Ventura attracting Non P&O Types

[dak]

I think that the arrival of Ventura does make P&O's marketing task a bit more difficult. it's a very different ship from any they've had before, and might well appeal to a different type of passenger, one further away from P&O's more traditional customer base. Providing a consistent image for the company that includes both Ventura and Artemis at the extremes, and the other ships somewhere in between, is a bit of a challenge.

 

There is an argument to the effect that it might have been easier if Princess had based a Grand-class ship in Southampton year-round to do Brit-style cruises, similar to the way they market Sea Princess in the summer.

 

I would agree with that. It concerns me that P&O are starting to drift from the "Oriana & Aurora" understated style and characteristic P&O "look" and that is likely to see passengers move across to Fred Olsen or up to Cunard. P&O seem to want to be all things to all men and whilst that is very commendable, you can't please all of the people all of the time. Arcadia does a good job of understated presence without the glitz that surrounds the typical American style ships. It is, of course, wrong to criticize Ventura before she appears, but my initial thought is that she is a bit too big and looks just like the Grand class that she is....right down to the funnel style.

I hope that P&O can retain its identity and quality, reversing what I see as the downward trend, and remain above the Costas and Carnivals of this world.

 

David

[daiB]

I would agree with that. It concerns me that P&O are starting to drift from the "Oriana & Aurora" understated style and characteristic P&O "look" and that is likely to see passengers move across to Fred Olsen or up to Cunard. P&O seem to want to be all things to all men and whilst that is very commendable, you can't please all of the people all of the time. Arcadia does a good job of understated presence without the glitz that surrounds the typical American style ships. It is, of course, wrong to criticize Ventura before she appears, but my initial thought is that she is a bit too big and looks just like the Grand class that she is....right down to the funnel style.

I hope that P&O can retain its identity and quality, reversing what I see as the downward trend, and remain above the Costas and Carnivals of this world.

 

David

 

 

David

 

I bet that when she does sail out there will be those who complain that she looks drab, as they did with Arcadia.

 

There will be a difference between her and her class mates, the colours will be muted somewhat and she will be given a British feel (whatever that is) Or could it be a P&O feel.

 

On reflection I think they got Arcadia right and I think they will get Ventura right as well.

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

Dai

[tom_uk]

The 'Ventura' strategy is clearly working - at least, they've got my number.

 

Having already booked a cruise on Ventura for autumn next year, we were looking around for a short break in the spring. Options included a shore-based holiday, perhaps in Minorca, or a 4-night cruise out of Barcelona on Navigator of the Seas. But out of nowhere came the winner - 4 nights on Oriana, the Continental Break cruise. And I'm not sure I'd have thought of that if I hadn't been poring all over the P&O brochure & website (and visiting here) as a result of the Ventura factor.

 

Part of the reason for booking this short cruise, in fact, was the thought that after both of them we'd be able to compare two different P&O experiences...

[daiB]

Just received an Email from CruiseKings with this information:-

 

 

At The CruiseKings we know that advance sales for P&O Cruises 2008 has been very, very strong – and this is not just for Ventura where over 70% of the beds have been sold already.

 

So Ventura is prooving to be a big hit and is not affecting other P&O ships therefore there are new cruisers or they are attracting large numbers from other cruise lines.

 

No doubt the OBC and free car parking has helped.

 

 

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

Dai

 

 

 

[stationmaster]

Being a "non- P & O" type myself I feel obliged to post a view! I have cruised for the lasst four years with my husband and 13 yr old daughter on Thomson ships and they were fantastic and family orientated, but we did not feel the ship was over-run with children and we always travelled in the summer holidays. As P & O were offering such good discounts for booking Ventura early my husband and I are travelling on our own in the caribbean next November. We don't see Noddy being on board a problem! In fact we are more concerned about the number of elderly people that might be on board at that time of year as we do not play bingo and I do not have a blue-rinse! Surely the ship will be big enought to accommodate all types and ages?

Going back to the "non- P & O type" - do "P & O types" resent other people trying their cruises then? Do we lower the toneof the ship? I can assure you we are well-behaved and will keep up the standards on board!!

[daiB]

Being a "non- P & O" type myself I feel obliged to post a view! I have cruised for the lasst four years with my husband and 13 yr old daughter on Thomson ships and they were fantastic and family orientated, but we did not feel the ship was over-run with children and we always travelled in the summer holidays. As P & O were offering such good discounts for booking Ventura early my husband and I are travelling on our own in the caribbean next November. We don't see Noddy being on board a problem! In fact we are more concerned about the number of elderly people that might be on board at that time of year as we do not play bingo and I do not have a blue-rinse! Surely the ship will be big enought to accommodate all types and ages?

Going back to the "non- P & O type" - do "P & O types" resent other people trying their cruises then? Do we lower the tone of the ship? I can assure you we are well-behaved and will keep up the standards on board!!

