Selbourne ‘Live’ from Ventura

[TigerB]

On 10/31/2023 at 8:10 AM, Selbourne said:

DAY 3 (Monday 30th Oct) - Sea Day

 

Although our deck 9 mid-forward cabin continues to creak, crack and bang (and the movement is very noticeable in it), we slept better, probably as we were so tired from the lack of sleep the night before. 

 

I did my usual pre-breakfast walk around the promenade deck and then deck 16, where the ORCA representative was on whale and dolphin watch. She had seen a whale blow just 15 minutes before I got there 🙄. I asked if anyone from ORCA was likely to be on our 65 night Caribbean cruise on Aurora, but she thought it unlikely. 

 

We decided to go to Saffron for breakfast as it’s midships and would be a bit more stable, but there was quite a queue and a lot of people milling around, obviously waiting for tables for 2, so we changed our approach and headed for the Bay Tree, where there was no queue whatsoever. However, on arrival we were greeted with “only sharing tables available”. I said that we would like a table for 2 and would wait for one. I was told to expect a 20 minute wait. The next four couples to arrive also wanted tables for 2 and. the last ones to arrive were told to expect a 30 minute wait. By this stage I’d grabbed a chair from a nearby empty table as it was quite challenging standing still in one place due to the movement. Anyhow, within less than 10 minutes we were seated, as were the next 2 couples, in the banquette style seats. We all said the same thing as we sat down - they just threaten a prolonged wait in an attempt to make people share. I realised that the intermittent noise that we could hear in the aft restaurant was the propellers. The ship was pitching up and down and as the bow goes down, the stern comes up and the propellers get closer to the surface, so every time it did this you could hear the even beat of the propellers! (Well that’s my theory anyway 😂)

 

After breakfast we made a very brief visit to the promenade deck, but we were getting covered in salt, as the wind was lifting spray straight off the water well before it even thought about turning into waves! We tried to get a seat inside, but after two unsuccessful circuits of the public areas on deck 7 and deck 5 we gave up and went back to the cabin. 

 

Annoyingly there are no guest speakers on this cruise, other than ORCA (whose talks, whilst interesting, are all about whales and dolphins) so there has been nothing of interest for us whatsoever during the mornings. That’s poor. So we just ended up chilling in our cabin until lunchtime. At lunch we shared a table and had a nice chat with some folk that we hadn’t met before. All 3 courses were very nice (food has all been pretty good so far in spite of the poor reviews that we’d read pre-cruise). Yet again, we didn’t leave the MDR until 2.20pm, so had missed the one thing today that was of remote interest - the Wavelength quiz show in the theatre - also timed yet again to clash with the sole talk of the day (ORCA). I despair at the way that the entertainment teams schedule things on so many cruises. 

 

Another rest in the cabin before we headed down to Tazine for a Costa, which was a lot quieter than during the morning, so we had a drink in there whilst my wife read her book and I caught up on emails. My new mate Ray came and had a chat with us, which was nice. 

 

For the first time in 27 years of cruising, I have today purchased a 24 hour WiFi plan - just the Essential one, primarily as a test run to see if it’s worth getting for our 65 nighter.  Leaving aside the cost (£18 for 24 hours if purchased whilst on board) I’ve been really impressed. It works absolutely fine in our cabin and also around the ship. I’d say that my emails  and internet are just as fast as at home (where we have BT Superfast Broadband) and thanks to the tip from a few forum users, I’ve lost my What’sApp virginity 😂 I have found that I have even been able to make voice and video calls through What’sApp, even on the Essentials plan. As I can get the Essentials plan for our long cruise at less than £7 a day (after the 15% introductory offer, long cruise and loyalty discounts), that seems like a reasonable deal, especially as it’s £18 a day on board 😱. As well as being able to keep in full contact with family and friends at home (a worry for us on such a long cruise with lots of sea days), if the daytime entertainment is as poor as on this cruise then I shall be pleased to have access to emails and internet, especially as I will be able to bore you all rigid with a world record ‘Live from’ to give me something to do 🤣 

 

We had our first pre dinner drinks in the Glasshouse. We really like the Glasshouse on Ventura as it looks and feels like a proper restaurant. We dislike the versions on Britannia and Iona that are basically extensions of the atrium. 

