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Delights of the med
Reviewed By: Benfield, WEYMOUTH on 5th Oct 2008
Cruise Line: P&O Cruises	Times cruised before: 1-2
Cruise Ship: Ventura	Sailed: September, 2008
Destination: Mediterranean	Age: 46-55

We cruised on Ventura 14th - 28th Sept around the western med. The ship its self was excellent but a bit big however, the outside cabin was very spacious with good facilities and plenty of room to hang and store clothes, cabin services were good. We had breakfast and lunch in the waterside restaurant (self service) where the choices and quality of food was excellent. We chose formal dining and were allocated a table of ten (we asked for 6) in Bay Tree restaurant, where we found the food rather grand for us, not much for the plain food eater. If you didn't like what was on the menu there was no written choice for anything else, we had to find out from the restaurant manager, it was 5 days into the trip before our waiters told us of these choices of plain cooked steaks and grilled chicken. Perhaps we should have known this but as this was only our second cruise we were a bit naive. There was plenty to do on board, having the daily newspaper was really helpful, the entertainment was sadly a bit poor, the shows lacked sparkle and some of the acts were very poor, although we did like the violinist he was brilliant. We found the deck areas very clean and plenty of sun beds to be had. We went on trips in all but 2 of the ports, Rome was fantastic but we did think that spending 2 hours for lunch was a bit long we know it was included but still we were there to see the sights. The day was long as was Florence and Pisa but they were experiences we will never forget. All in all it is what you make of it yourselves and we had a fabulous holiday and will be cruising with P and O again. We found the weather to be not hot and not to cold just right for us.
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Comment by Foster, Plonevez Du Faou, France (05 Oct 08 20:54) about this REVIEW.

We were on Ventura this year, 18th April for her maiden voyage. As we had been with P&O more than once before, we were disappointed with several points. We would never do 'Freedom dining', much prefering Silver/Club service. The service in the restaurants was not up to the standard we have been used to before, and it wasn't just a new crew, we recognised members we had seen on other ships. The ratio of crew to passengers seems to have gone down a lot. Tender transfer from ship to Villefranche at over 2hrs was unforgiveable! We live in France and as such have to suffer the 'comfort' of Brittany Ferries to get over to Southampton - BUT we have had far smoother passages on Brit Ferries than that of Ventura going down and coming back along Portugese coast!! In 2006 we did Caribbean on Aurora, over and back Atlantic and never felt a thing - on Ventura we were hanging onto hadrails etc, and there was only a slight swell - also we are good sailors! The whole thing is so long and unsuited to deep sea passages it should really stay in the Med or Caribbean, where movement was zero. On the plus side, The theatre company was the best we have ever seen - and thank God they have banned smoking in the bar adjoining the reception area - can't remember name - as the whole area STANK!! Ate in the White Room 3 times as service/food was so much better but you shouldn't need to pay that out to get the service we're used to. East was OK, Ramblas was great and good value. Re menus - it is clearly stated on each one that if you don't like the listing of the day, there are several options - you just didn't look! If you are 'plain food eaters' then perhaps cruising isn't for you as many, many people use cruising to sample near 5-start cuisine every night and that is REALLY not 'plain'!! Also, a bit of research would have told you that over here in Europe, they do tend to spend a long time over lunch so this could have been avoided with a bit of planning. Looking forward to Arcadia, June next year, Venice, Greece etc - lets try another one!! Child free too, although I can't think that we have ever had probs with them.

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Comment by Mitchell, Heswall (06 Oct 08 18:31) about a COMMENT by Foster (05 Oct 08 20:54)

Gosh what rude and obnoxious comments Foster, "you just didn't look". "perhaps cruising isn't for you" "this could have been avoided with a bit of planning". You sound like some of the bores who were on the Baltic cruise, and put us off cruising forever (having cruised many times previously with different lines).

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Comment by A commited cruiser, U.K (06 Oct 08 20:20) about a COMMENT by Mitchell (06 Oct 08 18:31)

You always get 1 or 2 or 3 or more who will come up with a comment. I say you pays your money and take your chances. The smoking issue is going to cause headaches for all the non smokers. What are they going to complain about next? Now smoking has been banned inside Itit probably is going to be smokers on balconies, on the prom deck, on open decks. Or is it going to be the sea state, too many kids, not enough sun loungers dress code etc. I could go on and on. This is purely tongue in cheek, but you all know where i'm coming from. Someone will complain about something. You all know its true.

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Comment by mumford, rotherham (06 Oct 08 18:52) about a COMMENT by Mitchell (06 Oct 08 18:31)

Do not be put off by fosters comments. We were seated with gold tier members who thoroughly enjoyed this cruise. There will always, always be someone who has something to complain about. The smoking issue has been resolved. No more smoking anywhere inside. Thats one problem out of the way. If people wish to eat more simply, the various eating places cover that! I agree that on a cruise ALL palates should be catered for. We love to eat dishes that we could not or do not have the time or money to do at home. All people on cruises pay a good amount of money and they are all entitled to their opinion. All of you who pay have a wonderful cruise!

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Comment by mumford, rotherham (05 Oct 08 23:33) about a COMMENT by Foster (05 Oct 08 20:54)

This review was about the cruise on the 14th. september. Seas were exceptionally calm, both from leaving southampton and to our return on 28th. september. Cannot comment about maiden cruise! On the menu it DID not state alternatives, we knew there were alternatives but you had to ask! Waiters told us that it was no longer printed in the menu. It should be, because if you had not cruised with Pand O before how would you know. Tender service at the 3 ports was excellant. Got tickets from the red bar and almost immediately you were called to go ashore. Obviously not all cruises onboard Ventura have been the same. Many other reviews about this cruise N815 have been fair, minor niggles as you get with all ships, nothing really bad. Fair enough we fortunately did not find out if she was unstable in seas that were rougher than that we experienced. Would certainally go on her again. Maybe (I hope not) could understand better your comments.

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