p24 Cruise feb27 24/2/09 17:06 Page 24
news cruise
ttglive.com
for photographs outside each restaurant for one
night after dinner, surprisingly popular with
adults! Great PR and no doubt countless grand
children back home will suffer the story of “did I
tell you about the day I met Noddy?”.
Onboard booking
This issue has been of great concern to some
agents. However, I can reassure them after my
Smoother sailing
first-hand experience of booking onboard at the
“future cruise desk”. When I pressed the consult-
ant about a discount, I was told to speak to my
agent and there was never any indication of what
percentage I should expect.
I was then asked if I would like the booking
after P&O listens
assigned to The Cruise Village, who booked my
current cruise.
Ramblas Bar
What a difference from my last experience where
The Cruise Village’s Phil Nuttall returned to P&O Cruises’
the bar was cold, lacked atmosphere and was
flagship Ventura, and reports on a much-improved experience
something of a white elephant.
The introduction of a guitarist playing
Flamenco has really added to the atmosphere.
P&O Cruises’ Ventura has had more than its fair sunbeds around any of the pool areas. On a peak P&O Cruises is still missing a trick by not offer-
share of criticism since launching in April 2008. summer holiday cruise with a large number of ing the traditional jugs of freshly made sangria
Some was deserved but many comments were families, the pool areas will always be extremely for couples or groups and although the tapas is
totally unfounded. Myself, my wife and two busy early on a sea day. This is no different to any excellent, I am not sure what is in the cheese cro-
teenage children and our friends, who had their summer holiday cruise I have been on — or even quets, because you could not taste any cheese.
four-year-old son with them, had a great holiday. at popular hotels on land-based holidays. But we really enjoyed our meals, tapas and
occasional pre-dinner drinks in the Ramblas.
Freedom Dining Dress code
This was a real problem when we cruised on Ven- A great deal has been made about the changes Flights
tura last year. People were pre-booking tables to the dress code and the dropping of informal The direct charter service offered by P&O Cruises
days in advance so anyone who turned up in the evenings on Ventura. into Barbados is superb. When you land, you
evening was offered only very early or very late Traditionally the Caribbean is a more casual walk to a coach from the plane and are instantly
sittings. Since the introduction of the Princess style of cruising, but the “smart casual” evenings transferred to the ship (about 30 minutes after
Cruises’ Freedom Dining model, which does not were very much more smart than casual. People landing). On the return, the clearing of customs
allow such advanced pre-booking, the system is really made an effort. Even at the beach buffet took just 10 minutes from start to finish.
now working well. people obeyed the rules and wore footwear and
t-shirts when they queued for food. Conclusion
Sunbeds I had a very good holiday and I hope my report
On our four sea days, I walked around looking for Noddy has dispelled some myths, and allayed some
evidence of people struggling to find a sunbed. Last year the cry was “where’s Noddy?” but P&O concerns. I am pretty confident Ventura has
Most were taken but there were still beds Cruises has listened to feedback because this moved on from its launch teething problems.
available on the higher decks. However, I did not time, the little fella made a great effort to meet
witness any moaning or people arguing over the passengers. A great touch was Noddy posing ■ Full report, and pics, at
tinyurl.com/ddv8ah
24 27.02.2009
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