VENTURA vs OCEANA

[CRUMB]

This forum has been really useful for me seen as you guys are so knowledgeable! Therefore, I would like to pick your brains please.

I am on the verge of booking my wedding onboard Ventura in the caribbean, however I have read mixed things about the ship overall. How would you compare it to the Oceana as I have been given that as an option to get married on aswell? Your views would be much appreciated.

[cruisebore]

This forum has been really useful for me seen as you guys are so knowledgeable! Therefore, I would like to pick your brains please.

I am on the verge of booking my wedding on board Ventura in the Caribbean, however I have read mixed things about the ship overall. How would you compare it to the Oceana as I have been given that as an option to get married on as well? Your views would be much appreciated.

 

Crumb

If this is your first cruise it will be a wonderful experience whichever ship you choose.

If I were to give advice I would say Ventura, IMHO it is geared more to a younger age range.

 

Regards

Cb

[Gerrym]

It is so difficult to recommend a cruise for somebody else.

 

For me, Oceana is the best crusie I have ever been on. I would not go on Ventura again.

Trouble is it would take for ever to go through all the differences.

It probably boils down to the fact I have been on Oceana 3 times and we had such fun, the crew were lovely and the food was top class every time.

We had fun on Ventura (we make sure we do on holiday!!) but the service and food was not up to the standards we experienced on Oceana.

Also, as a sun lover I was happy that I could always get a sunbed on Oceana, not so on Ventura, that was a BIG problem for me.

 

Cheers

 

Gerry

[BrianI]

We have done three cruises on Oceana and two on Ventura so in a position to make comparisons.

Ventura had more options on bars, restaurants, entertainment. Cabins are slightly bigger and better equiped. On the other hand Ventura has more passengers and is more crowded making deck space a premium, although we never felt it was more crowded inside than other ships. It is also very likely that there will be lots of children during school holidays but if outside this period this should not be a problem -also avoid half term holidays.

Ventura has a dedicated wedding room (Ivory Suite on Sun deck) and seems to be geared up for weddings. You are unlikely to be the only ones getting married. Not been on Oceana since they started weddings so not sure where they have them. We were on the repositioning transatlantic cruise from the Carribean and there seemed to be two or three weddings each day.

Difficult choice but for your purpose I would say that Ventura has the edge.

If you want to have have a look at some P&O weddings, there are some on other websites, but am not allowed to name them here. If you want send me a PM.

Brian

[Gerrym]

Brian, how does one send you a PM?

 

Are you confusing this site with P&O site :)

[LibraLass41]

Here is the wedding room on Ventura

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/AuroraPartyCruiseSueV/VenturaWeekenderSept08#5246677585431624850

 

carry on to see lots of photos of Ventura...

[LibraLass41]

Arcadias wedding room was nicer with sea views:

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/AuroraPartyCruiseSueV/VeniceCruiseMay2008#5330546267193882994

[lostinvegas]

Having been on both ships I would say Ventura.

 

They are very similar but for me Ventura has more to offer and more variety IMO.

 

The other passengers were identical demographic on both ships, in fact some of the staff were even the same.

 

The entertainment was better IMO on Ventura, I work in the entertainments industry so see A LOT of shows, I could not fault the ones we saw on Ventura and because there is a theatre and 2 show lounges there were more options.

 

Food was the same on both, excursions were the same, service was almost identical.

 

I cannot comment on the cabins as we had different grades on each ship.

 

We are quite young at 30 comapred to a lot of the other passengers and one of te main reasons we cruise is P&O are excellent at dealing with special dietry needs. So my opinion my varry quite considerably from some others.

 

One thing I can say about Ventura & Oceana is all the other passengers we met were polite interesting like minded people who were a pleasure to spend time with.

 

Chris

[BrianI]

Brian, how does one send you a PM?

 

Are you confusing this site with P&O site :)

Yes, maybe you are right. Other forums I use have a PM system but have never had the need to use it on here. Now it seems it is not enabled.

Brian

[Noblemount]

Having been on Ventura only once and on Oceana and her old Sister Adonia a number of times. I much prefer Oceana.Nothing against the size of Ventura but Oceana always seemed more welcoming . There were problems with sun loungers on Sea Days and some nights it was difficult to get seats in the Theatre on Ventura.

Although there is more choice of Bars/ Restaurants on Ventura and the Cabins did seem laid out a little better on Ventura with perhaps a few more facillities.But overall it would be Oceana out of the two but Aurora and Oriana are much better than both of them that is if you prefer the more Traditional Cruise.

