Multiple Yamaha digital consoles are in use onboard the latest addition to P&O Cruises’ prestigious fleet, the 3,080-capacity Azura. Launched in April, the vessel encompasses three dance floors, an art gallery and the Playhouse Theatre, an 820-capacity performance venue in which all shows are produced in-house – which is said to be a first for the cruise ship sector.
In order to provide the necessary quality, reliability, flexibility and technical support, P&O Cruises opted for an extensive specification of Yamaha equipment. Following on from extensive inventories in fellow P&O vessels Ventura and Arcadia, Azura features a PM5D/RH, M7CL and numerous 01V-96V2 consoles, all installed by Kezia Group.
P&O technical crew’s familiarity with the Yamaha user interface was an important consideration. The company’s entertainment sound and light manager, Phil Yeomans, remarked: “We have a number of ships that have been successfully running a range of Yamaha desks onboard. We have a good relationship with Yamaha and were happy to continue this relationship for Azura. The range of desks onboard means we can utilise the wide range of products for our various requirements, but still keep the same manufacturer to minimise training and spares costs.”
In the Playhouse, the 56-channel PM5D-RH assists the venue in its busy schedule of multiple 45-minute shows each night, while the three-storey Atrium – regarded as the ship’s social hub – has been equipped with a rack-mounted 01V-96V2. The Planet Bar and open-air cinema SeaScreen each possess an 01V-96VCM, the Manhattan Bar sports an M7CL-48, and the Indian-themed Malabar a custom-configured M7CL-32 to mix audio for piano recitals and cabaret acts.
Karl Christmas, Yamaha deputy general manager for Commercial Audio (UK), reflected: “Passengers expect the highest standards from all aspects of the cruise experience. The combination of reliability and flexibility – together with ease of use and familiarity for the technical crews working in a high-pressure environment – makes Yamaha equipment the ideal solution.”
