P&O Cruises, Ventura Reviews

Guest's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

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.

Guest's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

classical music being the cruise theme was quite good from the somewhat aloof performers and host. Disadvantaged passangers eg. those in whelchairs and electric wheeled buggies were for the most part thouroughly rude and obnoxious, there was only them on board after all, (I thought the cruise was only for them and that we had booked eroneously),presumably all of ther other passengers who had also paid to have equal rights to an enjoyable holiday were expected to be second class passangers.by th ...

floridaglen's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

We recently returned from a Norwegian fjords cruise aboard Ventura. Unfortunately, the ship did not live up to our expectations. If you have never cruised before you will probably think that all cruise ships are the same believe me, they are not! We have cruised 3 times with RCI aboard Freedom, Liberty and Independence of the Seas (the 3 largest cruise ships in the world) and Ventura comes no where near in comparison.

The food is very average, except in East where we ate on the first nigh ...

cruisiero's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

Just got back from Baltic cruise. First timers so judged cruise on its own merits. Absolutely fantastic. We were freedom diners and food was very good and we had no problems getting into the Cinnamon when we fancied being waited on.

Service was fantastic throughout. Easily up to top restaurant standards. Please remember that the staff are away from home for 10 months of the year and I suspect get paid very little (minimum wage not apply?) so don't be mean with the tips.

Room excellent and our ...

Guest's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

On our way back to Southampton from May/June Baltic Cruise. We inherited NOVA VIRUS from previous cruise to the Norway Fjords, they had we are told 400 cases. The ventura has throughout our cruise been under severe restrictions with Captains welcome night cancelled, Portunis Night cancelled. All condiments removed from restraunts. Beach House Restraunt Closed for entire 14 day Cruise only One half of Waterside restraunt open for entire cruise resulting in very long queues at meal times as all fo ...

jaykaycad's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

Cruise to Norway May 22-29th on P&O Ventura. Over 400 children on board and hardly saw them. Staff and crew very efficient, friendly and helpful. Prices on board were great. Only heard of one complaint by an other passenger. Did not like music being played in the public areas!!! Even though the weather was not great in port we have had a great experience. This is our fifth cruise and rates one of the best.

roland406's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

Went on the P&O Cruises, Ventura in May 2008 was excellent, back on Ventura May 2009 to the Baltics and how the ship has declined is unbelievable. Only one service side of the Waterfront restraunt is in Use The Beach house restraunt has never been open, This means ques as long as the ship, Shuttle coaches to Copenhagan a joke ques and over one hour wait to get on a coach at the ship. Their seems to be no organisation. The carpets require a good deep clean. No one seems happy on board. P&O have l ...

Werthers's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

Just back from our first ever cruise - 7 days on Ventura P&O Cruises. It was fantastic from start to finish. Excellent continuing supply of food with hard working and dedicated staff. I have two children aged 2 and 5 and they were totally taken by the superb kids clubs offered that had countless activities going on for them from morning till late at night.

General entertainment in the evening is about what I had expected, enjoyable. Endless events and happenings going on throughout the d ...

Guest's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

The Ventura is a credit to P&O, from take off to landing home we had the best service you could ask for .The ship is large so if you dont like something you can move !!!! we had a lot of younger people on and they never caused any probs at all , For the size of the ship she is always very clean in all areas, the food was good in the upper decks for fast food, but we liked the lower decks to eat. The CABINS ARE GREAT ours was on c deck and kept clean and tidy at all times. For all the reviews i ...

Guest's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

I found the Ventura with P&O Cruises,fabulous modern and magical.
I loved it! anyone who says different is very wrong. its incredibly hard to run a ship and they do it brilliantly.

On average, people found this review very helpful
Report this review

Saved up and spent a lot of money on Ventura's first Christmas and New Year Cruise. What a disappointment. This ship is an insult to the P&O brand. It is more like a poorly designed block of flats on water than a cruise liner. Poorly behaved passengers were not supervised or dealt with. Entertainment ranged from excellent (the minority) to absolutely dire (one comedian told the same jokes on two different nights - not very good ones either). Food lacked imagination and variety unless you ...

Guest's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

From the moment that we boarded Ventura in Southamton until .the moment that we disembarked in Southampton we had a ball and were treated like royalty.

Friendly and caring staff and Officers.
Exceptionally helpful and cheerful P.& O. personnel on shore-based duties at all ports (in the vicinitity of the gangway.)
Very good entertainmen/events.
Great food with varied menus, we were not on-time when reserving "Fixed Sittings" we used "open diningsand buffet service". Both were excellent. ...

rustylee1's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

On the Ventura, P&O Cruises, the balcony was a good size, with sufficient storage space and a comfortable bed but I believe P&O have got this one wrong. Too many passengers. Not enough sunbeds which were packed in like sardines. Food not as good as expected. Insufficient staff ( who do work very hard). Average entertainment.It is a shame because I have cruised several times before with the same company. Hopefully they do get it right, but it should be right before the first sailing. People pay a ...

anthony barrie duffy's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

P & O Ventura. Staff great, lovely bar areas. No deck games as other ships do have. Entertainment very poor, theatre company for the maiden season very disappointing. I think P&O have a lot to do i e. bringing the entertainment up to a better standard.

maryhelen's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

If you want a 3* cruise then this is it. Very mediocre. Evenings spoilt by drunk teenagers. Queues for freedom dining. I thought I was spending my well earned cash on a five star traditional cruise as that is what the prices indicated but I was very wrong.

Billy Clark's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

Food ok, golf pro on board was very good. To many uncontrollable children, crew and officers seemed not to bother with our complaint about the children. Do something about the children.

Guest's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

There was all ways a lot of food at all times. The ship entertainment was unbelievable although it based on adults. The children facilitates where good. Smokers were on there balcony's and the smoke you could not get away from it. Overall its a fantastic ship with lots of sport stuff.

Guest's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

Modern, clean with excellent food and friendly staff. Entertainment was good i.e shows in the Arena. Vibration in aft cabin, and cabin doors banged - a lot! not enough sunbeds (to those who hogged the same beds/spots throughout the cruise i hope you are ashamed of yourselves). Enjoyed our first cruise! Ventura is a lovely ship

phillj123's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

We went as a family of 4, at sea never saw the kids, cabins ok considering the only time you will be in them is to sleep. The food range from very good to excellent, as well as the paying restaurants with a good choice of foods. Staff were helpful and pleasant, don't forget most will be doing 16+ hours a day to help you (directed at ignorant passengers). My only complaint (niggle) is looking around most parents were in their 30/40s, yet most of the entertainment seemed to be (as it is on most cr ...

MMC741's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Report this review

I have just come back off the Ventura and it is an amazing ship. I have only have one thing to complain about which is you have to walk through a smoky bar to get to certain places, but P&O have now stopped it so it should be a lot better. We had an inside cabin and it was very spacious and clean. The food was always perfectly cooked. The entertainment was always up to a very high standard. Plenty of things for kids and teenagers to do. You could always find somewhere to eat and you could always ...