P&O Ventura Cabins to Avoid!

When you book a cruise with P&O Cruises, you have the option to choose your cabin number (if you book Select Fare, that is – if you book a Saver Fare it will be chosen for you).

So, how do you know which cabin number to pick to make sure you get a good one? What are the best cabins on Ventura? And which are the P&O Ventura cabins to avoid? Read on to find out.

I’ve read Ventura cabin reviews from hundreds of people who’ve cruised on this ship and I’ve studied P&O Cruises’ deck plans carefully to pull together all the information about which are the best and worst cabins on Ventura.

During my research, I noted that the vast majority of people who have cruised on Ventura were very happy with their cabins. However, there are a few cabins on Ventura that you may want to avoid.

Ventura Cabins

Ventura has 1,555 cabins which can accommodate between 3,106 and 3,727 passengers, depending on how many extra beds are in use. The ship has inside cabins, outside cabins, balcony cabins and luxury suites.

Ventura has 18 decks and nine of them have cabins. Ventura’s cabins are located on the Lido Deck, Riviera Deck, A Deck, B Deck, C Deck, D Deck, E Deck, and P Deck.

The decks on Ventura have letters and names, and each deck also has a corresponding number. Deck 5 is the lowest deck and Deck 19 is the highest. This makes it easy to use the Ventura deck plan to find your cabin.

The table below shows which cabin types are available on each deck on Ventura

Deck Number	Deck Name	Cabin Types
5	P Deck	Inside, Outside
6	F Deck	Inside (single), Outside (single)
7	Prom Deck	None
8	E Deck	Inside, Outside, Balcony, Superior Deluxe Balcony, Suite
9	D Deck	Inside, Balcony, Superior Deluxe Balcony, Suite
10	C Deck	Inside, Balcony, Suite
11	B Deck	Inside, Balcony
12	A Deck	Inside, Balcony, Suite
14	Riviera Deck	Inside, Large Inside, Outside, Balcony, Suite
15	Lido Deck	Inside, Outside, Balcony, Suite
16	Sun Deck	None
17	Sports Deck	None
18	Sky Deck	None
19	Cirque Deck	None

Ventura Cabin Sizes

Cabins on Ventura come in various sizes:

• Inside – 172 square feet – This is a room for two to four people with no windows
• Inside (single) – 130 square feet – This is a room for one person with no windows
• Outside – 153-166 square feet – This is a room for two to four people with a window
• Outside (partially obstructed view) – 155-261 square feet – This is a room for two to four people with a window
• Outside (totally obstructed view) – 167-261 square feet – This is a room for two to four people with a window
• Outside (single) – 130 square feet – This is a room for one person with a window
• Balcony – 233-263 square feet – This is a room for two to four people with a balcony
• Superior Deluxe Balcony – 314 square feet – This is a deluxe room for two to four people with a large balcony
• Suite – 449-451 square feet – A large room for up to five people with a separate lounge area, dressing area and large balcony

Inside cabins on Ventura are roughly all the same size. Interestingly, the other cabin types, such as outside and balcony, vary quite a lot. The outside cabins with partially obstructed views vary the most, as they can be anywhere between 155 square feet and 261 square feet. That’s almost twice as large!

However, it’s worth noting that the outside cabins at the front of the ship have a sloping wall with the window on, similar to what you might see in an attic bedroom.

This means that all the space isn’t useable as you can’t stand up by the window. These types of cabins aren’t as spacious as they sound on paper, but are great for providing extra space for young children to play.

Of course, size isn’t everything. And when people book suites they don’t usually do it just for the extra space. P&O Cruise also offers some very generous benefits to suite guests.

The Worst Cabins on Ventura

Like every cruise ship, there are some cabins to avoid on Ventura. These may be noisy, have a less-than-perfect balcony, or be in a poor location on the ship.

To help you avoid the worst cruise cabins, I have a free checklist that shows you what to look out for. If you’d like a copy, just leave your email address below and it will be sent straight to your inbox.

1. Noisy Cabins on Ventura

Out of everyone who left a negative review of their cabin on Ventura, the thing that seemed to bother people the most was noise. Ventura is fairly old for a cruise ship (she was built in 2006) and so may not be quite as insulated as some of the more modern ships.

Whilst most cabins on Ventura were reported as being very quiet, there are some locations on the ship which can be a little noisy at certain times.

It’s important to remember that noise complaints are always subjective. People who go to bed early are likely to be disturbed if they choose a cabin above a nightclub. Whereas those who like to sleep in may be woken early by the sound of sun loungers being moved by the pool in the morning.

The noisiest cabins on Ventura

E101-E204: These cabins are directly above the Arena Theatre and music can be heard in these rooms during performances. Performances usually go on until 11.30 pm most evenings, so if you plan on heading to bed before this time, you should avoid these cabins. If you tend to stay up later than this, you won’t have a problem.

