Ventura N330 review

[pne1881]

I've just read the review of N329 by capnahab,

 

Therefore, i'm going to write my own here, as i don't know how many actually look at the reviews. So here goes.

 

3rd time on P&O and for me standards are also slipping in all aspects.

 

Here are my unhappy aspects:-

1. No free alcoholic drink with the inflight meal. 2 years ago, all drinks were complimentary for the full flight. Earlier this year, 1 alcoholic drink with the meal. One of the stewardesses explained it was from feedback that most people would prefer the inflight headphones for the films rather than have a cheerie beerie.
   
2. Although tacky, no lei garland provided for the embarkation photo.
   
3. 1st room allocation was filthy, generally dusty, filthy shower curtain, blown light bulbs, toilet didn't flush. All these don't start your holiday very well at all. Also, it was directly above the Tamarind Clubs loudspeakers, intolerably loud. We did get a room change, but only to the same standard, know i shouldn't expect an upgrade, but balconies were available. (rumour has it there was 500 empty cabins)
   
4. Second room was well kept, but was directly across the hall from a service door.
   
5. Shameful early sea days that were cruising at an average of 8.5 knots. Total waste really, when the next days ports could have been reached.
   
6. Tribute artists were very much yesteryears for the retired set, only Gary Barlow was modernish. The "Tom Jones" guy was just a singer of all 60s/70s songs. The shows however good, do seem to cater for those of the population that can cruise at any time!!
   
7. Last minute booking passengers got far better room allocations for far less money, this seems to be a popular thread these days.
   
8. No Banks lager on draught, although it has been before on my Caribbean cruises. (a portable draught Banks dispenser was loaded on my disembarkation day!!!)
   
9. Photographers. No need to say any more.
   
10. The constant sell, sell, sell aspect. Spa, select dining etc.
    
11. The ENOMATIC wine dispenser machine. I personally never saw anybody use it. A gimmick me thinks.
    
12. Interactive TV that needs a laser finder to operate to get any decent operation from it.
    
13. News channel after news channel on the TV. BBC world, Sky, Sky sports. Yawn.
    
14. I'm sure my itinerary on booking had 6pm departures from every port. However, most ports we left at 5pm. It appeared we only left when the cruise line could fit double tours am & pm, so it fell in with their requirements.
    
15. Don't shoot this messenger, but I was informed that all catamaran excursions etc. directly available in the ports have to be booked with the cruise lines. They've monopolised the field. Please correct me if i'm wrong.
    

 

Adversely, here are some really good aspects:-

1. Low passenger numbers meant seats were always available in all the venues on board.
   
2. There is a much wider spread of alcoholic drinks on draught than i've seen before.
   
3. 2 restaurants are allocated for freedom dining. It's a trial on Ventura for this winter which may be expanded.
   
4. Meal times seemed to be quicker as the main course is served with potatoes and vegetables on the plate.
   
5. Hardly any kids on board as it was too well situated between half term and Christmas holidays. I think somebody said about 80-100, whereas the following cruise there was going to be at least 800!!
   
6. I did like the aspect of the evening menu having steak and salmon amongst other dishes available every night.
   
7. Generally, the food options were good, and always something varied to choose from.
   
8. First time i'd seen that drinks could be ordered in the theatre. A good service improvement that i've seen before on Costa cruises.
   

I know it looks like i'm heavily biased on the negatives, and i'm sure i've missed some very valid points out for both arguments, but P&O don't seem to be learning. I've filled in the customer satisfaction questionnaires every time on board, and nothing seems to be listened to. I agree with other postings that it appears that when they've had your money, tough.

We certainly will not book early in the future, and this time we booked 3 months in advance. I'm sympathetic about other passengers booking a LONG time ago and for a lot of money, only to be usurped by the last minuters. I know its everyones prerogative to book when they like, and if I do in the future, it WILL definitely be as late as I dare leave it.

For now, I wouldn't give up on P&O, but i do wonder how they'll cope to fill their fleet with passengers once Britannia is afloat. Maybe Britannia will be the only option for the winter Caribbean season.

Wink, wink, maybe the prices will come down, eh!!

 

I'm sure this review will raise some comments, but i've followed capnahab's idea to put it down here.

[Capnahab]

Thanks pne1881 for your review which was much better than my attempt.

I'm afraid I came across (to some anyway) as a snob, that I am not, being an ex miner.

Anyway your review was just about what I wanted to say, not all of course but re-enforces the way P&O seem to be going.

I think it might be getting close to the time to try Celebrity?

Happy new year to all and happy cruising

[soobs]

We were also on N330 and enjoyed the cruise slightly more than our last one on Azura.

Missing free drinks didn't bother us I bought 3 small bottles at the airport for £5 and drank them.

