P&O Cruises' Ventura Returns After Rotterdam Drydock Refit

P&O Cruises’ Ventura returned to passenger service in late February after completing a drydock at Damen Shipyard in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, welcoming guests back on February 27, 2026. The 2008-built ship resumed operations with a 35-night sailing from Southampton to the Caribbean and the United States, including an extended two-day stay in New Orleans.

Drydock timeline in Rotterdam

Ventura завершed its pre-drydock program in Southampton on February 7, 2026, and arrived in Rotterdam the following day for planned work at Damen Shipyard. After the overhaul, the ship re-entered service on February 27 with a long, repositioning-style itinerary that combines transatlantic sea days with calls in Spain, the Azores, the Caribbean and the U.S.

Ventura was built by Fincantieri in Italy and entered service in 2008. The ship is based on the Princess Cruises Grand-class design and is rated for approximately 3,100 guests.

Cabins and suites refreshed with new finishes and soft goods

A major focus of the refit was a broad update to accommodations, aimed at delivering a warmer, more neutral look across multiple stateroom categories. Work in cabins and corridors included new carpeting, refreshed curtains and other soft furnishings, updated lighting details, and renewed seating elements such as armchairs.

Suites received additional upgrades that included decorative ceiling lighting, updated desk areas, added in-room design touches such as bedside maps, and refreshed bathrooms and balconies.

Updated public spaces, lounges, and dining venues

Across Ventura’s public areas, the drydock introduced refreshed finishes and revised design palettes. The ship’s main atrium was modernized with a redesigned dance floor featuring a marquetry-effect plank look and timber-toned finishes, while circulation areas such as halls, elevators and stairways also received new carpeting.

Several lounges and social venues were updated with new color schemes, carpet changes, and design refreshes, including Red Bar, Tamarind Club, Havana and Metropolis.

Dining venues also received targeted updates focused on comfort and materials. Sindhu added carpeting inspired by Indian block-printing textile patterns, while Epicurean refreshed its seating with upholstery changes. Additional dining areas updated during the drydock included Beach House, Bay Tree, Saffron, and the Waterside buffet area.

Theater, retail, and spa changes introduced during the refit

Ventura’s Arena Theater, which seats about 800 guests, was redesigned with inspiration from Greek theater architecture, emphasizing symmetry, geometric motifs and curved seating arrangements.

The drydock also created new retail spaces on decks 6 and 7, expanding onboard shopping options.

In the wellness area, the Oasis Spa and Salon was renovated with a refreshed look that blends geometric tile patterns with warm, neutral tones. The space added new hair stations and introduced three Japanese head rituals intended to promote relaxation and support hair and scalp care.

Where Ventura is sailing now, and what comes next

Ventura’s first sailing after the drydock is a 35-night itinerary from Southampton that incorporates calls in Spain and the Azores before continuing to the Caribbean and the U.S., including Florida and the Gulf Coast. The program includes a two-day stay alongside in New Orleans, as well as visits to ports including Miami, Port Canaveral, Cozumel, Belize, Roatán and Freeport in the Bahamas.

• Spain and the Azores: The outbound portion includes a call at La Coruña in Spain and a stop at Praia da Vitória in the Azores.
• Florida calls: The U.S. itinerary features Port Canaveral and Miami as scheduled ports of call.
• New Orleans stay: The voyage includes an extended two-day stay in New Orleans during the U.S. Gulf Coast portion of the cruise.
• Western Caribbean ports: Stops include Cozumel, Belize, and Roatán as the ship continues through the region.
• Bahamas visit: Freeport is included among the Caribbean calls before the ship heads back across the Atlantic.

After completing the 35-night itinerary and returning to Southampton in early April, Ventura is scheduled to operate additional cruises, including sailings to Northern Europe and the Canary Islands. Destinations highlighted in the upcoming program include Zeebrugge, Santander, Vigo, Funchal and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Schedule adjustments linked to the extended refit

The refit timeline also prompted changes to Ventura’s schedule ahead of its return. P&O Cruises canceled a four-night cruise that had been set to depart on February 23, 2026, after the drydock was extended and the itinerary could not operate as planned. That sailing had been due to include an overnight call in Amsterdam.

No official statement from a named P&O Cruises executive or spokesperson was included in available reports.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When did Ventura return to service after the Rotterdam drydock?

Ventura welcomed passengers back on February 27, 2026, after completing drydock work at Damen Shipyard in Rotterdam.

What were the main upgrades completed during Ventura’s refit?

The refit included refreshed cabins and suites with new carpeting, updated soft furnishings and lighting details, plus suite enhancements such as decorative ceiling lighting and refreshed bathrooms and balconies. Public spaces were redesigned across the atrium, lounges and dining venues, the Arena Theater was updated, new retail spaces were added on decks 6 and 7, and the Oasis Spa and Salon received a visual refresh along with new hair stations and three Japanese head rituals.

What itinerary is Ventura operating immediately after drydock?

Ventura is sailing a 35-night cruise from Southampton to the Caribbean and the United States. The itinerary includes calls such as La Coruña and Praia da Vitória earlier in the voyage, then Port Canaveral, Miami, Cozumel, Belize, Roatán and Freeport, plus an extended two-day stay in New Orleans.

Which cruise was canceled because the refit took longer than planned?

P&O Cruises canceled a four-night sailing scheduled to depart February 23, 2026, after Ventura’s drydock timeline was extended. The canceled itinerary had included an overnight visit to Amsterdam.