Ventura chat

[hollyanna]

I am on the weekender... inside cabin for £208 pp (was booked up and happened to look one day a week or two after went on sale and one inside left! Snapped it up as surprise for my DH 20th Anniversary.;) I am on Oriana next month for 2 nighter with DH and DS 1 and 2 (all cosy in an inside:eek: ).... I have done Zeebrugge on a couple before so think will do Bruges this time and next year on Ventura will stay onboard and use all the facilities.

 

I have some old literature from April regarding Ventura cruises where it states M.P.White will be present, and the 2 nighter is mentioned as one of them? It was on brochure of www.cruise.co.uk. Surely they cannot print he will be on if wont be? I never booked on that strength but disappointing to anyone who may have. Hollyanna

[aggietd]

Hi,

Also booked on the Transatlantic-Caribbean in Oct 2008. It's coming closer!!!.

 

This will be our first Transatlantic and also 1st P&O.

 

Does anybody know what the weather is like transatlantic in Oct/Nov how many days out before we can sunbathe?

 

We also are spending the extra day in Barbados, I think this sounds like a great idea.

 

We too are waitlisted for 2nd sitting club dining, I do hope we will get it, I wonder does anybody know when we will be told if we have got it?

I did telephone P&O and ask what happens if we do not get what we requested and was told we would be free to choose either 1st sitting or freedom dining. I find it very strange that so early on (we booked the 1st week) they were waitlisting already, I do hope they are not trying to force people into freedom dining. Only had one go at freedom dining and that was onboard an NCL ship the first year they tried it, it was not for me, although we met some lovely people at dinner, the queue to get into the dining rooms at certain times was very bad, a couple of nights we had to stand in a queue for 30min. although I do believe now they give you a pager and tell you to go and wait in one of the bars, but it was not a pleasure. does anyone know how P&O organise it? can you book a table for a certain time? I know you can in the speciality resturants but in the normal dining rooms?

 

Anyway nice talking to all you Ventura people. Dayyfdd maybe we will have the ship all to ourselves!! when at least we would be able to dine when we wanted!!

 

Nancy

[CASPALL]

Booked Baltic Splendours - 20/6/08 and as we pre booked with TA we got cabin of our choice and 2nd sitting dinner.

What is this freedom dining thing? Is it eating in the self service restaurant, but getting served?

 

Caryl

[supered]

There are two restaurants, Cinnamon and Saffron that offer the same menu as the Club Dining Restaurant (The Bay Tree). The only difference is that you can dine at anytime. You can book a table (from 8am the day before I think) for a time that suits. You can also dine in The Beach House, the family dining venue or the Wateside Food Court, which is the buffet dining venue. More information is at http://www.pocruises.com/pocruising/learnmore-ventura-freedom-dining.aspx

[K8T]

Hi

 

We are booked for 30th May, we thought a couple of cruises in and the little teething problems would be all sorted out by then!!!:o

 

I would love to be on the Maiden Voyage though!!

 

It seems like an age away.:(

 

Kate

[jenniwreni]

Hi all,

 

room for more??

 

we have today booked our first P&O cruise, the transatlantic/caribbean cruise in October 2008. We are really looking forward to it, as its also our honeymoon!!

 

Looking forward to chatting to you all in the coming months!!

 

Jenni :)

[daiB]

Well everyone is booked on cruises before so I hope you can get the ship into shape, you know shipshape, by Jan 09.

 

I shall be reading with interest all your reviews and your little pointers to help me, like directions to the casino. I require you to grade the bars for quality so I do not waste time on the 16th. Of course I will need to know about the Gym as I would not want to bump into it by accident:eek:.

 

When you have submitted your review I shall endeavour to have it marked and back to you within 24 hours with a grade A-E but be warned I am very strict.

 

 

 

 

 

:)Happy Cruising:)

 

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

Dai

 

 

 

You see your past life creeps up on you:rolleyes:

[jenniwreni]

if i bring you back a really nice shiny apple, will that help my marks??:D

[daiB]

if i bring you back a really nice shiny apple, will that help my marks??:D

 

 

 

It will do no harm;)

 

 

 

 

:)Happy Cruising:)

 

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

Dai

[misprint]

When I travelled on Oceana our preferred sitting was waitlisted so we decided to go Freedom Dining. The restaurant was exactly the same as for club dining, same menu, same dress code same layout, same service. The only difference was that you had to book the time you wished to dine and could be sitting with different people each night. In reality after the second night our table got on really well and we all booked the same table, same time each night so effectively it was the same as club dining.

 

I would definitely pick freedom dining rather than have to dine at a different time to my preferred.

 

The only exception to this would be if you were cruising on Arcadia. Freedom dining is in the self service daytime dining room and not the same ambiance as the main dining rooms. Hope this helps.

[The Monocled Mutineer]

Re: Freedom Dining on Arcadia.

 

I don't think that all realise "Misprint's" correct description of Freedom Dinng on Arcadia, which I'm given to understand is buffet style.

 

Not at all what one would expect on a cruise other than for one night out of 14, for a change.

 

Book Club Dining when cruising on Arcadia.

