Thanks for the prompt replies folks.
One of the main reasons we like AZ is we dont like being herded, and we did get that a bit on Galaxy which put us off the bigger ships once we found AZ. We also didnt like the classism of cunard, or the formal nights on any ship, so this is primarily what we want to avoid. We also like AZ and smaller vessels that can get into ports that others cant.
Totally agree about the entertainment on board....it can vary from sublime to awful. We've seen a cellist from Australia a few years ago who was breathtaking. Then again we had a 'comedy pianist' as a resident (I wont name him) who was so, so bad. He was binned eventually. It varies greatly but the entertainment isnt that important to us. We cruise with friends from the US so we have less reliance with on board entertainment and we book for itineraries.
Like most of us, we look firstly for itinerary, £ per night, cost to get there, on board cost thereafter. We usually book veranda, but it looks like there are some perks if you book a higher stateroom class on Edge?
Been all over the South China sea but not as far out as Australia, so its on the hit list. We liked the EDGE itinerary with a B2B with Solstice. Stopover in Tokyo on way out. David