P&O Ventura
When people talk about P&O Cruises these days, the conversation is often dominated by the line's newer ships, Arvia and Iona. With their impressive SkyDomes, modern designs and cutting-edge features, it's easy to forget about some of the ships that built P&O's reputation in the first place.
That's exactly why we were excited to spend seven nights onboard Ventura sailing to Spain and France. As one of the older ships in the fleet, Ventura has developed a reputation for being a little dated, but we wanted to find out whether that reputation is deserved and, more importantly, whether she still offers a great cruise experience.
After a week onboard exploring the ship, sampling the food, enjoying the entertainment and making full use of the Deluxe Drinks Package, here's our honest review of P&O Ventura.
Embarkation: One of the Smoothest We've Experienced
First impressions count, and Ventura got our cruise off to an excellent start.
Embarkation at Southampton was incredibly efficient. From arriving at the terminal to stepping onboard, the whole process felt organised and stress-free. Security moved quickly, there were very few queues, and staff were on hand throughout to direct passengers and answer questions.
Compared to some embarkation experiences we've had on other cruise lines, this was genuinely one of the smoothest we've encountered.
The mandatory muster drill was equally straightforward. Staff clearly explained where passengers needed to go, and the process was completed quickly without eating into valuable holiday time.
Once onboard, we were immediately able to start exploring the ship and enjoying the start of our holiday.
Ventura: A Traditional Cruise Ship in the Best Possible Way
There's no escaping the fact that Ventura is an older ship. Launched in 2008, she doesn't have some of the modern features you'll find on newer vessels.
You won't find a giant covered dome, immersive entertainment spaces or the latest technology throughout the ship. Cabin televisions feel dated, plug sockets are more limited than many modern travellers would like, and some areas do show their age.
But here's the thing.
Ventura doesn't feel old. Instead, she feels traditional.
In many ways, Ventura actually offers some features that we've started to lose on newer cruise ships.
The wraparound promenade deck is a perfect example. Being able to walk around the ship while enjoying uninterrupted sea views is something we absolutely loved. The outdoor spaces feel spacious, well-designed and genuinely connected to the ocean.
The ship is also incredibly easy to navigate. After only a day or two onboard, we knew exactly where everything was. There are plenty of lounges, bars and public spaces spread throughout the ship, meaning passengers naturally disperse rather than all gathering in one central venue.
It creates a much more relaxed atmosphere than some larger modern ships.
Our Favourite Spaces Onboard
One venue that stood out throughout the cruise was Metropolis.
Located high on the ship with spectacular wake views, it quickly became one of our favourite places to relax. Whether enjoying a drink during the day or listening to live music in the evening, it always had a fantastic atmosphere.
The Glass House was another highlight. As wine lovers, we really appreciated the excellent selection available here, and it became one of our most visited venues during the week. The combination of knowledgeable staff, great wines and comfortable surroundings made it a real standout.
The central atrium also deserves a mention. It truly acts as the heart of Ventura, hosting live music, entertainment, sailaway celebrations and plenty of people-watching opportunities throughout the day.
Entertainment Exceeded Expectations
One area where Ventura genuinely surprised us was the entertainment.
The Arena Theatre hosts a variety of production shows throughout the cruise, and the quality was far better than we anticipated.
The singers, dancers and performers were excellent, with impressive production values and strong audience engagement. Several of the shows felt every bit as polished as productions we've seen on newer and larger ships.
Beyond the theatre, there was live music everywhere.
Whether it was performers in Metropolis, musicians in the atrium, entertainment in Havana or other venues across the ship, there was always something happening.
We also enjoyed the wide range of activities available throughout the cruise. Quizzes, game shows, karaoke, themed evenings and sailaway parties ensured there was always something to do, regardless of your interests.
For a ship that some people describe as dated, the entertainment programme felt fresh, varied and professionally delivered.
Included Dining: Consistently Good Throughout The Cruise
Food is one of the most important parts of any cruise, and overall Ventura delivered a very positive dining experience.
The main dining room provided consistently enjoyable meals throughout the week. Service was attentive, menus offered a good variety of choices and presentation was generally very good.
