Ahead of P&O Cruises official naming ceremony for Ventura, the newest addition to their fleet, Bolsover Cruise Club was invited to Southampton to enjoy an overnight visit on board. With all the excitement surrounding the much-anticipated arrival of the UK’s biggest superliner, we were keen to find out if Ventura could really live up to the hype, and I’m delighted to say we weren’t disappointed!

As promised, P&O Cruises have delivered a masterpiece, filling a void in the evolving British cruise market. Newcomers and families in particular will love the relaxed, informal yet adventurous style of cruise that Ventura provides. With the average age on board expected to be 44 years, her contemporary design and artwork, created by non-other than British designer Nick Munro, her multiple choice of bars and dining rooms, five swimming pools and extensive children’s play areas will certainly appeal to a wide audience.

Click here to view our Photo Gallery of Ventura.

Approaching Southampton, Ventura’s massive outline on the horizon gives the impression that she will be big and busy, yet surprisingly on the inside she’s light and airy, with a cool ambience and intimate layout which conveys quite the opposite.  Walking around the ship it becomes clear that there is no shortage of family fun to be had. We were bowled over with the impressive children’s play areas on Deck 16; four separate large rooms to be precise, each catering for different age groups. There was also a ‘Tumbler’s Night Nursery' for younger sailors, plus Noddy himself was on board to liven up playtime through themed activities.

On the deck directly below we found Ventura’s family dining venue, The Beach House. Open 24 hours, this buffet-style restaurant offers a variety of children's favourites, plus more sophisticated fayre. High chairs, bibs and children's cutlery were provided, and celebrity chef Marco Pierre White has given the menu his own twist, ensuring the food is a hit with all ages.

There are eight other dining venues located around the ship, from Frankies’ Pizzeria, to the special ambience and sociable atmosphere of the main dining room, The Bay Tree. Here you’ll discover a more traditional cruise dining experience, while Marco Pierre White’s The White Room adds a sense of occasion, perfect for an intimate dinner for two.

‘I was pleasantly surprised with the stylish Select Dining venue East, situated on Deck 7, which served a delightful fusion of Asian cuisine. The restaurant was beautifully adorned with rich dark wood and plush, red carpeting, providing a modern, yet distinctly eastern vibe.’ Says Senior Administrator, Vikki.
 
At the front of the ship on Deck 16, an amazingly large and fully equipped gym occupies a prime position, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering sparkling ocean views. This is arguably one of the largest gyms I have personally seen at sea, and the quality and variety of equipment definitely rivals that of other ships. There is a spacious studio where exercise classes are held, and next door is the Oasis Spa. With numerous treatment rooms and a serene and peaceful ambience, we were tempted by a little pampering.  

Another innovation on board Ventura is the beautiful Ivory Suite – an idyllic venue in which to host a romantic wedding at sea. With an increasing number of couples choosing to tie the knot in a more contemporary setting, the Ivory Suite is the perfect location to begin married life, with a honeymoon to follow. Couples are given a great choice of extra touches to complement their dream day, such as wedding flowers, cake, photography services, commemorative stationery, champagne packages and much more.

While Ventura’s modern and contemporary style may not appeal to regular sailors preferring a more traditional and classic cruise experience, her range of stylish accommodation, from inside cabins to opulent suites, definitely cater for all tastes and budgets. Each accommodation, including her 881balcony cabins and suites, were tastefully decorated and adorned with luxurious touches such as flat screen TV’s and in-cabin pamper packs made up of divine Temple Spa products. We were especially impressed with her exceptionally spacious AE grade Family Suites, which featured two separate bedrooms and a sofa bed, enabling them to sleep up to six people.

The magnitude of the ship was again reflected in the vast array of evening venues. We were spoilt for choice, whether to watch a professional show in the Arena Theatre, a comedian in The Tamarind Club, a ‘Legends’ theme show in the Havana night -club, or simply to relax in one of the numerous sophisticated bars. The Metropolis bar was one in particular we were all eager to visit, as we’d been watching with interest on the P&O Cruises website, the making of it’s innovative 20 metre floor-to-ceiling video wall. With footage from around the world, this wall displays dramatic cityscapes so you can gaze 'out' upon Paris, New York or Sydney as you sip your favourite tipple.

Having sampled them all, we found ourselves drawn to The Exchange, Ventura's distinctly British styled warehouse bar. Found on Deck 6, just a few steps from the casino, we joined in with a rather noisy but fun Karaoke night, with our Sales Consultant Louise belting out a few hits! With beer on draught, and entertainment such as quizzes and live bands, plus occasional televised sporting events, this popular spot offers a little taste of home. After dancing the night away in the cuban themed Havana night-club, we retired to the quiet retreat of our inviting cabins to sample the very comfy Slumberland beds.

It is safe to say that without doubt Ventura exceeded our high expectations, and with the imminent launch of her 2009/2010 maiden season, we know she’ll be a hit with our new and existing Cruise Club members.

Click here to view our Photo Gallery of Ventura.