Read the previous comments - few points to raise as we too were on that cruise. We had club dining, which was fine BUT quality of food at the Waterside buffet was decidedly lower than on previous cruises with virtually no prepared salads (Waldorf, Florida, etc) just individual trays of lettuce, toms, etc. Very little fresh fish available. Not much in the way of decent seafood except on "special" buffet days.

I think everybody should have a choice of Club or Freedom dining, whicever works best for the individuals concerned. Fully agree about Exchange Bar comments - wrong place to have smokers as it was the only place to view sports channels BUT I feel they should have a bar where they can go and have a social chat and cigarette with their drinks. As non-smokers, we found it impossible to enjoy the Exchange Bar fully. Public rooms OK, Theatre layout and seating was really good - the best we have found so far - but we disagree about the standard of the evening shows. People were walking out of the "Theatre Company" staged shows, and for the first time ever we actually walked out of a show. The only full house for them was the one featuring The Musicals. Agreed fully about the comedian Kev Orkian - he was absolutely brilliant and the full theatre demonstrated just what an appreciative audience was on board the ship. Likewise the lecturer Phil Holt, who was really popular. Why P&O insisted on putting some of his lectures in the Havana Bar (way too small to accommodate everybody wanting to hear him) was beyond us. He practically filled the theatre on the occasions his lectures were scheduled there. He was really entertaining and informative about all aspects of aviation and a great hit with both male and female passengers. We found the Comedy Club lacking in wit and voted with our feet. We also thought there was very little to occupy the older adults on board - unless you were particularly interested in Art Appreciation. A few art and craft classes for the adults would have been welcomed by quite a few of us!

The Kids Club on board appeared to be very good - we went to the Talent Show put on by the children at the end of the cruise and really enjoyed it. Full marks to the entertainers who looked after the children and had formed a really good relationship with them. Our only objection to the children on board was the noise and lack of consideration for those wishing to actually swim. Perhaps some "adults only" time in the covered pool? Other than that, the children on board were not a problem.

The shops on board were most definitely not geared for the number of people on board, and the quality and standard of clothes really were below that provided on other ships. The Emporium was too small, and did not provide particularly good quality soaps, etc. The fact that P&O has stopped supplying decent soaps in cabins was compounded by the unavailability of decent liquid soap in the shop.

Then - once again - P&O put into LaSpetzia instead of Livorno. This entails a trip of 15 minutes on a tender to get ashore, and longer travelling time eating into excursions to Florence and Pisa. We cancelled our booked excursion as we could not find out the time we we were supposed to be ashore as the times changed. Also we were on Club dining, second sitting, and in the restaurant when the excursion team announced changes; by the time we came out of dinner and went to the desk to ask just what was happening (9.45 pm) the desk had closed as the team were working behind the scenes reorganising everything! We could not find anybody to answer our questions, so cancelled the excursion. An attachment to the Horizon delivered to cabins at 1am on the morning of the excursions arrived too late for us.

Cabins on board were excellent, but the problem for disabled passengers trying to access lifts is something which needs to be sorted out. Able bodied people were jumping in and out of lifts going just a few floors, leaving disabled people in wheelchairs and scooters to wait, and wait, for lifts. Particularly a problem at mealtimes, and when going ashore for excursions. The "she is too big" comments invariably came from those of us who have difficulty walking long distances.

For young, fit and healty people, and families, Ventura is undoubedly good. For older, disabled and not-so-fit people, there are problems. Just trying to get from the restaurant to the theatre is a long hike, particularly for carers pushing wheelchairs!

Looking forward to our next cruise on the Aurora - next May - and No, we ill not be booking on the Ventura again.

Thank you for these comments, some very good points raised.

I certainly agree with the lift situation, sometimes it is extremely difficult for people with wheelchairs or motorised chairs to get into the lifts, especially at meal times, and seeing this must have been frustrating. But my answer to that is quite simple (and I have done this before) - I am able bodied and therefore get out of the lift and walk ..!! Not rocket science is it, it is called good manners.

Thanks again for the feedback......Phil.