Are standards falling

Went on a mini cruise from Southampton to Bruges and Guernsey and had a nice relaxing time. The Ventura is a large reasonably comfortable ship with all the facilities you might want. Our cabin was well serviced by our cabin staff and all areas were clean and spruce, but as the cruise unfolded evidence of cost cutting emerged that certainly detracted from the overall enjoyment. At times it seemed like we were on a cross channel booze cruise. Dead flowers on the dining tables and in the atrium, average quality food served by enthusiastic but less than well trained staff. If you asked for the cheese board the offering was so small you felt embarrassed to ask for any cheese. Details that certainly make me think that things a’int what they used to be. The check in seemed longer, the disembarkation for trips seemed chaotic at times.Never saw the captain, kept away from the hoipoloi. But the good bits were good. The food and service in Atul Kuchar’s new Thai restaurant EAST were outstanding. The entertainment in the theatre and bars was as good as I have seen on cruises. Most of the staff were helpful and friendly.