 

As previously mentioned, the first formal night has been postponed by 24 hours due to the rough weather but, oddly, we still had the formal night menu. Presumably tomorrow we will have a regular menu whilst all sitting around in our formal wear 🤔. My wife had mostly the Marco Pierre White menu (seafood items) and enjoyed them. I had the fried goats cheese starter and roast beef tenderloin main. When it was delivered the portion of beef was tiny and Alois (our waiter) said that he was unhappy giving me a portion that was so small, so he would order another. I told him not to worry, but he was insistent. I ended up with two main courses and really struggled, but they were delicious and cooked perfectly.

 

Fixed (Club) dining has been hugely successful for us so far. Yet again the same 13 of us dining in a section of 28 covers and none of our neighbours are noisy. Out waiters are both superb and we even have a wine waiter. Apparently Ventura is the only ship that has retained them? We like just wandering in and having our nice table waiting for us. No queues, no pagers (I think I’ve mentioned that they no longer use the app for dining on Ventura). 

 

Tonight’s entertainment in the theatre was meant to be flamenco dancing but, yet again, as we are still rocking and rolling in rough seas, that’s also been postponed. Understandable as I’m struggling to walk in a straight line, let alone dance 😂 

 

The only guest speaker on Iona this first week is also a 'Whaler'. They must be expecting her to be popular though, as she is in the theatre.

 

At breakfast we have been at a couple of two-seaters in a bank of three or more; we're mixing it up between Pearl, Coral, and Aqua. The other morning there was a particularly loud woman on her own, wanting to have a conversation with everyone that would listen; luckily the couple between us acted as a buffer!🤭  On the other side to us though was a chap who was dining without his wife, and we had a really interesting conversation about travel in the US, and prisons over there.

Apart from the two nights we dined in Epicurean and Sindhu, we have eaten our evening meal in Opal, and have fallen lucky with the tables; on one night we were on a proper two-seater, albeit in the crèche (I'll explain more when I do my post-cruise report), and on the other two nights the lovely host asked if we would mind sitting on a table for four, exclusive to us. Of course not, was the obvious answer.🙂

[Ukulele girl]

On 10/30/2023 at 3:41 PM, Selbourne said:

There are a lot more kids on board than we expected, considering that any school age kids will be skipping school for at least one of the two weeks. 

I was thinking about your comment about children on board skipping school. There are several counties in the country who give two weeks at half term in the Autumn term, probably because it is a long term. These families are obviously taking advantage of the longer holiday.

[TigerB]

I'm still only half way through this thread, but will come back to it later, seeing that we are staying in port tonight and I'll get my money's worth out of my £2 Sky passport.

 

Just a quick one before I go and prepare the pre-dinner cocktails...

I'm sat in the adult only section on the starboard side of deck 18, near to the entrance to the retreat. Two fellas came up, and were having a right nosey. "What's this? Shall we have a look"?  One tries the handle, then gets his cruise card out to try the sensor. "Not working", he says to his mate, who is still staring through the bars. "Maybe they don't want us in there"?   Do you think?🤔

 

 

[Interestedcruisefan]

36 minutes ago, Sussexboy said:

Back in the mists of the 2010’s we saw a comedian on Azura that I remembered from the TV show “The Comedians” back in the 70’s. Turns out I remembered all his material as well. He had certainly aged better than his jokes. I believe it was Roy Walker, but cannot be certain.

I've seen him on Azura as well

 

Same cruise as Bernie Flint

 

They were both brilliant and spent the days walking round with each other as well

 

Masters of their trade

 

 

[BouncingWheel]

51 minutes ago, TigerB said:

 

Yes, indeed!  On our first week we have a Spanish comedian who, I read, was brought up in Wales. I'll give his adult only show a go tonight.

I’ve seen him and found him hilarious - would definitely recommend.
 

 

 

[Selbourne]

14 minutes ago, Ukulele girl said:

I was thinking about your comment about children on board skipping school. There are several counties in the country who give two weeks at half term in the Autumn term, probably because it is a long term. These families are obviously taking advantage of the longer holiday.

Interesting. I didn’t know that. I’ve never known October half term going on until mid-November, which is when we get back. Must be a new thing!

