Believe it or not there are still those people who think that cruising is just for people of 70 plus and their parents. One of the stereotypes that go along with this misconception is the image of the nearly dead playing shuffleboard on deck before they have a cup of cocoa and take their afternoon nap.
Well, shuffleboard may be still a fun game to play but today’s older generation prefers something a bit more exciting.
Yesterday as I toured the Ventura I saw that the future of deck activities was already here and that came in the form of the Circus School located on the top open deck at the aft part of the vessel. This involves a Circus trampoline set where guests are strapped to a harness and with views of the Med or the Caribbean bounce, summersault and generally have fun and hundreds enjoyed this experience on the ship’s maiden voyage. Nobody more so I was told by the ship’s vibrant Cruise Director Neil than Mr. Stan Woods who at the age of 84 had the time of his life and caused crowds to gather to watch this young at heart pensioner on the trampoline……………….that for me once and for all dispenses with the shuffleboard and cocoa image.
The Circus School also includes learning the art of trapeze as well as stilt walking and circus clowning and you can imagine how popular this was on the first cruise and how popular it will be for each future cruise.
If you want to see the experts perform then this is the place as the Cirque Ventura performers amaze you with Acro – Balance, Chinnese Pole acrobatics and Tight – Wire shows plus much much more………….watching someone fly through the air on a trapeze………….who would have thought that you would ever see this on a ship.
Our tour was conducted by Cruise Director Neil who was accompanied by three charming gentlemen from P & O’s shore side management all of which made Heidi and I feel very special and very much at home. It was the ship’s embarkation day and once again I felt humbled that these chaps had taken the time on the busiest day of the cruise to look after us.
The “at home” theme was something that generated from everyone we met onboard and from the ship itself. The decor is that of something that would not look out of place on the front cover of Country Living or Home and Garden with just the right amount of traditional P & O traits with the latest groundbreaking technology.
We started off in the lobby which reminded me of a 5-star boutique hotel oozing with comfortable sofas and chairs which are highlighted by sleek mood lighting. It was therefore no surprise that many guests had decided to leave exploring the ship a little while longer as they sank into the oversized sofas and enjoyed a cocktail.
When they did take the time to explore the ship they like me would have been amazed at what they discovered. Once again it has been designed to maxime the public space to the full. I know I keep banging on about comfortable seats but it is a pet hate of mine. You can have the most up to date lounge brimming with plasma screens and more gadgets than Sharper Image but if the chairs are as uncomfortable as using sandpaper instead of toilet paper…………..what’s the point…………………Ventura’s lounges are some of the very best I have seen on any ship…………………for example.
Las Ramblas……………designed around the famous cosmopolitan center of Barcelona complete with Tapas, Paella and huge jugs of Sangria.
The Pub……….Now this is interesting. Not only is this one of the best lounges on the ship complete with British draught and bottled beers including one called Old Speckled Hen but………..it is the only lounge on the ship where smoking is allowed ……………… yep ………… just one lounge and even this has a non smoking section. I spoke in depth to Neil about this and he told me that guests are more than happy to have just one area to smoke in. It was also interesting to discover that on the Ventura smoking is forbidden in all passenger cabins although it is permitted on the balconies…………..I wonder if P & O are setting a trend here……………..I think maybe…………..they probably are.
The ship is bristling with activities and I have to say that probably one of the most impressive areas were those designed for the kids and teens. These are broken up in the usual age brackets with special rooms reserved for the youngest to the teens. However, there were two areas where I came away from thinking………………this is just brilliant.
First of all there is a huge open deck space…………………just for teens. This included a life size chess set and other games as well as music and most importantly a place just to “hang” with other people away from Mum and Dad and hopefully to experience that first kiss.
However, the scene stealer was the cresh. This was a room where parents can leave children aged 6 months and up while Mum and dad enjoy a romantic dinner free from the crying and being puked on. The room the highly trained staff do this in was just beautiful especially the little beds with the child’s name written above them……………..this was the first time I had heard of a cruise line excepting babies and I know for many parents this is one of the deciding factors when the book.
One thing is for sure…………….on the Ventura……………..the kids are in a safe paradise all of their own and the facilities are quite simply……………the best I have ever seen.
