Ventura Reviews

Ship beautifully maintained and with a high level of customer care. Trouble being it was too big and seemed to lack character. Also our cruise was taken out of term time and so there were very few young adults on board or families with children. Not much laughter! At times it felt very much not like a cruise but more like a care home on the high seas!! Having travelled on the much smaller Oceana I think we were spoiled with a much higher standard of food and a ship which although older was much more graceful and elegant and also you can't beat the laughter of children! After this experience I think I can safely say that I would now only travel during school holidays. My husband and I are 67 and 64 years respectively.

The holiday started well with a thomas cook flight that was on time and we were very pleased with the check in and both the leg room on the plane and the excellent james martin onboard menu. As usual the transfer of our baggage to the ship and the prompt check in at the ship went very smoothly as did the coach transfers back from southampton to manchester. The Ventura continues to give very good service and all the staff were very cheerful and extremely helpful.The food on board was excellent and as usual a trip to the Marco Pierre white room was a real treat as this is our favourite restaurant on any cruise line. Entertainment on board was very good and there was always something to do day or night.A special thanks to Ian and Penny who were the new dance instructors and we were glad to see that their dance classes were well attended and we are sure that they will do well aboard the Ventura. We continue to use Iglu as we have never had a problem in the past and they are always very helpful when you have a query. Thanks for another enjoyable trip!

Ship excellent but allowing smoking where children swim and people eat would prevent us ever cruising on Ventura again. Also, food good in main restaurants but service in Bay Tree indifferent. Buffet well below par. Entertainment good.

Excellent trip transatlantic from Barbados. Stateroom D310 was more than adequate with sofa bed an desperate loung area. The balcony had two chairs with stools and a small table plenty if space to catch the rays! The only disappointment was at freedom dining when requesting a table for two had to wait up to forty minutes to be seated. We tried at different times to secure a table always given a pager. Felt that the food was rushed and course finished the next presents to us. Soon made the waiters aware to give us a break between courses. The food was varied with excellent choices each evening. The best deal was the captains wine package, which lasted our 13 nights. The headliners group again were excellent despite seeing similar performances on other P&O ships. Great value for money and the sun shone!!

Ship excellent but allowing smoking where children swim and people eat would prevent us ever cruising on Ventura again. Also, food good in main restaurants but service in Bay Tree indifferent. Buffet well below par. Entertainment good.

We had an enjoyable time aboard and sailed the Caribbean. Food was excellent, my favorites were the lunches, the curries and the Victoria Sandwich cake were highlights. Cruise ships represent society in my opinion, you get all walks of life and just like back at home, you sometimes come across people who are just not your type. I recommend you walk away from them and enjoy your holiday. Some people just love to moan. I defy anyone to not enjoy this ship. Staff are very helpful and friendly. I expect that anyone who says otherwise probably was rude to one of them. I have seen nothing but courteous staff. Grand Turk was my favorite island as it is so unspoiled. Have booked to sail again on a last min bargain on Azura and I am looking forward to it.

We were generaly happy with our cruise on Ventura flying to Barbados on the 27th February for a two week cruise around the Caribbean. Though there were a few disapointing aspects regarding it. Firstly the flight with Thomas Cook the meals both ways were uneadable and the cost of drinks was sky high. My husband and myself would not wish to fly with Thomas Cook again. I cannot understand why cruise ships insist at visting Dominica this island is dirty and unkemp and you are hassled from the minute you step of the ship. Regarding the ship the only complaint would be the quality of the food served in the Waterside self service this does leave a lot to be desired.

We were generaly happy with our cruise on Ventura flying to Barbados on the 27th February for a two week cruise around the caribbean. Though there were a few disapointing aspects regarding it. Firstly the flight with Thomas Cook the meals both ways were uneadable and the cost of drinks was sky high. My husband and myself would not wish to fly with Thomas Cook again. I cannot understand why cruise ships insist at visting Dominica this island is dirty and unkemp and you are hassled from the minute you step of the ship. Regarding the ship the only complaint would be the quality of the food served in the Waterside self service this does leave a lot to be desired.

Just back from a two week Caribbean cruise on board Ventura. What a lovely ship with good entertainment, great choices of food and a fabulous crew. It was our first fly cruise on a big ship having previously sailed on Aurora and Oriana, but we did not need to worry as the ship was wonderful. Well done to Iglu for the organising and P&O for delivering a great holiday

Caribbean cruise. Fri 13th depart. Excellent flight and transfer to ship. Inside cabin. Our cabin stewardess friendly, attentive and addressed all our needs. Restaurant early sitting amended to the later sitting for us. No trouble. All Bay tree restaurant staff excellent and the menu very varied. Loved the tapas lunch in the glass house plus wine flight. The excursions through p and o most enjoyable and well organised. Thank you we had a  fabulous holiday once more on the Ventura this time, and this was a last minute booking. Well done P&O. More organised this time, we have now booked onto the Azura again for next years Caribbean cruise.