Cabin C175 – Compact but Functional

We stayed in accessible cabin C175, and the first thing to note is the size: it’s compact, and with my electric wheelchair it was very snug to manoeuvre. The biggest challenge was the balcony. Not only is space tight to get out there, but the ramp is steep, not fixed, and has to be approached at an angle. It’s technically possible, but far from easy.

One great plus, however, is that the main door on accessible cabins is electric — press the button and it opens itself, which makes a huge difference. Sadly, this doesn’t extend to the balcony door, but it’s still a thoughtful feature.

Getting Around Aurora

Aurora has her charm, but her layout can be a little higgledy-piggledy. This was my first cruise as registered blind, so navigation was trickier than before. On the positive side, the lifts are a really good size — better than those on some newer ships — which made moving between decks easier.

Passenger Mix & Entertainment

Aurora carries just over 1,800 passengers and is an adult-only ship. On our sailing there was a mixed age range, though the majority were of an older generation. The entertainment programme wasn’t really to our tastes, but that’s purely personal preference and likely linked to the demographic on board.

Pools & Accessibility

Aurora has three main pools:

• Main pool – steps only, no ramp or hoist, so inaccessible to wheelchair users.

• Terrace pool (aft) – a couple of steps up and then a ladder into the water.

• Inside pool – accessible with a fixed hoist.

The only truly accessible option is the indoor pool, which does have a fixed hoist. However, on our cruise we hit a heatwave — 35°C outside — yet the retractable roof stayed closed the entire time. Inside, it became sweltering, almost like a sauna, making it uncomfortable to use for long periods. It was a shame, as the fresh air and open roof would have made it far more enjoyable.

Food & Drink – A Step Back?

We’ve always had excellent dining experiences on P&O, so we were surprised to notice a few changes this time.

• The Glass House – A long-time favourite of ours, partly for its “Party Time” sparkling wine trio (champagne, prosecco, and Moscato). Sadly, this drink has been discontinued. Even more disappointing, The Glass House was closed during the day on port days, only opening in the evenings, so we didn’t visit it at all this cruise.

• Room Service – We ordered several times, but about half our orders were met with a quick phone call to say certain items weren’t available. We learned to always have a backup choice ready. Also… the cookies. Let’s just say the chef’s cookie skills could use some work — I’m no baker, but I could do better!

• Sindhu – Usually a highlight for us, Sindhu fell short this time. The menu is the same as before, but the quality wasn’t up to past standards. Carl tried the beef tenderloin from Menu Two — usually a beautifully presented filet mignon — but this time it was just two small slices of steak, and not particularly tender. With the £10 cover charge plus £3 onboard supplement, it simply didn’t feel like good value this time.

Ports of Call

We sailed from Southampton with stops in:

• Vigo, Spain

• Lisbon, Portugal

• Oporto, Portugal

• Cherbourg, France

The weather was glorious — perhaps a little too hot in places — and we enjoyed revisiting familiar ports one last time with P&O.

Final Thoughts – A Farewell to P&O

This cruise was, in many ways, a farewell tour for us with P&O Cruises. We’ve shared so many life milestones with them, and they’ve looked after us brilliantly over the years. But between my health changes and P&O’s revised accessibility policies, the practicalities of sailing with them are now too difficult for us to manage.

Aurora remains a charming, smaller ship with a warm atmosphere, but she does have accessibility challenges — both in her design and in some of her facilities. For full-time wheelchair users, or those with more complex mobility needs, she may not be the easiest choice.

We’re grateful for all the years of memories — from milestone birthdays to deeply personal moments at sea. While this may have been our last voyage with P&O, the good times we’ve had will always outweigh the disappointments.