The Ventura Maiden Report (18 April - 2 May)

[The Monocled Mutineer]

Report on the MV Ventura’s Maiden Cruise

18th April to 2nd May 2008 from Southampton to Barcelona, Villefranche, Livorno, Santa Margherita, Civitavecchia, Alicante, Gibraltar and back to Southampton.

 

Summary

=======

 

This is clearly one of the most stunning ships of the fleet and careful design has largely produced a ship which meets well a large passenger population of circa 3,500 geared to family, younger and more contemporary tastes.

 

Alas, a very large proportion of the passenger manifest were not of this ilk, and seemed to be determined to moan about how awful the ship was – “too-big” – “too modern” – now there’s a surprise, and picking up loudly on every single niggle, instead of getting on with what was good and where we were all fortunate to have such good weather for virtually the whole cruise.

 

A Tour of the Ship

==============

 

Compared with some of the P&O fleet I found Ventura gave a slight disconnection with the sea compared with say the Aurora and Oriana largely governed by a surprisingly narrow Promenade Deck and an inability to “circumnavigate” the ship on the uppermost decks. However, the Promenade deck is compensated by the forward part (after ascending and descending two pairs of outside stairs) being open to the most forward part of the ship and thus commanding superlative views under semi-cover (the crew open-deck areas being above this). One could also here indulge in a bit of the Leonardo and Kate “flying sequence” from Titanic … !

 

But back to the tour …

 

Cirque Deck (19)

=============

 

The highest open-decks on the ship can be found here and have the slightly unusual aspect when looking forward from either starboard or port of being higher than the “wheelhouse”,

 

The Cirque deck is divided into two halves:

 

Aft can be found the circular trampolines and “bungee” cables and strapping. Here, besides “circus training” workshops one can indulge in a short session on the straps & harness for a charge of £3.00.

 

Forward of the Cirque “blockhouse” is the “permanent” trapeze structure where one’s tumbles and falls are cushioned by very thick deck mats.

 

This area of the open public decks is locked when the “school” is not in session together with the single lift to it (aft lifts starboard) and the single stairway to it (portside).

 

In common with most of the open deck areas on this ship, a simulated plastic teak decking has been employed together with green astroturf – all very clean now, but for how long?

 

Dropping down to …

 

Sky Deck (18)

==========

 

Here is located the aft nightclub and cocktail bar, Metropolis. At first sight a small room with a bar to the starboard and a stage and tiny dance floor to port.

 

The décor is modern and utilises “zoomorphic” print in the soft furnishings. Three stunning features of this room are the ‘Sentient’ sculpture in stainless steel be Stephen Newby, the forward facing wings on both starboard and port affording views of the length of the ship and the bow waves and the video wall facing aft, which played a different theme each night … London, New York, Paris, Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney. A jazz trio played most evenings. A favourite spot with night owls.

 

Metropolis is only accessible from the aft lifts and stairwells (or from outside stairs, starboard or aft from the Sports deck during the day).

 

Dropping down to …

 

Sports Deck (17)

=============

 

This is a deck of “two halves”.

 

Continuing our journey down from the Sky Deck one arrives at an unimpressive entrance to The White Room with, what was a “feature” in much of this ship … poor signage. The White Room itself was an understated and surprisingly large dining room with very correct china, glass and flatware laid on highly polished (lacquered?) tables bereft of table linen.

 

The dining room is adorned with some interesting art work of what I recall as being of an architectural/historical nature with a modern, distorted twist.

 

Aft of the White Room, is a teak-decked areas for al fresco dining. The White Room is not open for lunch and our cunning plan to go for an early al fresco dinner on our Civitavecchia call, when the ship was not due to sail until 7.30pm, was thwarted by high winds.

 

More about the cuisine and service later.

 

Forward of the White Room outside there are stairs down port and starboard to shuffleboard and quoit courts respectively on the Sun Deck.

 

Forward of the Skydome is a large sun deck area with purple and white plastic sun beds accessible from the Sun Deck forward.

 

Well forward is a large open deck area not connected with the aft Sports deck areas, with many blue and white plastic sunbeds Sheltered within the foremast and under “stretched canvas” can be found the golf nets and netted-in sports court where deck cricket, basketball and five-a-side football is indulged. This area can be walked around in the semi-open with a glazed windshield affording forward views.

 

This forward part of the Sports Deck can be accessed from the open decks up from amidships Sun deck and up from the Endless pool “amphitheatre” on the Sun deck too.

 

Dropping down to …

 

Sun Deck (16)

===========

 

Forward is the whole Beauty, Hairdressing and Gymnasium complex. The gym affords the best views forward indoors on any deck and is clearly where a Crow’s Nest should have been located as per much of the rest of the fleet.

 

The complex surrounds an open area called the Endless Pool where aft can be found real teak deck tiers of seating amphitheatre style.

 

Amidships can be found raised tired areas over looking the Laguna Poll, and, when the Sky Dome is open, the Beachcomber Pool. There is also inside raised decking within the Sky Dome when it is shut providing an elevated indoors position over the pool area on three sides.

 

Facing aft over looking the Laguna Pool is the Breakers Bar, a good spot for sundowners, with teak tables and chairs that inexplicably closed at 6.30pm. They really should keep this bar open in clement weather till 8pm.

 

Aft, passing along the shuffleboard and quoits courts, shuffleboard hindered by a “slow” plastic deck, can be found the children & teen areas. These appear to be extensive, although I confess I did not explore them in any detail. How extensive these will be for 300 or 400 children will no doubt be put to the test over the summer months.

 

Aft of the children areas are three shallow tired decks of real teak (Sun, Lido and Riviera) with the Sun deck sporting a children’s paddling pool.

 

Dropping down to …

 

Lido Deck (15)

===========

 

The Terrace Bar aft sports aft facing stools against a high counter allowing one to enjoy a drink whilst watching the wake. A good spot on a Northbound sunny afternoon.

 

Moving forward is the Beach House and Waterside complex.

 

These are the self-service restaurants of the ship.

 

The Beach House in bright décor with red and cream stripe banquettes and seating and “shell-&-sand décor” tables is the 24 hour eatery (self-serve) and the over-spill area for those who can’t get a table in the Waterside. From 5.30pm until 10pm the tables are laid informally with placemats and cutlery for informal “family” dining, with self service from the hot and cold stations there.

 

The “menus”, described in brochure speak, as being designed by MPW, did not exist, as far as I could see, and the offerings, self-serve, were the standard P&O fare.

 

The Waterside is self service for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and coffee/tea is available all day here (as it is in the Beach House), The décor is nautical in theme and the most interesting feature is the Navigation Chart table tops from various parts of the world.

 

The usual standard P&O offerings at breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, were offered here. Fine for “fill & feed”, but nothing really remarkable.

 

Moving amidships can be found the Beachcomber pool with two whirlpools and a forward facing bar. Whether the Skydome was opened or closed I found this area rather austere and hard surfaced, thus noisy, with six rather bland and pointless (?) lighthouses. Some foliage would improve the ambiance here. The sun-beds are of the aluminium frame variety. There are teak tables and chairs to enjoy selections from the Waterside around the enclosed walkways.

