We flew out of Gatwick to Barbados with Thomas Cook.Checked the luggage in and didn't see it again until it was brought to our cabin on the ship which was great. The seats don't recline which made for a less than comfortable night flight home, but the leg room was ok. Transfer to the ship was very organised and embarkation was the quickest of the four cruises we've taken.

I had read some less than favourable reviews of this ship and wondered what to expect, but I needn't have worried and did wonder if I was on the same ship as some of the reviewers. Overall it was very clean and bright it didn't look tired or jaded like previous reviews had suggested.

Our cabin was E414 on Ecuador deck 8, literally just around the corner from the midship lifts. Our cabin steward was Ashokan and he was brilliant, nothing was too much trouble and he kept the cabin spotlessly clean. We had an unrestricted view, and it was very quiet. We would request this cabin if we sailed on Azura in the future. Read more