Ventura or Independence?

[dynamitedeb]

Hi Cruisers

Has anyone been on one of both if these ships. We were wondering how they compare, both about the same age and both huge but if anyone had been on both how does food, entertainment, cabins etc compare, any advice please

[holiday queen 500]

Hello, I can't give you the comparison you have asked for just yet as we don't go on the Ventura until Dec, however we have been on the Independence and the Oceana so might be able to share a couple of differences between the two cruise lines.....

 

The main difference between RCCL and P&O are the passengers, P&O only sell to the British market so you can expect to find all British passengers, whereas RCCL sell to worldwide and I think the last RCCL cruise I was on there were 49 nationalities. However if you cruise from Southampton the number of British passengers will increase.

 

RCCL everything is in $ on the ship, so if the dollar is weak you'll get a good price on your on board purchases. P&O deal in the £ on the ship.

Same for electricity, take your US adapter on RCCL.

 

Independence extra's - Ice skating/great Ice shows, flowrider, In my experience the food in the main dining room on the Oceana wasn't that great and limited choice, never disappointed with RCCL main dining room, buffet choice better on P&O even had fish and chips if you miss the UK food.

 

Not sure if relevent, P&O kids club starts at age 2, RCCL, age 3.

 

Overall service very comparable.

 

The indepencence is an amazing ship and if you haven't seen the Royal Promonade before you won't beleive you are on a ship.

I'm pretty hooked on RCCL but wanted a like for like comparison with a newer P&O ship thats why we've booked the Ventura so I can make my mind up for sure.

 

I'm sure you won't be disappointed with either if you like the huge ships.

 

Tracy

[holiday queen 500]

ps. I forgot to mention, RCCL offer dry cleaning at very reasonable prices, whereas P&O have self service laundry rooms. I found this a pain when my OH got food on his tux on the 1st formal night and he couldn't get it cleaned.

[LibraLass41]

I have been on both of the ships, but not for very long.;)

 

I went on a 2n Ventura cruise and a Independence ships visit for the day, enough to see the ship, its cabins and sample the food.

All I can say is, Ventura is aimed at the british market -£p onboard, brit passengers, UK plug sockets, brit entertainment, Indy is American - just walk through the massive casino with hundreds of fruit machines, something you would never see on a UK ship. The food - all meat no veg, in $ onboard etc.

All I can offer is photos of both ships for you, here is the link for Independence:

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/AuroraPartyCruiseSueV/IndependenceShipVisitJuly08?authkey=Gv1sRgCMqQ4aTLt_7hOA#5227745996593634514

 

After viewing this - go to 'my photos/albums' for the Ventura album

 

Both ships are nice and new, a hard choice for you

 

Sue

[StLucia]

Hi Cruisers

Has anyone been on one of both if these ships. We were wondering how they compare, both about the same age and both huge but if anyone had been on both how does food, entertainment, cabins etc compare, any advice please

We've been on both ships and we prefer Ventura. You say both ships are huge, in our opinion Ventura actually feels small compared with Independance. We went on Indepdence as we wanted to see what it was like, and there's not doubt the Royal Promenade is impressive. The problem we found though, and the ship was full, was everyone was drawn there at the same time for parades and other events and it became extremely crowded. We never had this feeling on Ventura.

We also found the service in the restaurants better on Ventura. The waiters on IOS had too many tables to cover and our food was often left standing on the side and arrived cold. We were actually unimpressed by the food, we did not think it was as good as on our previous Carnival cruise. The other thing we didn't like was that IOS did take every opportunity to get you to spend more money. Drinks were more expensive than on P&O, and we travelled when the £ was strong against the $. We opted not to prepay our tips and we were constantly reminded and prompted to pay tips at the level they set. On P&O you pay tips as and when you want.

Our cabin on IOS was very narrow, we struggled to get past the bed. Also hanging space was not as well designed as on Ventura particularly for longer items. My mother had a cabin on IOS adapted for disabled and that was extremely well adapted.

The entertainment on IOS was extremely good in the theatre and the ice show was amazing, though you had to queue earlier in the day to get tickets. We also really enjoyed the shows on Ventura though not as OTT as on IOS.

Just our opinion but hope it helps. If you want to be amazed and but don't mind the crowds go on IOS otherwise choose Ventura

[Noblemount]

Love P&O But ...

Ventura a bit Wheel Tappers and Shunters.:confused:

[dynamitedeb]

We've been on both ships and we prefer Ventura. You say both ships are huge, in our opinion Ventura actually feels small compared with Independance. We went on Indepdence as we wanted to see what it was like, and there's not doubt the Royal Promenade is impressive. The problem we found though, and the ship was full, was everyone was drawn there at the same time for parades and other events and it became extremely crowded. We never had this feeling on Ventura.

