Looking for reviews from returing passengers of Ventura 15/16th January 2010

[Ventura2010]

We are going on 29th January 2010 and was looking for a most resent review from returning passengers! (I know i have posted this early!).

 

There are 15 of us in our group flying from Gatwick. 8 Adults and 5 Kids (Which are 33% of the kids on board on ur cruise!) - Aged 3, 10, 11, 13 and 15.

 

We are the first sitting for dining.

 

Are the shows full?

 

Entertainment for kids? Night Nursery? Food for children although my daughter is not fussy?

 

We are pretty much doing our own thing off the ship mostly beach and sea. Any that you recommend?

 

Price of a pint of beer/lager on board. Wine? Vodka and Orange!?

 

Anything else which you think may help?

 

The forum seems to talk about ruddness alot. Are there really rude passengers on board? Or is that a silly question? I always expect my 3 year old to say her ps and qs.

 

Hope you had a fab holiday, and look forward to hearing your views!

 

Sam x

[Stitchman]

And a review you will get Sam. Only bad things from people that don't want to dress up for dinner btw !

[geecee1]

And a review you will get Sam. Only bad things from people that don't want to dress up for dinner btw !

 

 

Are you talking about me again, Stich?

[Ventura2010]

Please not flighting on my post i have to show this to the children.

 

This holiday is a once in a life time for most of us in our group, and although we will be dressing up i certainly will not have four dresses for each of them (am rotating). Hopefully we are not put in the group of chavs as most of the men have beer bellys!

 

Look forward to the reviews

[Beckyfaye-2008]

Sam

 

The following is a report about the Ventura Christmas cruise, that I got from P&O own cruise forum, lots of reports on there re Ventura, various cruises. This one seemed fairly balanced.

 

Hi

 

We were on the Christmas Cruise and had a wonderful time. We've done 11 cruises ranging from P&O, Princess and others and refuse to focus on any negatives which we all experience at times - whether being on a cruise or even indeed in a nice class hotel.

Whatever holiday a family chooses, they have expectations of what "their perfect holiday is" and this will always be different to another family's - so we will always experience some sort of "let down" on any holiday.

Personally I found if you were polite and courteous to the staff, you received the same reply (except for the ice-cream vendors - but I walked away with a smile on my face thinking "I'd still rather be here on a fortnight's cruise around the Caribbean than being at home - or perphaps even have to be an ice cream seller myself, away from home and family).

Some of the entertainment wasn't always to my taste/humour - but again, there was always other places to go and again, I'd rather be there chuntering on about the entertainment than at work.

Kareoke (spelling issue here) and quizzes aren't my thing so I avoided the bar that was like the "Pub" next to the Casino - and that appeared to be the bar that attracted a crowd who enjoyed "loud and hectic" entertainment - not for me to "label" them with any names just because it isn't my choice - as I said earlier - we all have our own ideas of what is good for us.

I'm sure others wouldn't have enjoyed just a nice meal and a couple of drinks in the quieter bars like I did - I enjoy putting my "going out" togs on to go out in an evening - others seem to prefer jeans etc - just as they would do in a hotel.

There were people who I wouldn't have rushed to make friends with as they appeared to have different standards to the people I'd usually want to be around - but again, no name calling because we all know that society appears to be that way nowadays - so you're bound to come across people like this on a ship holding 3000+ people - but again, you don't need to socialise with them. Just as they wouldn't probably want to socialise with me who just likes a quiet drink in serene surroundings.

It appears the traditional style/idea of cruising is becoming more relaxed, a lot of the ships are now larger and therefore to fill the ships they tend to be relaxing some of the traditional standards to widen there appeal to a wider selection of passengers.

Therefore, my hubby and I will continue to cruise, focus on what does appeal to us for our style of holiday, ignore the bits of the holiday that do not appeal to us.

Cruising isn't cheap and I would be very unhappy if I came back from a holiday and all I wanted to do was moan about what "wasn't my thing", I'd feel as though I'd had a terrible time.

I'm sure we can all find something good out of a holiday that we've spent good money on - otherwise what's the point of going away.

Here's to saving up for our next cruise, hopefully in March or April.

Bye for now

Me

[Johnthed0g]

Balanced indeed, I wonder how this went down with those who take sides over ships? I bet some called her a snob because she liked the quieter side of things! even though she was most diplomatic in her choice of words.

[geecee1]

Please not flighting on my post i have to show this to the children.

 

This holiday is a once in a life time for most of us in our group, and although we will be dressing up i certainly will not have four dresses for each of them (am rotating). Hopefully we are not put in the group of chavs as most of the men have beer bellys!

 

Look forward to the reviews

 

Many apololgies, Stich and I are just friends, I promise.