[bandit0000]

Hi,

I am booked for the 5th Dec 08 Caribbean & this will be my 1st time with P&O. Really looking forward to it, especially being able to fly from my local airport straight to the ship. This is a big plus to me as we normally overnight at Heathrow, then spend a night in Miami, then get to the ship. It seems like you are travelling for 2 days before you actually get on holiday.

Thrilled we will be straight to the Caribbean & about 6 places I have never visited before.

A bit apprehensive about the dressing up as over the last few years have got used to NCL's freestyle, but I am used to sailing Celebrity also so sure I will soon get back in the swing of it once I board.

I love dressing up & have already bought 2 formal dresses.

Nice speaking to you & hope to do so a lot more as this is all I have booked at the moment & it seems so far away.

Lisa:)

[daiB]

Hi,

I am booked for the 5th Dec 08 Caribbean & this will be my 1st time with P&O. Really looking forward to it, especially being able to fly from my local airport straight to the ship. This is a big plus to me as we normally overnight at Heathrow, then spend a night in Miami, then get to the ship. It seems like you are travelling for 2 days before you actually get on holiday.

Thrilled we will be straight to the Caribbean & about 6 places I have never visited before.

A bit apprehensive about the dressing up as over the last few years have got used to NCL's freestyle, but I am used to sailing Celebrity also so sure I will soon get back in the swing of it once I board.

I love dressing up & have already bought 2 formal dresses.

Nice speaking to you & hope to do so a lot more as this is all I have booked at the moment & it seems so far away.

Lisa:)

 

 

Hi Lisa,

 

I am not sure if I have asked this before but why have you chosen Ventura this time. Is it the ship or the fact you can fly direct.

 

You know that is even better than you said, because you do not enter the terminal in Barbados. You get off the aircraft into a bus and straight to the ship. you do not legely enter Barbados.

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

Dai

[LibraLass41]

Misprint

Besides the Beleverdere self service restaurant, don't forget there is Arcadian Rhodes at £15pp and The Orchid Thai/ Asian restaurant at £10pp should you not wish to dine in the main Meridian restaurant.

 

I personally would not dine in the Belverdere in the evening, unless I was on a very long cruise, and wanted a snack or a curry in the evening for a change. AR and Orchid are wonderful and well worth the small extra supplement, and ofcourse you can book a time and table size to suit you.:D

 

Sue

[bandit0000]

Hi Lisa,

 

I am not sure if I have asked this before but why have you chosen Ventura this time. Is it the ship or the fact you can fly direct.

 

You know that is even better than you said, because you do not enter the terminal in Barbados. You get off the aircraft into a bus and straight to the ship. you do not legely enter Barbados.

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

Hi Dai,

 

Yes I must say that was a big contributing factor & wow as I do not even have to enter the terminal in Barbados, well thats even better.

It is also great that we are flying straight to the heart of the Caribbean ooh I'm so excited already.

Plus the only 14nt cruises we have done in the past are what is called back2back cruises, so really 2 separate cruises where the entertainment & menus are repeated & you have to get off the ship & on again, so it is like embarking twice & 2 life boat drills, so it will be good not to have any of that.

Also my partner hates the drive back from LHR (we live in Nottingham) after a long night flight from Miami. We are flying from EMA & it is that close that I can get my Dad to drop us off & pick us up.

 

On our last Celebrity cruise we met a quite a few british people who were singing the praises of P&O, so I have been thinking about it for some time. Then when I saw the Ventura I thought it would be really great to give it a go. So long as the sun is shining I will love it & although I do love NCL, I fancied a change.

 

Do you know what time the flights are back, morning, afternoon or evening on the return trip & is it true you can stay on board until it is time to go to the airport?

 

Many thanks

Lisa:)

[daiB]

 

 

Hi Dai,

 

Yes I must say that was a big contributing factor & wow as I do not even have to enter the terminal in Barbados, well thats even better.

It is also great that we are flying straight to the heart of the Caribbean ooh I'm so excited already.

Plus the only 14nt cruises we have done in the past are what is called back2back cruises, so really 2 separate cruises where the entertainment & menus are repeated & you have to get off the ship & on again, so it is like embarking twice & 2 life boat drills, so it will be good not to have any of that.

Also my partner hates the drive back from LHR (we live in Nottingham) after a long night flight from Miami. We are flying from EMA & it is that close that I can get my Dad to drop us off & pick us up.

 

On our last Celebrity cruise we met a quite a few british people who were singing the praises of P&O, so I have been thinking about it for some time. Then when I saw the Ventura I thought it would be really great to give it a go. So long as the sun is shining I will love it & although I do love NCL, I fancied a change.

 

Do you know what time the flights are back, morning, afternoon or evening on the return trip & is it true you can stay on board until it is time to go to the airport?

 

Many thanks

Lisa:)

 

 

 

Lisa,

 

Your flight back will be on the equivalent of the one you came out on. So the flights are usually early afternoon to early evening remembering the time you would arrive back in the UK. In some respects the later the better because you arrive in the UK a more civilised time, especally if you are being picked up.

 

And yes you can stay on the ship until you are called to go to the airport.