 

 

Hi Stationmaster,

 

Please do not take offence, I simply meant anyone who had not been on P&O ships before. having been on 8 cruises with P&O I do not think that there is a P&O type. It was short hand to get a snappy title and with a great deal of tongue in cheek:o

 

I was mostly referring to those who had experienced only American ships in the past. If you look through the thread then you will find a number of posts from exactly those people.

 

Anyway I do hope you enjoy Ventura it is certainly on our list of ships we would like to do.

 

I would not worry too much about the oldies, the ones who are attracted to Ventura, I am sure will be young at heart.

 

 

Enjoy your cruise and perhaps you would come back and report on how you enjoyed it.

 

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

 

:cool:

 

Dai

[The Monocled Mutineer]

Stationmaster:

 

The P&O fly-cruises are less "blue-rinsey"

[daiB]

Stationmaster:

 

The P&O fly-cruises are less "blue- rinsey"

 

Dam does that mean I cannot have one before I go on our next one?:mad:

 

What about green highlights:D:D

 

 

 

:)Happy Cruising

 

 

 

 

:cool:

 

Dai

 

 

ps actually by then it could be a wax and polish

[stationmaster]

I have also done one cruise with RC in the caribbean out of San Juan and it was full of rude blue-rinse americans! That's why after that experience that's why we have done Thomson cruises for the last four years because they were full of british people and the majority of them knew how to behave and were not so loud and brash!! I'm hoping that the P & O cruises are the same and I'm sure they know how to cater for british people. One thing that concerns me is that we are flying out to Barbados to pick up the ship - does anyone know if there are likely to be a lot of americans that pick up P & O ships there?

[The Monocled Mutineer]

Stationmaster,

 

P&O Cruises (Caribbean fly-cruise program and ex.Southampton April-December) are not marketed in the US. You may get the odd Anglophile, but that's about it.

 

Do please bear in mind that many folks from the US read this site (in fact they are the majority of posters). You will find the the "blue rinse" types from our own islands are evident on ex.Southampton cruises.

[cruisebore]

Stationmaster

Having cruised with NCL Princess and Thomson, albeit a while ago.

The few really rude and offensive people it has been our misfortune to encounter have ALL been on P&O ships.

In our experience with P&O in the Caribbean the age profile is of older people on Arcadia and I would hazard a guess that the socioeconomic grouping was higher. (we prefer Oceana :) ).

Generally we have only a positive reaction to our American cruising cousins having met and made friends with some smashing folk.

With Ventura I suppose it will be wait and see, but as she is to be such a 'fantastic' ship we should not fail to enjoy. our selves

 

Regards

 

Cb

[LibraLass41]

CB

Have you been on Arcadia this year??

 

I was on her last month, and I must say the age range has come down a lot now. There are more repeat bookers, as well - people who loved her in the past 2 years and are back again - like me, so not as many complainers either.

I would say 50% were in the 35-59 age group at least. And also quite a few younger ones, - there were about 5 weddings onboard this cruise, they all brough bridesmaids and friends so a lot more younger pax.

 

When did you go on Arcadia ?

 

Sue

[cruisebore]

Sue

 

It was November 2006 New Orleans/ Barbados

It appeared that there were few under 65 on this cruise.

Anyway Arcadia did not suit me for a variety of reasons, probably the same reasons why others would like her.

 

Regards

Cb

[LibraLass41]

CB

I can understand that she wasn't your 'cup of tea' thats fair enough. Which is your favourite pando ship?? I am going on Aurora next Sunday 2nd Sept, she is a pretty ship... when Arcadia is more contempoary, they both have their good points....Aurora has its own cinema for example, when Arcadia doesn't have a cinema atall - they do show films in one of the side rooms, but no quite the same. Aurora has a lovely stepped aft as well. I do like Arcadias Hydropool and spa, AR and orchid though, and the fact she is child free.

 

 

Sue

[cruisebore]

CB

I can understand that she wasn't your 'cup of tea' that's fair enough. Which is your favourite pando ship??

Sue

 

It was the old Victoria, but that was a different era. Now Oceana, why! well our first cruises on a Sea class ship was the Dawn Princess and with our cruises on its sister the Ocean I know my way round it so well I can easily get back to the cabin if I am a little the 'worse for wear' ;)

 

Regards

Cb

[daiB]

CB

Have you been on Arcadia this year??

 

I was on her last month, and I must say the age range has come down a lot now. There are more repeat bookers, as well - people who loved her in the past 2 years and are back again - like me, so not as many complainers either.

I would say 50% were in the 35-59 age group at least. And also quite a few younger ones, - there were about 5 weddings onboard this cruise, they all brough bridesmaids and friends so a lot more younger pax.

 

When did you go on Arcadia ?

