Ventura ,May 8th.
Ist cruise I have been on,
The only complaint I had in the whole 2 weeks was that I was not given a steak knife!.
My partner and I are in our 70's and very young at heart and fully mobile. I really cannot understand the complaints about the ship or it's staff, all were attentive and a pleasure to be with.
The people aboard were the sort of people you would chose to be with, no "Chavs" and the children , few in number , were well behaved. I suppose if we had been the type who wanted to sunbathe by the pool we may have found it a bit crowded but everyone seemed to be enjoying both pools and a few other adults the upper deck small one.No more hotels with rigid dining times and mediocre entertainment (After the hours of kids playtime in the evening) for me,
Reccomend the freedom dining by the way, can sit with others if you like but we always asked for, and got, a table for two.Go on Ventura and enjoy, I will definitely be sailing on her again, But I don't think it will be at school holidays (or xmas), maybe it could then be like Butlins on sea!. there are after all 3000 passengers aboard.
Thanks for a well organised and memorable holiday P&O.

Had two great weeks on Ventura,would avoid school holiday time .Only a few children on our cruise .I was a bit concerned by the reports I had heard beforehand.Lots of good bars and clubs ,the only complaints I heard was that the ship was "too big" have been on all PO ships.This was different but equally as good .

Just returned from Med Cruise on Ventura 8th May 2009. This was our seventh cruise and first time with P & O. We had a really good time and thought the food and the drinks prices were excellent. Dined in the White Room for £15 each which was reduced from £20 and I can honestly say the food was superb. Marco Pierre White was on board for 3 days whilst we were there but unfortunately he got off the ship the day we chose to dine in his restuarant, nevertheless we got to see him as he did an interview for an hour in the Arena Theatre and he was very interesting, couldn't get over how tall he is! We also dined in the East Room and enjoyed the most wonderful Thai food for £7.50 each which was reduced from £15. Because we dined in both restaurants we got a voucher for a free 3 course Tapas meal in Las Ramblas. The only negative things I can say is that I missed not having a chocolate night where you can go in the restaurant later in the evening and take photographs of the lovely ice sculptures and carvings from fruit and items made of chocolate that they have on other ships we have sailed on. Also I thought the Library was a bit small and the venues for showing movies not very appropriate.
Liked having a fridge in our cabin and tea & coffee making facilities. We enjoyed the daily quizes in the Exchange and had fun at the Whist drives and best of all we enjoyed the Dance lessons, we are experts at the Square Tango now thanks to the wonderful dance instructors who had lots of patience. We will definitely take another cruise on board Ventura.

Just returned from fjords cruise excellent all round cruise.read a few bad reviews need not have worried .very quick check in. lovely clean and spacious cabin.chose second sitting dining never had a bad meal,self service restaurant good choice and quality.
drinks as pub prices,entertainment very good loads of things to do on board.fantastic spa and heated pools,425 kids on board hardly ever saw them as they had there own space.cruised before but first time with P&O and we will do so again.give this ship a try as it is well worth it.

We have just returned from a week's cruise to lovely Norway on Ventura. It was our first time on this ship and when we found that we had inadvertently booked for half-term week we thought that we had made a mistake. However in spite of there being 400+ children on board we were pleasantly surprised. The chidren's department kept them so busy day and night that the only time we saw them was when they were in the pools enjoying themselves. This was lovely to see as we are 65+ grandparents. The mix of age groups on Ventura is so much better than being with all older people. The ship is beautiful and very spacious. You do not feel overcrowded. After reading so many bad reviews I felt I had to send in a good one. We will definately go again.

We have cruised before ~ mostly Fred Olsen.
Our first impression was the overwhelming size of the ship when we first saw her moored in Southampton. A colossus.
Although having been determined to be open minded about cruising on such a massive cruiser we joined her with some trepidation.
We had been rather seduced by a pretty good deal with Messrs Thomas Cook which included £300 per cabin on board spend.
Considering the enormous number of passengers joining the ship in a short period of time and the impressive up-to-date security precautions, embarkation was achieved relatively speedily and with ease.

