Ventura Review

Ventura Med May.

Review for the Western Mediterranean Cruise on Ventura
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sapphire4
2-5 Cruises • Age 60s

Rating by category

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

Additional details

Sail Date: May 2016

Can only compare to the Britannia and it is my personal opinion. Embarkation was quite smooth but we arrived around our allocated time of 3pm.Car parked with CPS who are excellent. A very large ship with very nicely renovated public areas and the atrium forms the hub. Its more glitzy than the Britannia which is more like a boutique hotel. There was always a bit of a buzz around the hub with lots of people enjoying coffee or a drink and lots of shops to peruse plus the library and future cruise sales. I found the upper deck with the pools quite spartan especially the covered pool which was reminiscent of a public pool. This area was always crowded with plenty of bed hoggers as the weather wasn't too good. The aft terrace pool was a lovely sunny spot but sadly spoilt by the smokers. The smoke clung around the surrounding areas including the corridors which isn't too great if you don't smoke.

Cabin was a superior deluxe on D deck and was quite large and spacious with a balcony that jutted out. We didn't find many people hanging over their balcony's looking down onto ours and were happy with the position mid aft. Sucurro our room steward was very nice and did an excellent job looking after us. Relatively quiet. Inside the cabin, however, was in need of a makeover. The carpets and furnishing were shabby and worn. The bed was really comfy. The TV system dire .It took ages to boot up and quite frustrating. It was handy to have the onboard account visible to check. The bathroom again seemed ancient but the shower was powerful and although not a fan of the shower curtain there was enough space.

We had freedom dining in the Cinnamon restaurant and found the staff attentive and courteous. We had to wait on average about 30 mins for a table for two. The meals were generally very nice and with a good choice. The fish was excellent as were the soups. The waterside buffet ,however was not our favourite. Not enough room in the food area and people queued a lot. If you wanted a simple bowl of soup and salad for lunch you seemed to have to queue with everyone else . On Britannia there was much more room in the buffet with a better flow and a better choice of food. There seemed to be lots of elbows and trays pushing around. Lots of filthy manners like helping remove food with fingers, licking them and diving in again. Saw someone with his nose almost in the milk jug stretching across. Gross! Where were the staff to check on things? My other half actually stopped someone manhandling food.The table hoggers were out in force and it was frustrating trying to find a table. In bad weather people wouldn't move after their meals, couples would sit diagonally on a table for four or drape bags/ clothes on chairs to stop others sitting down. I moved a couple of times earlier than I would have wanted to let wheelchair users have the table. The afternoon tea at 4pm was a lovely treat in the main dining room. The Beach House very pleasant but the portions huge and not enough choice in my opinion. The Epicurean nice for an indulgent evening but not as nice as the Britannia.

Cabin Review

Cabin Superior delux balcony

Large aft midship position. Nice and quite. Reasonable size balcony with two recliners, foot stools and a small table. It juts out and is overlooked from above but if you sit near the windows I doubt if anyone could see you. No one seemed to hang over looking down. Carpets and furnishings shabby, worn and in need of a make over. Rather disappointing for the price. The bed cushions very smelly! The bathroom really old and past its best with a shower curtain. However the shower was really good and it was quite spacious. The bed was really comfy. The TV system dire and took ages to boot up.

Port Reviews

Lisbon

Used the shuttle bus into the central shopping area. Saw the huge square by the Tagus and the tower. The custard pies are a must. Delicious! Walked back to the ship via the castle and wound our way down through the tiny streets in the very old area. Lovely.

Seville

A lovely Spanish town although it poured down! Accessable on foot. Walked around the city walls and saw one of the forts which was free.

Valencia

Love the vibe of this place. Excellent paellas and tapas. Interesting little squares and fabulous market. Ecxellent shopping.

Ibiza

Energetic walk up to the castle climbing hundreds of steps and going up through a steep tunnel. Fabulous views at the top.

Cartagena (Spain)

Beautiful stop. Beautifully clean with amazing pavements and squares. Not particularly well sign posted. Didn't realise you have to access the Roman amphitheatre through the museum but well worth the money. the Roman gardens worth a trip but the escalator wasn't working so a bit of a climb.

Southampton

Not my favourite place.

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