 

At lunch today there was an elderly lady several tables away from us exclaiming in a very loud voice that “the parents of these children will be blaming everyone but themselves for their underachievement at school”. 😂 

[Megabear2]

1 hour ago, jeanlyon said:

Yep, remember that one.  Nothing on there that suited me so I had the Avocado and herb thingy which was quite nice.

Surely that means something suited you then, particularly if it was quite nice?

[jeanlyon]

1 hour ago, Megabear2 said:

Surely that means something suited you then, particularly if it was quite nice?

Ha ha, it was a last resort!   The only thing that sounded half decent.

[pete14]

27 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

Ha ha, it was a last resort!   The only thing that sounded half decent.

I am a fussy eater, especially of things that are green of that come from shells, but I would never describe something as not ‘half decent’, just because it wasn’t to my taste. 

[jeanlyon]

19 minutes ago, pete14 said:

I am a fussy eater, especially of things that are green of that come from shells, but I would never describe something as not ‘half decent’, just because it wasn’t to my taste. 

That menu just leaves me cold.  I was struggling to choose something.  The avocado thing sounded the least awful.  It was quite good.  Another person on our table was in the same position.  We both had it.  I suppose I remember the days when I was pushed to choose because there were 3 things I liked.  Now I struggle to find anything I like.

Edited November 2, 2023 by jeanlyon

[pete14]

47 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

That menu just leaves me cold.  I was struggling to choose something.  The avocado thing sounded the least awful.  It was quite good.  Another person on our table was in the same position.  We both had it.  I suppose I remember the days when I was pushed to choose because there were 3 things I liked.  Now I struggle to find anything I like.

I may have a similar problem but I certainly would not blame P&O / chefs and kitchen staff, or question the quality of the food just because it was not to my taste. There are of course alternative dining venues on each ship in the fleet which serve different food from the MDR. 

[jeanlyon]

5 minutes ago, pete14 said:

I may have a similar problem but I certainly would not blame P&O / chefs and kitchen staff, or question the quality of the food just because it was not to my taste. There are of course alternative dining venues on each ship in the fleet which serve different food from the MDR. 

Yes, but I feel the boring menu is deliberate to get you to pay for alternate venues.    Now they have included the "always included" into the main courses, cuts down the choice considerably and there are now 3 veg choices.  One night, there was veg stew and another night there was poached kohl rabi?  Give me a break.

[pete14]

4 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

Yes, but I feel the boring menu is deliberate to get you to pay for alternate venues.    Now they have included the "always included" into the main courses, cuts down the choice considerably and there are now 3 veg choices.  One night, there was veg stew and another night there was poached kohl rabi?  Give me a break.

The two dishes you have mentioned would not be my choice but presumably they are aimed primarily at vegetarians and maybe vegans. 

Your comment about deliberately getting people to pay for alternate venues may be right but considering what they offer both in food and service, I am not sure they make much profit. I don’t suppose Arcadia and Aurora can cater for more than 10% of passengers in their select restaurants because they are quite small and there are only two of them. Of course the larger ships have much more choice, paid for or not.

[jeanlyon]

The menus appear to be the same in all MDRs going by what Selbourne is showing.  

[pete14]

24 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

The menus appear to be the same in all MDRs going by what Selbourne is showing.  

I agree, it appears as though they are similar, which is not necessarily a bad thing but the point I am making is that there are alternatives to the MDR on all ships, which serve different dishes, if the food served in the MDR is not to your or my taste. Not all of them charge extra, especially on the larger ships which offer greater choice. The quality of the food however seems to be pretty good regardless of where a person chooses to eat, some better than others though. 

[TigerB]

On 11/1/2023 at 9:05 AM, Selbourne said:

DAY 4 - Tuesday 31st October (Sea Day)

 

The sea had calmed down considerably overnight. There was still noticeable movement, but nothing like we’d had the previous few days. Our cabin is still managing to creak and bang so yet another somewhat disturbed nights sleep. 

 

We went directly to the Bay Tree restaurant for breakfast and this time were shown immediately to a nice table for 2. I really like the Bircher Muesli that P&O offer and I added fruit salad, croissants and a smoothie to my order. The smoothies are a lot better on Ventura than on Iona and Britannia. Still a bit watered down compared to pre-Covid, but at least they have some flavour on here! I’ve only had one cooked breakfast to date but I overheard someone ordering an omelette, so I might give that a go tomorrow.

