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When you book a cruise with P&O Cruises Ventura, how do you know which cabin number to pick to make sure you get a good one?
You have the option to choose your cabin number if you book Select Fare. (If you book a Saver Fare, it will be chosen for you.) So what are the best cabins on P&O Ventura? And which are the cabins to avoid? Read on to find out.
I’ve read Ventura cabin reviews from hundreds of people who have cruised on this ship. I’ve also studied P&O Cruises’ deck plans carefully, to pull together all the information about 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 |
Photo credit: Tracy Bates
Ventura Cabin Sizes
Cabins on Ventura come in various sizes:
| Cabin type | Cabin size | Description |
| Inside | 172 sq ft (16 sq m) | This is a room for two to four people with no windows. |
| Inside (single) | 30 sq ft (2.8 sq m) | This is a room for one person with no windows. |
| Outside | 153 to 166 sq ft (14.2 to 15.4 sq m) | This is a room for two to four people with a window. |
| Outside (partially obstructed view) | 155 to 261 sq ft (14.4 to 24.2 sq m) | This is a room for two to four people with a window. |
| Outside (totally obstructed view) | 167 to 261 sq ft (15.5 to 24.2 sq m) | This is a room for two to four people with a window. |
| Outside (single) | 130 sq ft (12 sq m) | This is a room for one person with a window. |
| Balcony | 233 to 263 sq ft (21.6 to 24.4 sq m) | This is a room for two to four people with a balcony. |
| Superior Deluxe Balcony | 314 sq ft (29.1 sq m) | This is a deluxe room for two to four people with a large balcony. |
| Suite | 449 to 451 sq ft (41.7 to 41.9 sq m) | 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. The other cabin types, such as outside and balcony, vary quite a lot. Outside cabins with partially obstructed views vary the most, as they can be anywhere between 155 square feet and 261 square feet (14.4 and 24.2 square metres). 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 not all of the space is 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.
Photo credit: Jane McDowall
Of course, size isn’t everything. And when people book suites, they don’t usually do it just for the extra space. P&O Cruises 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
Of those who left a negative review of their cabin on Ventura, the thing that seemed to bother them most was noise. Ventura is fairly old for a cruise ship (she was built in 2006), and may not be quite as insulated as some of the more modern ships.
Most cabins on Ventura were reported as being very quiet, but there are some locations 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. 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 11.30pm 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 – specifically, directly above the speakers on the ceiling of Havana. Havana is a late-night venue, and the music continues until at least 1am and sometimes as late as 3am, 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.
Photo credit: Karina Pearson
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 and are not below balconies, so nobody should be affected by smoke.
Smoking in your cabin and on your balcony is prohibited. So if you’re a smoker, choosing a cabin near a smoking area can be a great idea. 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. Although this means that they are larger than standard balconies, everyone above you can look down onto your balcony.
Photo credit: Sue Walker-Scott
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 nine feet by nine feet (7.5 square metres). They have a ceiling overhang to cover the first five feet, so they do offer some privacy.
With these cabins, you need to choose between 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. 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. The overhang may even help to keep off some of the rain!
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, while wearing a ballgown and heels, isn’t the most fun. Trust me, I’ve done it!
Photo credit: Andrea Kitts
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, avoid cabins at the front and back of the highest decks of the ship. This is where most movement can be felt. The locations where you’ll feel the least movement are mid-ship on the lower decks.
Whether or not 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 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 just a thin pole or some ropes outside the window. Photos of the views from most obstructed view cabins on Ventura are available online.
Photo credit: Chris Nicholson
Is it a Good Idea to Book 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 ocean-view cabin than an inside cabin! 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 ocean-view cabin can be a good idea.
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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
Photo credit: Valerie Morgan
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
Photo credit: Sandra Hopkins
Best Balcony Cabins on Ventura
“C530. Absolutely loved it. Huge balcony. We have booked it again for next year,”
Yas Firth
Photo credit: 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
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Photo credit: Christine Frith
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.
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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.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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