Summary: Ventura drydock at Damen Shipyard in Rotterdam has concluded. The 3,100-guest ship will resume service with a 35-night Caribbean and United States itinerary beginning February 27, 2026, followed by Northern Europe and Canary Islands sailings.

P&O Cruises' Ventura completed a scheduled drydock at Damen Shipyard in Rotterdam and is set to depart on a 35-night Caribbean and United States cruise on February 27, 2026. The Ventura concluded its prior operations in Southampton on February 7, 2026, and arrived at the shipyard shortly thereafter for maintenance work.

Drydock and upgrades in Rotterdam

The Ventura entered Damen Shipyard's facilities in Rotterdam for its planned drydock period after finishing scheduled sailings from Southampton. According to the report, the ship arrived at the shipyard one day after the drydock. During the yard stay the vessel underwent standard maintenance and any planned upgrade work intended to ensure it meets operational standards for the coming season.

With a guest capacity of 3,100, Ventura received attention to both engineering and guest-facing elements so it can return to service in optimal condition. P&O Cruises framed the extended works as necessary to maintain the ship’s standards ahead of a busy 2026 schedule.

A 35-night Caribbean and United States voyage

Following the drydock, Ventura will sail a long-form itinerary through the Caribbean and United States beginning February 27, 2026. The schedule includes multiple US ports and several Caribbean stops, offering passengers extended time ashore in key destinations.

  • US ports of call: Port Canaveral and Miami, plus a two-day call in New Orleans
  • Caribbean stops: Cozumel, Roatán and Freeport (Bahamas)
  • Voyage length: 35 nights, beginning February 27, 2026

Passengers booked on a short four-night cruise that had been scheduled to depart February 23, 2026 — which included an overnight in Amsterdam — were affected by a drydock extension originally announced in September 2025. That sailing was cancelled because the extended yard period made the itinerary infeasible.

Return to Northern Europe and the Canary Islands

After completing the Caribbean and US leg, Ventura will return to Southampton in early April 2026 and then begin a series of Northern Europe and Canary Islands cruises for spring. These sailings will give guests the chance to visit a mix of Iberian and Atlantic island ports.

  • Northern Europe and Canary Islands itinerary highlights: Santander and Vigo (Spain), Zeebrugge (Belgium), Funchal (Madeira, Portugal), and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain)

The planned European and island cruises are positioned to attract guests seeking varied short and medium-length voyages, combining cultural calls in Spain and Belgium with the subtropical appeal of the Canary Islands and Madeira.

P&O Cruises Ventura at Damen Shipyard in Rotterdam during drydock
Ventura in dock at Damen Shipyard, Rotterdam, where the ship completed scheduled maintenance and upgrades before its Caribbean and US itinerary.

Industry context: cruise demand and itinerary expansion

The Ventura’s return to service with extended and varied itineraries reflects wider trends in cruise demand, where operators are offering longer and more immersive voyages. As ports reopen and passenger numbers grow post-pandemic, cruise lines are expanding sailings to meet demand for both destination-rich journeys and seasonal regional deployments.

For ports of call such as Port Canaveral, Miami and New Orleans, visits from large cruise vessels contribute materially to local tourism economies through passenger spending and shore-based activity. At the same time, cruise lines say maintaining high standards and addressing sustainability remain priorities as itineraries expand.

What this means for travellers and ports

The Ventura’s drydock completion means passengers can expect the ship to operate with refreshed facilities and necessary technical checks in place. For travellers, the 35-night Caribbean and US itinerary presents an opportunity for an extended, multi-destination cruise. For destination partners, the deployment supports continued economic activity tied to cruise tourism while underscoring the need for coordination on port calls and guest services.

So what? The Ventura’s return highlights how cruise lines are balancing vessel upkeep with ambitious itineraries to meet rising demand. Bookings, port planning and traveller expectations should factor in possible schedule changes related to maintenance windows, but passengers can also look forward to extended sailings and refreshed onboard offerings as ships re-enter service for 2026.