193 Reviews
Traveller Rating
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Excellent71
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Very Good64
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Good38
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Average14
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Poor6
Review Overview
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Cleanliness
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Entertainment
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Food
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Service
The ship is large, no wrong word the ship is huge, but you know, because its huge you get so much more.
The ship was clean ,I mean really squeaky clean, gleamingly so.I went freedom dining somthing I hadnt tried before. I never had to wait for an evening meal I went into which ever venue I wanted and was seated.I had a fantastic steak at the beach hut. I hand some of the finest indian cooking I have ever had in my entire life at East, and the service was perfect.I had several evening meals in the Cinnamon,all excellent,and you know I asked other diners their opinion and 99% agreed with me. Whites was a really nice meal, but I thought that the cover charge of £20 was much to steep. The Waterside self service venue his huge, and finding a vacant seat is really hard, so I had one excellent meal in there and never returned.
The Staff I thought the cruise director a bit naff, but then he's probably not a fan of mine.I dont think anyone saw the captain around the decks, shame really it kind of makes the trip. Some of the bar staff wwere a little aloof, I found the Red Bar ok but with no smiling service.
Entertainment was good, the P&O Company were as ever outstanding, but I did think the contortionist was a little too much for my taste but that is only me being petty.
Brian Connolly was great even the lads in the lighting box were laughing outloud at his act.
Those of you waiting to join Ventura just go and have a fabulous holiday.
My cabin was fantastic my steward Savio was a gem, go enjoy and have a great time
Travel operator: iglu
Embarkation was simple and quick - the ship was beautiful and immaculate - we especially loved the Tazzine coffee bar in the Atrium.
We found all the staff friendly and incredibly helpful - our cabin steward in particular. The food was great - we never had to wait for a table in the formal restaurant. We used the Beachouse Bistro a lot as we were travelling with children (and it was an excellent "half way" between formal and buffet) and if they were full they gave you a buzzer so you could go and have a drink while waiting for your table. The waterside buffet could get busy for breakfast but we never struggled for a table and the food was always excellent.
We enjoyed the evening entertainment - some was better than others - but it was all fun. Would have liked more choice of films during the day and I would agree with a previous comment in that films should have been shown in the Theatre not other bars where the seating was awkward for film viewing.
My only gripe (if any) was that it was difficult to get a sun bed on deck once the sun came out!!! I think our fellow passengers must have been up at the crack of dawn with their towells!!!
We also had problems with immigration on St. Thomas - but this was the fault of the immigration officers not the ship - and I believe that the Ventura is not visiting the island again this season.
Our favourite place - the Metropolis bar - fantastic with 20 foot plasma screens showing city landmarks and a resident pianist! Went every night!!!
Also found the drinks prices very reasonable - especially compared to places we go at home - and it was useful having everything listed in sterling rather than american dollars.
We cant wait to go again and will definately be choosing the Ventura for our next cruise!!!
Travel operator: P&O
We were club dining, first sitting in the Saffron restaurant and we had two excellent waiters--Saffee and Nitin who looked after us really well.
We enjoyed the majority of the on board entertainment---especially Brian Conley and also thought the Ventura theatre company were excellent. The only irritating entertainers were the duo-'Sophistication' who weren't too bad when they sang but were very cheesy when they talked in between songs.
Our cabin was excellent as we were lucky enough to have been in a luxury balcony cabin on deck D with the only disappointment being that all the balconies on this level were overlooked by all the decks above.
Our cabin steward, Menino, was excellent and it was lovely to have the bed turned down in the evening and a chocolate beside the bed.
My husband used his mobile a lot on board as he has his own business and I dread to think what his bill will be like but at least the reception was good.
The bars on board were all good although the 'Red Bar' was a little snooty. We really liked 'The Exchange' (when Sophistication weren't playing) and were impressed by the reasonable drinks prices.
All in all we were very impressed and will definitely be cruising again--probably on the Ventura---but next time I won't eat for at least two weeks before we go so I make room for all the fantastic food.
One warning to future cruiser's---don't buy the 'Cruise DVD' at the end of your holiday. It was the one thing that we really thought wasn't worth the money and didn't show nearly enough of the areas on the ship that we were hoping to show friends and family. Next time we'll do our own video.
Travel operator: The Cruse Specialist
Travel operator: Thomsons
on board we sampled fine foods and wine in all the resturaunt and bars and entertainment was great.
the pools and sun decks were fantastic along with the poolside service.
we had some great sailaway parties with our compare leon and his entertainment team.
the ventura is very much a family ship as their is so much to do for the kids in their own clubs to suit their age.
before our cruise ended we decided to book our next cruise aboard the Azura for our honeymoon which we are really looking forward too !
any family thinking about taking their 1st cruise aboard the ventura will love every minute
Travel operator: thompson
What a farce the theatre is, a ship with 3000 passengers and a theatre that only holds 800!!! Several nights we could not get in and that was turning up before 8.30pm. I know there is another performance at 11pm but that is a bit late for some people. I know it is a family designed ship but as we went in September when there were only a handful of children on board i would have thought P&O would have takern this into consideration and been a bit more traditional. The service has certainly gone downhill, not as much selection at lunch time in the self service restraunts and some of the dishes recycled from the previous day and given another name.
This ship, although fairly well laid out does not compare with Royal Caribeans Navigator of the Seas for food and entertainment My advice is not to travel on this ship if you want traditionsl P&O service
Travel operator: Gills
Travel operator: P * O
Travel operator: thomas cook
Ship is huge. After three days we were still finding new areas to explore.
Weather was fine so no expereince of any heavy seas.
Ship was spotless - even areas of the hull was washed at every port! I pitied the poor bloke with a jet wash who had to carry out this task!
Food - freedom dining excellent idea if like us you have children. Food offered in Cinnamon restaurant of excellent quality and our steak was cooked perfectly. Waterside buffet restaurant was a little BHS cafe style, but the food was OK and perfect for our daughter who could pick and chose what she wanted. Ramblas tapas is a nice idea, but very badly executed.
Staff were friendly and cabin steward provided excellent service all week.
On board entertainment - with a three year old in tow we didn't see much. We could only stand 15 minutes of the theatre show!
Ports of call.
Vigo - shut on Sundays, drug taking around the fort area.
Lisbon - the highlight
Le Verdon - Ignore P&O slating it to get you on trips. The bus takes you to Surmac sur mer which is a lovely seaside town.
Brest - not somewhere I'll be rushing back to.
Travel operator: P&O
it was just amazing.
they just think of everything
from photo galleries, clubs to suit everyone from young to older.
food amazing u can literally eat whenever you want.
when in the med sea a little dissapointed with the few flies around the ship and food, very annoying.
room always clean, maid does amazing job
staff so funny great sense of humor and they wont hesitate to get to know you,
fun quizzes, nice pools and lots of things to do if u like to stay in durin the day and funny things going on during the day if u are at sea and think boring what to do!?
everytime ventura leaves a port they have a sailaway which is very fun,
got home today and i need the ship back. made myself at home and loved every moment
im deffo going on again sometime, will have to save first tho :)
zowee xx
Travel operator: bath travel
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