The P&O cruise ship ‘Azura’ arrived for the first time at the Valletta Cruise Port, on 24 September. The ‘Azura’, which is the second largest cruise ships in the P&O Cruises fleet, was greeted by a full cannon salute from the Old Saluting Battery as it sailed past St. Peter and St. Paul’s bastions. Passengers on board could be heard cheering away during the cannon salute.

A ceremony was later held whereby Thomas Smith and Valletta Cruise Port officials presented Captain Paul Brown with commemoration plaques marking the occasion. Officials present for this commemorative plaque exchange included Anton Buttigieg, Port Agency General Manager at Thomas Smith, John Portelli, Chief Executive Officer at Valletta Cruise Port plc, Liana Cachia, Marketing Manager at Thomas Smith Group, and Fotis Konidaris, Terminal Services Manager at Valletta Cruise Port.

During the ship’s berthing and the disembarkation, a village band played popular Maltese festa marches which were highly appreciated by the visiting passengers. Prior to the ‘Azura’s’ departure from Valletta guests looked on while an

In-Guardia parade took place on the quay – this constituted a re-enactment of the of the inspection of the fort and garrison by the Grand Bailiff of the Order of the Knights of St John in charge of Military Affairs.

Thomas Smith is the P&O Cruises port agent in Malta.