Problem 1.
~~~ We had specifically requested a quiet cabin. What did we get? ~~~ a 'Stateroom' immediatly adjacent to the engine exhaust flues!
Our nights were accompanied by a muted but distinct roar from the exhaust plus a noise above our ceiling redolent of a steam valve exhaust which occured every 5 to 10 minutes.
Let me say at this juncture that our cabin steward and his supervisor were incredibly sympathetic and we were moved to a nearby cabin (after 7 days of complaining)
However our second cabin was an especial horror (cabin C525).
On the second night we were startled nearly out of out wits when we were awoken by a thumping/bashing noise on the bulkhead wall at the head of our beds. The whole of the bulkhead/wall and mirror vibrated with each thump as did the beds themselves ~ it was as if someone was trapped in a space behind our cabin and was desparately trying to escape or get our attention. These noises were intermittant and carried on more or less for the rest of our cruise despite bringing it to the attention of increasingly senior menbers of the deck staff.
When, at one stage and in a certain amount of of desparation, I complained yet again to the reception desk, the receptionist giggled and remarked to her colleague "Ha ha ~~ the haunted cabin!"
This cabin problem went a long way to completely tainting our holiday.

We chose at all destinations not to join official excursions.
Upon arriving at Livorno ( The port for Florence and Pisa) we thought that we would like to make our own way to Pisa by train.
I went to the reception desk and asked if there was a railway timetable available. The answer was no but I was directed to further make this request at the excursion desk.
The lady there, Maggie, said, in an offhand manner that I might try downloading a timetable from the internet (cost of £10).
I must say that I thought her attitude surly and unhelpful and my response was to ask " Was I to be under the impression that P&O was not really interested in helping passengers not taking part in official excursions?"
Her immediate retort was "That's right!"
GobSmacked or what? ~ I was stunned and managed to say a rather weak " At least that's honest"

Now this was not a dream holiday of a lifetime and apart from the cabin problems and the observed attitude of some staff I would say that this 14 day cruise to the Med and back was good value for money.

We did find the everpresent drinks waiters at our elbows irritating as were the intrusive ships photographers.
The Ventura is a massive 24 hour sales and merchandising operation with all sorts of cheapjack junk on offer on all three floors of the Atrium. It is difficult to get away from the relentless and naked pressure to partake in this 'Petticoat Lane' operation.

When all is said and done this massive Cruiser is smart, clean and despite our reservations and criticisms, well run.

Our problems , although not well resolved, were mainly addressed professionally and with sympathy.

For us there were far too many passengers and it seemed as if we were in a floating football stadium.

Come back Fred Olsen all is forgiven even if you are grudging about having ones own alcohol in cabins (which, refreshingly, P&O are not)

This is a follow-up to my report in May (Barry Peverett)
After much correspondence and many phone calls we finally received, after 4 months of wrangling, a refund of £450.00p in respect of the sub-standard accomodation we endured on our cruise. We were finally offered this sum or £720.00p discount on the price of a future cruise but we have decided, irrespective of our cabin problems, that big-ship-Butlins-holiday-type cruising is not for us.
Probably great for families with children and if you are not too fussy about the hordes (over 3,000) of co-passengers and rampaging kids.
Thank you P&O, even if it was like drawing hen's teeth.
It is worth noting that the cheerfulness and willingness of crew members seemed to us to have a direct relationship with the likelyhood of receiving gratuity at the end of the cruise. The cabin and restaurant staff were unfailingly cheerful and helpful. The reception staff we found surly, aloof and disinterested. The English member of staff encountered on the excursion desk was breathtakingly beyond belief.

From the time we arrived at southampton we were very happy with everything the ventura looked like a cruise ship should clean and big.
our cabin was really clean and well turned out and the bed was very spacious and inviting.
the food was well prepared and there was a good Variety of choice.
the staff were very polite and helpfull and always smart and clean
As for the entertainment well you would have had to pay dearly to see the shows we saw on our cruise if you had to pay to see them in a theatre
will i sail on this ship again Most certainly i am in the process of booking again for next may only this time i am taking more family
Well done ventura

a relaxed journey by coach to southhampton to check in hall dockside and onboard within 30 mins.

12th cruise so knew the routine--big ship busy lifts ,find cabin , wait luggage , lifeboat drill ( better to muster next to lifeboat as on other ships and not in the main theatre (last place i would go in an emergency-my opinion)

inside cabin clean and adequate but single beds.liked the kettle facility to make our own tea/coffee

Changed from 2nd sitting to freedom dining no problem and we enjoyed the differing company each evening.food was either very good to excellent throughout the 2 weeks.service polite and efficient."compulsory" tipping taken from account approx £1.70 each per day which was fine.

on board drinks reasonable e.g. £2.10 a can of beer.

excellent shows in main theatre- 3 shows / evening.9pm sitting crammed full.need to be there 20 mins prior to get a seat (together).some good "bellylaugh" comics on few times during cruise.

enjoyed the ballroom dance evening spots on most evenings.also enjoyed the dance lessons ,feature films and lectures( from astronomy to bird migration) for days at sea while as expected the deck areas are busy , noisy and crowded (but not like sardines).wife also enjoyed the watercolour painting workshops.

