Check in at Birmingham Airport was effortless although Secuity checks took a little longer. We flew on Dreamliner Premium and although we were looked after very well by the Cabin Crew I wouldn't pay for and upgrade on Dreamliner again as the extra cost of £660 per couple is not warrented for the few drinks, slightly more leg room and "improved" meal selection, breakfast coming back was abysmal!

Now Azura, our 1st time on the ship,4 years old and one or two areas were in need of attention, cushions in the cabin were grubby but our cabin steward, Ted, was excellent, nothing was too much trouble,carpets in some of the public areas were starting to show wear. Food in the Main dining room was generally very good to excellent. We ate in The Glass House one evening and one lunchtime, for a small supplement and was excellent on both occaisions. We ate in XV11 one evening and although we enjoyed our meal our friends meal was a disaster. We also ate in Verona twice and it was brilliant, the £5 cover charge which has recently been introduced certainly impacted on the numbers wanting to dine but more pleasant for those who paid.

Entertainment. We thoroughly enjoyed the Headliner Shows we went to, singing and dancing was a big improvement on previous cruises! The other entertainment revolved around tribute artists which in the main we enjoyed but found that the people in charge thought that because there were older people on board the had to turn the volume up to an incredible level.Tom O'Connor OK made us laugh a few times and Zoe Tyler? was a good female singer. Clem Curtis is just about acceptable but at 75 how much longer can he go on? We didn't partake in any of the entertainment crews activities. Being a Xmas cruise the ship was well festooned with decorations and looked the part.Christmas carols/choir was well attended as was the childrens panto and the crews panto was a sell out with people standing where ever they could. Read more