@@TravelBlogJamie Well, thats a good recommendation!! I haven't been on Cunard for a number of years but did enjoy every cruise I took with them and the last cruise with them I was in Queens Grill, so I was really well looked after. 🙂 As a single passenger you always pay more but thats life!!!
Ooooh Jamie. Great vlog, very informative. We had the very same experience on the Ventura in July. Fantastic food, terrible queues, lactuster, and diminished entertainment. I, too, was asked to leave the red room for the same reason. Ship now tired looking. It's all very sad because it used to be one of our favourites. When we got home, we cancelled our next Ventura cruise. You're fast becomming our favourite cruise vlogger. Your warm personalty shines through. Your interaction with your fans on-board is to be applauded.
Ah David this is such a lovely comment - thank you so much for your positivity and for taking the time to comment. Sorry to hear your cruise wasn’t up to scratch. I think I would have cancelled if I had another on Ventura booked as well, sadly.
Whatever the heck, it was absolutely fabulous to see your mum and sister, plus, of course, the amazing Mafoo! Thanks so much for sharing! Love and best wishes to you all, Claire and rescue 'furry family', Berlin ❤❤❤❤
What a brilliant vlog Jamie! My husband and I are new to cruising and we are doing the very same cruise for our first one in October 2024. You've given us an insight to what expect on our maiden voyage. Thank you!
Aloha thats awesome your moms 1st trip, I'm going on my 1st every in April 6-13 2024 from florida to carabean island for moms 80th birthday ,luv ur work mahalo
Your mum is so sweet. Cherish her as long as you can as i lost mine and she reminds me so much of my mum, the hair, the expressions and even the way she walks
Hi de hi! Booked on a similar cruise in April. Regretting it after watching the video. Last travelled with P&O some 15 years ago and it seems to have gone downhill.
We sailed on Ventura on her 2nd sailing back in May 2008 on our first ever cruise and have been hooked eversince. We have tried to do at least 1/2 a year. Ventura was a lovely ship and the entertainment was top class back then. Our last cruise on her was 6 years ago and still very good but now after watching a few of your videos how things have changed. Ventura looks like a ghost ship on some of them with hardly any sunbeds etc. I hope things improve and more staff get hired. I think most people are cruising on the newer P&O ships which Arvia reminds of a larger version on Ventura when new. I hope Azura doesn't get left behind either because of the newer bigger ships. Great video and just subscribed.
Hi Carole - I completely agree. We had sailed on Ventura so many times and loved her: this was such a stark contrast. We couldn’t imagine booking again for some time unfortunately.
Love it! Happy Anniversary guys! Nothing better than traveling with mama! Blessed. Sad P&O failed so many times. The ship is almost exactly as some Princess ships' I loved.
Yes indeed - we’ve sailed on Emerald and Crown 👑 We’ve also sailed on Ventura many times over the years and never experienced these issues. A real shame 😫
What a delightful video, Jamie. I hope you all told your mother how lovely she looked with her new hair style. What a complement to you how comfortable she felt getting her hair done. You were so thoughtful giving them the larger cabin. I’m sorry for all the issues with their first cruise.
We have had some brilliant cruises on Ventura, pre covid. Not managed a P&O cruise post covid, we were booked on the maiden voyage next month but it been cancelled. We have booked an alternative cruise on Ambassador Ambience, small ship and it leaves from our local port. We cruised earlier this year on this ship, she is an old ship but the pubic areas are lovely, we certainly did not have the queuing issues you experienced on Ventura.
Hi Jamie, just watched your video and are in your cabin r730 in October. You have the patience of a saint and I can only hope it's better staffed when we sail. As usual an excellent informative and entertaining video. Cheers Dave
I have cruised many many times on every cruise line but P&O and seeing what problems you had I will not chance it to probably waste my money. Thank you!
GREAT Blog.. loved it. I do have a question about the MDR. If you have booked late sitting, am I still to have to queue or can I go straight in at 8.30pm?
