Mediterranean Cruise (P&O Cruise)

Well, almost a year has passed since our First Ever Cruise (Norway) that inspired us to book our Second Cruise, a 7-night cruise around the Med on P&O Azura. So in June 2024 we set off for Malta from Bristol Airport (our first time flying post Covid), where boarding of cruise Ships take place in the port of Valletta.

P&O Azura docked in Valletta

We picked this particular cruise (A418A) because of the variety of port calls, and in particular two stops in Croatia, one in Corfu, and one in Southern Italy. Croatia has always been a bucket list destination, and one place we may well return to. The ship for this cruise was P&O's Azura, which is slightly smaller than the newer Britannia that we took to Norway in 2023. Whilst the Azura was fine, we did think it was showing its age a little, and lacks the sparkle of the newer ocean liners.

Day 1 & 2: All on board
As is typical on most cruises, the first full day (and last) are usually sea days, and this cruise was no different. On arrival into Malta, after transfers and check in, we did have a few hours spare to explore Valletta. Malta of course is an interesting destination in its own right, and Valletta was filled with history and lovely honey coloured buildings.

Valletta from Saluting Battery

Looking across the port to Fort St. Angelo

Saluting Battery

Day 3: Split, Croatia

After a day at sea crossing the Ionian and Adriatic Seas (luckily under very calm waters but baking heat), we arrived early morning into Split, Croatia. The cruise ships at Split dock relatively close to the old town, so we opted to "go it alone" and just wander under our own steam. Split is the 2nd largest city in Croatia, but the old town (founded in 305 CE) is relatively small. The city was founded as a Greek colony in the 3rd or 2nd century BCE, and certainly has an ancient feel.

Finding crowd free streets in June is no easy task

The harbour area in Old Town Split

Day 4: Dubrovnik, Croatia

After a taste of Croatia with a stop at Split, it was an overnight cruise to the perhaps better known town of Dubrovnik. The Old Town of Dubrovnik hit the news in the early 1990's when it was heavily shelled during the Yugoslavia war, luckily it was later restored back to its former glory. More recently the city found fame when the Game of Thrones series was filmed there, and I am sure many visitors come due to that.
We opted for a paid shore excursion (not knowing that free shuttle buses would be offered from the port), but the tour gave us a good history of the cities main spots, and a nice photo stop outside of town for a pic or two. Shore excursions however do mean that "free time" to explore the City is cut to a minimum, something worth considering!.

Hazy view to Dubrovnik, did I mention how hot it was! 

Colourful back streets of Dubrovnik

The main street

One of the many historic streets

Only 2 cruise ships are allowed to dock at once in Dubrovnik, this was the 2nd ship

Day 5: Corfu, Greece
Leaving Croatia behind and skimming along the coast of Albania overnight, we docked in Corfu early morning. Dubrovnik and Corfu were the two stops we were really looking forward to, and neither disappointed!. Once again we opted for a shore excursion on Corfu, and this one was well worth the cost & time (the Dubrovnik one not so much IMO).

Our tour took us NW from Old Town Corfu to the beautiful beach resort of Agios Spiridon Beach, a stunning bay overlooked by a monastery.

Oleanders lining the beach resort 

After our beach stop, our tour headed SE through beautiful countryside back towards Old Town Corfu, stopping above the airport for a viewport overlooking the Holy Monastery of Panagia Vlacherna. The Monastery was made famous in the James Bond movie "For your eyes only", and is one of Corfu's most photographed spots.

Holy Monastery of Panagia Vlacherna

Our final stop of the tour was a wander around Old Town Corfu, and whilst our time was limited, the town was much more historic and interesting than we had envisioned. Many buildings are quite palatial, dating back to the period when Corfu was a protectorate of the UK.

Anaktoron square

Central area of Old town

view of Old Town Corfu from the ship

Day 6: Taranto, Italy

Another overnight sailing, and a stop in the 4th country of this cruise. The port of Taranto lies at the heel of the boot of Italy, and is quite an industrial looking area, and was home to the Italian Navy during World War 2. Since we were not familiar with the city of Taranto as a tourist destination, we once again opted for a shore excursion to the city of Lecce in the Apulia region. Lecce is often called the "Florence of the south" due to its baroque buildings, and it certainly had the feel of those northern Italian cities, albeit scaled down. Taking photographs was quite tricky, due to the crowds and our tight timeline.

beautiful Lecce architecture

Roman Amphitheatre which is being renovated 

incredible fine details on the buildings

Day 7 & 8: Day at sea & Corfu departure

All good things must come to an end, and day 7 was a slow cruise back to the port at Valletta in Corfu. The heat (34-35c) was persistent during the whole 7 days, which was fine during sea days, when you could keep well hydrated (with Pina Colada's), but not so good during long shore days.
The variety on this cruise was everything we had envisioned, but the standouts we felt were undoubtedly Dubrovnik and Corfu. This is definitely a P&O itinerary that we would recommend!.