TravelMole cruise ship review – Ventura

Ahead of P&O Cruises’ Ventura hosting the 50th annual dinner of the passenger Shipping Association on Monday, Phil Davies had a sneak preview of the new ship

Forget the hype, Ventura is in town and it is without doubt a class act.

The first thing that strikes you on boarding is the amazing attention to detail throughout, from the food trays with handles right down to the Nick Munro-designed coffee cups and cutlery.

Although vast, Ventura plays a clever trick – as does its Princess Cruises counterparts – in seeming intimate.

This is achieved through a ship design that breaks down different areas while creating a sense of space.

And there shouldn’t be any disputes over the availability of sun loungers given the amount of desk space available together with the five pools, one of which The Beachcomber, is protected by a retracting skydome roof.

Not all traditional P&O Cruises’ passengers may warm to the contemporary feel of the ship, but those new to cruise – particularly families with young children and younger couples – will have a ball.

My tip is to book families into cabins near the rear of the ship where they will have easy access by lift to the children’s clubs catering for different age ranges at The Reef on Deck 16; The Beach House and Waterside casual restaurants on Deck 15; the Havana club on Deck 7, venue for the Scalextric at sea; and the main Bay Tree restaurant on Deck 6.

Also at the top of the ship is Cirque Ventura offering bungee trampolines and circus skills training overlooking the intimate Terrace Pool situated on Deck 14. The little ones will warm to personal appearances by Noddy, including special themed breakfasts, while teenagers get a rock school and any amount of gizmos to play with.

Once the children are safely being looked after in the evening in their respective clubs, parents can take a pre-dinner cocktail high up in the Metropolis bar before dining in The White Room, one of Marco Pierre White’s creations for the ship, where supplements vary depending on the length of cruise.

Moving forward, couples will appreciate the Oasis Spa which features an ‘endless pool’ for swimming against the current an adjoining gym and sports court on deck above for five-a-side football and other activities.

The heart of the ship is the atrium spanning three decks and resembling an up market boutique hotel entrance with access to a designer coffee bar, library, internet room, shops and art gallery.

Besides the 11 bars and nightclubs, there are three main dining rooms, a Spanish themed eatery and modern Asian restaurant appropriately called East.

Entertainment is offered either in the main 785-seat theatre, the Tamarind Club venue for comedy and live music or the Cuban-themed Havana nightclub.

More detail has gone into the cabins, with junior mini-suites with balcony, for example, featuring flat screen TVs, coffee making machine, cafitierre, kettle, fridge, ample space for storing clothes and a bath and shower combined.

Ventura marks a significant step change for P&O Cruises and may not fit well with the traditionalists.

Everyone knows it is the biggest in the fleet, I would argue that Ventura is by far the best and a serious contender to its American megaship rivals sailing from the UK this summer.