I'm planning my first ever cruise next year from Southampton and am looking at P&O a lot.. I think I might go with them but am still undecided on a cruise line. I've come across your videos & think they are great. I cant choose a ship & destination haha so these videos are very helpful. Although I don't think I'll take my first cruise on Ventura I want something a bit more modern (I'm in my 30's) and will be taking my Mum too.
Great video Jamie. I love Ventura. It was our first cruise and have fond memories of her. Was on her again last June. Also loved the sail under the bridge to and from Lisbon. Sad to see the staffing issues but it needs to be remembered it’s a management fault. Hope it sorts itself out soon. By way happy anniversary to you both. How does he tolerate you 😂 and belated birthday to your sister. To finish off love the little touch of inviting folk who say hi appearing on your vlogs. I might get on one day 😂
Thank you! Yes, I agree and I said in the video I totally felt it was a management responsibility and how the crew were (mostly) awesome (although overwhelmed). I love it when passengers come up and say hi! I thought it would be a nice memory for them too ❤️❤️❤️
Omg queue queue, we’ve just done our first ever cruise on MSC Virtuoso, not impressed, the boat was full and we queued a lot. Now booked a Ventura cruise for November, smaller boat, less people and you are saying still queues. My husband isn’t keen on cruising anyway, so this could well and truly put a spanner in the works. Hopefully it will be ok 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Great to watch thanks Jamie, that itinerary was the last one I did with my Dad on Ventura October 20 so lots of memories and yes we had the stormy seas from Porto but didn’t get the queues.
Just checked cruise photos and definitely one huge queue at Cherbourg when we visited on Britannia, we just ignored it and went to look round the Titanic museum and no queue later on!
Wow, that was quite a marathon Jamie and loved every minute (apart from the cringy bits with me in 🙈). Despite it being so busy, me and Andy still enjoyed the cruise and would sail on Ventura again. It's just a shame P&O overbooked it and put their crew under such strain. We loved the ports and managed to get into dinner by going early and sharing tables, but this was definitely a compromise. We kind of gave up on breakfast in the MDR and used the buffet instead. Hazards of school holiday cruising for sure, looking forward to the days when we can sail in term time. Such a shame it was your Mum and Marie's first cruising experience though as it's not normally like this. It was so different from our cruise on Aurora in the summer where service was exceptional 👌. Thanks for your honest review Jamie xx
Oh I love the bits with you and Andrew!! Not cringe at all! I think the point you make about the crew is an important one; they really are under so much extra pressure. I also don’t think it’s fair on customers expecting a relaxing cruise and waiting in line so much. We have Iona and Arvia booked so will see how we get on! School holiday cruising the Norma for us both isn’t it, but never been like this before.
Enjoyed watching this - especially spotting us in the background a number of times! Fully agree with your points - one of the most disorganised cruises I've done (this was number 20!), but the food in the main dining room was immense!! I cancelled my upcoming Ventura Cruise on board, and moved it to Iona, because I really wouldn't go back at this stage, which is a shame as it has always been one of my favourite ships.
We love Ventura. We did 35 nights on riveria deck aft (with that ‘secret door’) straight out onto the back terrace pool! Thankfully on that longer cruise we didn’t have long wait times for restaurants or getting back on the ship.
Thank you for taking us along on your anniversary/birthday cruise with first timers. I am so sad that your mum and sister didn't have the real cruise experience that seems to have disappeared (only for a while I hope). I just got off Iona for 14 days to the Canaries. While I did not experience the long queues that you had, I am a solo traveller and it was easier I think for the ladies at the desk to squeeze me in. I never had to wait, nor did I ever join a virtual line, and observed those that did pre-book were kept waiting a long time while I guiltily walked in without a wait. I noticed that the waiting staff were stressed, and there were no staff serving drinks on deck, whereas in the past I was fending off waiters from bars to the left and right. It was not possible to get a drink to have on deck unless one went to a bar and asked for it. There was definitely a shortage of manpower. Everything else was up to standard, the room and all public spaces were kept clean and sparkly, the food was excellent in the main dining rooms, but the buffet was a bit lacking in choice and quality, which is why I ate in the MDRs almost all the time. The quays and the Olive grove were my favourites and I ate in both those often. Service and quality on both were superb. I look forward to seeing your experience on Iona when you get back. Thanks as always for your quality content. Always excellent.
