Ventura
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Ventura Reviews

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4.2
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Based on 502 reviews
Cabin
4.3
Service
4.3
Excursions
4
Dining
4.3
Activities
4.1
Value for money
4.3
Entertainment
4.2
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Overall the cruise was enjoyable. Things needing attention. The dining arrangements on board favour free dining, we had no choice and would have preferred a fixed time and table. The in cabin TV service is abysmal, not worth having. Internet service is too expensive, they shoul charge by the minute. The plus side. Entertainment was first class. Generally service was very good and we had a superb cabin steward, Euston Fenandez. Overall good value for money.

Verified customer
1 cruise
12 Apr 2015
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A great cruise, above all expectations and staff were all polite and food excellent.

Verified customer
1 cruise
8 Apr 2015
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Loved the Caribbean and the Ventura has lots to do onboard. Had an inside cabin which was very nice and comfortable beds. The staff on board are all very friendly and helpful. Can't fault the entertainment, who more can you ask for, go to see a film, stand up comedy or a show all in the same evening. Plenty of different bars a with entertainment at all of them. Was lucky to have been given 6.30pm dining which allowed us to watch two evening shows, one in the Havana and another in the Arena. One thing I would say, or rather two. . Think a cruise is better suited to couples. Very cold sailing back to Southampton from the Caribbean, in March. If I was ever to cruise again, I would book the 14 days and fly to and back from Barbados. At least that way you get 12 days of sun and view some gorgeous Caribbean Islands. All in all we only had 5-6 warm sunny days and the rest were too cold to sit on deck, let alone sunbath. Still glad I had the experience.

Verified customer
1 cruise
8 Apr 2015
star star no star no star no star

Ventura is a big ship and I would not recommend it if you have any mobility issues. Due to the layout, ie food facilities at one end and entertainment venues at the other, this can involve be a great deal of walking. For example, a couple of ladies booked a cabin near the centre of the ship hoping that this would make easy access for all the facilities but after only one trip to the main resteraunt, the Bay Tree, they asked to be given an alternative. At first this was refused until one of the ladies said, "I just won't be able to eat then!" Trying to find the disembarkation areas on decks 4 and 5 also proved to be problematic to many people when the blue arrows indicating the route off the ship failed to be displayed. Having said all this, I enjoyed my trip very much after I met and made friends and got used to the ships complicated layout. I don't know if this is normal on the bigger ships but there were many shops and bars trying to encourage you to spend and no quiet spaces to sit and watch the world (the Atlantic) go by. The library was, well, not a library, and there was no proper dance floor. This is a ship for families and younger people, not for the core of cruisers of an older age.

Verified customer
1 cruise
8 Apr 2015
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I enjoyed my cruise however it would be useful prior to booking to know that the average age was 69 on the cruise . I myself was celebrating my 50th and not much passengers around my age group. Ship very clean staff helpful cabin stewards very helpful. It would be very helpful if passenger had the chance to dine with friends they met on the ship In stead of feeling isolated dinning with strangers who you have nothing in common to discuss over a nice meal. A different choice of menu in a all the restaurants instead of all having the same menu daily in all. I would recommend this holiday experience to my elders they would enjoy it due to more age aproperate. The bars close at 1pm so not much chance of having a late drink with friends after all your on holiday. Well done to all the staff keep up the good work especially Suneesh cabin steward who looked after us very well and always had a smile and went out his way to accommodate passengers.

Verified customer
1 cruise
1 Apr 2015
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Just back from a Caribbean and Transatlantic cruise. Had an excellent trip. No complaints at all. Great service and organisation on board.

Verified customer
1 cruise
31 Mar 2015
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Very good all round holiday. The ship is looking a little tired in one or two areas. Carpets in cabins need some attention, otherwise staff, food and onboard facilities quite acceptable.

Verified customer
1 cruise
30 Mar 2015
star star star no star no star

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.

Verified customer
1 cruise
29 Mar 2015
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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!

Verified customer
1 cruise
29 Mar 2015
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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.

Verified customer
1 cruise
29 Mar 2015