Ventura Review

First and Last Time on P & O Ever

Review for Europe Cruise on Ventura
User Avatar
SotonScotty
10+ Cruises • Age 50s

Rating by category

Cabin
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Service

Additional details

Sail Date: Jun 2015
Cabin: Outside Twin with Balcony and Shower

After cruising more than 15 times I like to think that I can judge what's good and what's bad. Almost every aspect of this cruise was awful. The check in at Southampton was slow and manned by rude miserable sour face staff. I was not very happy at the way they spoke to group member who booked this cruise. Lets just say if it had been me she barked at she would have got more than an earful from me in return. If these "staff" are so unhappy with the job then leave and give someone else a chance to shine.

Things did not get any better when we got on the ship with female crew barking at us after they overheard us say that we would just go and drop our bags in our stateroom. Yet again if this is an example of P & O at its "best" then its no surprise that more and more people choose more American Cruise lines. The buffet food was rather bland and was never hot. We disliked the way that they had closed most of the buffet down and were only letting one person in at a time. We do not like to stand in line to get some food so we decided to opt for room service. We were shocked to find a large selection of items on the menu had prices next to them We have never had this on any cruise we have done before and we found that this was the theme all over this ship where anything they could get away with charging for they did. Felt more like a cash cow than a passenger. As we were in a group of 8 we had a single table at first seating well lets just say we wish we had opted for anytime as our waiter stank of BO. This carried on every night of the cruise despite a complaint being made to the reception staff.

Bar service was painfully slow in fact on the second night we ordered drinks in the Theatre and the time from the first drink arriving till the last drink arriving at our seats spanned a time of over 40 minutes it took so long the show was over before the last drink arrived. The food in the restaurant was rather bland and seemed to be of poor quality. Steaks were very thin cut and most food lacked any form of seasoning. I did try the buffet one lunch time for a salad and decided against any dressing as you had to move the skin out of the way to get the dressing. Again this seemed to be an on-going theme in the buffet with hot food not very hot and cold items not very cold. The one show that we did watch was an experience not to be repeated as it was that "singers and dancers" last show together. That will be a blessing for any future passengers on this ship. I will say than one of them could sing and dance and he did look like Neil Patrick Harris.

Cabin Review

Outside Twin with Balcony and Shower

Cabin JA

Cabin was clean and tidy. But whoever put the art on the wall should really invest in a spirit level as the main picture was not level. The cabin steward was fantastic

Port Reviews

Brugge (Bruges)

fantastic old city

previous reviewnext review

Find a Ventura Cruise

Any Month

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.