Ventura attracting Non P&O Types

[daiB]

Fellow Cruising Nuts.

 

It is clear from reading these boards over the past few weeks that Ventura is attracting attention from cruisers who have not so far cruised with P&O or have not done for a while. Is this a correct assumption.

 

The ship certainly attracts me and although we are not planning to use her in 2008 we certainly will in the future.

 

I am comparing Ventura with Arcadia which got a very lukewarm reception from non P&O cruisers and some P&O cruisers, when she joined the fleet. Although she is now gaining a band of regular followers.

 

So the question is, will Ventura broaden P&O's appeal?

 

 

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

:cool:

Dai

[bandit0000]

Hi There,

Yes I think this is true.

As you know I have booked for December 08 & while I have been thinking of booking P&O since my last Celebrity cruise (because of recommendations), it is only because of the launch of a new bigger ship that has grabbed my interest. I may have considered Arcadia, but when I saw this one coupled with the fact that I can fly direct from my local airport, not having to have overnight stays in a airport hotel & then a hotel in America prior to embarkation I thought it was definitely time to give P&O a go. I must say after reading reviews particularly regarding the flights, I was a bit worried, however my agent has told me from the airport I am flying from it should be First Choice flights. I have heard good thing about them so even that should be ok.

For any of you who get a thomson flight I have read from this year they will be taking some of the seats out for their long haul flights, making the seat pitch 33", so that should make it more comfortable.

I am very excited to say the least & look forward to a new experience sailing with them.

Lisa:)

[marinearchit]

I've only cruised Princess.

And I'd love to cruise on Ventura sometime.

If she ever does cruises out of US East Coast ports or San Juan and that area, I'd definately try and get my family to book a cruise on her. Otherwise traveling all the way to SH for a cruise is a bit to expensive.

[daiB]

I've only cruised Princess.

And I'd love to cruise on Ventura sometime.

If she ever does cruises out of US East Coast ports or San Juan and that area, I'd definately try and get my family to book a cruise on her. Otherwise traveling all the way to SH for a cruise is a bit to expensive.

 

 

 

Hi marinearchit,

 

I think the closest you are going to get is sailing from Barbados in the winter. The only problem being I am not sure if P&O have a cruise only fare for these cruises. Otherwise they are going to be about £1500 for a balcony, which is at the moment $3000. for a 14 night cruise.

 

It would work better in the summer if you were coming over here for a 3 week or more break and combine a land holiday with your cruise.

 

 

:):)Happy cruising:):)

 

 

:cool:

Dai

[Elaine0138]

The prices are good and that what is attracting people from other lines. flying direct to the ship from a local is another bonus. Royal Caribbean are doing it this winter too but only flights from Gatwick for sailings on Legend.

[Madkitty]

what really attracted us was the itinerary - we were going to book sea princess before we heard about the fab deals with ventura.

[daiB]

what really attracted us was the itinerary - we were going to book sea princess before we heard about the fab deals with ventura.

 

 

 

P&O have certainly gone to town with the promotions with OBC and free car parking for Ventura. I hope there is some of that when it comes to the cruises on the rest of the fleet.

 

We have our eyes on a particular cruise for 2008 and I hope we will be successful although we are fairly flexible with cabins, as long as it is near a set of lifts to cut down the walking for me.

 

We are not bothered which ship this time it depends on the dates and the destination. I have a big birthday with a 0 at the end and it is not 20.

 

Actually when we think about it the deciding factor for all of our cruises has been the date of travel as up until 18 month ago it had to fit school holidays.

 

So the year after we will be able to look at Ventura more closely as it is my wife's turn to choose the cruise and by then some of our time constraints may go.

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

 

:cool:

Dai

[KathyW]

Dear All

 

We have bitten the bullet and booked a Ventura cruise next August with our 14 old daughter. The OBC and free parking as well as being a Grand Princess type of ship swung it for me and it will interesting to see what P&O is like! Let's hope it comes up to expectations.

 

Regards.

 

KathyW:)

[forest_]

Could I ask what a non P&O type is??

Someone that embraces other cruise lines maybe.

[M62Man]

Morning all.

Also bitten the bullet and booked Ventura for July 2008. Good ports, ex Soton, so no flying, reasonable kids discounts and keen pricing plus bonus of OBC's and comp car parking.

 

I suspect Ventura pricing deliberately set at "keen pricing" for the first year due to high level of competition out of Soton and UK cruising generally - ie several RCC ships plus Cunard, plus 3 or 4 Princess ships.Interesting to note how Fred Olsen seems to be dropping prices and offering really good deals - anyone been on their ships?

They( P+O or Carnival) clearly want it to be a resounding success and be able to say that all cruises sailed full.I bet it goes up quite a bit next year.

 

Very strange marketing though.

It's as if they've got this ship and don't quite know how/where to position her in the marketplace - (going on about Noddy not much interest if over 6 yrs old, and the 7000 paintings - who cares! )

Not that many family cabins compared to other PO ships so why make a big thing re families?

Understand re Marco Pierre White as want to get across high quality food image - but yet again at little at odds with the family market ( being a bit generalistic here).

