My sister and I had already booked an inside cabin for the 6 nighter that followed this mini-cruise but decided to add this one to make a longer holiday. Managed to get a balcony at good price but would need to change cabins for the second cruise.
Embarkation was very quick and very well organised. We had booked our train tickets in July but didn't get our embarkation time of 3 pm until late August. Having arrived at Southampton station at 11.45 we decided to drop our luggage at the ship and see how busy it was in the cruise terminal and go back into town if necessary. However we were given a coloured card and had to wait just 20 minutes before we called and we were on board just after 12.30. Very impressed!
This was my first P & O cruise and the first time in a balcony but my sister has been on the Ventura several times; always in a balcony. We wandered around the ship for a while so I could get my bearings...never did manage that! I always seemed to end up heading the wrong way or on the wrong deck!
Very clean but with a few signs of wear. Cabin was spacious and nicely laid out. Bed was very comfortable. Air-con worked perfectly. The fridge didn't seem to work and the TV was frustratingly slow to respond.
Very quiet. No noise issues at all.