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Dad & daughter first timers |
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Reviewed By: Kindleysides, Stockton on Tees on 5th Jul 2009
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| Cruise Line: P&O Cruises |
Times cruised before: 0 |
| Cruise Ship: Ventura |
Sailed:
June,
2009 |
| Destination: Mediterranean |
Age: 36-45 |
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Like one or two others I have read the differing views of the June 12th-26th Med cruise and waited a week before adding my review so as to properly consider what to say.
This was the first cruise I have done and, as I am a single dad with a daughter coming up 6 y.o I was looking for a holiday which would provide quite a few things. How doeas a single parent enjoy 2 weeks away with a small child and get to do things they both will enjoy whilst knowing she will be safe when we weren't together ? How could I know she would have fun and not miss her mum too much ? The list is long but Im sure readers will get the idea. So to my review.
In an easy sentence "It was all I hoped for and delivered in virtually all areas".
As mentioned in other reviews, the staff were first class - Our cabin steward (Minguel - deck 14 forward) was very good, the room was always spotless and he had a nice friendly nature about him, remembering my daughters name and always making a fuss of her. the cabin was nice and did its job, comfortable bed plenty of storage and compact little bathroom - we only slept in it and made good use of the ship facilities.
We ate in the Bay tree and had requested a table of 6 in the hope we may be placed with another family with children and we found ourselves with some lovely people who had a 2 year old - so the kids really enjoyed it. I'd like to think the kids were no bother to anyone around us and enjoyed their dining. Our waiters (Bala & Sumesh) were fantastic, again nothing was too much trouble and they seemed to love the kids. We enjoyed the 4 formal nights (about right) and I found myself still putting a suit on on some of the casual nights (semi formal style) because it felt right. I did wear jeans too and enjoyed the variety of this. Together with our new found friends we "defected" to Ramblas one night for a change and found this to be nice and not expensive.
Anyone who says there wasnt enough to do on board must be difficult to please - Sea days were very full on the activity agenda and you can go to lectures on a variety of topics, do quizzes, computer workshops, Line dancing, Gym, Sun worship & of course eat!! Not to mention internet cafe Library and shops.
Drinks were not anymore expensive than UK pubs and tips are not added as a given, they also served by friendly staff.
I didnt do any excursions with P & O by choice, as we preferred to get up when we wanted and do our own thing. Ajaccio was lovely, and the beach gave us our amusement there, as it did in Cannes and Alicante ( 6 year olds know what they want ). In Naples , the hop on hop off red open top bus is a decent way to look around and I liked the bustle of the place, it a REAL place. Didnt go to Rome as my little one is too young for it just now - so a quick mooch around Civitavecchia ( which is only a small port town) did the job just for the sake of getting ashore. Barcelona I bought metro tickets and went to Sagrada Familia and the zoo (which I can recommend to others with kids) and Gibraltar we wlaked to the cable car though the town and went up on to the rock to see the apes.
Entertainment was varied and the theatre company are very good at what they do (one time or another they all seemed to showcase their different talents) . I am not a big fan of tribute acts and there were a few - this just depends on your taste though - they were Elton John, Annie Lennox,tina Turner and Freddie Mercury. Victor Michael provided something different instead of just crooning and singing poppy numbers. Adrian Walsh was a good proper old fashioned comic who made most people laugh a lot. I cant really comment on the rest as I didnt see them much. The house band -Powerhouse- made a decent enough sound and usually captured the party mood well with the right songs.
Sail away parties were wonderfully daft and cheesy and Leopn & his team led the proceedings well.
*HIGHLIGHT*
Bear in mind why we went on this holiday .... the childrens club -5-8s section was very good indeed. Initially my daughter was reluctant to get stuck in , but thanks to Katie on the staff who really made her welcome she soon settled in and made friends. All of the reef rangers were great and ran the club with fun and control in mind. Id like to think my child caused no one to have a negative holiday. People do need to remember this is a family ship and although deck 16 Aft lobby area could be lively with the comings and goings, my observation was that all groups (teenagers downover) enjoyed themselves without overstepping the mark - they all seemed to like the dresiing up nights too which was nice to see.
I had to pay full price for my child and even when you consider that - I still left feeling Id had value. I would go on it again, but as I like variety will probably chose a different ship next time. I am now a cruising convert , I like what I see of P & O but I may try others to allow for comparison.
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| Quality of Food |  |
| Bay tree Restaurant | | Entertainment |  |
| Liked - theatre company shows, and the comedian in the theatre (Adrian Walsh). Not a fan of tribute acts, not saying the ywerent good, just dont like them. | | Shore Excursions | n/a |
| Didnt use them | | Staff | |
| Bala & Sumesh in Bay tree. Minguel our cabin steward. the photography staff were helpfull too. | | Children's Facilities |  |
| Staff were very nice and variety of activity good. It allowed me to have peace of mind that threed always be something to do. She loved the art and crafts and the different themes each day. Parents are encouraged to be involved. It gave me a little freedom too. | | Onboard Activities | |
| Plenty to do , and failing that a library for the book and a sunlounger to enjoy the weather. I never had too much trouble finding a lounger, though it was understandably busy around the pools. | | Cabins | |
| Did its job | | Overall Rating | |
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