First Cruise - Help please!

[DebbieG19]

Good Morning,

I'm going on a little mini cruise on Ventura next week having never been on a cruise before.

Could anyone please tell me if it's ok to remain on the ship whilst we're in Zeebrugge? I figure this might be a good time to have a look round and see what it has to offer. Will I be able to get some lunch or is everyone expected to leave the ship??

I am also puzzled as to why I've selected a dining time when there seem to be lots of places to eat. Have I chosen (without knowing!!) to eat somewhere specific?

 

Many thanks for your help.

Debbie

[simonpjd]

Oh Debbie you are in for a bit of an eye opener - but in a VERY good way. Yes you can stay on board and there will be a full day's activities for you - there is a daily ship's newspaper with everything in it.

There are fixed dining times - but you don't need to adhere to them if you go to one of the many other restaurants.

Whilst you are thinking of staying on board if you have not been to Bruges it is a great place to visit from Zeebruges.

Get to Southampton EARLY, around 11, and they will let you straight on board. Don't worry what it says on your boarding instructions, so you can explore a bit then and find your way around. A couple of places will be open for lunch but your cabin may not be ready until 2.

HAVE A GREAT TIME. I know you will.

[mandsb1990]

Good Morning,

I'm going on a little mini cruise on Ventura next week having never been on a cruise before.

Could anyone please tell me if it's ok to remain on the ship whilst we're in Zeebrugge? I figure this might be a good time to have a look round and see what it has to offer. Will I be able to get some lunch or is everyone expected to leave the ship??

I am also puzzled as to why I've selected a dining time when there seem to be lots of places to eat. Have I chosen (without knowing!!) to eat somewhere specific?

 

Many thanks for your help.

Debbie

 

Hi,

You can stay on the ship if that's what you want to do, we usually stay on-board if we've been to a port before, and the only places that are closed are normally the shops and the casino but the bars etc remain open as well as places to eat, they normally put a film on in one of the venues also.

As far as evening dining is concerned you have the choice when you book for either club dining (6.30 or 8.30) or freedom dining (6.00 till 9.30) If you booked a getaway fare or close to the cruise, your dining is allocated for you, but whatever you have got you are free to eat in any of the specialty restaurants or the buffets at a time to suit you.

Hope you have a great cruise!

[DebbieG19]

Many thanks for your help.

I'm travelling on my on my own and am now beginning to feel a little apprehensive - will I be ok?? I'm quite happy to look after myself and sit on my own and such like but I really don't want people to be doing that staring thing like you shouldn't be there if you're on your own!! I think it's their problem - not mine!

 

Debbie

[simonpjd]

Yes I can imagine your apprehension. I suggest you get on board. Your bags will have been taken and will be in your cabin when you get there. You will be given a credit card thing which you use to pay for everything on board. Explore. Find a bar and get yourself a cocktail or two. Most people on cruises love to talk to new people so hopefully you will be making new friends very quickly. It might be worth using your fixed dining time as they often put 'single' travellers together. And I can imagine that may be quite handy.

Edited September 3, 2013 by simonpjd

[BrianI]

Your allocated dining only applies to the evening dinner. During the day the self service restaurant is open virtually all the time time and merges from breakfast, brunch, lunch to afternoon tea. One or more of the main restaurants (waiter served) will be open from 0730 to 0900, 1215 to 1345 and afternoon tea at 4pm. Can highly recommend the afternoon tea in the Saffron restaurant.

In the evening, as an alternative to the main restaurant, the self service is open with a themed menu, .i.e. Chinese, Indian, Italian etc.

 

Another alternative is to go to the Beach House Diner on deck 15 at the rear. It opens at 6:30pm on a first come, first served basis. It is waiter served and there is no supplement other than some items such as fillet steak. If you get there at 6:20 you should get in but if its full they will give you a pager and call you when there is a table available.

 

To see the Beach House menu and other menus see here

https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/life-on-board/example_menu

 

If you are still hungry late evening there all late night snacks available all night in the self service

 

Brian

[DebbieG19]

Brian,

Is it quite clear as to what's included and what's chargeable?

I'm a bit worried that I'll end up running up a huge extra bill and therefore won't venture out and try anything!