No garland not an issue still got the one from the last cruise.

Cabin we were one of the lucky ones on a bargain in a balcony cabin on B deck - no cruise will be the same again we go inside as cannot afford balconys

Agree on the tribute acts I loved Gary B but I do love his music the other 2 Tom Jones just about okay and then Karen Carpenter well I would pay not to see her again she was terrible.

In the Tamarind club we had one lady singer the first few nights who went on about lost loves!!!!! The next Gemma, good voice, came from Liverpool so I am a little biased she was a typical scouser nice girl.

 

As said we really enjoyed the cruise we like pando for it's Britishness and the sail-away from St Maarten was fantastic. It was really good value for money one we would repeat in a flash for the same deal.

[jeanlyon]

Interesting reading, although I'm not sure you can blame P&O for no drinks on the flight, as I would assume that is the airline's choice, but I could be wrong. actually you are much better without any alcohol on a flight, as firstly it's very dehydrating and secondly, one drink has the effect of two at altitude. Ex-stewardess talking here.

 

We enjoyed our recently cruise on Oriana and didn't notice anything slipping at all, EXCEPT for leaving ports early. We are on Fred O next Sunday and I know the port times are much better.

[BrianI]

Interesting reading, although I'm not sure you can blame P&O for no drinks on the flight, as I would assume that is the airline's choice, but I could be wrong. actually you are much better without any alcohol on a flight, as firstly it's very dehydrating and secondly, one drink has the effect of two at altitude. Ex-stewardess talking here.

For Caribbean flights, the aircraft are chartered by P&O and it's P&O who dictate what is served, or not served, on the flights. They have obviously decided to cut costs in serving alcohol free, except for Premium passengers. This is show on their website

https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/flights/eddie_charterdrinksandmeals

Recently some people have been booked on scheduled flights and in that case you would get whatever the airline serves. The downside is that you then have to go through immigration and collect your luggage in Barbados.

Brian

[jeanlyon]

thanks for that Brian, it's a long time ago that I was flying!!

[Spanners710]

Hi

Kevin Costner lookalike replying to above message from pne1881.

If assumptions are correct, lovely to have met you both, hope your flight home was good.

Think standards are slipping re the dress code, if it's a formal evening then formal it is, some gentlemen in the casino in jeans and round neck T-Shirts, what's that all about.

 

Happy New Year

R&K R&J

[pne1881]

Hi

Kevin Costner lookalike replying to above message from pne1881.

If assumptions are correct, lovely to have met you both, hope your flight home was good.

Think standards are slipping re the dress code, if it's a formal evening then formal it is, some gentlemen in the casino in jeans and round neck T-Shirts, what's that all about.

 

Happy New Year

R&K R&J

 

Yes Kevin, your assumptions are spot on!!!

It is us from the English riviera.

Likewise, it was great to meet all 4 of you. Our flight was a little delayed but we arrived early. How was yours? We've been in wellies since then, and are showing the 1st signs of trenchfoot.

Agree fully about the dress codes etc, best wishes for 2014.

Pass on our best regards to R & J,

Happy New Year, from P & S

[cruiseclues]

Thanks for your review. :):):):)

[pne1881]

Thanks pne1881 for your review which was much better than my attempt.

I'm afraid I came across (to some anyway) as a snob, that I am not, being an ex miner.

Anyway your review was just about what I wanted to say, not all of course but re-enforces the way P&O seem to be going.

I think it might be getting close to the time to try Celebrity?

Happy new year to all and happy cruising

 

Thanks Ahab, i've let this ride for a week, nearly 900 views, only a handful of returns!!

 

Missing free drinks didn't bother us I bought 3 small bottles at the airport for £5 and drank them.

No garland not an issue still got the one from the last cruise.

Cabin we were one of the lucky ones on a bargain in a balcony cabin on B deck - no cruise will be the same again we go inside as cannot afford balconys

 

Thanks soobs, again, litle niff naff stuff on my behalf, but i feel it shows P&O's trend.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeanlyon

Interesting reading, although I'm not sure you can blame P&O for no drinks on the flight, as I would assume that is the airline's choice, but I could be wrong. actually you are much better without any alcohol on a flight, as firstly it's very dehydrating and secondly, one drink has the effect of two at altitude. Ex-stewardess talking here.

 

For Caribbean flights, the aircraft are chartered by P&O and it's P&O who dictate what is served, or not served, on the flights. They have obviously decided to cut costs in serving alcohol free, except for Premium passengers. This is show on their website

https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/fl...drinksandmeals

Recently some people have been booked on scheduled flights and in that case you would get whatever the airline serves. The downside is that you then have to go through immigration and collect your luggage in Barbados.

 

Thanks BrianI and jeanlyon, its good to see other peoples knowledge coming out in the forum.