Thank you for your comments! It was the poorest cruise we’ve experienced in the last couple years - they must ensure they have enough crew or reduce capacity. I do love Iona so am looking forward to revising ❤️
I can't believe the queues! I was on Ventura in 2015 and never really had to wait more than 10 minutes for a table anywhere. Having said that, after two previous cruises on Princess I did notice that P&O was nowhere near as good. Don't get me wrong, it's still a mighty fine way to spend a fortnight. But it felt a class below Princess in almost every way. I decided after that cruise that I wouldn't bother with P&O again and your vlog has cemented that decision.
I'm sorry for commenting a third time, but I can't figure out why there were "hotel:" signs above the windows 😂 Could you please explain? Oh & I didn't know one could get beef wellington well done? 🤔 that's why I never tried it because I'm terrified of raw meat lol
Hi again Jamie, I'm finished the vlog and to be honest underwhelmed by P&O. We were considering booking for Christmas 2023 on Azura but the troubles you ran into and the issues with the lines just puts me off. I enjoyed as always watching your video. Thanks for bringing us along
We did the Azura taster cruise. They are so unprofessional. Took us to Guernsey when everything was shut. Sick of all the queues. Not enough seats in the theatre so had to sit on the stairs. Food was good but never again. Back to Cunard. They know how to do it in style.
My wife was on the Ventura in May and said it was all plain sailing with no queues..With yourselves i was wondering if there was much of a wait in bars or casinos etc (the places where they want to lighten your wallet)..Fully agree with its a Management issue as with a lot of poor service nowadays..Back on The Ventura in 2 weeks so it will be interesting...
We’ve just booked the Ventura 2026 solar eclipse cruise - pushed the boat out for a 2 bed family suite so we can get breakfast stress free 😂 and get our butler to bring us food if the queues are bad in the evenings. Still never cruised but that’s 4 booked now and counting 🤣
Great video. Booked out first ever cruise doing this same cruise in Sept so hoping the issues have been sorted. Fingers crossed. As a total cruising newbie your videos are a huge help and a great watch due to your fab sense of humour.👍
Hello Jamie love Ventura we were on the maiden season in May 2008 we flew over from Sydney we hadn't cruised for a number of years it reintroduced us to cruising and returned each year for a number of years to Crouse on Azura and Ventura. Just disembarked Queen Elizabeth loved it.
We have been back since 19 th August . We travelled to Canary Islands , Cadiz, Lisbon and back to Southampton . Pretty much the same experience as yourselves . Long queues and even was charged for room service , which we never used . This is still going on now and still awaiting what I feel, is a refund . I don’t think we will sail P&O again :(
Sooo this is what was added on my statement 18/06/2023 15:33 E208 Room Service (24012267) £6.80 -£1.49. Total £5.31 This was the very last entry on my statement .
Wasn’t aware of this until I looked at my account the following day . I didn’t get an account summery delivered to the cabin . I was wondering ‘ why everyone else ‘ who was disembarking got a white envelope and I never saw one outside our cabin .
