P&O Cruises, Ventura Review

Overall Rating

This was our first cruise with P&O but our second cruise overall. We booked on this due to availability and the fact we though a bigger newer ship would be better.

embarkation took around 30 minutes which in fairness to get 3400 people on board to wait 30 mins is quite good. We had a disabled passenger with us and the ship was set out fantasically for the disabled with the exception of tender ports. You can even take full sized mobility scooters on board but allocation is limited. There are no facilities to hire anything electric but i do believe they do have standard wheelchairs available.

We also took 2 children with us aged 6 and 1. we were given free baby milk, jars of baby food and bottle steralisers and bottle warmers and the kids club staff were fantastic our 6 year old never wanted to leave. although activities for younger children are limited and unstaffed again till the last day when it comes to filling out reviews.

The cabin we booked was an outside family room which considered of a twin room with 2 drop down beds. This was no where big enough to accomodate 2 adults and 2 children let alone 4 adults.

The steward that looked after the rooms was fantastic and did an amazing job.

Prices on board were £2.80 for a pint of bitter or lager £3.50 plus for a cocktail or £2.50 for the cokctail of the day.

we did run into some moderate sea swell on our return in the alantic alongside portugal and the ship wasnt fantastic at handling the 11 foot waves. We sailed on thompson a year previous and on a 20 year old ship in a force 9 was roughly the same experience. smoking if you have 3400 passengers on a boat and half smoke there is only 3 smoking areas on the entire ship this is the right side of deck 7 and outside on deck 15 and the rear on deck 15 thats it the none smokers have the rest of the ship. Also if you do smoke cigarettes are £2.50 a pack on board if your lucky to call at barcelona they are 15 euro for 200 and at gibraltar there £11 for 200 also be advised to use sterling in gibraltar its far easier. However in rough seas and on certain occasions deck 7 is closed off for safety

The main thing that this ship lacked is any form of friendliness except for the asian waiters who are fantastic the officers very rarely notice you let alone speak to you until the last day and whilst in the beachfront restaurant which is probably the best place to eat i had the unfortunate experience to witness how bad the officers treat the lower fellow crew members.

The onboard entertainment was quite well presented but for 4 long days at sea pretty spread out as P&O are the masters of the cover charge. 2 restaurantes on board have a cover charge if you wish to take part in any lessons ie photography, computer lessons you will have to pay. On the other hand shopping is poor there is basic shops but thats it basically use you money in the ports you visit for any luxury items. Also spa and salon prices are high and by appointment only. FOr the size of the ship and the amount of people it carries the main night club/variety wasnt big enough if you wasnt in early normally before 10pm there were no seats till around 11.30. also there is no dedicated cinema they have a 750 seat theatre but chose to show half the films in other areas on 42" plasmas whilst the arena was unused.

I had learnt on our previous cruise to avoid the buffet restaurant (waterside) as this is basically a free for all, any form of manners ie politeness and courtesy are left at the door it is a jumble sale for food if you dont wish to fight for your food probably the best time to go is if theres an event or show on.

If you can check out the Bar behind the beachfront restaurant as the staff there are probably the best on the ship Rex, Romeo and Pilar only took them a few days to learn your name and out of 3400 people that is brilliant there also some of the nicest people you can meet.

also the night creche is a brilliant idea as you can put your baby to sleep there and go enjoy yourself upto 2am and the staff will give you a pager and notify via it if theres any problems or your babys awake. Alternatively and which we preferred was the baby listening service within the room once your baby's asleep press this button on your phone and while you away you can pick any phone up on the ship dial your room and listen to your room and where ever you go your never more than 10 feet from a phone.

You can use the rooms interactive tv to do anything from checking your onboard account ordering various items from shops or food and they have an array of programs and films to choose from.

As we also have a business to take care of we found that the internet charges were pretty high and be warned if you connect your mobile to the marine time network on board you will be paying expensive phone charges of around £2 a minute

Also the ship boasts 5 swimming pools however 1 is for staff only and 2 are adult only and there is 2 where children are allowed and a small pool outside the kids club on deck 16.

If any passengers are practising religions there is a small chapel on board which gives a sunday prayer service held by the captain or staff captain. This doesnt cover any form of mass service or any other religion.

Overall we found the ship disappointing but still enjoyable we will cruise again but we wouldnt travel with P&O again as we found it wasnt the ship but rather the company where this experience failed. If anyone has done an overnight P&O minicruise to rotterdam bilbao or Belgium this is just a bigger version of that. Its definately nothing special. Also speaking to people who have vast more experience in cruising they advise Royal Caribbean or Cunard the ships are more stable the entertainment is better and not as many cover charges if any for the same price but dont take it as gospel its just what we were advised. The only thing i can say that if its your 1st cruise you'll love it untill you try someone else. But i reccommend look else where.