P&O Cruises
P and O Cruises
Independent Expert Reviews by Professional Travel Journalists
P&O Cruises is entering a new era in 2008 with the introduction of the largest ship built specifically for UK cruise holidaymakers.
Ventura will be capable of carrying more than 3,000 passengers with a range of innovations designed specifically for families.
The introduction of the 116,000-ton ship in April will bring the P&O Cruises’ fleet up to six vessels, four of which are dedicated to family cruising.
And as yet an unnamed further new vessel is due for delivery in spring 2010, bringing the fleet up to seven ships.
P&O Cruises prides itself in offering passengers the most stylish and contemporary holidays afloat with destinations including the Caribbean, South America, Scandinavia, Mediterranean, Atlantic islands and round the world cruises.
With a fleet dedicated to the British market, the line carries more UK cruise passengers than any other.
With sailings from its home port of Southampton in the summer, the company excels in its professionalism and unrivalled experience, having been operating cruise ships for more than 170 years.
All ships in the fleet offer a range of facilities including theatres, nightclubs/discos, casinos, swimming pools, libraries, shops, cinemas, internet cafés, Jacuzzis, sporting equipment for golf, tennis, cricket, basketball and football, and an array of relaxation areas.
There is also a multitude of choice when it comes to dining with up to six restaurants and 12 bars on any one ship.
The five existing ships also feature P&O Cruises’ signature Oasis Spa. More extensive than on the other ships, adult-only Arcadia’s spa is vast offering a multitude of relaxation facilities including a thermal suite with steam rooms, heated loungers, aromatic jet showers, dry flotation suite and hydrotherapy pool.
Ventura’s unique features will include cuisine by world-famous triple Michelin-starred chef Marco Pierre White with Mediterranean fine dining in The White Room, the family-friendly Beach House restaurant, the pool-side Frankie’s snack bar and a menu devised for in-cabin dining.
Family friendly activities to feature on Ventura include digital Scalextric, a 3D cinema, circus skills training, children’s character Noddy and a rock school for teenagers.
Tate Modern, the UK's leading authority on modern art, will be on selected itineraries with talks, workshops and a range of cultural shore excursions.
A jazz bar called Metropolis is designed to bring the excitement of the world's coolest cities to the ship with its innovative 20 metre floor-to-ceiling video wall of real-time cityscapes and sunsets.
Action-packed shore excursions include nature trails, zip-wiring through the rainforest, scenic walking tours and specific family-friendly theme parks.
