aurora is exclusively for adults.
