Having just completed our first P&O cruise (aboard the Ventura )I thought I’d post my comparison with the Celebrity Solstice class ships, as most of the cruises we have done were aboard Celebrity, the last one being on the Silhouette this time last year.
The ships are roughly the same size in tonnage , but Ventura carries more passengers, and I believe has a higher ratio of crew to passenger. ...
This was a last minute cruise booking because we had to cancel our earlier booking on Azura due to having to care for my mum. We have been cruising now for 4 years, my wife loves it. This is the third cruise with P 0 Cruises and second on Ventura. I have to say despite this bad review the staff and crew were always courteous and polite - could not fault that.
Our issue started when we arrived ...
Good itinerary inc. Rome/Naples/Sardinia, and whilst we are not anti-kids this was the first one outside the school holidays.
Usually take a suite but prices were crazy, typically double what we normally pay, and P&O were still offering a suite at top price on the morning we sailed. Opted for E730 Superior Deluxe and it was great with the big end/corner balcony, and none of the horror stories ...
Always use Penguin Parking, their service is outstanding. From our luggage being taken at the quay, we were on the ship in 10 minutes, and enjoying coffee and cake in the Waterside buffet. This was our fourth Ventura cruise and our 7th P&O ( Oceana & Britannia previously.
Chose an inside cabin forward, on deck 12 (A) very quiet, new carpets and throughout the ship too on it's re-fit last ...
Chose it after not enjoying hard sell on last celebrity cruise.
Rude oppo initially when trying to sort car out...but luggage in cabin once on board....
Ship,difficult,to,find way around as no logical flow
Cabin adequate but miss having a balcony....
Freedom dining good in Saffron or Cinnamon and other options good for cover charge - Sindhi -Indian/Thai and The Glass house for ...
Thought I ought to write a review as I did look on this site for reviews prior to going so only fair really. So in our opinion:
PRO's
Check in at Southampton took 15 mins and was very straightforward. Compared to boarding a flight from Heathrow its just magical.
Staff are very good and often very sweet (must do it because they enjoy it as I expect the wages are terrible)
We were on ...
Having been on Ventura twice before, thought we would be ok in E112, deck 8 , (affectionately now named "roller coaster" deck), bad mistake - which was admittedly our own fault. After 5 days was unbearable, P&O duty managers excellent and very understanding and changed our cabin to C424, which was so much better. Were told interactive service in cabin was not working for this cruise, however it ...
Just back from a wonderful fortnight cruise on this beautiful ship. It was just myself and my Mum who has walking difficulties, so spends a large amount of time in a wheelchair. I’ve cruised before, but it was my first with P&O, and it was Mums first ever cruise. I wanted it to be perfect for her, and boy it was amazing.
Embarking was easy, quick and hassle free. We were sat eating lunch in ...
Friday 11th May. Departure delay due to ‘technical difficulties’ which I have now seen from various forums was experienced by the previous cruise. ‘Sail away’ party abruptly cancelled and finally left Southampton without ceremony at 23:00.
First port (Cadiz) due to be visited on Monday 14th May replaced by Vigo on Sunday at 17:00. Pointless stop for passengers as the port was closed except ...
Apart from the delayed start at Southampton for engine troubles and the aborted trip to Cadiz (instead it was a port stop at Virgo on a Sunday afternoon -that was poor),the rest of the cruise was very good.we choose freedom dining and ate mainly in the buffet resturants.we found the food and its variety very good. the entertainment was first class, had to get to the venues a little early though ...