 

Thank you for your help

Debbie

[BrianI]

Debbie

Its quite clear what is chargeable and what is not. On the Beach House menu about 10% of the items are chargeable -those with a price against them - the rest have no charge.

There is no charge to use the main restaurants, self service at any time.

 

Things that are chargeable are drinks, photos, gratuities (£3.50 per person per day). Coffee is chargeable at bars - Costa - but is available at no cost in self service or tea/coffee/biscuits supplied in your cabin. There is no charge for tea or coffee in restaurants.

 

This link gives you a list of what is included in your fare.

https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/before-you-sail/fare_included

 

I would agree with you that as it is your first cruise and only a short one, you would be better to stay on board and use the ships facilities. All restaurants and bars remain open.

 

Have a good look at the Horizon programme delivered to your cabin each evening, which details activities for the following day.

 

Brian

[tom_uk]

Debbie

 

Lots of good advice from other posters above. We've done a number of cruises on Ventura, and also visited Zeebrugge a couple of times. Have a look at my blog, which includes reviews. We did Zeebrugge on the Oriana 2008 and Arcadia 2010 cruises.

 

If you're a wine drinker you'll very likely enjoy The Glasshouse on the Promenade deck. Excellent wine, and good food too (though it is chargeable, but not too much).

 

In fact the biggest problem with a short cruise is that there isn't time to eat and drink everywhere that's available. You'll just have to do a longer one....

Edited September 3, 2013 by tom_uk

[BrianI]

Debbie

Just one other thing. P&O normally have a solo get together with a cup of coffee (free) usually at 10am. Normally the first day is at sea but you will be in port so not sure of the timing or whether it will happen at all. It will be shown in Horizon if its on. You get to meet other people and some of the entertainment team.

 

Brian

[vixxygal]

A final piece of advice. Start saving now for your next cruise. I know it's only a week before you get hooked on cruising but every little helps.

[Essexlass2]

Welcome to CC, Debbie!

 

Lots of good advice here so just go and have a fabulous time on Ventura. We know you will for sure! :)

[wilson2579]

You will love the Ventura Debbie. Just don't get lost:D

[yorkshire1975]

I did my first cruise on June with my mum and husband (who didnt want to do a cruise) Since we came back he has bugged me and we have booked another in October. I would go on a cruise on my own if I was in that situation. I have looked at the cruise newsletter for P&O and they have a single travellers coffee meeting everyday. My husband loves the days at sea and didnt get off the ship most days. I took my kindle and didnt get any reading done there is so much to do. You will be fine, most people are very friendly and I found I ran in the same people most days catching up on what they had done. One lady was my lift friend as that is where I saw her everyday. You will have a great time, kick back and relax, im sure it will be the first of many. We have a list of cruises we want to do that will prob take us the next 10 years lol

[Host Sharon]

Welcome to Cruise Critic and Cruising DebbieG19. You will have a great time -even on your own. I am afraid that on port days they do not the solo get togethers but if you are on fixed (club) dining, ask for a large table of other solo travellers - its a good way to meet people and find someone to go the shows etc with after dinner.

 

And, as others have said - start saving - now !! Its an expensive addiction I fear !

[cruisefan2012]

DebbieG19

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic and welcome to Cruising

 

I`ve done 4 cruises where I`ve sailed as a solo passenger and never felt like I was entirely on my own - its a fabulous addiction !!

[ParCan]

Debbie, Whilst I'm not a solo cruiser, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. People will say hello and it'll be up to you if you chose to join them in conversation.

 

You pay for only what you would expect to pay for. Alcohol, Spa Treatments, Casino, Some items in the nice resturants. A Cover charge of £20 - £30 in the Posh Resturants. If you chose those you will probably have one of the best meals of your life !

Hungry on a cruise ship ? um - that's a Crime.....

 

The Only exceptions are about £1.50 for Ice cream from the ice

cream bar and Costa Coffee.

None of the prices are High. Expect pub prices for Alcohol. The Spa works out roughly £40 - £60 per hour depending on what you have done.

 

There are always plenty of Solo Cruisers on board. They meet in the Planet Bar every morning on sea days. Its up to you if you wish to join them. Details in Horizon.

