Ventura N329 Cruise Review

[Capnahab]

Hello all, before I start, Id like to say that we have enjoyed 30 cruises mainly with P&O across all the current ships except Adonia, other lines being Cunard and 1 cruise on Princess so we love to cruise!

This cruise was a 14 night fly cruise to the Caribbean on 22nd November - we did the same one last year and are booked again for next year, we generally book well in advance.

So the disappointing aspects:-

 

No complementary drink with the in-flight meal.

Plated main dining room meals with poor service, poor presentation and un- inspiring menu choices.

Average entertainment apart from Headliners Theatre Co who continue to be fantastic.

Wire coat hangers in the wardrobes(aren't P&O a 4 star cruise line!)

Dusty Superior Deluxe cabin

Average meal in East Restaurant

Photographs continue to be massively overpriced - £10 for a photo of you getting off the ship!

 

Pleasing aspects:-

 

Pre-cruise upgrades for my son and ourselves after raising price discrepancies - massive thanks

Marco Pierre White meal was a fantastic experience

Airport to ship transfer and vice versa

Headliners Theatre Co continue to be great

 

As a general point, we feel that perhaps Ventura should be re-named 'Ocean Ventura' due to the leaning towards increased tribute acts, an increased number of tattooed guests and just a general feeling that she is, shall we say, trying to attract the more common guest (sorry, I'm not a snob).Its hard to express without coming across snobby but it just seems standards have been lowered.

 

With regard to the prices, we have two cruises booked for next year - April on Azura and the Caribbean in Nov on Ventura so we'll see how the new pricing structure works with them as the dep date approaches

 

We still really enjoyed the cruise and will see where Ventura ends up with its marketing towards types of guests.

[jeanlyon]

I don't think it's snobby. We found the same on Azura 2 years ago, but not on Oriana this year. Food was excellent and served beautifully.

[davecttr]

Hello all, before I start, Id like to say that we have enjoyed 30 cruises mainly with P&O across all the current ships except Adonia, other lines being Cunard and 1 cruise on Princess so we love to cruise!

This cruise was a 14 night fly cruise to the Caribbean on 22nd November - we did the same one last year and are booked again for next year, we generally book well in advance.

So the disappointing aspects:-

 

No complementary drink with the in-flight meal.

Plated main dining room meals with poor service, poor presentation and un- inspiring menu choices.

Average entertainment apart from Headliners Theatre Co who continue to be fantastic.

Wire coat hangers in the wardrobes(aren't P&O a 4 star cruise line!)

Dusty Superior Deluxe cabin

Average meal in East Restaurant

Photographs continue to be massively overpriced - £10 for a photo of you getting off the ship!

 

Pleasing aspects:-

 

Pre-cruise upgrades for my son and ourselves after raising price discrepancies - massive thanks

Marco Pierre White meal was a fantastic experience

Airport to ship transfer and vice versa

Headliners Theatre Co continue to be great

 

As a general point, we feel that perhaps Ventura should be re-named 'Ocean Ventura' due to the leaning towards increased tribute acts, an increased number of tattooed guests and just a general feeling that she is, shall we say, trying to attract the more common guest (sorry, I'm not a snob).Its hard to express without coming across snobby but it just seems standards have been lowered.

 

With regard to the prices, we have two cruises booked for next year - April on Azura and the Caribbean in Nov on Ventura so we'll see how the new pricing structure works with them as the dep date approaches

 

We still really enjoyed the cruise and will see where Ventura ends up with its marketing towards types of guests.

 

Yes, you are coming across as snobby. What does it matter if they have tattoos? do they misbehave or do you just not like the look of them.

 

Perhaps the lower classes should not be allowed to cruise or maybe a class questionaire should be added to the check in process. :rolleyes:

[Capnahab]

Oh

Tattoo thread touched a nerve, obv other points not worthy davecttr

[geecee1]

Hello all, before I start, Id like to say that we have enjoyed 30 cruises mainly with P&O across all the current ships except Adonia, other lines being Cunard and 1 cruise on Princess so we love to cruise!

This cruise was a 14 night fly cruise to the Caribbean on 22nd November - we did the same one last year and are booked again for next year, we generally book well in advance.

So the disappointing aspects:-

 

No complementary drink with the in-flight meal.

Plated main dining room meals with poor service, poor presentation and un- inspiring menu choices.

Average entertainment apart from Headliners Theatre Co who continue to be fantastic.

Wire coat hangers in the wardrobes(aren't P&O a 4 star cruise line!)

Dusty Superior Deluxe cabin

Average meal in East Restaurant

Photographs continue to be massively overpriced - £10 for a photo of you getting off the ship!