[geecee1]

Sam

 

The following is a report about the Ventura Christmas cruise, that I got from P&O own cruise forum, lots of reports on there re Ventura, various cruises. This one seemed fairly balanced.

 

Hi

 

We were on the Christmas Cruise and had a wonderful time. We've done 11 cruises ranging from P&O, Princess and others and refuse to focus on any negatives which we all experience at times - whether being on a cruise or even indeed in a nice class hotel.

Whatever holiday a family chooses, they have expectations of what "their perfect holiday is" and this will always be different to another family's - so we will always experience some sort of "let down" on any holiday.

Personally I found if you were polite and courteous to the staff, you received the same reply (except for the ice-cream vendors - but I walked away with a smile on my face thinking "I'd still rather be here on a fortnight's cruise around the Caribbean than being at home - or perphaps even have to be an ice cream seller myself, away from home and family).

Some of the entertainment wasn't always to my taste/humour - but again, there was always other places to go and again, I'd rather be there chuntering on about the entertainment than at work.

Kareoke (spelling issue here) and quizzes aren't my thing so I avoided the bar that was like the "Pub" next to the Casino - and that appeared to be the bar that attracted a crowd who enjoyed "loud and hectic" entertainment - not for me to "label" them with any names just because it isn't my choice - as I said earlier - we all have our own ideas of what is good for us.

I'm sure others wouldn't have enjoyed just a nice meal and a couple of drinks in the quieter bars like I did - I enjoy putting my "going out" togs on to go out in an evening - others seem to prefer jeans etc - just as they would do in a hotel.

There were people who I wouldn't have rushed to make friends with as they appeared to have different standards to the people I'd usually want to be around - but again, no name calling because we all know that society appears to be that way nowadays - so you're bound to come across people like this on a ship holding 3000+ people - but again, you don't need to socialise with them. Just as they wouldn't probably want to socialise with me who just likes a quiet drink in serene surroundings.

It appears the traditional style/idea of cruising is becoming more relaxed, a lot of the ships are now larger and therefore to fill the ships they tend to be relaxing some of the traditional standards to widen there appeal to a wider selection of passengers.

Therefore, my hubby and I will continue to cruise, focus on what does appeal to us for our style of holiday, ignore the bits of the holiday that do not appeal to us.

Cruising isn't cheap and I would be very unhappy if I came back from a holiday and all I wanted to do was moan about what "wasn't my thing", I'd feel as though I'd had a terrible time.

I'm sure we can all find something good out of a holiday that we've spent good money on - otherwise what's the point of going away.

Here's to saving up for our next cruise, hopefully in March or April.

Bye for now

Me

 

Could not agree more about the balance in the above review.I really do feel that on a ship this size the passengers are bound to reflect a wide cross section of society, with everyone taking what they want from the holiday whilst being mindful of other people's needs.

As JohntheDog, keeps repeating what we need is clear guidance from P&O on dress codes etc. and then we can make an informed choice on whether we are prepared to spend what, to me , is a significant amount of money.

Happy Cruising and Live and Let Live.

[SparrowLegs]

Hi Sam, We are also on your cruise.

I would like to know the exchange rate for £-$ on board, and do the atm's on the islands give $ or local currency, and did they stop a Catalina last week, 15/16 Jan cruise

Not long now next ones out, see you there.

[Johnthed0g]

The rates on board are usually reasonable, these days you can draw local currency against your account, this counts as a transaction not a cash withdrawal. ATM's give local currency but US$ are accepted on most if not all islands, JUST WATCH THE EXHANGE RATES!! Ensure that you are quoted inthe same dollars they ask you to pay in!

[joe2316]

Hi just returned from Ventura N001

In repsonse to your post, my comments below in **

 

We are going on 29th January 2010 and was looking for a most resent review from returning passengers! (I know i have posted this early!).

 

There are 15 of us in our group flying from Gatwick. 8 Adults and 5 Kids (Which are 33% of the kids on board on ur cruise!) - Aged 3, 10, 11, 13 and 15.

 

We are the first sitting for dining.

**we were freedom, but you will find the sittings OK, unless you want the freedom of the buffet food at Waterside

 

Are the shows full?

**No - plenty of room esp in Arena - Nik Page excellent, as was Andrea Dickinson - the Theatre company are good, but the material seems weakish.

Entertainment for kids? Night Nursery? Food for children although my daughter is not fussy?

**No kids of our own, but saw many happy bunnies - lots of food variety, inc pizzas, burgers chips etc as well as good for you food!

 

We are pretty much doing our own thing off the ship mostly beach and sea. Any that you recommend?

**Rainforest tour was fun, as was the 12 metre boat race. Grand Turk has the beach 100m from the ship, else you may need to get a cab for the beach.

