Cruise Talk: VENTURA's Cruise from Hell

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Author

Topic: VENTURA's Cruise from Hell

ahrpd
First Class Passenger
Member # 6229

posted 01-11-2009 03:02 AM

See this from Times Online:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article5489227.ece

Couldn't have happened on a more attractive ship

Tony

Posts: 948 | From: gibraltar | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 01-11-2009 05:59 AM

Por old 'Ventura', she not had a very good press since her introduction, has she?

Well at least P&O have tapped into the UK mass-market (i.e 'The Chav'). Mind you I would not have thought that £900 per person would be a very attractive fare to those on low incomes? (P&O do seem to have a big Northern following, I wonder why?)

Well I have been saying for years that I wanted cheaper UK cruises. Can I change my mind now?

[ 01-11-2009: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

SalamisFiloxenia (Tom...)
First Class Passenger
Member # 6702

posted 01-11-2009 06:26 AM

I would rather they kept the prices high...
i don't want a load of chavs on my cruise

Posts: 338 | From: weston super mare | Registered: Jun 2006 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 01-11-2009 07:02 AM

So much for a refined British atmosphere. Makes a 3-day cruise on Carnival sound pretty classy.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 01-11-2009 07:39 AM

It's a ship which lends itself to this sort of thing, too many people. However there is a lot of 'My friend', 'We heard' sort of typical shipboard rumour in that report. Obviously there is some basis for the report, but I bet it's way OTT and exagerrated somewhat. I doubt very much some underage child would have been able to puchase alcohol but that doesn't stop an adult giving it to them.

I won't be going on her again anyway whatever the reports.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

DAMBROSI
First Class Passenger
Member # 100

posted 01-11-2009 09:05 AM

Question, what is "The chav"?

Posts: 2554 | From: Florida, USA, Where the Legend SS NORWAY sailed from. Moving back to FL next yr. | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

mike sa
First Class Passenger
Member # 5957

posted 01-11-2009 09:06 AM

Well you have to face it cruising generally is truely mass market and in real terms it is cheaper now than it ever was to cruise, plus I suspect cruising is cheaper than going to Ibiza or similar when you add meals, transport etc. The result is that it is available to everyone and EVERYONE will go at some stage.

If you don't want Chav's or whatever they are (I uspect modern slang for lack of class/manners?) you will have to pick your ship/line more carefully, is Ventura and probably Azura P&O's version of Butlins ?

Posts: 2272 | From: Durban, South Africa | Registered: Sep 2005 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 01-11-2009 09:12 AM

quote:
Originally posted by DAMBROSI:
Question, what is "The chav"?

I didn't know either. Check Wikipedia. That's what I did. Pretty good definition there. We really don't have an equivilent term in the US.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 01-11-2009 09:37 AM

quote:
Originally posted by DAMBROSI:
Question, what is "The chav"?

Slang for people who wear fake/knock-off branded/designer goods inc a baseball cap - and all that goes with it; ex the Essex stereotype. Malcolm can advise more

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 01-11-2009 09:45 AM

quote:
Originally posted by DAMBROSI:
Question, what is "The chav"?

Thanks Pam - I will take that as a compliment!

The definition of a ‘Chav’ is rather complex. Although many of us Brits use the term. It’s quite difficult to define. I suppose it a member of the ‘underclass’ (what ever that means?). I don’t except that all Chav’s are young as one definition says. Chav’s come in all ages as far as I’m concerned.

Did you know ‘Southampton’ was voted the 8th ‘Chaviest’ town in Britain on a web site.

There’s a Chav test on this web site below, although only Brits will understand it.

www.boredandlazy.co.uk/quiz.php?q=chav

[ 01-11-2009: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 01-11-2009 09:47 AM

quote:
Originally posted by eroller:
So much for a refined British atmosphere.

I think that is a marketing myth. Unfortunaely, the UK has it's fair share of low-life.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 01-11-2009 10:30 AM

Is it similar to a "Redneck'???
F4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 01-11-2009 10:59 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Frosty 4:
Is it similar to a "Redneck'???
F4

Most rednecks don't wear designer or knock-off designer ghetto outerwear. They are happy with a wife-beater, farmers tan, cutoff jeans, and flip flops. Hairstyle is the prerequisite mullet. Beer in one hand and cigarette in the other.