 

Moving further amid ships (and under cover) is the open pool area called the Laguna Pool.

 

The Laguna Pool is served by its own bar, and a separate Frankie & Marco’s Grill (Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, etc – free) and a Frankie & Marco’s Pizzeria (Pizzas - free) and Ice Cream counter (Ben & Jerrys, Wall Cornetto, scooped ice cream and “Mr Whippy” style 99s – at a cost). There are teak tables and chairs at both counters to tuck in at around the enclosed walkways.

 

The “Frankie & Marco” is pure branding and seems to be no different from the similar offering on other ships in the fleet. Acceptable “fast” food (and much better then The Macdonald’s, etc pap), although queues at busy times could develop. How “fast” the service will be will 300 or 400 children on board is another question.

 

Forward of here are the highest cabins above the waterline.

 

Dropping down to …

 

Riviera Deck (14)

=============

 

Given over to passenger cabins and suites except for the aft Terrace Pool and a forward observation deck, closed, except on port days or when arriving at a port/scenic cruising.

 

Decks A through down to E

=====================

 

Given over to passenger cabins and suites.

 

Promenade Deck

=============

 

Having already mentioned at the beginning of the ‘Tour of the Ship’ the narrow, plastic-decked “teak” effect decking and the “step-up” forward, with the ability to walk right around the bow “outside”, one should also mention the aft end of the Promenade deck where quite abruptly, and with a narrow passage, the deck takes two virtual right angles to allow the walker to move from one side of the ship to the other, with views over the immediate churning of the wake.

 

Inside the ship, starting forward, there is the main entrances to the Arena, a two-decked theatre, the lower deck being a large “mosh-pit” with seating on the level vs the upper level being curved and tiered. The décor is fairly pale but once the lights are down the stage and wings come into their own, and seated in the “mosh-pit” one can enjoy the best seats in the house. Interestingly the “mosh-pit” was rarely half-full, let alone full.

 

The Ventura Theatre Company shows were shown thrice-nightly at 7.15pm, 8.45pm and 10.45pm, thus providing for 2nd sitting diners the prospects of doing two shows per night, ie one in the theatre and one in one of the show lounges (Havana or Tamarind Club).

 

More about the Theatre company and visiting artistes later.

 

Moving aft from the theatre once comes across Las Ramblas, spread over four rooms centered on a bar. The décor is exposed stone and bodega-chic with wine racked behind galls and iron bars. One of the rooms had a “tree” growing in the middle of it with branches laced with fairy lights.

 

Tapas at 2.50 per 3 choices out of circa 8 could be had 11am to 11pm, together with a three course meal + real coffee during the same hours for £5.00 per person. It was my understanding that the menu did not change over 14 nights.

 

To the starboard side could also be found the ships florist and the perfumery shop.

 

Moving aft one then came to the top of the Atrium. The Atrium is spread across three decks and has alongside the two glass lifts that serve, with the other 4 amid-ships lifts, decks G through to Lido, a three deck light installation that slowly changes colour through the evening.

 

To the portside is the modern Red Bar, which serves as the central cocktail bar for pre and post dinner drinks. The décor is … yes … red. A pleasing feature were the lighted crystal bead pillars here.

 

The Tamarind Club, aft of the Atrium, has a mixed theme of South-East Asian with “Moroccan” (?) accents, and enjoys large crystal lighting chandeliers and installations.

 

Aft, on the starboard side is a wide and generously spaced Photo gallery and to the portside is the East restaurant which was fairly austere in it’s minimalism, and was surprisingly very large, when one penetrated the entrance and immediate dining area. It maybe desirable to book a window seat looking over the portside promenade deck to enjoy the early evening views of the sea whilst enjoying dinner here.

 

Supplement £15 pp and not opened for lunch. More about the cuisine later.

 

Finally aft of the aft staircases was the Havana Club. A striking room with different coloured neon effects. I only saw this room crowded when there was a show on. The late night “disco” each night had the usual compliment of young officers outnumbering the paying passengers, most electing for either bed (the majority) or more sedentary activities in Metropolis and the Red Bar, together with The Exchange and Fortunes(casino/slots).

 

The outstanding feature of the Havana room was the marvellous posters from pre and post revolutionary Cuba wrapped around the various pillars and walls.

 

During the day the Scalextric was hosted on the dancefloor here, and became rather boring once the novelty had worn off (about 30 minutes).

 

Down to …

 

F Deck

=====

 

Aft can be found one of two Club Dining restaurants, the Bay Tree, which can only be reached via the aft staircase/lifts. It was only open for dinner and I never visited it.

 

Amid-ships, off the Atrium could be found the Saffron Restaurant, which was the second of the two Club Dining Restaurants and also served as the main restaurant for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. In simple terms, a very typical P&O dining room , decorated with some very large arrestingly coloured vegetables & fruit in oils by Paul Wright.

 

The usual clutch of shops around the Atrium stocked mainly with desirable but over-priced inventory, together with the expected tawdry bits of tat.

 

The practice of having “market stalls” out in the Atrium, reducing the ambiance in the evening to the level of a souk, has been minimised, compared with recent experiences on other P&O ships.

 

At this part of the ship one becomes aware, as one moves forward, of a smell that has now disappeared form all public indoor areas in the UK. I refer of course to the concentration of smoking in one designated indoor area ie The Exchange, that seeps out of this venue into the Atrium. It was most unpleasant and has made the venue unusable for some folks for popular items like quizzes (Not the Syndicate – that is held in Cinnamons) and Karaoke. I could stand a half hour doing a quiz (and won 3 times) but the Karaoke proved problematical, given that I enjoy doing a “spirited performance” and the consequent heavy breathing-in of the contaminated atmosphere, gave me a mild asthmatic attack, on the 2nd Karaoke evening.

 

The décor is open brick and pub furniture and gives way on the starboard side to the casino and slots, which no doubt made it unpleasant for non-smoking gamblers. I only saw the model railway work on one night – I understand it had broken down.

 

Forward of here is the lower entrance to the Arena Theatre, giving one a quick access to the “mosh-pit” and a quicker exit after the show – but with running the smokey gauntlet in The Exchange.

 

Down to …

 

G Deck

=====

 

Forward are cabins and moving aft there is the Art Gallery. Three cheers for not having an Art Auction onboard. The inventory was for sale with prices displayed, some which was pleasing, some which were not. The good thing was we were not subjected to endless tannoy announcements about an “auction”, endless fliers and the “virus” of inventory displacing the carefully considered and commissioned art-work on board.

 

Amid-ships is the lowest part of the Atrium. Portside there is a fairly stark, décor-wise, Tazzine. I had a pleasing espresso-doble the first morning, but never used it again after a weak and insipid Iced Coffee that was like a child’s milkshake.

 

A superlative stainless steel sculpture called System No 23 can be found here by the artist Julian Wild.

 

Starboard is the Chapter One Library, and contrary to brochure, a reasonable lending library, as well as book shop (for sale). However the absence of seating and desks, to place large books on to study, is poor.

 

Explorers, the Tour Desk is followed on the Starboard side by the Cyb@Study. An efficient and pleasing facility, but everyone’s screens are visible to all who enter, as all stations were in a semi-circle, with the operatives back to the door.

