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Ventura at sea

Grand class · P&O Cruises · In service since 2008

Ventura

Ventura is a Grand class cruise ship operated by P&O Cruises, in service since 2008. At about 116,017 gross tons, it carries roughly 3,300 guests and ranks #4 by size in the 6-ship P&O Cruises fleet we cover.

  • 116,017 gross tons
  • 3,300 guests
  • 945 ft long

Photo: Rapidfire, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ship facts

Cruise line
P&O Cruises
Ship class
Grand class
Entered service
2008 (18 years ago)
Gross tonnage
116,017
Guests
3,300
Length
945 ft (288 m)
Builder
Fincantieri
Flag
Bermuda
IMO number
9333175

About Ventura

Ventura was the largest ship built for the British market when she arrived in 2008, the first of P&O Cruises’ two Grand-class ships and the template for Azura. She is lively and family-focused, with The Reef kids club, several pools and an evening program that runs from West End-style production shows to stand-up comedy and late-night dancing. British comforts are everywhere: a pub with draft ales, curry on the menus, an onboard account in pounds sterling and Black Tie evenings for those who enjoy dressing up. Ventura sails mostly from Southampton to the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and northern Europe.

Best for: British families who want a lively ship with lots of entertainment and a familiar British atmosphere.

Ventura highlights

  • Sindhu for modern Indian dinners
  • The Reef, P&O’s club for kids and teens
  • West End-style shows in the theater
  • Crow’s Nest bar with sea views
  • Several pools, including an adults-only area

How Ventura compares in size

  1. Arvia185,581
  2. Iona184,000
  3. Britannia143,730
  4. Ventura116,017
  5. Azura115,055
  6. Arcadia84,342

Gross tonnage measures a ship's enclosed volume, not its weight. Source: Wikidata.

Grand class sister ships

Sailing with P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises is Britain’s best-known cruise line, designed for UK holidaymakers: prices in pounds sterling, British food, pubs, comedians and mostly round-trip sailings from Southampton. It runs big family-friendly ships alongside two adults-only ships, and gratuities are included in the fare. North Americans are welcome, but the line is built around British tastes, school holidays and sailing schedules.

Read our full P&O Cruises guide: dining, drinks, tipping and who it suits →

Ventura FAQs

How big is Ventura?

Ventura measures about 116,017 gross tons and is about 945 feet (288 m) long. That makes it #4 of 6 P&O Cruises ships we cover by tonnage, and #95 among all 255 ocean cruise ships in our guide.

How many passengers does Ventura carry?

About 3,300 guests, according to Wikidata's record for the ship. Cruise lines usually quote capacity at two guests per cabin; with third and fourth berths filled, the maximum is higher.

When was Ventura built?

Ventura entered service in 2008 and was built by Fincantieri.

What class of ship is Ventura?

Ventura belongs to P&O Cruises's Grand class, alongside Azura. Ships in the same class share a layout and most signature features.

Is Ventura good for families?

The family ships run free kids clubs for children from around 2 to 17, split by age, with a night nursery for younger children on some ships. Expect lots of families during British school holidays, especially in summer and at Easter. Facilities vary by ship, so check what Ventura offers for your kids' ages.

Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.

Sources: Wikidata, Wikipedia, P&O Cruises official site.