While the kids are having fun Mum and dad are enjoying world-class shows and entertainment with three different shows a night at three different performance times. This is very clever scheduling and means that passengers always have multiple choices on what they want to see. Shows include lavish productions with names like Grande Illusion and Explosion….names Heidi associates with my ability to be romantic and my bottom.
I was thrilled to hear that the cast also perform full show called Plunda on the open deck. There is a full stage there and it must be quite a sight to see this Pirate based show performed under the stars.
At dinner you have the option of anytime dining or set seating in one of the two dining rooms.
Good……………lets talk about food some more and at this point I want to say hello to one of our guides P & O’s Head of Brand Marketing Philip Price who is a regular blog reader.
Hello mate.
Philip had read an old blog where I visited another vessel (which shall remain nameless) for the day and they fed me bugger all. However, he did not want to follow in the Emerald Princess’s footsteps so at 12:15 pm Philip led us to the dining room …………… or ………in this case……………..Heaven.
I had heard that the food on a P & O ship was of the highest order as I put my food critic hat on I was ready to see if that was the case………………..it was………………and then some.
We ordered from the regular lunch menu which was full of British traditional dishes and obviously at the top of the list was that most traditional of British foods…………………Curry.
Along with a taste of India or Manchester in this case there was a choice of Fish, Chips and Mushy Peas and there lying amongst one of the most comprehensive lunch menus I have ever seen I struck gold……………………..in the shape of a Yorkshire Pudding complimented by Roast Beef and horseradish sauce……………….the rest is history ……………… and so was the Yorkshire Pudding.
The food was magnificent and if Mr. Diabetes had not come to stay I would have indulged in the Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert. Both Heidi and I came away from lunch thinking we had just enjoyed one of the best meals we had ever had………….Heidi said her fish and chips were divine.
Along with the regular dining rooms there are two more dining areas. The first has a menu designed by one of the UK’s most famous celebrity Chefs Marco Pierre White whose reputation as one of the most adventurous Chef’s in the world have his restraunts as the place to be and be seen and the same can be said for his restaurant on Ventura which has a small surcharge…….the price of an appetizer in land based eateries. Chef White has also gone into partnership with the famous jockey (that’s horses not music) Frankie Dettori and they have a brilliant Pizzeria and ice cream parlor on one of the open decks….no charge here except to the tailor who you will have to pay to loosen your pants.
However, although I did not get to eat there the place that drew my attention more than any other eating area was a restaurant called east. I read the menu and although I had just eaten a Yorkshire pudding the size of Jennifer Lopez’s bottom …………it made me feel hungry immediately.
East uses a fusion off…………well…………..I have no idea but with things like Japanese Short Ribs and Carpaccio of Spiced Yellowtail on the menu it looked and I am sure tasted amazing. This was confirmed by Neil who said that it was immensely popular with many people ignoring the regular restaurant and heading………………. East.
Oh my goodness there is so much I still need to mention from the amazing Spa complete with all the usual suspects plus new treatments designed to pamper you and relax you like never before. There is the beautiful art gallery…………..no auctions on this ship ………… just a very cool and relaxing way to walk among works of art and if you see one you like…………..you buy it. …………………very impressive.
You know, the Ventura’s tag is “The Superliner Designed for Britain”……………..and indeed it is with loads of Britishness all over the place. However, I think they may be doing themselves a little injustice here. When you think about it there are very few differences between you and us…………..OK…………..we may drive on the correct side of the road and pronounce our words correctly but…………….we all love the best in cruising and certainly that is what I discovered here on the Ventura…………..so I hereby am unofficially changing the Ventura’s tag line……………Ventura……………..the Superliner designed for Britain………and her former colonies.
So, if you are in thinking about a vacation in the UK why top off your visit with a cruise on the Ventura…………….the Superliner designed…………………..for you.
This is the only ship I have seen where a beautiful photo and dedication plaque of the Godmother is featured in a prominent position on board. We should all do that.
I want to say a big thank you to our hosts Neil, Tim, Anthony and Philip for giving Heidi and I a wonderful day.
One last thing………………..I saw a comment slapped on the blog from a somewhat annoyed blogger who thought that occasionally the blog read like an advert for the Corporation’s ships. Well, thinking about it………….occasionally I guess it does. I have written reviews on the Emerald Princess and the Cunard Liners Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria and now Ventura.
