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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Generally all was as expected. On the positive side the entertainment was good and the accomodation comfortable. Food choice was good but sometimes it was difficult to tell from the way it was described on the menu what it was and then when it arrived you were disappointed. Afternoon tea was caotic so after two occasions we did not go again. Food was being offered to you left, right and centre in no logical order and without any time to eat what was already on your undersized plate. Things which should have been hot were just about warm. Not an enjoyable dining experience. Black tie nights included optional suit/tie. However, male guests were being let in to dine with open neck shirts/jackets. Generally, dress standards amongst the men (well done ladies) were poor. Re the Gym - be carefull. You may find yourself sigining up for things at a cost to you beyond what you expected or by mistake due to not being made clear to you what indeed you were getting for your money.

Verified customer
1 cruise
11 Oct 2014
star star star star no star

Just come back from cruise on Ventura to the Med.  Good points lovely ship, food good, entertainment some good some average. But entertainment in day was next to nothing especially on sea days all there seemed to be was very expensive things to do with the spa. Very hard sell on everything we are a couple who have been cruising for over twenty years now and have definitely notice a change and not for the best. Where it used to be a lovely experience with silver service in the restaurant and lovely waiters chatting to you, it is now sit you down place your plate in front of you no one hardly speaks to you they are all to busy. It seems like get them in, feed and out. I am speaking of anytime dining, which I hate I might add, this is not what cruising used to be  all about. I'm afraid with these big ships (and getting bigger) cruising has lost all the loveliness I use to find in it. It's becoming more like holiday camps on water, what a shame! Is there anyone out there that would know which cruise lines are still the same as they used to be? By the way we are only in our late 50's so still want to have fun.

Verified customer
1 cruise
10 Oct 2014
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The itinerary for this cruise was fantastic..Genoa..Livorno for Pisa and Florence..Naples..Venice..Dubrovnik..Kotor..( a wonderful fjord)..Corfu and Rome..and lastly Ajaccio in Corsica. All the destinations had the wow factor, apart from perhaps Naples which was graffiti-ridden but still glad we went. Our cabin, although partially obstructed still had a good view E707 and our cabin steward Sachin was a little sweetie The food was tremendous, good quality meat etc and we avoided putting too much weight on because we could choose healthy options. The only downside to buffet dining was it was difficult to get a table in The Waterside or The Beach House. Ive suggested that they could avoid this by incorporating more tables for two in there outside the family season in school holidays. We often had to sit at a table for 5 which was silly really, flexibility should be built in. Captain Mike was a great guy, from Wigan with a northern sense of humour which appealed to us Leodians! The trips were fantastically well-organised as were all the procedures on the ship which gave us confidence.The theatre hosted several productions by the resident company The Headliners, absolutely West End qualit. Wonderful special effects, music, dancing and a varied repertoire. We loved them and sent a personal message to thank them before we left. Less successful were the tribute acts we felt, but not really to our taste anyway.If you needed space you could find it despite over 4000 people being onboard. To summarise, sailing into Venice on the Ventura was awe-inspiring. Rome was mind-blowing and little Ajaccio the jewel in the crown with its mix of Italian and French culture. We had a wonderful time.Thank you Iglu for being so approachable and efficient, you are our favourite company!!

Verified customer
1 cruise
5 Oct 2014
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Just come back from a cruise on Ventura,  had a great time. Weather was very good and we stopped at some lovely places.

Verified customer
1 cruise
3 Oct 2014
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Booked a last minute 7 night cruise with 3 extra holiday nights in a hotel starting in Venice. From start to finish, I thought Iglu's performance extremely good and without hesitation would use them again. Ventura is a fairly big ship which can create difficulties for the more elderly, so if possible would advise a cabin at the back of the ship (AFT) in preference to forward as the dining rooms are at the back and are therefore easier to get to. We found we didnt see any entertainment in the main theatres as they were simply out of reach for one of our party, but other closer entertainments were on hand every night so this wasnt a major issue. Just something to think about if anyone over say 75 is in your group.

Verified customer
1 cruise
3 Oct 2014
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This was the first time we cruised with P&O and whilst we tried very hard not to compare experiences it inevitably happens. We were able to take more positives than negatives from our cruise and felt the value for money was excellent. We particularly enjoyed the ports, the shopping areas, the pools and although we didn't use them the children's areas looked good too. The stateroom was a good size although we weren't sure our air conditioning worked properly. There were some negatives, the ship itself is tired and quite tatty in parts and we felt the choice of food in the buffet areas was poor. Finding free sun beds on sea days is quite a challenge even though they are packed in and arranged in military fashion. The cleanliness of the toilet facilities in the public areas was of particularly poor standard and unpleasant. We took part in one of the formal nights but we're made to feel so far out of place on the formal night we didn't take part in that we retired to our cabin early. We felt that not taking part in the formalities was frowned upon to the extent we felt distinctly uncomfortable including times when my wife and I were literally being looked down upon. The staff also weren't as happy and keen as we have been used to on RCI and some could do with a bit more training in customer services. As our experience had more positives we felt we would consider another P&O cruise but this is largely due to cost and availability where we could take our entire family but probably not on Ventura. I'd recommend P&O to others whilst but only after pointing out our experiences. I would also say that going by feedback of others I spoke to it could be only Ventura that had declined as some we spoke to had been on her before and said she used to be much better, staff included.

Verified customer
1 cruise
3 Oct 2014
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Iglu arranged a fantastic holiday, 4 nights in Venice prior to a weeks cruise and then a stop over in Milan. All transfers on time, fantastic cruise. Roll on the next.

Verified customer
1 cruise
30 Sep 2014
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Another great cruise with P&O. The way they take care of the luggage is marvellous ,the food was very good and at breakfast they always managed to give us a table for 4 (we were with friends). Now charging for shuttle bus which we find a bit pernickety, but hey ho you do not get service charge added to your drinks so suppose it evens out. Very pleased also with Iglu, always manage to fit us on great flights and very knowledgeable about any queries you might have. The only draw back on our recent cruise was lack of a decent speaker on sea days and the theatre is always full, to ensure 4 seats together you need to be in the theatre at least 20 mins before show starts.

Verified customer
1 cruise
26 Sep 2014
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We have just returned from a cruise on the Ventura, Genoa to Venice. Having sailed on her just after launch in 2008 out of Barbados we were a bit surprised about the condition of her in some areas The deck areas looked a bit tired the furniture on deck was poor and looked like the original fittings. Most of the windows on the ship looked dirty so much so it was difficult to see out of some of them. Just out after a major refit we'd expected more. The main problem with her is the casual dining in waterside etc its so poor very little choice and indifferent staff reminded me of school dinners. Other cruise lines like NCL and Royal Caribbean do this area of dining miles better. Entertainment was good but is let down by the small Arena theatre. Other cruise lines have larger venues, people couldn't find seats most nights unless you arrived at least half a hour before the performance. Deck space is another problem with lots of early birds at 6 am saving sun beds. Main dining was fairly good and the staff and service excellent. What we did notice was there didn't seem to be much general maintenance going on around the ship, usually you see alot off cleaning and painting of the ship we saw none of that.

Verified customer
1 cruise
14 Sep 2014
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Over all very good but Waterside Buffet lunch menu left a lot to be desired unless you want a curry or other spicy food. Wine waiters in the main restaurants could be a little bit friendlier. Cabin excellent in cleanliness and service. Waiters good in Saffron dinning room. Open deck areas good .

Verified customer
1 cruise
12 Sep 2014