Partly-Live, sort of blog: 4 nights Ventura

[Cloudyrain]

As the title says: I will try my best!

 

The day before: we stayed room only at the Ibis 3* with dinner at TGI Fridays (which we pre-booked as it can get busy, although being a Monday it was quieter this time). It’s just my son and I this time so after a few (reasonably priced) hotel bar drinks we went to bed. 

The morning before: breakfast at McDonalds (with half the ship’s passengers judging by the luggage tags!) and a wander in to the centre, followed by a trip to the Showcase cinema happily filled the time. The area outside of the centre itself is lovely and worth a visit. 
 

Car Parking: I used CPS directly this time, although usually I go with Portside Meet and Greet via Holiday Extras. I prefer the meet and greet option, but as I was travelling alone I thought CPS would be better this time. The parking/key hand over was very quick and easy. I dropped the bags at the luggage drop myself as there was a wait for a porter and with a bit of juggling (and the benefit of packing light) I managed ok with the wheelchair, small case and bag. 
 

Embarkation: we had assistance and they were excellent as usually. I also found other passengers were great and no vocal comments about us pushing in this time (which we have sadly experienced in the past). The Security team were also brilliant and helpful, and the system was great. We had arrived about half an hour before our time, but nothing was said and it wasn’t busy in assistance so there wasn’t any naughty queue. We tapped at our muster station and headed to the buffet for a snack and drink. The front end of the buffet was super busy, but towards the back (Beach House/Terrace Pool end) it was quiet and we easily got a drink. There was a good choice of food and plenty of drinks waiters etc. The rooms were ready quickly too, so a great start 😊

 

[Cloudyrain]

Cabin: we are on deck 9 mid in a Superior Deluxe cabin. The cabin itself is tidy, clean and spacious. Granted the tile grout has seen better days, but haven’t we all 😉 

 

There is a strange shower over the bath: it’s fine for 5ft 5” me, but I think anyone much taller would struggle! The bathroom is spacious with shower gel, shampoo and hand wash in bottles. The towels are decent too, better than last time we came. 
 

There’s two robes, two pairs of slippers, a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates provided on arrival. No binoculars or atlas as there was last time we came, pre-Covid. 
 

Two TVs: they aren’t interactive and have set channels, but they do provide a little guide of what’s on in the room. I will have to measure them for size, all I know is that they are bigger than the one in my kitchen so not that bad 😂

 

The fridge is a fridge: it’s about 7c which may help those like us who have medication to deal with. I don’t know how consistent it actually it, but my electronic thermometer is relatively accurate and it’s adequate for our medication and saves daily trips to the medical centre! 
 

The beds are comfy, there are tea and coffee facilities: no biscuits though. A chair, sofa (also a bed) and a table, but plenty of space in the walk in wardrobe for the wheelchair, a million hangers, and a safe. 
 

The balcony (2 chairs, 2 footrests, a table) is uncovered which doesn’t bother me - except when it’s drizzling 😂 We got the cabin as part of the P&O upgrade system and are very happy with it. It’s only a few doors down from the cabin we actually chose a few years ago so perfect location and quiet etc. The mid-lifts can be busy at peak times, but the rest of the time they are fine. No issues and everyone is very good with lift-etiquette.

[Cloudyrain]

Dining: we chose early dining, not sharing a table, and have been given a great table in the Bay Tree. It was a bit chaotic at 6.30 when half the ship descended wanting to change tables/dining times/not understanding the dining system. I heard lots of disgruntled people, maybe the TAs or P&O need to make more effort to explain it as I h and lots of complaints. Once we were seated food came quicker than the wine, and they don’t keep the bottle now, which isn’t a problem - especially as the bottle was a screw top and I had left my travel bottle stoppers at home. We were happy with the food: it was very usual P&O options, but good quality.

 

Just to caveat that we have been on the Iona twice in the last few months, and the menu is the same. I do wish they would expand it a little, and get it back to what it had been previously, but it’s fine for us and was tasty and good portion sizes. They are also happy to provide more than one option per person: the table next to us had two extra courses without problems.

 

Buffet: we visited the buffet just before it closed and were surprised with the options (lamb, as per the MDR, plus a few other options). The buffet on Ventura is my bugbear, but the food itself is fine, the space and tables are fine, it’s just the awful design/layout that is terrible! The rear buffet area is a lot more

manageable!