 

Finally, there is the Cinnamon Restaurant. Of similar layout and décor to Saffron. This is the Freedom Dining restaurant and it also hosted the Syndicate Quiz at 10.45/11pm.

 

~~~~

 

The Cuisine

=========

 

DINNER in the main restaurant:

 

I found the soups and main-courses together with some of the desserts to be of a good order and comparable to most recent P&O experiences that we have had.

 

Downside. The waiter said I could NOT have a fish course as a starter as they would not be ready yet(?!). This is something I have always enjoyed on previous P&O cruises as I generally find the starters to be more of the hors d’ouvres variety, and I enjoy a hot 1st course after these appetizers.

 

Downside II. Saucing very light in volume, resulting in dried/split sauce/gravy on too hot a plate. I rectified this by requesting a sauce-boat of the sauce/gravy being supplied for me to supplement directly on to my plate.

 

Downside III. The wine list is the same old boring “Cooks Tour” of the world, with little depth within regions. Just one Spanish Red & White for a line that calls on Spanish ports hundreds of times a year. No Alsace. A dessert wine selection that a Harvester would be embarrassed by.

 

LUNCH in the main restaurant (only a couple of times):

 

Rather pleasing, simpler fare. The curries stand out.

 

BREAKFAST in the main restaurant (a few times)

 

A wider choice than self-service and quite good

 

THE WATERSIDE:

 

Rather dull and uninspiring lunches – Mainly “feed and fill”.

 

Breakfasts good, but nothing changes day to day.

 

Afternoon Tea (only a couple of times in The Waterside)

 

Sweet stuff – more Mr Kipling then Betty’s of Harrogate.

Sandwiches – improving from previous cruises with P&O.

 

THE WHITE ROOM:

 

£20 pp. Service good, although there were some communication problems. When you get asked three times “Is everything alright?” you start to get worried. Also we were asked do we want coffee 3 times and a Limoncello order was forgotten.

 

Food. Because dishes are cooked to order, the quality stands-out vs the main restaurant fare. I have had better ashore but the cuisine is certainly better then what I have experienced at MPWs Hampshire restaurant.

 

EAST:

 

£15 pp. Service, which some people think is great, is a bit too South-East Asian for my taste. However the food mitigated this and was of a very good order. I have never had such an “Occidental” dish in an “Oriental” restaurant before ( Medallions of Beef with Foie Gras).

 

RAMBLAS:

 

£5pp . Excellent and a welcome change at lunch from the uninspiring Waterside fare supplemented by burger and pizzas from Frankie and Marco (as if).

 

ENTERTAINMENT

==============

 

The Ventura Theatre Company were outstanding and is the best I have ever seen on a cruise ship. Most of the material was fresh, innovative and probably did not appeal to the majority of the regular P&O’ers, many onboard this cruise, who made loud and vocal, how awful they thought this ship is!

 

I found the guest entertainers to be reasonably refreshing (I did not see them all) and some of the comics, were actually quite funny, although many (the moaners) thought they weren’t.

 

For the first few days a great “tribute” act called “Legends” were onboard doing George Michael, Elton John, Robbie Williams, Abba and Kylie, were highly engaging.

 

We had Jimmy Carr on board for one night (doing 3 turns) and he was very good, in my view.

 

Destinations

=========

 

I have covered off this in my “musings and dribbles” (and hope to paste these in to this report, when completed).

 

 

Queues & Moaning

===============

 

If the Olympics had this as a sport, the British would sweep the board.

 

There were some problems on the first day of tendering. (Breakdowns on some of the tenders?)

 

There were shuttle bus problems in Alicante

 

Gibraltar, with it being a morning call only, “everyone” wants to get off in the first half hour and back on again in the last half hour.

 

Disembarkation Southampton.

 

 

Never have I seen such a large number of miserable people as were many of my fellow passengers were, moaning and groaning, and feeding off each other, getting more and more riled up.

 

Take the first tendering day. We intended to slope off at about 11am. We went down to get two boat tickets and was confronted by a seething mass of moaners and groaners. When enquiring of the young officer how long it would be before our letter was called (about an hour) we retreated back up to the sunshine, the views of Villefranche, a sun-bed and a refreshing cocktail of the day and exclaimed “Isn’t Life Wonderful.!”

 

Ditto disembarkation. We did not get off until 11am – but in the 2 and half hours between breakfast and disembarkation we sat out on the sun-beds up top, drinking coffee and reading today’s newspapers, in a glorious Southampton morning.

 

Little niggles

=========

 

The ships newsletter (xxxx TODAY) used to contain ALL the daily info you need. The ships newspaper Horizon only shows timetabled events. You have the benefit of the cabin infotainment system to tell you about opening times, but I don’t find these practical, like a newsletter, when one likes to sit or lie on a sun-bed all day up on the open decks. The standard opening times were printed in the foldaway map found in your cruise wallet, but experienced cruisers will know that times will be varied, and they were.

 

Signage. Fair to poor to sometimes non-existent.

 

Ship maps at stairways, etc. The symbol “You are here” very hard to find. This “dot” should be a day-glo colour.

 

Because the lifts at each stairway are not in a line I could never remember which was aft or forward or port or starboard. This was not aided by some stairways not having a cabin numbers from / to sign in the corridors.

 

A big play made on the films that will be shown in the Arena. Not. One decent “adult” film shown in the evening once in 14 nights. I am Legend. In the Tamarind Club.

 

Charges of £3.95 for DVD release and £5.95 for cinema release for viewing on one’s cabin infotainment. Zero charge if you want to see Casablanca, Breakfast at Tiffany’s or Porridge.

 

The embarkation mix-up over our upgrade (given 3 days earlier). All sorted 1st day, and now forgotten.

 

Cabin

====

 

I shall not bore one with details of our cabin as it was one of only six large Insides on the ship and is therefore not typical of the standard cabins (or indeed staterooms and suites), other than to say we had very generous wardrobe, drawer and floor space. Whether it’s worth the extra £400 for 14 nights for 2 people over and above the cheapest grade is a matter of personal opinion. I would rather have had the money.

 

