Ventura weather stumps launch party

The stunning offshore fireworks display that was due to send Ventura on her way yesterday became a damp squib – when the brand new cruise ship left for her maiden voyage, she was supposed to depart into a huge fireworks display.

Wet and windy weather forced P&O bosses to call the original plan off. The 115,000-ton super ship was supposed to leave Southampton and then moor off Gosport while fireworks were launched from a barge at sea, instead, the pyrotechnics were launched from Southampton Water. A spokesman for P&O said, ‘It is quite open water where the fireworks display was due to take place. Because of the high winds, it was no longer safe.’ Even the sailing had to be postponed a couple of hours to cope with the weather.

Ventura's voyage to the Mediterranean, which was completely sold out within hours of going on sale, will take her to seven ports of call in four different countries. Passengers in the ship's ultra-luxurious suites have paid up to £12,000 each, while guests who booked a standard inside cabin will have paid at least £3,000.