Atlantic Coast Iberia from Southampton, 18 March 2021 (12 nights)

• Ventura
• P&O Cruises
• 29 Oct 2019

Second time aboard Ventura, and confirms my initial thoughts. The entertainment on board is distinctly "low brow". Worse this time than last. The public spaces need a rethink:- There is a lot of useless space on the inside Promenade deck, especially around the photo shop and Dixons. Sindhu restaurant never seems to have anyone in there and the space could be better used for something else. For example, the Costa coffee bar gets very crowded because it is next to the Atrium dance floor (which is inadequate) and passengers block the seeting. The library is too small and the retail shops are too big with nothing much in them. Tamarind and Havana venues have very poor sight lines, and Tamarind is open on one side to passers-by who are not always quiet when there is a concert/lecture in progress. There is not enough outside seating for non-smoking diners outside at the Terrace Bar at breakfast. Our accomodation (standard balcony) was adequate but a little "tight" at the foot of the beds. Food in main dining room excellent in my opinion and wine prices quite reasonable.

• Ventura
• P&O Cruises
• 22 Oct 2019

Also just back from Med. Cruise. This was our third cruise, but first on P and O and the other cruise lines rate higher for us (Celebrity and Cruise & Maritime). Yes, the cabin steward, bar waiter and main dining room staff were lovely. But it started badly with abrupt car park staff telling you to get a trolley and take your own luggage to check-in! Ventura very unstable in swells off Portugal and the ship has things going wrong with it - shower temperature wasn't controllable and the water was often scalding hot - reported to reception and was then ok for 1 day. Also - two first response alarms on board during the cruise - a smoking electrical cupboard in galley and an apparent false fire alarm, in the early hours one night, relating to an incinerator - very scary. Found theatre shows not to be of particularly high standard on most nights. Excursions - choose them well as they mostly give you the briefest time at the places you have been looking forward to going. All designed to get you to book another cruise and go back again.

• Ventura
• P&O Cruises
• 20 Oct 2019

Just back from 2 weeks around the Med. lovely clean ship, food ok, entertainment amazing and our room steward was wonderful. On Deck 12 centre making everywhere accessible. Booked for 2021 same ship hopefully same room.