Outward crossing was very good.
Weather overall was good.
However, missed Pria Da Vitoria on the way home due to bad weather.
Crossing home was a bit rougher but nothing too uncomfortable.
Captain James Brown gave us regular updates keeping us informed throughout the cruise.
Had the usual liquid sunshine in the Caribbean which was refreshing at times.
Overall realy enjoyed the cruise.
As usual the staff and crew have been excellant.
Carrying out there duties with enthusiasum and a smile.
This is dispite the additional pressures put on them by under staffing in all areas.
The food offered onboard has deteriorated considerably.
Especially in the self service restaurant where food is often almost cold before plating it up.
The chips especially were always cold at lunchtime.
The food offered in the evening in the Waterside was generally somewhat better.
Starter dishes in the Baytree containing salad and bread were of poor quality.
Salad was going brown and the bread dry and turning up at the edges.
Clearly had been left standing for a long while.
The French onion soup was the worst I had ever tasted, god only knows what they had done to it.
Even the cheese on the bread was disgusting.
It appears the kitchen staff have been reduced to breaking point which is leaving us, the customer taking the brunt of it.
On one accasion the Plaice was really watery and slushy and totaly inedible.
When ordering steaks they always came over done.
The only time I ordered the sirloin steak it was full of sinew and again inedible.
The general quality of the food is poor.
With over a week to go stocks were running low.
No bananas or mushrooms etc left.
Ventura is going in for a refit at the end of this cruise.
Probably running all stocks down.
The ship was riddled with coughs and colds etc.
Yet, a lot of people were still ignoring washing of hands when entering the self service restaurant.
I even witnessed people picking up food with there hands instead of using the tongs provided.
The manners of some individuals really did leave a lot to be desired.
Some of the entertainment was good but some if it was pretty rubbish.
They are still utilising buskers onboard.
This has to be some of the lowest form and most boring entertainment provided by P&O over the years.
It appears to be that most things onboard are governed and run from Head Office in Southampron these days.
This really has had a downward effect overall.
All they seem to be doing is trying to penny pinch everywhere and this really is affecting the overall quality of cruising.
From reducing staff to the quality of products the effects are clear to be seen.
When will somebody at the top intervene and realise enough is enough.
For over 26 years we have been travelling with P&O and would very much like to continue.
So will someone please take note and actually do something to stop the rot.
Getting back to our cruise.
We had some good times with old and new friends.
We love getting away from the miserable weather at home during the winter months.
So good to get some sunshine and to get outside in the fresh air We had a most enjoyable time.
Its a shame Ventura will not be doing the Caribbean in future.
However, we are skipping next year as we will NOT do Iona or Arvia.
So in 2028 we have booked Brittania.
This is the biggest we will do.