~~~

 

I shall now paste the musings and dribbles of the 14 days

 

~~~

 

Day 0

 

Hello, One & All,

 

The Ship: In a word: FANTASTIC.

 

The "Maiden" send-off:

 

As you may already be aware the send-off was delayed for weather reasons in order that the fireworks could happen in the relative calm of Southampton Water and with some degree of twilight.

 

The send-off started with a rather impressive red caped large military band (Cavalry?).

 

Then the "Baby-eating Bishop of Bath & Wells" (sorry I can't remember who it actually really was) gave an appropriate homily and blessing to the folks who built it, the crew who man it, the passengers who sail on it and, of course, Ventura herself.

 

Then, Nigel Eadale(?) MD P&O Cruises gave a short speech and congratulated us passengers on N802 as being the first to sail on her! (So, obviously N802Y departing 11 April was a product of my fevered imagination, and any minute now Bobby Ewing and Lord Lucan are going to appear out of my shower!).

 

He also emphasised the Ventura as being the biggest and best equipped ship ever built for the British market and the Family orientation of her offer.

 

This I found ironic (for this cruise) given that the passenger profil is atypical of an out-of-season ex.UK P&O cruise ie the majority of passengers are grey and retired.

 

I have only seen and heard the joy and chuckle of one child so far, and I have been informed, (but will confirm) that there are 13 only of the young of the species on board.

 

We then pushed away from the quay and got the great Southampton send-off with lights and horns flashing from the Mayflower Park and Town Quays.

 

We then passed the QE2 at the Eastern Docks tied up starboard side and the graceful old lady of the sea showed the new kid that she has a great pair of lungs as she gave Ventura great blasts of her magnificent whistle.

 

I confess to a tear and a lump in my throat.

 

We then had a spectacular firework display down the Southampton Water, launched from a tug/barge(? - it was getting dark).

 

The "special" & "unique" gifts and events so far, notwithstanding the above?

 

The promise of Lord Coe onboard giving lectures.

 

The promise of Jimmy Carr, no less!

 

Two "personalised" china Ventura Mugs with our names "embossed" placed on our beds whilst we were watching the sail-away. Very nice. Only problem we are not "Mr & Mrs Rxxxxx". No doubt, something to do with the upgrade - and I will say more about the "frustrating" afternoon we spent getting allied issues arising out of that sorted out, in our end of cruise report.

 

In between everything that has gone on (welcome & unwelcome) I have managed to visit every public space onboard (except the children's spaces).

 

FAO of onboard Ventura CC'ers.

 

Yesterday I was attired in a loud DAKs check suit with black felt panama and black polo neck.

 

Today I am attired in a red t/shirt featuring "The Man Machine - www.kraftwerk.com" surmounting a pair of genuine Burberry Green Check trousers.

 

Tonight: Formal, I will be attired in a Black velvet suit sprinkled with "star-dust" - My nightclub singer's suit as Mrs Kane calls it.

 

Please feel free to say hello. Contrary to minority opinion on this site, I do not bite!

 

Day 1

 

There have been many criticisms about the self-service restaurants on the fleet, although in my opinion the shortcomings are often down to the ill-manners of a minority of passengers.

 

I would agree when they are busy (sea days and breakfasts on port days), they can resemble a stirred-up "ants-nest". However, I have just had a most pleasant breakfast with just a few early risers at The Waterside and had a very brief chat with Mike Monaghan (?), Corporate Chef for the Fleet and offered my compliments on what so far has been very good fare offered.

 

My experience on the rest of the fleet is that breakfasting circa 07:00 in the self-service can be very pleasant. One is also in control of the portion-control !!

 

I have also just perused the first full newsletter of the cruise (it is called Horizon, and not Ventura Today) and my compliments to the entertainment team on a packed programme for what will be as an inclement weather day.

 

In 18 years of cruising with P&O I have not seen a better day time programme.

 

Also my hats off to the Arena Theatre Company (at this juncture I do not know their official name, nor have I actually seen a performance yet):

 

They do 3 performances a night eg Saturday Night Fever at 7.15pm, 8:45pm and 10:45pm. I have done Panto and on a Saturday have run to a 2.30pm and 7.30pm performance and that is tiring ...

 

... My Lord they must be fit!

 

 

Now some of you maybe thinking: "Come on Derek, where's the objectivity - how about the 'warts & all' approach?"

 

Well aside from some glitches with our embarkation and a few knock-on effects, that I will save for my end of cruise report, and of which I'm sure only a few yesterday experienced, there is little to "knock" at the moment. Incidently, the embarkation glitch (associated with our upgrade) has been sorted.

 

Criticisms so far:

 

A £5.95 charge to watch a film on the cabin (interactive) TV!

 

Very poor selection of Vinhos de Jerez in the Ramblas and very ordinary Vinhos de Rioja too. We will be "tapas'ing" tonight over a Fino (£2.50 pp for 3 dishes out of a choice of circa nine). I have established that the Fino is served at 4 degrees C.

 

The same rather tired main restaurant wine list -and still no ALSACE !!!

 

Now the general population (of which the majority, 75%, do not smoke), we have got used to walking into pubs, cafes etc and being able to breathe comfortably.

 

So, it is noticeable that the air inside 'The Exchange' (the designated smoking room) catches the back of one's throat. A shame that such a large and versatile space will voluntarily be "out of bounds" for us. You can smell it before you get to the venue too.

 

~~~

 

Other than that, a great ship and the service and outputs so far have been excellent.

 

Day 1 (cont)

 

I am writing this in Cyb@Study and it is 18:50.

 

There are elegant ladies and gentlemen seated around the Atrium correctly attired. No doubt some of them, like us are contemplating going to the 7:15pm show of Saturday Night Fever before 8:45pm 2nd sitting dinner.

 

1st sitting (Club) are already dining.

 

It is a Formal night.

 

A (gentle)man has walked in just now wearing a blue casual shirt, old jeans and trainers. He is dressed rather like my milkman when he is on duty.

 

 

Day 2

 

Well, many of us met up at the Metropolis Bar, noon today and a good chin-wag was had by many.

 

Nice to meet so many charming people and put faces to names.

 

~~~

 

As regards comments on CC about me posting on here whilst on a cruise.

 

I am awake about 19 hours out of 24 and I have spent circa an hour per day on here, usually early in the morning, although the server here was down this morning.

 

The 18 hours that I am awake and not on here (CC) I am having a super time and probably a lot more fun, judging by some of the sour faces I see who get their full 8 hours sleep!

 

 

Day 2 cont

 

 

Cruise continues to delight and inform.

 

I apologise for any questions I may have appeared to have ignored. The down-time early yesterday morning (my preferred time to post these musings and dribbles) hindered.

 

Please post any q's again under this thread and I will look them up and attempt to field them.

 

Thank you for your recent supportive and appreciative replies.

 

These musings and dribbles do not constitute a full report. This is something I will attend to when I return home. After all I am on a cruise. But, I have already scribbled notes when out on the sun beds.

 

One thing I don't normally report on is a plate by plate description of what we ate. Regular cruisers will be familiar with the fare.

 

However, I would like to mention that my m/c course last night at dinner was a "Game Mixed Grill" comprising Rabbit, Wild Boar Sausage and Ostrich in a Wild Mushroom Jus* - Novel and enjoyable.

 

Theatre, although a bit "beige" is first class with perfect sight-lines. Anyway, as you sit in darkness most of the time, what does it matter what colour the seats are!

 

Day 3

 

Well yesterday proved to be what "all this cruising malarky" is about.

 

The swells dropped, the wind dropped, the sky was an azure blue and it was WARM!

 

Spent from 08:30 to 19:00 on the open decks - mainly on a sun-bed by the Laguna Pool.

 

Explored the entire open upper decks (for the first time) at 15:00. It took an hour! The amount of space for passengers is staggering and it will be impossible to not to be able to get a sun bed. The variety of open deck space(busy, quiet, private, bustling, sheltered, scenic) is amazing. Astroturf aside, it's great. Most of the other surfaces is that non-slip beige material one sees on other ships.

 

There is some teak decking to be had, mainly around the Endless Pool and Terrace Pool, but the Promenade Deck is a "plastic" version (with caulking!). The Promenade although narrower than Oriana's / Aurora's is outstanding though forward,as it remains at the same width and curves around in the open with clear and open views forward. I can see some Newcomers doing their Kate & Leonardo impersonations "Jack, I can fly!" here.

 

Day 4

 

Barcelona continues to please and is an exciting, vibrant, modern Catalonian and European city.

 

An excellent repast was enjoyed at a wonderful very old and traditional Catalonian restaurant just off the Ramblas, where we enjoyed Gambas Plancha, Roast Sucking Pig and Fraises de Bois as tiny as "Sun-Maid" raisins.

 