 

Sue

 

 

Hi Sue,

 

No complainers on Oceana. We had talked about it at the CC meeting and we boogied on down in the disco a couple of nights as well as going on the Flam railway. when I asked the question at the end of the cruise we had not come across any. Apart that is from me in the casino when playing Poker and getting a lousy hand or being beaten by the dealer. Boy did I complain:mad:

 

I suspect the same will happen on Ventura as the target audience is about the same.

 

OOOops I tell a lie there were a couple of people who did not like 'freedom dining' as it gave them little or no 'Freedom'

 

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

:cool:

 

Dai

 

 

 

I will do a full report.

[dak]

It was the old Victoria, but that was a different era. Now Oceana, why! well our first cruises on a Sea class ship was the Dawn Princess and with our cruises on its sister the Ocean I know my way round it so well I can easily get back to the cabin if I am a little the 'worse for wear' ;)

 

Regards

Cb

 

At last! A soulmate. Wasn't she a lovely ship and a pleasure to be aboard? She sets sail today as "The Scholar Ship".

Apparently the Swedes are looking to take her back to restore her as Kungsholm once Solas ends her career.

Unlike us, who allow our national treasure to go to Dubai! :mad:

 

David

[daiB]

It was the old Victoria, but that was a different era. Now Oceana, why! well our first cruises on a Sea class ship was the Dawn Princess and with our cruises on its sister the Ocean I know my way round it so well I can easily get back to the cabin if I am a little the 'worse for wear'

 

Regards

Cb

 

 

 

Hi Cb,

 

I must read these more often, we have just been on Oceana and in the past Adonia, both beautiful ships but I do miss the centre lifts as the glass ones only do 5 to 8 I found I always had to go back on myself to get to the cabin. This is awkward for me as I have difficulty in walking. especially if you start off in the wrong direction in the first place:eek:.

 

Looking at the plans of Ventura this is solved because she does have a centre set of lifts. I will try to get a centre cabin so that most of the time I would never have more than a third of the ship to walk to get anywhere.

 

This is what we did on Arcadia last October, a cabin next to the glass lift, great for me. We also have one booked for our July trip to Venice.

 

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

 

:cool:

 

Dai

[LibraLass41]

I agree. We had a cabin on Arcadia towards the front of the mid- ship on b deck (B52) the first time, and ofcourse, with the main Meridian restaurant at the back of the ship, that meant walking the length of the ship every morning and evening for meals - obvious really! It was a lot of walking as we always like to go back to the cabin after breakfast to get our belongings etc. So this year we had a midships cabin towards the rear one of the last C132 and that meant- out of cabin , walk a couple of paces, into lift and out at restaurant!! UP OR DOWN for either beleverdere self service of Meridian for dinner/breakfast. Its all down to studying the cruise ship cabin plan before booking - you learn from experience. We have a similar cabin on C deck for Venice now.

 

Sue

[daiB]

Well as we have seen Ventura is attracting many people who have not previously cruised with P&O before.

 

Well now it has attracted this P&O type. We are off to the Caribbean on N902, late January 2009. The bast bit is that it comes with a flight direct from Newcastle. The first ever for P&O. The cruise with this flight only went on sale today and we got in first with the cabin we wanted and second sitting with a table for 8. :D:DMagic. Thank you to Les for doing the buisness.

 

Well lots to look forward to and the prospect of 'Gold' comes ever nearer.:)

 

 

 

:)Happy Cruising:)

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

Dai

[LibraLass41]

Les at C K - I presume?? YEP, He's the man!

 

Sue

[daiB]

Les at C K - I presume?? YEP, He's the man!

 

Sue

 

 

 

I don't fink I am allowed to say:o

 

 

But it could:D be:D.

 

 

 

:)Happy Cruising:)

 

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

Dai

[daiB]

If it is as good as the Hype then the Metropolis bar is going to be fantastic. P&O have a blog going on about the making of the video wall. Here is the link. I am not sure how good the blog is but the idea behind the wall is great. I cannot wait until Jan 09.

 

Here is how it is described by P&O:-

 

 

 

"The bloggers are making an extraordinary collection of film from around the world destined for a vast, floor to ceiling 20 metre wide plasma TV wall for 'Metropolis', a bar on board new superliner Ventura which is currently being built in Italy.

 

The team's task is to seek out and film in high definition through three synchronised cameras simply the most stunning 'cityscapes' in the world in a true 180° field of vision. Once edited these will be played on the plasma wall in the bar creating breathtaking panoramic cityscape vistas on a grand scale, hopefully providing a mesmerising backdrop to a night out in 'Metropolis'."

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

 

:cool:

 

Dai

[Madkitty]

Dai have you got a link to the P&O blog?

[daiB]

Dai have you got a link to the P&O blog?

 

 

 

Hi MK,

 

 

Sorry about that, I was convinced that I had put the link on the last post. I blame age.:eek:

 

Anyway here it is:-

 

http://www.virtualventura.co.uk/blog.html

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

Dai