If you view the CD Rom not many images of lazy days at sea and all the sort of images we tend to look forward to- again not very impressive marketing - smacks of a committee agreeing on the least offensive way to promote the ship.

However it does look a very nice ship- not sure if there is enough sunbed area for the UK market and also it looks as if the balconies have a roof over them which will detract from sunbathing. We will look forward to it immensely -especially if they have improved embarkation. In the past it has been like being herded into a holding lounge like a load of cattle to await the call " orange, or whatever colour you have, cards can embark now" and then a queue to get on board.

Very outdated system - RCC Legend was great at embarking- just turned up , did the paperwork and walked straight onboard - how come P+O can't do that!

Any way looking forward to Oriana this year and Ventura next - having a kettle in the cabin for a decent cup of tea!( maybe with a decent biscuit not those awful cookies!), polite friendly unobtrusive stewards,good quality shows,formal evenings,afternoon tea, curry at lunchtime,going to the gym etc etc .

Anyone been on Oriana recently?

Happy Cruising

[Shogun]

Hi There,

 

If I read P & O correctly P & O types like Noddy and loads of boaring pictures, and do not like casinos.

 

Which is fine if thats what you are into, well the rest of us non P&O types will just have to make do with the bars, restruants and having a great cruise.

 

yours Shogun

[loobylouuk]

Hi There,

 

If I read P & O correctly P & O types like Noddy and loads of boaring pictures, and do not like casinos.

 

Which is fine if thats what you are into, well the rest of us non P&O types will just have to make do with the bars, restruants and having a great cruise.

 

yours Shogun

 

 

 

Happy to be a non P&O type!!!!

but still looking forward to seeing if p&o really are any better!

[Gerrym]

Hi There,

 

If I read P & O correctly P & O types like Noddy and loads of boaring pictures, and do not like casinos.

 

Which is fine if thats what you are into, well the rest of us non P&O types will just have to make do with the bars, restruants and having a great cruise.

 

yours Shogun

 

Sounds like you need to brush up on your reading skills then Shogun!!!

[UK family]

No!!!:eek: Don't mention Noddy again!!! He's put me off the Ventura..and he appeared, yet again in a flyer we had yesterday in the paper...:eek:

[happyscot]

No!!!:eek: Don't mention Noddy again!!! He's put me off the Ventura..and he appeared, yet again in a flyer we had yesterday in the paper...:eek:

 

 

Is he still shacking-up with Big Ears? There was always something a bit odd about that. Anyway, so P&O is the noddy cruiseline - oh well, useful to know......

 

:D

[Shogun]

Hi Gerrym,

 

Had a look again at P&O info and yip Noddy, so in some dark corner of the P&O office some one thinks P&O cruisers are into Noddy.

 

 

yours Shogun

[daiB]

Hi Gerrym,

 

Had a look again at P&O info and yip Noddy, so in some dark corner of the P&O office some one thinks P&O cruisers are into Noddy.

 

 

yours Shogun

 

 

 

This seems to me to be a Noddyist statement and as such should be deplored Noddy has rights as well.:mad:

 

 

Perhaps it is a British thing that people want to knock something and so choose one aspect that is vaguely silly and concentrate on that.

 

Some of the posts on this thread have become positively barking.:mad:

 

Fancy saying "Which is fine if that's what you are into, well the rest of us non P&O types will just have to make do with the bars, restaurants and having a great cruise."

 

So Ventura will not have great bars and restaurants and exactly where in the publicity did it say that.

 

If the only criticism is that P&O have concentrated on Noddy in part of their advertising then some one is scraping the barrel to have a go at P&O.

 

 

Do not knock something you have not tried.

 

 

:)Happy Cruising:)

 

:cool:

 

Dai

[feebee_71]

I agree with Dai, P&O have only done what several land based holiday companies have done over the years, used a popular character to drawe in new custom. They have to show parents of young children that cruising can be for them.

 

I am involved with an organisation who run a conference every year over Easter and use a holiday site for the time - enough accommodation, facilities and suitable large venues for 7-8000 people to attend together. Over the years I have seen then go from Noddy to Bob The Builder and they are planning to change the focus again in a couple of years.

 

This theme runs through a selection of accommodation and themed events for the children. It doesn't overtake anything for those not wanting to get involved, they just avoid the things they're not interested in.

 

Ok, P&O are a bit more upmarket than the company I'm thinking of but they still have to attract new pax - there are 3,000 extra beds to fill after all. I would only complain if they planned to add something like this across the whole fleet and only then if it was going to affect every aspect of every ship.

 

Feebee

[M62Man]

Ha Ha Noddy raises his floppy cap again!I don't understand why they keep promoting noddy - on the website it only seems to be for the 2-4 yr old age grp.

Didn't he used to live -" sorry co-habit" -with Big Ears?:rolleyes:

Anyway more importantly who came up with Tazzine for the coffee shop!-sounds like something from a Farrow and Ball paint chart - in between Dimity and Burnt Ochre! Or a teenage website for pop and soap updates - see all your favourite stars on www.tazzine

Ok I know it is Italian for cups( how sad is that), but it sounds awful. Cafe ***** would have been much better.I hope that the coffee is better!:o

[daiB]

Ha Ha Noddy raises his floppy cap again!I don't understand why they keep promoting noddy - on the website it only seems to be for the 2-4 yr old age grp.