~~~

 

Jimmy Carr was brilliant. I have not yet talked to anyone as we went to see him at the 7.15 (1st performance) where this slot tends to have a lower audience count.

 

By my reckoning, given Mr Carr's humour and what many P&O'ers are used to, he may not have gone down all that well. I thought he was very funny. "Because many of you are common, I am much posher then what you are used to!"

 

 

 

A belated answer to a query on dancefloors on the Ventura. To my unqualified eye (I can't dance, unless you classify the style "Dad dancing at a Wedding disco" as a style) the Ventura is not generously equipped with dance floors. I have noticed two of modest proportions in the Havana Club and Tamarind Club.

 

There are a number of "postage stamp" versions in other venues too.

 

~~~

Day 5

 

Cruise generally continues to delight, bolstered by good weather.

 

Villefranche yesterday, and Ventura's first tender port.

 

It was (and usually is) our intention to have a lazy morning onboard letting the herd get off first and thus avoiding queues.

 

However problems developed with some of the tenders (mechanics?) and the service became very slow.

 

When we went down to get boat tickets there were loads of people sitting in the various lounges "moaning and groaning" and feeding their resentment towards P&O by this constant whinging.

 

Why for heavens sake they just took their ticket and went back up on top into the delightful sunshine, drank in the scenery, got themselves a sun-bed and a cocktail of the day, and stopped moaning, is beyond me.

 

We "waited" about 30 mins before our ticket number was called and had a delightful extra 30 mins up on deck.

 

~~~

 

Plans were revised for a gourmond lunch ashore (at Chevre D'or or Le Moulin de Mougins) were reviewed given "finite spending money resource" (ie I'm broke!) and we partook of an al fresco lunch at Le Oursin Bleu (The Blue Sea Urchin), which has a modest Michelin entry and is modestly priced accordingly.

 

Cuisine had a modern Provencal edge and was attractively presented with flavours that "sang"

 

We had Provencal Fish Soup with Rouille and a Degustation de la Mer (Tuna, Red Mullet, Cod and Scallops) each a scaled down version of the full al carte menu item with its own individual saucing and accoutrements for each fish, presented on a large square piece of black slate.

 

~~~

 

Departure, due to tending problems, was again delayed by about an hour, which allowed another hour to indulge in the shelter of the anchorage drinking in the scenery of Cap Ferrat (and how the "other half" live) enjoying a sun-downer or two on the upper decks.

 

 

Day 6

 

Lost in Livorno. Believe you me those "P&O" Maps are useless !!! Helpful locals soon put us back on track.

 

~~~

 

Maiden Special Event: A quayside presentation 30 minutes before sailing was billed as "local Tuscan/Italian medieval song, dance, flag-waving and drumming".

 

This comprised, excerpts from that ... er ... well-known Italian musical "Chicago" and ... er 'um ... Spanish flamenco.

 

~~~

 

Deck furniture:

 

As has been previously commented, you should never be able to go without a sun-bed on this ship. Also there are plenty of little plastic tables for placing drinks, etc on, which tend to be as rare as hen's teeth on the other ships.

 

When I first saw these I commented to Mrs Kane that I can imagine these easily getting broken when some oaf chooses to sit on them.

 

On the 3rd day out I spotted a table with broken legs (Was the perpetrator filimg a video for Harry Hill's 'You've Been Framed', I wonder?)

 

Yesterday, a few sun-beds away from me, sure enough, there was a fat oaf sitting on one of these tables, letting his sun-bed take the strain of his paperback book and towel.

 

Up on Breakers Bar, the Terrace Bar, and the outdoor dining area of "The White Room", there are teak tables and chairs. There are also some padded teak recliners around the Endless Pool.

 

In the Beachcomers Pool (the one with a skydome) there are modern metal framed sun-beds and on the promenade deck there are "sit-up" recliners, metal framed too.

 

~~~

 

Karaoke in The Exchange:

 

I braved the fug that is associated with this venue and delivered 4 "musical" statements, much to the embarassment of Mrs Kane.

 

 

Day 7

 

 

Cruise continues to delight.

 

~~~

 

Further musings and dribbles:

 

Santa Margharita to Portofino:

 

By P&O Tour: Tender to quay - Local "ferry" for short trip to Portofino and return. £48 (less Portunus, if applicable) per couple.

 

By DIY: Tender to quay - Local (crowded bus), every half hour, journey time 15 minutes. 4 Euros return (slightly more than £3) per couple.

 

The difference funded gelato and coffee in Portofino and a bottle of champagne, back on board the Ventura.

 

~~~

 

I used to rather like the pre-printed menus depicting marine paintings from the P&O collection and 17th Century drawings of India.

 

Then some years ago P&O dropped this and placed a plain menu in a "leather" folder, for each night.

 

Now we have the menus placed in a wooden menu which tends to easily knock over glassware and table accoutrements.

 

They remind me of "thoughtful" gifts I have been given in the recent past on two occasions when friends, knowing my predeliction for self-tie bow ties (I wear them nearly always when I wear a shirt, for both work and pleasure), purchased the novelty of a wooden bow tie, that evidently can be worn.

 

I never have worn them and probably never will.

 

~~~

 

Last night there were 3 heats of an interactive quiz where the prize in the final, on the 30th is a free 2night cruise on Ventura for two later this year (September?).

 

P&O have 900 hand held devices and one responds on from the a/v screens in Havana to questions a la "Who wants to be a Millionnaire".

 

Each hand held set has a unique serial number and when the cordless device is used to select answer 1, 2, 3 or 4, the system records your unique ref and answers and these can be reviewed during the session.

 

The quiz has been cleverly designed not just to favour deeply intellectual and knowledgable types like me, but to favour all the other folks whose horizons are limited to Eastenders and Heat Magazine. It also has a "How observant are you section" (Picture flashed up for 10 seconds, and then you answer questions) as well as questions such as what "% of the population have false teeth" sort of thing.

 

Good fun, but I did not win.

 

Consoled my self with a Syndicate quiz session where on a team of one (Mrs Kane looking on) I scored a creditable 15/20 vs the winning team's of six with 17/20.

 

A Pyrihic victory, (Pyrihic being named after King Pyyrhos,who defeated the early Roman Republic, militarily, but at great cost to his own military resources).

 

~~~

 

Off to catch a train now to Roma. Hope to kiss hands for a second time with a former member of the Hitler youth.

 

 

 

Day 8

 

Train journey time to Roma is now only 45 minutes with trains departing each way circa every 30 mins or so.