 

I had a brief chat to the ORCA lady on deck 16 after breakfast but, in spite of the much calmer seas, no wildlife sightings whatsoever so far today. There was no entertainment of any interest whatsoever during the morning (as has been the case every day so far), so I used the last few hours of my 24 hour WiFi. As previously reported, it’s worked brilliantly in our cabin and public areas. Emails, internet, What’sApp etc have all worked very well. I’ve managed to post photos, even short videos, as well as a What’sApp video call, all on the Essentials package. I just hope that it’s this good on Aurora as it will help to pass the time on the sea days, especially if the drought on guest speakers is permanent. 

 

Whilst I was using up my last WiFi time, my wife was able to enjoy a few hours reading on our balcony in the sunshine for the first time, which she enjoyed. 

 

Menus for both lunch and dinner look fine again, so we are sticking to the MDR today but, as a point of interest, I checked the availability of the specialty restaurants for the rest of the cruise and there is loads of availability for every day (I only checked tables for 2). 

 

We had another sharing table for lunch and a solo lady traveller told us that she had lost her husband 3 years ago and had finally brought his ashes on this cruise to drop the very small urn (as opposed to scatter them) over the side, as had been his wish. She had gone to reception to inform them and say that she wished to do this alone and did not require any ships crew to be with her. Rather than suggest where the best place and time to do this was, she had been asked if she had a ‘certificate of cremation’ with her. As she didn’t (hardly surprising as it was 3 years ago and, according to her, there is no mention of this being a requirement on the website where this subject is covered), they had told her that this would not be permitted. I encouraged her to ask again as she might have encountered a jobsworth. It’s not as if there’s any question that he’s been cremated! I said that if I’d had that response I would have just done it anyway, and suggested a couple of quiet spots on the promenade deck where there is nothing underneath, but I can understand that she feels uncomfortable about going against ‘the rules’. 

 

With absolutely zero entertainment of interest, I resorted to watching Dominic Cummings give evidence at the Covid enquiry on Sky News. Yes it really has been that bad 😂.  He’s certainly a man on a mission 🫣. I got irritated with Sky News constantly interrupting the coverage to make lengthy apologies for the bad language, so we gave up and went for an afternoon coffee in Tazzine. Max the busker was performing in the atrium, and this constituted the first live entertainment that we had seen since we boarded in Southampton on Saturday!

 

It’s been years since we’ve had a Superior Deluxe cabin, so I’d forgotten that they provide seagull food (sorry, canapés) once a week. We also now have a bottle and a half of champagne (one for the cabin grade and a half for our loyalty tier) plus a box of chocolates still untouched. They wouldn’t have lasted this long at home, but we never feel peckish on a cruise 😂

 

As today was the postponed first formal night, we had the Captain’s welcome aboard drinks and address, prior to dinner. There are 3044 passengers on this cruise, which is 99% of the lower berth capacity. This compares to 5750 passengers (111% lower berth capacity) when we were on Iona. We can certainly feel the positive difference on this ship. With a fair few kids on board, many in upper berths, there must be a fair number of empty cabins on this cruise. We still have only 13 diners in our 28 section of the MDR. We have 1192 crew (13 below the stated normal number). We certainly haven’t experienced any of the staff shortages that we felt were noticeable in places on Iona. Service has been excellent everywhere. 

 

843 passengers (or 28%) are either first time cruisers or first time on P&O. This compares to one-third of passengers being new on Britannia in July and two-thirds being new on Iona in August. It’s also worth stating that we continue to be able to move around the ship without any of the difficulties and poor passenger behaviours that we had to endure at the lifts on Iona in August. Our faith in human nature is well and truly restored. 

 

Another enjoyable dinner in the MDR. OK, it’s still early days on this cruise, but this is now our third P&O cruise this year, on 3 different ships, and in spite of reading countless critical comments about P&Os MDR food post Covid, we have been impressed on all 3 cruises. I don’t believe that we have low standards or low expectations either. One thing I have noticed is that the restaurant managers don’t seem to wander around and check if people are happy with everything on this ship. All they seem focussed on is talking to those with specialist dietary requirements and taking their orders for the next day. It’s a shame as my feedback on the food and our waiters would be excellent. 