 

Pool Food: pizza and burgers/hot dogs are available and adequate. They aren’t going to win awards, but actually I think they are good quality for what is effectively “fast food” - and the pizza is really nice.

[Cloudyrain]

Kids Club: the booking opens at 8.30am and on the Iona this became a bit of a stressful battle - think “Hunger Games” but more serious… Anyway, they either have more staff, less kids, or less demand, but so far it’s been great. Even logging on the same day I have been able to book a slot. They will provide a pager of required and I completed the preregistration and advised them of the additional information required for the care of my son. For anyone travelling with SEND children (or any children for that matter) I would recommend:

- pre-registration

- watch the YouTube videos of kids clubs (if available)

- familiarise your child with the deck plan

- visit the kids club at the registration session on the first day, even though you have already regular and don’t need to do so it’s great for the staff to meet your child, and your child to meet the staff

- don’t go to the first session as it’s really busy

- arrive at least 30 minutes after the session has started

- agree a trial time (60-90 minutes etc)

- get a pager

- head to the Metropolis bar and have a congratulatory cocktail 

- keep your fingers crossed!

[Cloudyrain]

The Arcade: this was a massive draw for us. It’s not massive, and some of the evil “no one ever wins” grabber machines are there, but actually the games themselves are mostly ok and mostly reasonable. They start at 50p a swipe, up to £1.50, but watch children who are allowed to wander off on their own - I’m pretty sure I saw an over-enthusiastic pre-teen spend about £780 trying to win a £3 key ring… The best thing about the arcade is the “bribe factor” - and if anyone reading this onboard right now is hearing someone say “if you just sit down for half an hour you can have 3 goes on the arcade” that’s me. 
 

One thing to add: the arcade spend does not come off the OBC it appears - which I found out after being quite frivolous with the bribes 🤦‍♀️

[CarlaMarie]

Thank you for sharing @Cloudyrain I hope you and your son have a wonderful time! 

[Cloudyrain]

Arrival In Amsterdam: we sailed slowly down the canal from around 1pm, and arrived and were cleared around 5pm. There is a steady stream of people leaving the ship (mostly mixed-family groups, I’ve seen no blow-up dolls or anything to signify stag/hen parties!). We are docked right next to the giant Movenpick Hotel which is a good way of finding our way back. Passports are apparently required here which is unusual, I can’t think of anywhere I’ve needed one on a European cruise before. 

[Gettingwarmer]

@Cloudyrain Thanks for your review and photos. 

[Cloudyrain]

Night 2: Battle of the Buffet.

 

We missed the set-dining time this evening so made do with a sunset cocktail in the Metropolis (which was half empty) and prepared to battle the buffet. Ah the buffet, such a strange place: one minute you walk in and it’s empty, the next minute there is a queue snaking all around with no one really knowing what they are queuing for. I managed a half decent roast ham (or gammon) with brussels, and roasties and jus that tasted better than they looked. The chocolate mousse was lovely, and a mini-cheese and biscuit plate to make up the calories lost wandering around aimlessly on deck tours with my son. 
 

I’m not one to take photos of the food, but have attached a helpful picture of the buffet to help those unfamiliar with the venue.

[P&O SUE]

I’m enjoying your report, happy memories of our cruise to Amsterdam in June. Loved the transit through the canal in the daylight, previously we have arrived overnight and woken up to find us docked.

Your picture reminded me that lots of people in the office could be seen at the windows taking photos of us with their phones! Enjoy the rest of your trip.

[Cloudyrain]

Night 2: Entertainment

 

I love the artists and singers, but usually my husband and I have to take turns in going to watch things, and being solo this time I didn’t expect to see much this holiday. However, with a bit of luck there was an Ariana Grande tribute on tonight and my son happens to like one of her songs, and therefore I was able to persuade (aka bribe) him to comply for 45 minutes. It was in the Havana bar at the Aft of deck 7, and very popular: although I looked in on the first show and it was half empty, so maybe people had been out or at dinner. There were people standing for the second performance, although the odd table did come free throughout. She was very popular with the younger ones too, and it was a lively (noisy) vibrant show. I really do like the modern cover artists that P&O bring onboard: we had previously seen a Paloma Faith tribute who was outstanding (but maybe not as popular with some of the other passengers) so I’m glad they are continuing to bring newer acts on board. 
 