 

The cost was 9 euros return per person.

 

The journey took nearly as long as the shuttle bus did from quay-side to town. This was down to us leaving at the same time as a hoarde of other coaches were leaving with the Roma bound official P&O trips, as well as the same (with consequent "turnaround day congestion) with HALs Rotterdam, Costa "whatever" (a funny looking "truck-ferry-lookalike" cruise ship), an Azamara cruise ship and the Crystal Serenity. There was also RCI's Legend of the Seas, docked in a slightly different part of the port.

 

Unlike the tours folk, we had had a quiet leisurely breakfast in a half empty Waterside, the official tourers having to collect their tour-stickers at some hour in the morning when usually only I (posting these musings and dribbles, and the young Goan whose duty it is to hoover the Atrium carpet) is up and awake.

 

The time we actually spend in Roma meant we had 5 hours there and still had a leisurely 2 hours up on quiet sun decks before getting ready for an early dinner at The White Room.

 

The money saved vs a P&O tour financed an open-bus tour of Rome (We choose the cheapest option which is the "timed 2 hour run" and once you're off, you're off), the £40 supplement for The White Room and the corkage charge there for a bottle of Bollinger.

 

~~~

 

The White Room:

 

We had booked this as soon as we had boarded. My understanding is that the venue got "booked-out" 2 days out. We choose an early dining time for the Civitavecchia call as we fancied dining al fresco and the ship was not departing until 19:30.

 

Although the weather was clear and warm, a strong breeze from inland had whipped up in the last few hours, so we were to dine indoors. We were by the large windows which afforded us views of the other ships departures, as well as our own "turning on a sixpence" when it came Ventura's turn to depart.

 

The small number of un-made tables to one corner of the dining room probably explained the late cancelation of al fresco dining as the weather forecast had been set for a fine day, which it was in all respects, bar the late afternoon/evening breeze.

 

The experience was the best dining we had on the ship to date.

 

We had a complimentary Bellini folowed by a hot Pea and Bacon shot with "foam".

 

There was exemplary Italian breads.

 

Val started with Duck Pate with truffled jelly - I had a Scallop and Celeraic Veloute - the scallops were correctly cooked and tasted fresh.

 

Val then had Lobster with Spaghetti which bore no comparison to the frozen "cruise-ship" lobster served earlier on the cruise.

 

I had duck breast where I was asked how I would like it, and I correctly asked for it to be very pink and it was.

 

Val had a hot and rich chocolate pudding and I had an exemplary Zambaglione.

 

Good coffee followed although we were puzzled by the sugar being white granulated (although we don't take sugar with coffee anyway). The chocolates were of the ordinary kind served in the main dining rooms.

 

We drank Bolly (BYO) and had a suggestion glass of Limoncello.

 

Service was solicitous although interstaff communication needs to be improved as we were asked several times "Was everything ok?" (after the 3rd time of asking you start to get worried), "Would we like coffee?" and we had to repeat our forgotton Limoncello order.

 

The value for money quotient (£40 for two) is fine. Whether, if it was possible and would you get bored with the limited choice, you would want to dine here every night, is another matter given that 14 nights worth would add £560 to your onboard bill, but as a focus to perhaps a special celebration, or in combination with a memorable departure port (early dining, as we had planned, al fresco), the price of £40 would be worth it.

 

~~~

 

Tonight was Casual/Tropical/Pirate night with the focus of the evening being two shows of a Pirate extravaganza out of the open decks around the Laguna Pool, with the whole area being dressed a la "Pirates in the Caribbean" style and a party in between, going on from 8pm till 12.30am, outdoors too. The pool was adorned with a massive balck skull, the size of an igloo, with a curved sabre embedded into it.

 

Everyone was having fun, but it was a bit incougrous seeing folks in their tropical/pirate/party gear wearing cardigans and anoraks, the nights in April being somewhat chilly still in the Med (Day time temps with clear sunny skies "soar" to 20 degrees currently).

 

More a case of Pirates in the North Sea than the Caribbean!

 

Lots of folks dressed as Pirates, for which a range of pirate apparel and accoutrements was available to purchase from the shops onboard.

 

~~~

 

Went to see the only showing so far in the evening of a film, so far on this cruise in the Tamarind Club. Venue fine if you sit far forward away from the main walkway. The film was the excellent "I am Legend" with Will Smith - a remake of Charlton Heston's The Omega Man from the early 1970s.

 

~~~

 

I cannot remember who asked earler but the Catalonian restaurant in Barcelona is called 'Los Caracoles' and is up one of the first alley ways to the right going up The Ramblas.

 

Day 9

 

Cruise continues to delight.

 

Just about a perfect day - a sea day - caution: slipped on early morning wet-deck on 'non-slip' surface, but managed a stage-fall springing back on to my feet with a "ta-rah!" - a whole day on a sun-bed - a number of chapters of John Julius Norwich's 'The Middle Sea', knocked off with ice-carving demo thrown in free, as a pleasant distraction.

 

~~~

 

Until our dinner at The White Room, we have been unaware of virbration and especially "Port vibration" (when the thrusters kick-in). Our cabin is amid-ships and high. For those attracted by the aft suites you may want to consider amid-ships suites instead, as I have followed this up with some onboard acquaintances who have cabins in the aft area and they confirm that "everything shakes" during port manouveres (and most ports' arrival are in the 7am to 8.30am slot).

 

~~~

 

Cocktail party. Introduced to Captain Clark and then stood and chatted with Flora who is great fun. The Executive Purser, Patrick Harrison came up to me and said "So you're Derek Kane ... someone handed me a photo of you (!) and is the glass in your monocle real?"

 

Introduced myself to Michael Portillo and we had a (very brief) chat about the London Mayoral Elections and the popularity plus repeat business/loyalty of cruisers.

 

~~~

 

 

~~~

 

 

Alicante today. Does anyone still buy toy donkeys with straw hats, these days?

 

~~~

 

Can anyone wire me some money? Don't fancy having to wash 3.500 breakfast plates on Southampton morning, instead

~~~

 

 

 

Cruise continues to delight.

 

~~~

Day 10

 

Alicante - going ashore & reembarking was slow due to building works in port preventing those who could from walking the shortish distance into town, and traffic jams in port area. There also seemed to be only one (?) bus working.

 

Alicante, is a bit work-a-day - a bit like what Southampton must feel like to visiting Americans. The lift and hill path up to the Moorish Fort (Castel de Barbara) was closed so went back aboard, when I discovered this.

 

~~~

 

I must mention the Ventura Theatre Company. I have not seen a finer company afloat in 24 cruises then this troupe. The shows are excellently & imaginatively staged and the performers are outstanding and in a couple of cases gravity-defying and breathtaking. They are about as far and away from "boa feathers and Tiller girls" presentations as I have ever seen.

 

Very few passengers sit in The Arena in what I have termed the "mosh-pit". Two or three rows back affords excellent close views of the slick and talented youngsters.

 

We have mainly gone to 7.15pm presentations, which are a real boon. There is usually an 8.45pm and 10.45pm presentation too.