The formal nights added a little extra occasion to the dining experience and helped create that classic cruise atmosphere many guests still enjoy.
The Waterside Buffet offered plenty of variety at breakfast, lunch and dinner. We particularly appreciated the range of options available and the ability to grab something quickly when we didn't want a full sit-down meal.
Like most cruise ship buffets, it could become busy during peak periods, particularly on sea days, and finding a table occasionally required a little patience. However, the quality and choice largely made up for this.
One surprise hit was the poolside grill.
Sometimes the simplest food can be the most satisfying, and the burgers, fries and quick-service options available here were consistently enjoyable throughout the cruise. It became one of our favourite spots for a casual lunch.
The pizza offering also deserves praise, providing a convenient and tasty option whenever we fancied something quick between activities.
Specialty Dining: Worth The Extra Cost?
Ventura offers several specialty dining venues, and we made sure to try as many as possible during our cruise.
The standout experience for us was undoubtedly Sindu.
The restaurant delivered excellent food, fantastic presentation and an atmosphere that felt genuinely special. Every dish was packed with flavour, and the overall dining experience easily justified the additional cost.
If we could only recommend one specialty restaurant onboard Ventura, Sindu would be it.
Epicurean provided a completely different experience. More formal and refined, it focused heavily on presentation, service and premium ingredients. It felt like a true special occasion restaurant and would be ideal for celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other milestone.
Beach House offered a more casual specialty dining option. While perhaps not quite reaching the heights of Sindu or Epicurean, it still provided an enjoyable meal and a welcome alternative to the included dining venues.
Overall, Ventura's specialty dining programme exceeded our expectations and added significant value to the cruise experience.
The Deluxe Drinks Package: Was It Worth It?
One of the questions we're most frequently asked is whether cruise drinks packages offer good value.
For this cruise, we purchased P&O's Deluxe Drinks Package, and for us it proved to be a worthwhile investment.
The package allowed us to enjoy a wide range of cocktails, wines, premium spirits and speciality beverages throughout the week without constantly thinking about individual drink prices.
One thing we particularly liked was the variety available across different venues. Each bar seemed to have its own character and unique menu, meaning there was always something new to try.
The Glass House wine selection was especially impressive, while several of the cocktails available in Metropolis quickly became favourites.
We did experience a few minor billing issues during the cruise, with some drinks initially appearing on our account incorrectly. However, these were quickly resolved by guest services and did not significantly impact our experience.
Would we purchase the package again? Absolutely.
The Ports: A Fantastic Itinerary
Our itinerary included visits to La Coruña, Gijón, Santander and La Rochelle, providing a fantastic mix of Spanish and French destinations.
One of the biggest strengths of this itinerary was how easy the ports were to explore independently. We enjoyed wandering through historic centres, discovering local food and simply soaking up the atmosphere in each destination.
The ports offered a good balance of culture, history and seaside charm, and the generally favourable weather certainly helped.
While there were a few minor logistical challenges along the way, overall we thought the itinerary offered excellent value and provided a wonderful introduction to this part of Europe.
Final Thoughts: Would We Sail Ventura Again?
Without hesitation, yes.
Ventura may not have the newest technology, the biggest attractions or the most modern design in the P&O fleet, but what she does offer is a fantastic traditional cruise experience.
The ship is easy to navigate, offers excellent entertainment, delivers consistently good food and provides plenty of comfortable spaces to relax and enjoy life at sea.
Perhaps most importantly, Ventura still feels like a cruise ship. The connection to the ocean, the outdoor spaces and the classic cruising atmosphere create an experience that many modern mega-ships struggle to replicate.
If you're looking for waterslides, virtual reality attractions and the latest innovations, Ventura may not be the ship for you.
However, if you're looking for a relaxed cruise with great entertainment, enjoyable dining, beautiful sea views and a genuine sense of traditional cruising, Ventura remains an excellent choice.
After seven enjoyable nights onboard, we stepped off feeling relaxed, entertained and already thinking about when we might sail on her again.
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