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Perfect for families, Ventura has so much to enjoy. Kids (and big kids) love her video game arcade; the sports arena keep everyone happy (competitive streaks aside!) with football, basketball, tennis and archery; and the comedy and quiz nights in Havana and The Tamarind Club are fun for all the family.
I booked this cruise because I wanted to see the total eclipse of the sun, and while several ships were bound for the northern coast of Spain, P&O had a very good price, considering that I would be traveling as a so!o. I was a little worried to be one of the few Americans on a British ship, but I was soon reassured that my fellow passengers were friendly and welcoming. The crew of course came from all over the world, and they were terrific. I had an obstructed view cabin on Deck 8, where the obstructions were a few lifeboats. Didn't bother me at all, and it was nice having natural light. The arrangement of the cabin was great. I use a CPAP machine and I was able to position it right where I needed it, and while I had a plug adapter, there was an American outlet as well as two British outlets, so I could plug in everything. There was also an electric kettle with tea, coffee, and a few cookies - I have to say, the kettle boiled water much faster than the kettle on my stove at home. Much appreciated. One problem, however, is that P&O doesn't have distilled water for the CPAP, and I couldn't find it in London or Southampton either. Deck 8 is one deck above many of the public rooms and two decks from the dining room where I ate most of my dinners, so very convenient. Food in the main dining room and buffet was extremely good, nice variety, and my dinner companions were great company. Wait staff was very attentive, and even learned a few of my preferences, like that I drink my coffee black. I do have a few quibbles about the food. Fried and poached eggs tended to have yolks that were more medium, rather than runny as I asked. Blueberry muffins had very few blueberries, and chocolate chunk cookies didn't have many chocolate chunks. I missed American style bacon. British bacon is fine, but it isn't the same thing. Generally, I liked breakfast and lunch in the buffet better than in the dining room. Never did have dinner in the buffet, but I did try Sindhu and the Beach House. These are good, but I wasn't sure they were worth the extra cost. Entertainment was wonderful, the Headliners Theater Company was amazing with six different shows, all well done. The guest performers, the Privateers and Tom Ball were fabulous. The house band was great. Karaoke was a lot of fun. The highlight of the cruise was the eclipse, and Ian Ridgepath gave two great talks and pointed out some things to watch for during the event. The Captain got us to the perfect place with clear skies. Spectacular, and we even got certificates signed by the captain to commemorate the event. Well done P&O and Captain Turnbull!
Ventura solar eclipse cruise August 2026 The ship was perfectly positioned for a spectacular solar eclipse, no mean achievement, given the forecasts for the Ferrol area. Ventura was also manoeuvred to approach a glorious sunrise at the Lisbon bridge. Photos attached, but you'll see better ones from some of the serious photographers aboard. High standards on the ship thoughout. The already good food offering seems to have improved and the current iteration of Headliners is well up with the best. Some new shows and refreshed productions, which get progressively upscaled. The inclusion of a high quality speaker from the Royal Astronomical Society was inspired. One small but important point: The captain's role in all this is to be applauded, together with that of the crew and officers, who to be fair he publicly acknowledged and praised. Unfortunately, it is these same officers that Captain Turnbull makes inappropriate comments about in his public announcements with passages such as 'lifting him out of his playpen' to carry out the docking. Somewhat jarring was a reference to the ship's crew, whose jobs (e.g. medical, engineering, technical , hospitality) he would not be able to do, as 'my little ducklings'. At best it's a careless and poor analogy -at worst, quite patronising. The captain is old school and that is fine, but he sometimes crosses a line with speech that these days cannot be dismissed as mere humour or banter. He needs to step back from this. In context though, these were occasional off-key notes in an otherwise impressive sea symphony.
Having just returned from a week on P&O Ventura, I'd rate the experience 4 out of 5 stars. We travelled with a profoundly disabled teenager who is a full-time wheelchair user with complex medical needs, so accessibility is incredibly important to us. Before boarding, we stayed at the Premier Inn Southampton (Cumberland Place). Unfortunately, we were given incorrect information regarding accessible parking and early check-in, which created unnecessary stress before the cruise. Once onboard, however, things improved significantly. The accessible balcony cabin was spacious and worked very well for our needs, giving plenty of room for a wheelchair and daily care. The smaller size of Ventura also suited us more than expected, creating a calm, relaxed atmosphere that was easy to navigate. A special mention goes to Mobility at Sea, who supplied our profiling bed and mobile hoist. Their service was outstanding from start to finish, and everything was set up in our cabin before we arrived. The crew throughout the ship were friendly, welcoming and accommodating, particularly the restaurant team, who took the time to understand our teenager's dietary requirements. The ports were enjoyable, although we found ourselves preferring short visits ashore before returning to a much quieter ship while most passengers were out exploring. There were, however, a few areas where Ventura fell short. The daytime entertainment and activities were limited compared with other cruise lines we've experienced, the evening dining menus became a little repetitive by the end of the week, and the ship showed its age with noticeable vibration during docking. Accessibility could also be improved with features such as automatic cabin doors, which would make a real difference for wheelchair users. Overall, we had a wonderful holiday and came home feeling that we had genuinely needed the break. Ventura may not be the newest ship in the fleet, but its relaxed atmosphere, spacious accessible accommodation and excellent crew made it a very enjoyable cruise. We'd happily sail with P&O again, particularly on one of their newer ships.