You know, I read many cruise ship reviews by people with more writing talent in their big toe than I will ever have………………however………………I get very annoyed when I read reviews that are nothing but critical. I guess I review our Corporation’s ships through the eyes of someone who just loves ships and is proud that our 86 vessels are so diverse yet each one offers the chance to experience a brilliant vacation………………….so I apologize for the odd time when I do write about our sister companies and if it seems like I am trying to get people to experience a wonderful vacation onboard them ……………… well………………that’s because………….I am.
One more thing, I have just been given something called a Flip video camera. This is supposed to allow me to post up to 3 minutes of video on my thingy. Unfortunately, considering I have the brain of an amoeba it may take me a few days to figure this out. When I do, you can expect lots of videos from the Carnival Splendor set up and from the bedroom. …………….. Won’t need the full 3 minutes. 
)
Goodnight
Your friends
John and Heidi
Filed under: Europe, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: P&O, Ventura
She is lovely… no, not Heidi although she certainly is… The Ventura, she’s lovely. She’s at once elegant, comfy, homey and dazzling. Amazing looking vessel, just amazing.
John, I can’t blame you one bit for being so impressed and vocal about the Carnival family’s ships. I don’t care who you are or what you sail, these ships are gorgeous. Just when I think I’ve seen the most glamorous, amazing ship ever built you visit one more ship and I am again forced to rethink my position.
Did you happen to get a chance to talk to Mr. Stan Woods??? Did you happen to ask if he might prefer a rock wall to the trampoline?? I’m betting I know the answer.
How exciting to hear about your Flip thingy… I can’t wait to see more video blogs!! Study hard, John, we’re ready and waiting to see the first production from the Blog Thingy studios!!!
Cheers, mate!
GregB
Hi John,
Carnival suggested I contact you through your blog to see if you knew which were the formal nights on the Splendor September 11, 2008 out of London. Also, how soon can we book the Supper Club?
My hubby and I were on the Liberty with you and Heidi in the Med two years ago and we are really looking forward to another wonderful cruise. You are both fantastic!
Hi John,
The Ventura sounds like a great ship and I think it is a wonderful idea to have smoking in just one area. I know smokers have the right to smoke, but two years ago I was traveling on the Star Princess for my 2oth wedding anniversary when at 3 am the fire alarm sounded! I ran out on my balcony to find the ship engulfed in flames, midship, not 20 cabins away while flaming embers assailed me. This was all due to a careless smoker on a balcony!!! 120 cabins were destroyed, a number of people lost their belongings and thankfully, only one person died due to cardiac arrest(although that was one too many)! A lot of people do not listen during the drills about cigarette warnings on deck and balconies. The crew on the Star were superb and did their jobs well!!! We did not get released from our muster stations until around 11 am and thankfully, we did not have to abandon ship until we reached our next port in Jamaica to be flown home by Princess. They were wonderful in how everything was handled! THanks for letting me vent! Linda A
Love the Ventura! Great review John.I guess the suit Heidi is wearing is the one you bought her. She looks great. Well done John!! No word about leaving computers and blackberry thingys ummmmm!!Now you have a new thingy. Oh my God! You got no remedy!
LOL
Heidi!!!!!
One big huggo for both.
BTW even Lauren made a comment about your hugs. Your hugs are also getting famous. HA!
John, I do agree with you about the chairs on Carnival ships they are either so narrow that when I go to get out of them they rise of the floor attached to me. Then you have the open area comffy chairs that you fall so far down into them you need 2 men and a boy to pull you up out of them. On the BC on the Freedom I found the seating in the main lounge very shallow(front to back) that if your had a back porch like mine I ended up near the front edge of the seat that had very little support. Thus for the whole show I felt like I was sliding off the seat.
Heidi, John didn’t point it out but if that’s the new suit John got you for your birthday it looks really nice.
John, with that new video thingy you can give us 2 1/2 minutes of the Splendor and a 30 second cartoon filmed in your bedroom.
BIG ED
The pictures make me want to pack my bags and set sail right not. Ohhhh…the sticky toffee pudding sounds devine.
Looking forward to the Splendor pics and videos.