If people do have younger children, or those who are sensitive to sounds, ear defenders are a great investment and still allow my son to hear the music and enjoy it, without it being too overwhelming.

[Cloudyrain]

Room Service Breakfast: This is a great option for those who don’t want to battle the buffet, or dress for breakfast in the MDR. The muffins are normal-sized, the croissants are doll-sized (so ordering both does not make you gluttonous). The juice is the same as in the machines, and the apple juice is a lot more palatable than the pineapple. 
 

I have added the menus on here - and a terrible photo of our breakfast. The Alpro vanilla dessert is the “soya yogurt” option, and is more like custard (which is a good or bad thing depending on your perspective I suppose!)

[Cloudyrain]

Amsterdam: this is my first visit here and I actually found it more difficult than I usually do to navigate due to the canals/construction work/solo-pushing the wheelchair. There are plus points in that it’s a “flat” city, but there are is a lot of pavement “clutter” in some areas (or litter in others, I have never seen so much litter in a city). However, it’s also beautiful and eclectic and I did really like it. It’s a 10-15 minute walk for the physically mobile in to the city-proper (although I did spy a shortcut involving stairs that I would have explored if I had the chance).

 

There is loads to see and do here, and the weather was generally kind (and improving as our time has gone on). We chose Micropia which is a microbe museum in the grounds of the Zoo but not actually in the Zoo and is very reasonably priced and accessible. It’s also got varied displays and a good 60-90 minutes worth of entertainment. It was about a 45 minute slow wandering walk past the Maritime museum, park, locks, back streets etc, and a clear 30 minutes walk if you didn’t dilly-dally. It’s wasn’t busy and made a change: an especially good place to visit if you like jars of poo, viruses, or fungus!

 

I would definitely come back to Amsterdam, preferably with a babysitter so I haven’t got to battle bicycles!

[Cloudyrain]

Lunch: we were seated and served immediately at lunch in the MDR. The food was tasty, and the service was good and quick. I’ve experienced some really slow lunches in the past so this was great. I had the lasagna which was massive for me, and the “more-like-sponge” brownie that seems to appear on every P&O ship. The raspberry sorbet was lovely that came with it though, so definitely worth it. 
 

The ship is quiet today and there was plenty of space around the pools and drinks waiters about. I think people are making the most of the nice weather. 
 

Tonight is Formal Night (which differs from the pre-cruise planner that suggested it was last night) so I will try and report back on the food this evening before we sail away and I lose my data! I have added a photo of the menu though as I know people love a menu 😂

[purplesea]

Some lovely photos.

[Cloudyrain]

Celebration night meal: I’m not a foodie so it was just a main and dessert tonight. I chose the lamb-beef and sorbet. Although I don’t eat lamb my son does so we did swapsies and I had his beef. It was a nice simple well cooked meal. The sorbet was just lemon sorbet but was nice and not too bitter. Service was good and swift, and there were some nice frocks and suits about. I did pop in to the buffet and it was quite busy in there at the food stations, but there was seating available, especially further back towards the terrace pool bar. There seems to be quite a lot of entertainment on tonight that I would like, but I’m just enjoying the relative peace of the twinkling lights reflecting on the water for now.  

[Cloudyrain]

If anyone has any specific questions about the 4-day trip or the Ventura I am happy to help if I can: I was quite apprehensive after hearing comments about it being a “booze cruise” but that’s not at all my experience so far. Either I’ve missed that or have low standards 😂

[Selbourne]

1 hour ago, Cloudyrain said:

If anyone has any specific questions about the 4-day trip or the Ventura I am happy to help if I can: I was quite apprehensive after hearing comments about it being a “booze cruise” but that’s not at all my experience so far. Either I’ve missed that or have low standards 😂

Glad to hear that you are having a great time. I really enjoyed the cruise out of Amsterdam when we went there on Ventura. I thought they had banned cruise ships from going there, but that must be from a future date, so you’ll be glad to have done it. 
 

Quick question. Is it still the case that Ventura is not using the MyHoliday App for MDR bookings? Thanks. 