 

~~~

 

On an earlier posting of these "musings and dribbles" I mentioned in a reply that there is no Cirque Ventura presentation a la Cirque Arcadia. This is not entirely true as I see that there was a 4pm outdoors presentation on the last sea day in the Med by the Circus "teachers" and selected "pupils".

 

~~~

 

Committed aural violence to 2 musical statements during Karaoke last night. Choice of songs quite good, but performances, for those who do not know lyrics to their selections, is hindered by the absence of a reverse facing monitor. Many participants delivered their turns with their backs to audience.

 

Cigarette smoke in The Exchange restricted the amount of turns I would have been otherwise happy to do. The fug is really quite awful there, and is not what the British public (99% of P&O's passengers) are used to when they go out in the UK now. P&O must attend to this.

 

~~~

 

"New" CC'ers (both active and passive [the readers] are still daily coming up to me on the decks asking if I am "The Monocled Mutineer"?

 

I haven't been punched by anybody (yet).

 

~~~

 

This morning I am serving ASBOs in Gibraltar on a couple of particularly itinerant Barbary Apes, who steal from tourists and generally behave in an anti-social manner. Harry Hill has supplied the Video evidence.

 

 

Day 11

 

Gibraltar: Long queues to disembark and re-embark as "everyone" did just that in the first and last half hour.

 

~~~

 

Sailaway Party:

 

The only one of the cruise. A lively, mildly jingoistic, but not unpleasant affair.

 

~~~

 

East: I had only been in the entrance (when booking on embarkation day), and was therefore surprised to see how big this venue was.

 

Cuisine excellent, well presented and individually cooked. The South-East Asian ladies were all very charming and efficient.

 

My main course - Medallions of Beef with Foie Gras on Rosti was, surprisingly, Occidental.

 

Supplement here is £15pp.

 

Dined at 7pm tonight (to make a change from Club Dining at 8.30pm). Then came over all tired (as did Mrs Kane). Mrs Kane went to bed at 9:45pm and I shut eyes until 11pm. I have now taken 2 Alka Seltzer XS and shall now enjoy a sherbert or two in Metropolis. I have been issued a gate pass by Mrs Kane.

 

Day 12

 

Had Tapas in Las Ramblas at lunch time with a chilled glass of Fino. No Manzanilla though, which was slightly disappointing.

 

Noticed that there was a small dining area set-up and 3 waiters standing waiting. Enquired and discovered and was surprised to learn that a 3 course Spanish meal can be had from 11am till 11pm here for a supplement of £5 pp.

 

Mrs Kane & I then partook, after enjoying our 3 selections from circa nine of tapas, at £2.50, of a lunch there. Choice comprises 3 starters, 5 mains and a couple of puddings, with coffee (real) thrown in.

 

We both had Jabugo ham with figs and Cochonillo (Sucking Piglet), and a Cream Caramel.

 

Very tasty and enjoyable.

 

~~~

 

With perseverance I have discovered some "films now on DVD in the UK for a few years" available at no charge on the cabin interactive system. They can also be "frozen" for one to resume at a later time (and be able to switch the set off).

 

However releases of a few months ago are £3.95 and new releases are £5.95.

 

~~~

 

2nd sitting Portunus Cocktail party, in the Beachcombers Pool area (with roof closed) was massive in passenger count. No nibbles though.

 

 

 

 