Hi John,
What a great blog today. The Ventura is amazing! I can’t even imagine a circus on the upper deck of a moving cruise ship! How exciting! I would probably be up there all the time watching all the excitement and miss everything else! I can’t believe an 80 year old man jumping on a trampoline…. I can’t even imagine me on a trampoline! But the thought of all this stuff sure makes you wish you were a kid again, huh?
The areas for the teens and the tots are great! What neat things they have for them. My grandkids would probably go and hide somewhere so they wouldn’t have to get off the ship.
I really enjoy the blogs about the other ships and cruise lines. Gives a person a better idea of what is out there and what they have to offer.
I also like the idea of the Godmothers picture being placed in a prominent position on the ship. What a nice way to honour (spelled correctly?) her.
The pictures are all great! Thank you for sharing!
Hello to Heidi! Have a great holiday you two! We will look forward to reading blogs when you get back!
Barb
dude! i have that same flip video thingy and i cannot get one to post for the life of me, but then i don’t have the lovely stephanie to help! it is a fun little thing though if i could just make it post!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Though I am a newbie to Carnival – 2 cruises with 3 more booked – I have throughly enjoyed both of them and have no desire to try any other lines right now. However, I do think your ship blogs are a great chance for me to sample the rest of the Corporation and see where else I might like to go one day!
Good Day John & Heidi,
Our group is getting very excited about our Splendor sailing together on July 2nd, just 60 days to go!!! WOO HOO!!!
We are looking forward to seeing more on the Splendor from you fancy new camera and would love to hear about any special events you might be planning for the 1st sailing. Any chance we can do a Bloggers cocktail party????
Many of us are also waiting for the Splendor to be added to the Supper Club RSVP page… You made us hungry describing your meals on the Ventura!
Take Care and Have a Wonderful Week,
Does the annoyed blogger expect you to write about a competing companies ships. DUHhhh of course you will write about the company you work for.
As for the videos from the bedroom… please please make sure we see more of Heidi and less of you… LOL.
John, it is with the most utmost respect that I thank you for addressing my comment. I will be the first to tell anyone to sail on Carnival before any other cruise line without a doubt!
Golfnfire, I love reading about the many sailing ships of the Carnival Corporation, but the issue which was bugging me was the fact that these blogs started to sound like an advertisement. John always writes about his personal experiences and never lets anything else get in the way, but there are quite a number of blogs where I could have sworn I was reading a banner advertisement instead of hearing the real inside information.
Anyway keep on blogging John and thanks for being understanding!
Hi John,
Host Mach gave us a suggestion.. to contact you.. we are a group of members over at cruise critic..theres about 39 of us from our roll call meeting Sunday May 18 on the MIRACLE!
Can you offer any suggestions on where to meet?
Thanks!
Thanks for the past few weeks of blogs. I have really enjoyed the read. I just wondered if you have ever reviewed a HAL ship? All the ones I have been on have had lovely pictures of their respecive Godmothers in a very prominent place. It will be exciting to see the pictures of the Queen of Holland, Beatrix, when she christens the Eurodam on July 1 in Rotterdam. I wonder if you will be able to go to that event or will you be to busy on yourown brand new ship? I hope that Heidi and you will have a RELAXING and RESTFUL three or so weeks before you have to head off to get the new ship on her way – heaven knows, you two have had quite a hectic time since leaving the Caribbean!!!!!! Take god care and have fun!!!!!!
VIDEO’S FROM THE BEDROOM!! OH NO!!!
AND WHAT DID TO SAY JOHN THAT YOU DID NOT DO UNTIL YOU WERE 27!!!
PLEASE BE CAREFUL! and you know we love ya!
Paula and Nelson Baker
did I read this wrong or did you not like emerald princess?
Jan
Jan Reem,
The problem with the Emerald Princess was then did not feed him, the poor boy. That’s all.
BIG ED
John,
It would be fun to have you on my show as a guest. I too was a CD…it’s the best job in the word! Only wish I could have the luxury of bringing my wife on the ship with me. Wouldn’t be able to do it these days anyways, because I’ve got my 7 year old son now. I’ve noticed you nearly always rave about other ships you visit, especially the Carnival Corp ships….is there a ship you’re not crazy about?
