Just go for it!!!! We were on the maiden voyage and yes there were a few minor niggles but nothing major. I think things will be settled a bit now. We are of on the maiden Caribbean voyage on 24th October and are really looking forward to it.P&O have a great deal of experience in the Caribbean and the captain is certainly not a 'Caribbean Virgin' so I do not forsee many problems. Travel with an open mind and ignore the complainers - some of them sit around all day looking for people they can snare so as to spead the 'bad word' they can be found on every cruise.

going on ventura 16th january looking forward to it keep a open mind a holiday is what you make it relax and enjoy

Many thanks for your reply Birkett ( i wish we could use 1st names!) .....im pretty sure we will have an amazing time, we were just worried as this is the most money we have spent on a cruise and it was starting to sound like we may as well just have burned the cash.......glad your friends had a great time. Like you say the kids should be at school so shouldnt be a problem. we are now counting the days down till 3rd Jan where we fully intend to let our hair down and have a damn good time...........

We are also going to Caribbean in January on Ventura Never been on Ventura but have done the Caribbean 4 times -twice on Brilliance of the Seas which is big Have seen the much larger RCI ships docking and they have no problems-modern ships are very good at this As to sun beds there appears to be an issue but bear in mind there are relatively few sea days in the Caribbean so most days you can either get off or if you choose to stay on board (as we sometimes do) you will have the pool practically to yourselves There are not many tender ports so this should not be much to worry about Tendering is a pain in my experience but the big ships are often better at it than the smaller ones-just back from Boudicca and it was not well organised A lot of the negativity concerns children (who generally do not bother me) My experience of this area in January is that children are few and far between as it is term time Most of the moans I have read frankly sound snobbish -the old P&O set who resent certain "types" who did not use to cruise I know a couple who have done Ventura twice and think it is fantastic -they like to enjoy themselves mind-not truss themselves up like chickens for every meal Go and enjoy it-the Caribbean in January is fantastic and the itinery is excellent