 

Pleasing aspects:-

 

Pre-cruise upgrades for my son and ourselves after raising price discrepancies - massive thanks

Marco Pierre White meal was a fantastic experience

Airport to ship transfer and vice versa

Headliners Theatre Co continue to be great

 

As a general point, we feel that perhaps Ventura should be re-named 'Ocean Ventura' due to the leaning towards increased tribute acts, an increased number of tattooed guests and just a general feeling that she is, shall we say, trying to attract the more common guest (sorry, I'm not a snob).Its hard to express without coming across snobby but it just seems standards have been lowered.

 

With regard to the prices, we have two cruises booked for next year - April on Azura and the Caribbean in Nov on Ventura so we'll see how the new pricing structure works with them as the dep date approaches

 

We still really enjoyed the cruise and will see where Ventura ends up with its marketing towards types of guests.

 

 

 

Let's hope Ocean Ventura becomes a reality, then people like us can have a holiday at sea without being surrounded by petty little Englanders who think that wearing a cheap tux and eating very ordinary food in those awful MDRs is something that those of us who want a good holiday aspire to!!!

And any tribute act is better than what we had on Ventura in Dec 2010, that silly woman from Calendar Girls in the main theatre. Nonsense!!!!!

We are 5* Mexico again this year until P&O are dragged screaming in to the 21st century.

By the way,I am a council house-born, 71 year old retired Sales Manager who has worked for some of the biggest Blue Chip companies in the world, a member of a various Golf Clubs since 1958, so I am something of an expert on petty snobs !!!!!!

[alynn]

Hello all, before I start, Id like to say that we have enjoyed 30 cruises mainly with P&O across all the current ships except Adonia, other lines being Cunard and 1 cruise on Princess so we love to cruise!

This cruise was a 14 night fly cruise to the Caribbean on 22nd November - we did the same one last year and are booked again for next year, we generally book well in advance.

So the disappointing aspects:-

 

No complementary drink with the in-flight meal.

Plated main dining room meals with poor service, poor presentation and un- inspiring menu choices.

Average entertainment apart from Headliners Theatre Co who continue to be fantastic.

Wire coat hangers in the wardrobes(aren't P&O a 4 star cruise line!)

Dusty Superior Deluxe cabin

Average meal in East Restaurant

Photographs continue to be massively overpriced - £10 for a photo of you getting off the ship!

 

Pleasing aspects:-

 

Pre-cruise upgrades for my son and ourselves after raising price discrepancies - massive thanks

Marco Pierre White meal was a fantastic experience

Airport to ship transfer and vice versa

Headliners Theatre Co continue to be great

 

As a general point, we feel that perhaps Ventura should be re-named 'Ocean Ventura' due to the leaning towards increased tribute acts, an increased number of tattooed guests and just a general feeling that she is, shall we say, trying to attract the more common guest (sorry, I'm not a snob).Its hard to express without coming across snobby but it just seems standards have been lowered.

 

With regard to the prices, we have two cruises booked for next year - April on Azura and the Caribbean in Nov on Ventura so we'll see how the new pricing structure works with them as the dep date approaches

 

We still really enjoyed the cruise and will see where Ventura ends up with its marketing towards types of guests.

 

Wow is this Mrs Bucket on P & O and was Onslow in a lifeboat......by the way I dont have a Tattoo (although Cheryl Coles arent bad) and can also play golf.

Edited December 16, 2013 by alynn

[geecee1]

Wow is this Mrs Bucket on P & O and was Onslow in a lifeboat......by the way I dont have a Tattoo (although Cheryl Coles arent bad) and can also play golf.

 

 

 

 

 

alynn, I admit to a small tattoo, result of a drunken night in Blackpool c.1958 and to being a golf nut since then.

[Spanners710]

Hello,

My wife and I were on the cruise after you N330 and we enjoyed East by Atul Kochar that we dined there 3 times, maybe your just a fussy eater or maybe to snobby to lower your standards from Marco's

P.S. Agree with you about standards dropping, Casual night gentleman in round neck T-Shirt with jeans on sitting in casino playing poker. Don't agree with that in the slightest.

[catcat24]

I am beginning to regret booking P & O! Hope here are not too many of the "blue rinse brigade" on board who think they are something that they are not! Sorry but everyone has a right to cruise and be as comfortable as they want to be. Spanner did you mean Formal night when you referred to the gentleman in the casino? My husband has a Tux but will not be taking it with him! I have several evening dresses and won't be taking them either. We cruise because we love the Caribbean!

[bIGBUCK69]

:):)

I am beginning to regret booking P & O! Hope here are not too many of the "blue rinse brigade" on board who think they are something that they are not! Sorry but everyone has a right to cruise and be as comfortable as they want to be. Spanner did you mean Formal night when you referred to the gentleman in the casino? My husband has a Tux but will not be taking it with him! I have several evening dresses and won't be taking them either. We cruise because we love the Caribbean!

[jeanlyon]

I don't happen to think being born in a council house or anything like that makes you common. Being common to me means having no manners and being rude to the wonderful staff on the ship. I have never had a bad meal in the MDR, so find that very odd.