Barry
Hi John,
Please do keep blogging about the other cruise lines that belong to the Carnival Corporation! I love Princess! I have been reading your blog from day 1, and your passion for Carnival encouraged me to go on my first Carnival cruise in over 10 years, and it was fabulous. I find your blogs about the other cruise lines in the Carnival Corporation to wonderfully informative. Who knows..in 2 years DH and I might be on a Cunard cruise…the brochure arrived in the mail today.
John,
Come on… come on… get on the bike!!! That is quite a story about the 84 year old man. The Ventura looks like a very classy ship.
_BigMike
Director of Heald Security
John,
I’m starting to think you might be in need of a personal ship touring assistant. Therefor I would love to apply for that position. I don’t have any certificates for this job. but I think i am qualified and very willing. I can also carry luggage that contains small houses, ships, boats, and cars. I would also love to assist with the taste testing, in seeing food is my passion in life. Heidi once again you looked like Uma but better. I hope that outfit is the one John bought you for your birthday. The only request I have for the video is please be wearing clothing in them. Boxers aren’t considered clothing. So in closing I think you need someone to enjoy all of this along with Heidi, but the beauty is I can help with the luggage. Let me know.
Kevin
PS If I can’t be your assistant can I get a job as Carnival Corp. official seat checker and taste tester. I would love to go to work every day then.
Crack me up — curry as the ultimate traditional British dish. Of course, once I saw curries in pubs (and that was over 10 years ago), I knew it was all pervasive. But, it’s still funny.
Indian food is to Britain what Mexican food is to
America — everywhere and much loved.
I have to admit the Ventura sounds wonderful. You won’t catch me on any trampoline, but the on-deck pirate rampage sounds like a total blast. And, the dining options sound more interesting to me than American-oriented cruises.
There could very well be a Ventura cruise in my future. The research begins now!
Thank you John & Heidi for the wonderful review of the Ventura. Some people may complain that you are reviewing “other” ships, but what they need to understand is you are introducing your readers to other lines still within the same family that may be something they may want to cruise on in the future. I am one of Carnival’s biggest fans, but sometimes you need a change. We tried HAL 5 years ago and had a wonderful time. It was an older crowd, but we still had a great time and met wonderful people.
Thank you for sharing information on other family members within the company.
Looking forward to updates on the Splendor. The videos will be a nice addition. We look forward to seeing ONLY the ship, PLEASE!
Waving Hi to John from the Carnival Freedom, hitting Funchal tomorrow. Have been too busy to check in, but the Ventura looks lovely!
You really need to send poor Todd a letter of sympathy. He’s got quite a few sods on this sailing who are 11 bottles short of a dozen.
Just had to share with you my posting for CM from last night. Think it may give you a chuckle.
Seniors Escape Florida Asylum – Discovered on Carnival Freedom
- an on the scene report
I’ve just returned to the cabin after dinner in the Posh Dining Room. The waiters sang and danced tonight, but that wasn’t the only entertainment provided.
According to today’s Carnival Capers tonight’s scheduled entertainment was the Guest Talent Show. But I had no idea they’d be entertaining in the showroom and the dining room.
During dinner tonight, at the 3rd table over from us a man, who I’d estimate to be in his mid-70s, attacked a table-mate, also of the same “vintage”, and held a knife to his throat. It would have been more fitting perhaps, if it was a butter knife, but it was a knife from the tableware. Thankfully it didn’t appear that the man had his own teeth, so he hadn’t ordered the steak, and it was a simple table knife.
At first I imagined that since a second serving of bread is sometimes difficult to come by in the dining room, they were fighting over a dinner roll, or perhaps the attacker had lost 80 cents to the victim playing bridge or gin rummy earlier in the day.
The incident was brought under control almost immediately by a group of vigilante 90 year olds who’d organized earlier in the day (just before their naps), to help take back our decks and restaurants and hallways from the younger criminal element, who calls themselves AARP, who’ve slowly been trying to take over the ship.
They had taken to drag racing their walkers up and down the indoor Promenade Deck (too windy outside), putting other less agile passengers at risk, and continuing this activity late into the night… well past 9 PM.
Rumors abound that for security purposes the Captain is going to put a 9PM curfew in place for everyone over 65. There’s simply no controlling them!