Didn't he used to live -" sorry co-habit" -with Big Ears?

Anyway more importantly who came up with Tazzine for the coffee shop!-sounds like something from a Farrow and Ball paint chart - in between Dimity and Burnt Ochre! Or a teenage website for pop and soap updates - see all your favourite stars on www.tazzine

Ok I know it is Italian for cups( how sad is that), but it sounds awful. Cafe ***** would have been much better.I hope that the coffee is better!

 

 

Well I agree M62Man Noddy does only get a very short mention on the website, exactly 9 words, as you can see below, and a 2 second mention in a 10 minute video clip. Hardly over the top.

 

But of course as I said that does not stop the Knockers having a go at the ship for for using Noddy as a sales gimmick. As you can see there is much more to Ventura than there 2 to 4 year olds friend Noddy. But of course that is conveniently forgotten.

 

 

"Currently being constructed at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard, just outside Venice, Ventura will be a truly inspirational superliner designed specifically for her British customers. Every inch of her is being crafted in meticulous detail and she will showcase over 7,000 works of contemporary art. At 290 metres in length she is 22 metres longer than Tower Bridge and has an impressive 15 passenger decks.

To do things you have never done before, to taste cuisine you have never tasted before and to see things you have never dreamt of seeing: Ventura will really set the imagination free, opening up a world of extraordinary experiences for all who travel upon her. Learn to swing on a trapeze at her contemporary circus school. Swim in her endless pool. Drink in the coolest bar at sea. And enjoy ever-changing views from one of her 881 balcony cabins.

Partnering up with some of Britain’s favourite names, her holidays will offer something quite special for all ages. Tate Modern, will be bringing their expertise on board selected cruises, presenting ‘Tate Talks’. Noddy will be livening up playtime through themed activities. A giant 14.5 metre Scalextric track will provide fast pace fun for all ages. And Michelin star chef Marco Pierre White, is creating, Ventura’s unique fine dining venue, The White Room, plus a number of her other menus."

 

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

 

:cool:

Dai

[happyscot]

Blimey guys you're a bit easily wound up over here. P&O is on my list to try next. Chill. The noddy thing is very funny, an obvious gaff ("noddy cruiseline"), has probably ended the career of some bright young thing, and I suspect will be quietly retired shortly. Enjoy it while it lasts.

 

Will all your ships be painted red and yellow now?

 

:D

[daiB]

Blimey guys you're a bit easily wound up over here. P&O is on my list to try next. Chill. The noddy thing is very funny, an obvious gaff ("noddy cruiseline"), has probably ended the career of some bright young thing, and I suspect will be quietly retired shortly. Enjoy it while it lasts.

 

Will all your ships be painted red and yellow now?

 

:D

 

 

 

Yes and we will all have Red hats to wear.:D And anyone not playing nice will be thrown overboard. Especially ruff boys from a certain East coast Scottish town famous for Jute, Jam and 'Our Willie'

 

I think a McGonagle is required, Jimmy.

 

 

 

:)Happy Cruising:D

 

:cool:

Dai

[oxford yellow]

i have booked a 2 week cruise to the Med on her, it is difficult to get excited about many of the places where cruise ships visit , as i have been to most of them before , so the excitement factor then has to come from the cruiseship , and i believe that Ventura will deliver this , it has to work first time for PO, it is a changing market which has moved downwards in many ways in terms of the offer , cruising is now a mass market holiday and with Southampton based ships on the increase Ventura has to put bums on seats , its the eternal question will the maiden season cruisers comeback with out the freebies in 2009

[cruisebore]

Noddy Question

 

 

Why has PC Plod got big ears?

 

 

 

 

 

answer

 

 

Because Noddy would not pay the ransom.

 

 

Sailed on similar ships, both the Star and Golden Princess, and they are wonderful vessels. Ventura will be carrying a further deck of passengers. However, I am looking forward to travelling on her, Noddy or no Noddy.

Actually, come the Caribbean sailings when apart from the holiday periods

very few children are on board, our 'friend' Noddy could be a little lonely and may wish to play with the grownups.

 

Regards

 

Cb

[The Mommy]

Hi

We are looking at an early cruise to the caribbean in 2009 on Ventura. The reasons are great itinerary and great price - the new ship looks lovely. So three great reasons to book a cruise. The only snag at the moment is that we tried P&O Oceana expecting to be booking the best and were far from impressed.

One bad meal does not make a bad restaurant so we are tempted to give P&O another try but I am worried in case we are just better suited to other lines.

We love to dance and we strongly uphold the traditional formality of cruising. We support the dress codes but like to party and like excellent service standards from very friendly staff. We found the Oceana experience sadly lacking in the food and service standards. The food was excellent but boring and the staff were not what we would call warm. In short a little stuffy was the general atmosphere.

Do you think it possible that we just had a bad encounter and would probably be OK if we tried again?

Incidently we always cruise with a group of friends and not our family or children - this is our special treat time.