[Cloudyrain]

On 8/31/2023 at 9:38 PM, Selbourne said:

Glad to hear that you are having a great time. I really enjoyed the cruise out of Amsterdam when we went there on Ventura. I thought they had banned cruise ships from going there, but that must be from a future date, so you’ll be glad to have done it. 
 

Quick question. Is it still the case that Ventura is not using the MyHoliday App for MDR bookings? Thanks. 

As I understand it the “ban” was incorrectly reported, and they have no plans on banning cruise ships at present - as per someone working at the Port I spoke to whilst there. 
 

We had chosen early dining, but those on freedom dining were either seated or provided with a pager as I understand it. They were also booking regular tables for some groups.

[Cloudyrain]

Sail-away from Amsterdam: the views of the city and the lights at midnight as we sailed away were lovely. I highly recommend getting a good seat and soaking in the last of the atmosphere from the City. 

[Cloudyrain]

Final day - Sea Day: considering everyone was onboard today it wasn’t over-crowded. The shops were busy, and the Exchange/Casino were lively, but not over-noisy. The night-time did seem the most busy/lively of the whole trip, but there were still plenty of great seats available in places like the Metropolis and Glasshouse. Tamarind was very lively and busy but even there had some seats. The MDR was the quietest I had seen so far, and it was Lamb again - although probably the worst quality of the lamb all trip. The Buffet was manageable throughout the day, but the lasagne in the evening (which I had because of the rubbish MDR lamb) was pretty diabolical: and I have very low stay when it comes to pasta so it must have been bad. One thing I will add is that the MDR meal was pretty big tonight with a good amount of veg. 

[Cloudyrain]

Disembarkation: there were slight delays this morning as the gangway didn’t attach. I take responsibility for this as the same problem happened when we were on the Iona the other month, so I clearly am at fault….

 

We had assistance organised, but it was very busy due to the delay in getting the gangways attached. As such I spoke with the assistance team and they advised that if we could manage without a pusher   I could wait out of the way near the accessible gangway and go off with them from there. As it was the accessible gangway was open and not moving so we were able to get off easily from there. I say “easily” - it was a struggle but better than waiting in the busy/noisy bar. 
 

The return was via Mayflower terminal, and our car was ideally located and off we went before 9am.

 

I will post a few general comments below 🙂 

[Cloudyrain]

Final thoughts

 

Films: there was a lack of films on board. I know it was only 4 days, and most people don’t cruise to watch films; but I quite like a film, and considering it’s not an option on the room TV it’s a bit of a shame there aren’t more showings in public areas. The first time we went many years ago they used to show things in the Theatre in the afternoon, and in a bar in the evening, and this seems to have stopped.

 

Cabins: they aren’t modern but they are comfy and clean. They don’t do turn down anymore, or biscuits, but it isn’t a massive detriment.

 

Drinks: service is brilliant, prices are good, and the quality and options were great. I never feel the need to have the drinks package on p&o, but the new system seems a little over complicated for those who do have it. 
 

Food: some food is great, other food is awful, but I don’t think this is anything new! The design of the buffet is terrible, and sometimes the options are poor, but it’s generally ok. 
 

Kids club: this was brilliant. There were always slots available, and the staff were wonderful. 
 

Public areas: clean, tidy, and well maintained. 
 

Arcade: hidden under the theatre and not very well advertised this is a great space for kids and teens. There are some awful grabber machines, but the rest are 50p to £1.50 and provide decent VFM (well, compared to arcades in the UK!).
 

Overall we had a lovely holiday, at a great price, and I would definitely book this particular cruise again, and the Ventura.

[Selbourne]

1 hour ago, Cloudyrain said:

As I understand it the “ban” was incorrectly reported, and they have no plans on banning cruise ships at present - as per someone working at the Port I spoke to whilst there. 
 

We had chosen early dining, but those on freedom dining were either seated or provided with a pager as I understand it. They were also booking regular tables for some groups.

That’s good to hear. I really enjoyed the sail out of Amsterdam at night and found the sea lock fascinating. 
 

Thank you for taking us along with you and for a very interesting live blog. We are on Ventura in 8 weeks time. 

[Dermotsgirl]

Thank you for your reports, very interesting to read