liked the prom deck where one can actually walk round and round the ship(10times about 4 miles).people on board really friendly as opposed to some usa ships where some appeared fiendly .not too many kids on board but that's why we went now - not in school hols.

trips ashore well organised and cheaper than usa ships.
itinerary clashed with some public hols , so same as home ,cities packed solid which some people moaned about.

really enjoyed this med cruise .would use ventura again but not in school hols.

It's about time the Ventura got a fair report. The trouble with P&O is that they don't seem to understand that the Ventura won't suit everyone and market it indiscriminately. Whether you love or hate this ship, or have mixed opinions about it, really depends on who you are. There are a lot of people who really shouldn’t book a holiday on this ship and a lot of people who definitely should.

The distinct aspects of Ventura in comparison with its sister ships is that it is much bigger, it is quite family focused and it has a lot more bar areas to appeal to younger passengers. Despite its size, it should also be noted that it cannot boast extra amenities to cope with the numbers (such as a bigger casino – Ventura’s is really rather small – or a bigger library).

From my observations, you will love this ship if you are a young family or young people who appreciate the bar areas. The pool areas are fantastic for the kids and they dominate them all day every day accordingly! Parents can also drop them at the well facilitated kids clubs and there is a very broad and nutritious dining option for them in the buffet. For the younger passenger, Ventura offers lively bar areas including the well apportioned Havana Club and the drinks are well priced. I would also like to say that drunken behavior was extremely rare on the ship; I only saw one slightly inebriated young lady who was quickly returned to her cabin!

First time cruisers will also enjoy this ship, as we did, though with some reservations. We concluded that the P&O experience was very enjoyable with very few inconveniences though we also agreed we would prefer a smaller ship. The food was good, though not stunning, most likely due to the high volume of passengers to cater for and the amenities were plentiful enough most of the time. I think we got the cruise experience, but with occasional poor service.

The cabins are well proportioned and the cabin stewards are friendly and professional. Our cabin steward forgot turn down once, but considering this merely involves placing a chocolate on the pillow and turning on the lamps, I can’t say I was too bothered by it!

More experienced and mature cruisers, who do not travel with children, will not like this ship. Nor will a lot of disabled people (not because of a lack of access, but the slowness of access). It is too big and the normal P&O service is impossible because of a lower crew to passenger ratio. The worst thing for us on the cruise was horrific queuing. We queued until 9pm each evening before the restaurant was opened for the 8:30pm sitting and eventually switched to freedom dining (due to their lateness, the service in turn was rapid and felt like conveyor belt dining). We also had to queue for over an hour each time we wanted a courtesy coach from one of the city destinations. We didn’t even bother getting off the coach in Bilbao when we saw the queue that had already developed.

The lifts are a nightmare, exacerbated by children who have less spatial awareness than the common flea. I once queued 25 minutes for a lift and kept watching families turn up with their trio of brats and their megaton buggy to jump the queue and fill the lift. It typically takes five minutes for a lift to reach your deck and they’re quite spread out so you can be standing expecting one to arrive only for it to miss your deck, whilst another opens up and is taken by another passenger for whom queuing is a foreign concept. If you can, take the stairs. There’s so much food on this cruise that you’ll appreciate it when you disembark.

If you don’t have children, they are annoying and they dominate the pool areas so don’t expect to go for a swim on this ship except at funny hours. There is a tiny adult pool at the aft of the ship but there are no signs to say it is adult friendly so the children dominate this pool too. To be fair its right by the kid’s centre anyway! The children are also very noisy, so don’t expect to relax by the pool either.

The food can be mediocre. I would advise sticking to those things that are easier to cook – my girlfriend’s lobster thermidore was, in a word, murdered. Never eat the consommé or chowder from the soup option, because the person serving always takes from the top of the canteen and you never get any of the solid material (e.g. vegetables, prawns) in your bowl! You normally end up with a strangely flavoured bowl of water. Do go to the White Room, it is amazing, don’t pay full price for East, it isn’t worth more than a supplement of £10. Ramblas, the tapas restaurant, is a fantastic lunch option at £2.50 a head supplement.

Finally, I shall try to compare my experience with some of the other comments. The ship does rock a bit in the Bay of Biscay, but you are on a boat and it’s really not very rough so my advice would be to get over it. The poor quality of the carpets is absolutely true – I saw a lot of that horrible yellow and black tape where the seam had split. It’s not so much because the carpet has a bad tog, but because it wasn’t laid properly and split on the ramps and stairs because of heavy traffic. However, the complaints of noise and unsavoury passengers must be, in my opinion, misguided snobbery. There were some passengers who decided not to bother with the formal nights but P&O’s response seemed to be to not bother feeding them in the al la carte restaurants so no one should really complain about that.

So, in conclusion. This ship will give you a good cruise experience although you might not find it perfect. If you’ve cruised before, except on some Chav Boat like Thomson Cruises, you’ll be expecting something better. If you’re a family you’ll probably love it (and everyone else will prefer it if you take your young children on this ship so they’re not on theirs!)