Ventura Review
Rating by category
Additional details
After toying with other ships leaving Southampton which didn't have enough indoor space for cool climates, our last two cruises have been on sensible P&O ships with indoor pools with space for dining around them (our mistake last year was to choose the massive Indy OTS for a short trip to Norway....this ship depends on Caribbean weather to make use of the splendid outdoor pools area, but it was virtually empty outside for the 8 days, and utterly crowded inside). Ventura is an old favourite of ours, and we came upon an absolute last minute booking, giving us a week to prepare...and an upgrade from inside to an obstructed outside. This cabin, E410, is one of the most obstructed on the ship, having the machinery for the life raft covering most of the window- but there was a view, and above all, there was daylight!
The cabin was lovely- we've only found this beautiful welcome of a tea tray, a flower and a silver dish of sweets on P&O, and, yes, it does add to the experience! Sometimes we sail in a more luxurious cabin on other lines, and enjoy perks provided, but really we know we pay for them; the tea tray/sweeties is for all levels of cabins, along with the chocolate at the turn down service!
For once, there were no new ports for us on this cruise; in fact, we did an almost similar cruise in November on Aurora, mainly hoping for a little warm weather.
Cabin Review
Outside Twin with Shower (Part-Obstucted View)
As mentioned, our cabin had the worst obstruction, having the full life raft mechanism outside...E408 would have the same, and the two cabins on starboard would be similar- but when you're on a last minute, cut price cruise and were given this outside for the same price...well, then you're just grateful!
Most of the Ventura/Azura cabins are the same, although we have had a smaller inside on one cruise with a Grand Class ship; the dressing space is a big plus, and I believe they've done the same on the new Royal Class of ships.
Port Reviews
Seville
Sadly, we missed this port due to gales, but we know it quite well; if you have the chance to go on the excursion to the dancing horses of Jerez, then there's a treat in store for all horse loves. The walk round the peninsular is lovely in Cadiz.
Gibraltar
Normally we stroll around town, and husband walks to the cable car or Botanical gardens, This time we took the taxi driver's shuttle to the bus station, then took the service bus No 2 to the cable car, for the senior's price of 75 pence each. The monkeys had just been fed, so although they were everywhere around, they weren't being too inquisitive!
Malaga
Malaga's new cruise terminal is excellent; the city is sparkling clean and tidy, with so many buildings to discover