P&O's Ventura cruise ship serves up versatile dining options

P&O’s Ventura cruise ship has a good range of restaurants and dining experiences, as you'd expect from one of Britain's leading cruise brands.

Like with any cruise, food is a big part of the journey.

Venture, a mid-sized British cruise ship, packs in a lot of punch when it comes to dining. From three-course fine dining in the main dining rooms to relaxed pizza by the pool, or signature restaurant meals suited to your party, it's likely that Ventura has a dining venue for you.

Here, we take a closer look at what's on offer aboard Ventura.

Main Dining Rooms

Ventura has three Main Dining Rooms (MDRs), available to all guests and included in your cruise fare.

On Ventura, the MDR's are Bay Tree, Cinnamon, and Saffron; and most guests will be assigned 'their restaurant' depending upon their preference selected during the cruise booking process.

All MDRs serve the same nightly menu, but between them, the service and timings may be slightly different.

Bay Tree: Fixed “Club Dining” seating at either 6:30 pm or 8:30 pm, with the same table and waiters each night. Great for those who like routine and getting to know their servers.

Cinnamon: “Freedom Dining” lets you arrive between 6:00 pm and 9:30 pm for more flexibility, though you might share a table if the restaurant is busy.

Saffron: Also Freedom Dining, plus open for breakfast, lunch, and a very civilised afternoon tea service on most days.

Menus change daily, blending British classics (think roast beef and Yorkshire pudding) with international favourites like Indian curries or wild mushroom risotto.

On 'Gala Nights', the menu is curated by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, and it is presented as an elevated menu featuring dishes such as lobster or prime rib.

From our first-hand experience, the MDR food hits a consistently high standard. It was well-presented, tasty, and satisfying, if sometimes on the modest side in terms of the plated portion size (although, you can try to ask your wait staff for more).

Service is friendly and efficient, with staff quickly learning your preferences.

It is worth noting that the MDRs require smart-casual attire most nights, plus you'll have to dress smarter on the formal nights (two per week). If you’d rather not dress up, the buffet is an alternative.

The Waterside buffet

Ventura’s Waterside Buffet Restaurant, located on Deck 15, is the ship’s primary self-service venue and is open from early morning until late at night.

Breakfast service typically starts at 6:30 am with a choice of cooked English breakfast items, continental pastries, cereals, and fruit.

Lunches feature a rotating menu of international dishes, salads, hot carvery items, and lighter fare, while dinner service often incorporates theme nights – such as Indian, Mexican, or Thai – alongside British comfort staples. A carving roast of the day is a regular feature, and vegetarian dishes are available daily.

The buffet is arranged into separate stations to help with flow, and in the very aft (back) section of the ship, the buffet area serves breakfast and lunch only, as it transitions into The Beach House signature restaurant in the evenings.

Afternoon tea snacks (cakes, scones, and sandwiches) are offered daily here between lunch and dinner service, and a designated Children’s Tea runs from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, serving favourites like fish fingers, sausages, and baked beans.

For late-night cravings, the Waterside Buffet stays open until around 2:00 am, offering lighter options such as sandwiches, salads, and desserts.

Casual dress is welcome, making it a practical option for those heading to or from shore excursions, pool time, or family activities.

Seating is indoors, though there are spots with excellent ocean views. The open layout allows for a relaxed, come-and-go atmosphere.

While the buffet operates on a self-serve model for food, staff circulate to clear tables and replenish serving areas, and self-service drink stations are available for tea, coffee, and water during opening hours.

Is speciality dining worth the splurge?

Ventura’s signature restaurants are where the cruise line steps up its culinary game.

These are not just “nicer meals”. Each one has its own concept and theme, menu style, and ambience.

If you’re celebrating an anniversary, want a romantic evening, or simply love good food, they’re worth considering.

Across Ventura's four signature restaurants - Epicurean, Sindu, The Glass House, The Beach House - the supplemental price for booking the signature dining varies meaningfully, and, also, each of the restaurants have further 'upgrade' menu items that carry an additional supplement.

