An excellent start to our holiday – good flight and slick transportation from flight to check in.
We booked a super deluxe room on deck 9 but very disappointed with furnishings – couch was worn and cushions did not fit on the base.
It looked like something ready for the bonfire.
I did ask at reception if something would be done but heard nothing.
However, it was kep very clean and we had no complaints about cabin staff.
Extremely disappointing was the service in our allocated freedom dining restaurant Saphron.
The staff really need some training – food was pushed in front of us, men were asked before ladies, no checking to see if everything was okay – served then vanished! Must admit it was not all waiters and we did make a point of filling in cards to commend good service.
I did also point out bad service.
After a few days we moved to the Cinnamon restaurant and it was so different.
Good service, checking if we had everything, offering condiments and even a cheese course after we had eaten dessert.
This is the model of service the line should be aiming for.
Food was okay but disappointingly plain – vegetables were very repetitive with carrots and green beans appearing daily.
Not enough supervisors in comparison to other lines we have cruised with and it certainly showed.
Good service in bars and we enjoyed the entertainment.
When we arrived in Southampton again the arrangements were very slick.
Excellent bus service to return us to Manchester.
We enjoyed the cruise but even the most hardy P&O cruisers – who had never been on other cruise lines – were comparing service to their other ships.
Ventura needs a good make over and staff training
