Cruise Reviews

Canaries Delight
Reviewed By: Moore, Plymouth on 18th Jul 2008
Cruise Line: P&O Cruises Times cruised before: 10+
Cruise Ship: Ventura Sailed: July, 2008
Destination: Canaries Age: 46-55
We have just returned from a canaries cruise on the Ventura, it was the worst cruise that we have ever been on and we have been cruising for 19 years, we were Freedom dining which was a joke as you had to reserve a table every night to ensure that you ate at a reasonable time, the food served in the restaurant was often inedible with several passengers sending their main meal back to the kitchen as the meat was so tough.
The ship was overrun with children and they had access to all pools except the oasis pool, but if you went into that pool ;you were lucky that you didnt get hit from a golf ball escaping from the nets above the pool.
Passengers were reserving rows of sun beds and not sitting on them for at least 2 hours.
The ship is not very steady at sea, there was awful movement even when the seas were calm.
On sea days there was very little activities , the entertainment was very pool in the evening especially from the Ventura dancers.
We definately wouldn't recommend the Ventura to anyone
Quality of Food1
Entertainment1
Shore Excursionsn/a
Staff1
Children's Facilitiesn/a
Onboard Activities1
Cabins3
Overall Rating1
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Opinion: Agree Comment by klonaris, cuffley herts (07 Aug 08 16:48) about this REVIEW.
we have been cruising every year for over 15 years, it was our worst ever, we would never recommend it
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Opinion: Agree Comment by Safe, Salisbury (19 Jul 08 23:10) about this REVIEW.
We too have just returned from this cruise,and what a total shambles it was too. It was our first cruise with P&O and were really looking forward to it, the cabin was out of this world but that was the only best thing about the whole experience. We are only to glad that we bookled a balcony cabin as that was the only place where we could sunbathe and totally relax properly. Never got a swim in the 2 weeks due to the pools being overun with children bless them!
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Opinion: Agree Comment by Ventura cruiser, Kent (19 Jul 08 20:32) about this REVIEW.
I think NOT LIVING IN THE REAL WORLD is in the minority as all the people i spoke to on board that cruise were disappointed. This was our first P & O cruise (have cruised half a dozen times).I always see the best in things but I personally thought the cruise was a let down. The staff were unhappy (in total i saw about 4 smile) and overworked (the ratio was roughly 2 - 1) and mainly untrained. I do think that they perhaps responded better when children were involved and i do think the childrens facilities and clubs, including the teen club were excellent. It is probably best described as a family ship. I was really looking forward to Havana which was described as a Cuban themed nightclub but was in fact geared towards teens, with teen quizzes and discos. Will write a full review but felt let down by P & O.
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Opinion: Disagree Comment by NOT LIVING IN THE REAL WORLD, BELFAST (19 Jul 08 14:01) about this REVIEW.
What a joker we have reviewing here. We were on the exact same trip! THE FOOD was BRILLIANT, Kids had a great time, Entertainment 1st class, Where do you lot think you come from? Don't be fooled by moaners and whingers! If anything, too many old people on board blocking gangways forour kids to run on!
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Question by willcocks, southwater (20 Jul 08 15:29) about a COMMENT by NOT LIVING IN THE REAL WORLD (19 Jul 08 14:01)
I hope you are right because we are on the ventura to the canaries in august but by reading all the reviews we are not looking forward to it pls can youre assure us that it is really not as bad does the boat rock? is the food rubbish please give us some positives
ANSWER
Answer by sinnott, falkirk (20 Jul 08 17:03) to a QUESTION by willcocks (20 Jul 08 15:29)
yep.This was our first cruise. family of four two kids aged 15 and 12.what a great time we had. the only thing i will change next is our dining time . we had the first sitting at 6.30 it was to early as the kids were still out havin fun and so we somtimes missed that. and used the buffet. but even that was ok as there is a great choice. but the only thing that annoyed me was the que for tea and coffee. how does it take anyone over fifty fifteen mins to squeeze a tea bag.Ok the first two days were a bit rough across the bay of biscay but what do you expect its a big ocean.the ship did move but you get used to it. all the entertanment was great something for all ages. all in all a great holiday will be booking for next year.
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Comment by Edwards, CARDIFF (19 Jul 08 18:08) about a COMMENT by NOT LIVING IN THE REAL WORLD (19 Jul 08 14:01)
I'm glad you had a great holiday on Ventura. Those who are regular cruisers on P&O will be used to dodging the moaners.They are always there --- on every cruise and on every ship --especially the new vessels.If somebody starts a conversation with 'when we were on the ORIANA'(or any other ship or any other line for that matter) beat a hasty retreat.Otherwise be prepared to be bored to tears by tedious comparisons with previous holidays they have had. Time spent on holiday is precious ---- enjoy!
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Opinion: Agree Comment by Field, Sutton Coldfield (19 Jul 08 09:41) about this REVIEW.
We were on the previous cruise around the Baltic and our cruise only had around 200 children on board which wasn't too bad but we had heard that the next cruise would have 800 children and we feared the worst, agree with most of the other comments as well, the entertainment was on the whole dismal, organisation by P&O on port days was appalling with very long queues to disembark. We have been on over 12 cruises with various companies and P&O just do not have the Ventura sorted out yet
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