Alright, I admit to taking literary license with the last few paragraphs, but indeed, for the first time ever on any cruise I’ve been on I saw another passenger (and he is at least in his 70s), attack another passenger, and he did indeed put a knife to his throat. And I’ll admit it wasn’t over a dinner roll. It was in fact over a woman at the table.
They were all traveling single, and one man decided his friend was trying to move in on “his woman”, and that set off the incident.
When I spoke to Dino, the Maitre d’ in the dining room, and learned the fight was over a woman, I looked over at the elderly women at the table, and I told Dino I wouldn’t even give up my dessert for any one of them, let alone fight over them.
There truly are some people on this ship who are going NUTS… or more likely they got on the ship that way. I occasionally joke about more elderly passengers on longer sailings, trying to keep it all in good-natured fun, but there’s a serious problem with some of the people on this ship.
Perhaps Carnival is going to have to think about implementing a policy, similar to their age restriction for guests under 21 who must travel with a guardian, for crazy crotchety old folks.
Hi John,
Have to say I am not crazy about the smoking policies. If I can’t smoke in my room where I am not bothering any non-smokers, then oh well…I guess we would have to find another vacation plan. At least hotels have some smoking rooms. Sorry to be so blunt. But smokers tend to be non-vocal as we know this is a very bad habit, and I for one am perfectly willing to smoke only in allowed areas-and I try not to bother anyone. I am careful- and I realize that when you combine drinking and smoking-some people are not careful. But having only one area on the whole ship to smoke? That’s crazy. And we can’t afford a balcony every cruise. So there are several lines we already won’t cruise and if it becomes all the lines, then I will be sad, but our business may not make much of a dent.
Jane,
I agree with you 100%. Until it is illegal to make and sell cigarettes then smokers should have the same rights as an other minority. If 30% of people still smoke it should be required that all ships have at least 30% of the ship smoking. Where is the ACLU on this issue.
I respect non-smoking areas but I hate those non-smokers who come into an approved smoking area and set there and give you dirty looks every time you light up. Or sit there fanning smoke away while making sure you see them doing it. I had one woman that sat down at a table in the casino that had 4 people, all smokers, already sitting there and playing and she started that fanning BS. One of the other players said to her If you don’t like the smoke you can move. She did leave and went to the table right next to us where the dealer was just standing at an empty table. Why she didn’t sit at that table in the first place I have no idea.
BIG ED
SMOKERS HAVE RIGHTS TOO
John -
I have nominated you for the Vanna White award for your picture pointing out the exercise bikes on the Ventura. Priceless.
Jon
John
I’m going to follow in your footsteps and always have my picture taken in the exercise room. With a suit on. At least I can prove that I went to the gym.
John N
Hey, why not be corporate….that’s what you do.
We are home. We are pooped, we had fun, the ship was great and beautifully maintained, the food good, the tours well planned, snacks great, and Stuart Dunn a real winner. The interior was chaotic for me, and the stern had a tiny odd, wiggle. We will do the 4 day just to see Cabo again…and Mr. Dunn, of course.
He reports that you will someday be a biggie on the world stage. We agree. Thanks for being here.
John, Please Respond!
Hi John,
I’m actually dropping you a request. I’m part of a Cruise Critic Roll Call, about 70 members who are sailing on the Miracle on June 2nd. We would love to have a room for a Meet & Greet on the first sea day! We were thinking 1pm, if thats okay. Thanks so much, I hope you’re still up to doing these, with everything else you have going on. To be even more bold and obnoxious, is there any way we could have a waiter or bartender for drinks? ; )
Thanks again!
Big Ed -
We could have long discussion about the smoking issue – I agree with you that smokers have rights too, but it is their habit that infringes on the space of non-smokers, not the other way around. After all, cigar and pipe smoking is restricted to one area on the ship only – personally, I like cigars and would love to smoke one while playing blackjack or poker, but I am not allowed.
Generally, when on a cruise, we can not enjoy the casino because of the smoking issue. My suggestion to Carnival is that they establish non-smoking periods in the Casino, giving the non-smokers the chance to use the Casino unimpeded by the issue of smoke.
