The Ventura

[Tenpin]

First let me say that I have over the past decade avoided the P & O brand as not my cup of tea, many reviews I read contained traces of snobbishness that is not the modern day cruise ship.
It was therefore with some amazement that not only did we look at the offer in my in-box we actually went ahead and booked it, a fantastic deal at £649 for a balcony cabin.

La Coruna, Bilbao, La Rochelle, Brest and St Peter Port 7 days on the Ventura from Southampton.
Boarding was first class with the ticketed numbering system and the many open desks working like clockwork, even with our privileged ranks on other lines I would like to think that maybe the P & O way was better.
Crewmembers waited and informed you of the way to your cabin each with a nice smile, which is sometimes missing on say, Costa, Princess. The cabin was spotless with a posy of fresh flowers and a welcome on board message from your steward. Roomy with plenty of hanging space, although just a few drawers more would have been nice, for all the odds & ends we take with us on holiday.
The Ventura is a large resort ship built in 2008 with families in mind, weighing 115.000 tons with 3000 passengers (3500 when full) and a crew of 1226 and boasts of nineteen decks. Family AE grade cabins take between four to six people and have 700 square foot of floor space, two bedrooms one with two pullman bunk beds above lower twin beds, the other either King size or converted to twins. Two bathrooms, dressing area, two flat screen TVs, lounge seating and balcony. Even the lower price cabin are generous at 324 & 233 Sq Ft.
This is a child friendly ship, and which again changed my view that children and ships do not mix. We just looked at some of the many activities on board for children only; based in age groups they appeared extremely well organised from early morning until night. Strange as it sounds it was almost like there were very few kids on board and certainly not under your feet shouting and screaming. Well done P & O that’s a first for me.
An excellent mix of entertainment each evening with plenty of seating wherever you decide to go, many options to eat apart from the main dining rooms. Just who would expect a seven course meal at a Marco Pierre Whites restaurant was only £25 per head, East’s was also great value at £15, however we ate in the Bay Tree Restaurant, one of the three main dining rooms each night liking the same companions during our meals. These are of course included in your cruise fare, but in fact served awesome food with a large choices of dishes each night, just for instance a random menu had Melon, Pate, Mussels, Soup or Consommé, Tiger Prawns, Beef Tenderloin, Monkfish Tails, Roast Pheasant slow cooked Pork, six choices of desert and cheese also always available a further choice of chicken, steak, salmon with salads or veg and choice of potatoes.
The other point about P & O that I must make was the price of all drinks on board, without being OTT these were less than half the price of other lines and did not add 15% for service charges, water for the most part was free, wine very reasonable from £9 per bottle.
So all in all I shall in future take other Cruises with this Company and even pass on a few recommendations

[Steve]

Very nice review. I would like to go on a cruise one day I think.

[bea]

(01-07-2010 10:19 AM)Steve Wrote:  Very nice review. I would like to go on a cruise one day I think.

we went on one for our honeymoon in 2004. we chose a relaxed cruise on the Island Escape and had a fantastic time. Hadn't tried cruising befor as i didnt like the idea of dressing for dinner and all that stuff. Island cruises are more our cup of tea, you can dress up and go to the 'posh restaurant' if you want but otherwise you just wear your normal clothes and they even had one restaurant...buffet style, open 24/7. Go on Steve...give it a go. We will do it again one year.

[Tenpin]

Hi Bea,

Island Escape has now gone over to Thomson but under same name and remains easy going.

NCL is an all freedom style dining with no formal nights, and enjoyed by young to middle age, rather than the older Blue rinse mob and grumpy old men like me.
While the Royal Caribbean Independance of the Sea is a must for adventurous youngsters looking for excitment.

[Steve]

(01-07-2010 11:34 AM)bea Wrote:  

(01-07-2010 10:19 AM)Steve Wrote:  Very nice review. I would like to go on a cruise one day I think.

we went on one for our honeymoon in 2004. we chose a relaxed cruise on the Island Escape and had a fantastic time. Hadn't tried cruising befor as i didnt like the idea of dressing for dinner and all that stuff. Island cruises are more our cup of tea, you can dress up and go to the 'posh restaurant' if you want but otherwise you just wear your normal clothes and they even had one restaurant...buffet style, open 24/7. Go on Steve...give it a go. We will do it again one year.

I will get round to doing it one day I am sure. I may try a short cruise first.

Steve

[pemmo]

I went on an eastern med cruise for my honeymoon just over 39 years ago,it was fantastic to stop in a different place everyday,bought some gold in Beruit,the bracelet cost me £11,I had it valued a couple of years ago £700 :)going back to the Ventura,friend of ours are getting married late August and have booked to go on this ship for their honeymoon.

[Tenpin]

Hi pemmo,

Think it is about time you tried cruising again, 39 years is too long to wait for another exciting holiday. ship todays are so much better than of old when I started cruising in 1958.

Modern ship cater for all taste with a healthy mix between yound and seniors.

Sure your friends will enjoy the Ventura and be waited on during their honeymoon.