Ventura Weekender
Despite P&O's new Ventura being another Grand class Princess whose sisters Crown Princess and Emerald Princess were already in service, to be followed in autumn 2008 by Ruby Princess, there was no hesitation booking the Weekender for the 12th-14th September 2008 when the cruises went on sale on the 2nd April 2007.  We certainly weren't swallowing the 'Superliner designed for Britain' claptrap so it was yet another research mission as we both wanted to try a Grand class and this was a cheap way to go about it.  The only problem was booking opened at 8.30am when I was out for Millennium sailing to refit so it was down to Pam to do it.  She had never gone direct before.  Online booking crashed so she phoned.  After trying to get through for 25 minutes she finally managed to book us mini suite L106.  There are only two on Lido deck forward so a prime position.  The idea of a suite came from Pam saying I could book what I wanted so I told her to be careful or I'd book a suite.  After that we talked ourselves into it.  Well I fancied trying out the butler while she wanted to play Lady Muck.  We hoped it was worth the price even though it was still cheaper than Princess Grill on QM2 for the same length. On the 18th March 2008, Amelia from P&O phoned Pam about the suite.  She said there had been design changes so there wouldn't have a whirlpool now, separate shower or dressing area.  Normal bathroom, wardrobes along the wall yet the cabin itself and balcony would be larger (and extra 35sq ft and 50sq ft respectively) but we can move if we wanted to.  Huh???  Makes no sense to change anything then.  Pam told her she'd discuss it with me and let them know but the following day she received another call.  They really wanted us out and suggested we moved to 411.  How????  They were waitlisted!  How far would they go to get and out and why?  Well she never heard from them after that. Ventura arrived on the 6th April and we began to view our trip with trepidation.  We hadn't expected her to be so ugly.  But then there are many ugly ships out there with spectacular interiors.  As the months passed many people gave the ship bad reviews while others said her interior was marvellous.  I'd even been told while on Independence of the Seas that Ventura had no 'Wow!' factor.  Artemis had surprised us.  Perhaps Ventura would as well.  Pam received the tickets in a nice wallet complete with P&O luggage tags.  Lovely!  Better than the normal cheapy thing. The day arrived and it wasn't too bad weatherwise.  Pam was stuck in traffic and the Boat Show this end didn't help.  We went to the terminal and the car parking people were messing up, with some cars in the row we were told to park over two spaces.  Pam said she wasn't going to take any photos of Ventura so I did, even of the rust down the side she spotted.  I'm afraid to say the ship is even uglier close up.  Her Princess sisters aren't the greatest design in the world but miles better aesthetically because they were meant for that line.
The queue into the terminal was horrendous, snaking onto the pavement.  The norovirsu forms were on a table outside rather than given you at check in.  No one told you they were there.  We just saw people crowded around a table and wondered what was going on.  Inside it was stifling but check in itself was a breeze.  We had the boarding photo taken and went on.  People were right.  There was no 'Wow!' factor whatsover.  The atrium was pretty drab compared to other ships we'd been on and the top of it reminded me of Arcadia's.  The cabins weren't ready until 2pm but that didn't stop us looking for ours anyway, peeking into a couple of others along the way.
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		(C) Copyright Patricia Dempsey 12th-14th & 21st September 2008 Not to be reproduced without permission