For example, would it be so difficult to have one night per cruise where smoking in the Casino is prohibited? No smoking before say five PM on sea days? I also think that smoking during the tournaments should be prohibited, again to give all persons the chance to participate.
Just suggestions – both sides of this debate must compromise to reach an equitable solution. I only hope that these solutions can be reached in time for the Blogger’s Cruise next February.
See you then
JustJon
Hi John
Hope all’s well. I just got off Ventura in Southampton and your right, it’s a lovely ship.
Hope to see you sometime again on Carnival, have a great summer.
All the best
Jeff ( Comedian)
Hi John & Heidi,
What a cool ship! Heidi, the suit is stunning (I assume it’s your “Birthday Suit”).
I totally agree with Big Ed on the smoking policy. Even though I never smoke in my cabin (or inside my home either), I do smoke on the balcony and the approved smoking areas. Maybe that’s one of the reasons I’m not crazy about the Fantasy-class ships – I usually don’t have a balcony cabin and have to go somewhere where smoking is permitted. It is my right, just as it is non-smoker’s rights not to go there.
Anyway, enjoy the rest of your time off.
Hugs,
Carol
Another great blog John….once again, I love the pictures. Heidi, you are beautiful!
Hugs,
Lori
John:
A beautiful ship and Heidi looks especially lovely in her birthday gift. ( I started to type birthday suit…and then thought better of it!)
I, too, applaud the new smoking regulations I read about. Sadly, smoking in one’s cabin does not stay in that cabin. On our Miracle cruise, the hallways looked like a fog machine all the time.
Folks, smoking in their cabins, were keeping their cabin doors open, so that they would not have to sit in their own waste. We had to keep a towel under our door to try (sadly unsuccessfully) to keep it out of our cabin.
We were the lucky ones. One family had a child that had an asthma attack just leaving or entering their cabin. This was their first cruise and it is a good bet that they will never take another. (well, maybe on RCCL now that they don’t allow smoking in the cabins)
Having come from a family of smokers (my oldest sister died at the age of 54 from smoking) I truly understand how strong the addiction is.
Those who smoke (even though it is legal) should not be allowed to harm another human being; just like those who drink (even though it is legal) are not allowed to drink and drive.
This will always be a hot button issue, especially with Americans, because we don’t like being told what we can or can not do. But (if for no other reason than the sake of the children; since Carnival advertises itself as a family cruise line) this is an area where Carnival is way behind the times.
Speaking of cruising….we are headed out on the Legend next Sunday. We look forward to a wonderful time. DJ is going to try a ship excursion with Dad in Roatan. (Sea Spi) He is very excited. This will be the first excursion just he and Dad have done. In the past, Dad and Josh did all the “adventure stuff” ; while DJ and I walked around the port.
Get some rest and spend some “alone time” (minus any blogging equipment) with your wonderful wife who is so sweet to share your time with us.
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
John…
Sorry, I’m catching up on the blog and tardy in my posting… Thanks for working this weekend and taking us with you on the Ventura. You just might get us out there to taste this treat!!! (But for me, my first goal is Platinum on Carnival… then go out a try some of the others… I want to be sure my main squeeze gets private and priority attention…) This is definitely a tempting ship… you’ve made it come alive and put a desire in my heart!!!
As for today, Monday, and your time with Heidi… You’d better be giving up sleeping time to blog with us… ’cause I think Heidi will have plans for all your awake time and even some of that ‘twilight time…” Stay out of the doghouse, unless Heidi approves and invites you to blog… we WILL understand!!!
Happy romance!!
Lambie
In Memory Of Ernest
There are good times sailing.
We have always had memorable tablemates.
We now note the passing of Ernest, who sailed aboard the Carnival Freedom in her inaugural West Bound Transatlantic Crossing in the Fall of 2007, along with his lovely wife and a very good son.
Ernest was a good man, hailing from Missouri, who served in the South Pacific in World War II, was a school teacher to generations, inspired devotion in his wife, and respect in his sons.
We were honored to have met this quiet, vibrant man, with his full head of snowy white hair and bright eyes, and blessed to enjoy continued contact with his family.
Our thoughts are with them.
“Former colonies” indeed! When I read that, I got so agitated that I threw all my tea bags into the hot tub! So there! That’ll show you British!
