P&O have been advertising Ventura for some time. There was a big advert on Oriana in the future cruise area. She will enter service in April 2008.
Instead of Gary Rhodes offering alternative dining such as aboard Arcadia, and now Oriana, on Ventura you will have The White Room created by Marco Pierre White, one of Britain's great culinary icons, will create fine select dining venue to Ventura according to P&O. I personally have never heard of him, but what do I know?!. I also don't believe in paying more for food. We pay enough in the price of our ticket anyway. The standard of that food is way above many restaurants shore side, so why pay more just because of a well known name?. I didn' try the Gary Rhodes restaurant on Oriana either. Why pay £15 when a very nice meal was already paid for?!.
Noddy will also be aboard Ventura. For the first time, according to P&O, this popular character will combine play and learning with a number of fun activities and entertainment tailored to 2-4 year olds.
Then there is the Tate Modern. Wacky and controversal they say, surreal or fun, modern art can provide an exhilerating and thought provoking experience. P&O Cruises has partnered with Tate Modern to host 'Introduction to Modern Art' themed cruises on Ventura.
This reminded me of art aboard Oriana. Along Deck 8 is the art gallery. I am no expert on art, but I was not the only passenger to pass comment, none of which were too complimentary. But art is in the eye of the beholder as they say?!. Every week were art auctions. Trolley upon trolley was wheeled from a store to the Pacific Lounge which was full of paintings for sale in edition to those displayed. This is a huge business. Every week for the 6 weeks, I was on board, fine art as they called it was on display taking up the entire Pacific lounge which is a large room. I cannot for the life of me think why people would want to buy art when on a cruise when they can do that at home. What is the point of paying a fortune going on a cruise, then spending a further fortune looking at art, and missing some of the cruise. Or am I missing a point here?!. These paintings, some of them huge will be delivered to peoples homes. They don't go in the suitcase!.
Anyway, if I ever go on Ventura, it will not be on her maiden cruise. I will give them chance to iron a few possible teething problems out first?!. David