I think "chavs" are a bit more fashion conscious.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

GregD
First Class Passenger
Member # 4176

posted 01-11-2009 11:40 AM

So would a "chav" be like a "wanna-be rich person"

Posts: 548 | From: Texas | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 01-11-2009 11:53 AM

quote:
Originally posted by eroller:
I think "chavs" are a bit more fashion conscious.

Yes, maybe a 'Chav' is just a British 'Redneck' in designer clothes?

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 01-11-2009 12:01 PM

quote:
Originally posted by eroller:

I think "chavs" are a bit more fashion conscious.
Ernie

Maybe like our recent younger Armenian immigrants?? Wears plenty of tacky 'bling', 'designer' sweatsuits, drives a brand-new Mercedes yet has no visible means of income.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 01-11-2009 12:01 PM

quote:
Originally posted by GregD:
So would a "chav" be like a "wanna-be rich person"

I suppose so, but 'chavs' don't want to work hard to get rich. Many live on benefits.

I went on a Thomson cruise a few years ago which are regarded as 'budget' (although they are not always so much cheaper than the big lines). The ship was full of many 'working' class people including the North of England. I must say that everyone that I met was freindly (more so sometimes than the Cunard crowd), charming, and not a single fight broke out.

Of course it's all about stereotype.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

jeffrossatsea
First Class Passenger
Member # 2962

posted 01-11-2009 12:31 PM

so i'm guessing that "the chav" is close to what we call red neck trailer trash here in north america?....jeff

Posts: 1118 | From: vancouver | Registered: Apr 2002 | IP: Logged

richard_maidment
First Class Passenger
Member # 15965

posted 01-11-2009 02:10 PM

quote:
There’s a Chav test on this web site below, although only Brits will understand it.
www.boredandlazy.co.uk/quiz.php?q=chav

Oh dear, I scored around 20%, maybe this is because I cruised on Ventura last year!

Richard

Posts: 12 | From: Poole, Dorset, UK | Registered: Jun 2008 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 01-11-2009 02:19 PM

quote:
Originally posted by richard_maidment:
Oh dear, I scored around 20%, maybe this is because I cruised on Ventura last year!

That would explain it. Did you fight on board?

I wonder if Tom and Pam wear lots of 'bling' too?

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

richard_maidment
First Class Passenger
Member # 15965

posted 01-11-2009 02:28 PM

quote:
Did you fight on board?

No I didn't but I do recall drinking 2 pints of Stella over the fortnight. Does that count?

Posts: 12 | From: Poole, Dorset, UK | Registered: Jun 2008 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 01-11-2009 02:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
I wonder if Tom and Pam wear lots of 'bling' too?

Sorry, that was on QE2 adorning Jimmy Savile

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

oslo dutch
First Class Passenger
Member # 4669

posted 01-11-2009 03:15 PM

quote:
Originally posted by DAMBROSI:
Question, what is "The chav"?

It's not only P&O, but we also encountered lots of those people on the QM2 Tandem Transatlantic together with QE2. While the QE2 public westbound was such a wonderful group we were shocked by the standards on the QM2 Eastbound.

For example: Ladies of wagnerian size in far too tight revealing dresses with tattoos on display. Some guys thought formal night meant dressing up as the blues brothers and kept their hats on during dining. Big pints of lager on the dinner tables. And even in Todd English you couldn't get away from them. We sat next to a loud group of Essex girls cackling so loud it seems like we sat next to a circle of withes.

A friend on board told us they have even invaded the Ascot Horse Races now.

Posts: 349 | From: Oslo | Registered: Apr 2004 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 01-11-2009 03:22 PM

Chav's invading Cunard - whatever next!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 01-11-2009 03:40 PM

A girlfriend who has never been on a cruise mentioned to me yesterday a really inexpensive cruise she saw advertised in the San Diego paper. I warned her about what type of people would most likely be on that cruise and being a bit clueless she did'nt understand. I explained that is is a little like a nice hotel having a 'Red-Neck, Ghetto and Barrio' convention ALL at the same time. I exaggerated a bit but she got the point

I also informed her that since she is a retired flight attendant, she could purchase her cruise through an interline travel agency on more upmarket lines at amazing discounts.

[ 01-11-2009: Message edited by: lasuvidaboy ]

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

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