 

Price of a pint of beer/lager on board. Wine? Vodka and Orange!?

**about £2.40-£2.60/pint - cheapish pub prices generally, less than I thought it would be. Wine varies a lot...from £13 - £42 /bottle

 

Anything else which you think may help?

**Water - get a bottle on board and chill your own as the stuff that comes from the tap is warm & it may be a long walk up & down to Waterside for chilled water.

**The Beach House is really nice, worth paying a bit more for.

 

The forum seems to talk about ruddness alot. Are there really rude passengers on board? Or is that a silly question? I always expect my 3 year old to say her ps and qs.

**As always, you will get the odd chavvy group, but that's life. Only saw one really chavvy family, otherwise the kids/teens on board were great & looked like they were having lots of fun. I also saw one really rude grey snobbish couple, so people are people!

 

Hope you had a fab holiday, and look forward to hearing your views!

**Thanks enjoy your trip and remember lots of suntan lotion is required as its hot-hot-hot!:D

Sam x

[bee-ess]

I am interested to know if this cruise stopped at Catalina.

 

If not, can you tell me what reason was given

 

Thanks

[Ventura2010]

Many thanks for your reply.

 

I hope that we are not seen as the Chavv group lol. With 15 of us who will all have a laugh. Oh well!

 

Do most people participate in the theme nights?

[Johnthed0g]

Just one tip...Black & white night is formal & everyone's favorite, the others are not that well observed except Tropical night maybe.

[Ventura2010]

Fab.......we will stick out then! lol Everyone will know who we are!

 

Im sure we will get the eye!

[joe2316]

On N001 There were 4 formal nights, well observed in the seated restaurants.

The theme nights were Tropical, B&W (formal), Country & Western. There's no issue with observing the other themed nights as far as I could see.

[bee-ess]

I am interested to know if this cruise stopped at Catalina.

 

If not, can you tell me what reason was given

 

Thanks

 

Looking for anyone who has returned from this cruise

 

Did you call at Catalina

 

If not, why not and when were you told.

 

I am asking because I have independent tours organised at other ports and need to know if the itinerary is changed before we go rather than being told once on board.

 

Thanks

[Ventura2010]

Im guessing that no one was on the cruise that came back on the 15th then!

[MattyBarlow]

**The Beach House is really nice, worth paying a bit more for.

 

 

Is the Beach House not free?

[capasamari]

Maybe joe2316 is thinking of the White House (for which there is a cover charge)?

 

Carol x

[2ffs]

Hi

We are a couple age over 60,returned on sat 16th from carribean cruise on Ventura,have never cruised with p+o before and had read some horror stories on various forums re this ship,unhelpful crew+some unruly passengers.

However that was not our experience,direct flight was 8hrs from Glasgow,transfer by bus direct from plane to ship[no collecting luggage or going into terminal].Processed very quickly at dock for cruise card etc and

onto ship, we were in inside cabin, adequate for 2 but it would be a squeeze for any more. It takes up to 4 hrs for bags to arrive at cabin would suggest you packed some clothing in hand luggage to change into as it is very warm in Barbados at the moment.

Facilities on the ship were very good,3 main resturants depending on what type of dining chosen, also 3 resturants with a supplement which were almost empty when we were on board guess this was because food in main resturants was pretty good. Theatre was never any more than half-full any time we went to a show,entertainment was a bit of hit or miss, some singers,comedians+impressionists were ok, others poor.

You will not be stuck for somewhre to go for entertainment our favourite was the Tamarind club+Metropolis[deck 19] Cant help you with kids clubs but there appeared to be areas on deck 18 dedicated to children +there is a noddy tea party each day in Waterside buffet resturant, The island trips from ship are expensive, it is no bother doing it yourself,when you disembark you will see many taxi /minibus drivers haggling for business make it clear whrere you want to go and see[DONT ACCEPT FIRST PRICE] haggle with them as there is a few of you the more in the taxi/minibus the cheaper it is[average $15/$20]each for island tour lasting approx 3 to 4 hours, water taxis are cheap if you are going to a beach[However be careful as undercurrents are severe in carribean 2 people drowned in Tortolla when we were there].

There is not a lot of space on deck on sea days due to the amount of sunbeds, you will see people up early placing towels out to reserve a bed however we never at any time found difficulty getting a bed or a spot in the sun, there is the usual pool games, quizzes,singalongs etc on pool deck,give the pizza bar a try they are not to bad however watch for the charge for soft drinks+ice cream here.

Hope this info will be of some help to you on your cruise i am sure you will enjoy,we certainly did and would return.

 

:cool:

[Ventura2010]

Wow thankyou for the replys!! Cant wait. 3 days!!!!