I always enjoy reading your blogs Phil but even although you feel things have improved on Ventura, this is not a ship I would ever venture on again! We knew people from our home town who were on the Christmas/New Year cruise - I think their experience put them off cruising forever. Then friends went on immediately following the Christmas/New Year trip. Whilst they enjoyed it, they still felt there was not enough staff and waited quite some time to get drinks in the bars. They also said the entertainment was the worst for any cruise they have done - very poor! Also, there seemed to be a lack of staff in the restaurant which slowed down the flow of food to the table and invariably was not piping hot. All I hope is that Azura does not turn out to be another Ventura! I think we will stick with our favourites - Aurora, Oriana, Artemis and Arcadia. Yours - Vicky from Yeovil