N530 - second half

Reports about cruises on Ventura
User avatar

Topic author
MicheleW
Second Officer
Second Officer
Posts: 262
Joined: January 2013
Location: Wales

N530 - second half

#1

Post by MicheleW »

Sunday 18th – Valencia

Our first visit to this port and after breakfast in the MDR we took the shuttle (payable for non-select passengers) to the centre of town. We took a bit of a detour because the marathon was on! After climbing the Serrano Tower, near where we were dropped off, we headed to the Cathedral, Town Hall and bullring and then walked to the City of the Arts and Sciences and visited the Oceanografic. It cost 27.90Euros each to get in, but there is a lot to see and we had a really enjoyable afternoon. We then walked back to the ship, arriving back on board by 4pm. Weather was lovely and sunny again so we sat up on deck and had a refreshing dip in the Oasis Pool (plus a sneaky burger each from the poolside grill – even though we’d had a sandwich at the Oceanografic). Stayed out on deck until about 6.30 before going for drinks in the Glasshouse and dinner in the MDR. Went to the casino for the raffle draw and didn’t win, but had better luck on the Blackjack table for a change!

Monday 19th – Alicante

Another new port for us and after breakfast in the MDR we headed up to the ‘upper’ promenade deck for a better view of Britannia which was berthed in front of us. We caught the shuttle bus to the port gates before walking to the castle. We were planning on walking up to the castle, but found ourselves at the elevator which takes you straight there. There is usually a charge, but the ticket machine wasn’t working, so we didn’t have to pay. Had a look round the castle (which is free) and gives amazing views of the port and city before walking back down and visiting the indoor market and walking back along the beautiful esplanade and catching the shuttle bus back to the ship. Had lunch in the Glasshouse and did some more sun-bathing on the deck until time to get ready for drinks (in the Glasshouse) and dinner in the Bay Tree. Had a better spell at the blackjack again, but still down overall. Apparently the day in Alicante was the best weather that Britannia has had – they seem to have had a storm following them around the Med! Just shows how lucky we have been!

Tuesday 20th – Malaga

Woken at 5.00am by the most amazing lightning storm! Bright enough to penetrate the thick curtains! When we arrived in Malaga (another new port for us), it was a bit overcast but by the time we had finished breakfast in was already brightening up. We took the shuttle bus (payable for non-select) and got dropped off at the second of 2 drop-off points. We went to look at the Cathedral and asked at a tourist point about the Museo Automovilistico. Were told that we needed to catch the number 16 bus, but in the end we walked there, which was a bit tricky as it was just off all the maps we had! Still we found it and had a very enjoyable tour round. It combines cars with fashion, so appeals to men and women. We then caught the number 16 bus back to the city centre and walked up to the castle, where we purchased a joint ticket for here and the Alcazabar (Moorish Castle) for the grand sum of 3.55Euros. Explored the castle first – a lot to see – before heading down to the Alcazbar, where again there was quite a bit to see. Then time for a quick look from the outside at the Roman amphitheatre and an ice cream on the way back to the shuttle bus arriving back on board at 4.15. Too late for lunch so had afternoon tea in the main dining room! Went back to the cabin and watched one of the free films after this before preparing for the tropical evening! Had drinks in the Glasshouse (so handy for our cabin) and then dinner in the Bay Tree. Went to the Tamarind Club to see what the tropical night party was, but there didn’t seem to be much happening and the music was pretty rubbish, so we had a lovely stroll round the promenade deck and then sat on our balcony and admired the sight of the city at night as we didn’t depart until 11.30pm.

Wednesday 21st – Gibraltar

Docked at 8.00am to yet another beautiful day and after breakfast in the MDR we headed off to town on the hunt for the duty free! Particularly a bottle of Harveys Bristol Cream. Got some at £7.90 (£12.00 a litre at home) and then sat in Casement Square with a coffee for me and a beer for Billy before heading back to the ship. We got back to the terminal at 12.30 and there was a pretty long queue it took about 15 minutes to get through security. We went up on deck for the poolside barbeque which we washed down with our free glass of champagne! It was supposed to be a 1.30 departure, but they were still trying to get people back on board at this time! It wasn’t too much later though that we set off for Southampton with the great British Sailaway in full swing! After that we spent the rest of the afternoon on the balcony before our usual drinks in the Glasshouse and dinner in the Bay Tree. The Chef’s Parade was held tonight which I thought was a bit unusual, as they have always been on the gala night dinner. Went to make another small donation to the casino before bed!

