Cruise News

P&O Cruises' New Ship - Less Family Friendly?

Although the sister ship to P&O’s Ventura is yet to be built, the line has already hinted that the vessel may not have such a family friendly emphasis. Ventura was marketed earlier this year specifically at families – with highlights such as a circus school, Noddy and Scalextric.  

“With Ventura we set out specifically to be family friendly. We may not choose to do that again,” said Nigel Esdale, P&O’s managing director. He also commented that it will still run as a family cruise ship – but the degree of the family emphasis may be different. The new ship’s keel-laying is set for 27th October 2009 – the same date that its name will be revealed.  

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COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE
Comment by Garcia, London (16 Oct 08 10:59) about this ARTICLE.
I completely agree with Parkinson, Warrington and somewhat agree with Hunt, Reading. My friend and I were on Ventura in May at half term with no children. There was a lot of complaining but it was mostly from cruise veterans. In the main the children were well behaved and totally occupied, it also ensured that there was a great mix of age groups on board and we (in our early 50's) met with people of all ages and all walks of life from 8-84!, and had a fabulous time. However I do agree that a pool/jacuzzi set aside for adults only would have been nice as we didn't get our feet wet once! Even the spa resistance pool was full of children, who were turfed out from time to time but were soon back. I actually look forward to cruising on Ventura again, can't wait.
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Comment by Parkinson, Warrington (01 Oct 08 19:12) about this ARTICLE.
As a couple with no children we found Ventura to be excellent. Yes there are children but do not be put off by the over bearing, complaining adults.
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Comment by Hunt, Reading (26 Sep 08 14:43) about this ARTICLE.
I am a seasoned cruiser and I travelled on Ventura in July this year. Their website stresses Ventura is geared towards families, couples and first time cruisers. Its advertising is totally misleading as it most definitely does not cater for adults without children, in fact this is not a family ship, it is a child-oriented ship.Everything, but everything was focused on children and adults were not considered properly. It was a bad cruising experience because I did want to get in the pool, the jacuzzi, even sit to watch the show in one of the bars but children were laid out asleep on the seats so standing was the order of the day for adults. I heard nothing but complaints from fellow travellers and I believe that P&O definitely has got this wrong. I hope very much that changes are made as P&O's reputation appears to have plunged on Ventura.
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Question by Leech, PRESTON (30 Sep 08 19:24) about a COMMENT by Hunt (26 Sep 08 14:43)
We are due to cruise on Ventura in Mid Feb next year- not really in school holidays but some of the time will be. My question is, has anyone been very recently on Ventura? Is it still geared to children outside of school hols?? We are in our 60's and want a congenial cruise!
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Answer by allen, southampton (25 Oct 08 22:17) to a QUESTION by Leech (30 Sep 08 19:24)
Just came off Ventura yesterday, thought it was outside school hols but wasnt in Scotland so there were 368 children on board.Its geared to children at any time and although we didnt see any badly behaved ones it meant no sunbeds..pools or other activities for us.I would never cruise Ventura again but NOT for reasons of children!!!
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Answer by m, Hampshire (08 Oct 08 18:44) to a QUESTION by Leech (30 Sep 08 19:24)
Hello Leech We cruised on Ventura during September 2008. Your age group were far more dominant when we cruised. I believe there were only 200 children on board with 70% of cruisers being 60+. With the entertainment geared accordingly. Being in our early forties this was a disapointment to us. Children do appear to be well catered for on board but I saw no evidence (apart from filling the pools) of their activities spoiling fellow travellers cruise.
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Answer by FLYNN, Tolleshunt Knights (08 Oct 08 11:16) to a QUESTION by Leech (30 Sep 08 19:24)
Look, there must be a lot of sad people about !! We went on Ventura 30th May, 2 weeks cruise, as a group of 7, ages ranging from 55yrs to a spritly 93 yr.old. (Two of the couples don't even have children) We had no problem with children, because they were kept occupied with plenty of things for them to do. Yes the main pools may have had quite a few children in them,splashing about, but that happens anywhere there is a pool. Did Hunt of Reading not bother to walk as far as the "endless pool" an adult only pool where you could keep swimming against the current,(which was adjustable) the area also had jacuzzies. Great fun for us "oldies". I have been on many cruises, I always read all the info. about the ship's facilities etc.. Ventura is a lovely ship, beautiful bar areas etc. and how great to not be inhaling other people's smoke...(but that's another......!) Not everyone has the same views on everything, so Leech of Preston, enjoy your cruise in Caribbean and think how lucky we all are to be able to afford and enjoy these brilliant holidays.
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Answer by Hunt, Reading (30 Sep 08 23:36) to a QUESTION by Leech (30 Sep 08 19:24)
This cruise ship is dedicated to children so be prepared for children and their needs to dominate. See my remarks above (Hunt, Reading). If family holidays come near the school ones then children are taken out of school early - I understand there has been a lot of criticisms regarding Ventura so I hope for your sake that P&O have altered things so that all their customers can enjoy the cruise.
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Comment by Carnegie, Glenrothes, Fife (26 Sep 08 11:59) about this ARTICLE.
I hope its the kind of ship that will cruise the Far East and not the Caribbean as there are too many already going there. I would love to go on a cruise with P&O to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and China. I know you can go on one of the ships that are doing a World Tour and only take part of it but there is NO P&O ships for the Far East ONLY at all so Why not? The Far East is much more interesting than the Caribbean.
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Comment by Henderson, Durham (25 Sep 08 20:54) about this ARTICLE.
i hope it will have a decent size dance floor, unlike the postage size floor on the Ventura
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