Ventura handover - internal pics

[Madkitty]

bit of a let down for me Im afraid - I was expecting so much more :-(

 

http://www.steve-read.co.uk/VenturaHandover/

[Elaine0138]

Bex thanks for posting the link. The decor is a bit bland no wow, lets hope it is just these pictures.

[StLucia]

This man's got the perfect job!

I think she looks great, can't wait, trying not to wish time away to October!

I see what Princess reviewers mean about the balconies being overlooked. Presumably the teak balcony furniture which is promised will come later or maybe not? We are in the Bay Tree which I think looks lovely. I think the cabins look small but perfectly formed. I love the art work; I'm so pleased our cruise is a Tate Modern.

[daiB]

bit of a let down for me Im afraid - I was expecting so much more :-(

 

http://www.steve-read.co.uk/VenturaHandover/

 

 

 

What more do you want MK. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

 

I fink it looks nice:D

 

 

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

 

 

Dai

[Madkitty]

What more do you want MK. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

 

Dai

 

hey y'know me the diehard RCI fan who loves glitz and inyour face trashy american style :D

 

Lovin the pink cabins though :D :D

[Elaine0138]

Looking again at the pictures I know what is wrong

 

The bars are all empty :)

[tom_uk]

I see what Princess reviewers mean about the balconies being overlooked.

 

I think this is the relevant image:-

 

http://www.steve-read.co.uk/VenturaHandover/html/P1040127.htm

 

The bottom row of balconies are on D-deck, I think, and they are completely exposed - that's the whole of the balcony you can see. The deck above is C deck, and those balconies are the 'double-depth' balconies: they extend as far back under the superstructure as they extend outwards, so they're partly open, partly concealed. The decks above have fully concealed balconies, but are narrow ones, like D deck.

[StLucia]

I think this is the relevant image:-

 

http://www.steve-read.co.uk/VenturaHandover/html/P1040127.htm

 

The bottom row of balconies are on D-deck, I think, and they are completely exposed - that's the whole of the balcony you can see. The deck above is C deck, and those balconies are the 'double-depth' balconies: they extend as far back under the superstructure as they extend outwards, so they're partly open, partly concealed. The decks above have fully concealed balconies, but are narrow ones, like D deck.

 

Thank you for that, we are on B (Barbados) as shown on another pic, so that shoud be concealed? That's good!

[daiB]

I think this is the relevant image:-

 

http://www.steve-read.co.uk/VenturaHandover/html/P1040127.htm

 

The bottom row of balconies are on D-deck, I think, and they are completely exposed - that's the whole of the balcony you can see. The deck above is C deck, and those balconies are the 'double-depth' balconies: they extend as far back under the superstructure as they extend outwards, so they're partly open, partly concealed. The decks above have fully concealed balconies, but are narrow ones, like D deck.

 

 

Will you stop telling everyone about the double depth balconies.:mad::mad:

 

 

 

 

:)Happy Cruising:)

 

 

 

:cool::cool:

 

 

You have been warned

 

Dai

[flea b]

I have a double depth balcony just by luck! did'nt know what I was booking. I think she looks lovely, cannot wait for my Christmas cruise and am tempted to go to Southampton on Sunday to see her arrive! flea b x

[sidari]

Looks very nice inside the cabins, the design of course is almost identical to the Crown, Emerald and Ruby princess (shown in one of the pics at Fincantieri)

 

Sure all those booked on it will enjoy the ship and the surroundings.

[Madkitty]

Are the first cabin pics a standard balcony? I was curious as I thought it was odd to have 2 flat screens TV's? Wasnt there also a bath and shower?

[BandBlady]

I think you will find the bottom deck with balconies is E deck.It has 2 suites and 2JG grade balcony cabins .We are on D deck on the Maiden so will report back and tell you how bad these aft balconies are LOL!!.Not giving any secrets away Dai.Not long now and she does look great.

Regards Kay

[StLucia]

Are the first cabin pics a standard balcony? I was curious as I thought it was odd to have 2 flat screens TV's? Wasnt there also a bath and shower?

 

I think these are pics of the mini suites on deck D?

[Madkitty]

I think these are pics of the mini suites on deck D?

 

noooooooooo does that mean the rooms are even smaller for non-suites?

[southwinds]

Looks lovely, very American in its bling colours? very pink cabins?

But very modern and seems they are marketing it at the younger/young at heart cruisers... Those lucky people got to stay and eat on her then.( David Dingle spotted at dinner).. was this a 'Maiden' cruise to no where then?

[London]

Glad you like my pictures of Ventura.

It wasn't a cruise - it was the official handover of the ship by Fincantieri to P&O. Basically P&O hand over a cheque for £300 million, and Fincantieri toss them the keys!

The first cabin in my pictures was indeed a mini-suite.

She really is a terrific ship - here are some notes I hurriedly threw together as soon as I got back...

