Anyone been on P&O's Ventura ship?

judygarland

Thanks for your reply. I telephoned P&O in the end to ask which restaurants had a cover charge and they said that it was only the White Room. Which other restaurants did they charge this? Can you remember?

saveapenny

judygarland wrote: »

I must admit, I do feel sorry for the staff. They do really long hours. I always try and give them a good tip at the end of the week. We had a force 10 gale the once round the Bay of Biscay and even the staff were poorly. Imagine doing that every couple of weeks.

I must admit, I've seen so really dodgy shows on cruise ships. We had Demis Rousos the once and the Barron Knights! We lasted about 15 minutes. Some are quite amusing even though they are not supposed to be. We saw a Queen tribute the once and we were rolling around in the aisles! They had a podgy "Freddie Mercury" who's dancing was just hillarious. There is a clip in youtube from a P&O cruise of a Robbie Williams tribute act which looks quite good.

I think the best cruise I did for entertainment was the Airtours ship the Sunbird. It was absolutely hillarious. It was like Butlins at sea. There was Karoeke, a Mr & Mrs competition, antics in the pool and Millionaires evening. There was also a talent contest. It was all really tacky but very amusing at the same time.

A good tip for those interested on the trips, we always try and use a local taxi driver and get them to agree a rate for the day. We paid about £80 for 4 of us in Lisbon and he took us to all the touristy things and then to a restaurant the locals used for lunch. He waited outside. He spoke perfect English, giving commentary as we travelled. We were standing at a good viewing point and it started to rain, he appeared from no-where with umbrellas! The same trip organised by P&O would have been double that and you would have been with 50 other passengers. I would recommend having a chat to make sure they speak good English and it really adds to your trip. You get a local's perspective.

I've just been speaking to P&0 as there seems to be loads of restaurants and I wanted to know which charge a cover charge. There is only the White Room apparently.

I cant wait, counting down the days!

Thanks for the tip. We are on the Summit 29/4 leaving Southampton (if it arrives back from dry dock in time ) and Lisbon is a port we are really looking forward to.
Were the taxis dock side?

colmil

If you are going to Lisbon, I suggest that you do not take the trams from the dock entrance to the centre, on the way back, the local villians
lay in wait and pushed everyone onto the tram and at least six people lost their money and purses, including my partner.

It was very well organised and the we understand that it happens on a regular basis and the police do nothing to stop it, its not very far to the cruise terminal, take a taxi!

judygarland

saveapenny wrote: »

Thanks for the tip. We are on the Summit 29/4 leaving Southampton (if it arrives back from dry dock in time ) and Lisbon is a port we are really looking forward to.
Were the taxis dock side?

When we went there in 2004, there were about 10 taxi drivers waiting and I picked out the most presentable one and he was great. Spoke perfect English. He was in his 50's. Didn't really need to use public transport.

Kez100

I thought food was included on cruises? Is this a way of secretly increasing the prices? With all these cover charges do you not pay as much in tips?

madkitty

kez the additional restaurants to the main ones all charge a smal fee as the food is "supposed" to be better LOL

judygarland

madkitty wrote: »

kez the additional restaurants to the main ones all charge a smal fee as the food is "supposed" to be better LOL

When I telephoned P&0 they said that the only one that charges a cover charge on the Ventura is the White Room?

Kez100

Cruise critic says a few others charge too. As the guy who has been has quoted, I dare say.

madkitty

I have always known all ships tp charge for restaurants excluding the main one

judygarland

madkitty wrote: »

I have always known all ships tp charge for restaurants excluding the main one

I have sailed on the Oceana & Aurora previously and on both of these ships, there was only one that had a cover charge.

Im annoyed with P&O because I specifcally called them last week to ask which restaurants had a cover charge and they told me that it was just The White Room. Obviously got someone that didn't know what they were talking about.