The buffet food made the cruise very disappointing and with the layout of the ship, and the boredom on sea days when there is inclement weather, means I won't go on Ventura or probably P & O again. RCI or Princess in future.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Embarkation was first rate
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
Main dining was good, often with 5 courses. Buffet was probably the worst we have had on any of our 20+ plus cruises with various lines. Sadly lacking in variety at breakfast, with food often cold and sausages normally burnt at the bottom and stuck to the dishes. Rolls on a couple of days were so hard around the edges, it was as if they had been left out all night. RCI and Princess breakfasts often have in addition to the usual grilled offerings, hash browns, pancakes, eggs cooked to order, corned beef hash ,etc. Lunch was a bit better but available drinks are just coffee, tea (decaff tea rarely available) and water. .Never semi skinned milk, always full cream . Again on other lines there is always, lemonade and other fruit drinks available and staff come round with coffee, tea etc, but not on P & O. We went to the Saffron dining for lunch a couple of days, but choice there was very limited and staff didn't seem bothered if they served you or not
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
Only shuffleboard and quoits on top deck , although there is a sports deck for golf nets ,tennis etc: No jogging track and it is impossible to do walks right round the upper deck without having to take diversions.
When weather is too blustery to go outside, nothing extra is arranged inside, so you sit around bored most of the time. Quizzes that were planned were quite good.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
In house performers were probably the best we have ever seen, absolutely superb. Tribute acts and star acts were quite good, but I thought the lead singer of sound wave (resident band) was poor and shouted more than sand
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Good everywhere except Saffron
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
Design of ship is not very good. You have to walk and change floors to get to different parts, rather than take a lift straight there. Cleanliness was good
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Cabin was comparable to any other we've been on. Plenty of storage and a nice balcony
Ship tip
Don't book to have a forward high deck cabin, because in bad weather, Water leaks down form the pools an wets the corridors. Its going in for repairs in March 2018 to Hamburg.
6th cruise coming up on p and o, keep saying we will try another cruise line on next cruise but always come back booking p and o as great holidays and value for money out weighs other cruise prices.x
Go with the flow, let the little imperfections pass you by, and you will never have a bad cruise....
Personally we love Ventura....and after all, you're holiday is in the end...what you make it!!
This was our first time with P and O,we enjoyed our holiday very much as we were part of a family of 11,we thought the ship was lovely and the food beautifully served in the Bay Tree restaurant.
We were very surprised to see so many mobility scooters and wheelchairs,this making it difficult to ever get in a lift,and other passengers could be quite rude and obnoxious pushing their way into a lift whilst others passengers were already waiting.
But overall we thought Ventura to be a beautiful Vessel.
I love this ship sailed on her a couple of times. Cant agree about breakfast all ways pancakes( did you ask) hash browns selection of yogurt with compots , porridge , toast , lots of continental choices
Sounds like some ppl are too picky
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