[Murlis]

the Oceana is more Classic inside

[CRUMB]

Fantastic response guys as expected, thank you. I think this one may take a while to decide on. We will have a party of about 12 with a mixture of seasoned cruisers and first timers. A few have been on Oceana and recommended it. None have been on Ventura and quite fancied it for a change but I believe the Oceana fans may feel slightly let down whereas the newcomers will obviously adore it.

 

As far as I am aware, I have been told that there will only be one wedding per cruise so if that date has one booked you cannot have one.

 

I think on reflection with the mixed group of people that Ventura may suit as there seems more to do - the sun bed situation will have to be fought out by the early risers! The biggest concern for me about Ventura is that I've heard it struggles to get into some ports and misses stops and that it doesnt always feel as stable as other ships. Don't know whether those are true anyone?

[BrianI]

As far as I am aware, I have been told that there will only be one wedding per cruise so if that date has one booked you cannot have one.

There were certainly more than one on Ventura in March, at least half a dozen in two weeks. I seem to recollect one day when there were two, or so it seemed.

We have been on two Ventura cruises, the last one was a Transatlantic from the Caribbean and it was stable all the way. On the previous one, however, we had a force 11 gale of the Portuguese coast, with mountainous seas and it certainly moved a bit then and the Captain had to reduce speed to 7knots but the movement is a lot slower than say on a cross channel ferry and we did not suffer any ill effects although some people did. I dont think the movement was any worse than any other ship in those conditions. Strong side winds can make berthing a bit hazardous in harbours with narrow entrances for any ship, which can result in a port being cancelled. However in 13 cruises we have never missed a port. Even the QE2 was blown off course coming into Southampton for the last time last year and ended up on a sandbank.

Brian

[LibraLass41]

As far as I am aware, I have been told that there will only be one wedding per cruise so if that date has one booked you cannot have one.

 

 

More like ONE WEDDING PER DAY not per cruise, but weddings are only held on a Sea day... I've been to one, its Maritime law I think, so you will need to choose a day when the ship is not in port, some find that annoying when doing renewal of vows, as they wanted to prehaps have the same day as their wedding, not possible if the ship is in port.

[CRUMB]

Thanks again guys, I'll have to have a look into it - looks like my travel agent hasn't been telling me the truth!! :mad:

[lostinvegas]

the sun bed situation will have to be fought out by the early risers!

 

We found the sunbed situation exactly the same on Oceana as Ventura. ie on sea days become German or you wont get a bed, but there are plenty on port days.

 

The biggest concern for me about Ventura is that I've heard it struggles to get into some ports and misses stops and that it doesnt always feel as stable as other ships. Don't know whether those are true anyone?

 

On our cruise we had some strong winds and did not miss any ports due to the weather. Although Ventura did move a bit we did have some high winds and it was no more than the movement on Oceana in the same weather. If anything Ventura felt a little more solid if that makes sense.

 

I hope this info helps.

 

Chris

[tom_uk]

The biggest concern for me about Ventura is that I've heard it struggles to get into some ports and misses stops and that it doesnt always feel as stable as other ships. Don't know whether those are true anyone?

 

Don't just take our word for Ventura's sea-keeping abilities. Viewed strictly as a hull in the water, she's exactly the same as 8 or 10 Princess ships, and you don't hear any significant complaints about them.

[cruisebore]

Don't just take our word for Ventura's sea-keeping abilities. Viewed strictly as a hull in the water, she's exactly the same as 8 or 10 Princess ships, and you don't hear any significant complaints about them.

 

Whilst the wind when we were on Ventura did not unduly effect its stability, it played hell with my toupee.

 

Cb

[Gerrym]

I had to post this from another area of Cruise Critic, I found it quite amusing even if I have no idea what he means!

 

"We love the formality and service on Cunard, and have never cruised with another line. The Celebrity ships look fabulous inside from what pictures I've seen and we're very tempted to come over to the other side ! (at least once)

 

I know this sounds terrible - but one of the things which keeps us with Cunard is the reduced risk of P+O style "riff - raff" on board. You know, shorts in the Casino, people not sticking to dress (or behavior) codes etc... bun fights in the restaurants.

 

How does Celebrity compare with Cunard in these matters ?

 

And which is the grandest Celebrity liner ? I love the idea of the restaurants with historic liner memorabilia, especially the Normandie relics. Are these venues available for all passengers ?

 

Any comments most gratefully received. "

[lostinvegas]

"We love the formality and service on Cunard, and have never cruised with another line

 

I think that says it all. So how do they know about the bun fights and shorts in the casino??

 

Why let the truth get in the way of a good story. Or some 1 up manship.

 

Chris

[CRUMB]

Thanks for restoring some faith guys. I'm just looking forward to these bun fights..................