 

Talking of feedback, P&O are clearly a bit spooked by Cruise Critic. This is now the 3rd cruise in a row where the captain, in his welcome address, has said that if anyone has any problems to please report them on board and not just raise it on Cruise critic when they get home! I have mixed views on this comment. If we experience a problem that can be fixed then I report it on board. If it’s something that can’t be fixed on board (such as creaking cabins and the lack of guest speakers) then I feel that it’s better to raise it in a review (or via a P&O feedback questionnaire). Interestingly, there has been no ‘first impressions’ feedback form on this cruise, which I think is a shame. Finally, and being quite blunt about it, if people are feeding back on similar things after the cruise then it’s P&Os fault and not the passengers. Don’t shoot the messengers, fix the problems. Whether these comments have been a swipe at me (having done ‘live froms’ on all these cruises) I know not (although I don’t wait until I get home to comment) but I will not be stopped from giving an honest appraisal of a cruise - good and bad. I stand by everything I have said and believe that my reviews are balanced. 

 

Wednesday is our first of five consecutive port days, so the next report will cover our stop in Funchal, Madeira. Much as we really like Ventura, we shall be glad to get off for a few hours and have a walk around.  

 

The smoothies on Iona and Arvia are definitely watery, and probably straight from a carton; I've stopped having them.

 

Unlike the lift problems you encountered in June, I have to say we haven't experienced the same. I thought we would given that we have seen more wheelchair and scooter users on this cruise than we have on any other. Our cabin is in the forward section of deck 15, and the only time there were problems was on our second sea day when four of the eight lifts near us were out of service. That is the only time I have had to ask someone, who charged into the lift we were heading for, to be aware that a wheelchair user was waiting before him to use it. He got off sheepishly.

 

[TigerB]

On 11/1/2023 at 9:31 AM, Selbourne said:

We can’t cruise to Switzerland so won’t get caught out by that thankfully 😉 I only use the data for emails, internet and What’sApp etc so should be fine. 

 

I think the next time we go back to Switzerland, we will fly but it will be a one way trip🫢

[TigerB]

On 11/1/2023 at 10:34 AM, Selbourne said:

Last nights MDR menu for those who like to see them

 

The exact same menu as we had on Tuesday; very uninspiring, for me anyway. I'm a pescatarian, but not a great admirer of fried cod. I would have had the aubergine and mozzarella doodah, but I'm not keen on polenta. I went for the calamari, the cod, and the bread and butter pudding.

[TigerB]

On 11/1/2023 at 8:32 PM, AndyMichelle said:

I wonder if I could scatter my mother in law on Britannia next April? 

I doubt I will need a certificate, surely that's only for the dead😂

...and talking of the Wheeltappers and Shunters Club 😂

[TigerB]

15 hours ago, Selbourne said:

Day 5 - Wednesday 1st November

 

We had our first good nights sleep of the cruise, thanks to the much calmer seas and the creaking noises having pretty much subsided. We were already berthed in Funchal, Madeira when I pulled back the curtains and we had a glorious view overlooking the town and mountains. We were greeted with clear blue skies and 19 degrees, with a high of 25 predicted. 

 

We went to breakfast in the Bay Tree MDR half an hour or so after disembarkation had begun. Yet again we were told that there would be a wait (10 minutes) if we wanted a table for 2 but, as always, in reality this was less than 5 minutes. I ordered an omelette (interesting that they aren’t on the breakfast menu, but they didn’t flinch when I asked for one). I was glad that I’d added some bacon and beans to it as the omelette was tiny, but I felt that I’d over eaten a bit the day before so that wasn’t a problem!

 

After breakfast we did a lap of deck 16 to get our bearings and then returned to the cabin to get ready to leave the ship. Disembarkation was easy (even the lifts were no problem) and we decided to use the accessible shuttle as it was still loading. I had to travel in the normal shuttle, but arrived 5-10 minutes before my wife so was ready to wheel her off the tail lift when she arrived. 

 

We picked our way through the lovely centre of Funchal as far as Rua Santa Maria, as I’d read that this was a very old street with uniquely painted doors. Not the easiest place to get around with a wheelchair (hills and cobbles) but we managed and it was worth it. On the way back we passed the market, but unfortunately it was closed as 1st Nov is a public holiday (All Saints?). We had to cross a main road to get back to the town centre and were shocked to see that there had been an accident where someone crossing the road in a substantial mobility scooter had been struck by a motor bike. The motor bike was on its side in the middle of the road and the poor scooter driver was still in the scooter which was also on its side. Traffic had come to a halt waiting for the emergency services. I do hope that those involved are both OK and that the scooter user wasn’t one of our fellow passengers. 