 

~~~

 

IN CONCLUSION

==============

 

It will be interesting to see if P&O can fill this 3.500 cap ship with families and the younger set, given the increased capacity ex.UK eith RCI and others and the credit crunch, higher taxation and higher household costs, that families have.

 

Many of the Maiden passengers, who were of the “grey £” persuasion, did not seem to be enjoying themselves, with many moaning and groaning. After the first year, will they be tempted to cruise on Ventura, when the much vaunted “families” will look to elsewhere for a holiday that won’t cost a lot?

 

 

I am looking forward to some heavy discounting next year so I can enjoy another wonderful cruise on this splendid ship.

 

 

Derek “The Monocled Mutineer” Kane

 

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[tom_uk]

Excellent! Very enjoyable!!

 

I've just got to wait until September....

 

Fortunately we're on Oriana in a couple of weeks' time for our first P&O cruise. This will enable us to say "it's not like Oriana..." when we embark Ventura in September!

[oxford yellow]

hi derek

thank you very much for your report , up to the usual high standard , only 3 months till we find out for ourselves!

regards

Brendan Greehy

[humpy]

hi derek just read the report and im glad i wasnt the only one on the maiden voyage to be fed up with the constant winging by the blue rinse brigade.Great report.... happy cruising ... humpy.

[daiB]

Excellent! Very enjoyable!!

 

I've just got to wait until September....

 

Fortunately we're on Oriana in a couple of weeks' time for our first P&O cruise. This will enable us to say "it's not like Oriana..." when we embark Ventura in September!

 

Of course it is nothing like Oriana Tom old fellow, but you will have a great cruise on each ship.

 

We like them all and so spread ourselves over the fleet and always have a great cruise.

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

Dai

[Elaine0138]

Thanks for a brillant account of your Ventura trip.

[Have a Good Trip]

Thank you for posting a very informative and balanced report. It appears you had a very enjoyable cruise despite the plethora of "serial moaners". The ship sounds stunning - we eagerly await sailing on her next year with our family.

 

Tim

[tom_uk]

The smokiness of the Exchange bar sounds like bad news, however, and Derek's isn't the only review to have mentioned it. A pity; having read about this bar I was hoping to spend some time in it. Possibly quite a lot of time.... But perhaps not.

 

I've got so used to not having a smoky atmosphere in pubs.

[Sparkle 123]

Thank you Derek for posting this informative report.

We were on the Ventura Iberian Adventure last week and we also found the entertainment to be the best we have seen on a cruise. I do agree with your comments about the design of the ship and the inability to walk all the way round the open decks, however this did not stop us having a thoroughly enjoyable cruise.

There was a younger crowd on this cruise although the moaners were still out in force, when the Captain asked if everyone liked the new ship in his welcome aboard speech he was met with an embarrassing silence! The 'its not like the Oriana/ Oceana' mantra was heard many times, as it was when we were on the Arcadia, what I think these people fail to realise is that P&O have different ships to appeal to different people, that is clearly obvious in their brochures by the way they group the various ships into "contemporary and innovative" and "original and authentic" etc. It would be very boring if all the ships were the same!

I have posted a bit of a review on another thread if anyone wants

to read it, click here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=14618693&postcount=23

 

The way I see it a cruise it what you make it and if you go on board looking to pick faults and find things to constantly complain about then you will be missing out on all the good things about a cruise!

Lisa

[Ditchys]

Fantastic report, I have been looking forward to reading this since you sailed, it will be our first cruise in August for the family my MIL will be celebrating 75 years young. Thankyou Derek for your positive views.:)

[M62Man]

Thanks Derek - excellent report/article , been looking forward to reading something about Ventura.Couple of bits caused outright laughter!

Glad it's not like Oriana, which although a nice ship we couldn't cope with the "typical passengers" and the moaning and found it strangely disappointing last year.Maybe our expectations were too high - just surprised at how many " very mature" passengers during school holidays.

It didn't spoil the cruise and we had a great time because we intended to- but struggled to fit in with the general crowd.

Also got fed up with "it used to be so much better"- I sailed 20 years ago and it wasn't better - smaller ships, much rolling in heavy seas, limited facilities etc

Looking forward to experiencing Ventura ourselves- any advice on DIY trip into Rome and aslo same re Pisa? Family of 4 looking to DIY shore ex as much as possible.

Keep up the good work !

[Marmaduke]

Thank you for taking the time to compile such a detailed report on Ventura, I am certainly looking forward to my cruise on her next January. As for the moaners and groaners on your cruise, I remember cruising on the old Arcadia shortly after P & O accquired her from Princess Cruises. All we heard for two weeks was "Its not like the Canberra".

[MattOsprey]

Great review.

When we sailed on Oceana in it's inaugeral year. We got the serial whingers. "It's not as good as Oriana." And "there's no ballroom!"

Most of them struggled to walk never mind ballroom dance. Unless there is a competition to be won or a gap in a queue. All of a sudden mobility isn't an issue.

Cruising needs to be a special experience not a specialist experience. P&O have to modernise without too much compromise. But living in the past doesn't help.

Cruising remains our favourite holiday. Although we are in our thirties, we love being with older passengers. They have the best stories and life experiences. But there need to be more youth to keep the business afloat (please excuse the pun).

Can't wait for October, when we will be trying all you have seen.

Thanks.

Matthew

[Gerrym]

Great review.

When we sailed on Oceana in it's inaugeral year. We got the serial whingers. "It's not as good as Oriana." And "there's no ballroom!"

Most of them struggled to walk never mind ballroom dance.

 

Thanks.

Matthew

 

 

Matthew!!

 

I spilt my coffee reading your post it made me laugh so much.

 

 

Cheers for that!

 

:D :D

[miss mental]

Hello Derek !;)

 

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I really enjoyed your comprehensive and informative review. The bit about ASBO's for the apes in Gibralta really tickled me!

I am really looking forward to our xmas / new year cruise now. I'm sure the niggles will be sorted out by the time we sail.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Heather. :rolleyes:

[loobylouuk]

Great review Derek, i have been waiting for you to post.

Glad to hear the Entertainment is good, it was shocking on Oriana in October and it was a real shame.

Also am pleased that Ramblas is good,its nice to have a change from the "Traditional" i was horrified by some of the Oriana fare......cottage pie & sausage and mash.....

Anyway glad you had a good time.

Lou

[daiB]

There was a younger crowd on this cruise although the moaners were still out in force, when the Captain asked if everyone liked the new ship in his welcome aboard speech he was met with an embarrassing silence! The 'its not like the Oriana/ Oceana' mantra was heard many times, as it was when we were on the Arcadia, what I think these people fail to realise is that P&O have different ships to appeal to different people, that is clearly obvious in their brochures by the way they group the various ships into "contemporary and innovative" and "original and authentic" etc. It would be very boring if all the ships were the same!

I have posted a bit of a review on another thread if anyone wants

to read it, click here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=14618693&postcount=23

 

The way I see it a cruise it what you make it and if you go on board looking to pick faults and find things to constantly complain about then you will be missing out on all the good things about a cruise!

Lisa

 

Hi Lisa,

 

We must be lucky as we rarely meet the "its not like Oriana brigade" which is a pity as I could enjoy myself.

 

Having said that you and they, to an extent, are correct. Arcadia/Ventura are not like Oriana and how good that is. We love Oriana and are going on her in December but we also love Arcadia "Cos she is different" and are going on her in 7 weeks.

 

Of course we would not go on that horrible Ventura (after all you read such awful things)............well this year.:D

 

We will have to wait until January 09:D

 

Perhaps by then the "its not like Oriana brigade" will have gone back to Oriana cos I will upset them if they come near me.

 

 

 

 

:)Happy Cruising:)

[ccrystal]

Thank you Derek for a very informative report. We sail in December, so a while yet, but still looking forward to it;)

[K8T]

I had been waiting for this and wasn't disappointed - fantastic report and gave me all the information I wanted!!

 

To be honest, having felt very 'let down' by P&O recently, I wasn't particularly looking forward to our cruise on the Ventura in a couple of weeks, but you have given me heart!! Whoever would have thought it;)

 

We particulary are looking to get away from the 'Oriana brigade' - don't get me wrong, we love the Oriana, but have booked Ventura because she isn't!!! Hopefully no more dance floors taken over by those who believe they are on Come Dancing and no more paper corsages on a black and white night.

 

I suppose we could be called the 'younger lot', especially with a three and a half year old in tow. (albeit she has already been on four cruises!), so it may just suit us.

 

Bit concerned about the smoking bit though - we like to watch the Karoke and won't want to take our little one in there if it is full of smoke. How can they get around the law when everyone else has to be comply?

 

I was also glad to see you found a few more reasonable films on the TV. Having been let down with the Cinema, you would have thought that P&O would have compensated by a few 'decent' freebies in cabin.

 

As for the kiddies stuff. Just leave that to me and I shall report back with all the info. forthwith.

 

Kate

[Helford]

An excellent report on what for us will be our introduction to cruising. Ventura 30/05/98

 

Thanks.

 

H

[Helford]

An excellent report on what for us will be our introduction to cruising. Ventura 30/05/98

 

Thanks.

 

H

[Helford]

Help!

 

Just gone back 10 years! Lol!

[daiB]

Help!

 

Just gone back 10 years! Lol!

 

 

You are not called the Dr. are you?

 

BTW there are some more pictures on the following link.

 

http://www.antellimages.com/cruises/Iberian%20Adventure%202008/index.html

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

 

:eek:

 

 

Dai

[ps646566]

Nobody who knows which end is up should be going on Ventura expecting it to be just like Oriana.

 

What matters however is to what extent are standards kept up, on Ventura and all the other ships. This includes :- quality of cabin servicing, quality and choice of food, availability of alternative dining, restaurant and bar service, reception service, quality and variety of entertainment, efficiency of boarding and disembarkation at Southampton and each port of call, continuation of the all inclusive concept rather the trying to charge for many 'extras'.

 

Some people do hanker after cruising of old -- Canberra etc. Others would like every ship to be like Oriana as the next best thing. Yes it can be a bit tedious listening to them. But people who legitimately complain about dropping standards should be listened to and supported, not condemned as being 'negative'.

[forest_]

Ps646566,

An interesting comment and in my view as a long term cruiser who has sailed on older ships and also the Canberra. Standards have improved greatly on most ships. The problem is that people’s expectations have gone sky high.

Having sailed with P&O and other cruise lines in the 80's I can confirm that food choice and standards in my opinion are far superior now then that period.

The slipping of standards is maybe more to do with the type of passengers that cruise ships attract now then the actual ships themselves. The concept of all inclusive in my opinion attracts the wrong type of person in the first place nothing in this world is free.

People that are complaining about standards should be listened to as you say if they are in fact correct, but in this world and on the good old internet their are a number of so called pro moaners who make it their life times ambition to find fault with everything.

It is far easier to find fault than to commend and be positive.