 

We have booked Ventura on N902 on the flight 'Geordie One'. This is the first flight from Newcastle to Barbados for P&O. This is the only reason for picking this cruise, it was just to good to miss.

 

Actually we are not bothered where the ship goes at all.

 

 

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

:cool:

 

Dai

[UK Cruiser2]

Lisa,

 

Your flight back will be on the equivalent of the one you came out on. So the flights are usually early afternoon to early evening remembering the time you would arrive back in the UK. In some respects the later the better because you arrive in the UK a more civilised time, especally if you are being picked up.

 

And yes you can stay on the ship until you are called to go to the airport.

 

We have booked Ventura on N902 on the flight 'Geordie One'. This is the first flight from Newcastle to Barbados for P&O. This is the only reason for picking this cruise, it was just to good to miss.

 

Actually we are not bothered where the ship goes at all.

 

 

Can't find this Newcastle flight on P&O website.Only comes up with Gatwick,Edinburgh,East Midlands & Manchester. ?

Keith

[ligortig]

thought I would start a post where all those who have booked can all gossip and get excited together and share new info - anyone wanna join me????

Hi everyone

We are booked on 10th October 2008 Med. We booked early and have one of the bigger balconies on Cdeck. We are taking our two Grandaughters with us its is their 1st cruise and so so excited.

[NSWP]

G'day from OZ..the Ventura, is she due to be launched early 2008 ?

We are looking at a package with air from Sydney to Heathrow, then 14 night Ventura Cruise, leaving Southampton on 10.10.08, 'An Indian Summer Cruise.' - Southampton, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Florence, Pisa, Elba, Rome, Alicante, Gibraltar, Southampton.

 

Sounds good, you reckon there will be shore trips at all the ports? What about the weather around that part of Europe in Oct, mild ?

 

Cheers..Les:cool:

[graim]

Hi NSWP

 

We are booked on the 10/10/08 sailing as well.

 

April 2008 is the launch date.

 

Shore tours are available on the P & O UK web page, but there are no prices.

 

With luck the weather should be still pretty warm 25 to 30 degrees.

 

We have a roll call on P&O Cruise Lines - UK & Australia

Ventura.

 

Grant

[LibraLass41]

perhaps not 30 in mid-late Oct, but 22-26 I would of thought.:D

 

We did the Med cruise on Arcadia in late June-early July - now that was hot 32-36 in Rome .. we went on a intensive Rome day tour which covered inside the Vatican, St Peters Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, and the Colosseum it also included a hour stop for a 3course lunch with glass of wine and beer - a most do if you have never been to Rome before.... you would never see these things on your own in a day - each place had queues a mile long -literally at the Vatican....it was called 'ESSENCE OF ROME' the tour and cost £95 each - alot of money but a full day 8am-6pm with lunch and all entrance fees...a must-do. It will be more pleasant for you in Mid Oct as well.

 

photos of my Med cruise this year on this link:

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/AuroraPartyCruiseSueV/ArcadiaMedCruiseJune07

 

 

We did the Florence and Pisa tour, which was very hectic and too much in a day really spending only a hour at Pisa and 2 hrs at Florence (1 hour sat in a restaurant having lunch) out of a long day in a coach, best to do one place or the other really, but as we hadn't seen either we felt we 'needed' to do both. Next time I would do Florence on my own and have a better look round now I have my bearings a bit.

 

Barcelona, you can do your own thing. Get shuttle bus - free- to city., walk La Ramblas, catch a hop on hop off bus and see the sites and lunch somewhere nice.

 

Sue

[Juden2307]

Hi,

 

I know Ventura is based on a Princess ship, can anyone tell me which one please?

 

I want to check if there are any photo's anywhere of the aft cabin I am in (C749).

 

Thanks for any info.

[UK Cruiser2]

We are thinking of a med cruise,have done a couple of carribbean before.

The only thing that might put us off a med cruise is what to do in the ports they visit.

The carribbean cruises are great for us with a 15 year old as he wouldn't be ineterested in the sights of Rome etc.

Are there any ports where we could just visit the beach for the day ?

Keith.

[LibraLass41]

Keith

There are beach options at some ports on a Med cruise. But Rome would be good for him to see - something he wouldn't forget - The Colosseum for example might interest him - where the gladiators were held in the pits below and watched by the crowds - a massive stadium hold 1,000's of people with entrances amazing...

 

Cannes of course has beaches , so does Nice

 

Barcelona has a massive waterpark 'Fantasy Island

 

Pisa - has a trip 'Pisa and swim' a 8hr trip ...see that great leaning tower then swim in afternoon at Viareggio Beach

 

It will be great

Go for it

 

Sue

[LibraLass41]

Janette

On our sailaway in September, we sailed passed GRAND PRINCESS in Southampton - photo of her on my album Aurora 3n cruise - here is link:

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/AuroraPartyCruiseSueV/Aurora3nAmsterdamAndBrugesCruise

 

We were told by the Captain she is the same as the Ventura - not 100% as there will be slight refinements but if you look at her she does look very similar to the photos we have seen before of Ventura in mock-ups.

 

Sue