)
(Just kidding
John, you don’t need to apologize for “advertising” for your corporation. One, it’s your blog. Two, since CCL pays for your spotted dick (and your food), you have every right to be biased in their favor. Three, even if your reviews are subjective rather than objective (and this is true of EVERYBODY’S reviews), they are full of useful information for people who are interested in cruising. And, four, nobody’s forcing those people to read your reviews. If they don’t find them worthwhile they should just skip to the next fart joke.
Hi John/Heidi:
A circus school? Are you kidding me? Seems like i have heard it all now.
Quite a description of the vessel. Thank you for taking the time to write in-depth about the boat. She seems like a beauty and i hope to one day be able to travel her across Europe.
I’m jealous with all these great vessels that you get to explore. Must be nice that it comes with the territory.
Great pictures. Thanks for including.
Hope everything else is going well.
Keep in touch!
David
Hi John & Heidi
Forget the so called critics. I truly enjoy all your reports from the ships visited this spring. It helps to light up my imagination and deisire to sail again soon.
Big Gracias!!!
Mary
John – much of the Ventura looks like a Princess ship, particularly the picture of Heidi with the pool in the background. That picture could have been taken on any of the Princess Grand class ships – looks exactly the same.
Anyway, I hope you will continue to promote CCL and all of the Carnival Corp brands. All of the info you post helps to promote the cruise industry. Even your comments about the ‘of the seas’ folks. There are so many misconceptions about cruising and the people who take cruises – such as the ‘newly wed, the nearly dead, and the overfed’ saying. Keep up the great work.
Dear John & Heidi
Wonderful Blog
Great Pictures, I hope that Heaid was weqring her “birthdaay suit” she looks beautiful. John you make us want to sign up for a P& O cruise immediately!, Sounds fandamtastic. who would have thunk it that you could have a circus on the “big top” of a cruise ship. I wouls have tried the sticky toffee pudding even though my body would have paid for it(masochist aren’t I?), and for all those nay sayers who complain for you “commercialism” on your blog, tough stuff” It keps us informed on whqts out there and we still love Carnival and all its sistah’ ships! Keep up the great work. Regqrding the smokimg thing. I beleive you all have right to smoke but I also think it need to be in an allotted space. I only say thqt because I am allergic to smoke and I am one of those like Jon that cannot frequent the casino because of the smoke otherwise I end up with an asthma attack and the Kahuna is the hypocritical ex smoker who waves his hanky. I appologize for him because he embarrasses me to no end with that! My only beef was that on the freedom was that we had to walk thru the cigar bar(aka smoke) to get to the smoke free area,) its the same in America we walk thru the smoke laden front doors to go into the smoke free restaurants, the smokeing areas need to be in the back not in the front, ok enough of my 2 cents
Have a wonderful romantic weekend
1/2 of The Tuckers
Elizabeth
hi, just come back from a week on ventura(may 2nd-9th iberian adventure) which was my first time cruising. the report doesnt do the ship justice, purely because she is absolutely amazing!! everything was perfect!!
Can’t wait to go on the Ventura, we are booked for October and taking the grandchildren with us. It sounds absolutely wonderful.
Well thank goodness that you and i share the same sentiments that the ventura ship is something special, i have just returned from a weeks cruising with my husband and two sons (ages 4and 7 ). The kids clubs and staff are wonderful, our cabin and cabin steward sharon were just perfect, all the shows, restaurants, and bars are beautiful, the staff are all so polite and well mannered,..and yet i write this because i am happy that it wasn’t just me and my family who thought the whole experience was wonderful, because all week, the older more seasoned cruisers bemoaned the size of the ship…too large! it had ( god forbid) children in the pool and no card room, the meals were cold..and i dont think they meant the salads!! these dears are of course entitled to their views just as you or i , but this ship is billed as a superliner, suitable for family cruising, so please…..do the rest of your co-guests a favour stop on child free ships, with card rooms and give p&o the recognition they derserve for wanting to build on a new generation of family holidays. and as a footnote my family have booked for two cruises on the ventura in 2009…that should in itself speak volumes…
we had sharon to, weren’t impressed at all tho!! the meals were fantastic, we ate in the cinnamon restaurant and it was perfect, food delicious!