BEEN WITH P& O about a dozen times all great experiences in the past but this time maybe because of pandemic did not seem up to scratch service not quite so good and the food choices was not there
This was our second trip with P&O which we opted for because the food is so good on board. We ate i the main dining-room each evening, which was excellent, but enjoyed some tapas lunches in the Glasshouse - very enjoyable food and wines. Our balcony cabin was very well appointed.
On one of the at-sea days we especially enjoyed the Champagne Galley Tour.
I couldn’t fault the cruise itinerary (Santander, Vigo, Lisbon, Porto and Guernsey, so much to see even without the cruise excursions. The ship is a beautiful medium sized ship which appealed as well. Plenty to do and see on sea days or relax in the undercover pool area. It was enhanced (thanks to Imagine Cruises) by an Alfie Boe, Russell Watson and Harry Redknapp. The Headliners shows were fantastic as well.
Criticisms are very few with the normal queues at embarkation (with the extra Covid checks). Cruisers who had booked tables in the Bay Restaurant who didn’t use them. The two of us were sat by ourselves on a table of eight when there were plenty of tables for two free. We couldn’t move as ‘they were allocated’. P&O need to look at this. We ended up at the Cinnamon Restaurant on free time basis or the buffet.
All in all a very good value for money cruise and would not hesitate to do the same cruise again.
We enjoyed our cruise on Ventura very much. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The food was not up to the usual cruise standard but we put that down to staffing etc after the pandemic. Myself I prefer smaller ships but it was an experience.
Just back from Canaries cruise and although a few things have changed from pre pandemic we had a wonderful time.
Scary part was testing the day before, but once all ok the relaxation began. Weather was lovely, food as good as in 2019, staff FANTASTIC.
Cruise started well in Vigo and Lisbon
Lovely fun, very relaxing sea days. The ship was lovely, excellent food in main dining areas, enjoyed the theatre on an evening until day 6
Contacted covid, very well looked after by P&O moved to a spacious balcony cabin, all food delivered to room, plenty of bottles water and tea and coffee making supplies
Not the holiday we wanted but couldn’t fault P&O for taking care of us throughout our isolation and getting us home by taxi
Menus have been reduced and the waiters have too many tables to deliver top class service.
No guest speakers but ship music company excellent as usual.
A Christmas cruise booked to replace one cancelled due to covid rules. We normally sail Cunard, but p&o we’re the only line taking kids at Christmas so we “jumped ship.”
Overall we had a lovely time, the onboard entertainment wasn’t upto much, especially as it had been sold as a Christmas cruise with lots going on, the food was ok, nothing to write home about (Princess and Cunard both far better especially in the speciality restaurants). Cabins were tired and in need of updating. Crew worked so hard given the lower numbers of them due to covid and having to pull double duty as stewards and bar staff!
Shore excursions - we did two this time in Tenerife and Lanzarote. Both were excellent! We took a trip to Siam water park in Tenerife and and took the e-twizzy your in Lanzarote, brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.
The weather on shore was gorgeous, the weather at sea bloody awful, Ventura is not made for those types of seas.
The pools were closed most of the cruise due to weather and Madeira missed due to weather.
Overall I would do this itinerary again on a different ship if I were to cruise at Christmas time.
I would sail p&o again, but only if it were really good value for money or in a suite (which was sold out this time so we had two balcony cabins).
Third cruise with P&O.
Was more of an old channel ferry than a cruise ship.
Will never sail on Ventura again and new bookings will not be with O&O
We had never been on a cruise before but it exceeded everything amazing we will be going on one again amazing
All round a lovely cruise obviously because of the pandemic a few changes didn’t feel enough waiters in the dining room, menu was t so varied but to be honest it was enough