The colours are more restful than bland. Most open deck is covered with some kind of astro-turf which was very comfortable to walk on barefoot. The non-covered areas will have sunbeds - without them, they look rather bare.

I was in 9420, a mini-suite. It was longer than most balcony cabins but not much wider. The bathroom was excellent (a tub with shower) and there was lots of hanging space but I fear they've "done a Queen Victoria" with drawers. Apart from the bedside cabinets the drawers are in the mirrored cupboard at the end of the hangers. The giant semi-circular thing on the middle of the cabin contains a fridge and a couple of shelves. Two TVs took up the whole top of the unit and seems extravagant - who will have them both on, unless they've had an argument?

Metropolis is a lovely room - by night the video wall is very effective, changing scenes from cities to the inside of a shark tank. By day the screens reflect the windows so it's like there is glass all the way round.

I'm a smoker, and while Ventura was in the shipyard I had to get off the ship for a cigarette (via the crew gangway - loads of hassle each way). That all changed in the morning when the Italians boarded for the handover ceremony, and were smoking everywhere! Once in service there will be smoking only on balconies, one bar or one side of open deck - not even in the casino.

There were virtually no visitors on board apart from us, until the Italians arrived. While the absence of passengers meant I could have a good look at the ship, some spaces need the "buzz" of people to get a proper feel of how they will be when the ship starts work.

The central atrium is very swish and stylish, more like a top hotel than a ship, with two spacious glass elevators and a pair of sweeping staircases enclosed by four enormous granite arches. It's very impressive given it is only three decks high but it has an air of function rather than fun - the Tazzine coffee lounge to one side also seemed more of a meeting point than a place I'd want to hang out.

But they are the only parts of the ship that had that feel, and as I said, that might all chance once there are passengers using them.

The Tamarind lounge and adjacent Red Bar have comfortable red and gold seats, almost sumptuous without being overbearing. It will be a nice place for singers, comedians and the like.

The Arena theatre is superb - better, just, than the Queen Victoria - and there are no columns to interrupt sight lines. We saw a couple of scenes from an Indiana Jones-esque show which had the most elaborate set I've seen afloat.

Bay Tree restaurant is dark wood and velvet seats, with quite a few tables for two. Most are the usual tables for eight. It feels quite formal. This one will be set dining.

Cinnamon and Saffron are rather lighter, and in my view much nicer. These will be Freedom Dining.

The Beach House (24-hour buffet) was great - it's like being at the seaside.

Ramblas (wine and tapas) and East (Asian) also look very inviting.

The Waterside buffet - apparently closed in the evenings? - is pretty much the same as most Windjammers, Lidos etc - but the tabletops have sea navigation charts inlaid.

And then there's The White Room. The restaurant is a lot like Marco Pierre White's Luciano in London - very elegant indeed. There will be tables outside. I suspect this will do very well.

The Exchange bar is the closest thing to a pub - maybe more like a wine bar, with bare bricks and exposed girders.

Havana is very similar to its Carnival equivalent, Habana - pictures and posters giving it a Cuban feel.

Outside the newest thing is the "Cirque Ventura" apparatus for trampolining, trapezes, tightropes and bungee jumping. They'll be doing demonstrations and letting passengers have a go.

The kids facilities are great - there are dedicated areas of deck space.

[loobylouuk]

Many thanks

for posting the photos.

Roll on May 30th........I'm really excited now!

How was C deck we are in C746, Please tell me there wasn't any horrific vibrations!!

Lou

[supered]

Thanks for your thoughts Steve. It makes interesting reading. Now i can't wait to board. Shame I have to wait til October!

 

Eddie

[supered]

Roll on May 30th........I'm really excited now!

How was C deck we are in C746, Please tell me there wasn't any horrific vibrations!!

Lou

Hi Lou,

 

When Steve was on board the ship was still docked so there would be no vibrations;). I guess we'll have to wait for the Welcome Party until the Reviews start coming! :)

 

Eddie

[London]

The ship was taking power from shoreside, so not even the engines were running.

I've been on C deck on Emerald Princess (same hull) and there was no vibration, so I guess it's safe to assume Ventura will be wobble-free too.

There are a couple of pics of Ventura sailing out of Trieste at http://www.steve-read.co.uk/VA

[sidari]

London...great to see the real pictures of Ventura to go with the ones on the Ventura site of the ship build as it progressed...was also good to see that you photographed the RUBY as well, as we will be on the 4th sailing in November on that particular ship.... did you take any others of the Ruby by any chance? if so would like to see them.

 

Dave.

[MattOsprey]

Thanks for the pics.

I think she looks very very similar to Diamond Princess that we went to Hawaii on in October 07.

Can't wait for this October to try Ventura.

Matt

[London]

Sorry sidari, Ruby Princess was in another dock and we weren't allowed anywhere near her, so that's all I have.

[Guest Daimen]

Thanks for the pictures, Steve :-) Really got us in the mood for July!