P&O Ventura Reviews

Just back from 2 weeks on the Caribbean and cannot fault this ship, we had an inside cabin and it was always spotless thanks to the dedicated staff - the rest of the ship was always immaculate - fantastic entertainments every day with shows, music comedians etc - good food in the buffet and very good food in the restaurants (only one problem - i have put weight on ) we found the wine too expensive and like many others decided to drink water - plenty of time to go ashore and visit the islands - we found local taxi drivers very knowledgeable - had only one bad experience in St Vincent as the local taxi drivers need to pull their socks on (other people had the same complaint). Most improved island was St Kitts, we loved it. All in all Ventura was a fantastic ship to cruise with - just one problem, the waiters are over the top with asking if you want a drink - they do not allow you  to find a place were to sit before they are all over you and that can be irritating - we found that walking with a glass in your hand deterred them for a while - should you decide to buy jewellery buy from the retailers recomanded by the ship as should you have any problem they will help you. A big thank you to all the staff they are a credit to Ventura  PS - will be back next year!

Caribbean Cruise, Feb 2013.  The flight with Thomas Cook to Barbados from Manchester was on time, uneventfull and about as acceptable as air travel nowadays can be. The transfer from the aircraft to the ship was excellent, leaving the plane to board coaches on the tarmac and being transferred directly to the ship. The Ventura is a large ship but never felt overcrowded. There are numerous areas of sun decks and 4 swimming pools with adjacent jacuzz's. The area that suited us best especially on sea days was the Oasis pool area near the spa. This was an adults only area and quieter than the 3 other pool areas and we always managed to find spare sunbeds! I understand that this area is going to be changed to a pay to use area following a refit in March which if so will make it unlikely we will to return to this ship. I believe this proposal is just another money grabbing exercise by P&O and will reduce the areas available for general use, putting additional pressure on the remaining sun decks and pools.  We opted for freedom dining for our evening meal which worked well for us being able to choose what time we ate in the Cinnamon Restaurant. Five courses pleasently served and nicely presented and generally of good quality. We never had to wait to be seated, but were prepared to share a table with others. We were never rushed through the meals, the waiters were attentive and courteous. We used one of the buffet restaurants for other meals and found them acceptable. They were busy at times but always managing to find an available table without too much searching. The entertainment was very good and in various venues. Bar prices for a 'captive audience' were no more than pub prices in the UK. As usual ship organised tours were overpriced. We generally did our own thing at the ports getting local taxis for trips around the islands and to the beaches. We did do the ship organised 'Farewell to Barbados' on our last day which got us off the ship doing something and took us directly back to the airport. Overall a great holiday on a nice ship.

Just returned from a 2 week Caribbean cruise on the Ventura (Nov 2012). Although we enjoyed all of the 9 Caribbean islands we visited, we and quite a large number of the passengers we spoke to were disappointed with the absence of any Caribbean entertainment, performers,music etc....and to make matters worse....no Caribbean food on the Ventura's menu...apart from the odd jerk chicken in the bay tree restaurant..there was a awful "Caribbean buffet" night at the waterside buffet restaurant...with corned beef hash and an item that resembled pigs in blankets on offer...In truth what you get on the Ventura is "Butlins/Benidorm on a boat" with pub style food and entertainment on a ship that just happens to be in the Caribbean!!...the drinks and services are very expensive and poor value for money The good points are the Caribbean islands visited on this cruise each with its own charm and identity...also the bay tree restaurant, especially on formal nights with good food and service, the rooms are good and well kept.....the majority clientèle is mainly middle aged Brits with a few Afro Caribbean and Asian passengers, who must be rather dismayed at the lack of Caribbean ambience on the Ventura while on this trip.

