Cruise Lines

P&O Cruises must be breathing several sighs of relief now that wayward teenager Ventura finally seems to be settling down.

Head of brand marketing Philip Price tells me the ship achieved record satisfaction scores at the end of January, with 89% of passengers rating it excellent.

"As a brand we target 90% so this is fantastic. I know we have had some issues marrying the new and old but Ventura is bedding down and we are delivering an excellent product."

Within weeks of Ventura's launch last April, passengers were sharing horror stories on the internet about Freedom dining - namely that it wasn't working - and the lack of sun beds. I added my own voice to the moans in a report on the Telegraph website, pointing out that P&O seemed to realise there was a problem but seemed able to move fast enough to fix it.

But the fixers have done their job now, says Price. Evening entertainment schedules have been changed and there are now three shows a night so people don't all rush to eat at the same time, which has taken pressure off the Freedom dining restaurant.

"We have studied the flow of the ship and structured entertainments around them. Passengers don't have to rush to get to the theatre for 6.30pm or 8.30pm so waiters know they can slow service and dinner can be a more sedate affair."

When I was on, waiters were clearing plates with one hand and serving the next course with the other in their rush to clear tables, which did not make for a good dining experience.

If there is a rush of Freedom diners and space in the fixed dining rooms, they will be seated there rather than having to wait. Also, the Freedom dining room has stopped taking bookings - one of the things I complained about because it blocked out swathes of tables each evening - so it really is a turn-up-and-eat option.

In addition, the Beach House, part of the self-service, has been turned into a waiter-service New York-style diner in the evening with grills, pizzas, saleads and steaks, which has taken pressure off the Freedom dining restaurant and also the buffet.

Joy of joys, Price says you can now also walk up to a bar and get a drink. When I was on last July the order had to go though a drinks waiter, who would pass the order to the barman, who would give the drink to the waiter, who would eventually bring it to you with the bit of paper to sign - although sometimes that bit came later still. And all that happened even if there was no one else at the bar. Irritating? You bet.

Disgruntled sun worshippers now have 120 more sunbeds on deck 19, where the trapeze used to be. It's a shame it's gone as it was good fun, but I'm delighted to say the bungee trampolines have stayed - which is a good excuse for me to show you a picture of me on this modern-day instrument of torture.

When the ship gets back to Southampton for the summer season, P&O will also be replacing the giant tables and upright chairs on the balconies with reclining seats so passengers can sunbathe in their own private space. A sensible move that begs the question, why were they not put on in the first place?

I am going back on Ventura in May, on a cruise to Norway, and can't wait to see how all the changes are working. I'll keep you posted.