Frankly, choosing which signature restaurants are 'worth it' and deciding whether or not to splurge on the extra supplement for premium dishes, is largely a matter of preference and taste.

Epicurean: British fine dining

Located high on Deck 17, Epicurean is billed as Ventura’s most refined dining experience.

The setting is smart and serene, with crisp linens, polished service, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering ocean views that turn golden at sunset.

This is where guests will find creative interpretations of British and international classics, often presented with a touch of molecular gastronomy (think foams, edible flowers, and table-side theatre).

The menu changes from voyage to voyage, but guests can explore P&O's sample menus for an idea of what to expect. Signature dishes might include venison medallions with redcurrant jus, butter-poached lobster tail, or West Country beef fillet, plated alongside imaginative accompaniments.

Desserts are presented as equally artful. There are crêpes Suzette flambéed at your table or modern deconstructions of traditional puddings.

At Epicurean there’s a cover charge of around £28 per person, which includes multiple courses. In terms of dress code, jackets are suggested for gentlemen, and while it’s formal, it feels indulgent rather than stuffy.

The pace is unhurried, making it ideal for a special night when you want to linger over every course.

Sindhu: Indian flavours with finesse

Sindhu was created by Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar, with the aim of blending the aromatic spices of India with European cooking techniques and British palates.

The menu changes day by day, (a detail worth knowing before you book a table in advance).

Generally, guests can expect beautifully spiced dishes including prawn moilee with coconut, curry leaves, and mustard seeds, or slow-cooked lamb rendang or spiced lamb rump with fragrant pilaf, or sea bream baked in banana leaf with tamarind and lime.

This is not an all-you-can-eat curry house. These are plated, a la carte portions, and the the presentation is high-end. Also, notably, the menu is designed to serve up spice levels that are approachable and accessible for most diners.

The culinary influence extends beyond India, with touches of Thai, Malaysian, and Indonesian cuisine also on the menu.

Cover charges typically range from £15 to £25 per person depending on the cruise length. Service is attentive but relaxed, and for couples, it’s presented as one of Ventura’s most romantic dining rooms.

The Glass House: A wine-dining experience

Conceived with UK wine expert Olly Smith, The Glass House is seen as both a wine bar and a restaurant.

It’s a flexible space: pop in for a pre-dinner glass, enjoy a leisurely lunch with ocean views, or settle in for an evening of small plates and wine pairings.

The wine list is intended to be the star here. It is curated by Olly Smith and it offers bottles from around the world, at prices often lower than you’d find on land.

Guests can order by the glass, by the bottle, or use a wine dispenser to sample premium wines by the measure.

The food is served à la carte, with tapas-style small plates (like tempura prawns, mini sliders, or artisan cheese trios) starting at around £5 for three, and larger mains such as steaks or fish and chips from about £5.50.

There are also special wine pairing dinners, which are four courses with matching wines, priced at about £30 per person.

It is a popular spot for couples who want to graze and sip, as well as friends sharing a bottle and a few plates.

The Beach House: Sun-glazed comfort food

The Beach House, found on Deck 15 at the rear of the cruise ship, is a space that's transformed in the evening (earlier in the day, it is part of the buffet). At night, the buffet is roped off, the tables are dressed, and friendly waiters take over.

Beach House offers a menu is unapologetically casual and hearty. Popular features include BBQ ribs, lava-rock steaks, thick fajitas, tasty burgers, Cajun salmon, and tropical-inspired sides.

The desserts are equally generous, from rum-glazed roasted pineapple to rich chocolate sundaes.

Across the signature options, it aruably the best value. The cover charge is modest (around £7 to £10 per person), whilst a few premium items are charged extra.

The flavours are bold and delicious. The portions are larger than in the MDRs, and the relaxed, no-dress-code atmosphere make it a hit for families and anyone wanting to avoid the formality on formal nights.