Hello Jamie, Wow what a shame too much queuing 🙄 Thanks for showing the reality . Do hope your Mum & Sister will try another cruise soon . Can you book a set time for evening meals yet?? Hope so have booked Brittania with set dinning 😂
We were saver fare so could not do fixed dining; it wouldn’t have worked either way. First sitting too early for us being in Port. Late sitting too late for my mum to eat. Otherwise you can’t Boole a specific time for dining - all pot luck
Very interesting video. I'm looking to do a similar itinerary next year, but starting to have second thoughts. The queues for dining & at the port in Cherbourg were quite off putting. I've only cruised with Thomson/Marella, so used to ships with about 1200-1800 passengers, but not sure if I could cope with a much larger ship. I've never queued for dining on 12 cruises, so that would be quite hard to adjust to.
I’ve queued like this before and I’ve done so many cruises with P&O and loads of other lines too - quite simply, not enough staff for number of passengers on this particular cruise
@@TravelBlogJamie we have cruised a few times with PO pre covid did a mini cruise Easter 2022 on Brittania didn't enjoy it food had gone downhill and wait times to tables were ridiculous We are booked on another mini cruise on Ventura in a few weeks and hoped things had improved,previous trip on Ventura a few years ago was amazing Worried now Came off Marella Explorer a week ago only had to wait for a table once Mind you food has gone downhill on there too
You were on my cruise and I didn't even see you once lol. The Bay of Biscay on that water day after having hit Cherbourg, France was horrible at night, beds tossing and turning everywhere. You probably saw me, I was in a massive group of teenagers we were all about 15-18. I bet I'm going to end up seeing myself in this video hahahahaha.
Jamie, I have just come back from my Birthday Cruise with P&O Ventura below is my review: When I went before the cabin stewards would be available all the time and were very friendly and would make up the room every single time you left the cabin. That’s now not the case I only saw our steward once a day and he would never change the bed even when I requested that it be change three times. I ended up cleaning the room myself. - Dinner was at a set time In the Baytree, the same time everyday with no option to change or visit any other restaurant. - Service in the restaurant was very slow and etiquette rules were not followed. We were given two clearly dirty glasses with lip stick on them. - There were queues for everything (from car parking to the port buses to boarding and disembarking). - The staff were all new and did not speak English in most cases. It felt like we were bothering them even though we paid a lot to be on the ship. - The management did not care about the customer at all. - I was charged for something I did not order and when I called reception they promised to call back but never did. - P&O tried to charge for coaches out of a dangerous port which was completely Ridiculous and got overruled eventually. - There was no photography service on Formal Night like before. P&O tried to blame Covid which was a useless excuse! - Overall atmosphere was bland and Ventura did not offer much to do. Service was poor and I miss the old P&O service.
Just come off 35 day cruise on this ship. Exactly the same issues but the return at the end of the cruise was a disgrace - I have cruised for 25 years always with P&O hate to think of how much I have spent. The Holiday app does not work etc etc. P&O need to get a grip or they will loose many loyal customers.
Great video👍. On the canapes - we've cruised with P & O in a suite a few times where you get canapes each evening. First thing we do now is ask for them not to be delivered. All I can say is you had a lucky escape by not getting them😂, they are famously bad - normally soggy bread with something squeezed onto it🤢
Oh Jamie… what a shame 😢this was very informative all though I hope this queuing situation will be resolved, Ventura has always been one of our favourite ships and we are due to sail on her next year!! I can see why your mum is not overly impressed with cruising, it must have been very frustrating for you when you know this is not the normal way of things… maybe mum will give it another go and she will see and experience cruising the way we all do x
I'm going on my very first cruise in July 2024 and we're going on the Ventura. I hope they get the queues sorted however the food looks fab!! I'm very nervous about boats and I get sea sick but I'm so looking forward to it. Fab video video by the way xx
Thanks for another awesome video Jamie 🤩 Honest, helpful, and entertaining as ever 😊 Its such a shame that P&O got those elements so wrong (especially canapé-gate!) - it's not surprising that you won't be back on for a while. We will let you know if its any better when marina is onboard 😬 Some fantastic ports though and so great that you were able to sail with your mum and sister 😊 Very exciting about Florida as well!