E720, E722, E724, E726, E728, E730: The cabins are directly above the Havana nightclub and specifically, directly above the speakers which are on the ceiling of Havana. Havana is a late-night venue and the music continues until at least 1 am and sometimes as late as 3 am, depending on the cruise. As well as being able to hear the music, cruisers have reported that vibrations from the speakers can make the coat hangers in the wardrobe clatter together in the night. However, the music really isn’t that loud through the ceiling, so unless you need perfect silence to sleep, most people will be just fine here.

Balcony cabins and suites R321 – R523: These cabins and suites are all directly below the sunbathing area on the Lido Deck. This means that you may hear some noise when sun loungers are being moved early in the morning. The pool deck staff have been trained not to drag them across the floor, but most passengers wouldn’t think about this. If you like to sleep in late, I would avoid these cabins.

2. Windy Cabins on Ventura

D105, D106, D109, D110: These suites and balcony cabins are right at the front corner of the ship, beneath the bridge. The reason why cruise ships don’t have balconies facing forward is that it would be too windy. These balconies are on each side, but because they are so far forward, they can be incredibly windy to the point of being unusable when the ship is moving. However, there is no problem when the ship is in port.

3. Ventura Cabins with Fixed Twin Beds

D101, D102, P201, P202, P203, P204, P205, P206, P207, P208, P209, P210, P211, P214, P217, P218, P221, P222, P225, P226, P229, P230, P233, P234, P323, P324, P325, P328: These cabins have fixed twin beds which cannot be converted into a double. If you prefer single beds then you’ll have no problem. But for couples who prefer to share a bed during their holiday, you’ll want to avoid these cabins.

4. Ventura Cabins Near the Smoking Areas

No reports of affected cabins!

On many cruise ships, you’ll find balcony cabins which are located directly above smoking areas. This can be very unpleasant for anyone who wants to sit out on their balcony if they can smell cigarette smoke drifting up.

On Ventura, the location of smoking areas has changed many times over the years. On recent cruises, the location of smoking areas on Ventura have been:

• Prom Deck – All along the starboard side
• Prom Deck – Port side between The Tamarind Club and The Red Bar
• Lido Deck – Starboard side of the Terrace Bar
• Sun Deck – Starboard side of Breakers Bar 

Suggested read: 7 easy ways to remember port and starboard

These smoking areas have all been carefully positioned so that they are not below balconies so nobody should be affected by smoke.

If you’re a smoker, choosing a cabin near a smoking area can be a great idea. Smoking in your cabin and on your balcony is prohibited, so by choosing a cabin that’s near the smoking area, you won’t have far to travel if you want a cigarette when you first wake up or before you go to bed.

5. Ventura Cabins with Overlooked Balconies

All Superior Deluxe balconies on D Deck: If you want privacy on your balcony, you should avoid Ventura balcony cabins on D Deck. These Superior Deluxe balconies are positioned on an overhang above the lifeboats. Whilst this does mean that they are larger than standard balconies, it does mean that everyone above you can look down on to your balcony.

Personally, I don’t think that these are the worst Ventura cruise ship cabins. Having an overlooked balcony wouldn’t bother me one bit. I can’t imagine what I would be doing out there that I wouldn’t want anyone to see!

But, if you want a Superior Deluxe balcony which isn’t overlooked, you should instead choose one on E Deck. (Tip: Go for the starboard side so as not to be disturbed by noise from the nightclub.)

All balcony cabins on C Deck: C Deck balconies are partially overlooked from the decks above. However, they are the biggest standard balconies on the ship at 9ft by 9ft and have a ceiling overhang to cover the first five feet so they do offer some privacy.

With these cabins, you need to weigh up whether you would like a larger balcony which is partly overlooked, or a smaller balcony with privacy, for the same price. If you would rather have a larger balcony, stick with C Deck. You can always sit by the balcony door if you insist on not getting dressed! If you value your privacy more than space, choose a balcony cabin on B Deck or above and you won’t be overlooked at all.

6. Ventura Cabins with Shaded Balconies

A201, A202, A203, A204: These cabins are shaded by the deck above.

All balcony cabins and suites on Riviera Deck: The deck above overhangs the Riviera Deck, so every balcony on this deck will be in the shade.

Balcony cabins L218-L312: The deck above overhangs much of the Lido Deck, so these balconies will be in the shade.

If you love to sunbathe on your balcony, you’ll probably want to avoid balconies that don’t get any direct sunshine on to them. However, if you prefer to sit in the shade, one of these could be ideal. On a cold-weather cruise, you probably won’t notice if your balcony is in the shade or not, and the overhang may even help to keep some of the rain off!

7. Ventura Cabins in Awkward Locations

Any number under 300: The lowest numbered cabins are towards the front of the ship. This is at the opposite end of the ship to The Reef kids’ club. If you don’t have kids, this won’t matter at all, but for parents who plan to take their children to the kids’ club multiple times per day, it can be a little inconvenient to have a cabin that’s very far away.

If your children are likely to fall asleep watching a film in the kids’ club in the evening, you’re probably going to have to carry them to bed. Walking the full length of a ship carrying a sleeping child whilst you’re wearing a ballgown and heels isn’t the most fun. Trust me, I’ve done it!