We also found the service in the restaurants better on Ventura. The waiters on IOS had too many tables to cover and our food was often left standing on the side and arrived cold. We were actually unimpressed by the food, we did not think it was as good as on our previous Carnival cruise. The other thing we didn't like was that IOS did take every opportunity to get you to spend more money. Drinks were more expensive than on P&O, and we travelled when the £ was strong against the $. We opted not to prepay our tips and we were constantly reminded and prompted to pay tips at the level they set. On P&O you pay tips as and when you want.

Our cabin on IOS was very narrow, we struggled to get past the bed. Also hanging space was not as well designed as on Ventura particularly for longer items. My mother had a cabin on IOS adapted for disabled and that was extremely well adapted.

The entertainment on IOS was extremely good in the theatre and the ice show was amazing, though you had to queue earlier in the day to get tickets. We also really enjoyed the shows on Ventura though not as OTT as on IOS.

Just our opinion but hope it helps. If you want to be amazed and but don't mind the crowds go on IOS otherwise choose Ventura

 

 

Thanks so much for help, we have been on IOS and she is amazing but wanted to know if the Ventura compared as its nice to have another option as she too sails from Southampton, a big plus in our opinion. When we were in Barcelona last year Ventura was docked next to IOS and I agree she did look small in comparison but she did look like a beautiful ship and I like the idea of cheaper drinks and using the £. I notice you have been on Ocean Village and Carnival- as a cruise addict now what were these lines like-- its always nice to get an opinion - thanks

[StLucia]

Thanks so much for help, we have been on IOS and she is amazing but wanted to know if the Ventura compared as its nice to have another option as she too sails from Southampton, a big plus in our opinion. When we were in Barcelona last year Ventura was docked next to IOS and I agree she did look small in comparison but she did look like a beautiful ship and I like the idea of cheaper drinks and using the £. I notice you have been on Ocean Village and Carnival- as a cruise addict now what were these lines like-- its always nice to get an opinion - thanks

Our first cruise was with Ocean Village and we chose again for the following year primarily because of the ports. On both we got upgraded so that was an added bonus, the first time inside to outside and the second outside to balcony. It was OV that got us hooked on cruising and also balconies. I know they have come in for some criticism but we really enjoyed ourselves. With no set dress code or formal dining, unless you pay extra, they offer a very relaxed cruising experience.

 

We did a cruise on Carnival Destiny followed by a stay in Barbados. Carnival offers a very American style of cruising. Destiny was showing her age but we still had a great time and met some wonderful people.

 

We chose Celebrity for October following a recommendation from a friend. We are really looking forward to it but like IOS the on board costs are higher than with the Carnival group. So far P&O are our favourite which is why we have booked 2 more for next year but if the ports and price is right we will try another company. We would particularly like to try Princess and Holland America, but not Cunard. We are addicted to cruising but still love our land based holidays. We just like our away time together.

[timetravellers]

We have been on both IOS and Ventura.

 

We loved both ships but given the same itinerary, date and price, we would choose IOS over Ventura.

 

On IOS, there were more sunbeds, more things to do and free ice cream!

 

On Ventura, cheaper drinks, £, and main theatre entertainment was better.

 

Both ships were superb and we have already booked another cruise on Ventura.

 

On balance, though, IOS wins by a fine margin.

 

Gail

[dynamitedeb]

Our first cruise was with Ocean Village and we chose again for the following year primarily because of the ports. On both we got upgraded so that was an added bonus, the first time inside to outside and the second outside to balcony. It was OV that got us hooked on cruising and also balconies. I know they have come in for some criticism but we really enjoyed ourselves. With no set dress code or formal dining, unless you pay extra, they offer a very relaxed cruising experience.

 

We did a cruise on Carnival Destiny followed by a stay in Barbados. Carnival offers a very American style of cruising. Destiny was showing her age but we still had a great time and met some wonderful people.

 

We chose Celebrity for October following a recommendation from a friend. We are really looking forward to it but like IOS the on board costs are higher than with the Carnival group. So far P&O are our favourite which is why we have booked 2 more for next year but if the ports and price is right we will try another company. We would particularly like to try Princess and Holland America, but not Cunard. We are addicted to cruising but still love our land based holidays. We just like our away time together.

 

 

Thank you - you have been really helpful- We have looked a ocean village and they do cruises with great ports- we would not mind giving them a try. I was going to book Celebrity for next cruise but as we are going with friends chose IOS again as we know that she is a great ship. We have book a 2 day taster on Ventura so hopefully we will get a feel for the ship. Thanks again for your help -Debbie

[StLucia]

Thank you - you have been really helpful- We have looked a ocean village and they do cruises with great ports- we would not mind giving them a try. I was going to book Celebrity for next cruise but as we are going with friends chose IOS again as we know that she is a great ship. We have book a 2 day taster on Ventura so hopefully we will get a feel for the ship. Thanks again for your help -Debbie

You're welcome Debbie, I hope you have a wonderful time, I'm sure your will. Janet