The regulars on here may recall that we didn't intend to take a holiday this year due to major building work that ran through the summer.
Anyway, I got a flyer from P&O advertising extra discount on certain cruises if booked withn a certain time.
I took a look and decided on this particular one, contacted our usual agent and the rest is history.
We drove to Southampton the day before and stayed in the Mecure in the city centre which was fine and had a car park.
That evening we ended up in a Greek restaurant which was great.
We had the full Greek experience including Baclava that made your teeth squeak and the extra strong coffee, finishing with ouzo.
We had a 1.00pm boarding so after a breakfast in West Quay, headed to the Mayflower about 12.00 and the car was parked with Parking4Cruises at 12.20.
Emabrkation was brilliant and we were having lunch in the Glass House at 13.15.
Now this was our first trip on Ventura although we have been on Azura a few times.
We were impressed by the standard of the ship, given some of the things that I've read.
So, to the cruise.
Well, as usual, we enjoyed pretty much every minute of it.
We are very much into doing our own thing, where and when it suits us.
We attended a couple of the Headliner shows that were... well, Headliner shows.
When you've seen most of them, they tend to roll into one.
We did really enjoy the Astonishing show with the chap from TV who's name escapes me.
That was very good.
Of the speciality acts, we very much enjoyed The Opera Boys and Bernie Flint.
There was also a virtuoso pianist lady who was excellent.
A couple of half decent singers as well but the Freddie Mercury Tribute was Kareoke at best.
We were lucky to be seated near the back and made a sneaky escape in the dark.
The food was by and large very, very good.
We ate in the MDR a few times and it was good.
We took the pager option for a table for two and that suited us.
We particularly liked the atmosphere and staff in the Glass House, so that was our main venue of choice. The food was very good.
We didn't do any excursions on this trip, but simply did our own thing at each port.
Lisbon, 21 and sunny. Custard tarts and coffee.
Valancia, 19 and cloudy with odd sunshine. Tapas & vino for luch. Excellent!
Cartagena, 18 and cloudy with odd sunshine. Half Marathon day so very busy and buzzing.
It was great. Various Tapas bars with a bit too much vino

Gibraltar, 18 and rainy. Wandered up the Marina and High Street.
A nice day but walked miles. (and spent a few bob)
I fell asleep at half five and woke up at eight. We ended up having room service at 11.30
Cadiz, 17 and cloudy with some sun. Best day for us as we love Cadiz.
We had a nice stroll around and had various tapas and wine.
We finished with a big plate of fried fish in a restaurant near the Market and again, it was excellent.
There were two sea days back and the first was a bit rough in the morning but settled down and the secong through the BoB was like a mill pond.
So, overall, it was another success on P&O.
The vast majority of folk that we spoke to were lovely and we had some very nice chats.
We have a private signal if we accidently come across serial moaners and only needed to use it once.
That was a lady who prefered Cunard. This was her thrid P&O trip of the year and none of them were as good as Cunard.
I did eventually ask the obvous question but was nudged and Mrs B decided it was time to move on.
Would we use Ventura again?
You bet we would !
We had a great holiday.