Frankie’s Grill and Pizzeria

Frankie’s Grill overlooks Ventura's main pool area. It serves up burgers, hot dogs, and chips, meanwhile, the nearby Frankie’s Pizzeria (also in the vicinity of the pools) offers a rotation of stone-baked pizza slices.

These are great for a quick, casual bite in your swimwear.

Also nearby, guests will find Ventura's ice cream counter - which sell Jude’s brand scoops for a relatively modest extra charge (about £3.50 for a waffle cone with two scoops).

Kids’ menus and tea time

P&O caters for younger cruisers, albeit in a way that some parties may find frustrating.

All MDRs have a dedicated children’s menu with classics like fish fingers, pasta bolognese, and chicken nuggets (but, if you're not seated in Saffron, the wait time can be longer).

At the buffet, Ventura serves a 'Children’s Tea' only between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm. It is designed for little ones who need to eat early, though timing can be restrictive if you prefer to dine together as a family (and we found the kid-friendly options limited when we all ate at the buffet later in the evening).

Room service, without hidden costs

Ventura’s room service is available around the clock, making it a handy option whether you want breakfast in bed, a private lunch on your balcony, or a late-night snack after the show.

Most items – such as sandwiches, salads, soups, and simple breakfast plates – are included in your cruise fare at no extra cost, which is unusual compared to many lines that charge per item.

Hot dishes, premium selections, and orders placed late at night (usually after 11:00 pm) carry a small surcharge, but prices are reasonable. Service is prompt and friendly, and trays are neatly presented.

For couples, it’s a great way to enjoy a quiet meal together, and for families, it’s an easy way to keep kids fed without venturing out.

Tazzine (Costa coffee)

Located in the atrium, on Deck 5, Tazzine is Ventura’s go-to spot for speciality coffee and light bites.

Serving Costa Coffee, a welcome taste of home for many cruisers, it offers the full range of espresso drinks, cappuccinos, lattes, and iced coffees, all made by skilled baristas.

Alongside the coffee menu, you’ll find a tempting selection of pastries, muffins, biscuits, and small cakes. It’s a popular morning stop before excursions, as well as an afternoon pick-me-up between activities.

Seating in the atrium means you can sip your drink while people-watching or listening to the occasional live music from the nearby piano.

Tazzine is the place to go for a higher-quality brew or a coffeehouse treat.

Costa Coffee is not included in the cruise fare, though small servings are included in certain P&O Drinks Packages. Meanwhile, tea and basic filter coffee are included in your cruise fare at the buffet and restaurants.

Prices at Tazzine (Costa) are in line with high street coffee shops in the UK, and there’s no added gratuity. For non-coffee drinkers, the café also offers hot chocolate, a selection of teas, and chilled soft drinks.

Tazzin is a pleasant place to relax away from the bustle of the buffet, and a good meeting point for friends or family before heading off to the next onboard activity.

Summing up dining on Ventura

The dining locations on P&O’s Ventura serve up a mix of dependable favourites, bites with international flair, and a handful of memorable “treat yourself” moments.

The Main Dining Rooms deliver consistently well-prepared meals with attentive service, while The Beach House and the signature restaurants offer the chance to step up the flavour and atmosphere without blowing the budget.

The Waterside Buffet may not win awards for variety or presentation, but it’s convenient, casual, and ready when you are.

Where Ventura really shines is in giving guests the freedom to match their dining to their mood – formal one night, relaxed poolside the next, with the option to splurge on fine dining for a special occasion.

The pricing for speciality venues is modest compared to other cruise lines, and the fact that gratuities are included in the fare means there are no awkward surprises at the table.

Whether you’re sipping wine at The Glass House, tucking into a sizzling steak at The Beach House, or enjoying breakfast in bed via room service, the ship offers a satisfying balance between quality, choice, and value.

For couples, there are opportunities for romantic meals that make an evening feel special. And, for families, there are options that keep everyone fed without too much fuss (on this score, the poolside food is a hit, but the buffet in particular has some room for improvement).

Overall, Ventura gives guests a solid and versatile dining experience that’s easy to tailor to their own holiday style.