Thursday 22nd & Friday 23rd – Sea Days

Thursday was another beautiful day. I managed 6 laps of the prom deck before breakfast. Had a browse round the shops, did a bit of packing and sat out on deck in the morning. We had lunch in the Glasshouse and then spent the afternoon on the balcony – even missed the second blackjack tournament because it was so lovely! It was the last black tie evening and the peninsular party at 8.00pm in the Tamarind Club. Just happened to go in the entrance where Captain Terry was waiting to greet guests but then got seated in a corner along with another couple where the waiters never seemed to get to – happened to us last time too! Luckily the captain saw us trying to attract their attention and directed one to us. Asked for champagne and had some canapés and also managed to get another round of drinks before heading off to the Bay Tree where I had the delicious Beef Wellington. Went with the couple from the table next to us to see the comedian Paul Eastwood in the Havana Club before heading to the casino where I had a much better night.
Friday dawned overcast and there was a bit more movement noticeable. I managed a couple of laps of the prom deck before they closed it for cleaning. After breakfast I did a bit more packing and we had a very lazy day. Had lunch in MDR followed by more packing, watching a film in the cabin and also paid for a FCD each. Went to reception for a print-out of our bill to see how much OBC we had left and discovered that for some reason we had been charged for 3 FCDs! Pointed out the error to reception who said they would tell the loyalty/future cruise sales manager and get it corrected. Last drinks in the Glasshouse and dinner in Bay Tree and one final fling in the casino where again I had a better night, but still down overall this cruise.

Saturday 24th – disembarkation

We had registered for self-disembarkation and after an early breakfast in the MDR went back to the cabin to collect our bags and found our statement in the rack outside the cabin. On checking it, I found that there were still 3 FCDs on there! We took all our bags and I went to reception to join the queue to point out the error to them. Eventually, the receptionist managed to credit the account with £50.00, but whether this has been refunded to my credit card, I have no idea until I receive the statement. By now we had to rush to get off the ship within the allotted time and made our way through to the CPS parking, found the car and headed on our way home by 8.15am.

Summary - another very enjoyable holiday. Liked the Ventura and would sail on her again. Definitely wouldn’t have an inside cabin for anything over 2 nights! Will always book a C deck cabin when cruising on Ventura and Azura. Overall I thought the food was very good – the wine pairing dinner and lunches in the Glasshouse were superb. Sometimes the service at breakfast in the MDR was a bit slow, but this was usually due to the fact that we got there at the busiest times! Only went to 2 shows – Badness on the weekender, who were absolutely brilliant and the comedian, Paul Eastwood who was very entertaining.

Just looking forward to the next one now – Arcadia for 4 nights with mum and Godother on 21st November. Just hoping that our embarkation goes OK next time, as both cruises so far this year have had disrupted beginnings - delayed by 24 hours on Oriana at the end of March and again on Ventura this time! They do say things come in threes :shock:

User avatar

Kenmo1
First Officer
First Officer
Posts: 1963
Joined: January 2013

Re: N530 - second half

#2

Post by Kenmo1 »

Michele - I'm really impressed by how much ground you cover in one place, especially after reading the Malaga entry. You obviously plan things extremely well and see a lot whereas we amble along and only manage one or two tourist attractions in any place.

Also, very interested to read about Alicante - will look out for that port in future.

Thanks for a very interesting review.

Maureen

User avatar

qbman1
Captain
Captain
Posts: 12153
Joined: January 2013
Location: Oxfordshire

Re: N530 - second half

#3

Post by qbman1 »

MicheleW wrote:
Just looking forward to the next one now – Arcadia for 4 nights with mum and Godother on 21st November. Just hoping that our embarkation goes OK next time, as both cruises so far this year have had disrupted beginnings - delayed by 24 hours on Oriana at the end of March and again on Ventura this time! They do say things come in threes :shock:
Excellent read again, Michele - thanks.

Look after Arcadia - we want her in one piece for December !!

User avatar

Gill W
Senior First Officer
Senior First Officer
Posts: 4897
Joined: January 2013
Location: Kent

Re: N530 - second half

#4

Post by Gill W »

Thanks for your reports, I've enjoyed reading them.

When I read your weekender report I was confused why you needed so many shoes, but I understand now as you did a back to back !
Gill

User avatar

allatc
First Officer
First Officer
Posts: 1419
Joined: March 2015

Re: N530 - second half

#5

Post by allatc »

We were in Alicante on the 19th on Britannia. Weather-wise it was one of the better days on the cruise.

I have some video of the sail-away with Ventura giving us a good send-off. Much better than Azura in Gib the next day but to be fair up to the point we left it had been raining heavily and the Britannia sail-away was held in one of the lounges - altogether a rather subdued affair up on top.

User avatar

Topic author
MicheleW
Second Officer
Second Officer
Posts: 262
Joined: January 2013
Location: Wales

Re: N530 - second half

#6

Post by MicheleW »

Yes, allatc, forgot to mention the Britannia sailaway. Our cabin was on the port side and we were on our balcony as Britannia 'reversed out' past us. So many people out on their balconies and open decks waving and cheering. I especially liked the 'big hand' that someone on the Ventura bridge used to wave to the Britannia bridge crew!

Michele

Return to “Ventura Cruise Reports”