 

We walked back past the cathedral, and as it was quite hot and we are back in Funchal in 2 months time we decided to head back to the ship for lunch. As is often the case, we would have been far quicker walking back to the ship than using the accessible shuttle, as it took an age to load the 4 wheelchair users and secure them in place with straps etc. It’s commendable that P&O provide this service, but if the weather is OK in January I think we might walk / push back to the ship and avoid the shuttle as it’s a short walk, albeit the last few hundred yards to the terminal is a bit awkward with a wheelchair. 

 

We went to the MDR for lunch and one of the couples we shared with had done several World cruises (amongst plenty of others) and were able to give us loads of great tips for our Caribbean cruise in the New Year. The other couple had been on Arvia recently and said “never again”. They were unaware about booking speciality restaurants and shows before the cruise and claimed that they couldn’t get in to anywhere, which surprised me. They also felt that Ventura was in desperate need of a refit. Have to say she looks fine to us! 

 

During the afternoon we had a visit from the deck manager, as he’d heard from our steward that we’d had some noise issues from all the creaking etc. I played him my little video clip and he said that if it’s that bad on the way back he will send some engineers to see if they can do something. I can’t see what they can do, as it’s the ships design, but thanked him for his kind offer. As I’ve said before, credit where credit is due with P&O, in that they want us all to be happy and will do their damnedest to fix problems. As I’ve also said before, anyone using a cabin that we’ve had the previous cruise should be grateful that we’ve usually had all the niggles sorted that those before us have just tolerated 😂 

 

We departed on time from Madeira at 5pm and it was still a pleasant 23 degrees and calm waters. A whale and dolphin tour boat was returning as we left and over their tannoy I heard the guide say that they had seen bottle nose dolphins, pilot whales and sperm whales. I stayed on our balcony for an hour after departure hoping to see something, but nothing (on our side anyway). 

 

Dinner was booked in Epicurean so we decided to have pre-dinner drinks in Metropolis as it’s above it. We hadn’t dared venture up there for the first few days as it had been so bumpy at the aft of the ship 😂 I managed to persuade the waiter to find me a Doom Bar that hadn’t been near a fridge and he excelled. He had to go to another bar apparently. It’s little things like this that make cruises special for me, especially when he said that he’d put a supply of un-chilled ones behind the bar for me for future visits! Lady S had her first cocktail of the cruise - a Ruby Rose Punch. She liked it at first but then decided that she preferred the Rhubarbellini that she’d had on Iona. I’d had a sip of the punch and liked it, so I ordered her a Rhubarbellini and said that I would finish the punch as my Doom Bar had disappeared at an unseemly pace. Rock and Roll 🤪. 

 

Around 15 minutes before we left an excellent pianist arrived and played some brilliant James Bond film sound tracks including No Time to Die. He obviously wasn’t the same pianist that we’d overheard at Sundays religious service, unless he has the same sort of warped humour that I do and he was doing the church gig under duress 😂 I wish that we could have stayed longer as I was enjoying it and had also spotted another cocktail that I fancied, but everything in moderation 😂  This was all whilst we were looking at a moving video wall of Time Square, which took us back to our USA and Canada cruise. We shall definitely return, especially when the pianist is due to perform there. 

 

I was wondering what sort of welcome we’d get at Epicurean, as when I’d dined there alone a few nights back around half a dozen of them all seemed to know that I would be back on the 1st for some reason. The wine waiter had even stopped me as I was leaving and said that he would look forward to seeing me again on 1st and would join me at the table. Hopefully when I arrive with Lady S in tow I won’t upset him too much 😂 

 

The warm speciality breads are always a lovely way to start the meal. I particularly like the beetroot bread and the marmite butter! We both had the scallops with scallop tartare starter, which we thoroughly enjoyed. My wife had the Black Cod with Lobster Tail main (which she loved and said was cooked perfectly) and I had the Limousin Fillet of Beef. I always order steak ‘Medium’ but the one I’d had in Epicurean a few nights before was almost well done, so I decided to order ‘medium rare’ this time. It turned up ‘medium-well’ so my plan almost worked 😂 My wife had wimped out on wine having had a few cocktails, but I forced my way through a large Rioja. There was no debate about the dessert for me as it was Crepes Suzette, prepared table side with the theatrical Flambé. My Rioja hadn’t survived the main course, so a Sauternes to accompany it was only polite. On a roll, I decided to have a liquor coffee afterwards, with Amaretto. It’s a tough life, but the things I endure in order to provide some variety with my ‘Live Froms’ 😂 In all

seriousness, it was a fabulous meal. It’s a great shame that there isn’t an Epicurean on Aurora, as it’s such an enhancement to the other ships. 

