P&O Cruises - Ventura Ship Cruises Reviews

Thursday 9th Feb 2012

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Pando Cruises

Ventura

GREAT CRUISE IN THE CARIBBEAN

GREAT CRUISE IN THE CARIBBEAN

Reviewed By: INGHAM, CLECKHEATON on 17th Mar 2010
Cruise Line: P&O Cruises	Times cruised before: 1-2
Cruise Ship: Ventura	Sailed: February, 2010
Destination: Caribbean	Age: 46-55
Cabin: Inside	Occasion: Wedding anniversary

Had a truly wonderful fortnight on Ventura – the ship is massive but truly excellent. Flights – flew from Manchester with Thomson – plenty of leg room. The plane was a 2-3-2 configuration, we requested a window seat and got one no problem. Free drinks/meals on the plane was a nice touch as were the seat back tv screens. We were asked to fill in immigration forms for Barbados on the plane but when we arrived were told we would not need them. Got straight off the plane into the waiting coaches which was great. The journey to the dock seemed to take a while with frequent jams and we felt a bit tired and frazzled when we got to the dockside checking in point where there was a long queue to check in. The queue moved pretty quickly but could have done without the photographers – not really looking my best and really just wanted to get on board and chill out. We were on deck 10 – Canada – and we easily located our cabin which was comfortable and clean. No problems with the shower - it is small but quite adequate. We ordered the water package which I think was about £8 which gave us enough fresh drinking water for two weeks. We just refilled small bottles everyday when we were on excursions etc. Our cabin steward Marion was v helpful and attentive. Ports of Call We arrived on the Friday so spent Saturday in Barbados. Had booked the turtle snorkel on a catamaran. Really fantastic day – the Cool Runnings Catamaran was great with a brilliant crew especially Roger who chatted to us about the many celebs he had met. Swimming with turtles/sting rays/tropical fish was brill and the crew kept us entertained on the way back. Would highly recommend. Antigua Wanted to do a tour and joined up with 4 others (really lovely people – Joan, Danny, Steve and Sue – (the taxi drivers were trying to get us to make up a 10 and tout for business on their behalf which we would not do and eventually agreed a price for the 6 of us). Nelsons Dockyard was excellent and we could really done with spending more time there and also Shirley Heights. Called at Darkwood beach on the way back to the ship which is a very beautiful beach – well worth a visit. Returned to the ship for a late lunch and driver said he would pick us up at 2.30 to take us to a nearby beach for the afternoon for 6 dollars each. Had a nice afternoon at the beach although they tried to charge us something like 20 dollars for a sunbed and brolly which we refused to pay. Plus when we paid the driver on return to ship he insisted he had meant 6 dollars each way per passenger which really left a bad taste in the mouth – so always double check that the price quoted is return. St Kitts Joined a few others for an island tour – the plantation/tropical forest was the highlight. Thought St Kitts was pretty scruffy in parts. Thought about doing the railway excursion but this is very expensive and apparently they had a derailment so glad we didn’t. Duty free shopping at the port was good so good place to buy pressies etc. Tortola Rained all day and the taxis were all opensided buses so decided to give tours a miss and stayed on the boat. Saw a couple of films in Havana bar. Grand Cayman Overcast day – this is just basically a beach with a few shops and bars so having explored the shops returned to the ship. Watch out for bar prices round the swimming pool a friend of ours got charged 20 dollars for a martini. St Lucia Met up with Steve and Sue again and did a tour, which was good. Went to Rodney Bay – some hotel complex. The beach was pretty crowded but we grabbed a couple of sunbeds on the hotel terrace (free of charge) and lounged around for the afternoon before returning to the ship. St Maarten Walked to the town/beach – lots of shops and nice beach. Paid abt 20 dollars for two beds/umbrella and 6 beers and had a lazy day. St Vincent On disembarking booked a boat trip – BALEINE TOURS – HIGHLY RECOMMEND – v fast boat if you like speed you will have a whale of a time. Visited the waterfall right at the top of the island where tour buses cannot get to and swam in the crystal clear pool – the wooden walkway and clamber around the rocks/sea to get to it is not for the faint-hearted though. Also went to the set of pirates of the Caribbean where we had lunch – really fascinating but they could really make a lot more of it. Also went to a nice beach and did a bit of snorkeling and ate fresh coconut on the beach which Wayne the boat skipper got for us – he is a real character and kept us smiling the whole day. This tour costs about half of what the ship charge – so well worth the 50 dollars. We flew past the (slow) ship excursion on the way back to the ship – a really great day. Grenada Took the water taxi to Grand Anse beach – really super beach but beds go quick so get there early if you want one – otherwise u can use yr towel and the shade of a tree! Ventura is a great ship – immaculately clean and could not really fault it. The food was great and plentiful and waiters attentive. We were on freedom dining and I would recommend this if you are planning to do a lot of excursions as you have the flexibility and are not rushing to get ready for dinner. Some nights had a table for two (if we were feeling tired and unsociable) sometimes dined with others – usually got with a good group and had a laugh, but had one or two nights with miserable so and so’s which makes conversation difficult as all they want to do is boast about their cabin or how may cruises they have done. Ate in the beach house one evening and had a very nice steak – would recommend. The entertainment was hit and miss – one of the comedians/impressionist was v good and took the mick out of some of the audience which was v funny. The Scottish comedian was ok, but not keen on the irish one – bit old hat. Did not see any of the musical shows but heard they were quite good. On the whole would highly recommend.
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Comment by smith, norwich (20 Mar 10 19:48) about this REVIEW

we also went on the venture around the caribbean in Feb. We have been on several ships and compared to those including other po ships. the food wasn't as good as the other was nice but far to much room is deadicated to dinner areas which you have to paid extra. as for the entertainment it was the worse we've seen .

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