Cruise line to make changes following complaints
Ferry Online Travel News 17/11/2008
After admitting to some problems with Ventura’s first season, P&O Cruises will be making some changes on the ship.
The £300 million cruise ship Ventura has a capacity of more than 3,000 passengers. It’s a family-focussed liner and the biggest in the P&O fleet. During its initial season, there were complaints from passengers about the dining arrangements and the lack of sun loungers available.
In its first summer of operations, Ventura carried approximately 57,000 passengers and hosted over 4,000 travel agents.
The managing director of the cruise line, Nigel Esdale, discussed the changes in a letter he sent to travel agents.
Esdale wrote: “In general newcomers have reacted very favourably to Ventura and we continue to see this as our primary focus. That said, we have had some challenges in marrying the differing needs and expectations of a new audience with those who have travelled with us many times before.”
He continued: “Indeed the first year of operation for any ship is always its most difficult and the team on board have worked extremely hard to consistently deliver against our passengers' expectations.”
Esdale indicated that the ship had seen “particularly heavy demand” at peak times for Freedom Dining, particularly during school holidays.
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