 

If you chose to do so you can just relax and unwind in any one of the seating areas spread all over the ship. Checkout the various Bars, Library and the Atrium. The Piano bar is often popular with people just sitting reading or just relaxing.

 

The only other thing we (chose to) do is look after those few staff who have directly looked after us or given us exceptional service. Our Cabin Steward. If we have had a regular drinks waiter. Table Staff for the evening meal if we have fixed dining.

 

Several others have said to start saving.

You will either (and probably) love the entire experience or want to get off.

Just remember the ships atmosphere on a shorter cruise is VERY different to that on a week + cruise. The whole ship chills after the first couple of days, everyone slows down in every respect.

 

Have a great time.

[DebbieG19]

Thank you so much for your very informative replies everyone.

Having just tried on my posh frock I am now very excited!

 

I love the sound of a piano bar - I'm very musical and appreciate good music and talent.

 

I'm hoping there's going to be some sort of show to see.

It sounds like this Horizon brochure/leaflet is going to be my lifeline.

 

This time next week I'll be on board!!

 

Thank you again for your help,

will give you a shout when I get back!!

 

Sounds like I'm making such a fuss over a little 2 night trip but as you all seem to point out it's not looking like it'll be the last ;-)

 

Debbie

[BrianI]

Debbie

This website has lots of information about Ventura. There are copies of Horizon, menus, photos and videos etc

http://www.beyondships.com/PO-Ventura-Profile.html

It will keep you occupied for some time

Brian

[Our Tracey]

When we were aboard Ventura in June this year (another mini-cruise: Amsterdam/Guernsey) there was an amazing Welsh singer called Anna who appeared in the Tamarind Club. If she's still on board go along to listen to her - I'm sure you'll enjoy and the bar staff/waiters in there are wonderful.

 

You really will find that every time you sit down for a coffee and cake, or for a meal, someone will start to chat to you. Just respond by chatting back though - one lady we spoke to just put her head down and ignored us (this may just have been shyness of course) but we took the hint and left her alone.

 

Just relax ..... and ENJOY.

 

Sue:)

[Slugsta]

As no cash changes hands onboard you will be given a credit-card type thing. This acts as a key to your cabin and you also hand this over every time you buy or use anything that has to be paid for. You will also be asked to sign a copy of the receipt if you pay for anything - so there is no way that charges will appear unexpectedly.

[amajaa]

If you go for afternoon tea in the main dinning room they normally set aside tables for solo travellers, so another way to meet people.

 

They always have a different cocktail of the day for slightly cheaper than normal so a good way to try something different. Also a mocktail (non alcoholic) of the day.

 

Have fun

[cruisefan2012]

DebbieG19,

 

I`m intrigued as to your first experience of a cruise, What did you think? What did you think of P&O? Ventura? Would you cruise again? What did you get up too on the ship?

 

I`m on Azura (A324N) in a few weeks and have decided to cancel an excursion and stay onboard, I`ve been onboard Azura twice before but would like to take time to further explore the ship !!

 

Cruisefan2012

[DebbieG19]

Hello Cruisefan2012

 

Sorry it's taken me so long to reply to I was getting ready for and away on another holiday (not a cruise!)

 

I loved it! There were one or two bits which bothered me - the primary one being that the single cabins were located right next to the bar where karaoke was held! And there was one bar in particular which I didn't like which was a shame because there was an act on there which wasn't appreciated as it should have been as it was more of a night club type of bar full of drunken bad dancers!

 

However I did find areas of the ship which I did like and I managed to have a good look everywhere on the free day.

 

I believe I did do the right thing by having booked into a restaurant for dinner rather than going to one of the buffet places and then having to wander around with my dinner whilst looking for a table - though when I did this at lunchtime I just asked people if I could join them at their table.

 

I did have a great time and would definitely do it again - but would have to be assured that the karaoke was being held somewhere else!

[cruisefan2012]

DebbieG19,

 

Glad to hear from you

 

I stayed on the ship aswell on the day we were in Zeebrugge on my cruise, the ship was VERY quiet, still a few people onboard

 

I`ve been on Ventura aswell, The single cabins are in the same place as where they are on Azura, however they are a later addition to the ship and may not have the same sound insulation as Azura which had the single cabins built as the ship was being built,

 

I prefered Azura !!