 

We still haven’t attended an evening show in the theatre so far this cruise. None has appealed. The postponed first Headliners show (On the Horizon) was on, but we remembered it being poor from previous cruises, so we called it a night. It’s such a relief that you don’t have to drive home after a night out on a cruise ship 🤪

 

Your Epicurean is obviously matching ours week for week with the menu. I had the scallops, black cod, and crêpes the other night; the latter sadly still not prepared at the table.

I am certainly not a fan of marmite, but surprisingly I do not mind the marmite butter. After having it in January, our lass remembered she really likes marmite, and now always has it on toast, much to my disgust.  

They must waste loads of it on these ships; she always makes it clear to the breakfast waiters that she just wants a small amount, and often shows them a teaspoon, to indicate just how much. Nine times out of ten they bring back a dish or ramekin with at least two tablespoons in. So, almost all of that would end up in the bin.

[TigerB]

13 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Do they not have Old Speckled Hen ale on board?.

 

13 hours ago, Selbourne said:

I haven’t asked for Speckled Hen Graham, but suspect that they have it. 

 

I believe it is just the GF version; well, it was certainly that on Britannia last autumn, as our eldest daughter drank it.

[TigerB]

7 hours ago, BouncingWheel said:

I’ve seen him and found him hilarious - would definitely recommend.
 

 

 

I've not long come out of his midnight show. Yes, he was funny 👍

[TigerB]

Well, I'm all caught up now. Thanks for the, as always, informative and often amusing reports, Selbourne.

I'll check in again when we have data at Barcelona 

[Selbourne]

11 hours ago, jeanlyon said:

Yes, but I feel the boring menu is deliberate to get you to pay for alternate venues.    Now they have included the "always included" into the main courses, cuts down the choice considerably and there are now 3 veg choices.  One night, there was veg stew and another night there was poached kohl rabi?  Give me a break.

Maybe it’s us Jean, but we are now 3 P&O cruises in this year (Britannia, Iona and Ventura) and we have been very happy with the MDRs and food in them on all those cruises. 
 

Yes, there is definitely less choice now (something that is masked by the always available items being used to pad out the main menu) and there are more vegetarian options than before, but there has only been one menu so far on this cruise where neither of us really fancied anything and, thankfully, we were already booked in to Epicurean. 
 

In all honesty, even if speciality restaurants didn’t exist, or we couldn’t afford to use them, we’d be happy with the MDR every night. 

[Selbourne]

8 hours ago, TigerB said:

 

The smoothies on Iona and Arvia are definitely watery, and probably straight from a carton; I've stopped having them.

 

Unlike the lift problems you encountered in June, I have to say we haven't experienced the same. I thought we would given that we have seen more wheelchair and scooter users on this cruise than we have on any other. Our cabin is in the forward section of deck 15, and the only time there were problems was on our second sea day when four of the eight lifts near us were out of service. That is the only time I have had to ask someone, who charged into the lift we were heading for, to be aware that a wheelchair user was waiting before him to use it. He got off sheepishly.

 

I’m so relieved to hear that you are getting on OK with the lifts. I hoped that you would, given that other wheelchair & scooter users who had been on Iona at quieter times than us hadn’t experienced the problems that we did. The extra 500 passengers that we had, along with our cabin being by the busiest midships lifts were aggravating factors for us. We learned to walk the length of the ship to use the forward and aft lifts. 
 

Our experience on Ventura has been chalk and cheese, thankfully. The lifts are bigger than on Iona to start with and with around half the passengers the ship never feels crowded (Iona felt packed to us). We haven’t had an issue once with lifts (including getting in and off in ports) and our fellow passengers are all very considerate - something that was sadly lacking on Iona.