Reviews

We had a very smooth embarkation as usual. Bags outside the door by 2pm after a very agreeable lunch in the Beach House. We set out to look at all the changes from our last cruise. I admit to being disappointed We had been led to believe that various places had been updated for example the new glass house was not as cosmopolitan as we had expected. Overall the staff were as friendly and helpful as ever. A cheery voice met us for breakfast one morning he had been our waiter Bonni on our last cruise September 2012 and he remembered us which made us feel special. There were a few downsides but these were passengers and not crew. Rowdy at night and a drunk too, I have never seen a drunk on a P&O ship. Many new to cruising seemed not to be the type to do it again and the dress code was frequently breached. Take not please P&O some of us are traditionalists

My Ventura review was on cruise May 4 to May 18 2013

The refurbished Ventura has lost half of its library, the Exchange Bar is smaller and is a thoroughfare for people using the Casino which has been halved to make room for new single cabins. These cabins are adjacent to the Karaoke which causes noise problems for sleeping passengers. The new Retreat on Deck 16 costs £25 on sea days and £12 on port days, and you get a comfortable lounger and fluffy towel, with a dedicated steward. But the 100+ ordinary loungers from that area are now on the other sun decks, and the result is no space between beds and overcrowding. Las Ramblas has become the Glasshouse, but the only difference is a slight change in the menu, while the White Room has increased its cover charge to £30. My super deluxe balcony cabin had a tired carpet, holes in the balcony sun loungers, and stains running down the partition - no sign of refurbishment there. Still good value for money, but P&O's standards continue to decline.

We booked the cruise through P&O and their after sales service was very good, the few questions we had were answered promptly, booking the shore excursions on line was easy and we did this in early December to make sure we got the ones we wanted. For car parking we used CPS at Southampton and then got the train to Gatwick to fly out, this was easier for us on returning to the UK and the service we got from CPS was very good and we would recommend them. For money changing we used Travelex on line a few weeks before going, the rates onboard are not that good. There seemed some confusion onboard as to what currency was used where. The port guidance P&O issued for some ports said that it was the US Dollar whereas it was the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, though to be fair USD are accepted in most places but this confusion didn’t help as we had lots of ECD. The flight out was a Thompsons charter flight and we couldn’t fault the service, the crew were helpful, the food not bad for in flight catering and the drinks and snacks not too badly priced. Steer clear of the movies unless you take your own headphones, we couldn’t hear a thing. Also we book seats towards the back of the plane and the overhead lockers here are used by the crew. Embarkation was not good. We landed at about quarter to three in Barbados and didn’t get onboard until after 6. Perhaps the prior experience with NCL had soiled us but the process was very very slow with P&O seeming unable to cope with the number of passengers that were embarking, they must have know how many were coming? We were also only given one map of the ship between two with ‘not enough’ for one each, I presume we were supposed to get lost together or only the person with the map could get lost. We knew what to expect onboard as we had visited the ship on one of the open days that P&O hold. The bags made it from the Gatwick to the cabin without us seeing them, full marks to P&O for this service, the bags probably got onboard quicker than we did. After the two weeks onboard we still couldn’t fault how clean and well kept the ship was, the public areas are very busy on sea days but were spotless the next morning. For excursions we went to Grand Anse Beach which was a fantastic way to spend the first morning, the rainforest tour in St Lucia, this was interesting but you wont see much wildlife, swimming with Stingrays in Antigua which was very good, and a boat and coach tour in Tortola, well worth doing. Shopping was ok, duty free alcohol prices are good and if you want a drink in your cabin do not buy at Gatwick, wait until you get too the Caribbean, its much cheaper! Would we go back, well we’ve already booked for next year on the Azura as the Ventura isn’t coming back to Southampton and we liked the fact that we didn’t have to worry about shopping and weight restrictions when we were on holiday! Overall it was a great experience, a few gripes about the entertainment as are set out below but P&O work very hard to make your holiday complete.

Lots to do and see during sea days. Immaculate ship and staff

I feel very agreived that P & O are penalising familes by not allowing three and four berth cabins to be booked on their "getway" fare. We would usually book a second last minute cruise but this is not viable this year due to the vantage fare staying high and the getaway fare being unavailable to familes. To make matters worse for families the child supplement are being increased for 2014-15 holidays. This will probably be the last P & O cruises that we take.

Just adding to my comments from 11 days ago that we have still not had a reply from p and o concerning our "time"on your ship.

Having been to the fiords previously with my partner I did this trip with a friend and enjoyed every minute of it. If I have any criticisms it would be the dining room waiters and this is compared to previous cruises with P&O, they were a little tardy and I had to ask the wine waiter to top up my glass, I am used to it being done without me asking. Just a little criticism.

Overall very good

Boarding Ventura was delayed & consequently congested; boarded at 1200 Suite not available 'til 1400. We found it very well appointed clean & tidy, exactly as described. Our steward and butler introduced themselves & for the entire cruise were friendly efficient and courteous. We were club dining in the Saffron, however found the Beach house to be more relaxed and intimate yet with an equally high standard of food & service. The same applies to the Glass House. Not the best entertainment I have experienced, but that's subjective & their was something for all tastes. The excursions were expensive & i would suggest taking advantage of the many local quayside offers. Over all it was a very enjoyable cruise & despite it being a larger ship than I'm use to, I would sail on the Ventura again. I'd like to further add, I am a young wheelchair user & found everywhere fully accessible & whole ship's company ever eager to assist. As for the Fjords themselves, our ports of call were Stavanger - Here a trip to the Lysefjord is a must it is amazing. Flam -Simply breathtaking from the minute you enter Sognesfjord 'til arrival in Flam itself all 107 miles of it. Olden - A very beautiful place & of course the Briksdal glacier. Bergen - I stayed aboard , very much a busy working port, although the free shuttle buses provided a constant service into the town 10 mins. I just availed myself of the glorious facilities in the Oasis spa & salon, where i was pleasantly surprised at the price list compared with other cruise lines I,ve used . Disembarkation at Southampton was the quickest and smoothest I have experienced. Departed suite 0755. and were driving through the dock gates at 0842.I cannot recommend this particular cruise highly enough,