Caribbean Cruise 21 days departed Southampton 02.11.2012. We booked this cruise at very short notice, we have cruised quite a few times but this was our first with P & 0. We chose an outside cabin,as we have had bad noise experience's with balcony cabins in the past, and of course for the economy, we were on Deck 5 right at the bow of the ship, which seemed to be almost level with the waves , we enjoyed the experience although it was very noisy on occasions as the ship rose, dropped and crashed back into the sea , also docking when the bow thrusters were being used it was extremely noisy. We had chosen double bed sleeping arrangement, but when we got our cabin confirmed it was two single's as there were no double's available. We found the Ventura a very friendly ship, with excellent food served at all meal times, although as others have commented, we did feel rushed at times in the dining room, with waiters almost staring at us to leave the table so they could set up for dinner , difficult i know to get the service exactly right between being rushed and an efficient service. Entertainment was quite good, with the ships own entertainers, in my opinion putting on the best shows. The highlight of the cruise for us were the very many nice people we met each day. We were very fortunate on our dinner table of ten, we were together for 21 days and we all enjoyed each others company, rotating seats in an adhoc manner around the table each evening. All in all a wonderful cruise.

Southampton Trans-Atlantic 2 nov 2012 for 21 nights. I have done this trip several times and it never fails to please. Great value for money, the ship up to scratch, our cabin steward was excellent. Freedom dining waiters do not seem happy I guess it is the tipping issue, I met several passengers who on boarding cancelled the daily amount from their onboard account "choosing to tip who they felt gave good service to them alone" Well that says to me they are not Tipping at all,that is what is causing unrest. £3.00 a day is not a lot of money for the first class service you get £65.00 for 3 weeks. Make it if you want to. Remove tips from on board account if you have to have a reason to do it ie, bad service, which would highlight any problems and it could be put right. Removing tips at will gives clever Jonnys a perfect excuse to save a few bob to spend selfishly on themselves.Cruise lines need to solve this problem or the whole cruise experience is being spoilt by the new age cruisers, who don't seem to get what is expected.

Just come back from our first cruise, a mini cruise from Southampton to Zebrugge. We had an outside room which was looked after superbly by fizt, and made us feel welcome. We ate in the Baytree restaurant, The food and service was exceptional. The entertainment on the first night was superb with a Freddie mercury tribute and a beatles tribute band, Second night was not so good and a bit like haven but with better sets. The 24hour buffet in the waterside offered good food and choice and was there when you needed it.

This was a totally different cruise for us always doing warm weather cruises. The scenary was fantastic and being may it was rather chilly in fact it was a minus 2 wind chill up on deck 15. We did things on this cruise that we handnt done before like going to the pictures and listening to guest speakers. the entertainment was really good. we only did the restraunt for two nights then used the self service for the rest of the week. Our cabin was an inside one on B deck and it was lovely and quiet. Disembarkation at Southhampton was really good. I've sailed on the Ventura in the carribean but enjoyed the ship more this time. We decided that we would tip who we wanted to so cancelled tips at reception who we always found helpful this time. The trips we thought were very expensive so we along with lots more passengers wandered round the nice quiet villages

Just back from a 4 nights cruise, this was an AMAZING 1st cruise experience. We have 2 boys age 9 & 12, we didn't see much of them, they were either in the pool in kids club or helping themselves to food!! Kids club was open until midnight, this meant we were able to enjoy the bars and casino. The freedom dining was great 5 courses every night. Captains night was great, seeing everyone all dressed up. The Ports were excellent and very organised. Our overall experience was first class all the way. Now saving for the next one :)

We have just returned from a short cruise on Ventura and I must say I was more than happy with this ship. The food in the main dining room was very good indeed, and hot, which it was not on my last cruise on Ventura. The entertainment was also good with a selection of production shows, singers and comedy. Special mention for "The Money" a rock band who led sail-away and played a concert one night, they were excellent. The ship itself is looking good all in all with bright and clean public areas although the handrails on the balcony was in need of attention, as were all the others within sight. A point to note if you are thinking of a balcony cabin is that if you like the sun you need to avoid deck 14 for at least the back two thirds of the ship as there is such an overhang from the food court above the sun is blocked out for most of the day. Decks B,C and D were much bigger and better. That said cabin was very nice and I think that I can say that although we cruise a lot using a number of different companies we feel at home on P & O and will be back soon.