I was on this cruise too with my extended family and I was in the Orsava Suite on the stern with my daughter and her family in an inside cabin next door. We didn’t like the suite or the cruise that much and certainly wouldn’t rush to sail on her again unless the itinerary was key or post refit. We had breakfast in the Epicurean each morning and to be fair the service there was pretty good, apart from that everything was pretty meh 😬
Fantastic informative video as always Jamie! I do however feel for those waiters/other workers. They are overworked and stressed to high heavens! Bless them.
Thank you. I feel for them too and it makes me annoyed that management know they can’t cope with the volume of guests - sail with fewer passengers whilst there aren’t enough crew is what I would like to see
Shame about the long waits for MDR. We sailed Ventura post Covid last year with no problems. Short wait for breakfast whenever we turned up and same for dinner, though we usually went at opening time.
Just got of the 5 night France rotterdam, the ship was better than expected, decor , entertainment was upbeat loved the wrap round promenade deck , we didn't have to wait in the MDR shared with other people , For me put deck 7 on the QM2 itle be perfect
Hi, I was on the Ventura in March I went to the Canary Islands. It was my very first cruise and we will have to wear masks everywhere. The ship is a beautiful ship. I think it needs a update.
I was draw to this video because of the title. The wife and I cruised on ventura last October and definitely felt there wasn't enough staff. Low and behold 2 minutes into the video we see ourselves. We're now committed to the rest of the video 😂
Have to agree it's was definitely a mixed experience on that cruise. We dubbed it P&O Queues's. After 3 days we kicked up such a fuss that we were given a dedicated table in the MDR that we could just turn up to, we nicknamed it the naughty table. We also had breakfast in the epicurean. As a result we've changed all our future cruises to set dining. As for the actual cruise, ports and excursions we thoroughly enjoyed it.
My family and I spent a week on the Ventura it was brilliant we didn’t queue for anything so I think Jamie was on the wrong ship or the wrong frame of mind I’m not sure witch & food was top class and the service was brilliant I Would do it every year well done P &O
Hmmm nope - as someone who’s sailed on Ventura many times before, I wasn’t on the wrong ship or the wrong state of mind. Did you not see the queues we experienced in this vid? And did I not say the food was great? 🤔
@@TravelBlogJamie yes Jamie I did see the one queues but when we went on the Ventura we were able to book are times witch we did ,had no queues sorry for my sense of humour earlier but you got to look on the bright side, bit picky about the cold toast,
@@johnbenham6658 it is possible to have completely different experiences isn’t it; we weren’t on the same cruise after all - it was one of the worst we’ve had in over 50 cruises unfortunately. I don’t doubt yours was wonderful, and I’m pleased for you but ours wasn’t. You have focused on my negatives and not the positives i mentioned. I know people on Ventura right now and they are horrified by the queues to eat and this really needs attention. We really wouldn’t cruise on Ventura again in a long while after this experience but I hope those who do have a great time. There’s a ship for everyone.
Another honest and quality vlog. Sadly on a cruise in September with ventura my parents in law didn't have a good experience on a similar level. Hopefully your mum and sister won't be permanently put off from cruising.
Hello jamie I am NEW to CRUISING, and am in a wheelchair , please can you give us info how to board ? X many thanks we sail from the 6th to the 16th of MAY 2023 MARILYN & STEVE BLAKEMAN
@@marilynblakeman5380 you’ll be given assistance on arrival at the terminal. Boarding is fully accessible. If you want peace of mind you can always contact P&O im advance with any Qs or requests
You are encouraged to do your own, but it wasn’t obligatory and you don’t have to show evidence. For particularly long cruises / some countries, you might be asked to do so.
One time, we were in a very nice famous steak house. We ordered our food. Then, a waiter arrived and very carefully picked up all of our cutlery one by one and placed them on a fancy silver platter. He then left. Several minutes later, all our food was delivered by someone else. Well, we thought that was extremely funny! We were left with gorgeous food with no cutlery to eat it in the end!