Myself and 12 other family members travelled on P&O Cruises' Ventura as a joint birthday celebration for two of the travelling party. This was our first ever cruise and we were all blown away. The ship was immaculate, with any exception being minimal and down to general wear and tear. The staff were all very friendly and accommodating, and the food we found to be very enjoyable (but if anything, could have been a little warmer). We had 6 cabins, 3x balcony cabins and 3x insides (one of which was accessible) and each of them were clean and nicely designed and laid out - although the TVs could do with a refresh, we never found ourselves watching TV at all, as we were busy with the activities on the ship! We never found space an issue, and could always get a seat in bars and restaurants. We are already planning our next family cruise, and wouldn't hesitate to sail on P&O Cruises, or Ventura, again.
Accommodation is a crucial part of every holiday. From a simple space to lay your head, to something a little more luxurious – everyone has their own style. We've got a range of accommodation on our ships to suit all travellers.
Wine, dine and feel fine
Indulge in culinary delights on Ventura. From fine dining in the Bay Tree and Cinnamon to the vibrant Waterside buffet, there's something to please every palate. Sip on expertly chosen wines in the Glass House or enjoy casual drinks at the Red Bar. With live entertainment and cosy lounges, Ventura offers a vibrant and unforgettable dining and drinking experience.
Speciality restaurants - Indulge yourself in an extra-special culinary crusade - with exquisite menus and exceptional service - for a little extra.
Included restaurants - With so many delicious dining options already included in your holiday price, you'll be spoilt for choice at any time of the day.
Endless entertainment for everyone
Step into Ventura's wonderful world of entertainment. Enjoy live music, comedy, magic, and quizzes, or stay active with free salsa and line dancing classes. Sports enthusiasts will love the Sports Deck, while fitness fans can work out in the ocean-view gym. With pools, whirlpool spas, and endless activities, Ventura has something for everyone.
Make the night your own
Sometimes on holiday, planning your evening can be a bit of a challenge. What’s worth seeing and doing? Are you staying in the right part of town? Is it a taxi ride away? On a P&O Cruises holiday you can find your perfect night, every night. Be as spontaneous as you like whether it’s an intimate drink or a celebration with friends, a night to get glammed up or keep it casual; the choice is yours…
Drinks on board
Unwind, sip and savour every moment at sea. From elegant bars and lounges to lively pubs and poolside refreshments, discover a world of delicious drinks and vibrant entertainment to match every mood.
Unwind with some rest and relaxation
Find your perfect haven of tranquillity on board. Whether you're looking to slow down with a good book by the pool or indulge in a soothing treatment at the Oasis Spa and The Retreat, Ventura offers a variety of options. For the cultured and curious, we have art galleries and inspiring talks, while you can also enjoy the comfort of your cabin with entertainment on demand and room service.
Spa and Wellbeing
Find your on-board sanctuary in the Oasis Spa, a haven of pampering and relaxation. Melt away into a blissful world of me-time. Choose from the most exclusive spa therapies, rejuvenating facials and massages, pick-me-up nail treatments, and feel-good hair styling. There’s plenty for those who want to stay active, too, from a high-tech gym and fitness classes to swimming pools and sports courts.
Sports, games and fitness on board
There's an energising activity for everyone on board a P&O Cruises holiday. From sports courts and fun-filled deck games to state-of-the-art gyms and invigorating fitness classes, discover the perfect way to work up a sweat and have fun.
Step into a world of wow factor on an extraordinary family holiday. From your tiniest tots up to young adults aged 17 years old, we make sure each day has just the right balance of fun and freedom.
Kid's clubs for 6 Months - 17 year olds
Staffed by enthusiastic and qualified crew, we provide clubs tailored to age-specific needs and entertainment.