At the back (also known as the ‘aft’) of Ventura, you’ll find the buffet restaurant, the main dining rooms, Havana nightclub, the Terrace Pool, the Terrace Bar and The Epicurean restaurant. At the front of the ship are the theatre, the spa, the gym and The Retreat. If you struggle to walk long distances, your best bet is to choose a cabin which is as close as possible to the mid-ship lifts.

8. Ventura Cabins Which Could Make You Seasick.

L101-L250, R201-R250, R718-R751, A 201-A217, A746-A753: If you’re prone to seasickness, you want to avoid cabins at the front and back of the highest decks of the ship. This is where most movement can be felt. The best locations where you’ll feel the least movement are mid-ship on the lower decks.

Whether you can feel the ship move depends very much on where you’re cruising to, the time of year and the weather. Cruises which travel around the Bay of Biscay (between France and Spain), particularly in the autumn and winter, tend to have a reputation for having rough seas. However, this doesn’t mean that this will happen on your cruise or that you will feel seasick.

Ventura’s Obstructed View Cabins

An obstructed view cabin is one which has a part of the ship blocking all or part of your sea view. Obstructed view cabins can be outside cabins with windows or balconies. On Ventura, all the obstructed view cabins are outside (window) cabins.

On Ventura, the lifeboats are stored on E Deck, outside the cabin windows. Depending on which E Deck cabin you choose, you may have a clear view between the lifeboats, a partially obstructed view or a view which is totally blocked by a lifeboat.

How Much Can You See Out of an Obstructed View Window?

View obstructions vary from a lifeboat completely blocking the window to the extent where you can’t see anything else, to just a thin pole or some ropes outside the window. Photos of the views from most Ventura obstructed view cabins are available online.

Is it a Good Idea to Nook an Obstructed View Cabin on Ventura?

An obstructed view will always be cheaper than a clear view. In some cases, it can even be cheaper to book an obstructed oceanview cabin than an inside cabin! When choosing any oceanview cabin, you should think about the value you place on having a window, and what you expect to see out of the window, to decide whether it’s worth the extra money or not.

If you have concerns about feeling claustrophobic in an inside cabin, or would like a balcony but don’t trust your children to behave on it, then an oceanview cabin can be a good idea.

P&O Ventura Balcony Cabins

Ventura is unusual in that the balconies are different sizes depending on the deck you choose. This means that some are overlooked from above and some are shaded by the deck above.

Here’s a deck-by-deck guide to balcony cabins on Ventura:

• Lido Deck – Most balconies are shaded, the worst deck for seasickness
• Riviera Deck – All balconies are shaded
• A Deck – The four balconies at the front of the ship are steel-fronted
• B Deck – Standard balconies
• C Deck – Larger balconies for the same price, but partially overlooked
• D Deck – Superior Deluxe balconies, overlooked from above
• E Deck – Superior Deluxe balconies, not overlooked, aft only

The Best Cabins on Ventura

Most of the reviews of cabins on Ventura are glowing. In fact, some cruisers loved their cabins so much that they booked the same cabin number again for another cruise!

Best Inside Cabins on Ventura

“Inside cabin P243. Had it twice and had to settle for p239 next time as couldn’t get it for next Aug. Great location, quiet but close to the atrium and just past the art gallery.”

Ruth Palmer

“We’ve had B412, inside cabin, port side, three cruises running and booked the same cabin for our next cruise. It’s midship, so handy for the lifts from the Atrium.”

Ruth Grant

Best Outside Cabins on Ventura

“E418 says slight obstruction, just a pole. Booked same cabin this year”

Sandra Hopkins

Best Balcony Cabins on Ventura

“C530. Absolutely loved it. Huge balcony. We have booked it again for next year,”

Yas Firth

“R209 with balcony almost right at the bow and high. It was superb! The captain and bridge crew wave to you every morning and night.”

Bronnie Paterson

Best Suites on Ventura

“My husband and I stayed in R415 (Ellora Suite). We LOVED it! Fantastic big balcony, bottle of champagne and choccies on arrival and canapes every evening from the Butler who was brilliant (lots of information on what to do and where to go). It was close to the lifts but we didn’t hear the noise of people coming and going.”

Emma Vernon

Have You Cruised on Ventura?

Please feel free to leave a cabin review in the comments below so that I can update this article with more information and help more UK cruisers book the best cabins on Ventura.

Facebook Groups

Thank you to members of the following Facebook groups for helping me to create this article. I couldn’t have done it without your help.

• P & O Cabins Facebook Group
• P&O Ventura Cruise Ship Chat Facebook Group
• P & O Ventura Facebook Group

Related Posts:

• P&O Drinks Package Guide
• P&O Cruises Wifi Guide
• P&O Cruises Menus

More in this series:

• Arvia cabins
• Iona cabins
• Britannia cabins
• Azura cabins
• Aurora cabins
• Arcadia cabins