Reviews
![OK but nothing exceptional]()
Chosen because of itinerary and more days on land than at sea. Had been on this ship more than 10 years ago. Ship recently refurbished so looks very smart. Balcony cabin more spacious than other P&O ships. Food generally good in main dining rooms though getting a table for 2 very difficult unless you are prepared for a long wait. Entertainment good, itinerary excellent (Santander is recommended, not often on itineraries). Ship had to have a deep clean so boarding was late but didn't detect high levels of sickness, just keep away from the buffet and Jacuzzis!
On the whole, good value and the only gripe was missing out on Guernsey with a day at sea instead. As there was warning that this would probably happen there was disgruntlement among the passengers that there appeared to be no effort made to find a substitute port of call.
Reviews
![Adventure]()
Arrived at port had to wait to book in cabin with balconie very good no problem with luggage arrived on time was quite rocking in bed sailing for 2 days got to madera very nice but not a lot to do alot of old poeople on board which was fine food was nice staff very nice dont like the strict dress code though but others didnt seem to mind lovely weather in the canaries very pleasant cruise going to another cruise with pand o in november
Reviews
![Enjoyable]()
Very clean.good shows.food good..BUT buffet was limited choice..
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![Great locations]()
5 weeks on Ventura going to the Caribbean, America and Central America. There were over 20 sea days which was the downside as the ship is smaller than others and less to do. I would say the exotic locations were brilliant though.
Reviews
![Brilliant cruise]()
Everything went really well We had a lovely Balcony food entertainment was really good. We have re booked for Xmas 2026.
Reviews
![A superb Christmas]()
It was a great experience and a very special time We are going again next Christmas but with another company nothing wrong with P&O it was excellent
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![Nice Holliday]()
Good sunny weather nice food had a lovely time
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![Fabulous service]()
Perfect ship, traditional but beautiful. Staff amazing and hardworking. Only thing that was a negative was the weather at times but who can control that!!! Captain knew his stuff and kept us safe in face of a storm! Couldn’t ask for more
Reviews
![Lovely experience]()
Well looked after by all staff they all work so hard and always are smiling. Nothing was to much trouble. Iglu arranged everything and all was as expected. Entertainment was lacking on most nights not up to what we have seen on other P&O nights on other ships.
Reviews
![Fantastic first cruise]()
We were a little apprehensive about going on our first cruise. But, the experience was wonderful;. We arrived at the Southampton terminal and were just a few steps away from the luggage drop off station and from there quickly ushered through the customs desks and were given our credit card sized boarding card. From there we were quickly on board, went to the safety briefing and the located our room. The ocean view room was excellent. Then we found the buffet on deck 15 and began the holiday in ernest!
The food was excellent and there was plenty of choice. In the evening we dined with two other couples and enjoyed the food and conversation. The waiting staff were fantastic and the food was five star quality.
We visited Vigo, Lisbon and Porto and enjoyed the experience of excellent guides, as well as independent exploring. Unfortunately we didn't get to visit Guernsey as thick fog blanketed the island harbour making it unsafe for the tender craft to ferry us across but we enjoyed ourselves on board where the sun was still shining!
On our return to Southampton, the disembarking was faultless. Our luggage was waiting in deck order and we picked it up on our way out to the taxi - no queueing or frantic searching. The experience was so much better than flying. We've already booked our next cruise for 2026, this time to the Norwegian Fjords!
Reviews
![Great]()
Amazing, would recommend.
Reviews
![Unexpected new favourite]()
We have traveled extensively with P&O over the past few years, mostly the big ships.
We had never sailed on Ventura before and was a bit sceptical as she is quite a few years older than Iona and Arvia.
We felt the warmth of the ship's crew, they just wanted us to have a wonderful holiday and cruise experience.
Initially we had difficulty finding our bearings aboard this smaller ship. Mainly because the kitchens were more midship and to access the main dining rooms we had to go down a floor and walk, then up a floor again. We were getting quite frustrated until an officer showed the shortcut to our chosen restaurant!! Once found, we were very happy bunnies again. The shows were exceptional, we thoroughly enjoyed our voyage on Ventura, so much so, that we booked another cruise on her next year to celebrate my 75th birthday. You never know Ventura may become our new favourite cruise ship.
Reviews
![What a disaster to end with.]()
I will skip over the cruise as a whole - as all was fine till the start of the theatre show on the last evening before disembarking. The Head-liners show was about to start when an old gentleman ( me ) caused some commotion, and noise, by falling down the small balcony stairs. This was my own fault, but obviously a six' stair drop was quite the drama - not the one that 1700 people were supposed to be watching, in fact one girl en route onto the stage kindly stopped to aid me and a Doctor who was luckily seated nearby. Everyone who treated my injuries whilst I was prone, and upside down on the stair, was caring and kind until two more nurses insisted in carrying me off to a vacant loo for privacy, and further treatment for a large lump on the back of my head, plus a suspected broken hip. After simple checks, I was released back to the theatre with instruction to go to Reception and make a formal report and also request a nurse to check me once again, in case there was any further developments.? 5 Star treatment - so far!
We could not believe what came next at Reception - firstly we were informed that no nurse was available, and appeared not to care that I was in pain ! Then we were questioned in depth, shouted at like we were criminals trying to dupe someone ! We tried to answer as best I could but shock eventually forced us to give up when we were told that if we did a "Report" we would have to pay £200, or more £300+ if a doctor was needed.
We had had enough at that point and left, and went to bed, disgusted at P&O's treatment of customers - no stars in the end!
We went to NHS,Doctor next day, to check all was well. THANKS NHS.!
Reviews
![35 fabulous cruising days]()
Although an older ship Ventura is a grand old lady. One of P&O's smaller ships, she is easy to get around and well looked after. Staff were excellent, food was very good, entertainment was plentiful and varied. Strict hygiene rules were followed everywhere. We loved her so much that we booked for the same cruise again in January 2026. I can't wait.
Reviews
![Not Good Enough P&O !]()
3 destination ports were cancelled - that left 6 out of the 9 that were advertised . Thats a THIRD of the cruise that they failed to deliver . 6 ports in 5 weeks is ridiculous. One was substituted en route back by a half day in North Spain - but that was the first port we called at on commencing our cruise !
Chaotic buffet - poor service replenishing food platters - always having to ask for things to be replenished . Waiters in buffet are slow , disinterested , chatting and not very effective - tables are NOT being wiped down after people have dined - poor hygiene standard .
Shore excursions are very varied in quality - they read really well but the actual trip sometimes does not deliver & the team on board are indifferent to feedback - ours to Mardis Gras world was filthy seating & scruffy display area .
Pre dinner canapés are delivered to the cabin often in the middle of dinner - useless .
Tired in places - especially furniture in the superior delux cabins .
Entertainment brilliant .
Restaurant service & food very good .
Detail is lacking - small things need to be improved especially the buffet experience and this would make a huge difference
Reviews
![2023-06-03 08:21:04]()
The cruise didn't start well with my partners leatherman multitool being confiscated from our suitcase. this marred our holiday as it had been a present 60th Birthday present from his son.
no where when packing did we see anything about not taking this on holiday, we have taken it away abroad for the last 6 years without a problem. We were told we could not collect it on return it would be destroyed.
The cruise itself was rather disappointing. food quality poor. entertainment disappointing. cabin rather cramped.
